In the aftermath, Zero scoped out the wreckage, the ruins of Taurean Village stretching as far as the eye could see. "Where are we?" he asked.
Maeve, standing beside him, replied in a low tone, a hint of sorrow in her voice. "Taurean Village... or what's left of it."
Zero's gaze drilled into Nix. "So the whole damn village got wiped out?"
Maeve nodded solemnly. "Yeah, Zero, I'm sorry."
Zero threw his head back. "No biggie. We'll rebuild it."
Maeve, puzzled, asked, "We?"
"Yeah," Zero shot back, staring her down. "You're the new King of Sidra. You and the squad are gonna handle the rebuilding."
Maeve protested, rushing toward Zero. "What the… Zero? I've got Warlord duties!"
Zero turned on her. "Maeve, you took lives here. I'm not letting you off easy."
Maeve hung her head, searching for words, caught in a moment of silence.
It was only now that everything started to unravel for her. She'd thought about it before, but here, it was all falling apart. Seeing Zero's expression hit her hard. The weight of her actions, the killings she'd carried out across the island, was starting to bear down on her. Zero couldn't bring them all back, plus she still wasn't even sure how he planned to resurrect Oduduwa and the others. The memory of how she ended him haunted her— that split second of doubt, that moment Nix took over. It triggered a landslide, and she couldn't stop the internal forces at play. Instead, she unwittingly aided the Vampire Gods and Nix in their success.
She raised her head, meeting Nix's growing frustration, but her gaze soon locked onto Zero, disappointment etched on his face. Maeve gave a nod.
"Fine then." She extended her hand, the black rapier materializing in a puff of dark smoke. Gripping it, her scales and skin morphed to black, eyes glossing over in gold. "Let's take her down first, then you can tell me all about how you crowned me King."
Zero smirked and shifted his focus to Nix. "You know, I had a soft spot for this village." His eyes scanned the surroundings. "The Lycans treated me right." He clenched his hand, and his bo staff sparked into existence, a display of blue sparks. Twirling it with finesse, he lowered into a combat stance, pointing it directly at Nix. "Seeing it turned to ashes hurts, but..." Zero's body smoldered, mana fibers in his clothing tightening, preparing for the impending burn holes. "...that flesh tree you made, that actually royally pissed me off." Flames engulfed Zero's hands and feet, and he teleported behind Nix, swinging the staff with force. Nix raised two swords, forming an X, catching the staff in the groove. Zero teleported back to Maeve.
"I think you should kick things off," he said. "Since you're packing the anti-Nix rapier. Then I'll swoop in for the kill. Sound good?"
Maeve rolled her eyes, tightening her grip on the rapier. She quickened her pace, walking forward. Nix smiled, lifting the six blades, and started charging. The clash erupted as they sprinted towards each other, an all-out onslaught, a violent dance unfolding before them.
They were going all out, each swing carrying the weight of a potential kill, and Zero couldn't help but be captivated. Memories of his time with Sun-Kong on Mount Heven flashed through his mind—the exhilaration of a true battle, making him feel giddy.
Nix's six arms moved in a mesmerizing dance, occasional spells emanating from her rings. Maeve, in response, danced with agility, dodging each onslaught. The rapier's melody as it cut through the air to parry Nix's swordplay was a symphony of violence. Zero was starting to itch with the thought of killing a Higher.
Arrogant? Yeah, Zero owned it, but not without reason. Dragons were powerful from the get-go, and Zero had put millennia into honing his Human form. His arrogance was earned. He maintained that Virgil was his toughest opponent, despite minimal interaction. Throughout his long life, facing formidable beings in Arrithia was a constant. The world evolved, and Immortals like him stood above the rest. Fortunately for Zero, Arrithia was vast, with an entire universe waiting to be explored surrounding it and there was also the allure of the countless dimensions that lie in wait. He even harbored the idea of journeying through the Void, convinced there was a city tucked away in its depths. Exploration, adventure, but above all, the thrill of battle fueled him.
