Chapter 58: The Primordial Hollow's Arrival: Ophis' Sacrifice and Great Red's Demise
In an empty colossal void of darkness, Yhwach's eyes slowly opened up before seeing that everything around him was pitch black. When he touched his chest, he was able to tell that he was cold, like extremely cold. This feeling signified that he was dead. A feeling that he has experienced multiple times in his time of travel.
Even in death, he could feel his spirit fighting with the Infinite Dragon God. Yhwach raised his head before contemplating his own life. He chuckled at everything he had gone through. The life he lived up until now. The friends and allies he gathered were the symbols of light towards the world he always wanted.
He found it funny how in death, he finds that the simplest of answers were always right in front of him. His life was nothing special since he yearned for battle. Thinking back, Yamamoto was right about everything. He was nothing more than a story to tell children and their children. He was the Ghost of the Quincy.
Yamamoto: What are you thinking so hard about, Yhwach?
The Quincy King paused his expression a mix of defiance and contemplation, before finally turning to meet Yamamoto's gaze.
Yhwach: It appears I cannot evade your presence, even in death. In some twisted way, you and I are more alike than I care to admit.
Yamamoto's response was stoic, his eyes betraying a deep understanding of their intertwined destinies.
Yamamoto: Do not feign surprise. Our fates have always been bound together. Wherever you may roam, my essence shall linger within you.
Yhwach smirked.
Yhwach: No matter how much I want to deny it, the thought of death was always lingering in the back of my mind. an unwelcome guest that haunted even my most triumphant moments. A concept I once fancied embracing, only to find it elusive, slipping through my grasp like sand. I trod the balance between life and death, yet found it meaningless when the very fabric of existence bowed to my will. The resurrection of the departed may be hailed as a divine gift by some, but for one who has toyed with mortality incessantly, it metamorphoses into a bleak reality, a Hell of perpetual existence.
Yamamoto's expression dropped.
Yamamoto: Amongst all the souls I have encountered, you are perhaps the sole individual to whom I feel a genuine connection. There is an inexplicable bond between us, one that even I cannot deny.
Yhwach: What would that be?
Yamamoto: You have never spewed any lies to anyone. Even in combat, you have stated facts that many people would deny because of their beliefs and upbringing. These beliefs that you have come to know and stand by have significantly changed our very view of life itself. We were never truly understood by anyone. My students, Unohana, Aizen, and Ichigo were the only ones who understood where we were truly coming from, but those ideals and goals we stood by were squashed in the end.
Yhwach: We were nothing but puppets.
Yamamoto narrowed his eyes when he heard that.
Yhwach: Our race, our very existence, manipulated like pawns by Ichibē and the rest of the Zero Division. Every breath we took, every choice we made, all in service of maintaining the fragile balance of the worlds.
Yamamoto: To Others, it may appear as a tragedy, but to us, it was a stain upon our honor.
Yhwach: Indeed, that was our reality. Bound in servitude to a puppet manipulated by Ichibē's whims. The lie he spun, the illusion of the Shinigami as saviors, shackled us to a fate not of our choosing. We were nothing more than cattle for a being who cared for no one. I only wished to sever that world from the harsh realities we all had to endure, but that wish was nothing more than empty words and dreams.
(Picture)
Yamamoto: The further in life you get, the hopes and dreams of oneself begin to wither away.
Yamamoto noticed that Yhwach seemed to be unconnected by those words.
Yhwach: The concept of hope is nothing more than giving up. A word that holds no true meaning. When someone has hope, they give up on themselves. They rely on hope to have the answers for them. A thought for the weak that do not quarrel in the world of the strong. It's a thought that diminishes your very existence and what you have risen above along with what you came to believe. Hope is nothing more than empty wishes. Your hopes should be achieved by your will, not by some single thought.
Mimihagi: I beg to differ, Son of the Soul King.
Both Yhwach and Yamamoto spun around towards the direction of the new voice.
Before any of them could say anything, The Mimihagi appeared before them.
The both of them widened their eyes. Yhwach was confused to see him here. He thought he disappeared forever, but to see him here of all places was a surprise that caught him off guard.
Yamamoto could only stare intently towards The Mimihagi.
Mimihagi: Yhwach, you have exceeded my expectations. In breaking free from the chains that bound you, you have not only liberated yourself but also illuminated a path of tranquility and hope for those ensnared by despair and oppression. Your vision has ignited a flame of inspiration that spreads like wildfire across this world, drawing countless souls to your cause.
Yhwach: How is this possible? Aren't you supposed to be deceased?
Yhwach questioned.
Mimihagi: Indeed, I am deceased. However, my essence cannot simply vanish into the ether. Fragments of my being persist within you, having been absorbed, allowing me to manifest whenever I so choose.
Yhwach: If that's the case, then you're aware of everything that's unfolded until now.
Mimihagi: Naturally.
Yhwach: So, what brings you here? Offering me another shot at life?
Mimihagi: I can't give you that gift anymore. That gift you received a long time ago was something that took most of my power to do. Your existence in this place follows the same rules as the last world you were in. If the cold embraces of death have welcomed you once more, then that is your fate. This place is your final resting place. I only came here to tell you that you have passed my test.
Yhwach: Test?
Mimihagi: I wished to ascertain if someone like you could undergo transformation given a second chance by the Soul King. Yet, you've exceeded my expectations, forging alliances, and uniting disparate factions against a common foe. You're charting the course to become the next true Soul King.
Yhwach: Your little trial has enlightened me as well, ancient relic. Both this world and ours share similarities. However, one glaring difference is the abandonment by those who could've saved countless lives. They shirked their duty, leaving the manipulated, the used, the weaponized to fend for themselves, only to witness the world's destruction for others' gains.
Mimihagi: Your comprehension and frustration are duly noted, but before I depart, there's a revelation I must share. Yhwach, there's no need for further justification, for I understand your true intentions. You've spoken of severing this world's fate, yet you've unwittingly achieved it already.
Yhwach's brow furrowed in confusion.
Mimihagi: Those who stand alongside you hold the key. You've severed the mundanity of their existence, the repetitive cycles of life. A world isn't defined by its laws alone but by its inhabitants and their capacity to reshape their reality through hope and aspiration.
Yhwach: I fail to grasp the significance of hope in their lives. My influence may have altered their perspectives and lifestyles, but my core belief remains unshaken. Hope, in my view, signifies surrender, a relinquishing of agency. It's the strength of one's resolve that truly shapes destinies, not mere wishes or desires. If you possess the fortitude, then forge your path without relying on others.
Mimihagi: There is one more individual seeking your attention. My purpose here is fulfilled.
Yhwach: As always, your leaving and appearing will always be a mystery. This life you live isn't a life at all... This must be your Hell.
Mimihagi: Perhaps you're right... My ultimate failure with Jūshirō weighs heavily upon me. That single failure is my own personal Hell, rendering any semblance of existence as mere torment. In a way... This may indeed be my Hell.
Those last words echoed throughout the space Yhwach was in before seeing The Mimihagi disappear from his sight.
Yhwach: Even the right hand of the Soul King cannot escape the weight of his transgressions. It's a stark reminder that even beings deemed divine are flawed. Their presence only serves to perpetuate the flaws of this fractured and imperfect world, steeped in insecurity.
Yhwach said.
Without warning, a bright flash of light appeared that blinded Yhwach. It felt warm, welcoming, and even calming. This light wasn't any ordinary light he had felt or seen in his life. Not long after, a figure was slowly descending towards him.
The figure stood in front of him with a smile before raising his hand to calm him.
???" Do not fret, Yhwach. I'm not here to cause any harm to you. I only want to speak with you.
Yhwach: I sense nothing from you. Your power is utterly concealed, yet here you stand before me. It perplexes me. Tell me, are you allied with the old relic?
Yhwach wondered as he was still on his guard.
The man kept his smile before expanding his arms outward.
???: I guess that makes sense since you are not of this world.
Yhwach narrowed his eyes.
Yhwach: Now you have piqued my interest. Who are you?
???: A human with so much talent, power, resolve, and knowledge has never been heard of for such a long time. These characteristics are what define you, but what truly caught my eye isn't those characteristics. It's the tenacity you hold to fight for a world and its people that isn't even yours, to begin with. You fight, and fight, and fight just to absorb the world's sins, so everyone else could live the life you have envisioned for them. The evil of this world isn't yours to shoulder, but you still do it.
Yhwach loosened up.
Yhwach: You speak as if you have gone through the same thing.
???: I have... I wanted to do what you are doing. Helping those in need. Removing the evil of the world for a better life. Bestowing a life of peace, tranquility, and love. But no matter how much I wanted to do that, there was always the source of evil in every corner of the world where everyone forgets. So, going back to what you said a while ago about the longer you live, the more you will realize that the only things that truly exist in this reality are merely pain, suffering, and futility. This statement may be true, but what if you can change that reality entirely?
Yhwach's eyes widened.
Yhwach: Just who are you?
???: Think harder. I know with your intellectual knowledge, you will find the answer.
