The battlefield stilled for a moment as King D rose to his feet, battered but determined. He held his warhammer tightly, golden energy radiating from his massive form. But this time, something changed—an aura unlike anything Wu-Ji or Dave had seen before began to emanate from him.
King D (calmly):
"You've pushed me far enough, Dave Igneel. It's time you witnessed the strength of a king."
He slammed his warhammer into the ground one final time. The weapon began to glow, its shape distorting and reshaping itself into a gleaming longsword, its blade radiating golden light.
King D:
"Stomp of the King!"
He raised his foot and slammed it into the ground, the sheer force sending shockwaves through the battlefield. The air around him grew heavy, and even Dave paused, sensing the shift in power.
King D stood still for a moment, closing his eyes and letting out a slow, deep breath. His massive frame began to shrink, his muscles receding, and his armor falling away. His body became thin and wiry, his height unchanged but now strikingly elegant. His long, silver hair—almost 60 centimeters—fell forward, covering his face like a veil.
Wu-Ji (staring in disbelief):
"What... what is this? I've never seen him like this before."
This was a side of King D no one had ever witnessed—the form of a king who had mastered both power and restraint. The battlefield grew silent as he lifted his longsword, the blade gleaming with unparalleled energy.
King D (his voice quiet but filled with authority):
"This is my true state. The strength I've kept hidden for decades. And now, Dave Igneel, you will face it."
Without warning, King D let out a primal scream, his voice filled with rage and purpose. He swung the longsword with all his might, the sheer force of the attack splitting the air itself. The blade's energy extended outward, creating a massive golden arc that tore through the battlefield, heading straight for Dave.
Dave, for the first time, narrowed his eyes. He braced himself, summoning a shield of his dark energy to block the incoming attack. The clash of their powers created a blinding explosion, shaking the very ground beneath them.
Dave (grinning, but with a hint of strain):
"Finally, a worthy challenge. Let's see what you've got, King."
Wu-Ji, though exhausted, wasn't about to stand by. With his Infinity Crossblade still in hand, he launched himself into the fray. Channeling his Zodiac Energy, he unleashed a barrage of electric strikes, aiming to overwhelm Dave while King D pressed the attack.
The two warriors fought in perfect sync, their combined attacks creating a symphony of destruction. Wu-Ji's swift and precise strikes complemented King D's overwhelming power, forcing Dave to stay on the defensive.
But Dave was no ordinary opponent. Even as the two saviors pushed him to his limits, his skill and raw energy allowed him to keep up. His movements were almost otherworldly, dodging and countering with precision that left both Wu-Ji and King D on edge.
At one point, Dave caught Wu-Ji mid-strike, hurling him to the ground with enough force to create a crater. King D immediately stepped in, swinging his longsword in a devastating arc. Dave blocked the attack with his bare hands, the force sending shockwaves rippling across the battlefield.
King D took a step back, breathing heavily. His thin form was deceptively strong, but the strain of maintaining such immense power was beginning to show. Wu-Ji, too, was struggling to keep up, his energy reserves nearly depleted.
King D (to Wu-Ji):
"This isn't just a battle. This is a test. We can't lose here, not to him."
Wu-Ji nodded, gripping his blade tightly. Together, they prepared for one final assault, pouring every ounce of their strength into a coordinated attack.
As the battle raged on, the clash between the King's true form, Wu-Ji's determination, and Dave's unrelenting power threatened to tear the battlefield apart. Would the combined might of King D and Wu-Ji be enough to finally bring Dave Igneel to his knees? Or would the saviors of humanity fall before his overwhelming strength? The answer lay in the next strike.