Zero noticed his head bobbing with excitement as Maeve and Nix continued their endless swordplay. His feet tapped the dry dirt, his grip on the bo staff tightened and loosened, his body swaying in anticipation. He tried to hold it in, but then, with little warning, he shook the bo staff in front of him and let out an exasperated, "Ahhhhh, I CAN'T HOLD IT!"
Zero teleported between the combatants, turning to Maeve. "Apologies, deary." He swung his staff, colliding with all six of Nix's blades. "Couldn't stand idly any longer; it was killing me." Nix pushed, but Zero held her at a standstill, a smile playing on his face. "Let's dance, Nix, shall we?" He teleported behind her, delivering a staff strike to her side. Although she was knocked off her feet, Nix recovered swiftly, thanks to her swords anchoring her.
She swung right, then left, but Zero effortlessly sidestepped. Maeve seized the opportunity, driving her rapier forward, forcing Nix to retreat. Nix pulled three swords from her left side, swinging them forward. Once again, the giant golden ribs materialized on Zero's left side, blocking the strike.
Nix infused her blades with magic, causing them to glow blue. Despite her efforts, Zero stood firm, the golden ribs blocking her advance. She retreated, creating distance between them.
"You and those damn Soldiers of Light," Nix exclaimed angrily. "You're a coward, Xayddryrth, letting others fight for you."
Zero shook his head in disgust, and the golden ribs dissipated. "Excus’a’fuckin’me?" He stomped his foot. "I beat the shit out of you without using a single soldier. I deserve some damn credit."
Nix shook her head and vanished, reappearing with dust in her wake. She closed the distance, swinging all six swords at Zero. The blades made contact with a full set of golden ribs on each side, radiating a similar gold glow.
"I told you, you're a coward," Nix stated, a wicked smile on her face. "Fight me yourself."
"Fighting you myself?" Zero boasted. "Nix, I swear on everything and more, if I unleash everything, you'll be a pile of rubble." He taunted her, planning to die regardless of whether the moon got destroyed or not. If Maeve was anything like her mother, instigating her would make her easier to handle, her fury making her unstable and more enjoyable to fight.
"Come on, Nix," Zero urged. "You know my soldiers are a fail-safe more than anything."
Nix extended all six blades toward Zero and Maeve. "You can't lie to me, boy." She walked forward. "I know how strong you are. That's why I chose you. You use the Giant Soldier as an excuse to be lazy. Why teleport or move away when you can have the dead do your bidding?"
"That's a bit of pot calling the kettle black, but hey, it's partially true. I am lazy, but saying I use the dead for my bidding is bullshit. Soldiers of Light agree to the contract willingly," Zero retorted.
Nix quickened her pace, then vanished, reappearing in front of Zero. She swung the blades into his left side, causing the golden ribs to materialize. Holding the blades, she boasted, "Yes, they have to agree, but that doesn't change the fact you yank their Souls back from the afterlife to review your little contract."
While Nix was undoubtedly correct, Zero wasn't a fan of her adamantly stating it. His patience was already thin, and he was incredibly tired. He always said he would sleep when he was dead, and today seemed to be that day. Adjusting his stance directly toward Nix, a full set of golden ribs emerged around him, nestled in front of the spine they connected to. Five on each side, floating and rising like the beginning of a collarbone, radiating an aura onto the ground. Wherever it touched, grass grew, and where it struck again, orange and red flowers sprouted.
"I knew you were holding back when we last met," Nix stated, halting her advance and smiling, her eyes locked on Zero. "I told you to show me your worth." She twirled the swords, rapidly spinning them until she lowered into a stance, each aimed at Maeve and Zero. "I'm disappointed you'd think so little of me." She swung the swords one after another, each unleashing a large black crescent stream of energy. Each strike blocked, but instead of being blocked with ease, they pushed Zero back about half a meter. Nix smirked, leaning up. "I am a Higher, after all." She disappeared in a cloud of smoke, reappearing behind them, now holding an enormous scythe made of pure obsidian, from the edge of its long shaft to the very tip of the enormous blade on the end.
