This chapter is dedicated to Akira Toriyama, thanks for all the inspiration, King.
Zero pushed Oduduwa over toward Idris and Taharqa, the two of them couldn't help but get teary-eyed as they saw the MonkeFolk again and pulled him into an embrace.
"You're alive!" Taharqa exclaimed.
"Thank you," Idris told Zero before he wrapped his arms around Oduduwa.
Zero nodded back, then turned around beside Maeve and punched his fist into his palm. "Aizen the New God...that's who we have to cut open the heavens with. Let's do it!" Zero's head erupted into blue flames, followed by his feet and hands. He shook his body as he adjusted, and a flaming blue tail erupted through his trousers. Aizen had stood up and was standing without their swords, their gaze locked on Zero.
"The power between the two of you...it's tremendous," Aizen lifted their fists. "Together we will shatter the heavens!" They dashed forward, stirring Zero to also rush forward without his blade, Maeve hesitated for just a moment before she too forgoed her rapier and joined.
Zero leapt high into the air. "Maeve, look at what Virgil taught me!" He clapped his hands together, drawing Aizen’s attention upward to where Maeve had just switched places to, putting Zero in her previous position, directly in front of Aizen. Zero threw a punch, knocking Aizen upward. Maeve quickly reoriented herself and clamped her hands together, holding them over her head. As Aizen got close to her, she slammed her hands down on him, sending him crashing back into the ground.
As she landed back on the ground, Aizen had already pulled himself back up and was just standing there in his armor, menacingly. Nothing about his appearance had changed, but his strength and skill had tremendously, and to think that he hadn’t started casting spells yet was troublesome. But the title of New God was even more so. Then there was the fact that both Zero and Aizen now talked about shattering the heavens—Maeve couldn’t think straight, her mind was jumbled with those thoughts and more.
She glanced at Zero; he was back.
It hadn’t been that long, but still, she wasn’t entirely sure if he was actually going to make it back. But at the same time, she looked at the nameplate above Aizen’s head again, reading the words “Death’s Final Test” once more.
It was funny, really, just how blatantly it was in their faces.
Zero was sent back, and if he dies to Aizen, he isn’t coming back a second time, and neither would she.
Maeve laughed again at her thoughts.
No shit, Maeve, people who are killed, die.
She shook herself back to the scene at hand.
In the little moment she had zoned out, Zero had taken charge and was in an all-out brawl of fists with Aizen.
They were both equally trying to kill the other, both in a state of manic panic as they threw blow after blow at the other. Some just missed, while most were completely blocked by the other. They went back and forth, moving around the crater, their punches sending out small shockwaves with every blow. Again and again, they traded blows until Aizen suddenly took a step back, and with his arms hanging to his side, he let out a roar, and what looked to be over three hundred punches hit Zero, knocking him into a ragdoll state as he toppled across the crater. Maeve went to rush forward, but Aizen had already closed the gap between them. He grabbed her horns with both hands and dropped to his knees, pulling Maeve’s entire body into the ground, smashing her face into the snow and ice.
Maeve slipped into Aizen’s shadow, deftly evading his grasp and redirecting his attention towards Zero. With a thunderous roar, Aizen charged at Zero with astonishing speed, catching even Zero off guard. His grip on Zero's head was vice-like, and the force of his throw created a shockwave that rippled through the crater, hurling Zero across the battlefield into the others. Oduduwa and Idris bore the brunt of the impact, with Loki collapsing onto Idris amidst their collective groans. As Loki assisted Zero to his feet, he couldn't help but remark, "You really are as batshit crazy as I have been told."
Taking stock of the situation, Zero scanned the group and inquired, "Where’s Menelik?"
Zero clapped his hands together, teleporting Maeve to his position and himself to hers, strategically positioning themselves directly beneath Aizen as he lunged downwards. With his fist poised by his side, Zero commanded, "SHOW ME…" thrusting it forward into Aizen's chest. "...SWORD!"
The impact sent Aizen tumbling, but he swiftly regained his footing. Before he could retaliate, Maeve reentered the fray, landing a decisive blow to the back of his head, forcing him back to his knees. Seizing the opportunity, Zero surged forward with another punch, sending Aizen staggering upright, only for Maeve to strike again, driving him back down.
Aizen pivoted swiftly, grasping Maeve just as she attempted to meld back into her shadow. Zero swiftly intervened, teleporting to Maeve's position with a resounding roar, breaking Aizen’s grip. As Aizen swiftly recovered, locking eyes with Zero, their combined roars unleashed a torrent of chaos, causing the ice beneath them to fracture and explode in all directions. Amidst the shifting battlefield, Zero and Maeve leapt from ice chunk to ice chunk, endeavoring to maintain focus on Aizen amidst the tumult.
Aizen mirrored Zero and Maeve's movements, leaping from ice chunk to ice chunk as the battle unfolded beyond the crater. Zero caught Loki's glance, realizing Loki's efforts to evacuate the others safely. With decisive action, Zero teleported down and delivered a swift kick to Idris, propelling him into Taharqa, before seizing Loki, who was supporting Oduduwa. Placing his hand on Idris' back, Zero teleported them all outside the crater, catching Aizen's attention in the process. Aizen descended upon them, scattering the group in all directions, his focus fixed on Zero. Darting through the chaos, Aizen targeted Zero, but in a swift move, Zero teleported with Loki. Aizen retaliated by hurling Loki into the ground before Maeve intervened with a punch to his helmet, driving him into the ice.
