4th Day of 3rd Water Cycle[1], 1999 g.c.
The battlefield raged, each moment crackling with power and desperation, but Luda stood strong as a beacon of determination. A blazing aura like a golden sun ignited the air around him in bursts of light that seared the crumbling hillside. Golden flares of mana licked at the air, creating bursts of light that jumped toward the fractured ceiling. His stance was solid, and his focus razor-sharp. Each crackle of energy underscored the precision he had honed over years of refining his craft. His control over [Journey of Ra] had become second nature, allowing him to channel power in ways I couldn't help but admire.
The cave that once held us in darkness was now an exposed, crumbling hillside. Each blow from our battle tore the land apart further, transforming it into an open scar on Gaia's surface. Dust clouds mingled with faint traces of mana, creating a surreal haze that glimmered in the light pouring in from the shattered roof above.
I launched myself back into the fray, landing beside Luda as Taurus glared at us both. His hulking frame trembled slightly—not with fear, but with the kind of rage that boiled beneath the surface. His burning teal eyes narrowed, flicking between the two of us as if weighing his next move. His voice rumbled like an oncoming stampede.
"You insolent worms," Taurus hissed, his breath escaping in heated bursts. "You insist I fight you with real strength? Shall I grind your pathetic existence into the dust, or do you prefer a slower death?"
He wasn't laughing anymore. The notion that Gaians, of all beings, could force him to fight seriously was no longer entertaining—it was infuriating.
My annoyance matched his. The thought of losing wasn't just unbearable; it was infuriating. This life wasn't his to take. I'd been given this chance—this shot to live how I wanted—and there was no way I'd let some overgrown roid-raging bull take that away.
[Midnight Star: Belial]'s voice slithered into my mind, smooth and intoxicating as ever.
"Yeeesss, that's the feeling you need. Feed our pride. Remember who the fuck we are."
That was all it took. A hurricane of Bio Mana surged through my body, roaring to life like an unleashed storm. Silver and indigo flames burst from me, swirling in a volatile dance as [Neutrino Rush] and [Adaptive Predator] activated simultaneously. The power was immediate—strength, speed, defense, magical capacity—everything skyrocketed to its peak. The metallic tang of charged mana filled the air, sharp and electric, as my energy collided with Taurus's oppressive Domain Art.
The impact of my energy shattered the remaining ceiling, sending chunks of rock crashing down. Morning light streamed in, illuminating the battlefield in stark contrast to the destruction below. Trails of mana spiraled upward, leaving streaks in the sky.
Luda's eyes flicked to me, a momentary glimmer of relief breaking through his stoic focus. He smirked, shaking his head as he turned his attention back to Taurus.
"It's about time you started taking this seriously. You were about to piss me off."
I matched his smirk, rolling my shoulders as the power coursing through me burned off in waves.
"My bad, Luda. I thought this nigga was a joke."
The familiar hum of [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] filtered through my mind with a calm, calculating tone.
"Master, Crest of the Wolfpak is now ready to gift Battle Class upgrades to The Wolfpak. Do you want to proceed?"
Instantly, I replied. "You damn right I do."
Just off to the side while Luda and I squared off with Taurus, the rest of the Wolfpak struggled to regroup. Artamis and Steez were back on their feet, steadying themselves against the chaotic winds created by the colliding mana. Taurus's presence alone was enough to crack the walls of what was left of Goblin Cave, turning the area into a demolished hill. The sound of rocks crumbling in the background became the soundtrack for our dance of death.
Artamis was crouched beside Alex, shaking his shoulder. "Come on, bro, wake your ass up. This ain't nap time."
Alex's body jerked as his Ultra Skill activated. [Speakerboxxx/The Love Below] lit him up with Holy Mana, creating a halo-like glow that pulsed through his veins. His eyes snapped open with a sharp gasp.
"Hoowwuh! Cough… cough… The hell, fuck?"
Artamis grinned, slapping his shoulder. "Welcome back, nigga. Ready to get your ass kicked again?"
Alex groaned, sitting up and clutching his chest. "Ass kick? Where is that fucking talking ox?"
Artamis raised a brow. "Yo, what the hell was that? How'd you just light up and bounce back like that?"