He thought long and hard about who this person could be. Thoughts about all his foes and allies who have died came to mind, but no matter how hard he tried to identify this man, it was just getting more difficult.
Before trying to think more about who it was, everything just seemed to freeze. Yhwach looked at his clothes, his aura, and even his figure. He saw this a long time ago when he was first transported to this world. It clicked in when the realization hit him. His whole demeanor changed when he finally figured it out.
Yhwach: God...
Jesus: Even now, you are still being defensive. But yes, I am not God himself exactly. I am the son of God. You can just call me, Jesus.
Yhwach: Your presence here signifies a meeting of profound significance. But how? Weren't you pierced by the True Longinus?
Jesus looked towards the ground as a horrible memory came rushing back.
Jesus: I know I have perished by being stabbed by the True Longinus. You must understand that my blood on that spear is what makes that weapon so sacred. Some of the magic power that was within that spear was absorbed by you when you and the Infinite Dragon God were one with each other.
Yhwach: This is the last breath of your father, then.
Jesus: Think of it as his will. His will is my will.
Jesus said as he rested his hands together.
Yhwach: You and your damn father destroyed the very world he created. This world is broken, crying, and even dying from the corruption and evil that plague this world. Is this how he treats his creation? Throwing them into a world where those Devil bastards can use them however they want? Pagan gods choose their best champions who have betrayed, slaughtered, and even abandoned their mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters just to retain the finest of luxuries that these heathens desperately want.
Yhwach was getting furious.
Jesus couldn't say anything as he was right. There was no way for him to try and help those in need. A portion of his power was sealed within the spear. The Holy Relics were merely artifacts that held divine power within them.
Jesus: I didn't come here to fight. I want to give you a gift that my father alone wanted to hand to you before we disappear entirely from this realm and every other one.
Yhwach: What possible gift could you give me that would erase you and your father's sins?
Jesus smiled at that question.
Jesus: That's just it, Yhwach. We can give you anything you want. Anything that you so wish or desire to have for everything you have done for my father's world and its people. You may even wish to return to your realm where you came from. With this wish, all of the Holy Relics will disappear from the face of the Earth. This is our way of showing gratitude for the one person who has sacrificed everything for the will of billions.
Jesus explained.
Yhwach: But why me? What of those who've struggled, suffered, and bled for you and your father? When my children perished, when my connection to Jugram was gone, and when I was left alone in the world, I had no one to guide me. But here and now, an outsider to your world is trying to be guided because I have done something for a world that your father has abandoned.
Jesus closed his eyes before opening them back up.
Jesus: Then that leaves you.
Yhwach looked confused.
Jesus: If I and my father have failed to protect this world, then you become something more. The whole world looks up to you and cares about you. I know of the deeds you have done in your world as well, so you think that sacrificing your happiness, life, and soul is your way of repenting for what you have done. Even thinking that this reality is your Hell.
Yhwach knew the life he was living. No one could return his life of peace and happiness. Those emotions and dreams were destroyed when his children and life were tossed into the wind. The positive aspects of life are a distant objective he could never achieve, it's a gift he could give to those who have sacrificed everything to try and survive in a world where no God was present to watch over them.
Yhwach: Indeed... Once you step into the abyss, there are forces that bind your heart, preventing it from ever feeling the warmth of light again.
Jesus formed a sad expression at those words.
Jesus: No man should ever have to endure a life such as yours... You have endured hardships that no one will ever understand throughout the entirety of their lives.
What Jesus said made Yhwach intrigued. There was no denying it. A life where he can't properly lay to rest but live over, and over, and over, and over again was a Hell of its own.
Yhwach: You remind me of Ichigo in a way. He was always trying to find ways to unite everyone together even if it meant he would perish.
Jesus: You walk a path that no mortal alone would go on.
Yhwach: The path I walk on is covered in an endless void of emptiness. Whatever path I follow, there is a darkness that will always welcome me. My sins alone cannot be atoned for everything I have done. Everywhere you look in this world, there is a light. But behind that light, there is a shadow that will be found as well. This concept alone is a loop that cannot ever be broken by mere mortals. This is the balance of life in every world wherever you look. Breaking this concept is like removing the sun or the moon.
Jesus: Why do you say that?
Yhwach: The world is nothing but a game of balance. There's always going to be bad to balance out the good. This very idea will be severed from everyone's heart. I cannot live in a world like that. The only world I will accept is a world of only victors... A world of only peace... A world of only love.
Jesus: I will always accept that type of world, but a world where Lucifer and Trihexa exist in that world will never be a reality. It will be the same type of world that you and everyone else have lived in.
Jesus said.
Yhwach: I have said a thousand times already. I will become the savior of this world where no such Hell will exist for anyone. Even if I must destroy myself in the process to give everyone a life of happiness.
Jesus: When you walk the path of a God, you have the responsibility of a being that needs to accommodate the needs of those who worship you. That mindset you are in now will spring questions that you don't want to question ever. If you walk this path alone, it will torment you until you can't take it anymore. You are not alone anymore, so walk the path you have constructed with those who trust, love, and respect you.
Jesus explained.
Yhwach brushed his words off as he already knew the sacrifices and struggles he would go through. He has already gone through them before. But the main reason why he brushed his words off was that he didn't want to listen to the very person who abandoned his people for the evil of the world to enjoy.
Jesus could see that he ignored his words. He was about to say something to him, but he felt his existence rapidly fading away.
Jesus: Yhwach, I don't have much time left. Please, tell me what your wish is. What is it that you truly want in life?
Jesus asked one last time.
Yhwach sunk those words in. There were many things that he wanted in life. His children always lingered in the back of his mind. He always thought of the day when he could meet them once again. It was a dream he wanted to be real for the longest time ever. He also wanted that friendship with Jugram to never be severed as it was a friendship that truly has given him meaning in the perspectives of life.
After thinking long and hard about what he wanted, he came up with a wish.
Yhwach: I desire nothing from a Lookalike.
Yhwach declared.
Jesus only looked at Yhwach with the same saddened expression.
The conversation between the two of them came to a stop when a black aura engulfed Yhwach. Not long passed when his whole body disappeared.
Scene Break
The Horsemen of Pestilence was riding his horse through the air with diseases radiating off of him. His armor was somewhat similar to War, but under all that armor, his skin was rotten to the core. All sorts of sickness and disease covered him from head to toe with every known and unknown plague in human history. His armor was moldy, rusted, and even smelly. Anyone who got near him would have dropped to the floor in a heartbeat.
On his back, there was a longbow that was made out of various bones and metals. His arrows were drenched with all sorts of diseases and plagues.
Pestilence landed on top of a cliff where he could see the battlefield. Bodies upon bodies were being stacked on one another. Flames have engulfed various areas of Hell. The one thing that stuck out like a sore thumb was the massive split down the middle that vaporized the mountains and dried up the rivers. This was done by Yhwach as such power was a danger to him and his brothers if they were to make contact with him.
He took his bow and an arrow before drawing back the bowstring. He aimed the arrow until releasing the string. The arrow flew straight towards the humans where it hit one of them. The person who was hit by the arrow fell to the ground.
Man: AHHH, IT'S FUCKING HOT AND COLD AT THE SAME TIME! I CAN'T FEEL MY ARMS! WHAT'S GOING ON?!
He was screaming at the top of his lungs for anyone to help him. His whole body was paralyzed with all the diseases that were infecting his heart, organs, brain, nerves, and muscles.
His allies stopped to help him out.
Man #2: Where did that come from?!
One of the humans spoke out.
Man #3: I don't know! Keep your eyes open at all times!
Another human said.
Man #4: YOU'RE ALL DEMONS! DEMONS I TELL YOU! BEGONE FROM ME! YOU ARE ALL SPAWNS OF LUCIFER!
He was starting to hallucinate as the sickness was messing with his head.
Man #2: Calm down, man! Calm down!
Man #3: Hey, who is that?!
One of them asked while pointing towards a cliff.
Before they could properly respond, the person who was hit with the arrow was starting to act funny. His body was boiling and freezing at the same time. Large zit-like bubbles were forming all across his body. His eyes were bloodshot red his vision disappearing. Without warning, his whole body started to have a seizure until his body exploded.
His blood was shot all over the area and landed on other people as well. The people who were trying to help him were starting to feel funny. Their bodies were starting to boil and freeze at the same time. The same symptoms were now coursing through their bodies before they too fell to the floor with a seizure until finally exploding.
Pestilence holstered his bow. He finished his part before turning around to get back on his horse. When he was about to hop on, someone appeared out of the blue with their fist smashing against Pestilence's helmet which blasted him off the cliff.
He recovered midair as his feet slid against the ground to slow his speed down. When he came to a stop, a piece of armor was chipped off around his left eye revealing his eye and small portions of his skin.
The person who hit him walked over to the edge of the cliff where the two locked eyes.
Tiamat: The Horsemen of Pestilence. I have heard of your work for a long time. The stories generated behind your work have brought fear to many, but those diseases won't work well against a dragon.
Tiamat said as she jumped off the cliff.