Zero and Maeve regrouped, facing Aizen as he rose, his breath labored. Suddenly, Aizen drew in a deep breath, unleashing another deafening roar that sent the snow swirling away from his forceful exhale. Maeve and Zero were knocked off their feet, vulnerable as Aizen closed in. Seizing them by the head, Aizen slammed them together before tossing them aside, pursuing his own throw. Catching up to Zero first, Aizen halted him with a powerful strike upward, then redirected his attention to Maeve, who tumbled nearby. Aizen clamped his hands together and brought them crashing down on Zero just as Zero executed a teleportation maneuver, swapping places with Aizen himself. Aizen tumbled forward as Zero repositioned, only for Zero to unleash a punch, intercepted by Aizen who effortlessly swung him around before slamming him into the ground.
As Zero grunted in pain, Aizen hoisted him up. "Back to Volja Vatre with you," he declared, his glowing short sword materializing in his palm. A subtle expletive escaped Zero's lips as Aizen raised the blade. "What is it you mutter?" Aizen inquired.
"Nothing," Zero retorted with a smirk. "I just didn’t know we were using weapons again."
"Fool. You’re fighting for your life!" Aizen thrust his blade forward, but Zero's own short sword deflected the strike before circling back around to thrust at Aizen, forcing him to release his grip. Instead of seizing the blade, Zero executed another teleportation, swapping with Maeve who had been charging a spell. The spell surged forward, striking Aizen in the chest and momentarily staggering him. Enraged, Aizen emitted a series of primal yells, his helmet glowing with the same green hue as Maeve's spell. With a final roar, a beam of pure green light erupted from his helmet. Zero acted swiftly, clapping his hands together, swapping places with Maeve again just as the devastating blast connected.
When Aizen halted the blast, he emitted another deafening roar, enveloping his entire body in the same green aura as the blast itself. His form beneath the armor began to swell, the metal cracking as his screams echoed through the air. His cries subsided momentarily, and as the green aura faded, his muscular form became visible beneath the damaged suit of armor. With an intense glare, Aizen locked eyes with Loki and the others before letting out another roar and charging towards them, his movements hampered by his newfound strength.
Meanwhile, Zero struggled to rise, the blast having reverted him back to his base form, extinguishing the flames that once adorned him. Shaking off the impact, he cracked his neck and took a deep breath before springing into action. With a burst of speed that defied sound, Zero intercepted Aizen, unleashing an immense Dragon Roar that sent Aizen sprawling in the snow. Casting a brief glance at the others, Zero instructed, "Find Menelik," before teleporting over to Maeve.
The group exchanged glances, their attention turning to Loki. Idris sighed wearily, casting a glance back at the ongoing brawl between Maeve, Zero, and Aizen. "Take us to Rünhaven," he demanded, "and you can explain yourself along the way."
Taharqa interjected, "Yeah. Don’t think we are going to let everything that has happened slide. These are our...I mean…my people. You can’t just do as you please."
Loki's smirk faltered as he retorted, "Is Nazzaroth safe? Is your precious little Kingdom still intact?"
Before Taharqa could respond, Loki cut him off. "It is, so—"
"Shut it," Idris interjected sharply. "Take us to Menelik. I don’t actually care why you’re doing what you’re doing, but if you're a Warlord, start acting like it and protect your island."
Loki found himself momentarily speechless, his gaze shifting to Aizen. More of his muscles were breaking through the armor, threatening to rend it entirely. Unsure if Maeve and Zero had noticed the weakening armor was actually keeping Aizen’s real strength locked away.
Loki's eyes followed their movements as they engaged in the lightning-fast battle. With a nod to Idris, he turned away, leading the group – Idris, Taharqa, and Oduduwa – into the blizzard, leaving Maeve and Zero with Aizen.
The fight oscillated between hand-to-hand combat and a dazzling display of swordsmanship, with both sides maneuvering to gain the upper hand.
Zero had teleported behind Aizen, poised to strike with his blade while Aizen was momentarily distracted by Maeve's rapier thrust. However, Aizen stood motionless, absorbing both hits before dissipating like fog, only to reappear a meter to the left, unscathed.
"That was a version of 'Iza'," Zero remarked. "He became fog instead of ravens. That's not good."
Zero loosened his grip on his sword, causing it to drop to the snow and disappear. Spreading out his arms, he contemplated, "How many times do you reckon he can do it?" Black magic circles materialized behind Zero, arranging themselves haphazardly around him. As the circles etched themselves into existence, Zero's eyes lost their brilliant purple hue, the life draining from them.
"I bet it’s not more than two," Zero speculated. With each word, a dozen spears shot out from the magic circles. Aizen deflected most of them effortlessly, but as Zero exhaled deeply, even more spears erupted from the circles, twice as many as before. Aizen, now wielding his second sword, continued to parry the onslaught, but Zero noticed his struggle.
"Huh, the way you’re working to block those, I reckon you can only do it the one time," Zero mused. With each successive volley, Zero increased the number of spears, maintaining an endless stream of projectiles. Aizen seemed to treat it as a game, his roars indicating a mix of frustration and amusement.
Zero's grin turned sinister as he teleported forward, appearing before Aizen. "I just spent the last thirty-two years fighting to get back here," Zero declared, his fist ablaze with black flame. "There’s no way I'm dying today."
As Zero's fist collided with Aizen, a volley of spears pierced them both. The impact obliterated the front of Aizen’s armor, revealing his muscular form underneath. Zero transformed into a flock of ravens, which quickly reconvened near Maeve. They both watched as Aizen, impaled by spears, rose defiantly from the snow, shedding his damaged armor to reveal his overwhelming musculature.
"KIIIILLLLL ZEEEERRROOOO!" Aizen bellowed, his voice echoing across the battlefield. Aizen, fueled by rage, pummeled Zero into the snow, his cries for vengeance resonating through the air.
Before Aizen could strike again, Maeve enveloped Zero in her cloak, whisking them both away into the Void. As they danced within Aizen's shadow, Maeve voiced her uncertainty. "I don’t know what to do. He’s just as fast as us, far stronger than either of us. What the fuck is he?"