Alex rolled his neck, cracking it as he stood. "Oh, you mean my Ultra Skill. A half of it is called [The Love Below]. It lets me deny a lethal strike if I house any anger."
Artamis gave a low whistle. "Word? That's useful. I bet the cooldown for it sucks."
Steez studied his shattered arm with grim determination. "Crushed the bones, huh?"
Artamis turned to him, a flicker of concern breaking through his usual deadpan tone. "You want me to try my Healing Flame Arts on it?"
Steez shook his head, his expression unchanging. "Nah. I got something."
A small orb of Temporal Mana appeared in his hand, radiating a soft, teal light that slightly warped the space around it. He pressed it to his broken arm, and the limb began to mend—not through traditional healing, but by rewinding the damage.
Alex watched in fascination. "What kind of healing spell is that?"
"It's not a true heal," Steez explained, clenching his fist as the bones reset. " It's a time spell. It reverses damage up to a week ago."
Artamis smirked, crossing his arms. "He also can't spam it like normal healing."
The synchronized rush from the Crest of the Wolfpak hit them all at once. Bio Mana flared in smoky tendrils, pouring from their eyes and body like steam.
Artamis grinned wide, his sharp teeth flashing in the glow of his mana. "Hot damn. Feel that? Xi must be pissed. But this mana boost is just what I needed."
Steez rolled his newly repaired arm, nodding. "I knew sooner or later, he'd find a way to get stronger."
Artamis crouched, his hands glowing as he began gathering mana. "I got an idea. I'm going to need a minute."
Alex gritted his teeth, determination blazing in his eyes. "Damnit," he thought, clenching his fists. "I can't be the one holding the team back. I won't let my clan down."
While I steadied my focus, locking eyes with Taurus, Luda shifted his weight, lowering his body into a stance brimming with precision and readiness. His golden aura intensified, illuminating the cavern with a fiery brilliance as he cast [Yang Mana Arts: Clone Creation]. Six radiant ravens, their forms composed of Yang Mana, spiraled out from him in elegant arcs. They morphed mid-flight, their energy solidifying into exact replicas of Luda, each brandishing a longsword forged from Solar Mana. These blazing weapons glimmered like molten plasma, their glow creating cascading shadows that danced across the jagged walls of the battlefield.
The clones moved in perfect synchronicity, fanning out to encircle Taurus with lethal intent. Their swords hummed with unstable, solar power, sizzling against the frigid air of the cave. I recognized the ability immediately—Luda's mastery of Clone Creation had evolved since I'd last seen it. I smirked, recalling how I'd developed a Yin Mana version myself, one that hit harder thanks to my natural affinity with it.
Luda's seven-man assault began with unrelenting ferocity. The clones rushed Taurus, their swords slashing at his massive form in coordinated waves. Each strike clashed against an invisible barrier of golden and red light that rippled on impact—the same one that had frustrated Steez earlier. Sparks of Solar Mana exploded off the shield, filling the cavern with a crackling symphony of energy.
Despite the barrier's strength, the clones kept pressing, their attacks relentless. Their slashes and blows forced Taurus to shift into a defensive stance, his glaive raised to shield his face. Even the mountainous Trapper found himself stumbling under their relentless assault. One clone vaulted through the air, landing a mana-laced flying kick to the side of his head. The strike resounded like thunder against glass, and for the first time, cracks spider-webbed across Taurus's shimmering shield.
The clones exploited the opening. Two seized his arms, wrenching them outward, exposing his torso as the remaining four lunged in unison. Their swords blurred through the air, carving crisscrossing arcs of light that battered against the defense of Taurus's [Heaven's Rage] skill. The once-impenetrable shield dimmed with each successive hit, flickering dangerously.
I muttered under my breath, "Where the hell is that shield coming from?"
Tsukuyomi answered. "That is his Mana Barrier, a product of his [Heaven's Rage] skill. His fury amplifies both his defense and offense. However, notice the cracks—his fear of Luda has destabilized it."
That insight clicked. I whispered back in thought, "So emotions other than rage weaken it. That explains why Starlight Barrage landed earlier with little resistance."