Pestilence growled like some Hellhound, which caused his voice to bounce off the inside of his helmet causing an echo. He removed his bow from his back where he drew three arrows. Letting go of the string, the three arrows came flying towards her.
Tiamat slid out of the way before extending her hand out and firing off a hail of magic bullets. Pestilence took one of his arrows and slammed it against the ground which formed a barrier around him. When she witnessed what he did, she sneered at the little defense he put up. She understood that this battle was going to be tough as it was a Horsemen. These were beings that served Lucifer with the utmost respect.
She wasn't going to allow him to recover or give him time to think. Magic power was being concentrated in the palm of her hand until it was full of magical energy. Moving her hand back, she shot it forward where a blue beam emission was sent out of her hand that pierced through his barrier.
Pestilence felt more of his armor break apart with parts of his skin being melted off. The beam eventually came in contact with something before exploding. Tiamat saw that he was still standing on his two feet barely damaged.
Tiamat: Damn... You Horsemen are tougher than you look.
He removed his quiver before raising his bow and drawing the string. He released the string, but once the string was released, he pulled it back once again. He has done this motion in rapid succession when a hailstorm of magic arrows was being fired there was no time to stop and think.
There was no time for her to move, so she created a barrier of her own. Each magic arrow that hit her magic barrier, caused it to crack. She had to think of a way to get rid of his bow. When her thoughts were wandering on how to get him to lose his weapon, she didn't hear the sound of magic power being generated. Pestilence drew his bow far enough back before his whole bow glowed a bright green.
Pestilence let out a growl of satisfaction when he advanced to releasing the string which sent out five multiple massive beams of green energy. These beams were all shot in a widespread way where all five beams split up from each other before homing in on Tiamat in all directions.
Tiamat: You want to play like this? Then let's play it your way.
She slapped her hands together where magic energy was being generated. With enough power in the palms of her hands, she forcefully separated her hands which created a magic hurricane that was spinning all around her.
All five of his attacks ricocheted off the hurricane and went in different directions. Each beam hit a solid object before exploding. The residue of the magic beam was melting rocks, trees, and any other object that the beams made contact with.
Pestilence threw away all the care in the world and charged Tiamat. She wasn't going to give him the upper hand, so she dashed towards him as well. The two of them homed in closer and closer before they slammed their hands against each other where they interlocked them.
They were infusing magical energy into their hands to try and see who would fall to their knees first. Tiamat's face was both of pain and anger. This fight had never occurred to her that a dragon and a Horsemen were going to battle each other to the death.
Pestilence threw a surprise attack by ramming his knee into her gut which loosened her grip on him. He saw the opportunity he opened up for him, so he took his chance by pulling her closer where he began ramming his head against hers that pushed her back.
That last attack caused Tiamat to lose focus for a split second. In that split second, Pestilence created an arrow in his hand before stabbing her close to her heart. The moment she was stabbed, she generated a magical orb in her hand which she advanced to blast him at center mass. The Horsemen went flying across the battlefield once again.
The arrow that was magically constructed by the Horsemen of Pestilence wasn't going to affect her in the long run, but the pain of being stabbed along with her immune system fighting off the diseases that were all on that arrow was going to be a bit before recovering. She was a Dragon King, so little sicknesses and diseases wouldn't have much of an impact on her, but if he were to continue to pump more arrows in her like he did now would become a problem.
Tiamat: That bastard...
She said while destroying the arrow into particles.
There was a salty taste in her mouth before turning her head for a second to spit out that taste.
Tiamat: You are something else. If you and your brothers are fighting in this war, then this has gotten even more serious than I thought.
She said.
Pestilence: I have always wanted to erase the Dragon Kings from existence. They were always a thorn in our Master's side
Pestilence said.
Tiamat: Maybe, but I find it weird that the four of you split up into different areas of the Underworld. Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse supposed to be nearly invincible when they are all together?
Pestilence: There is nothing to correct. You have just answered your question.
Tiamat had a strange look before a smile was being formed out of the blue.
Tiamat: How interesting... If that is true, then with all four of you splitting up, wouldn't that weaken you?
Pestilence: Just how much more foolish could you get?
Tiamat's strange look returned.
Pestilence: You know that our return means-
Tiamat: That Lucifer has returned, I know.
Tiamat cut him off by having a snarky attitude.
Pestilence annoyance rose by how cocky and arrogant dragons were.
Pestilence: Since you know that, then you don't have the slightest clue about what the five of us have been doing for millions of years.
Tiamat: You may be a tough opponent to deal with, I'll give you that. Lucifer himself is a problem that not even I alone could deal with properly. Thinking that I can't stop you is another thing that needs to be erased from your head, or what's left of it.
She stated.
Pestilence: Then that's good news for me.
Tiamat: Why is that?
Pestilence: I am connected to War, Famine, Death, and even Lucifer. Our strength, agility, and focus have all been amplified. Think of it like some blood pact, but we are all connected as one. And that is why... No dragon of your caliber could destroy us. Not Heavenly Dragons, Evil Dragons, and especially Dragon Kings.
Tiamat was surprised by that knowledge. Having the Horsemen and Lucifer being connected like that was troublesome for everyone.
Tiamat: If I can't stop you, then there is one other person in this world who has a chance at stopping you and your Master.
Pestilence: You mean, Yhwach?
Pestilence asked.
Tiamat: Of course, the one who invaded the Underworld just to destroy the Devil race from the face of all existence.
Tiamat was growing a cocky attitude as she fully understood the power that Yhwach held along with all the unique abilities he has in his arsenal.
Pestilence let out an evil and sickening laugh.
Pestilence: You haven't heard yet?
Tiamat: Heard what?
Pestilence: The One known as Yhwach... Is Dead.
Tiamat's eyes shot wide open. Her eyes were fluctuating from the shock that just hit her. The palms of her hands began to get cold whilst her fingers became numb. Her perception of all the surroundings around her was zoned out. The only two things she was hearing at that very moment were the sound of her heartbeat and the afterthought of when she heard dead that whispered into her mind in a constant flow.
Tiamat: T-That c-c-can't be...
Tiamat tried to reassure herself that this was just a psychological tactic to let her guard down.
Pestilence: Believe what you want, but Lord Lucifer was there to personally see his death.
Everything that she has come to believe about herself and this world just seems to be irrelevant to her. Her stability and consciousness were fading away.
Pestilence took the chance to strike her down while her mind was drifting apart. He generated a magical sword in the palm of his hand before sprinting right at her once again where he winded up his sword until swinging it at full capacity. His sword hit Tiamat's arm as she rose it to block the attack subconsciously.
He saw that her eyes were devoided of all life. There was a dark tint to them that no ordinary people would have. The aura she was letting out was making him a bit nervous, he needed to get some space to rethink another strategy.
The sword managed to get a quarter into her skin, but what was resisting the sword was the dragon scales that were appearing all over her arm. This warranted him to seriously jump away, knowing that this was going to get dangerous now. Her aura along with doing little to no damage was a problem for him. The sword he constructed vanished from her arm.
Tiamat's teeth were becoming sharper. Her entire skin was changing drastically which no longer had that smooth human skin, but it was now becoming scaly. Her body was growing in size while her wings and tail started to pop out of her body. Her shadow engulfed Pestilence.
Her entire appearance has changed from that human look back to her dragon form. The suppressed shock, anger, and sadness that was boiling inside of her were finally let out in an ear-shattering dragon's roar that eviscerated boulders, rocks, and trees, and even split the ground. This roar was heard across the entire battlefield and sent chills up everyone's spines.
She flew up high in the sky where she breathed in as much air as possible and a massive blue ball of magical energy was formed in the core center of her mouth.
This whole war didn't matter to her anymore if Yhwach wasn't here. Her thoughts were drifting away from the dream he wanted to thoughts of annihilating everything to oblivion. Pestilence felt his moldy bones rattle from the massive amount of concentrated magic power she was building up.
He drew his bow to the point where it would break if he drew it any further. He too was now generating massive amounts of magical energy at the center of his bow.
Tiamat charged up enough magic power before moving her head from left to right until she reconfigured it back forward. A breath attack was discharged that was moving fast enough to the point that Pestilence barely had enough time to counter her attack.
He let go of the string and a beam was shot out of his bow at the same speed that Tiamat's breath attack was going.
The two attacks collided, which instantly warped and transformed into different shapes before an explosion finally appeared. The blast and the shock wave that came with it hit both of them and dealt more damage than they thought it would have done.
Pestilence was knocked back and his whole body was pinned against the ground with a good portion of his armor being destroyed revealing more of his undead skin.
Tiamat had slash marks going across her whole body, but there were big open wounds where blood was just gushing out like a fountain.
A magical fog engulfed the area around them which had a wide variety of different colors in the mix.
Pestilence felt like his body was being torn apart from the excruciating pain that hit him wave after wave.
Pestilence: I'm going to s-s-skin you alive.
Pestilence said while trying to move his arm towards his mouth.
He managed to put two fingers into his mouth before whistling and calling his horse. The horse came flying in like some dive bomber before landing right next to him. Reaching his hand out, he rested his hand on his horse before doing the same thing that War did as he absorbed his horse. The two of them became one that completely healed all of Pestilence's wounds in the blink of an eye.