Zero responded grimly, "All the Old Gods' power put into Virgil’s most prized Dungeon Master. That guy right there, he’s what Lord and Virgil have been working toward this entire time."
Their conversation was cut short as Aizen swiftly located them. He stomped his own shadow and grabbed onto Zero where he ripped him in half with terrifying strength. Transformed once more into a sea of ravens, Zero and Maeve fled, with Aizen hot on their heels across the island.
They ran north, desperately trying to distance themselves from Aizen's relentless pursuit, with Zero utilizing his Dragon Sight to scout ahead and steer them clear of any camps or traveling tribes.
Zero pivoted on his feet as they approached a fissure in the ice, his fist drawn back. "Show me…SHIELD!" he commanded, thrusting his fist forward. Instantly, the air heated, creating a dense wall of steam. Seizing Maeve, Zero teleported them behind Aizen just as he careened into the steam, crying out in agony as the scalding vapor seared his skin.
"How many Humans do you have in your cloak?" Zero inquired.
"One thousand and twenty-three," Maeve replied matter-of-factly.
Zero paused, his mouth agape, then shook his head. "That’s so many. I just need like…three…"
Maeve opened her cloak, and three human corpses tumbled out. Zero knelt down, placing his hand on each of them momentarily to read their mana channels. Standing up, he declared, "Awaken, my new soldiers."
Black mist enveloped the bodies, lifting them upward. Their eyes were consumed by the mist, turning completely black as their skin melted away, revealing even more mist underneath. Within seconds, the three human bodies transformed into walking silhouettes of thick black mist, outlined in a white aura. Standing at attention, they awaited Zero's command. He turned to Aizen, who had emerged from the steam, his gaze fixed on his new targets. Zero lifted his hand. "Come forth, Gargantua!"
A black magic circle materialized on the ground, from which the same black mist poured forth. An enormous hand emerged, followed by the rest of the body – a Giant composed of the same black mist as the three Humans. It turned to Zero, who pointed towards Aizen. With a simple nod, the Giant let out a mighty roar and charged forward, goading Aizen to do the same.
The three Humans awaited Zero’s next command, but it did not come.
Instead, he snapped his fingers, causing all three of them to disappear just as Gargantua swung their fist at Aizen. With one swing of his glowing blade, Aizen not only destroyed the Soul Soldier Giant, but purified them, removing them from Zero’s Soul Army.
"Hmm, I really thought that would work for some reason," Zero remarked as Aizen appeared before him. "Guess not."
Aizen suddenly seized Zero's head and slammed him to the ground, preparing to strike again. But Zero teleported away, releasing an exhausted sigh.
"You don’t feel stronger than Nix, but fuck me," Zero muttered to himself. "You’re making me work for this extra life, that's for sure."
Regaining his footing, Zero flipped onto his feet and switched places with Maeve, who had been casting a spell.
"Bye, bitch," Maeve declared as she launched the spell forward, enveloping the area in a brilliant blue light. When the light faded, Aizen was on his knees, panting heavily. He slammed his fists into the ground, causing the area to rupture.
Aizen's yell grew louder as his aura expanded, transforming into a pitch-black color that engulfed him entirely. His muscles swelled, devouring his body as he screamed in agony. Eventually, Aizen's entire form exploded in a burst of black aura, leaving behind a naked man standing amidst a pool of water with four feathered wings slowly unfolding from his back.
Neither Maeve nor Zero could sense any magical aura from him, but they knew it was there, hidden beneath its own overwhelming power.
"This isn’t good," Zero thought to himself.
"What’s not good?" Aizen replied, startling Zero with his ability to read his mind.
Before Zero could react, Aizen teleported in front of him, slicing him in half with one of his swords. But instead of being cleaved in two, Zero reformed from a cloud of ravens a few meters away.
"That was all three, was it not?" Aizen questioned, teleporting towards Zero once more. This time, however, his blade passed through Zero without causing harm.
"What game are you playing at? You said you can only use Iza thrice?!" Aizen demanded, his expression one of disgust.
"That I did," Zero replied calmly, "but you're using teleportation, a magic technique I invented…and it'll be a sad day in Arrithia if I'm ever bested by my own technique."
Even without much expression to display it, you could see the disgust etched on Aizen’s face as he swung his sword again, only for Zero to remain just out of the blade’s reach. Again and again, Aizen teleported around Zero, attempting to slice through him, but each time, Zero danced just beyond the arc of the swing, always evading. He knew it wouldn’t be long before Aizen adapted and mastered the 'Minutes between the Seconds', so Zero had to act swiftly.
Zero kept his mind focused solely on the present moment, resisting the urge to forecast his moves. He couldn’t afford any distractions. Dodging Aizen’s every blow with precision, Zero remained poised. It was on the second-to-last step that Aizen finally adapted, catching Zero with his hand.
Zero smiled defiantly at Aizen as his sword thrust forward. At the last moment, just as the blade was about to pierce him, Zero clapped his hands, switching places with Maeve.
Maeve had flipped her cloak inside out, causing Aizen’s blade and arm to dive into the Void. Without hesitation, Maeve promptly closed the cloak, severing Aizen’s arm.
Aizen dropped Maeve and stumbled backward, using his free arm to clutch at his empty shoulder. Bright gold blood dripped from the wound as he grasped it tightly. Suddenly, his hand turned red-hot as he cauterized the wound, letting out another yell before dropping to his knees. He breathed heavily before unleashing a roar of frustration.
Sure enough, his arm erupted from his shoulder, growing anew.
However, this time it was entirely black, in stark contrast to the pale white of his body.