Tsukuyomi continued. "Indeed. Luda's techniques borrow from the Red Queen's essence under your Crest. For moments within the Heavenly Crescent Blade, his weapon becomes a phantom copy of the Red Queen, bypassing dimensional barriers like the original."
A grin crept across my face. "So... that's why that technique hit extra hard. It has a trace of my ability, just filtered through him."
Using the clones' assault as a distraction, I shifted my position, preparing to execute a plan. Taurus, meanwhile, adapted quickly. With a honking roar, he yanked his arms free, seizing two clones by their throats and smashing them together. They disintegrated into a golden mist that lingered in the air like sunlight trapped in a bottle.
With only four clones remaining, Taurus re-equipped and spun his glaive in a blur above his head. The air trembled as a swirling vortex of yellow and green Divinity Mana formed around him.
"Damnit, he's about to make his move." Luda thought to himself as he shifted his real body out of the attack's range.
"Divinity Mana Arts: Winds of Eden!" Taurus bellowed, his voice becoming a thunderclap that shook the crumbling cave.
The cyclone tore through the clones with surgical precision. Each was shredded into harmless mana fragments, their forms evaporating in flashes of gold. Within moments, the radiant doppelgangers were no more, and the heavenly winds subsided, leaving an eerie silence.
Taurus straightened, his imposing frame glowing with the remnants of Divinity Mana. "Struggle all you want, Gaians. Your fate is to be consumed by one of Heaven's Zodiac Keys. Nothing will change that."
His words boiled my blood. "Wrong, bitch!" I snarled, surging forward with [Neutrino Rush] increasing my speed. "I'm the twist!"
I materialized behind him in an instant, blade poised to sever his neck. Taurus reacted with blinding speed, ducking my strike and countering with a horned upper thrust. His black horns speared through what he thought was me, but [Absolute Hypnosis] had already taken root. The real Luda and I flanked him from both sides, our swords slicing through his torso in a perfectly timed cross-slash.
The impact detonated his barrier, unleashing a shockwave that shattered loose rocks around us. Taurus roared, staggering backward as glowing cracks spread across his armored hide.
"YAAEAGH! Insufferable worms!"
His voice trembled with fury as he slammed a massive fist into the ground. The earth beneath us erupted, forming a jagged wall of stone that smashed into both Luda and me, hurling us dozens of yards away.
Taurus stood amidst the destruction, his chest heaving, his eyes burning with a heavenly fire. "These scratches," he growled, "are getting you nowhere."
Meanwhile...
The quiet hum of mana filled the small office of Grandma Fann, its golden glow illuminating the dim space. Jawz lay motionless on the cot, his breathing slow and steady. Above him, the faint shimmer of magitons cascaded like dust motes in sunlight, responding to the focused energy of [Yang Mana Arts: Greater Heal]. The soft scent of blue roses lingered in the air, a calming fragrance intermingling with the metallic tang of dried blood and dirt that clung to Lysa and Jawz's clothing.
Fann's weathered hands glided through the healing motions with precision, her voice calm and steady. "Looks like he's stable. The scary hour is over with." She wiped her brow with a practiced swipe of her sleeve, the lines of her face relaxing ever so slightly.
Lysa exhaled deeply, her shoulders finally easing from their tense posture. "Thank The Creator. And thank the Devil of Velonica. If it wasn't for him, we both would've ended up victims to the Goblin King."
Kimmi, sitting cross-legged in a chair at the back of the room, let her legs swing idly as she muttered darkly, "I hate that guy. If my brothers don't kill him one day, I will."
"Kimmi-boo," Fann chided gently, her voice like a soothing balm. "Quell your anger. I'm sure the Goblin King will get all that's coming to him."
Before the conversation could continue, the door creaked open. Glynis entered, her face etched with concern, followed closely by Vericka. Glynis's usual joyful demeanor faltered for a moment as her eyes swept the room, landing on the cot where Jawz rested. Vericka, however, was all sharp angles and intense presence, her gaze immediately locking onto the visibly shaken Lysa.
Kimmi hopped off her chair, a faint smile briefly breaking her earlier grim expression. "Mom. Aunt Glynis."
Glynis nodded toward her niece before addressing the room. "Where are the ones who saw the boys?"
