Kapard remained in the heart of the crater, an unmoving figure amidst the devastation. A raw fury simmered within Sabrin and Brihan. With a guttural cry, Brihan unleashed his Elf Dive, a surge of emerald energy that propelled him in a near-instantaneous blink next to Kapard. His dagger flashed, aimed at a vital point, but Kapard's movements were unnervingly swift, his hand shooting out to effortlessly intercept the attack.
From her vantage point above, Sabrin channeled her power, unleashing the searing heat of Pink Sunburn. A wave of incandescent energy hurtled towards Kapard, but before it could connect, a malevolent aura erupted from him, a palpable force that slammed into both Sabrin and Brihan, throwing them back.
"Such disappointment," Kapard's voice echoed across the ravaged landscape, laced with disdain. "Your parents possessed a strength you can only dream of." He then brought his two crimson spears together, a malevolent energy coalescing at their tips. A searing beam of crimson light shot forth, aimed squarely at the downed figures of Brihan and Sabrin.
But an impossible speed intercepted the deadly projectile. A figure descended from above, a blur of motion that sliced through the crimson beam, dissipating its lethal energy. "Are you alright, you two?" the newcomer's voice was sharp, concerned.
It was Salson. He landed with a quiet thud, his gaze immediately locking onto Kapard. With a deliberate movement, he removed the cloth that had obscured his right eye, revealing a sight that made the air itself seem to crackle. His sclera was stark white, the pupil an elongated oval swirling with a kaleidoscope of otherworldly colors. As his gaze intensified, the white of his sclera facing Kapard bled into an inky black, and he settled into a combat stance, his hand instinctively gripping the hilt of Fendi Montagne.
"So," Kapard's voice dripped with a mocking amusement, "it's you, the famed Salson. The one who greedily devoured the cores of the demon regents. Know this, for your transgressions, I saw to the execution of your so-called parents. I know who you are, Salson, the last scion of Saland. Come and face me."
Kapard's words struck Salson like a physical blow. A primal rage ignited within him, propelling him forward in a burst of speed that defied the eye. Yet, Kapard met his charge with an almost casual ease, his crimson spears intercepting Fendi Montagne with a resounding clang. The legendary blade, known for cleaving mountains, scraped uselessly against the crimson metal, leaving only faint scratches. Surprise flickered across Salson's face.
"These," Kapard declared, a hint of pride in his voice, "are the Crimson Spears of the Emperor, forged by my own power. Their resilience is… undeniable."
Salson, momentarily taken aback, retreated a few steps. Kapard shifted his stance, his crimson eyes burning with an unsettling intensity. In the next instant, both figures blurred, launching themselves at each other. The clash of their weapons reverberated through the crater, a shower of sparks illuminating their furious exchange. Kapard's spear thrusts were relentless, but Salson met each blow with the unwavering defense of Fendi Montagne. They appeared evenly matched, a dance of death played out at impossible speeds.
Then, the ground around Kapard erupted. Crimson spikes shot upwards, a deadly barrage aimed at Salson. But the demon king in human guise moved with preternatural agility, Fendi Montagne a silver blur as he sliced through the deadly projectiles one after another. Kapard pressed his assault, closing the distance, their weapons colliding once more in a deafening impact before they sprang apart.
"Not bad," Kapard conceded, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "That sword truly lives up to its reputation as the sharpest blade in history. However…" His crimson aura flared, intensifying dramatically. "Now, I shall become serious. Crimson Spears of the Emperor Awakened!"
A wave of pure crimson energy washed over Kapard. His armor, his very being, seemed to deepen in color, radiating an oppressive heat. He moved with blinding speed, a crimson comet hurtling towards Salson, who barely managed to raise Fendi Montagne in time to parry the blow. The subsequent exchange was a whirlwind of crimson and steel, but a subtle shift had occurred. Kapard's enhanced power began to overwhelm Salson, a searing crimson energy grazing his side, drawing a line of crimson.
Salson, despite the stinging pain, was impressed. "Not bad," he conceded, his voice low. "You are indeed powerful, as befitting an emperor. But an emperor… is nothing before a demon king." A dark energy began to emanate from him, a palpable shift in the very air around him. "King of the Underworld Incomplete Form!"