As Maeve realized what it was, she gasped in horror.
Aizen’s new arm was made entirely out of Void.
"Well, that's not good," Zero stated grimly.
"Now what?" Maeve asked, her voice tinged with determination.
"We keep fighting," she stated firmly. "We keep fighting until we beat him."
Zero's lips curled into a defiant smile as he nodded. "Fine by me." He clenched his fist, the determination shining in his eyes. "I just spent thirty-two years getting my shit kicked in. What's a few more minutes?"
Zero and Maeve glanced at Aizen as he advanced slowly, the fight evolving into something beyond mere speed or strength. They couldn't quite discern what the decisive factor would be anymore, as Aizen seemed capable of ending them both before they could react. Yet, true to form, Zero remained undeterred, sporting a crazed, arrogant grin.
"This is getting exciting, isn't it?" Zero exclaimed, his voice tinged with exhilaration. He extended his hand, summoning his sword which transformed into the green-hilted golden dagger. Turning to Maeve, he spoke urgently, "I need your Demon arms to throw me."
"Huh?" Maeve responded, momentarily confused.
"I NEED YOUR DEMON ARMS TO THROW ME!" Zero reiterated, his urgency cutting through the chaos of battle.
Understanding dawned on Maeve, and she swiftly expelled the Demon hands from her cloak. Their thick, black, taloned fingers hoisted Zero upward, launching him with all their might towards Aizen. Zero let out a primal roar as he collided with Aizen, the dagger aimed at his chest. However, instead of piercing his skin, the blade merely bounced off, slipping from Zero's grasp. Seizing the opportunity, Zero grabbed onto Aizen and teleported them into the sky.
"I know you've got wings but..." Zero began, rapidly teleporting them towards the ground. Their descent accelerated exponentially, hurtling them towards the island like a meteor. Just before impact, Aizen spread his wings, halting their fall abruptly. The force of the sudden stop rattled Zero to his core, feeling as if his heart had momentarily ceased beating.
Meanwhile, Maeve had reverted the cloak to its normal state before launching herself towards Aizen. As she closed in, she absorbed the monumental wind currents, harnessing them for her own attack. Landing before Aizen, she unleashed the stored energy, propelling him backward just enough to help Zero rise to his feet. With a reassuring pat on his back, Zero's flames blazed brighter, the blue glow intensifying as he surged forward to rejoin the fray.
A frenzied melee ensued, with Zero and Aizen exchanging blows while Maeve began encasing herself in a brilliant yellow aura. Zero mirrored her, his flames briefly tinted with a vivid purple hue. Together, they seized Aizen, their combined aura and mana propelling them upward. Maeve wrapped herself around Aizen's Void-ridden arm, even employing her Demon hands to prevent his escape. They ascended higher and higher, expelling more mana until they breached the clouds, basking in the sun's radiant rays above the blizzard.
Caught in Zero's firm grasp and ensnared by Maeve's aura, Aizen struggled to teleport away. As their momentum waned, Maeve and Zero exchanged a knowing glance, united in their resolve. With a final, unified yell, their auras exploded, engulfing the surroundings in blinding white light. When the brilliance finally subsided, Zero, Maeve, and Aizen found themselves hurtling towards the ground, the impact inevitable and loud.
Maeve was the first to stagger from her own personal crater over to Zero, both of them struggling to move towards Aizen, who had already lifted himself up and appeared less affected by the fall.
"This motherfucker just doesn't quit," Zero muttered, frustration evident in his voice.
"If what you say about him is true, we'll die before we beat him," Maeve replied grimly.
Zero tapped her on the chest, the glow of her ironheart casting a bright light where his hand touched. "Nothing new then, eh?"
Summoning his resolve, Zero straightened himself, doing his best to conceal his pain and exhaustion. Aizen rose to his feet, his breathing slow and deliberate as he fixed them with a menacing glare. Without uttering a word, he spread his wings and ascended, positioning himself level with Zero and Maeve.
"I will shatter the heavens with your corpses!" Aizen roared, reaching out to grab them.
In a swift move, Zero teleported them a couple of hundred meters away.
"Maeve, I need you to start emptying the reserves, all of them," Zero commanded.
Without hesitation, Maeve opened her cloak and began dumping bodies into the snow. Human, Vampires, Lycans, Gargoyles - a myriad of races tumbled out, each one fueling Zero's spell.
As Maeve disposed of them, Zero absorbed their essence, forming a crimson magic ball in his palm.
When Maeve finished, Zero summoned his own Soul Soldiers from the shadows, converting them into energy for his spell.
The resulting Soul Crusher grew to an immense size, dwarfing both Zero and Maeve.
As Aizen advanced, Zero realized he was losing control of the spell.
Meanwhile, Aizen conjured his own spell, fueled by the countless Souls of those he had slain as The Old King.
Both spells surged towards each other, threatening to collide.
"Looks like this is what they were talking about," Zero remarked, his tone tinged with realization. "About splitting the heavens."
Maeve gazed at the colossal magic balls, comprehending the gravity of the situation.
As the spells connected, the sky cracked open, revealing a world filled with stars.
The stars each blinked out, leaving behind darkness that faded into empty white noise.
Aizen's body dissolved into dust, his final words echoing in the silence.
"I am free...and so is...Arrithia..."
As the white noise engulfed them, both Zero and Maeve briefly blacked out.
When they regained consciousness, they found themselves facing an enormous gap in the ice, stretching as far as the eye could see in three directions.
The Infinite Ocean's waters rushed through, breaking the ice in its wake.
Maeve looked up at the fractured sky. "So what does that mean?" she asked, her voice echoing in the vastness.
Zero joined her gaze, a smile spreading across his face.
"It means the Highers who aren't currently on Arrithia...they can't come down anymore."