Fann gestured toward Lysa and Jawz. "These two would be the ones rescued by Xiro, it seems. Lysa here also mentioned the sight of someone that you need to hear."
"I found them falling out of one of his traveling portals," Kimmi added, crossing her arms.
Vericka stepped closer to Lysa, her imposing aura tightening the air in the room. The dwarf shrank under her scrutiny, visibly trembling. Before she could speak, a muffled explosion echoed through the village. The vibrations rippled through the floorboards, rattling the bottles and jars lining the shelves.
Kimmi groaned, her frustration spilling over. "Another one? Those explosions might be my brothers'."
Vericka ignored her daughter's remark, her focus locked on Lysa. Her voice was cold steel, her aura secretly leaking a powerful signature as her glowed with mismatched colors. "You there. Lysa, correct? I would like to know everything you've seen."
"Ye-ye-yes m-ma'am," Lysa stammered, her words trembling like loose leaves in the wind.
Before she could collect herself, Jawz stirred. His voice, though weak, was steady enough to cut through the tension. "There was another majin. One wearing a gray gi and black hakama, with pins under his eyes, appeared to challenge the Goblin King. He was faster than anything I've ever seen."
Lysa nodded quickly, finding her voice in his. "He and a group of young Celestial warriors were cracking jokes and laughing at the Hobgoblins and their winged boss."
"That's definitely Xi and the others," Kimmi said, her tone carrying a mix of exasperation and relief.
"Hobgoblins? Plural?" Vericka pressed, her sharp tone causing Lysa to flinch. "Their boss?"
Jawz nodded. "Yes ma'am. The Goblin King called for backup after feeling the mana signature of the majin outside the cave. His request was answered by another Hobgoblin and a black-winged warrior in gold and black armor."
The room fell into a heavy silence. Fann broke it with a single, pointed question. "Black wings? Did you see a halo as well?"
"No," Jawz replied, shaking his head. "I didn't notice a halo."
"I didn't see one either," Lysa added quickly. "B-But-But his aura… it was divine. T-Twisted, but undeniably from the Heavens."
Glynis frowned, deep in thought. "Hmm…"
"That was a Trapper," Fann said, her voice low and grave. "I can't shake the feeling."
Jawz blinked, confusion flashing across his face. "A… Trapper?"
Lysa's eyes widened, her voice a whisper. "You mean the things from the old legends?"
Jawz turned to her, intrigued. "You've heard of them?"
"My Granddad used to tell me stories," Lysa explained, her voice growing steadier. "About an angel that came to Gaia and killed trillions. The story ended with a Celestial defeating the angel and saving the world."
"It seems the Hill Dwarves documented the event through stories, like the Light Elves," Fann said.
Vericka's expression darkened. She extended her hand, attempting to cast [Lover's Rock: By Your Side]. Her eyes widened in frustration as the spell fizzled out. "What the hell? I can't return to them! Something is preventing my teleportation."
"Now you're really about to make me worry, Vee," Glynis said, her own unease bleeding through her tone.
"I can't even sense their mana signatures," Vericka admitted, her frustration morphing into genuine concern. "What's going on?"
Glynis turned her piercing gaze back to Lysa and Jawz. Her voice carried a calm but commanding edge. "Hey there. Lysa, was it? Would you two mind telling us everything, starting from the beginning?"
Back at the battlefield...
Alex and Steez stood side by side in the midst of the battle-scarred cavern. Despite their healed bodies, both bore the unmistakable weight of exhaustion. Half their mana reserves were gone, leaving their auras faint compared to the raging power that surrounded them. Alex, in particular, looked lost without his weapons, his hands twitching slightly as if searching for their familiar weight.
In the dim light, Artamis leaned against a fractured portion of the cave wall. His posture seemed casual, but the growing magical flame between his palms betrayed his focus. The flickering flames painted Artamis in ominous hues, casting sharp shadows as they hissed and twisted unnaturally. The air around him thickened with the faint scent of burning sulfur.