He let out a sickening laugh that echoed from his helmet making it more sinister.
Pestilence: Hahaha... Hahaha... Hehehehe... THIS IS YOUR GRAVE, DRAGON KING!
Flapping his wings a couple of times, he took to the skies where he was able to see the entirety of the floor they were on.
Tiamat tried to get back up, but the wounds she sustained were weighing her down. It hurt to even move from how much pain she was in.
Pestilence looked at the battle with no ounce of remorse or emotion before letting loose a senile smile like some mental madman. He rammed his hand into his chest where he ripped out his beating heart. He took his bow and drained the blood from his heart all over the bow. Once the bow was covered in blood, he slowly drew his bow back and constructed a singular glowing red arrow.
The Dragon King noticed what was happening. She needed to recover to stop him from firing that arrow. She understood what Pestilence was all about. Bringing sickness, diseases, and chaos among the ranks of humanity. His powers were close to his brother Death. Death who simply needs to walk the plains of Earth can exterminate the whole human race which could be said the same for Pestilence where he brings sickness and diseases.
The arrow that Tiamat was seeing was going to be the end for humans, Angels, Fallen Angels, and Devils alike.
The damage that could be done from that attack would bring chaos all across the war. Tiamat knew some of the powers of the Four Horsemen. She knew bits and pieces of each brother, but Death was the only one that was shrouded in mystery for her. He alone was a question itself that no one understood even if they spent eons to remove the shroud of mystery around Death.
Pestilence, on the other hand, was a Horsemen and she knew the powers that he could bring to the table. This attack he was about to fire was going to be an air-born plague of all the sicknesses and diseases. Anyone who breathes, touches, or consumes it in any way would suffer a fate far worse than death.
She used all her strength to get back up on her feet. The arrow was almost fully charged, but the moment she tried to flap her wings, she collapsed on the ground. The clash they had did a number on her. The shock wave of the attack was like daggers cutting her whole body. It slashed a few of her tendons which was holding her down.
Pestilence: THIS IS THE END FOR YOU AND ALL THE OTHER INSIGNIFICANT RACES!
Pestilence screamed as he was about to let go of the string before a figure appeared that surprised both him and Tiamat.
Ddraig: [BOOOOOSSSSSTTTTT!]
Pestilence's face felt like he got slammed by a huge wrecking ball as a red armored fist that was going a hundred miles an hour made contact with him.
The moment the Horsemen of Pestilence was hit, his whole body was sent flying down like some shooting star. He made contact with the ground which created a series of chain explosions that stretched towards the main battlefield.
Pestilence let out a groan of pain, but he managed to get back up to look at who struck him and saw The Red Dragon Emperor in his Balance Breaker state.
Pestilence: Red Dragon Emperor...
He growled harshly whilst saying this.
Tiamat was bewildered to see Issei here.
Tiamat: I-Issei? Where have you been?!
Issei looked down at Tiamat to see how badly damaged she was. It surprised him that even in her dragon form, she was able to receive this much damage.
Issei: Tiamat, listen, I don't have time to chat right now. A lot of shit has happened while I was gone, so I'll explain everything once we finish this. Sound good?
Tiamat: Very well.
Issel clumped up his whole body into a ball before stretching out his whole body in a fast and collective manner. A massive amount of magic power was shot out when he did this.
Issei: Ddraig, what are our chances of winning this fight?
Ddraig: [I am not a hundred percent sure, partner. You are going against a Horsemen of the Apocalypse. These are Lucifer's greatest warriors. They were meant to bring chaos and disorder to the world when Michael and Lucifer battle each other.]
Issei: Lovely, a bastard who is pretty high up in the food chain.
Ddraig: [Partner, let me warn you. There is something completely off about him.]
Issei: What do you mean?
Ddraig: [The Horsemen of the Apocalypse all hold their respectful powers and domains. They all have their missions which they must carry out as it is easily noticeable since it's in their names. But feeling the power that is coming off of him is something else entirely... Something I haven't felt in a long time.]
Issei: Ddraig, you're starting to make me second guess myself. Spill the beans already.
Ddraig: [It can't be...]
Issei: DDRAIG!
Ddraig: [Forgive me, partner! This isn't just one Horseman we're fighting. We are fighting all four of them in one body.]
Issei: What? All four of them? How in the world is that even possible? You just told me that they all have their missions which they are supposed to carry out. How can one Horseman be all four?
Issei questioned.
Ddraig: [I was getting to that... This must be Lucifer's doing.]
Issei: Lucifer? Do you mean the Lucifer? The one who rebelled against the almighty God?
Ddraig: [Yes, that Lucifer. I can feel a portion of his magic within Pestilence. Lucifer had his own twisted and perverted nature of defiling magic was something I could never forget. His nature of wanting to twist things was always a part of him. He is one of the most prideful men that even dragons could not simply rival him. He was the one person who needed to be right about everything, but the worst characteristic about him was his ability to manipulate and construct fantasies and lies within people. He uses these little creations that he planted to control individuals. He is an opponent that will use the dirtiest tricks in the books to just get what he wants.]
Issei: Hold on a second, Ddraig. This doesn't make any sense.
Ddraig: [Continue, partner.]
Issei: Back then, when I was with Mr. Quincy and his group, didn't they say something like Lucifer being dead or something?
Ddraig was a bit confused as well. He heard the stories of his death during the war between the three factions.
Ddraig: [If a portion of his magic exists within him, then that means...]
Issei: Lucifer is still alive somehow!
Issei jumped in.
Ddraig was putting two and two together before realizing what was going on.
Ddraig: [Partner, listen, the Horsemen and Lucifer are all interconnected in some twisted and sickening way which Lucifer has constructed with his twisted and perverted nature of the dark arts. The weird feeling I was having earlier, I have figured out what that weird feeling is. We aren't just fighting the Four Horsemen, but also Lucifer himself within this Horseman.]
Issei: I'm fighting a supercharged Horseman that has the combined powers of the three other Horsemen and also Lucifer?
Ddraig: [I'm afraid so.]
Issei: Fuck my life...where is big bro Freed at when you need him.
Issei said while getting ready to fight.
Scene Break - Twenty minutes earlier
Ophis teleported far away from the battlefield, so she could get away from Samael who could have knocked her out of commission. She wasn't going to have too many problems dealing with Lucifer, but with Samael backing him up was a calculation that hadn't come to her mind.
There were moments when she had thoughts that the entire conflict between the three major factions was a waste of time. There was no reason or any sincere logic behind that war. All of them wanted a piece of something after the war, which didn't surprise anyone since every being wanted to have at least something for themselves after the bloodshed ended.
This was common thinking for people like that. No matter the era, there was always conflict. It was a mystery to her sometimes that people would sacrifice their whole lives by killing someone over a handful of gold or land. In many ways, Yhwach's philosophy and ideology were something that made her view this world in a different light.
It was a spark that no other person had which she spotted in him. It was a single beacon of light that pierced through a thousand shades of darkness and emptiness. A human who defied the constructs of all supernatural itself. Defied human potential that no person alive would have imagined it could extend to these heights. A man who broke all the rules that were placed and enforced by Angel, Fallen, and Devil alike. Rules that ordinary people follow without knowing the dangers of breaking those set rules. One man who has done the impossible possible was someone she couldn't ignore.
The possibility of another human rising to Yhwach's throne was unlikely to happen for another thousand years. She saw a projection of herself within him when she witnessed his life flash before her eyes.
Ophis understood the gap between her and Yhwach. It was like the distance between the sun and the moon, but the more she examined his abilities and the will to continue on the fight without caring for himself was a sight to behold. He was a machine at some points where it wasn't even physically visible to see any kind of fatigue.
With that gap being so wide, he managed to wield the power of infinity which was impossible for any human to wield. Ophis was still confused about how he was able to wield her powers that easily. That was the exact moment when she realized the importance of who Yhwach Quincy was. Wielding the powers of the Infinite Dragon God while balancing out his powers sounded like something an abomination would be able to do.
Thinking about everything he has done made something clench up inside of her. It felt painful, but sad as well. She was immune to all sorts of emotions, so when this sudden pain appeared within her chest confused her.
She was beginning to grasp the idea of what her role was in Yhwach's life. Living within his mind was a comfort she didn't want to lose. In some regards, she found that floating within Yhwach's mind was like her home. There wasn't any violence, inner turmoil, or any other insignificant thoughts that went through his mind. It surprised her that someone like him with so much charisma and willpower would have empty and hollow thoughts.
She was the same in that regard. Her entire existence wasn't anything much of a good one. She has met countless people throughout the years, but meeting Yhwach was different than the times she has encountered all the people in her lifetime. They were almost similar in some ways, so she saw herself and Yhwach on the same coin but were on two completely different sides.
He was the light while she was the dark. She found her other half where she could properly coexist with. A yin-yang relationship where he was her light while she was his darkness.
It was the reason why she wouldn't have him disappear when he turned to dust.