This chapter is dedicated to Akira Toriyama, thanks for all the inspiration, King.
Zero pushed Oduduwa over toward Idris and Taharqa, the two of them couldn't help but get teary-eyed as they saw the MonkeFolk again and pulled him into an embrace.
"You're alive!" Taharqa exclaimed.
"Thank you," Idris told Zero before he wrapped his arms around Oduduwa.
Zero nodded back, then turned around beside Maeve and punched his fist into his palm. "Aizen the New God...that's who we have to cut open the heavens with. Let's do it!" Zero's head erupted into blue flames, followed by his feet and hands. He shook his body as he adjusted, and a flaming blue tail erupted through his trousers. Aizen had stood up and was standing without their swords, their gaze locked on Zero.
"The power between the two of you...it's tremendous," Aizen lifted their fists. "Together we will shatter the heavens!" They dashed forward, stirring Zero to also rush forward without his blade, Maeve hesitated for just a moment before she too forgoed her rapier and joined.
Zero leapt high into the air. "Maeve, look at what Virgil taught me!" He clapped his hands together, drawing Aizen’s attention upward to where Maeve had just switched places to, putting Zero in her previous position, directly in front of Aizen. Zero threw a punch, knocking Aizen upward. Maeve quickly reoriented herself and clamped her hands together, holding them over her head. As Aizen got close to her, she slammed her hands down on him, sending him crashing back into the ground.
As she landed back on the ground, Aizen had already pulled himself back up and was just standing there in his armor, menacingly. Nothing about his appearance had changed, but his strength and skill had tremendously, and to think that he hadn’t started casting spells yet was troublesome. But the title of New God was even more so. Then there was the fact that both Zero and Aizen now talked about shattering the heavens—Maeve couldn’t think straight, her mind was jumbled with those thoughts and more.
She glanced at Zero; he was back.
It hadn’t been that long, but still, she wasn’t entirely sure if he was actually going to make it back. But at the same time, she looked at the nameplate above Aizen’s head again, reading the words “Death’s Final Test” once more.
It was funny, really, just how blatantly it was in their faces.
Zero was sent back, and if he dies to Aizen, he isn’t coming back a second time, and neither would she.
Maeve laughed again at her thoughts.
No shit, Maeve, people who are killed, die.
She shook herself back to the scene at hand.
In the little moment she had zoned out, Zero had taken charge and was in an all-out brawl of fists with Aizen.
They were both equally trying to kill the other, both in a state of manic panic as they threw blow after blow at the other. Some just missed, while most were completely blocked by the other. They went back and forth, moving around the crater, their punches sending out small shockwaves with every blow. Again and again, they traded blows until Aizen suddenly took a step back, and with his arms hanging to his side, he let out a roar, and what looked to be over three hundred punches hit Zero, knocking him into a ragdoll state as he toppled across the crater. Maeve went to rush forward, but Aizen had already closed the gap between them. He grabbed her horns with both hands and dropped to his knees, pulling Maeve’s entire body into the ground, smashing her face into the snow and ice.
Maeve slipped into Aizen’s shadow, deftly evading his grasp and redirecting his attention towards Zero. With a thunderous roar, Aizen charged at Zero with astonishing speed, catching even Zero off guard. His grip on Zero's head was vice-like, and the force of his throw created a shockwave that rippled through the crater, hurling Zero across the battlefield into the others. Oduduwa and Idris bore the brunt of the impact, with Loki collapsing onto Idris amidst their collective groans. As Loki assisted Zero to his feet, he couldn't help but remark, "You really are as batshit crazy as I have been told."
Taking stock of the situation, Zero scanned the group and inquired, "Where’s Menelik?"
Zero clapped his hands together, teleporting Maeve to his position and himself to hers, strategically positioning themselves directly beneath Aizen as he lunged downwards. With his fist poised by his side, Zero commanded, "SHOW ME…" thrusting it forward into Aizen's chest. "...SWORD!"
The impact sent Aizen tumbling, but he swiftly regained his footing. Before he could retaliate, Maeve reentered the fray, landing a decisive blow to the back of his head, forcing him back to his knees. Seizing the opportunity, Zero surged forward with another punch, sending Aizen staggering upright, only for Maeve to strike again, driving him back down.
Aizen pivoted swiftly, grasping Maeve just as she attempted to meld back into her shadow. Zero swiftly intervened, teleporting to Maeve's position with a resounding roar, breaking Aizen’s grip. As Aizen swiftly recovered, locking eyes with Zero, their combined roars unleashed a torrent of chaos, causing the ice beneath them to fracture and explode in all directions. Amidst the shifting battlefield, Zero and Maeve leapt from ice chunk to ice chunk, endeavoring to maintain focus on Aizen amidst the tumult.
Aizen mirrored Zero and Maeve's movements, leaping from ice chunk to ice chunk as the battle unfolded beyond the crater. Zero caught Loki's glance, realizing Loki's efforts to evacuate the others safely. With decisive action, Zero teleported down and delivered a swift kick to Idris, propelling him into Taharqa, before seizing Loki, who was supporting Oduduwa. Placing his hand on Idris' back, Zero teleported them all outside the crater, catching Aizen's attention in the process. Aizen descended upon them, scattering the group in all directions, his focus fixed on Zero. Darting through the chaos, Aizen targeted Zero, but in a swift move, Zero teleported with Loki. Aizen retaliated by hurling Loki into the ground before Maeve intervened with a punch to his helmet, driving him into the ice.