Steez turned toward Alex, catching the storm of emotions hidden behind his cousin's eyes. Fear and anger brewed beneath Alex's carefully neutral expression, threatening to bubble over. He wasn't fooling anyone, least of all Steez, who had faced his own battles with inadequacy not long ago. He recognized that look—the same one he had worn when struggling to keep up with Xiro's unmatched brilliance and strength.
"Yo, cuz, you good?" Steez asked, his tone easy but edged with genuine concern.
Alex's head snapped up. "Huh? Oh, y-yeah. I'm good," he stammered, trying to sound convincing but failing.
Steez smirked knowingly, his tone softening but firm. "You ain't gotta lie, fam. It's cool not to be okay. This Trapper nigga? He different. We ain't never seen nothing like him before. Hell, even Xi gotta take this shit seriously. You don't gotta hold back."
Alex's jaw tightened, his lips pressing into a thin line. "But Mom told me that if I use that skill, I could hurt y'all. I could—"
Steez interrupted him with a sharp wave of his hand. "Don't worry 'bout that shit right now. If Auntie Glynis got somethin' to say later, I'll take the heat. The only thing that matters is we make it back to her and Mom in one piece."
Alex hesitated, his hands curling into fists. "But what if I can't control it? What if I—"
"Alex," Steez said, stepping forward and gripping both of Alex's shoulders with a steadying strength. His gaze locked with his cousin's, unwavering. "Real nigga shit? Fuck all that noise and turn the fuck up. You got this."
For a moment, Alex froze, his breath hitching. Then, a flicker of something fierce—something primal—ignited behind his eyes. Relief and tension mixed in his expression as his lips curled into a slow, determined grin. The air around him began to hum with anticipation, like the moment before a raging wildfire unleashed its fury and heat.
"Smooth," Alex said, his voice low but brimming with intent. "I'll do just that."
With that declaration, a snap resounded in the cavern, followed by the roar of black flames erupting from Alex's body. The fire clung to him, swirling in an infernal dance. The temperature plummeted unnaturally, a bone-deep chill radiating from the ebony fire. The wind howled through the cavern. Carrying an acrid scent of a ghostly flame, while the stone cracked beneath Alex's feet.
Steez shielded his eyes as torrents of wind buffeted him. A grin split his face as he lowered his arms, watching his cousin's transformation with unrestrained admiration.
"Yeah, that's that Mikazuki Clan shit," Steez said, his voice thick with pride.
Alex stood at the maelstrom's center, his eyes now blazing with a smokey azure glow. Tendrils of energy licked at the air around him, charged with the same dangerous intensity I often carried.
"It's finally time," Alex growled, his voice resonating with power. He raised a hand, black flames coalescing into a burning vortex. "[Morning Star: Lucifer], show me your anger. [Lucifer's Wrath]—activate."
The cavern quaked violently as Alex unleashed a wave of magical energy, his flames roaring louder than thunder. The darkness of his fire twisted with raw power, swallowing the light and radiating a terrifying aura. He looked over at Steez, his grin feral, his confidence absolute.
Steez's own smile widened as he steadied himself against the gale. "Yeah, Alex. That's what I'm talkin' 'bout. Let's show this nigga what we're really made of."
Both the Prince and I rose to our feet, brushing the dust and loose dirt from our bodies. The impact from Taurus's last attack had flung chunks of rock and terrain at me, but thanks to [Physical Damage Cancel], it didn't leave so much as a scratch. Luda and the Wolfpak weren't quite as lucky, but their newly acquired [Physical Damage Resist] had toughened them up enough to tank the brunt of the assault. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling of dread coiling in my gut. The real danger wasn't in his physical attacks—it was that damned Divinity Mana radiating off him like a volcano waiting to break.
Just as I steadied myself, a sudden, overwhelming spike in magical energy nearly knocked me off balance. My senses screamed as I turned my head, immediately locking onto the source. Alex's mana signature flared brighter and more chaotic than anything I'd felt before. It didn't just saturate the air—it devoured it, leaving behind a dense, fiery taste that sent chills through my body.
Even Taurus paused mid-step, his hulking form turning sharply as his glowing eyes narrowed. The faint smirk tugging at his lips hinted at his interest, but his gaze held something else—a calculating edge.