Nix went to swing, but she froze, hands trembling. She stepped back as fear gripped her, staring at Zero. The look on his face sent shivers down her spine, a fear that echoed from a distant memory—ten thousand years ago, when she first met his mother, Erza, the Dark Dragon Queen. It was beyond bloodlust, a look revealing unwavering confidence and determination. If she bolted, she might live, but could she escape? And why was she feeling this from a Human now?
Her gaze flickered to Maeve. Was it her call? Was Zero waiting for the word? Returning her focus to Zero, his stare remained intense, filled with death. She took a few more steps back, stumbling until someone caught her.
“Now, now, Nix, don’t give up just yet.” Lord appeared on the battlefield, rocking his blue and white robes with his grimoire floating behind him. His sunken brown eyes locked onto Zero. “While he is troublesome, I think we can handle him. Besides, Virgil has all he needs now.” Lord turned to Maeve. “What about her, though? What's your call?”
Nix glanced at Zero. “We're done with him, but he still has his uses.” Her gaze shifted to Maeve. “As for my daughter, we can end her.” She looked back at Zero. “But you won’t let that happen, will you?”
Zero nodded. “Seems like we're back at square one.” His words hung in the air as a colossal golden skeleton hand seized Nix and Lord, tearing them from the ground. It pulled them upward, reconstructing itself toward Zero, attaching to his shoulder. The ribs expanded, forming the right side of a giant, all bathed in gold. The hand brought them close to Zero at eye level. “Now that it's two on two, I won't be holding back an ounce.” As he spoke, the arm flung them outward behind him, and with a powerful toss, they hurtled forward.
Lord somersaulted through the air, arresting his momentum with a swift hand wave. Another gesture, and Nix, along with his grimoire, halted in their flight, gently lowered to the ground about fifty meters ahead of Zero and Maeve.
"Well then," Lord muttered. "I get why you're keeping him around."
Nix adjusted herself, fixing her gown and tightening her grip on her scythe. "Yeah, but all good things do end." She shifted her gaze to the moon, the spell completing its wrap around the suns. Darkness engulfed Arrithia as stars previously unseen dotted the sky. The faint light struggled to illuminate, leaving only the radiance from Zero and the colossal skeleton.
Nix looked at Zero and Maeve. "Lord, be a dear and step behind me." Lord complied, moving behind her. "Now, would you do me the pleasure of driving that dagger in your robe into the nape of my neck?" Lord hesitated, briefly puzzled how she knew what he held, but he reached in, retrieved a small silver-bladed dagger, and did as instructed. Black blood spilled out, far more than expected from such a wound. "Ahhhh, yes," Nix groaned. "FINALLY!" Her voice morphed into a dark, demented tone as a figure made of pure Void emerged from her own flesh.
The figure made of moving shadows, a humanoid shape enveloped in pure blackness, tore itself from the six-armed body like shedding skin. It violently ripped off every last trace of the old Nix, flicking fingers and legs to rid itself of the remnants. Its head cracked back and forth, and two batlike wings unfolded from its back. It had no facial features, no eyes—just swirling blackness confined within an outline.
"Since we're not holding back anymore," the dark and low voice echoed, shaking the ground and kicking up dust with each word. It leaned forward, stretching its wings and arms with talons extending outward. "I thought you'd like to see what I really look like before you die."
Zero took a step forward, and the Giant's skeleton vanished. He raced his thumb across his lower lip, holding it up at the moon, winking an eye, and aligning his thumb with the moon. "Good, good," he said, lowering his gaze to Nix. "I'm sorry, did you say something? I wasn't listening." He pointed to the moon. "I was trying to get my angle on the moon. I'm gonna have to put my entire ass into this jump… maybe a little magic." He started nodding profusely. "Okay, a lot of magic, a lot a lot. But yeah, what did you say?"
Nix leaned up, her lunge halted by Zero's arrogance.
"Haha!" Lord exclaimed. "What a wonderful lad this one is, incredible." He glanced at the moon and then back at Zero. "He really plans to break your unbreakable spell by destroying the moon. I must say, I think he might actually be capable of such a feat."