A wave of abyssal darkness erupted from Salson. His physical form began to transform. From his shoulders upwards, his flesh morphed into a nightmarish black, a hardened, crust-like hide. Cracks spiderwebbed across this demonic flesh, glowing with an inner red light. Below, his tattered blacksmith attire remained, a stark contrast to his burgeoning demonic power.
"Not bad yourself," Kapard sneered, his crimson eyes burning into Salson's changing form. "You are worthy of the title, King of Demons. But can you withstand the might of an emperor?"
The tension in the air became a tangible thing. Both figures coiled, power radiating from them in visible waves. Then, they moved. A blur of crimson and shadow colliding with earth-shattering force. The impact unleashed a shockwave that ripped through the already ravaged landscape. Crimson spear met black hide and demonic steel in a furious ballet of destruction. Sabrin and Brihan could barely track their movements, the speed at which they exchanged blows bordering on the incomprehensible. Kapard and Salson were no longer mere warriors; they were forces of nature unleashed.
Salson, with a burst of demonic speed, sidestepped Kapard's attack and unleashed a devastating punch. Kapard barely managed to deflect the blow, retaliating with a searing beam of crimson energy. But Salson, his movements now imbued with demonic grace, sliced through the beam effortlessly, his relentless assault continuing. Again, they seemed locked in a deadly stalemate. Kapard unleashed a flurry of spear thrusts, but the hardened demonic skin proved impervious, the crimson tips skittering uselessly across its surface. In response, Kapard conjured a seemingly endless barrage of crimson spikes from the ground, but Salson met each one with a blindingly fast swing of Fendi Montagne, reducing them to dust.
Frustration flickered across Kapard's face. He raised one of his spears, and a terrifying number of crimson energy beams erupted from its tip, a storm of lethal projectiles aimed at Salson. Even with his enhanced speed, Salson couldn't evade them all, several beams slamming into his demonic form.
Emerging from the dissipating energy, Salson's voice was low, resonating with a newfound resolve. "It seems… I have no choice but to unleash my full power." The air around him crackled with an oppressive darkness. "Underdark King Full Form, Demon King Mode!"
An enormous pillar of crimson energy erupted around Salson, swirling and coalescing. His transformation was now complete. Both eyes were now demonic, the sclerae black as night, the pupils swirling with multicolored light. His entire body was encased in the hardened black demonic skin, a grotesque armor from head to toe. His head retained a semblance of its former shape, but a dark, jagged crown now adorned it. Two pieces of the same dark skin jutted out from his cheeks, framing his transformed face. His torso and limbs were now truly demonic, a tapestry of black hide crisscrossed with glowing multicolored energy that pulsed from the cracks. Two jagged pieces of dark armor encircled his waist, acting as a crude form of pants. And in his hand, Fendi Montagne pulsed with a malevolent dark aura.
Kapard, for the first time, showed a flicker of genuine awe. "Impressive," he conceded, his voice tinged with respect. "You are truly worthy of the title. But I too… cannot afford to hold back." His crimson aura began to wane, replaced by an incandescent golden light. "Equilibrium Sacred Sword of the Emperor!"
The crimson vanished entirely, replaced by a blinding golden radiance. Kapard's form shifted. He was now clad in magnificent golden armor, his hair and eyes shimmering with the same brilliant hue. From above, a majestic golden saber materialized in his hand, radiating a pure, holy energy. He settled into a stance, the golden blade held ready.
For a fleeting moment, the two titans stood motionless, their gazes locked in a silent acknowledgment of the power they now wielded. Then, with a simultaneous roar, they moved. Golden light clashed against abyssal darkness as their blades collided once more, unleashing a shockwave that ripped through the already devastated landscape.
Kapard's golden saber danced with blinding speed, but Salson's demonic swordsmanship was a whirlwind of both brutal force and uncanny precision. Kapard found it difficult to land a clean blow, each strike met with the unwavering defense of Fendi Montagne. Salson, in turn, moved with terrifying speed, a black blur punctuated by the glint of demonic steel. He landed a brutal punch on Kapard, sending the golden emperor crashing against the crater wall.