Zero and Maeve regrouped, facing Aizen as he rose, his breath labored. Suddenly, Aizen drew in a deep breath, unleashing another deafening roar that sent the snow swirling away from his forceful exhale. Maeve and Zero were knocked off their feet, vulnerable as Aizen closed in. Seizing them by the head, Aizen slammed them together before tossing them aside, pursuing his own throw. Catching up to Zero first, Aizen halted him with a powerful strike upward, then redirected his attention to Maeve, who tumbled nearby. Aizen clamped his hands together and brought them crashing down on Zero just as Zero executed a teleportation maneuver, swapping places with Aizen himself. Aizen tumbled forward as Zero repositioned, only for Zero to unleash a punch, intercepted by Aizen who effortlessly swung him around before slamming him into the ground.
As Zero grunted in pain, Aizen hoisted him up. "Back to Volja Vatre with you," he declared, his glowing short sword materializing in his palm. A subtle expletive escaped Zero's lips as Aizen raised the blade. "What is it you mutter?" Aizen inquired.
"Nothing," Zero retorted with a smirk. "I just didn’t know we were using weapons again."
"Fool. You’re fighting for your life!" Aizen thrust his blade forward, but Zero's own short sword deflected the strike before circling back around to thrust at Aizen, forcing him to release his grip. Instead of seizing the blade, Zero executed another teleportation, swapping with Maeve who had been charging a spell. The spell surged forward, striking Aizen in the chest and momentarily staggering him. Enraged, Aizen emitted a series of primal yells, his helmet glowing with the same green hue as Maeve's spell. With a final roar, a beam of pure green light erupted from his helmet. Zero acted swiftly, clapping his hands together, swapping places with Maeve again just as the devastating blast connected.
When Aizen halted the blast, he emitted another deafening roar, enveloping his entire body in the same green aura as the blast itself. His form beneath the armor began to swell, the metal cracking as his screams echoed through the air. His cries subsided momentarily, and as the green aura faded, his muscular form became visible beneath the damaged suit of armor. With an intense glare, Aizen locked eyes with Loki and the others before letting out another roar and charging towards them, his movements hampered by his newfound strength.
Meanwhile, Zero struggled to rise, the blast having reverted him back to his base form, extinguishing the flames that once adorned him. Shaking off the impact, he cracked his neck and took a deep breath before springing into action. With a burst of speed that defied sound, Zero intercepted Aizen, unleashing an immense Dragon Roar that sent Aizen sprawling in the snow. Casting a brief glance at the others, Zero instructed, "Find Menelik," before teleporting over to Maeve.
The group exchanged glances, their attention turning to Loki. Idris sighed wearily, casting a glance back at the ongoing brawl between Maeve, Zero, and Aizen. "Take us to Rünhaven," he demanded, "and you can explain yourself along the way."
Taharqa interjected, "Yeah. Don’t think we are going to let everything that has happened slide. These are our...I mean…my people. You can’t just do as you please."
Loki's smirk faltered as he retorted, "Is Nazzaroth safe? Is your precious little Kingdom still intact?"
Before Taharqa could respond, Loki cut him off. "It is, so—"
"Shut it," Idris interjected sharply. "Take us to Menelik. I don’t actually care why you’re doing what you’re doing, but if you're a Warlord, start acting like it and protect your island."
Loki found himself momentarily speechless, his gaze shifting to Aizen. More of his muscles were breaking through the armor, threatening to rend it entirely. Unsure if Maeve and Zero had noticed the weakening armor was actually keeping Aizen’s real strength locked away.
Loki's eyes followed their movements as they engaged in the lightning-fast battle. With a nod to Idris, he turned away, leading the group – Idris, Taharqa, and Oduduwa – into the blizzard, leaving Maeve and Zero with Aizen.
The fight oscillated between hand-to-hand combat and a dazzling display of swordsmanship, with both sides maneuvering to gain the upper hand.
Zero had teleported behind Aizen, poised to strike with his blade while Aizen was momentarily distracted by Maeve's rapier thrust. However, Aizen stood motionless, absorbing both hits before dissipating like fog, only to reappear a meter to the left, unscathed.
"That was a version of 'Iza'," Zero remarked. "He became fog instead of ravens. That's not good."
Zero loosened his grip on his sword, causing it to drop to the snow and disappear. Spreading out his arms, he contemplated, "How many times do you reckon he can do it?" Black magic circles materialized behind Zero, arranging themselves haphazardly around him. As the circles etched themselves into existence, Zero's eyes lost their brilliant purple hue, the life draining from them.
"I bet it’s not more than two," Zero speculated. With each word, a dozen spears shot out from the magic circles. Aizen deflected most of them effortlessly, but as Zero exhaled deeply, even more spears erupted from the circles, twice as many as before. Aizen, now wielding his second sword, continued to parry the onslaught, but Zero noticed his struggle.
"Huh, the way you’re working to block those, I reckon you can only do it the one time," Zero mused. With each successive volley, Zero increased the number of spears, maintaining an endless stream of projectiles. Aizen seemed to treat it as a game, his roars indicating a mix of frustration and amusement.
Zero's grin turned sinister as he teleported forward, appearing before Aizen. "I just spent the last thirty-two years fighting to get back here," Zero declared, his fist ablaze with black flame. "There’s no way I'm dying today."
As Zero's fist collided with Aizen, a volley of spears pierced them both. The impact obliterated the front of Aizen’s armor, revealing his muscular form underneath. Zero transformed into a flock of ravens, which quickly reconvened near Maeve. They both watched as Aizen, impaled by spears, rose defiantly from the snow, shedding his damaged armor to reveal his overwhelming musculature.
"KIIIILLLLL ZEEEERRROOOO!" Aizen bellowed, his voice echoing across the battlefield. Aizen, fueled by rage, pummeled Zero into the snow, his cries for vengeance resonating through the air.
Before Aizen could strike again, Maeve enveloped Zero in her cloak, whisking them both away into the Void. As they danced within Aizen's shadow, Maeve voiced her uncertainty. "I don’t know what to do. He’s just as fast as us, far stronger than either of us. What the fuck is he?"