"Fuck yeah!" Zero shouted, fist pumping the air. "That's what I'm talking about." He turned to Maeve. "Someone who believes me." He kept his smirk, but Maeve was beyond aggravated. "Oh right…" He looked down at the rapier. "...you've been holding that this entire time… my bad."
Maeve's rapier was exerting an incredible strain on her. The tormented souls were pulling her under, the pressure causing the ground beneath her feet to crumble. The dirt parted as they tried to drag her down.
Zero nodded at her, any trace of a smile or friendly composure vanishing. "I'm sorry, Nix." His feet erupted into red and orange flames, followed by his hands. "But this isn't a game for me anymore." Flames consumed his head and soon his entire body, a flaming tail uncurling as it took form. Zero disappeared, reappearing right in front of Nix, casting an enormous flare of light in her face in the empty darkness. "So you have to go." He pressed his hands into her, tackling forward, lifting her off the ground, flames engulfing him.
Lord moved to intervene, but Maeve thrust her rapier forward, forcing him to step backward and away from Zero. Zero tightened his grip around Nix as she struggled, channeling the fire around him. With all his strength, he leapt into the air, flames cascading down his body, spiraling upward with a trail of immense fire.
Nix struggled, one arm breaking free to swipe at Zero. He quickly pulled flames over his face, blocking the attack and singeing Nix’s hand. She yelled in pain and tried again, but the flame followed her, burning the tips of her talons. As they reached the lower atmosphere, Nix’s wings broke free. She released a mighty flap, knocking Zero off balance, extinguishing his flames with a whoosh.
Zero began to fall, his body spinning. It took him a moment to gain control, and as he did, Nix rushed in, knocking him off balance. He crashed back into the clouds, and just as Nix came for another attack, he created an enormous shockwave, parting the clouds and knocking her back. He landed on a magic circle below, about twenty meters in diameter.
Nix made her way toward him, landing on the circle five meters in front. “You have quite a bit of tricks up your sleeve, child. Creating a magic circle on the surface of the water that lingers in the air, impressive." Nix stated. She lifted a hand, examining it. "I guess traveling the world does that to a person, shame all of it is going to waste though.” She stretched out her hand, and the talons shot forward. Instead of impaling Zero, they bounced off his scaly chest, causing Nix to stumble back.
“Yeah, quite a few tricks indeed,” Zero stated, taking in a deep breath. “It’s a shame you won’t get to see them all.” He stuck out his arm to the left, and after a moment, his bo staff flew into his hand. Gripping it with both hands, he lowered into a stance. “Last chance, Nix. Don’t make me do this. I know Maeve hates you, but you’re still her mother.”
Nix balled her fists in frustration, drawing in her talons. “Your arrogance will be the end of you.” She dove forward at Zero.
Zero smirked, his bo staff glowing with a bright blue aura, transforming into a sword. Both of them summoned their blades simultaneously, swiping at each other with incredible strength. They held the blades upward, waiting to see the outcome. After a tense moment, Nix’s chest erupted in a fiery display of white light, her body forming yellow boils that popped one after another. Zero dropped to his knees, clutching his chest.
“Damn, she got me,” he said, looking at the blood pooling on the circle. Turning to Nix, he watched as she struggled to contain the light from his attack. “But I got her too, cool.”
“Yes, very cool,” a new voice entered the fray. Zero couldn't see who spoke, but as Nix's body contorted in reverse, he knew. It rewound until the boils unpopped, the blade cut closing as she advanced back to her original position, staggering.
Zero sneered with a smile, hand on his chest. “Well, son of a bitch, I guess shit’s not going to work out exactly like I thought.”
“No, no it is not,” the voice stated, still unseen.
Nix moved back and forth, boasting, “I told you not to interfere.”
“You looked to be in trouble.” A green glow filled the area briefly as a man made of pure blue energy materialized beside Nix. He immediately turned to Zero, the humanoid body coming into focus—no facial features, just like Nix, but their powers gave away their identity, the Higher of Time.
“I don’t think we have ever had the pleasure of meeting, eh Protos?”
In the aftermath, Zero scoped out the wreckage, the ruins of Taurean Village stretching as far as the eye could see. "Where are we?" he asked.
Maeve, standing beside him, replied in a low tone, a hint of sorrow in her voice. "Taurean Village... or what's left of it."
Zero's gaze drilled into Nix. "So the whole damn village got wiped out?"
Maeve nodded solemnly. "Yeah, Zero, I'm sorry."
Zero threw his head back. "No biggie. We'll rebuild it."
Maeve, puzzled, asked, "We?"
"Yeah," Zero shot back, staring her down. "You're the new King of Sidra. You and the squad are gonna handle the rebuilding."
Maeve protested, rushing toward Zero. "What the… Zero? I've got Warlord duties!"
Zero turned on her. "Maeve, you took lives here. I'm not letting you off easy."
Maeve hung her head, searching for words, caught in a moment of silence.
It was only now that everything started to unravel for her. She'd thought about it before, but here, it was all falling apart. Seeing Zero's expression hit her hard. The weight of her actions, the killings she'd carried out across the island, was starting to bear down on her. Zero couldn't bring them all back, plus she still wasn't even sure how he planned to resurrect Oduduwa and the others. The memory of how she ended him haunted her— that split second of doubt, that moment Nix took over. It triggered a landslide, and she couldn't stop the internal forces at play. Instead, she unwittingly aided the Vampire Gods and Nix in their success.
She raised her head, meeting Nix's growing frustration, but her gaze soon locked onto Zero, disappointment etched on his face. Maeve gave a nod.
"Fine then." She extended her hand, the black rapier materializing in a puff of dark smoke. Gripping it, her scales and skin morphed to black, eyes glossing over in gold. "Let's take her down first, then you can tell me all about how you crowned me King."
Zero smirked and shifted his focus to Nix. "You know, I had a soft spot for this village." His eyes scanned the surroundings. "The Lycans treated me right." He clenched his hand, and his bo staff sparked into existence, a display of blue sparks. Twirling it with finesse, he lowered into a combat stance, pointing it directly at Nix. "Seeing it turned to ashes hurts, but..." Zero's body smoldered, mana fibers in his clothing tightening, preparing for the impending burn holes. "...that flesh tree you made, that actually royally pissed me off." Flames engulfed Zero's hands and feet, and he teleported behind Nix, swinging the staff with force. Nix raised two swords, forming an X, catching the staff in the groove. Zero teleported back to Maeve.
"I think you should kick things off," he said. "Since you're packing the anti-Nix rapier. Then I'll swoop in for the kill. Sound good?"
Maeve rolled her eyes, tightening her grip on the rapier. She quickened her pace, walking forward. Nix smiled, lifting the six blades, and started charging. The clash erupted as they sprinted towards each other, an all-out onslaught, a violent dance unfolding before them.
They were going all out, each swing carrying the weight of a potential kill, and Zero couldn't help but be captivated. Memories of his time with Sun-Kong on Mount Heven flashed through his mind—the exhilaration of a true battle, making him feel giddy.
Nix's six arms moved in a mesmerizing dance, occasional spells emanating from her rings. Maeve, in response, danced with agility, dodging each onslaught. The rapier's melody as it cut through the air to parry Nix's swordplay was a symphony of violence. Zero was starting to itch with the thought of killing a Higher.
Arrogant? Yeah, Zero owned it, but not without reason. Dragons were powerful from the get-go, and Zero had put millennia into honing his Human form. His arrogance was earned. He maintained that Virgil was his toughest opponent, despite minimal interaction. Throughout his long life, facing formidable beings in Arrithia was a constant. The world evolved, and Immortals like him stood above the rest. Fortunately for Zero, Arrithia was vast, with an entire universe waiting to be explored surrounding it and there was also the allure of the countless dimensions that lie in wait. He even harbored the idea of journeying through the Void, convinced there was a city tucked away in its depths. Exploration, adventure, but above all, the thrill of battle fueled him.
Zero noticed his head bobbing with excitement as Maeve and Nix continued their endless swordplay. His feet tapped the dry dirt, his grip on the bo staff tightened and loosened, his body swaying in anticipation. He tried to hold it in, but then, with little warning, he shook the bo staff in front of him and let out an exasperated, "Ahhhhh, I CAN'T HOLD IT!"
Zero teleported between the combatants, turning to Maeve. "Apologies, deary." He swung his staff, colliding with all six of Nix's blades. "Couldn't stand idly any longer; it was killing me." Nix pushed, but Zero held her at a standstill, a smile playing on his face. "Let's dance, Nix, shall we?" He teleported behind her, delivering a staff strike to her side. Although she was knocked off her feet, Nix recovered swiftly, thanks to her swords anchoring her.
She swung right, then left, but Zero effortlessly sidestepped. Maeve seized the opportunity, driving her rapier forward, forcing Nix to retreat. Nix pulled three swords from her left side, swinging them forward. Once again, the giant golden ribs materialized on Zero's left side, blocking the strike.
Nix infused her blades with magic, causing them to glow blue. Despite her efforts, Zero stood firm, the golden ribs blocking her advance. She retreated, creating distance between them.
"You and those damn Soldiers of Light," Nix exclaimed angrily. "You're a coward, Xayddryrth, letting others fight for you."
Zero shook his head in disgust, and the golden ribs dissipated. "Excus’a’fuckin’me?" He stomped his foot. "I beat the shit out of you without using a single soldier. I deserve some damn credit."
Nix shook her head and vanished, reappearing with dust in her wake. She closed the distance, swinging all six swords at Zero. The blades made contact with a full set of golden ribs on each side, radiating a similar gold glow.
"I told you, you're a coward," Nix stated, a wicked smile on her face. "Fight me yourself."
"Fighting you myself?" Zero boasted. "Nix, I swear on everything and more, if I unleash everything, you'll be a pile of rubble." He taunted her, planning to die regardless of whether the moon got destroyed or not. If Maeve was anything like her mother, instigating her would make her easier to handle, her fury making her unstable and more enjoyable to fight.
"Come on, Nix," Zero urged. "You know my soldiers are a fail-safe more than anything."
Nix extended all six blades toward Zero and Maeve. "You can't lie to me, boy." She walked forward. "I know how strong you are. That's why I chose you. You use the Giant Soldier as an excuse to be lazy. Why teleport or move away when you can have the dead do your bidding?"
"That's a bit of pot calling the kettle black, but hey, it's partially true. I am lazy, but saying I use the dead for my bidding is bullshit. Soldiers of Light agree to the contract willingly," Zero retorted.
Nix quickened her pace, then vanished, reappearing in front of Zero. She swung the blades into his left side, causing the golden ribs to materialize. Holding the blades, she boasted, "Yes, they have to agree, but that doesn't change the fact you yank their Souls back from the afterlife to review your little contract."
While Nix was undoubtedly correct, Zero wasn't a fan of her adamantly stating it. His patience was already thin, and he was incredibly tired. He always said he would sleep when he was dead, and today seemed to be that day. Adjusting his stance directly toward Nix, a full set of golden ribs emerged around him, nestled in front of the spine they connected to. Five on each side, floating and rising like the beginning of a collarbone, radiating an aura onto the ground. Wherever it touched, grass grew, and where it struck again, orange and red flowers sprouted.
"I knew you were holding back when we last met," Nix stated, halting her advance and smiling, her eyes locked on Zero. "I told you to show me your worth." She twirled the swords, rapidly spinning them until she lowered into a stance, each aimed at Maeve and Zero. "I'm disappointed you'd think so little of me." She swung the swords one after another, each unleashing a large black crescent stream of energy. Each strike blocked, but instead of being blocked with ease, they pushed Zero back about half a meter. Nix smirked, leaning up. "I am a Higher, after all." She disappeared in a cloud of smoke, reappearing behind them, now holding an enormous scythe made of pure obsidian, from the edge of its long shaft to the very tip of the enormous blade on the end.
Nix went to swing, but she froze, hands trembling. She stepped back as fear gripped her, staring at Zero. The look on his face sent shivers down her spine, a fear that echoed from a distant memory—ten thousand years ago, when she first met his mother, Erza, the Dark Dragon Queen. It was beyond bloodlust, a look revealing unwavering confidence and determination. If she bolted, she might live, but could she escape? And why was she feeling this from a Human now?
Her gaze flickered to Maeve. Was it her call? Was Zero waiting for the word? Returning her focus to Zero, his stare remained intense, filled with death. She took a few more steps back, stumbling until someone caught her.
“Now, now, Nix, don’t give up just yet.” Lord appeared on the battlefield, rocking his blue and white robes with his grimoire floating behind him. His sunken brown eyes locked onto Zero. “While he is troublesome, I think we can handle him. Besides, Virgil has all he needs now.” Lord turned to Maeve. “What about her, though? What's your call?”
Nix glanced at Zero. “We're done with him, but he still has his uses.” Her gaze shifted to Maeve. “As for my daughter, we can end her.” She looked back at Zero. “But you won’t let that happen, will you?”
Zero nodded. “Seems like we're back at square one.” His words hung in the air as a colossal golden skeleton hand seized Nix and Lord, tearing them from the ground. It pulled them upward, reconstructing itself toward Zero, attaching to his shoulder. The ribs expanded, forming the right side of a giant, all bathed in gold. The hand brought them close to Zero at eye level. “Now that it's two on two, I won't be holding back an ounce.” As he spoke, the arm flung them outward behind him, and with a powerful toss, they hurtled forward.
Lord somersaulted through the air, arresting his momentum with a swift hand wave. Another gesture, and Nix, along with his grimoire, halted in their flight, gently lowered to the ground about fifty meters ahead of Zero and Maeve.
"Well then," Lord muttered. "I get why you're keeping him around."
Nix adjusted herself, fixing her gown and tightening her grip on her scythe. "Yeah, but all good things do end." She shifted her gaze to the moon, the spell completing its wrap around the suns. Darkness engulfed Arrithia as stars previously unseen dotted the sky. The faint light struggled to illuminate, leaving only the radiance from Zero and the colossal skeleton.
Nix looked at Zero and Maeve. "Lord, be a dear and step behind me." Lord complied, moving behind her. "Now, would you do me the pleasure of driving that dagger in your robe into the nape of my neck?" Lord hesitated, briefly puzzled how she knew what he held, but he reached in, retrieved a small silver-bladed dagger, and did as instructed. Black blood spilled out, far more than expected from such a wound. "Ahhhh, yes," Nix groaned. "FINALLY!" Her voice morphed into a dark, demented tone as a figure made of pure Void emerged from her own flesh.
The figure made of moving shadows, a humanoid shape enveloped in pure blackness, tore itself from the six-armed body like shedding skin. It violently ripped off every last trace of the old Nix, flicking fingers and legs to rid itself of the remnants. Its head cracked back and forth, and two batlike wings unfolded from its back. It had no facial features, no eyes—just swirling blackness confined within an outline.
"Since we're not holding back anymore," the dark and low voice echoed, shaking the ground and kicking up dust with each word. It leaned forward, stretching its wings and arms with talons extending outward. "I thought you'd like to see what I really look like before you die."
Zero took a step forward, and the Giant's skeleton vanished. He raced his thumb across his lower lip, holding it up at the moon, winking an eye, and aligning his thumb with the moon. "Good, good," he said, lowering his gaze to Nix. "I'm sorry, did you say something? I wasn't listening." He pointed to the moon. "I was trying to get my angle on the moon. I'm gonna have to put my entire ass into this jump… maybe a little magic." He started nodding profusely. "Okay, a lot of magic, a lot a lot. But yeah, what did you say?"
Nix leaned up, her lunge halted by Zero's arrogance.
"Haha!" Lord exclaimed. "What a wonderful lad this one is, incredible." He glanced at the moon and then back at Zero. "He really plans to break your unbreakable spell by destroying the moon. I must say, I think he might actually be capable of such a feat."
"Fuck yeah!" Zero shouted, fist pumping the air. "That's what I'm talking about." He turned to Maeve. "Someone who believes me." He kept his smirk, but Maeve was beyond aggravated. "Oh right…" He looked down at the rapier. "...you've been holding that this entire time… my bad."
Maeve's rapier was exerting an incredible strain on her. The tormented souls were pulling her under, the pressure causing the ground beneath her feet to crumble. The dirt parted as they tried to drag her down.
Zero nodded at her, any trace of a smile or friendly composure vanishing. "I'm sorry, Nix." His feet erupted into red and orange flames, followed by his hands. "But this isn't a game for me anymore." Flames consumed his head and soon his entire body, a flaming tail uncurling as it took form. Zero disappeared, reappearing right in front of Nix, casting an enormous flare of light in her face in the empty darkness. "So you have to go." He pressed his hands into her, tackling forward, lifting her off the ground, flames engulfing him.
Lord moved to intervene, but Maeve thrust her rapier forward, forcing him to step backward and away from Zero. Zero tightened his grip around Nix as she struggled, channeling the fire around him. With all his strength, he leapt into the air, flames cascading down his body, spiraling upward with a trail of immense fire.
Nix struggled, one arm breaking free to swipe at Zero. He quickly pulled flames over his face, blocking the attack and singeing Nix’s hand. She yelled in pain and tried again, but the flame followed her, burning the tips of her talons. As they reached the lower atmosphere, Nix’s wings broke free. She released a mighty flap, knocking Zero off balance, extinguishing his flames with a whoosh.
Zero began to fall, his body spinning. It took him a moment to gain control, and as he did, Nix rushed in, knocking him off balance. He crashed back into the clouds, and just as Nix came for another attack, he created an enormous shockwave, parting the clouds and knocking her back. He landed on a magic circle below, about twenty meters in diameter.
Nix made her way toward him, landing on the circle five meters in front. “You have quite a bit of tricks up your sleeve, child. Creating a magic circle on the surface of the water that lingers in the air, impressive." Nix stated. She lifted a hand, examining it. "I guess traveling the world does that to a person, shame all of it is going to waste though.” She stretched out her hand, and the talons shot forward. Instead of impaling Zero, they bounced off his scaly chest, causing Nix to stumble back.
“Yeah, quite a few tricks indeed,” Zero stated, taking in a deep breath. “It’s a shame you won’t get to see them all.” He stuck out his arm to the left, and after a moment, his bo staff flew into his hand. Gripping it with both hands, he lowered into a stance. “Last chance, Nix. Don’t make me do this. I know Maeve hates you, but you’re still her mother.”
Nix balled her fists in frustration, drawing in her talons. “Your arrogance will be the end of you.” She dove forward at Zero.
Zero smirked, his bo staff glowing with a bright blue aura, transforming into a sword. Both of them summoned their blades simultaneously, swiping at each other with incredible strength. They held the blades upward, waiting to see the outcome. After a tense moment, Nix’s chest erupted in a fiery display of white light, her body forming yellow boils that popped one after another. Zero dropped to his knees, clutching his chest.
“Damn, she got me,” he said, looking at the blood pooling on the circle. Turning to Nix, he watched as she struggled to contain the light from his attack. “But I got her too, cool.”
“Yes, very cool,” a new voice entered the fray. Zero couldn't see who spoke, but as Nix's body contorted in reverse, he knew. It rewound until the boils unpopped, the blade cut closing as she advanced back to her original position, staggering.
Zero sneered with a smile, hand on his chest. “Well, son of a bitch, I guess shit’s not going to work out exactly like I thought.”
“No, no it is not,” the voice stated, still unseen.
Nix moved back and forth, boasting, “I told you not to interfere.”
“You looked to be in trouble.” A green glow filled the area briefly as a man made of pure blue energy materialized beside Nix. He immediately turned to Zero, the humanoid body coming into focus—no facial features, just like Nix, but their powers gave away their identity, the Higher of Time.
“I don’t think we have ever had the pleasure of meeting, eh Protos?”