Ophis opened up the Dimensional Gap before walking in as the gap behind her closed. When she walked in, she already noticed the massive dragon that was casually just floating about like nothing ever bothered him. Ophis narrowed her eyes before flying up towards him.
Ophis: Hello, Baka-Red.
Great Red: Ophis, what a surprise. I wasn't expecting you to show up so soon.
Ophis: I'm not here to fight with you. I have something to ask of you.
Great Red: Something to ask of me? Now, this is truly a surprise. What is it you want to ask?
Ophis: Don't get too excited. I wish to use your body to construct a body for a soul I have within me.
Great Red didn't like this response from her. He knew that he couldn't trust her. He already knew that she was building up a reasonable force to go against him. So, trying to construct a body for a would using his skin and her magic wasn't going to be good.
Great Red: Don't think that I'm stupid, Ophis. I know that you have been gathering up a small army to go to war with me for the Dimensional Gap. Why should I even agree to this request of yours in the first place?
Ophis had a more disappointed look.
Ophis: I'm not here to create soldiers to use against you. Besides... I think... I'm giving up my pursuit of the Dimensional Gap.
Those words were like an arrow piercing his heart. Hearing Ophis say that she is giving up on pursuing her own home was no simple small matter.
Great Red: Did I hear that correctly? You're giving up?
Ophis: Yes, I'm giving up. You win Great Red.
Great Red: Forgive me for not celebrating, but what is the reason for this? Why are you giving up?
Ophis turned to her side before pointing out in the distance where a portal opened where they saw people fighting.
Ophis: What you're looking at is the war between Yhwach and Devils along with their allies. The enemy who despises Yhwach doesn't want to live in a free world where people can choose for themselves rather than for others to choose for them. In other words, a life in chains and shackles to serve Devils and all other kinds for their satisfactory gain.
Great Red: Yhwach... The one whose dream exceeds even the mightiest, intellectual, and holiest of men.
Great Red knew of whom she was referring to as he had seen his accomplishments. Before he could continue, something occurred to him.
Great Red: Don't tell me, Ophis. The soul within you is, Yhwach's, isn't it? That's why you want to construct a new body for him because he is dead.
Ophis: I told you before, I'm done with this place. You can do what you see fit because I have no use for this place anymore. I have found a new home.
Great Red noticed how her attitude changed when she spoke about Yhwach.
Great Red: You're in love with him.
Ophis: In love? What do you mean?
Ophis questioned.
Great Red shook his head.
Great Red: I forgot who I was speaking with. Ophis, the Infinite Dragon God. The one who has no single emotion as your whole demeanor only consists of emptiness. You haven't even experienced love your whole life, so it's only natural for you to not understand.
Great Red explained.
Ophis was running out of patience.
Ophis: Are you going to let me or not?
Great Red: Whatever, do what you please.
Ophis flew on top of Great Red's back before summoning Yhwach's soul in the palm of her hand. The soul of Yhwach twirled and twirled which felt like an endless stream of water. The power and beauty radiated like a whirlwind that mesmerized her. Staring at this small ball made her question how a simple soul like this could provide such problems for many factions.
Not wanting to let go of him, she had a feeling within herself that she couldn't be separated from him for even a second.
As Yhwach's soul cracked within Ophis's palm, both she and Great Red were taken aback, their confusion growing as they witnessed an unexpected turn of events. Suddenly, a colossal arm erupted from the crack, snatching both Great Red and Ophis with incredible force. Before they could react, the head of Zaegar, Yhwach's Inner Hollow, emerged from the crack, laughing ominously.
The darkness that emanated from Zaegar enveloped the entire Dimensional Gap, shrouding everything in its oppressive embrace. Ophis struggled against the grip of the colossal arm, her eyes narrowing with determination as she attempted to break free.
Great Red, equally surprised and alarmed, roared defiantly, his immense power surging within him as he attempted to free himself from Zaegar's grasp. But Zaegar's laughter echoed through the gap, his presence overwhelming even the mighty dragon.
Great Red: Release us at once, foul creature! You will pay dearly for this insolence.
As the darkness thickened around them, Ophis struggled against Zaegar's grip, her eyes ablaze with defiance.
Ophis: What are you? How did you corrupt the gap?
she demanded.
Zaegar's laughter echoed through the gap once more.
Zaegar: I am Zaegar, the Primordial Hollow and the Devourer of Worlds.
he declared, his voice reverberating with ancient spiritual pressure.
Ophis and Great Red felt a chill run down Their spine as Zaegar's words washed over them.
Before she could react, Zaegar's spiritual pressure surged, enveloping both Ophis and Great Red in its suffocating embrace. Ophis felt her limbs grow heavy as she struggled to move, her mind racing with the realization of the danger they were in.
As Zaegar's claws tore through Great Red's skin like butter, the dragon roared in agony, his mighty form trembling under the onslaught. Zaegar's laughter filled the void, echoing around them like a sinister symphony.
Zaegar: How amusing it is to see insects try to attack someone greater than them.
he taunted, his voice dripping with malice.
Ophis, her eyes narrowed with determination, struggled against the suffocating grip of Zaegar's spiritual pressure. She refused to give in to despair, her mind racing with questions.
Ophis: Who are you? And how did you create a crack through Yhwach's soul?
she demanded, her voice ringing with defiance.
Zaegar turned his attention to Ophis, his hollow eyes gleaming with malevolence.
Zaegar: Ahh, if it isn't the little girl who tried to win over little old Yhwach's heart.
he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.
Ophis's glare hardened, her resolve unwavering.
Ophis: What do you know about Yhwach?
she demanded, her voice cold and steady.
Zaegar chuckled darkly, his presence looming over them like a shadow.
Zaegar: Many things, little girl. More than you could ever imagine.
As Zaegar's laughter echoed through the Dimensional Gap, Great Red's fury reached its peak.
Great Red: Are you some sort of dragon or dragon god that we haven't heard of?
he demanded, his voice thunderous.
Zaegar turned his hollow gaze towards Great Red, his eyes burning with contempt.
Zaegar: Don't compare me to a race of filthy lizards. I am the first Hollow.
With a glare, Zaegar increased his spiritual pressure tenfold, causing Great Red to stagger under the weight of his power.
Ophis, her voice trembling with fear, dared to speak up.
Ophis: What is this... Hollow?
she asked, her words barely above a whisper.
Zaegar turned his attention to Ophis, his gaze piercing through her with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine.
Zaegar: Aren't you the one who keeps trying to pry into Yhwach's life?
Ophis froze in fear, unable to respond.
Zaegar continued, his voice dripping with malice.
Zaegar: Yhwach isn't just some human that you filthy lizards think he is. He is the King of Quincies, the Son of the Soul King, and my beloved partner in crime.
Both Great Red and Ophis exchanged confused glances, their minds reeling at Zaegar's words. Quincies, Soul King, Hollows... None of it made any sense to them. They were outsiders to this world of supernatural beings and ancient conflicts.
But one thing was certain: Zaegar's presence spelled trouble for them both.
As Zaegar's hollow gaze shifted to Great Red, his voice dripped with disdain.
Zaegar: Yhwach feels a massive wave of great disappointment when he hears of beings like you, Great Red. He learned more about you, and all he sees is a being that is useless beyond reason.
His words cut through the air like a razor, leaving a palpable tension in their wake.
Zaegar continued, his voice seething with contempt.
Zaegar: Why is it that every being like you who holds power and wisdom acts like a child who is constantly spoiled? No wonder why God created humans in his image. All of you are useless bastards who only care about your next great reward.
As Great Red's fury threatened to erupt in a torrent of retort, Zaegar's hollow gaze silenced him with a mere glance, his contemptuous expression unwavering.
Zaegar: You are the same as the rest of them. A narcissist and hypocritical bastard who wants to be seen at the top. You're no different than the humans who have been corrupted. The only big difference between the two of you is the size of your ego.
His words hung heavy in the air, a chilling reminder of the depth of his disdain for beings like Great Red. The mighty dragon's anger simmered beneath the surface, his eyes blazing with indignation.
Great Red: How dare you speak to me in such a manner, you abomination!
His voice thundered through the Dimensional Gap, reverberating with his fury. But Zaegar merely laughed, his hollow eyes gleaming with malice.
Zaegar: Your anger means nothing to me, Lizard. You are but a pawn in a game you cannot comprehend.
As Zaegar sensed Great Red's fury boiling beneath the surface, he extended his colossal arm and pulled the dragon closer to him with an effortless motion. Great Red struggled against the Primordial Hollow's grasp, his muscles bulging with effort as he attempted to break free.
Great Red: What... What are you doing?
He demanded, his voice laced with a mixture of fear and defiance. But Zaegar merely laughed, his hollow gaze fixed upon the mighty dragon.
Zaegar: I have been hungry for millions of years, Red. And Yhwach is a terrible host who doesn't feed his guests.
As Zaegar spoke, he pulled Great Red closer to his gaping maw, his teeth glinting in the darkness. Great Red's eyes widened in horror as he realized Zaegar's intentions.
Great Red: No... No, you can't!
He protested, his voice echoing through the void. But Zaegar paid no heed to his pleas as he sank his teeth into Great Red's flesh, devouring him whole.