"This batch of Sonata Cores," Taurus mused to himself, his voice as deep and jagged as the cavern walls he had shattered. "They are unlike anything the stories of Eden foretold. Constantly rising…where is all this power coming from?"
In my head, alarms were blaring. "What the fuck is happening?" I thought. "Where is Alex pulling this much magick energy from? That's a shit ton, even for him."
Tsukuyomi's calm voice chimed in from within. "That is the result of the Vessel Subskill [Lucifer's Wrath]. It converts stored anger into a boost of magical offense."
I blinked. "Damn…he's been bottling up this much rage?"
[Midnight Star: Belial]'s smooth, more playful tone joined the conversation. "There's another ability at play here. Something tied to the same family as our [Dominus Superbiae]. However, it isn't fully activated."
The implications hit me hard. "So he really does have a Sonata Core."
Tsukuyomi's tone sharpened, always eager to present a strategy. "Master, I propose an idea. How about attempting the use of Devil Mana again?"
Belial immediately interjected, his voice dripping with amusement. "He hasn't used Devil Mana since we were toddlers."
I frowned, thinking back. "I forgot I even had access to that. What's so special about it?"
Belial chuckled. "It's about time you inquired."
Before I could respond, a flood of knowledge and memories washed over me—Belial filling me in on the intricacies of Devil Mana, its raw destructive force, and its inherent link to dominance and pride. The energy was volatile, yet perfect for turning the tide in impossible situations.
As soon as the connection ended, my attention snapped back to Luda. His stance mirrored my own—focused, but clearly bracing for the next attack. I locked eyes with him, activating [Telepathy] to share the plan forming in my mind. The faint hum of magick buzzed between us as my thoughts reached him.
"Yo, L, I got a plan."
"Well, let me have it. What are you thinking?" he replied, his mental tone steady but tinged with curiosity.
Alex stood with his arm extended, palm flat, and aimed directly at Taurus. From his hand, a spark of black and white flame ignited—a deadly flicker that looked almost alive. The small concentration of mythical fire began to grow, feeding hungrily on the magitons in the air. The aura it emitted felt cold, biting at the edges of my senses, yet its heat burned in a way that spoke to something deeper, something spiritual.
Artamis, positioned slightly behind Alex, turned his head toward the ethereal energy rushing past him. The mana spiraling around Alex churned with a cold frenzy, yet a wide grin of surprise spread across Artamis's face. His eyes gleamed with recognition.
"That's Hellfire!" Artamis exclaimed, his voice brimming with astonishment. "You can create Hellfire Mana? Since when Alex?"
Under the immense pressure of his newly awakened magical power, Alex's voice came out rough and distorted, a low growl that sent vibrations through the ruined battlefield. The skill's side effect laced his tone with something otherworldly, like the resonance of a primal beast.
"Since I was a pup," Alex growled. "But I've only done it once."
"Hold on," Artamis said, his grin growing wider. "Let me help you aim that. I've got an idea."
Before Alex could protest, Artamis darted toward him, a small flaming aura burning around his entire body. His movements were a blur of excitement and precision, his usual cool demeanor replaced by something fiery—something that matched the inferno in his eyes.
"Careful, Art," Alex warned, his voice strained. "Touching me can burn you."
"I know," Artamis shot back without slowing. "But don't worry about that. I'm going to add a kinetic burst to your art. Watch this shit."
Reaching Alex's side, Artamis placed his hand firmly on his cousin's shoulder, the burn searing through his skin instantly. He winced but didn't pull back. Instead, he funneled a massive amount of Bio Mana from his hands into Alex, activating the Ultra Sub-skill [Kinetic Manipulation] in the process.
The spiritual pain coursing through him was evident, sweat beading down his face, but his focus remained unbroken. With a sharp intake of breath, Artamis recalculated the Hellfire Ball's kinetic energy, pushing it beyond normal limits—beyond what could be explained by any physics from Earth that I knew. If Einstein had ever glimpsed magitons, his theories would've burst into flames trying to explain those shits.
The black-and-white sphere of Hellfire surged, trembling with chaotic power. Even Alex seemed momentarily stunned by the sudden increase in potency. When the attack was released, it tore through the air about two hundred times faster than light itself.
Taurus's eyes followed it, narrowing. With a speed that defied his size, he used his remaining wing to block the oncoming Hellfire Ball. The energy slammed into him with a force that sent shockwaves across the battlefield, knocking him into a stumbling motion. Smoke rose from his wing, now scorched and blistered, though the attack had been partially absorbed.
"What is this?" Taurus snarled, his voice a deep rumble of disdain as he flexed his scorched wing. "Disgusting Hellfire? You worms continue to vex me with your antics."
His words carried an air of confidence, but his reaction betrayed him. For the second time, there was hesitation in his movements. His focus shifted entirely to Alex and Artamis, and I knew this was the perfect opportunity.
"Luda, move!" I barked telepathically.
We sprang into action. With a flick of my left arm, I hurled the Red Queen into the air, the blade spinning high above Taurus's head. At the same time, my right hand crackled with ultraviolet arcane energy. The familiar electric hum filled my ears as the indigo lightning bolts coiled tightly around a rapidly forming energy sphere. Unlike the wild, uncontrollable magic of my childhood, this sphere was concentrated and precise. I had spent years refining my control, and now it showed.
Taurus's attention flickered upward, his gaze catching the ascending Red Queen just as it reached its apex. The distraction gave me the opening I needed. In an instant, I appeared in front of him, the energy sphere glowing fiercely in my palm. Its power radiated like a dark star barely held in check, and for the first time, I truly saw fear flicker across the angel's face.
His confidence was shattered as his gaze locked onto the sphere. He released his glaive, both arms snapping up to protect his torso. His movements were fast, but not fast enough.
Above us, Luda caught the descending Red Queen mid-air. With a battle cry, he brought the blade down in a brutal arc, slashing across Taurus's head. The timing was perfect.
"Devil Mana Arts: Granny's Trick," I muttered, slamming the sphere into Taurus's exposed torso.
The impact was catastrophic. The Devil Mana erupted into a tempest of chaotic dark energy, enveloping Taurus in a maelstrom of destruction. His aura melted upon contact, the attack ripping through his body with devastating precision. The cellular damage was immediate, the silent electricity frying his insides while the physical and spiritual devastation followed.
"ARRRGH—" Taurus tried to scream, but his voice was drowned out as Luda pierced the top of his skull landing on his shoulders. The Red Queen carved clean through his brain, silencing him mid-roar.
Luda withdrew the sword and flipped off Taurus's collapsing body. As he landed, he severed the burning wing and decapitated the angel with a fluid motion. Silver blood sprayed into the air, sparkling against the backdrop of the battlefield like macabre fireworks.
Taurus's lifeless head hit the ground with a dull thud, his body following soon after, dragged across the field by the force of the attack. The wing, still burning, disintegrated into ash as silence fell over the battlefield.
"Hell yeah! We win?" Steez's voice broke the quiet, filled with cautious hope.
We all stared at the lifeless head and smoldering remains of Taurus's wing. The whistle of mana from our exertion filled the air like the aftermath of a symphony's crescendo.
"I hope he felt that shit," I muttered, catching my breath.
"This is an excellent sword, Xiro," Luda said, tossing the Red Queen back to me. "It helped me to tip over my first cow."
I caught the weapon, the weight of it grounding me as I surveyed the battlefield. The Domain Art cast by Taurus was still active, the air heavy and oppressive as it drained magitons around us. The debris of the destroyed cave littered the area, with the Goblin King's magisteel throne barely holding together in the distance.
Steez murmured to himself with a nervous expression, "Hmm... His signature is still pulsing. Ah damn..."
Luda's voice broke my train of thought. "Yo, Xi, what art affinity did you use? You and your cousin are wielding manas I've never seen before."
"Devil Mana," I replied, lowering the Red Queen. "From what I understand, it's infused with Yin magical energy and a particle called Nihility. That secret ingredient makes it offensively lethal. But I'll explain later… Things don't feel finished."
Right on cue, Taurus's body jerked upright. His wounds and armor began repairing themselves as the smog of magical residue cleared. Where his neck had been, a grotesque new skull began to form.
"Damn regeneration," Luda hissed, closing his fist tightly.