Zero responded grimly, "All the Old Gods' power put into Virgil’s most prized Dungeon Master. That guy right there, he’s what Lord and Virgil have been working toward this entire time."
Their conversation was cut short as Aizen swiftly located them. He stomped his own shadow and grabbed onto Zero where he ripped him in half with terrifying strength. Transformed once more into a sea of ravens, Zero and Maeve fled, with Aizen hot on their heels across the island.
They ran north, desperately trying to distance themselves from Aizen's relentless pursuit, with Zero utilizing his Dragon Sight to scout ahead and steer them clear of any camps or traveling tribes.
Zero pivoted on his feet as they approached a fissure in the ice, his fist drawn back. "Show me…SHIELD!" he commanded, thrusting his fist forward. Instantly, the air heated, creating a dense wall of steam. Seizing Maeve, Zero teleported them behind Aizen just as he careened into the steam, crying out in agony as the scalding vapor seared his skin.
"How many Humans do you have in your cloak?" Zero inquired.
"One thousand and twenty-three," Maeve replied matter-of-factly.
Zero paused, his mouth agape, then shook his head. "That’s so many. I just need like…three…"
Maeve opened her cloak, and three human corpses tumbled out. Zero knelt down, placing his hand on each of them momentarily to read their mana channels. Standing up, he declared, "Awaken, my new soldiers."
Black mist enveloped the bodies, lifting them upward. Their eyes were consumed by the mist, turning completely black as their skin melted away, revealing even more mist underneath. Within seconds, the three human bodies transformed into walking silhouettes of thick black mist, outlined in a white aura. Standing at attention, they awaited Zero's command. He turned to Aizen, who had emerged from the steam, his gaze fixed on his new targets. Zero lifted his hand. "Come forth, Gargantua!"
A black magic circle materialized on the ground, from which the same black mist poured forth. An enormous hand emerged, followed by the rest of the body – a Giant composed of the same black mist as the three Humans. It turned to Zero, who pointed towards Aizen. With a simple nod, the Giant let out a mighty roar and charged forward, goading Aizen to do the same.
The three Humans awaited Zero’s next command, but it did not come.
Instead, he snapped his fingers, causing all three of them to disappear just as Gargantua swung their fist at Aizen. With one swing of his glowing blade, Aizen not only destroyed the Soul Soldier Giant, but purified them, removing them from Zero’s Soul Army.
"Hmm, I really thought that would work for some reason," Zero remarked as Aizen appeared before him. "Guess not."
Aizen suddenly seized Zero's head and slammed him to the ground, preparing to strike again. But Zero teleported away, releasing an exhausted sigh.
"You don’t feel stronger than Nix, but fuck me," Zero muttered to himself. "You’re making me work for this extra life, that's for sure."
Regaining his footing, Zero flipped onto his feet and switched places with Maeve, who had been casting a spell.
"Bye, bitch," Maeve declared as she launched the spell forward, enveloping the area in a brilliant blue light. When the light faded, Aizen was on his knees, panting heavily. He slammed his fists into the ground, causing the area to rupture.
Aizen's yell grew louder as his aura expanded, transforming into a pitch-black color that engulfed him entirely. His muscles swelled, devouring his body as he screamed in agony. Eventually, Aizen's entire form exploded in a burst of black aura, leaving behind a naked man standing amidst a pool of water with four feathered wings slowly unfolding from his back.
Neither Maeve nor Zero could sense any magical aura from him, but they knew it was there, hidden beneath its own overwhelming power.
"This isn’t good," Zero thought to himself.
"What’s not good?" Aizen replied, startling Zero with his ability to read his mind.
Before Zero could react, Aizen teleported in front of him, slicing him in half with one of his swords. But instead of being cleaved in two, Zero reformed from a cloud of ravens a few meters away.
"That was all three, was it not?" Aizen questioned, teleporting towards Zero once more. This time, however, his blade passed through Zero without causing harm.
"What game are you playing at? You said you can only use Iza thrice?!" Aizen demanded, his expression one of disgust.
"That I did," Zero replied calmly, "but you're using teleportation, a magic technique I invented…and it'll be a sad day in Arrithia if I'm ever bested by my own technique."
Even without much expression to display it, you could see the disgust etched on Aizen’s face as he swung his sword again, only for Zero to remain just out of the blade’s reach. Again and again, Aizen teleported around Zero, attempting to slice through him, but each time, Zero danced just beyond the arc of the swing, always evading. He knew it wouldn’t be long before Aizen adapted and mastered the 'Minutes between the Seconds', so Zero had to act swiftly.
Zero kept his mind focused solely on the present moment, resisting the urge to forecast his moves. He couldn’t afford any distractions. Dodging Aizen’s every blow with precision, Zero remained poised. It was on the second-to-last step that Aizen finally adapted, catching Zero with his hand.
Zero smiled defiantly at Aizen as his sword thrust forward. At the last moment, just as the blade was about to pierce him, Zero clapped his hands, switching places with Maeve.
Maeve had flipped her cloak inside out, causing Aizen’s blade and arm to dive into the Void. Without hesitation, Maeve promptly closed the cloak, severing Aizen’s arm.
Aizen dropped Maeve and stumbled backward, using his free arm to clutch at his empty shoulder. Bright gold blood dripped from the wound as he grasped it tightly. Suddenly, his hand turned red-hot as he cauterized the wound, letting out another yell before dropping to his knees. He breathed heavily before unleashing a roar of frustration.
Sure enough, his arm erupted from his shoulder, growing anew.
However, this time it was entirely black, in stark contrast to the pale white of his body.