The Dimensional Gap trembled with the force of Zaegar's feast, the echoes of Great Red's roars fading into the darkness. Ophis watched in horror as the Primordial Hollow consumed her fellow Dragon God, her heart heavy with grief and despair.
Zaegar's laughter echoed through the void, a chilling symphony of malice and triumph. As he finished his meal, he turned his hollow gaze towards Ophis, his eyes gleaming with hunger.
Zaegar: And now, little girl, it's your turn.
Ophis felt a cold dread settle in the pit of her stomach as Zaegar advanced towards her, his presence overwhelming her senses.
As Zaegar advanced towards Ophis, his hollow gaze filled with hunger, he suddenly stopped in his tracks, his attention drawn to Yhwach's cracked soul still floating in the void. With a sigh, he realized that Yhwach's body was not yet complete, and he needed to rectify this before proceeding with his plans.
Zaegar: Well, well, it seems we have a little delay, my dear Ophis.
His voice reverberated through the Dimensional Gap, dripping with dark amusement.
Zaegar poured his Reiryoku into Yhwach's soul, using his immense power to reconstruct the Quincy's body. As Yhwach's form began to take shape, Zaegar glanced down at Ophis, who was attempting to escape using the darkness that he had covered the Dimensional Gap in.
Zaegar: Oh no, my dear. You're not going anywhere.
With a swift motion, Zaegar created a tail out of the darkness, grabbing hold of Ophis and bringing her back to where he stood.
Zaegar: Who gave you the right to escape? Last time I checked, NO ONE.
His voice was cold and menacing as he glared at Ophis, his hollow eyes gleaming with malice.
Zaegar continued to speak, his tone ominous.
Zaegar: I have a different plan for you, my dear Ophis. And as for Yhwach's body, it's nearly complete.
As Zaegar focused his attention on repairing the crack he had made in Yhwach's soul, he began to shrink in size, his immense form gradually diminishing as he worked. With each passing moment, Yhwach's body grew closer to completion, while Ophis found herself being dragged along with Zaegar into the depths of Yhwach's soul.
When the body was fully constructed, the unique features were starting to show themselves until all of the deformities were finally beginning to properly form.
Yhwach looked confused whilst looking at his hands. before it clicked inside of him. He formed a frown knowing, which lasted for some time as he was contemplating about his existence. After some time, that frown started to form into a smile before full-blown laughter was expelled from his body.
Yhwach: This is truly preposterous. Cheating death once again with no consequence. It would seem that no matter what, the cold embraces of death will never accept me. This reality is truly a Hell.
He uttered in tiredness.
Zaegar: (Within Yhwach's mind) Oh how I missed you My dear king How do you feel?
Yhwach sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping with exhaustion as he processed Zaegar's words.
Yhwach: So, I've returned once more, only to find myself in the clutches of another unexpected predicament.
He muttered wearily, his gaze flickering around the void of his mind as he attempted to make sense of his surroundings.
Zaegar chuckled darkly, his hollow eyes gleaming with malice as he responded to Yhwach's question.
Zaegar: ( Within Yhwach's mind ) Oh, nothing too big, my dear king. Just devoured a lizard called Red and had a little chat with the little girl about prying into your life.
His voice dripped with amusement as he spoke, his tone filled with dark amusement.
Yhwach's eyes narrowed with suspicion as he processed Zaegar's words, his mind racing with questions.
Yhwach: I see... And where exactly are we now? And what have you done with Ophis?
He demanded, his voice tinged with a hint of irritation.
Zaegar merely laughed.
Zaegar: (Within Yhwach's mind) We are within the depths of your soul, my dear king. As for the little girl, I have her chained up and contained.
Yhwach's expression darkened as he absorbed this information, his mind racing with possibilities. He knew he had to act quickly to address the situation.
Yhwach: What have you done this time, Zaegar? What is your true purpose in devouring Great Red and imprisoning Ophis?
Zaegar chuckled darkly, his hollow eyes gleaming with malice.
Zaegar: (Within Yhwach's mind) Why, my dear king? It's quite simple, really. I was hungry and Great Red was a tasty meal since I have never tasted a Dragon God before, and as for Ophis, well... Let's just say she made the mistake of prying too deeply into your life.
His tone was dripping with amusement as he spoke.
Yhwach: I see... And what do you intend to do now, Zaegar? Release Ophis and return Great Red to his rightful place?
His voice was cold and steady. Zaegar's laughter echoed through the gap, reverberating around them like a sinister symphony.
Zaegar: (Within Yhwach's mind) Release Ophis? Oh, my dear king, you do amuse me so. As for Great Red, well... Let's just say he's served his purpose.
Yhwach's expression hardened as he absorbed Zaegar's words, his mind racing with possibilities. He knew he had to act quickly to address the situation.
Yhwach: Very well, Zaegar. We shall discuss this matter further later. In the meantime, I have more pressing matters to attend to.
Out of the blue, he materialized at the battlefield where he was levitating above everyone.
Everyone on that battlefield felt an enormous amount of power just wash over them. They all turned to look where the power was coming from, and they all saw Yhwach floating above them with his eyes beaming down at everyone.
Fallen Angels: I-I'ts Lord Y-Y-Yhwach...
Youkais: Yhwach is here!
Angels: Lord Yhwach!
Humans: All hail, Emperor Yhwach!
The humans exclaimed with excitement as their morale began to boost up.
Lucifer: ...
Lucifer had his fists clenched with veins popping out of his head and arms.
Yhwach had a serious expression plastered on his face.
Yhwach: Well, well, well... Everyone seems to be filled with excitement around here. With all this excitement... It's making me want to dance with you, you glorified sickening bastard.
Yhwach exclaimed while staring directly at Lucifer before getting into his battle stance.
Yhwach and Lucifer stared at each other for a few seconds. The severe tension the two of them were giving each other was enough to cut mountains in half. Lucifer took this chance to get ready by exposing his twelve Angel wings.
Lucifer: What are you doing over there? Aren't you going to make a move?
Lucifer asked.
Yhwach smiled like some lunatic with his massive plastered smile. In a blink of an eye, Yhwach teleported to Lucifer's spot where the two gripped each other's hands. They both headbutted each other with their eyes glowing a bright red. Yhwach applied all of his strength to this tug-o-war he was having with him. At the same time, both of them tried to knee each other in the gut, which failed miserably for both of them.
Lucifer: This can't be all your strength, you fucking bastard!
Lucifer yelled out before exploding with mass amounts of magic power around him.
Lucifer charged at Yhwach recklessly with a light sword in his hand. Yhwach used his Schrift I the Iron to block the attack that made his light swords bounce off the Iron. When he saw an opening, he didn't hesitate to take it.
Blood was being shot out of his body with every hit. This was pissing him off before he shot his hand forward where a beam emission was shot out, which made Yhwach use his Blut Vene Anhaben as a protective shield to block the attack.
When the attack hit him, the shield he created instantly shattered into a million pieces. Lucifer appeared out of the blue with a deadly strike, which Yhwach was able to see with his Reikaku. When he saw that he was open for an attack, he drove his fist right into his oblique. But expecting him to be shot down towards the ground, Lucifer backhanded him across the face sending his blood flying out his mouth.
Lucifer quickly raised his hand which started to generate a cursed blood-red color before a light spear was formed. The moment it was created, it was sent straight towards his opponent.
Yhwach moved out of the way in time before the spear hit the ground and created an explosion close to the attack he sent out against Hades.
This made the Quincy King smile to see that a dangerous opponent was making his blood boil with excitement. When he was clear of Lucifer, he raised his finger before spewing out some words.
Yhwach: Burner Finger 1
An Intense beam was shot out from the tip of his fingers. The beam cut anything in half with whatever it came in contact with.
The beam dissipated when it hit a solid object.
Once again, Lucifer came rushing in with two light swords in his hands.
Yhwach used his Schrift I the Iron to create two Iron swords. The both of them clashed with their swords as it was another tug-of-war situation.
Lucifer: Do you know what pisses me off the most, Yhwach?
Yhwach: You have time to talk during our battle? I can see why you're the biggest bastard of the Devil race. You love to spew out just how great you are during fights like this. Is this what you also did when you fought against Michael?
This made Lucifer even angrier.
Lucifer: That cocky attitude of yours is the reason why humans will always remain the same no matter what era we enter in.
Lucifer said while applying more strength.
Yhwach: If that is what makes you mad, then let me tell you what makes me annoyed... The fact that I'm having to fight against a mere child because of their opinion was squashed by his father and brother. If you want to complain, then do it somewhere else. Stop crying me a river, you glorified bastard. This is a fight where the strongest man comes out as a victor, not some lousy child. You see... I'm not even using my greatest potential because I want to test the waters with you. But I see I must take it up a notch if I want to put you in the ground permanently.
With their clash, Yhwach began to increase his Reiatsu. Lucifer saw the change in Yhwach's aura before backing away.
Yhwach: Running away as always.
Yhwach nonchalantly said.
Something felt off for Lucifer. He was feeling a power build-up that was spiking beyond human limits.