Salson raised Fendi Montagne towards the heavens, and two enormous portals ripped open in the sky. From their gaping maws emerged two colossal demonic worms, their eyes burning with malevolent intent as they lunged towards Kapard. With effortless grace, Kapard's golden saber flashed, decapitating both monstrous creatures in a single, fluid motion. He then launched himself forward, a golden streak aimed at Salson, who met his charge with Fendi Montagne.
Sabrin and Brihan watched the impossible battle unfold, a terrifying spectacle that left them feeling utterly powerless. But then, a spark ignited in Brihan's eyes. "Why are we just standing here, paralyzed by fear?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with a newfound determination. "We should be fighting alongside Salson! Let's fight!"
A brilliant, multicolored light erupted from Brihan. His Elf Dive had transcended its previous form, now radiating a pure, divine energy. His wings shimmered with celestial light, his armor pulsed with holy power, and even his dagger seemed imbued with divine grace.
"You're right," Sabrin declared, her voice firm. "There's no point in standing by helplessly. Equilibrium Pink Fire of Fate!" Behind her, five ethereal pink flames materialized, swirling with intense heat. A palpable warmth radiated from her, a heat that could melt steel with a mere touch. Now, both Sabrin and Brihan were ready to join the fray.
Salson and Kapard continued their earth-shattering duel when Brihan, a streak of divine light, arrived beside Kapard, his holy dagger aimed for a strike. Kapard parried the blow, but in that same instant, Sabrin arrived on his right, her pink flames crackling with destructive energy. Kapard retaliated, conjuring golden spikes that shot towards Sabrin, but with a flick of her wrist, she manipulated one of her ethereal flames, slicing through the golden projectiles as if they were mere paper, the searing heat nearly grazing Kapard.
Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, Salson moved with blinding speed, his demonic fist slamming into Kapard's side, sending the golden emperor flying backward. Kapard, though staggered, quickly regained his footing. He now faced three opponents, and the last vestiges of restraint vanished from his eyes.
Raising his golden saber high above his head, an unimaginable number of golden spheres materialized across the entire realm. Then, a terrifying rain of golden energy began to fall, obliterating everything in its path. Civilians, soldiers, animals—none were spared from Kapard's indiscriminate destruction.
Salson, his face a mask of fury, launched himself at Kapard. The two met in the air, their eyes locking. Kapard wore a chilling smile, while Salson's expression was one of pure, unadulterated rage. They exchanged a flurry of blows, a chaotic dance of golden light and demonic shadow. Then, with a swift, precise thrust, Kapard's golden saber pierced Salson's shoulder, drawing golden blood.
But Salson, ignoring the searing pain, retaliated with a brutal kick that sent Kapard hurtling through the air. In that same instant, Salson's demonic form blurred, Fendi Montagne extended, impaling Kapard through the chest.
Even with a demonic blade piercing his heart, Kapard's laughter echoed across the ravaged land, a chilling sound that sent shivers down Sabrin and Brihan's spines. Salson prepared to deliver the final blow, but then, Kapard erupted in a blinding light. He rose, the golden saber in his hand now radiating an almost unbearable intensity.
"Guys, get back! You'll die!" Salson roared, sensing the immense power Kapard was about to unleash. Sabrin and Brihan, heeding his warning, retreated as fast as they could. Salson braced himself, his demonic aura flaring to its absolute limit.
One last time, the two figures locked eyes, the air crackling with their immense power. Then, they moved. A final, desperate clash of their ultimate techniques.
"Extreme Demonic Slash!" Salson roared, channeling every ounce of his demonic power into a single, devastating strike.
"Golden Slash of the Emperor!" Kapard countered, his golden saber unleashing a wave of pure, destructive energy.
They moved with such impossible speed that the human eye could not follow. An enormous explosion ripped through the battlefield, tearing apart the already shattered landscape. When the dust settled, Salson stood panting, Fendi Montagne dripping with golden blood. He had been just a fraction of a second faster, his demonic blade having ripped through Kapard's chest, leaving a gaping wound that spelled the emperor's end.
Salson had won. But there was no one left to celebrate, only the stunned silence broken by the ragged breaths of Brihan and Sabrin. Salson's demonic form receded, leaving him looking exhausted but victorious. A faint smile touched his lips, even as a trickle of blood escaped his mouth. He had done it. He had defeated Kapard, the mad emperor.