As Maeve realized what it was, she gasped in horror.
Aizen’s new arm was made entirely out of Void.
"Well, that's not good," Zero stated grimly.
"Now what?" Maeve asked, her voice tinged with determination.
"We keep fighting," she stated firmly. "We keep fighting until we beat him."
Zero's lips curled into a defiant smile as he nodded. "Fine by me." He clenched his fist, the determination shining in his eyes. "I just spent thirty-two years getting my shit kicked in. What's a few more minutes?"
Zero and Maeve glanced at Aizen as he advanced slowly, the fight evolving into something beyond mere speed or strength. They couldn't quite discern what the decisive factor would be anymore, as Aizen seemed capable of ending them both before they could react. Yet, true to form, Zero remained undeterred, sporting a crazed, arrogant grin.
"This is getting exciting, isn't it?" Zero exclaimed, his voice tinged with exhilaration. He extended his hand, summoning his sword which transformed into the green-hilted golden dagger. Turning to Maeve, he spoke urgently, "I need your Demon arms to throw me."
"Huh?" Maeve responded, momentarily confused.
"I NEED YOUR DEMON ARMS TO THROW ME!" Zero reiterated, his urgency cutting through the chaos of battle.
Understanding dawned on Maeve, and she swiftly expelled the Demon hands from her cloak. Their thick, black, taloned fingers hoisted Zero upward, launching him with all their might towards Aizen. Zero let out a primal roar as he collided with Aizen, the dagger aimed at his chest. However, instead of piercing his skin, the blade merely bounced off, slipping from Zero's grasp. Seizing the opportunity, Zero grabbed onto Aizen and teleported them into the sky.
"I know you've got wings but..." Zero began, rapidly teleporting them towards the ground. Their descent accelerated exponentially, hurtling them towards the island like a meteor. Just before impact, Aizen spread his wings, halting their fall abruptly. The force of the sudden stop rattled Zero to his core, feeling as if his heart had momentarily ceased beating.
Meanwhile, Maeve had reverted the cloak to its normal state before launching herself towards Aizen. As she closed in, she absorbed the monumental wind currents, harnessing them for her own attack. Landing before Aizen, she unleashed the stored energy, propelling him backward just enough to help Zero rise to his feet. With a reassuring pat on his back, Zero's flames blazed brighter, the blue glow intensifying as he surged forward to rejoin the fray.
A frenzied melee ensued, with Zero and Aizen exchanging blows while Maeve began encasing herself in a brilliant yellow aura. Zero mirrored her, his flames briefly tinted with a vivid purple hue. Together, they seized Aizen, their combined aura and mana propelling them upward. Maeve wrapped herself around Aizen's Void-ridden arm, even employing her Demon hands to prevent his escape. They ascended higher and higher, expelling more mana until they breached the clouds, basking in the sun's radiant rays above the blizzard.
Caught in Zero's firm grasp and ensnared by Maeve's aura, Aizen struggled to teleport away. As their momentum waned, Maeve and Zero exchanged a knowing glance, united in their resolve. With a final, unified yell, their auras exploded, engulfing the surroundings in blinding white light. When the brilliance finally subsided, Zero, Maeve, and Aizen found themselves hurtling towards the ground, the impact inevitable and loud.
Maeve was the first to stagger from her own personal crater over to Zero, both of them struggling to move towards Aizen, who had already lifted himself up and appeared less affected by the fall.
"This motherfucker just doesn't quit," Zero muttered, frustration evident in his voice.
"If what you say about him is true, we'll die before we beat him," Maeve replied grimly.
Zero tapped her on the chest, the glow of her ironheart casting a bright light where his hand touched. "Nothing new then, eh?"
Summoning his resolve, Zero straightened himself, doing his best to conceal his pain and exhaustion. Aizen rose to his feet, his breathing slow and deliberate as he fixed them with a menacing glare. Without uttering a word, he spread his wings and ascended, positioning himself level with Zero and Maeve.
"I will shatter the heavens with your corpses!" Aizen roared, reaching out to grab them.
In a swift move, Zero teleported them a couple of hundred meters away.
"Maeve, I need you to start emptying the reserves, all of them," Zero commanded.
Without hesitation, Maeve opened her cloak and began dumping bodies into the snow. Human, Vampires, Lycans, Gargoyles - a myriad of races tumbled out, each one fueling Zero's spell.
As Maeve disposed of them, Zero absorbed their essence, forming a crimson magic ball in his palm.
When Maeve finished, Zero summoned his own Soul Soldiers from the shadows, converting them into energy for his spell.
The resulting Soul Crusher grew to an immense size, dwarfing both Zero and Maeve.
As Aizen advanced, Zero realized he was losing control of the spell.
Meanwhile, Aizen conjured his own spell, fueled by the countless Souls of those he had slain as The Old King.
Both spells surged towards each other, threatening to collide.
"Looks like this is what they were talking about," Zero remarked, his tone tinged with realization. "About splitting the heavens."
Maeve gazed at the colossal magic balls, comprehending the gravity of the situation.
As the spells connected, the sky cracked open, revealing a world filled with stars.
The stars each blinked out, leaving behind darkness that faded into empty white noise.
Aizen's body dissolved into dust, his final words echoing in the silence.
"I am free...and so is...Arrithia..."
As the white noise engulfed them, both Zero and Maeve briefly blacked out.
When they regained consciousness, they found themselves facing an enormous gap in the ice, stretching as far as the eye could see in three directions.
The Infinite Ocean's waters rushed through, breaking the ice in its wake.
Maeve looked up at the fractured sky. "So what does that mean?" she asked, her voice echoing in the vastness.
Zero joined her gaze, a smile spreading across his face.
"It means the Highers who aren't currently on Arrithia...they can't come down anymore."