"Ouch," Artamis muttered, cradling his burn. "I knew that felt too easy."
Alex stepped forward, his mana flaring with renewed intensity. His growl echoed in the still air. "Good. I wasn't finished letting out my frustration."
The magical smog dissipated, revealing Taurus as he stood tall, his new head fully regenerated. Bone melded seamlessly into muscle, layered with sinew and fur, until his form was whole again. The sheer speed of his regeneration mirrored the efficiency of my own [Sage Regeneration], but this wasn't just healing—it was a statement. His new face bore a wicked grin, stretched wide with the kind of satisfaction only a sadist could muster. Even if you turned away, you'd feel the malice emanating from his expression.
Taurus's deep voice broke the tense silence, smooth yet laden with a sinister edge.
"Well now," he said, his tone mockingly amused. "I wasn't expecting that. Devil Mana, Hellfire Mana, and a Guardian Armament? You Gaians are full of surprises. If left unchecked, you could indeed become... problematic."
As he spoke, he twisted his neck slightly, a grotesque popping sound accompanying the motion. His glowing eyes scanned each of us, burning with quiet contempt and measured consideration.
I couldn't hold my tongue.
"Goddamn it, Cheeseburger Breath," I growled. "I was hoping that was the end of you."
Taurus let out a low, menacing chuckle that reverberated in the air like a warning growl from an apex predator.
"Hehehehe. If I were some mere mortal," he replied, his voice dripping with condescension, "that would have been your victory. But my skull? My soul core does not reside there."
He gestured to his severed, liquifying head lying nearby. We watched as the golden remnants of its energy began to disintegrate, melting into a pool of liquid mana before evaporating entirely. The sight alone made it clear we had only scratched the surface of his power. The true fight was just beginning.
Taurus tilted his muzzle upward and roared, his voice shaking the very air. Crimson energy erupted from his form, edged with a glowing yellow outline. The oppressive wave of his [Heaven's Rage] skill reactivated, crashing over the battlefield like a tidal wave of molten power.
The sudden blast of force shoved me and Luda back several feet. My boots dragged against the shattered earth as I dug in, rebalancing myself. Luda's stance adjusted quickly, but his narrowed eyes betrayed concern. Artamis, who was still nursing the spirit burn on his hand, hastily conjured a barrier to shield himself from the burst of energy.
Steez braced himself with a warrior's stubborn defiance. His high-top fade whipped and twisted in the gale, but he held his ground, teeth gritted in determination. In stark contrast, Alex remained motionless, standing tall as the black flames around him leaned slightly with the wind yet continued to burn with quiet fury. His azure eyes never left Taurus, unwavering and fierce.
The very ground beneath us began to quake violently, no longer able to withstand the overwhelming energy pouring from all sides. Rocks and boulders shifted underfoot, the jagged remnants of the shattered cave trembling in protest. The prison-like cube of magical energy that boxed us in felt tighter, its confines barely containing the chaos.
Taurus's mana spiked to unthinkable levels, a towering pillar of light erupting from his form and cutting into the darkened sky above. Divinity Mana, pure and unrelenting, swirled around him in deadly currents. His power and defense had surged exponentially, and the air itself seemed to hum with the weight of his intent.
We stood frozen for a beat, anticipation coiled tight in our bodies. My mind raced, analyzing every movement for a weakness, a single flaw we could exploit.
"If I could be scared," I muttered, grinning despite the gravity of the moment, "now would be the perfect time to show it."
Inside, I felt a storm of exhilaration. Every fiber of my being screamed to fight. My [Dominus Superbiae] kept my head cool, but my heart pounded with adrenaline-fueled joy. The high of the battle surged back stronger, drowning out everything else. I couldn't shake the grin that split my face. This wasn't fear. This was the raw, primal thrill of survival against an impossible foe.
Taurus, the so-called Bull of Heaven, may have been a predator of mortals—a living calamity—but he couldn't break my will. Every muscle in my body burned with resolve. Every cell screamed to beat this oversized cow into the dirt.
He could flex his strength, power, and heavenly mana all he wanted, but as long as I stood, Taurus would face opposition. If he wanted me dead, he'd have to earn it.
[End of Chapter]
[1] November on Earth