Lucifer: How is this even possible? How can a human generate such magic power?
Yhwach: Whoever said I was human? I am something far greater than a human. Last time I checked, my potential was unimaginable, but now... My power can't even be scaled compared to my Vollständig.
Lucifer shot a hail of light bullets in a scatter-shot way.
Yhwach: Sink into the depths of eternal pain and suffering. Flame Seraph's Radiance
A white and golden hue flame was shot out. The flame engulfed the light bullets.
The Morning Star dodged out of the way before exploding into another fit of rage.
Lucifer: Do you want to talk about pain and suffering? Then let me show you the true meaning of those words.
Lucifer began to generate light energy in his right hand while generating the dark arts in his left.
Fusing the two powers, he constructed a large ball of both light and dark. The large ball of magic power was thrown the moment it was charged up. Lucifer snapped his fingers before thousands of light spears appeared around him. Thrusting his hand forward, the light spears began to accelerate followed by the ball of magic.
Yhwach grabbed the ball, Lucifer raised a finger where a magic beam was shot that hit the ball. When the beam came into contact with the ball, an explosion was set off that obliterated everything in that general area. The light spears that were following the ball of magic all exploded when they reached a certain distance.
Chain explosions were being set off all around Yhwach that lit up the sky like fireworks.
The smoke didn't clear up before Yhwach rushed out and grabbed Lucifer's face. He flew across the sky for a while until he smashed his whole body against a cliff. When he slammed him against the cliff, he didn't bother releasing him. With his free arm, Yhwach pulled out of his Iron weapon to shove it into The Devil's chest. He shot his hand forward to puncture a deep hole in his chest.
Lucifer's one eye that wasn't covered up glowed until it shot a beam that made Yhwach back off.
Lucifer: Impressive... Most Impressive. You are the first human to ever push me like this. But this isn't you. Stop holding back already and show me the Yhwach that I know. Let me see the sinister and merciless side of yours. Not this below-average one. Bring out the Yhwach that the world fears, not the one who holds back.
Yhwach's expression didn't shift in the slightest. He was starting to get annoyed by his attitude. He was always on some high horse all the time. Things weren't going as he planned, but he understood that beggars can't be choosers.
Yhwach: Let's make this dance the last one for you to remember.
Yhwach: Völlstandig: Uriel (Fire of God)
As Yhwach activated his Völlstandig, intense azure flames engulfed him, creating an ethereal and majestic aura. Lucifer watched in awe as the flames burned with an otherworldly intensity.
Lucifer felt chills go down his spine. He was now standing in front of the Yhwach he had heard and known about.
Lucifer: Now... This fight can truly b-
Yhwach: Whoever told you to speak, you bastard?
Yhwach: Gale's Grasp (Gufū no Saifū)
Yhwach sent out a catastrophic wave of air pressure that ripped and tore reality itself. Lucifer has blasted away at Mach ten speeds.
Lucifer's bones would have been shattered to pieces, but being connected with the Horsemen sustained him. Recovering from the attack, he felt his body numb for a couple of seconds. When he stabilized himself, he instantly hurled over and threw up a pint of blood.
Lucifer: That fucking human... Hehehehe... You showed yours, so I will show you mine.
Lucifer flew up into the sky before his aura alone changed the color of the sky. His dark aura engulfed the remains of the plains and burned everything into nothingness.
With one of his hands, an unholy amount of magic power was being charged up that was hotter than all of the known stars in the universe. Yhwach widened his eyes when he realized what this attack was meant for. He wasn't going to try and kill him, but he was going to destroy everyone who was below them. He was charging up an attack that was going to annihilate every soul in the Underworld.
Lucifer began to dive deeper into his dark arts.
Lucifer: A world of pain, a world of suffering, a world of endless sin is the only world that humans can reside within. Dark Ritual Arts: Inscriptions of Ruination!
Lucifer unleashed a beam like no other towards the battlefield, but Yhwach was able to charge up enough power of his own to let out an attack of his own.
a golden, and white light was expanding before it shot out like a cannon. The two attacks reached one another until a supernova-like blast split the entirety of the Underworld into many sectors, provinces, and prefectures. Half of the fighting force was turned into microscopic atoms. The ones who did survive were severely injured with internal bleeding and missing limbs.
Lucifer had an expression of a victor while Yhwach remained with a serious one.
Yhwach: You embody the very essence of a monster, just as the legends depict. It's no surprise your father chose to confine you to eternal imprisonment. Perhaps he should have gone further and torn out your heart. Your reckless slaughter of half your own forces was a strategic blunder I intend to capitalize on. Humanity now holds the advantage, thanks to your failed attempt to decimate my army.
Yhwach's voice rang out with steely resolve.
Lucifer: What's this? Is the great Lord Yhwach starting to lose his intellectual prowess? Why don't you think why I did such a thing in the first place?
Yhwach: What are you getting at?
Lucifer: This battle we are having was nothing more than a mere setup for a much larger grand opening.
Yhwach let him ramble on to see where he was going with this.
Lucifer: Do you even understand what Armageddon even is? It means the end of reality itself. That was supposed to be reserved between me and Michael. But with how things turned out, I guess you were the next best thing. From the very start, I have set, watched, and guided every ounce of choice that anyone made. You see, Yhwach... The reason why I went so far as to kill both my people and yours was to create a higher chance of victory for me.
Lucifer continued.
Yhwach: Higher chance of victory? You must be more delusional than I thought.
Lucifer: Let me show you then.
Lucifer called out into the voids of the Underworld in a language that Yhwach had never heard before.
Not long passed before the Horsemen of Death appeared beside Lucifer. When Yhwach saw this, his eyes widened when he realized what he was about to do.
Lucifer: Now, Death... Defy the rules and shatter the balance within this reality. Corrupt the natures and laws that my father has created and placed within this universe. Bring the darkness out and engulf the light. With my cultivated knowledge of the dark arts, defile the rules of death and return those who have passed and make them submit to my command. Plunge the world into eternal darkness and savagery.
Lucifer ordered Death.
The Horsemen of Death expunged his power by sapping off Lucifer and his brothers. With his magic running rampant, the people who had perished not too long ago began to resurrect under the command of Lucifer.
Yhwach has seen how much the balance of life and death was being manipulated. The perverse nature of breaking the concept of life and death sickened him. Those who were put to rest were now living in an eternity of suffering under the command of a child who didn't like his father's creation.
This sickness he has seen from the time he lived in his world to the world he was in needs to be uprooted and eviscerated from the plains of existence.
Lucifer: What's wrong, Yhwach? Can't accept this reality? Isn't this what humans want? A life where they can never die? A life where they can enjoy the pleasures of sin and debauchery? Don't worry about it. Once I'm done with this world, I'll erase the existence of humanity and the legend of the great Yhwach Quincy. You will be nothing more than a ghost of the past. Great Red and Ophis will join you in the afterlife when I'm finished with this world.
Yhwach covered his eyes briefly before bursting into laughter.
Yhwach: Ah, I comprehend now. This world is even more twisted than the one I left behind. Why is the concept of a forgiving and joyful existence so repugnant to the sick and prideful? Reality often proves disappointing, I'll grant you that, but imposing a realm of eternal pain, suffering, and darkness is a fate even you will tire of when there's nothing left to conquer. You may thwart me for a time, but you cannot obliterate me. My legacy, my dream, my philosophy—they shall endure through the ages, transcending the limits of time.
Lucifer: Look at that attitude of yours. Is there anything that will make you shake in your boots? Even in a situation like this, you are remaining calm and collected. You must not love anything or anyone because no person would be able to go this far without breaking down at some point. Tell me, what is driving this campaign of yours?
Yhwach: Instead of answering that, why don't you answer this for me? When a man learns to love, he must bear the risk of hatred. Who did you love so much that made you like this? Was it a lover? A brother? A sister? Or... Was it your father?
Lucifer lost his joyful expression. His eyes were like piercing daggers from how intense his gaze was at the Quincy King.
Lucifer: You think you can try and change me? Using my dead father against me won't get you anywhere. Whatever you're trying to do, it won't work. I'm winning this war that you have started. Life and death mean nothing anymore, so no matter what you do, I will always be one step ahead of you.
Yhwach formed an angry expression.
Yhwach: Remove that ridiculous fantasy out of your head. Thinking of victory this early are thoughts of delusional grandeur. Great Leaders who think like that tend to destroy themselves from how cocky they start to get from thinking of an early victory.
Lucifer: Then why don't you drift within the voids of purgatory!
Lucifer blasted out a vortex of both light and dark magic.
Before Yhwach could throw a Galvano Javelin, Yhwach's right arm was sliced off.
Yhwach quickly spun around to the new aggressor, but before he could attack the individual, he saw that there was no one around him.
The Quincy King's attention diverted to Lucifer where he saw an individual next to him.
Yhwach: What a cheeky one.
Yhwach said.
Yhwach: Two abominations with unique abilities stand before me. This sure is an interesting turn of events.
Yhwach chuckled before his arm regrew itself with the power of Zaegar who was inside of him.
Yhwach: Electrocution.
Yhwach thrust his hands forward and a massive electrical current was discharged out of his fingers. The electricity looked as if it was some kind of thunderstorm from how ferocious the lightning was.
Samael took most of the attack, which tormented him with how powerful the electrical current was. Blood began to drip out of his mouth with every passing second spiking the amount of blood loss.
When he stopped attacking, Samael relocated behind Yhwach again, but his attack was stopped by his flame clones. Yhwach didn't bother to face him as his attention was towards Lucifer.
Yhwach: I'm glad you showed yourself. I wasn't going to start looking for you after I killed your brother.
Yhwach declared.
The Horsemen of Death restored Lucifer's figure while Yhwach was busy with Samael. When he was fully healed up, every corner and crevice of Lucifer's body began showing his veins. His aura exceeded his very limits as magic was all over the place.
Lucifer: I... I tried to play nice with you... But... A human who could damage me... Like this... Is unforgivable.
Lucifer's eyes flared up before the rage inside of him exploded.
Lucifer: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
A blood-curdling angelic scream that was mixed with demonic was heard throughout all the realms.
Lucifer's voice shifted into something that didn't sound like anything anyone had ever heard.
Lucifer: Your way of life will end with your pathetic legacy. I'll show you the true meaning of what the Prince of Darkness and the Lightbringer can do.
Lucifer's twelve wings were different now. On his right, his Angel wings remained, but on the left side of his body, he had Devil wings. He was fully embracing what he was.
Lucifer: Satanic Ritual Arts: Dawn of the Morning Star.
Lucifer's voice echoed throughout the field as the attack was sent out.
Yhwach's eyes widened when he saw a brightly burning star fly towards him before unpacking itself and creating a supernova explosion that lit up the entirety of the underworld.
Yhwach couldn't catch his breath from the serious injuries he had sustained. It wasn't much of a problem for him as he was able to heal up all of his injuries. Even though he could heal the severe damage, the pain that he receives from attacks still resides within him.
Lucifer witnessed Yhwach survive an attack that was meant to obliterate continents with the sheer power that his attack posed.
Lucifer: Why are you still struggling at this point? What has humanity done for you?
Yhwach spat out a big chunk of blood before giving his reply.
Yhwach: You fail to grasp the true potential of humanity, Lucifer. They possess the capacity to rise above all races, across every realm. Humans aren't merely striving to survive; they seek a life free from the shackles of suffering. Listen closely, you wretched fiend. It's only by rejecting the confines of conventional belief that true innovation can emerge. Breaking the cycle you've imposed upon the world is the first step towards liberating it from the oppressive grip of despair.
Lucifer: You must be joking? Human programming won't change no matter how much you want to beat it into them. That's how my father has constructed them to be in the first place. Free will was given to them, but look where that got them. Handing them the keys to survive on their own has stained humanity's image.
Yhwach's clones turned into ash before dropping to the ground.
Yhwach: Where does that ridiculous mindset even take you? A simple flaw that humans have is the immediate response to a complete and total worldwide genocide. That's the problem with bastards like you, you fail to give people the chance to learn from their mistakes, which helps them further develop the necessary precautions for those mistakes they created. No one is born perfect in this world or the next.
Lucifer: Is that so? What does a human know about perfection? Your kind is the sole reason why plagues, genocides, and wars exist. Your mindsets have no limits when wanting to stomp over others. Don't you get it, Yhwach? When exiting your mother's womb, has unlocked the gates to an endless of possibilities that could lead to more conflicts and misery.
Yhwach: How could I forget... You weren't created through normal procreate human ways. You had one man who created you without the necessary ways of procreation because of his divine omnipotent powers.
Lucifer didn't like where this was going.
Yhwach: Let me tell you a fact to make you truly understand why we humans strive to be better than the likes of you. We, humans, enter this world in sin through the great sufferings of our mothers. And with that sin, we try to love and give compassion to those around us to redeem ourselves from the sins of our mothers. This whole war is nothing more than a tantrum because of the sin your father created. Instead of trying to find ways to help reduce that sin from becoming dangerous, you exploited it to the point where your inexperienced brain created all these turns of events throughout life.
Lucifer: What sin would that be?
Lucifer growled.
Yhwach: We humans are the sin of your father's mind and creation, which created humanity through his roots while also creating the biggest sin of all... The jealousy of his most favorite and beloved son. That love has thwarted everything that your father wanted to maintain. Humanity wouldn't be in this crisis if it weren't for you and that other bastard child of his, I wouldn't have to be in this damn predicament in the first place.
Lucifer: I'm growing tired of your ideologies and philosophies. Your mindset is a poison that has infected this uprising, so I will make sure there will never be another Yhwach in this world or the next.
Yhwach: We'll see about that.
Yhwach needed to end this ruthless battle with Lucifer, Samael, and Death. This was only prolonging an inevitable doom.
Before Yhwach could start up his attack, Samael came flying in, and the both of them slammed their hands against each other, which quickly made their hands interlock with one another. Yhwach instantly began to chuckle.
Yhwach: Your dancing techniques are quite dirty. I wouldn't expect anything less from a bastard child.
Samael: Let's just see how much longer that bravado of yours will last.
The moment Samael uttered those words, Yhwach's expression shifted in a matter of seconds. He had the look of a delusional psychopath that would have sent any normal person into a state of fear. Without saying anything else, he kicked him in the gut and backed away from him.
Yhwach: Burner Finger 1
A large beam of fire was blasted out of his fingertip and came in contact with Samael. The attack ruptured when it came in contact with him and Samael had no chance of dodging it. His body was sent flying down to the ground in a matter of seconds with burn marks trailing down his face and abdomen.
Not long after Samael's attempt, the Horsemen of Death came in undetected with his scythe being swung horizontally. Yhwach countered it by using the schrift W the Wind to deflect the scythe.
When Death's weapon was deflected, he instantly popped in a right hook with his foot that hit Yhwach in the ribs. A surge of pain sprung up before suppressing it entirely. Yhwach grabbed his foot and yanked him close where he used his elbow to slam against Death's forehead.
Lucifer found his chance to pull off a sneak attack as he flew up to Yhwach's and Death's location.
Yhwach: Burner Finger, Flame clones
Yhwach spawned his flame clones while two of them came flying in like a javelin, which crushed Lucifer's chest with the momentum they had.
Lucifer felt like his heart was just sandwiched from the amount of power the two kicks had. "
Lucifer: his damn trick again!
He yelled out while trying to recover.
The surprise attack didn't do much as he was restored by Death's magic.
The attacks kept on coming as Samael flew his way up with a light sword in his hand.
With the other two flame clones, they delivered an attack of their own that pushed Samael back.
Lucifer: I'm seriously getting fucking annoyed by those clones!
Lucifer commented before he flared up in another fit of rage.
Death tried to send off another slash with his scythe, but Yhwach rushed out of the way in time as the slash attack left some magical particles that rotted away anything his scythe touched.
Lucifer, Samael, and Death all charged at Yhwach with all of their strength.
Death slashed at him with his scythe, knocking him back, while Samael managed to sever Yhwach's left arm. Lucifer then delivered a powerful punch to Yhwach's face, sending him tumbling away.
Yhwach hit the ground hard, his body battered and bruised. As he lay there, The medallion he wore fell, landing on the ground nearby.
Lucifer approached Yhwach, his expression a mixture of triumph and disdain. He looked down at the fallen Quincy King with a cold smirk, his eyes glinting with satisfaction.
Lucifer: Is this the extent of your vaunted power, Yhwach? Pathetic. You talk of legacy and philosophy, yet here you lie, defeated and broken.
Samael and Death stood beside Lucifer, their gazes fixed on Yhwach with a mixture of contempt and curiosity. They awaited Lucifer's next move, ready to deliver the final blow if necessary.
Yhwach gritted his teeth, his fists clenched in frustration. Despite his injuries, his resolve remained unbroken.
As Yhwach lay on the ground, battered and wounded, his gaze fell upon the medallion lying nearby. With a surge of determination, he reached out and grasped it tightly in his hand. As he held the medallion, he felt a powerful energy emanating from within.
Yhwach's mind raced as he remembered the true nature of the medallion. It contained the essence of Yamamoto's Bankai, one of the most formidable abilities known to the Soul Society. With a grim smile, Yhwach realized that he still had one last card to play.
Rising to his feet, Yhwach faced Lucifer, Samael, and Death, who looked on with confusion at his sudden resurgence.
Yhwach: Do you know what it feels like to stand atop the sun?
His voice was low and filled with ominous intent. Lucifer, Samael, and Death exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of what Yhwach was alluding to.
Yet Lucifer looked at Yhwach he did not see fear or any form of struggle. The only thing Yhwach did was smirk at him like he held all of the cards here not him. It was too late when he realized why.
The cause of Lucifer's fright is one word. One word that will change the tide of this battle drastically. Yhwach uttered a single word, sending shivers down the spines of Death, Samael, and Lucifer. And that word is...
Ban... kai
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
MisunderstoodKing
MisunderstoodKing Heh
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone