By UD-mun and co-authored by Yej-mun.

Chapter One: The Warrior?s Need for A Challenge

Among the plains of Vanaheim, the sounds of swords clashing against each other, spells being cast, and grunts and thudding of feet and bodies were heard clearly. These sounds came from two people, one a Valkyrie, one of the three maiden servants of Lord Odin; and the other, a warrior nearing the end of his training. They were sparring, of course, and the warrior was winning over the Valkyrie. He swung his Masamune Blade at her quickly in partial glee, but it missed by a foot, for the Valkyrie jumped backwards to avoid that slash. The warrior?s Masamune Blade was a long thin slightly curved blade of steel, reaching up to six feet long. She flipped up into the air and hovered there due to her powers. The warrior looked up at her and charged up energy to cast a spell by twirling his Masamune Blade above his head. He cast Tornado at the hovering Valkyrie by pointing his sword at her. Several strong gusts of wind swirled around the female fighter just before she had the chance to defend herself. The winds formed together to create a huge tornado that lifted her higher into the air. It slammed the Valkyrie to the ground hard with force. She yelled in pain from the impact as the spell ended. The warrior chuckled and taunted her with a ?come on? gesture with his hands. The Valkyrie got up slowly, her metal and leather armor already dented and slashed in places. She had several wounds while the warrior had gotten a few as well. The Valkyrie tossed her broadsword aside as a sign of defeat. It clattered noisily on the arid ground that had pebbles in it.

?You win. Nice spar we had,? she said with a shake of her head, but in an impressed way. The warrior twirled his Masamune Blade in front of him as a victory dance. He willed his sword to fade away from his hand and it faded into his soul. The Valkyrie took out a Megalixir and tossed it into the air between them. Sparkling dots of light engulfed the fighters and they were healed to the max. Their wounds were nowhere to be seen, but the battle gear showed signs of where the wounds used to be. They walked together to the City of Vanaheim across the arid plains to do other duties as expected by Asgardian customs and laws.

?Hmm, I desire a worthy challenge, Lenneth. The spars and tournaments are getting to be a bore,? he sighed as they were nearing the walls of the City. The Valkyrie said nothing but a slight chuckle.

The warrior?s training was nearing its final phase known as the Trials, an Asgardian custom to their warriors? training. If a warrior completes his or her Trials he or she sees as fit to suit all of his or her training, then he or she is considered a full-fledged warrior. The Trials consisted of a challenge that would test everything a warrior has learned throughout his or her training that starts at early childhood and ends usually around early adulthood. This warrior that walked with the Valkyrie was five-hundred years old, which the Aesir considered the start of adulthood.

They entered through double thick doors fifteen feet high that opened before them. They closed with a hollow thud that echoed throughout the City. The City of Vanaheim consisted of towers and Roman-like ruins scattered about. It also had huge stairs leading from the north part of the wall to Valhalla, the realm of Lord Odin who ruled Asgard. The warrior and the Valkyrie separated once they got into the main street to do their duties. The Valkyrie headed for the huge stairs while the warrior went for the barracks.

He got to his place in the barracks and sighed. He wore Mystile Armor around his upper body and left shoulder. The Mystile Armor rendered him invincible against a spell named Ultima. An armlet of gold and iron covered his lower left arm, imbued with the power to absorb Holy spells and attacks. Its name was Seraphic Bracer. He also had a tattered black silken cloak covering the armor and loose pants with Orihalcon Greaves. His feet wore Mithril Boots that attached to the bottom of his Greaves. He was of six feet and seven inches tall, possessing green fire eyes that glowed with intensity whenever in battle, and he had no hair on his scalp for it was shaven since his training days.

The warrior was exhausted from that spar against the Valkyrie. He couldn?t help but noticed the fact that she was beautiful but powerful. His mind rested on the thought of her. The Valkyrie?s name was Lenneth. She raised and trained him to be the warrior he was along with her two sisters; Silmeria and Hrist. While the three Valkyries raised and trained him, they each had specific duties. Silmeria, the youngest of the three, did most of the caring and raising; Hrist, the eldest, did most of the etiquette and grueling training; and Lenneth, the middle, did each but to a lesser scale. The warrior viewed Silmeria as his ?mother,? Hrist as his drill sergeant, and Lenneth as his favorite out of the three.
He knew that his Trials were drawing nigh and he needed to find something that would be his Trials, of course, but how? The warrior had several ideas for the Trials, but there was one idea that appealed to him most: enter the fabled Temple of Ultima Weapon and slay Ultima Weapon. He had heard legends and rumors about that creature, plus the failed attempts to slay it led by warriors like him already slain by its huge sword and its power. The warrior decided to take this matter to Lord Odin personally as soon as possible. He finished his duties which consisted of warfare research, attempting to create new moves with his Masamune Blade, and testing his worthy against the captured Monsters which were: Iron Giants, Malboros, Tri-Faces, and a Ruby Dragon.

The warrior prepared himself for the visit to Valhalla. After climbing the huge stairs, he had finally reached the floating island that contained Misty Mountains that encircled the vast palaces and arenas of Valhalla. The biggest palace clearly stood out from its lesser palaces. It was made of gold, marble, obsidian, and steel. Lord Odin lived in that palace and that?s where the warrior intended to enter. He had to cross the Misty Mountains first in order to reach Valhalla. The mists there were quite thick and made the warrior almost lose his path but he eventually made it through it. The Guards bowed before the warrior and granted him access into the grand city of Asgard. He then entered the Great Palace, getting to the main hall and then kneeling down with his shaven head bowed before Lord Odin which sat in his Throne.

?Thou may rise and approach before me, warrior,? Odin said with a nod of his head. The warrior rose to his feet and walked to Lord Odin, his green fire eyes glowing with a hint of anticipation.

?What do thou desire from me, O Warrior of Vanaheim?? Odin asked. He was the ruler of Asgard. His clothes were actually armored, made from iron and tough wood from the forests of the Elves of Asgard. His gray-white beard extended from the chin, barely touching the breastplate of the armor. Odin had one eye, for he traded the other for wisdom. A band of metal around his head covered the eye socket.

?I desire to enter the Temple of Ultima Weapon and slay the ultimate monster. That is my Trials, perhaps,? The warrior said with a slight smile forming across his mouth. There was an audible gasp and murmuring among the Valkyries and the leaders of Asgard. They accompanied Odin most of the time around his throne. Odin?s eye widened and he stroked his beard, deep in thought. After a length of time, he slowly nodded.

?Very well, warrior. I grant thy request for a worthy Trial against Ultima Weapon. I shall command thee to take its sword and bring it here to confirm thy victory. Its sword will be thine to keep only if the creature is slain,? Odin said in a booming voice loud enough for the people among the hall to hear.

?However, if thou do not return here in five days with the Ultima Weapon sword? then it shall be written down that thou died with honor among the slain warriors who valiantly fought and died for their actions,? Odin finished with a nod to the warrior.

?Very well, my liege. If I return here with the Ultima Weapon sword in less than five days, then I shall live upon Midgard and find challenges there,? The warrior said. Lord Odin acknowledged this with a nod and ordered several of his Valkyries to help prepare the warrior for his upcoming Trials.

Chapter Three: The Fight between the Warrior and Ultima Weapon

A hiss and a growl filled the chamber and that made the warrior tense. A behemoth figure stepped into the light with a ground-shaking thud from each foot. The creature was well over ten to fifteen feet tall and twenty feet long. It had four massive legs that were armored and ended in short thick claws. Those legs supported the body that had a head with no neck but a mouth with teeth and green eyes that glinted occasionally. It also had a thick and large tail that was nearly long as the body and it came in segments like the top of a lobster tail?s shell. A smaller body grew from the point between the head and the body where its neck should have been. That body had bony ribs, two spindly arms, the remains of what used to be armored wings on its back, and a human-like head that had three spikes coming out of the forehead. Two of them pointed diagonal to both sides, and the middle one pointed upwards.

It also possessed a gigantic sword ten feet tall and five feet wide at its hilt that was shaped like the outline of a half-circle that had two spikes. The entirety of the hilt was thick and it had a long handle at its bottom tipped with a ruby and it was made out of titanium, steel, platinum, and carbon. From the top of the hilt was a long double-edged blade made of indestructible crystal. The middle of the blade was blue, two feet wide and the middle part ended in a point. The edges around the middle were translucent white and one foot wide. The spikes of the hilt added the remaining inches that made its width to be five feet. It had a name that was the same as the Monster?s name: Ultima Weapon.

Ultima Weapon was a Monster of great power that used to roam the planet freely two millennia ago, killing any that got in its way with its awesome powers and its sword of crystal. No one knew how it was created or where it came from, and they didn?t want to know. After nearly a thousand years, many races decided to unite into a strong alliance against the terrible Monster. The Aesir happened to be a part of this great alliance of many races, for they were as old as Ultima Weapon, perhaps older. The races confronted Ultima Weapon that had formed a legion of many Monsters to aid in its cause. They were in sheer numbers-three million of the combined races against a legion of one million Monsters led by one creature, the Monsters decimated three-fifths of every allied race, including the Aesir. After a long battle that lasted three years, Ultima Weapon could not take any more damage and fled to an island very much like where the warrior was in, except it was above the water and much larger. Ultima Weapon had abandoned its disintegrating legion to its death. The remnants of the alliance that could take to the air were the Aesir, Elves, Demons, Angels, and very few but powerful humans followed it to this now-submerged island to finish it off.

Another, but far shorter and more intense, battle erupted as Ultima Weapon fought furiously to stay alive, its armored wings torn and its huge figure full of wounds. During the battle, the island sustained so much destruction that it grew smaller and a chasm formed in the middle of the steadily decimating island. Terribly weakened, Ultima Weapon jumped into the chasm created upon the mountain summit as a last-ditch effort to escape its enemies? wrath. It fell for a long time before it landed into a cave deep within the island?s mountain. Having perceived a great victory for all of the races involved in the alliance, the warriors upon the island celebrated and decided to craft the mountain into a great temple shaped like an obelisk as a monument honoring the death of Ultima Weapon.

Once the temple was crafted, the sheer weight of itself made it sink deep into the island until only the pyramid-top remained above the surface. A few brave warriors surveyed the inside of the temple and they discovered to their shock that Ultima Weapon wasn?t dead; it was in a deep sleep that would last hundreds of years. Prior to their discovery, the island began to sink slowly and the warriors thought that the crushing weight of the ocean would finish the Monster off, so they got off the island to their homes. They thought wrong; the island never completely sank, and the ocean didn?t crush it into sand. The island became a prison for Ultima Weapon for the next five-hundred years. During this time, Ultima Weapon rested to regain its strength and powers, biding its time to get out of its prison and destroy every one of the races in vengeance.

Now, Ultima Weapon sensed a familiar presence far above its chamber and hissed. An Aesir here? Grr, it will die before my blade! Then I will climb my way out to my freedom! The thought of freedom pleased the Monster mightily, but the doubts about the lone Aesir kept it in check. As the presence came closer to its chamber, the Monster could see that it was indeed an Aesir warrior dressed in a tattered black cloak that covered his silver armor upon his torso. It sensed a fair amount of power within this warrior that entered its chamber and his green fire eyes clearly showed the power he possessed. Have the Aesir grown in power? The Monster wondered as the warrior shouted ?Well, at last I have reached the domain of Ultima Weapon? come forth and show thyself to me!? Ultima Weapon hissed and growled, it was challenged and it would come forth and show itself to this warrior that would surely die before its wrath. The Monster stepped up before the warrior to accept his challenge.

?Begone Aesir, before I slay thee!? Ultima Weapon bellowed at the warrior, who in turn chuckled and his Masamune Blade appeared in his hands, glistening sickly from the light of the crystals. The creature noticed this and found out immediately that the Aesir had not lost any ounce of their power ever since nearly two millennia.

?Nay foul creature, I have come to take thy sword and claim it as my own to confirm my victory to Lord Odin,? the warrior spoke in a nearly unwavering tone and his green fire eyes glowed with lust of battle. He was ready to go down fighting for Asgard and Lord Odin.

?Thou shall not take my sword, Aesir, unless thou slay me and my spirit shall possess it. Then thou shall be its new master,? the creature said and its bottom head growled that made the floor rumble slightly. The warrior levitated to the air and hovered there three feet above the floor. He charged up energy for a spell as Ultima Weapon got to its fighting stance. He cast Mighty Guard on himself and multiple barriers engulfed him instantly.

The Monster swung its huge sword at the warrior with speed and it connected against the barriers with a loud metallic clang. The force sent the warrior to the ground hard with a grunt.

He got up and counterattacked with Masamune Slice at Ultima Weapon?s bottom head in rage. The Blade ripped a shallow gash across the head with some difficulty due to its thick armor.

The Monster howled in pain and twirled its huge sword above its upper head, charging up energy for a spell. It cast Quake at the warrior by pointing its sword at him. The ground cracked under the warrior?s feet and threw itself at him with force due to the spell. Again, the barriers protected the warrior from the spell with a hollow clang. The protective spell then shattered into fading shards for it couldn?t withstand against the strength of Ultima Weapon?s powers any longer.

The warrior lunged at Ultima Weapon?s upper body and swung his Blade at its body. The creature blocked the slash with its huge sword easily and repelled the warrior to a wall. He slammed against the wall hard and fell to the floor with a thud. Such power!

Ultima Weapon charged up energy for a spell and cast Gravija at the warrior. The air around him turned black and transformed into a black giant orb that stretched him into great proportions inside it. Then the orb shrunk to smaller size and blasted back into normal air. The warrior yelled in pain from this spell and quickly used an X-Potion on himself.
He charged up energy for a spell as the Potion healed him to the max. He cast Ultima at the Monster with a yell of rage as he got up. His rage suddenly drove him into a state of berserk. A star appeared above Ultima Weapon and gathered huge amounts of energy that made it increase in size until it exploded. The green energy blast ripped from the explosion through Ultima Weapon with such force and power that it made the Monster fall to its side with a ground-shaking thud.

The warrior followed up by charging up energy once more for another spell, casting Meteor at Ultima Weapon. The spell engulfed the Monster in darkness and several meteors slammed into it with explosions, damaging it further. Then the spell faded away, revealing the surroundings. In one final act supported by his rage, the warrior managed to charge his Chi energy into his Masamune Blade and swung it downwards to the ground that unleashed an arc of flaming Chi rushing towards the fallen form of Ultima Weapon. The arc raked across the ground in speed until it crashed against the Monster, exploding into Chi flames that engulfed its target for a couple of seconds to further the damage upon it before fading away. The warrior had managed to execute a three-combo attack in his berserko rage, but he didn?t know it.

The creature got up slowly and a funnel of light formed from the bottom head?s mouth that concentrated into a fair sized sphere of light energy. It unleashed Light Pillar at the warrior with a loud whine that reverberated throughout the chamber. The huge light beam blasted through the warrior?s body with force and ease. Small gold-colored flames engulfed the warrior for a second after the beam was unleashed from Ultima Weapon?s bottom head.

The warrior swayed back and forth twice and then fell to one knee clumsily. The Light Pillar attack was quite strong enough to level a human being, but as the warrior was an Aesir, he could take one full blast of the attack and survive just barely. His right hand was losing its grip on the hilt of the Masamune Blade and the warrior looked up to the towering form of Ultima Weapon with glaring green fire eyes. He wasn?t going to give up until either the Monster was slain or it finished him off.

?Now thou die, Aesir scum!? Ultima Weapon growled as it brought its huge sword over its upper head as a finishing deathblow. Suddenly, the warrior found an opportunity?

He gripped his Masamune Blade hard and leapt at the creature?s upper body in a blur. He swung his Blade at its arms and its thin slender neck with a yell of fury and determination. The Blade sliced through the arms and the neck easily but with force.

The warrior landed on the ground after that, exhausted as he watched its huge sword clatter to the ground beside the collapsing monstrous form of Ultima Weapon. The upper head landed on the ground with a thud and cracked open and beams of light issued forth from the halves. The body of Ultima Weapon convulsed and small explosions blasted from it in places. The bottom head opened its mouth, roaring its death-cry as it died. The green eyes of the bottom head faded to black as the body became engulfed in beams of light that made it turn into dust slowly. After the whole body was turned into dust, the dust scattered all over the place and faded away into nothingness. The ultimate, strongest Monster had finally fallen. The warrior twirled his Masamune Blade in a victory dance and it disappeared from his hands.

Chapter Five: The Departure to Midgard

The next day, Ultima Death finished preparing for his new life upon Midgard and ate his breakfast. He then got to Valhalla and entered the Great Palace to meet Odin. There in the main hall of the Palace, the warrior bowed before Odin.

?Lord Odin, I have prepared myself and now, I shall leave for Midgard after thy farewell,? Ultima Death got up, green fire eyes glowing as they scanned Odin for the last time. Odin had always looked the same in both looks and clothing. Odin got up from his throne and stepped down to meet the warrior.

?Aye, warrior of Vanaheim, but only not to say my farewell to thee, but to Ruby Death of Muspellheim. He has informed me last night, Ultima Death. Guards, let him enter,? he said with a nod to the Guards, which in turn opened the thick double doors to let Ruby Death in. The doors closed with a hollow bang after Ruby Death approached before Odin with a bow.

He had a three foot and three inches long sheath strapped to his back in a diagonal fashion, it held his sword named Crossifyer and his cloak covered them up, only to have the top part of the sheath through its hole near the right shoulder sticking out.

?Before thy farewells are to be spoken, I have a gift for each of thee that shall help thee in thy search for challenges upon Midgard,? Lord Odin said and summoned two Valkyries, bearing an item each. They walked to the warriors of Asgard and presented their items.

One of them walked up to Ruby Death and he took his gift and looked at it. It was a ring forged of mithril and laced with powdered bones from a Demon that had elemental powers.

?The gift presented to thee, Ruby Death, is the Anticider Ring. It allows thou to use spells that thou would be normally weak against,? Odin explained and Ruby Death slipped the Anticider Ring on his right ring finger. He bowed in gratitude and said nothing.

The second Valkyrie walked up to Ultima Death and he took his gift. It was a stone glowing with magic inside.

?The gift presented to thee, Ultima Death, is a Container containing the spells of Asgard created. Thou may absorb the spells and put them to good use,? Odin explained and Ultima Death absorbed the spells from the Container, which in turn disintegrated into dust. He bowed in gratitude and said nothing. Odin sat down on his throne and bade them farewell. Then he added that they should return here once Ragnarok approaches.

?Aye Lord Odin, which we shall do for Asgard!? Ultima Death nodded to Odin and the two warriors left the Great Palace for Midgard by foot.

Once they approached the edges of Valhalla in the Misty Mountains, the warriors chanted to make the Rainbow Bridge appear before them.

The Bridge appeared slowly and it illuminated with colors of a rainbow, morphing from each color. It spanned fifty miles long in a sloping fashion. The Rainbow Bridge linked Valhalla to Midgard for as long as an Aesir or more summons it and walks upon it until no feet touches it and then it will fade away.

The warriors walked on the long and huge Rainbow Bridge for twenty miles until a great fear overtook them, making them fall to their knees and shaking in fear. They got up, looking around in bewilderment.

?What is going on? Is Loki attempting to cause trouble?? Ultima Death wondered aloud and the answer came in a form of a winged creature with no feathers but soft skin that stank.

Upon on the fell winged creature, was a figure in black. They swooped around the warriors, scanning them.

Ruby Death unsheathed his Crossifyer sword, a broadsword with two slightly short blades jutting out of either side of the main blade, giving it the appearance of a cross. It gave off an evil aura of Darkness that ranged from dark pink to purple to black.

Ultima Death willed his Ultima Weapon sword to appear in his hands, ten feet tall and five feet wide. The winged creature screeched and the figure on it yelled at the warriors armed with huge swords in the Black Speech created by the Dark Lord.

Ruby Death jumped at the creature, swinging his sword in a blur with a yell. His Crossifyer sword ripped deep into the creature?s neck with force and Ruby Death pulled it down from the neck, landing on the Bridge with a blood-drenched broadsword.

The figure appeared from the back of the creature to the Bridge behind them. The flying creature screeched and died on the way down from the fatal wound given by Ruby Death.

?Get thee gone before we slay thee, intruder!? Ultima Death yelled at the figure, hefting his Ultima Weapon sword.

The figure was like a man, but undead with the will of Sauron controlling his mind. He was clad in armor made of black obsidian and he had a sword that emitted a black aura from its etched runes along the blade. It was a Morgul Blade. The figure also had a cloak made out of Shadows covering his body and it darkened the light from the Bridge under him. He was a Nazgul, one of the Nine Ring Wraiths of Sauron, but the warriors did not know this until later on.

Ultima Death yelled and charged at the Nazgul in a blur, Ultima Weapon sword pointed at him. The sword ripped through the obsidian armor easily into the man?s chest with some difficulty due to a spell that rendered the Nazgul nearly immortal.

Before Ultima Death could do more damage by pulling his huge sword upwards, the Nazgul faded away into a Shadow that floated away back to Mordor in a ghostly wail that echoed for a long time.

Ultima Death twirled his Ultima Weapon sword in a victory dance and it disappeared from his hands into his soul.

Ruby Death stabbed his Crossifyer sword into the Bridge and then sheathed it on his back as a victory dance as well.

?What kind of a Monster was that, Ruby Death? No other Monster could have the ability to inflict fear!? Ultima Death asked Ruby Death. He only shrugged and walked down the Bridge, Ultima Death followed him several seconds later.

?Thy prowess is impressive, Ultima Death. I sensed the power thy Ultima Weapon sword exuded and how it damaged that Monster. Since we are about to live upon Midgard to find challenges for perhaps the rest of our lives until Ragnarok comes, let us look out for each other and help each other in times of need. What do thou say?? Ruby Death offered after some silence as they walked down the long Rainbow Bridge. Ultima Death thought about what he said.

?Hmm, aye, I accept what thou say, Ruby Death. Let us be sworn brothers to that promise and avenge one of us if either of us dies,? he said after some thinking.

?Then sworn brothers we shall be to our deaths,? Ruby Death said with a solemn look on his face. They were now brothers-in-arms.

After forty-five miles, they could see the vast regions of Midgard below them. Dusk approached as the warriors finally touched down on Midgard. Immediately, they felt something leave from their souls and they realized it was the aura of near-immortality which the great and ancient Yggdrasil tree granted upon Asgard and its inhabitants. It made the Aesir virtually immortal, but with limits--like the Elves, and the Demons, they would die by blades, spells and time itself. Alone, they could live up to five to ten-thousand years. Without this power, their own powers were slightly reduced and their lifetimes greatly reduced to more or less than a few thousand years. The brothers-in-arms knew all of this and had already accepted the price.

The Rainbow Bridge faded away after their feet were no longer upon it. They had no idea that many events would come and change their lives forever soon upon Midgard.

Chapter Seven: The Gorge and the Ambush

Ultima Death, Ruby Death, and Ultimacerax trekked through the fields beyond the town of Landren. Their feet created a trail of matted grass behind them that slowly restored themselves after twelve hours due to a strong breeze that blew from the west towards the east. Around evening, they reached a glen that had shorter grass and scattered trees that ended near their destination: Roaring Gorge. There, they stopped walking and scanned the glen.

?We shall camp for the night, warriors. The Monsters might be prowling near this place so one of us should guard the camp,? Ultimacerax advised after scanning the place and began to flatten a small area of the grass for a campfire.

?I will take the first watch until supper. Ultima Death, thou will take the second shift and Ultimacerax shall have the third shift,? Ruby Death ordered and they nodded in unison. Ultimacerax set off to the scattered trees to gather some firewood for the campfire. Ultima Death unpacked the bags and sorted out some things for camping. Ruby Death walked around the camp with his Crossifyer in his hands, watching for any Monsters or any wild humans that lived in tribes. Ultimacerax returned with a goodly amount of firewood in his arms and dropped them on the circle of matted grass. He moved his right hand over the pile of wood, whispering softly. Suddenly, the woodpile burst into flames and he jumped back just in time to avoid being burnt. Ultima Death then proceeded to prepare their supper over the fire.

The night came and the moon rose slowly into the sky, glowing pale white that cast a soft light over the vale. Yet the clouds that moved across the moon enshrouded the light. The fire was now ablaze, creating a circle of light all around the camp. The campers ate their supper that consisted of slabs of meat with water collected from a trickling creek near the glen. As they ate their meal, they talked of their adventures, travels and ancient legends of both Asgard and Midgard.

Little did they realize that a host of Orcs from Mordor walked towards the Roaring Gorge; the Orcs were of seven feet tall humanoids that had robust build, long arms, and strong legs capable of running up to almost ten miles per hour. They were controlled by the will of Sauron, the Dark Lord of Mordor, where the Shadows lie. Their keen red eyes descried the glen with a camp of three in the midst. Several grunts and mutterings rose from the host and the Orc Chieftain by the name Slaz hushed them.

?If kwy glob Uruk-hai don?t shut up, I, Slaz son of Slige, will knock your dug heads off your skai shoulders with my Sarkor!? Slaz shouted in a mix of Black Speech and English at his army, bringing his hand to the hilt of his broadsword that had an evil power in it. The army complied rather quickly, not wanting to make their Chieftain mad and lose three to five of their comrades with the blade of his possessed Sarkor.

?We shall ambush uluk at the Roaring Gorge ishi daylight. If they are weak as sharkus, then we shall thrak ul u Lugburz ishi Mordor for the Burz Durb u make ul into snagas!? Slaz said with a laugh and the host joined him. The laughter from the army reached over the Roaring Gorge and the sound of rushing white water drowned out the sound of laughter. The camp heard nothing but the faint roaring of the Gorge several miles away. Their supper was now nearly over and Ultima Death got ready to assume the position as night watch until Ultimacerax relieved him. Ultima Death had his Masamune Blade in his hands as his green fire eyes caught several glints of metal beyond the Roaring Gorge. He called Ruby Death and pointed his finger to the area where he saw the glints.

?Over there, Ruby Death, I saw something shine. Is it from the mists of the Roaring Gorge?? he asked. ?Perhaps it is from the moon?? he looked up to the pale moon in the sky.

?Aye, I see it too. Perhaps Ultimacerax knows about it,? Ruby Death offered. He was about to call Ultimacerax when the Orcs found out that the moonlight was shining on their armor and weapons. One of the Orcs cast a darkness spell over their armor and the moon did not reveal their location anymore. They were now invisible under the cover of the darkness combined with the darkness spell over them.

?I don?t see anything. Perhaps Ultima Death was right about the mists from the Roaring Gorge reflecting off the moonlight,? Ultimacerax said after he scanned the area.

?Since there is nothing but trees and grass, I say that we shall sleep for the night!? Ruby Death said and they hesitated, already thinking about it. Soon, they finally decided to sleep rather than to watch their camp. The next morning, the three warriors woke up from their slumber and made breakfast. It was the same as their last night?s supper. After they ate their breakfast, they packed up the camp and trekked beyond the glen towards the Roaring Gorge.

The ground became less pleasant as they neared the Gorge. It became rocky and wet. There were places where grass could grow but most of it was dominated by lichens and moss. They could now see the Roaring Gorge easily under the morning sun. The mists soon greeted them several yards away from the Roaring Gorge itself. The mists were a little cold to the touch and the visibility became the same as looking through light fog. A river coursed through the Gorge and its waters were swift and white. It gained a name for it: White River. Over the course of many years, this river eventually formed the Roaring Gorge by cutting into the soft section of the ground. The Gorge was about two hundred yards deep below the surface, deep enough to fit in two football fields. It was well over a mile long. Most of it was full of roiling white water that still cut into the soft rock slowly. Ultimacerax led the way to the Roaring Gorge and then stopped.

?I have now taken you warriors to this place. It is also where I must depart to find my father. The place that you are seeking is well beyond the Gorge. Look over there! There?s a bridge that is strong enough to let you two walk across above the Roaring Gorge! I bid you Aesir good luck on your search for the place!? Ultimacerax yelled over the eternal roaring from the white water of the Gorge. The Aesir nodded in farewell to Ultimacerax and the man walked westbound of the Roaring Gorge to some unknown land to continue his search of his father.

The Orcs watched all of this and Slaz stayed his army from going after him.

?Kwy globs! Focus on the two that attacked ash of the Nine Nazgul!? Slaz shouted at his army and they obeyed in fear. The Chieftain continued:

?Now, G?ashnar agh Paz! Kwy two will come with me u the bridge u cut ul off. The rest of kwy pushdug Uruk-hai split into two groups agh contain ul into the bridge from both sides. Don?t fail me or uk of kwy will gimb yourselves ishi the bagronks of Lugburz!? The army shouted in unison of acknowledgement to Slaz?s commands and quickly took their assigned positions. The Aesir did not notice all of this due to the mists until they reached the bridge of wood and rope. The bridge spanned about fifty-five yards across the Roaring Gorge and was about six feet wide, enough to support three men in V-formation.

After Ultima Death and Ruby Death made across five planks of the bridge from the starting point, they saw three Orcs slowly making their way towards them from the other side. The warriors soon saw that the three Orcs had their blades drawn from their sheaths. Slaz had his Sarkor unsheathed as well. It emitted a red aura and it hissed softly due to the evil power within the broadsword. Paz and G?ashnar had standard issue Orc blades, they were curved like scimitars but had some runes etched into the sides of the blades.

Ruby Death quickly made his weapon appear in his hands. It was a monstrous sixty pound trident whose blades are made of an open-mouthed dragon skull with a large steel spike projecting from inside of the mouth. It had a power to create illusions of itself so it earned its name: Biting Mirage.

Ultima Death made his Masamune Blade appear in his hands, its long slightly curved blade glistened softly from the mist?s reflection of the light from the sun. The sight of the Aesir?s weapons made the two of the three cringe, but Slaz laughed.

?Ha! Ha! Kwy think your skai weapons will make us flee? Globs! Only Sarkor is stronger than your weapons!? Slaz shouted at the warriors, brandishing his Sarkor at them.

?Foolish Orc, thou think thou are stronger than us? Then thou are stupider than thou look!? Ultima Death said with a smirk and this infuriated Slaz. The Orc Chieftain chanted an incantation, the energy orbs appearing and disappearing around his body.

?Ghash!? Slaz shouted, pointing his Sarkor at Ruby Death. A huge fireball appeared high in the sky and flew at Ruby Death in high speeds. It slammed into his body, exploding upon impact. The blast radius nearly engulfed a good portion of the bridge that included Ultima Death. The flames died out quickly before burning into the bridge, revealing Ruby Death standing, chuckling. Ruby Death was chiefly a Fire-Elemental, enabling him to absorb Fire spells and attacks. Slaz?s eyes widened in surprise and disbelief as Ruby Death hefted his Biting Mirage for an attack.

Before he could do so, an Orc blade interrupted him by slashing deep into his right lower leg. Ruby Death yelled in pain and turned around to face a horde of Orcs advancing upon them.

Ultima Death charged at Slaz, Masamune Blade coming from behind and down in an upward swing. Slaz quickly blocked Ultima Death?s Blade with his Sarkor and pushed him away.

Ruby Death threw his Biting Mirage at one of the advancing Orcs with a pained grunt due to the pain from his leg. The trident flew at a small Orc, creating a trail of illusions behind it. It ripped through the Orc?s body easily, impaling him in the process. The Orc fell down with a gurgling yell as Ruby Death jumped at him to retrieve his Biting Mirage.
Paz attempted to jab his blade at Ultima Death but the warrior twisted away from it easily. He swung his Masamune Blade at Slaz again and it made contact upon his armor with a sharp clang, sparks flying.

Ruby Death quickly charged up energy for a spell, jumping high up in the air to avoid the blades of the Orcs. He floated in the air, and cast Sonic Razor at the Orcs. Several gusts of winds formed into energy blades that created a tornado in a matter of seconds. The tornado engulfed the terrified Orcs quickly and the energy blades within the tornado ripped into the Orcs? bodies easily. The spell dissipated to reveal carnage of dismembered Orc bodies. Ruby Death landed on the bridge, laughing at the remains.

Ultima Death jumped back to charge up energy for a spell, just in time to avoid G?ashnar?s blade. He cast Icicle Edge at Paz, G?ashnar, and Slaz with a yell of fury. Three jagged ice spears came from the sky with a whine from the wind rushing around them. The spears of ice ripped into them, sending extreme cold into their bodies. Then they melted away, signaling the end of the spell. Paz and G?ashnar yelled and died, unable to withstand the spell?s power. But Slaz barely made it through.

?Argh! Kwy are powerful, but I shall have my revenge soon! Fall back, Uruk-hai!? Slaz said with a grunt of pain and his army withdrew almost immediately but with grunts of complaining. Slaz followed his army shortly, limping from that spell Ultima Death cast.

The Aesir twirled his Masamune Blade in a victory dance and it disappeared from his hands. Ruby Death swung his Biting Mirage trident once in a victory dance and it disappeared from his hands. They watched the army run away from the Roaring Gorge towards the East, but they did not know that the army was heading back to Mordor to deliver the news of their failure to the Dark Lord. Ruby Death?s leg wound healed slowly in a glow of flames due to Ruby Death?s will.

?Well, that was some challenge, Ultima Death. But why didn?t thou summon thy Ultima Weapon sword?? Ruby Death asked as he neared the other side of the bridge. Ultima Death followed him, his silk black cloak fluttering in the wind.

?There wasn?t any sufficient space for me to use my Ultima Weapon sword, Ruby Death. So that?s why I had to use my Masamune Blade,? he answered Ruby Death?s question as they got through the bridge. They said nothing but walked beyond the Roaring Gorge. The roaring faded away as they trekked into more pleasant ground in contrast to the exposed, wet and harsh ground around the Gorge. They walked into a plain that had some scattered trees and several columns of smoke that dissipated into wisps in the distance.

?This must be the place that we are looking for, Ruby Death,? Ultima Death said as they kept on walking.

?Aye, I wonder what kind of people we will encounter.? Ruby Death said almost to himself as they saw some structures ahead. It was the Land of AnimA where most of the events would come to change their lives.

Chapter Nine: The Birth of the Death Clan

As the assigned Nazgul was speeding towards AnimA on his winged steed from Mordor, Ultima Death and Ruby Death were already discussing on how to form the Death Clan. They took their meetings in a large tent located in the supply depot of AnimA. The supply depot consisted of hoards of food, weapons, and wood for bonfires and the repairing of houses. It also had some tents for those who wished to watch the depot from Monsters and invading barbarians. It wasn?t much secretive, but it had to do. Keidol was also let into their meetings for the three became quick friends after the day the two warriors met him.

?Thou must be aware that we should recruit as soon as possible, Ultima Death, we already have the ranking system worked out and I am going to be the leader after we have found a small amount of recruits,? Ruby Death said. His mind was already on haywire, creating ideas and many things all at once.

?Yes! I already know that! But we must do it in stealth to keep the Dragoons oblivious of this, otherwise we would have to hurry to get things done,? Ultima Death cautioned Ruby Death and Keidol agreed by nodding his head vigorously. Soon, Ruby Death had an idea?

?I got it now! We could recruit some people from taverns and bars at their busiest days, that way, there will be little chance the Dragoons will find out,? he offered his idea to the two, which in turn agreed after doing some thinking. So they discussed on assigning names to members, taking the designation system from the Dragoons with some modifications. Keidol created a name for himself, it was Omega Death and it was unanimously agreed in an instant. From that point on, his name was already changed to Omega Death.

The evening was approaching slowly as the three finished reviewing their meeting and departed the tent to find a bar or a tavern to do some recruiting, wary of any patrolling Dragoons. They found a tavern nearby and entered casually, their boots thumping on the wooden floorboards upon their entrance. Most of the folk inside were in a drunken stupor, laughing merrily at their slurred jokes and chugging flagons of liquor that varied in degrees of alcoholic proof and age. This reminded Ultima Death and Ruby Death of their days back in Asgard, doing the same thing as the folk did in the bar.

The three scanned the place and found a drunken Dragoon by name of Earth. He wore brownish-black armor in the same fashion as Spirit?s and a sledgehammer was slung on his back for the man was neglecting his duties greatly, but his clan did not care.

?Let?s do this quickly and casual as possible, my friends. Dragoon Earth is right over there and he already sees us. But I think his mind is too drunk to realize who we are,? Omega Death said with a slight chuckle. The two Deaths said nothing but nodded their heads, acknowledging and agreeing with Omega Death?s words. The three fanned out in a spread maneuver, increasing their chances to get recruits at the same time. Ultima Death went to the bar and sat on a stool between two people that seemed to be slightly inebriated. Ruby Death placed himself next to a table of four people, pulling up a chair from another table and sitting down on it, trying his best to be sociable and to fit in. Omega Death went to the backroom of the bar to find a worker or two.

Ultima Death looked to the person on his right, his green fire eyes glowing as they scanned him. The person was actually a Demon in human form, wearing a strange type of armor that shined dully and had many weapons on him. His eyes and hair were of silver. The armor was of red, black and silver. Silver shoulder pads, red massive plate, red gauntlets, red tasset, black underclothing and shoes. The weapons were a Hell?s Wrath Wrap Blade, a sword from Hell; M-41A Pulse Rifle, taken from a human that he slew; and a 9MM Handgun that he found in the Wastelands of Hell. The Demon?s name was Slade, fifteen centuries old, capable of morphing into other forms such as a Demon Wolf, Demon Biker, and the Mana Beast. He also possessed many skills and spells that ranged from medium to powerful. In the past, he was one of the warring demons that first taught the Maia, including Sauron, how to morph into many forms limited to their knowledge, and then slew all of them except for the Dark Lord. Slade looked to Ultima Death and nodded to him as a greeting.

?Ye must be Ultima Death, if I am not mistaken? I am Slade, Demon of Hell,? he said with a smile on his face. Ultima Death smiled back, just to be courteous. He said in a low voice to Slade after looking around to make sure no one was spying on him.

?Yes, thou are correct, I am wondering if thou could join my Death Clan to rebel against the Dragoons and put some order into AnimA,? Slade thought for a while after he heard the Aesir?s offer, considering carefully.

?Nay, I reject your offer, but hear this: I shall help ye to purge the Dragoon Clan for I desire a battle. So accept my offer as an ally, Ultima Death, if not, then I shan?t help ye and watch the events unfold,? the Demon said, and the warrior accepted his offer immediately.

?Meet me in the main tent of the supply depot at tomorrow noon, Slade. There will be others alongside with me in that tent? a meeting, thou could reckon,? Ultima Death said with a faint smile that told of secret plans, and the Demon nodded his head and ended this meeting by saying aloud in a merry manner, as if being drunk: ?Yeah! This place has good beer and women around here!? Many cheers were heard and the majority of the folk raised their flagons to Slade, agreeing with him all the same. Ultima Death chuckled and called for the strongest ale to the bartender.

As the bartender slid a foaming flagon towards Ultima Death, Ruby Death was doing his best to be sociable, perhaps a bit too sociable for he had drunken two flagons of ale. The four people around the table were two women and two men. The women?s names were Sara and Heather. Sara had already begun to take an interest in Ruby Death, due to the fact that he acted cool around women; however, Heather slowly disliked him for his showy acts for she thought of him not of her type at all. Heather also had multiple personalities, complete with their own names: Kayla, and Liza. The man?s name was Mr. Joe Walsh. The other was too drunk to say his name.

Mr. Joe Walsh was a valiant man that feared nothing and never cowered to any man. He wore dark blue jeans; a pair of 12-eyelet boots, a white wife beater with zippers on the straps, and two pistol holsters strapped crisscrossing against his ribs, and an ankle-length black trench coat that billowed in the wind like a cape. He possessed two .45 pistols holstered to his ribs, a sawed-off shotgun holstered at his hips, another shotgun strapped to his back, and the Atma Blade strapped to his back as well. The Atma Blade was reputed to transform its user?s powers into itself.

Ruby Death and Joe Walsh were already in a conversation, laughing at intervals as either one jested. Now, Ruby Death had to interrupt in order to ask the man the question: ?Will thou join the Death Clan, my good friend Joe? We are going to overthrow the Dragoons as soon as possible when everything is in order to get some action,? he had to wait for Joe Walsh?s answer for Joe Walsh was already taking a long draught of his ale. Then he set it down on the wooden table with a thud, sighing in relish of the ale?s flavor.

?Aye, that sounds good! Sure, sign me up, Ruby Death. When do I meet you?? he said this with a smile on his face, eager for some action. The Aesir warrior smiled widely and told him of the arrangements for tomorrow in the same manner Ultima Death said to Slade. Joe Walsh simply nodded and finished off his flagon of ale, belched, got up from the chair and staggered out of the tavern in a drunken way as the alcohol finally took over his brain. Ruby Death chuckled slightly to himself as he watched Joe stagger out. Humans, what a pity they cannot tolerate high amounts of alcohol like Aesir do. He thought of this and chuckled once more before Sara put her arms around him, breaking his train of thought in the process. He automatically put his right hand on Sara?s arm that was draped across his chest, caressing it softly like a child feeling something soft for the first time. She was behind him, of course.

?Say, big boy? want to come over to my place and have some fun?? she offered with a light giggle and Ruby Death smiled, nodding for he accepted her offer. After all, he had done some business for now as Leader of the Death Clan. There would be always unfinished business in the future. So they got up and walked out of the tavern to some hut or a cottage for the night.

Omega Death came out of the backroom, a disappointed look on his face that told Ultima Death: ?sorry dude, no recruits for now?. Ultima Death nodded in acknowledgement and slowly finished off his flagon of the strongest ale (the flagon had triple X?s painted on it). So the warrior got up from his stool and casually went out of the tavern, still conscious of the still-drunk Dragoon Earth who could possibly be watching under a fa?ade. Omega Death simply got comfortable with himself and soon, he was chatting with some folk before he left. All of this was a ploy to throw off Dragoon Earth just in case. Had the Deaths known that Dragoon Earth was slipping into unconsciousness due to alcohol, they would have done their business quickly and without secret. But they took no chances, taking the secretive way instead.

Now trouble was brewing among the heavily inebriated, and it was starting to reach its climax, catalyzed by the verbal insults and threats. Slade happened to overhear the shouting and turned around to watch this with a wry smile on his face that turned into a smirk.

?If you don?t shut the hell up, Gohan, I?ll cave in your --? one of the drunks yelled, brandishing his right fist high above his head before he was interrupted by another one, apparently named Gohan.

?Aw, you shut up! You always say that, but you never get the guts to do me in! Come on, you coward!? Gohan taunted the drunken man still holding his fist above his head. For some reason, Fist-Above-His-Head went silent and then went berserk in a fit of rage full of fury that was focused upon? Slade. Gohan and the rest of the drunks joined in; the alcohol already destroyed their inhibitions and releasing their impulses upon something. Or someone.

Slade was not caught off-guard for he was anticipating this sort of thing. The frenzied drunken group rushed towards Slade who appeared to be relaxed on his stool. Quickly, he appeared high in the air, close to the rafters as the rushing air generated by the super fast motion ruffled his hair. The Demon pulled out his 9MM Handgun and aimed at Fist-Above-His-Head who in turn, was at a loss trying to figure out how Slade did the appearing thing. A shot was sounded and the drunken man at a loss fell backwards to the floor with a hole in his forehead that gushed crimson blood just once upon the impact of the body slamming onto the floor.

Slade quickly switched from his 9MM Handgun to his Hell?s Wrath Wrap Blade in a matter of seconds. Such demonic speed! Then the Demon fell to the bar top, landing on his feet that made a thud in the process. All of this happened when the drunks were trying to figure out two things at once: how did Slade appear, and how did Fist-Above-His-Head died so quickly. Gohan looked to Slade; blind fury in his eyes that made them seemed to have a light in them.

?You killed him! You shall pay for this!? he spat at Slade, which was chuckling at this progressing to new levels of Chaos, rage, and terror.

?I think ye shall pay for what ye have brought upon yourselves!? the Demon corrected Gohan and stumped the drunks some more due to the alcohol?s ability to induce slowness in the mind.

Without allowing Gohan or the rest of the drunks to speak their minds, Slade charged energy into his Hell?s Wrath Wrap Blade and jumped down from the bar top to the floor in a blur. Before they could react, he did Demon Horde Slash at them with a yell of glee. The sword from Hell blazed in blue flames, roaring with violent wrath as it cut down the group easily without any effort. The bodies flew away from the wake of the Demon Horde Slash in a wide half-circle radius, slamming and crashing into walls, tables, and other folk. Slade did his victory dance which was a full 360-degree slash spin, ending with the sword raised high above his head as everything settled down from the fight.

However, Dragoon Earth was roused from his drunken slumber that was progressing into a hangover, half-confused and half-surprised to see a bar fight breaking out and ending so quickly. He slowly regained his wits and composure as Slade sheathed his Hell?s Wrath Wrap Blade, wearing a slight smirk on his face as he sheathed the sword. Dragoon Earth got up clumsily and took out his sledgehammer named Terra Crusher. The Demon quickly jerked his head to the direction of Dragoon Earth readying himself to put order into this tavern by either banishing or killing Slade. The Terra Crusher hammer was all iron, shaped like a huge sledgehammer with the elemental power of Earth imbued into the hammerhead.

?Get out before you shall feel my Terra Crusher?s wrath!? Dragoon Earth yelled his ultimatum to Slade. Slade only laughed and morphed into a Demon Wolf, one of a race of perverted Wolves that dwelled in the cooler parts of Hell. The Demon Wolf possessed metallic silver fur; claws that looked like they were carved out of metal that could rip gouges into certain kinds of metal; blazing red eyes; teeth that could eviscerate creatures of fair size short of large-sized creatures and Monsters; and huge as a small-sized pony. Slade looked around in this form and loped across the tavern in two steps, crashing through the doors in order to get out. No one dared to seek out Slade afterwards due to shock, and fear.

Once all members of the Death Clan met up in the main tent of the supply depot, including the allies Slade and Sara; Ruby Death gave Mr. Joe Walsh his designated name: Atma Death. Then he breathed in to prepare himself for a speech, relaxing slightly in the process.

?Fellow Deaths and allies! Today is the day we wage war on the Dragoons: attack and crush them mercilessly and relentlessly! We will free AnimA from the corruptive rule of the Dragoon Clan and rule AnimA justly, bringing order, peace, and prosperity as well! Don thy battle gear and ready thyself for battle, comrades! We shall show them what we are made of!? Ruby Death said in a great voice, raising his right fist into the air, doing a quick motion of his right hand and his Omni Ruby Lance appeared in the hand in a blast of flames. Before the rest could get their weapons out to join Ruby Death, the tent shivered and then violently shuddered before being blown over by a powerful Wind spell.

Dragoon Cloud, and Dark stood there in the open, wearing gleeful grins on their faces as they drew their weapons. Cloud had his Heaven?s Cloud sword; Dark had his Nightshade Lance out.

?An ambush!? Ultima Death said as his green fire eyes saw this, summoning his Ultima Weapon sword into his hands from his soul, ten feet tall and five feet wide in its glory. The two Dragoons saw the warrior?s great sword and cringed slightly.

Slade took out his Hell?s Wrath Wrap Blade, spinning it in a taunting manner. Omega Death took out his Black Cross, a black and red colored claymore sword. Atma Death pulled out his Atma Blade, cackling as he did so. Sara took out her dagger, letting go of Ruby Death?s Cloak at the same time that revealed her girt in armor that was very much like Slade?s armor but feminine in some ways. The two ambushing Dragoons were now badly outnumbered: six versus two, but they had a chance of taking them all out. On the other hand, the Deaths weren?t going to let them get their chance. Yet the Dragoons jumped at the chance uselessly.

?Attack!? Cloud commanded, and Dark jumped at Omega Death, holding his Lance like an impaling tool. Omega Death dodged barely to the right and counterattacked with a swing of his Black Cross at Dark?s back. It slammed into the black armor with a dull clash! And sparks flew from the impact in a wide radius.

Ruby Death appeared in the air, hefting his Omni Ruby Lance then hurled it at Dark to keep him distracted if possible. The Lance flew down at Dragoon Dark in a whistling whine due to the air rushing around it, the flames trailing it with a crackling roar. It ripped through the armor, deep into Dark?s body from the top part of his left shoulder with a small fiery explosion. He yelled in pain as he fell to the ground, pulling the flaming Lance from his shoulder in a vain attempt. Ruby Death laughed and summoned his Lance back in his hands.

?Dragoon Dark has fallen to my blade!? Ruby Death said with an exultant laugh, raising his Omni Ruby Lance high above his head. Cloud, shocked, nearly dropped his Heaven?s Cloud sword and spat again.

?Fools! You will regret this soon!? Cloud said and ran to Dark, grabbing his shoulders despite the fallen comrade?s cries of pain. Before the Deaths had a chance to fell Cloud, Cloud pulled out a small white bag and threw it down to the ground. It exploded into a great white smoke, dissipating into air that revealed nothing but a puddle of Dark?s blood on the ground. No trails of blood could be seen anywhere. Ruby Death appeared on the ground, his boots thudding against the dirt that made a dust cloud billow around his legs due to the landing impact from his super fast motion. He picked up his Cloak dropped by Sara earlier, putting it on himself.

?Perhaps we should hunt them down in a search-and-destroy tactic?? Ultima Death offered and the Deaths agreed instantly. Thus he continued: ?Let?s fan out, people! Alert the rest of us if one of us finds them or other Dragoons! Move out!? The Deaths complied by yes sir! And spread out, searching in a hasty fashion.

After an hour of fruitless searching, Omega Death suddenly called out to his comrades, telling them that he struck the mother lode. As quickly as he barged into a building named Dragoon Lobby, the other Deaths rushed like the wind towards his direction of his call reaching there in several seconds to several minutes. The rest of the Dragoons in that building heard Omega Death?s commotion and readied themselves for an ambush just in time to see Omega Death crash through the wooden door into their main room of the Lobby. The main room happened to be a large courtyard. Omega Death got up quickly, brandishing his Black Cross sword at the surprised group now quickly taking a defensive position around Water and Dark. Water was trying her best to heal Dark of his fatal wound inflicted by Ruby Death.

Ultima Death and Ruby Death soon joined Omega Death in the room seconds later, later to be joined by Slade, Atma Death, and Sara.

?All right! Let?s rush them!? Ultima Death raised his Ultima Weapon sword to the air, answered by assenting yells of his comrades before charging into battle. The numbers were now almost even: six Deaths versus five Dragoons.

?Your head shall be mine!? Slade yelled at Earth before appearing in the air above the still-shocked Earth. But the Dragoon jumped backwards just in time to dodge Slade?s downward slash to the ground with his Hell?s Wrath Wrap Blade. So he countered by swinging his Terra Crusher hammer at the Demon?s body in a loud roaring grunt of effort. It slammed into Slade?s left side with a dull thump, hearing his ribs crack under the combined power of the sledgehammer and the Earth element altogether. He fell to the ground on his good side, yelling in pain before he got up in a flash, holding his bad side, which had black blood trickle between his fingers. Earth laughed and charged energy slowly for an attack: Terra Shockwave.

Spirit looked at Ultima Death, pulling out his rapier from his sheath with a metallic ring, metal against metal. The Aesir warrior swung his Ultima Weapon sword at Spirit, taking full advantage of its ten-foot length. Spirit tried to dodge the swing by ducking to the ground, but Ultima Death was too fast for him so the sword bit deep into his left side easily, ripping the teal armor into nearly half in a bright flash of spiritual energy.

?Yarrgh!? Spirit yelled as he fell to the ground facedown far away from Ultima Death, his jaw grinding against the stone floor of the courtyard so hard that it gave his chin a good scrape that would last for days.

Atma Death aimed his Atma Blade at Dragoon Cloud, circling around his enemy in a cocky way and then lunged himself at Cloud with hardly a grunt of effort, the blade swinging in the air towards its mark in a blur. It slammed into Cloud?s gut, burying itself deeply to inflict as much damage as possible. The Dragoon yelled a gurgling yell of pain as he was careened into the air backwards from the impact of the blade burying itself into his gut, where his armor didn?t protect. He slammed into a stone pillar with a smack! then landed on the floor, semi-conscious from the impact. Atma Death rushed towards Cloud to finish him off.

Now Water and Dark were left alone in the midst of a battle, left unprotected against any other Deaths.

Sara jumped at Dragoon Water in a flying kick attack, her foot slamming into Water?s armored chest with a slam that made her careen away from Dark which was holding onto his last strength thanks to Ruby Death. As Sara landed on the floor beside Dark recovering from her flying kick, Water got up in a flash and counterattacked with a lunging energy punch. The Dragoon?s charged fist full of Water elemental power crashed into Sara?s jaw with a wham! This made Sara fly away from her original position only to land on her back, sliding against a wall at the same time. So Water came back to Dark, quickly resuming the healing process upon the fallen comrade.

Ruby Death looked at Sara with a shocked expression on his face that soon turned into anger and vengeance. He charged up energy for a spell by spinning his Omni Ruby Lance, finally pointing it at Water and Dark, casting Meteor at them with an enraged yell of fury. The spell engulfed the two Dragoons in darkness, and multiple meteors quickly bombarded them with explosions that damaged them badly. The spell faded away after the last meteor hit Dark, making them return to the battlefield. Water cried in pain from the spell, bleeding in several places from those meteors. She got up, and ran away from the battlefield, abandoning Dragoon Dark that died from the Meteor spell.

Omega Death saw her run and started after her with a yell. He quickly slashed at her back with his Black Cross sword, but it missed by inches.

Slade rushed at Earth, which in turn, was just about to be done charging up energy for his Terra Shockwave attack. The Demon was too slow to prevent the Dragoon from unleashing the attack due to his wounded side. He was weak against the Earth element. As Slade was now three feet close to his enemy, Earth finally unleashed his attack by doing a downward swing to the ground with his Terra Crusher hammer. The charged-up sledgehammer smote the ground, releasing a large earth-shattering shockwave that ripped up the stone floor in a violent quaking motion. It slammed against Slade to the ground, critically wounding him in the process and as the shockwave dissipated throughout the Lobby, it flattened the rest of the people to the ground also.

Somehow, it only did great amounts of damage to the Deaths, leaving the Dragoons alone. Earth laughed again, but it lasted only a second as he surveyed the place, finding that most of his comrades were wounded by the Deaths. The battle was a draw, neither side won: the entire Death Clan was critically wounded, enough to pay for one loss to the Dragoon Clan.

Spirit rose slowly to his feet, clutching his wound inflicted by Ultima Death, huffing in labored breaths. The rest of the Dragoons, save Earth and Spirit, got up slowly as well and only Dark lay on the ground, dead.

?Bah! Retreat, Dragoons! We shall avenge Dark?s death by destroying the Death Clan once we are healed! We may have lost the Lobby to them, but we will not lose!? Spirit yelled with some effort, a thin trickle of blood flowing from the corner of his mouth. Then the Dragoon Leader limped his way out of the ruined Lobby, which lay in partial ruin due to Earth?s Terra Shockwave attack. His comrades followed suit, but they carried Cloud for Atma Death?s damage to his gut. Only the Deaths were alone in the open area surrounded by the ruins, lying on the ground in great pain from that attack and let sleep overtake them for the rest of the day.

As the Dragoons made their way into a small forest, one of the many scattered forests throughout AnimA, some of the townsfolk watched them with puzzlement, wonder, and worry due to the looks of the damage the members sustained. One of the watching townsfolk was Kage Masurao, a man of fair height and great wisdom. It was said that he was around three to five centuries old, and originated from a race known as Akutenshi. His hair, white, was kept short. He also had feathered wings on his back, giving him a resemblance of an angel; after all, his entire race was actually angels but far higher than ordinary angels that even the Gods trembled at the name ?Akutenshi?. Kage wore armor on his body and it had a red cape with gold trimming trailing from the back collar of the armor. The armor?s name was Armor of Kyo, forged by Kage?s father Kyo ages before he was born. He had weapons as well, but they were not with him on this day.

His eyes watched the retreating Dragoons retreat into the woods far away from the ruined Lobby with a careful keen gaze, the corners of his mouth slowly forming into an amused smile. The Deaths, he thought to himself, must?ve beaten the fools that call themselves Dragoons. So the Dragoons lost the Lobby to the Deaths? but how come the victors aren?t celebrating? There was no sound coming from within the Lobby, except the faint thundering from the skies far away that signaled the coming of rain.

Intrigued, the Akutenshi slowly made his way to the doorway of the Lobby, peering inside cautiously should any defending Dragoons left behind to watch the place ambush him and perhaps kill him. There weren?t anybody as far as Kage could tell. But he knew that if the Deaths had to leave the Lobby, they had to go through the very same doorway Kage was in. He walked through the doorway into a short hall that led him to the courtyard, still wondering why there were no sounds or any movements in this place. Finally, he got into the courtyard and found himself a strange sight: six Death members and allies lying on the cracked stone floor in deep sleep induced by the pain of the wounds inflicted by some sort of an attack.

Interesting, again he thought, one of the Dragoons must?ve unleashed one hell of an attack that damaged all of the intruders plus their Lobby as well. The skies rumbled again, this time louder as Kage knelt down next to Sara, examining her. In several seconds, rain began to pour and this made Kage get up and look up to the darkening sky. After feeling the drops land on his face, he then turned around and exited the Lobby, his curiosity satisfied and some answers given to his questions in his mind. He would get more answers in time, indeed. The rain poured harder upon the courtyard, making small pools of water form in some holes within the floor, the pitter-pattering sound growing louder until it was nearly maddening as the rain progressed into a torrent. It would be over soon. But for the Deaths? sleep, that would be over on the next day.

When the Dragoons got into the woods, they quickly healed themselves and rested for a while in the rain. Spirit was furious at the fact that the Dragons did not come to their hour of need in the battle. Vincent would get a surprise: his Clan?s base would be looted then burned to the ground soon.

The Dragoons never found the Dragons? base for they did not know that the members spread out and easily mingled within the folk of AnimA, thus making it nearly impossible to pinpoint an exact ?gathering place? for the Dragons. The Deaths were pretty good for a new Clan, but still weak enough to be destroyed. The woods they were in concealed an entryway into the Dragoon Armory, so that was the reason why they retreated to where they were right now: deep within the woods. It was also where Spirit met Jessica, his lover, some time ago. He had sent Earth to find her and bring her to him as quickly as possible before the Deaths recovered.

After two hours, the rain let up and the clouds parted to reveal the evening sky, the fading glow of the sun giving way to the darkness of the night and the soft glow of the moon?s light. Spirit lay against a tree, dozing off to sleep as rustling sounds were heard beyond him. This startled him that made him get up in a flash, unsheathing his rapier, prepared for danger. The thick forest underbrush gave way to two figures that walked into a shaft of moonlight that revealed that they were Earth and Jessica.

Jessica was a young woman with blue eyes, brown hair and slender body. She wore a dress that went down to her ankles. The Dragoon Leader saw this and sheathed his sword as Jessica rushed to hug him tight enough that made it hard for him to breathe.

?Oh Spirit! I missed you so much! I heard what happened at the Lobby, are you okay?? she asked after kissing her lover and released him from her embrace. Finally, he could breathe easily.

?Yeah, I?m okay? taught the Deaths a lesson not to mess with me!? he said with a fist raised, shaking it and then let it drop to his side. Jessica smiled and then looked around her; she noticed that Spirit and she were alone.

?Hey, where are the other Dragoons?? she asked.

?Patrol and recruit missions. I must have the advantage in numbers over the Deaths as soon as possible,? Spirit answered with an edge of anger in his voice. His hatred towards the Death Clan was growing on him and it would be his downfall in a matter of time. Jessica gave a nod of acknowledgement and then sat down on the soft ground, nearly moist from the rain. She looked up to Spirit that still stood near her.

?How come I was brought here, Spirit?? she inquired. Spirit paused before answering her.

?I was afraid that if the Deaths knew, they would?ve killed you. I didn?t want that, so I wanted you to be safe with me because I love you,? The Dragoon Leader said as he looked to the ground, closing his eyes as well. Touched, Jessica got up, walked to him and brought his face close to hers.

?I love you too, Spirit, and I will always be safe with you no matter what,? then she kissed Spirit, and soon they were embracing each other under the moon that shone upon the woods they were in.

Morning came and almost everybody was up in the Land of AnimA, and a light fog formed above the ground due to the warmth from the morning sun evaporating the moisture left over from the rain upon the ground. In the ruined Lobby, the Deaths were slowly coming out of their deep sleep, their wounds nearly healed. Ultima Death was the first one to wake up, his green fire eyes opening slowly. Assaulting light from the sun entered his eyes and made them close tightly until he got used to the brightness. So he opened them again and found out that he was lying on the floor on his back. The warrior sat up, feeling the lingering pain course throughout his body. The battle against the Dragoons? Dragoon Earth slammed his hammer to the ground? so that?s how it ended; he recalled yesterday?s events.

Ultima Death looked around as he got up, his black silk Cloak dripping water to the ground as he got up. He found his comrades lying on the ground like he was several seconds ago. He noticed wounds on them and himself as well, but the wounds were serious yesterday, so the rest healed them to bruises and small cuts today. Ultima Death charged up energy for a spell and cast White Wind on himself and the other Deaths. White energy formed in the air around them and quickly engulfed them, healing their wounds until the spell disappeared, leaving a feeling of extreme refreshment behind. This woke them up instantly. They got up slowly; groaning and stretching to get rid of the grogginess left over from the deep sleep. The Deaths sheathed their weapons after finding that their enemies had left.

?Argh! What happened to this place and the Dragoons? Don?t tell me they ran away like cowards!? Ruby Death said with a small growl from his throat. He didn?t expect anything to turn out like the way he planned, so this nearly infuriated him.

?Aye, Ruby Death, ran away they did. But they left their place to us! So don?t think of it as a bad thing, at least we have something from them and that something is this place! We could rebuild it to our whims and make it our base!? Ultima Death offered, his green fire eyes glowing in excitement of having a possible base.

?Yes, a base could be important. Give me time to gather some men skilled in construction and we shall have our base up and ready in a matter of weeks!? Omega Death added in, the other Deaths agreeing as well.

Ruby Death?s mind was now in gear, producing orders and ideas again. So he issued out orders: ?All right! After breakfast, Omega Death and Atma Death shall be in charge of reconstructing this place into our base ASAP! Slade, find the Dragoons, or whatever?s left of them and keep an eye on them. That way, thou shall warn us before they do anything to us. Sara, thou are in charge of recruiting new members and perhaps more allies as well. The Dragoons might be doing the same thing, so we must at least try to get the advantage of numbers over them as much as possible. Ultima Death, train any new members to the hardest as possible and try to organize sparring events like tournaments. I shall do the strategizing, assigning ranks, and keep the Clan in order as well,? He finished with a nod of his head, his blood-red eyes glowing softly. Ayes and yes sirs answered him instantly. The Death Clan then got to business quickly after breakfast.

Ruby Death quickly finished the ranking system, and assigned the appropriate ranks to the members from most powerful to least powerful. Ruby Death was named Grand General; Ultima Death was named Knight General; Omega Death was named Elite General; Atma Death was named Defense General; Slade and Sara weren?t given ranks because they decided to be allies.

After a few days, Slade found the Dragoons and spied on them carefully under his Demon Wolf form, sending constant reports on their progress to the Deaths. Occasionally, he would ambush them to keep them distracted from their orders and focus more upon himself from the Deaths. Soon, he found out that one of the townsfolk of AnimA was doing the same thing, but on a demoralizing way by ambush methods, sabotage, and hurting their support from AnimA. The Demon then reverted back to spying.

After several weeks, the Lobby was reconstructed and remodeled from the original fortress into a small castle with a smaller courtyard as its center. It was renamed from Dragoon Lobby to Death Castle; its glorious banners and flags of black, silver, and red with a rune that said ?Death Clan? in the center, flying in the wind with grace. Underneath the Death Castle was the underground chamber called the Lair of the Deaths. It was a huge chamber with smooth walls and floor with four columns supporting the ceiling. The only way to get into the Lair was to get behind the Throne in the Castle and push into the stone wall that would swing inward to the left, leading to a spiraling staircase of iron and mithril that wound its way down to the Lair.

Sara managed to get two recruits a few days after the Death Castle?s construction: Mach Xavier and Dark Night.

Mach Xavier was a type of robot called a Magiroid, an android gifted with strange technology that granted the usually soulless machines a soul in order to cast occult magicks. He came from Taera, a very far-away planet that was at least three times bigger than Jupiter. He was in full armor, crimson, white and gold. He had a plasma sword, and cannon on his arm called a Buster Gun. It could be said that his magick was almost as powerful, if not equal to Slade's. However, due to some complicated issues he was involved with, he was unable to fully join the Clan.

Dark Night, unlike Mach, became a full member of the Deaths and got his name changed to Emerald Death. He wore black and green armor on his body covered by emerald-green cloak that shimmered brightly under the sun. Black wrought iron armlets and greaves covered his lower arms and lower legs as well. Emerald Death possessed a thin double-bladed sword made out of emerald imbued with a spell that made it indestructible like Ultima Death?s Ultima Weapon sword, but far less ancient. The emerald blade part of the sword was forged into a small steel hilt and was given a name: Emerald Saber. It was about four feet long and five inches wide, and kept in a sheath worn diagonally on its master?s back, covered up by the emerald-green cloak. He was named Field General.

Ultima Death saw to it that all Deaths trained and sparred each other as much as possible. He wanted the Death Clan to be the mightiest Clan ever in AnimA, perhaps stronger than the Dragoon Clan. In his own opinion, the Dragoons were quite weak but still formidable. He could even take out two Dragoons in one swipe of his Ultima Weapon sword if he wanted to. He also created ways to be included in every spar and tournaments like using strategic moves, using spells to one?s advantage (he used a lot of spells in every spar and nearly won them all just by using spells), and creating staged attacks to make strategic moves and tactics successful. Ultima Death also helped Ruby Death in strategy against the Dragoons; he had Slade help the person demoralizing the Dragoons named Sephiroth DCW demoralize them further, and had the entire Clan use search-and-destroy tactics to weed out any Dragoons in AnimA. However, very few successful sightings and battles were reported for the Dragoons kept on adapting their ways of hiding and eluding their enemy after every time they were discovered (and wounded).

From the depths of the shadows, watching the Dragoons? and the Deaths? every move, were a secret organization called ZERO. It would do nothing in this war for it was simply waiting for something later on.

The Dragoons held on despite the repeated attacks from the Deaths, but it was slowly deteriorating because some members grew discontented with Spirit?s orders to remain in hiding and build up their Clan. They simply wanted to attack the Deaths to avenge the death of Dragoon Dark. Dragoon Earth left the Dragoons and retired quietly in RhyDin until the end of his days. However, the Dragoons managed to recruit three new members and made them change their names to Dragoon Ruby, Dragoon Emerald, and Dragoon Poison. After the Deaths found them and wounded them again before they fled, Dragoons Ruby and Emerald left the Clan because they feared the Deaths? quickly growing power and wrath. Poison only remained, still loyal to his rather lazy and corrupt superiors.

Ultima Death and Ruby Death both decided and agreed that the final stroke against the Dragoon Clan was now nigh. Ultima Death devised a brilliant strategy to pull off this final strike successfully: Omega Death was chosen to lead the initiative for the final strike. Emerald Death and Slade would back him up and assist him in destroying the Armory in order to expose the Dragoons. After the initiative was carried out, then Ruby Death would lead a squad to attack the exposed Dragoons. Mach Xavier, Ultima Death, and Atma Death would support him. If the enemy attempted to flee, Omega Death, Emerald Death, and Slade would prevent them from escaping, thus bottling them in.

After two days since Ultima Death devised his strategy, Spirit was now getting furious at Cloud due to the fact Cloud didn?t do anything to keep the members in and train them. So he finally reached his breaking point in his anger at Cloud, and confronted him in the Admissions Room in the Dragoon Armory. At the same time, the Deaths prepared themselves to carry out the final stroke, rushing to their positions around the small forest that hid the Dragoon Armory.

?Cloud! I?m going to kill you for not keeping our members in! Dragoon Water, Jessica, Dragoon Poison, yourself and me are the only ones left! You shall be punished greatly for your incompetence! And the punishment is death!? Spirit yelled at Cloud, pulling out his rapier from his sheath and lunged at the surprised Cloud in a blur of teal energy aura that came out of his body due to his rage.

Omega Death raised his Black Cross sword and charged up energy for his Dark Razor attack, signaling the go-ahead for the initiative. Slade quickly charged up energy for a spell and unleashed Ultima at the forest; the star appearing above it and gathering great amounts of energy until it exploded, sending a powerful green energy blast that leveled the forest to the ground. The gold flames as a result from the impact created by the green energy blast of the Ultima spell burned the remains of the forest that lasted several seconds after the spell faded away. The Armory was now clearly exposed to the open and slightly damaged from the spell.

Omega Death then unleashed his Dark Razor attack at the Armory in one wide swing of his sword, the great crescent-shaped black energy rushing towards its target in a roaring sound with a violent wrath.

The ground shook from the explosion of the Ultima spell as Spirit?s rapier was pierced through Cloud?s gut and spine as well. Cloud wore an expression of shock and pain as he looked to the sword in his gut. Spirit then twisted the sword and that made Cloud cry out in pain. The Dragoon Leader was wearing a satisfied toothy grin on his face.

?Why, Spirit? Why?? the second-in-command uttered before yelling out again as Spirit then pulled out his sword from Cloud?s gut, his blood dripping slightly from the blade to the floor. Cloud fell to his knees and Spirit raised his rapier to behead Cloud just before Omega Death?s Dark Razor attack slammed against the Armory. The impact nearly destroyed the place with black energy flames that embraced their target in a writhing fashion before fading out.

As the Dark Razor faded away, Spirit then swung his rapier, beheading Cloud quickly and painlessly as he barely registered the shakings of the ground from Omega Death?s attack. He laughed out loud, his anger satisfied with the death of Cloud as Emerald Death proceeded to use his attack to finish off the Armory.

?I can do better than that, Omega Death!? Emerald Death said with a chuckle and focused his energies into his Emerald Saber that glowed bright green from all that energy being focused into it. Then he quickly pointed the Saber at the heavily damaged Armory and unleashed Emerald Beam at it, a large red-gold energy beam blasting from the weapon with a shrill sound. The beam ripped into the building, making a great red explosion upon impact that the explosion?s sheer force shredded the place into pieces, fully exposing the last Dragoons: Spirit, Poison, and Water.

Jessica was in AnimA; totally unaware of the Deaths? final attack upon the Dragoons as she hung her washed clothes on a clothesline to be dried out in the sun.

?What the hell was that?? Spirit shouted as he got up from the floor, looking around to find himself in the open, his Armory no more but a smoldering char in the middle of the leveled forest ground. Poison got up nearby and ran to him, a horrified expression on his face.

?The Deaths are upon us! We must flee now, my Lord!? he said in an frightened voice, but Spirit paid no heed to him as he saw Omega Death, Emerald Death, and Slade moving around the edge of the leveled forest. They are bottling us up! Spirit thought. Water got up slowly, seeing all of this happening around her. She shook her head and said this: ?I cannot take this anymore! I quit the Dragoons, Spirit!? then she teleported out of the place in a beam of Water energy towards the sky, being a Water Elemental she was.

Ruby Death appeared in the air several yards away from Spirit and Poison and after several seconds, he was joined by Ultima Death, Mach Xavier, and Atma Death in the air (Atma Death was trained how to appear in the air and on the ground). Ruby Death made his Biting Mirage Trident appear in his hands; his Ruby Cloak fluttering in the air around his body as his blood-red eyes glowed in anticipation of a battle.

Ultima Death made his Ultima Weapon sword appear in his hands, ten feet tall and five feet wide in its glory that glowed with the spirit of Ultima Weapon within. His green fire eyes were glowing as a smirk formed on his face.

Mach Xavier activated his Buster, hovering in the air with his boots that emitted energy from the soles in order to keep him afloat in the air.

Atma Death took out twin pistols from his holsters that held them, fastened by straps that held secure. He cackled as he cocked his pistols, taunting as usual.

?The fight with thee is mine, Dragoon Spirit!? Ruby Death said as he hefted his Biting Mirage for a throwing attack, thus signaling the second part of the final strike to commence. Spirit?s energy aura formed around his body, readying himself for battle.

?I don?t think so, Ruby Death! Die!? the Dragoon Leader said, as he jumped at Ruby Death in a teal blur, swinging his rapier in the process. The Grand General appeared on the ground and counterattacked by throwing the great gravity-powered Trident at Spirit with a grunt of effort. The Biting Mirage flew at the Dragoon in a trail of illusions, ripping into his left thigh violently. He screamed in pain as he fell to the ground with a thud, the Trident wedged into his left thigh.

Dragoon Poison took out a dagger laced with venom within and aimed at Ruby Death. Before he could sling it at the Grand General, Mach Xavier quickly fired three plasma spheres at him from his buster. The spheres slammed into Poison that made small explosions upon impact, making him fall to the ground on his side.

Ultima Death flew at Poison lying on the ground, pulling back his great sword of crystal, his Cloak fluttering wildly behind him as he closed in on Poison. Poison quickly got up; attempting to jump away from Ultima Death but the Knight General swung his sword in an eerie speed, the sword slamming into his ribs hard with force that made blood fly from the place where the blade ripped into. Due to Poison?s low level of endurance and stamina, he died as he fell to the ground again, yelling his death cry as Ultima Death?s Ultima Weapon sword quickly absorbed Poison?s blood into itself.

?Dragoon Poison has fallen to my blade!? Ultima Death said as he spun his Ultima Weapon sword in a victory dance, his comrades cheering in applause. Only Dragoon Spirit was left, so the Deaths formed a loose circle around Spirit and Ruby Death.

?I shall avenge Ruby Death if he falls to the blade of Spirit!? Omega Death said, his expression solemn and watchful. Such loyalty!

?Nay Omega Death! All of us shall avenge him!? Ultima Death corrected him, and the rest of the Deaths assented, raising their weapons at the same time.

Spirit got up on the ground, the bright teal energy aura engulfing his body as he ripped the Biting Mirage from his thigh with a pained yell. Casting it aside, he then flew up into the air, sprouting wings of energy from his back as he executed his transformation. He wouldn?t go down that easily! Ruby Death summoned his Trident back into his hands, smirking at the transformation of Spirit. The Dragoon Leader focused all energies into himself quickly that expanded his aural energy greatly.

?Bah! Thy power is still weak compared to mine, Spirit! This time, thou shall die now!? he said with a chuckle as he charged up energy for a spell. Before he could cast a spell, Spirit unleashed a huge energy beam at him with a yell of fury. The teal energy beam slammed into Ruby Death with a great explosion of spiritual energy that engulfed him for further damage. This made him lose the charged up energy into the air with a hissing sizzle as he stumbled backwards, but not falling down. The spiritual energy faded away slowly. Ruby Death laughed at the pain he was feeling from this attack. Spirit was now engulfed in a great sphere of spiritual energy that made him look like he was covered up by a great teal fireball.

?Ha! Ha! That tickles, Spirit! Was that the best thou can do, puny weakling?? the Grand General laughed as he taunted Spirit. This enraged Spirit.

?I?ll show you PUNY!? Spirit yelled in great anger and then hurled himself at Ruby Death, leaving a trail of crackling energy that lingered in the air from the teal fireball engulfing his body. He slammed into Ruby Death, the fireball around his body exploding upon impact that created a small crater on the ground. The impact scattered the loose circle of Deaths to the ground as the energy upon the crater faded away quickly, revealing Spirit standing on the bottom of the crater, Ruby Death lying on the ground outside of the crater, dazed.

The Grand General recovered quickly and appeared high in the air, charging energy into his left hand that formed a basketball-sized sphere of red-gold energy that was beyond pure Fire Element, later to be discovered as Heat Element later on.

?That was powerful; Spirit, but that did not impress me at all! Allow me to show thee I am far more powerful than thee!? he threw down his left hand, unleashing Mirage Flare at Spirit in the process. The red-gold sphere of Heat energy flew at Spirit in a roaring crackle of violent wrath in great speeds that made it almost look like a beam instead of a sphere.

Unable to dodge the Mirage Flare, Spirit took it in the chest quite hard enough to be thrown out of the crater due to the power of the impact from the Mirage Flare. He yelled as it exploded in a fireball of Heat energy that scorched him very badly, so badly that his armor turned into hot ash and fell away in pieces of embers with flames engulfing them. He died as a burned corpse as he landed on the ground with a crackling thud that seemed to echo throughout the place.

?Victory is mine!? Ruby Death yelled as he swung his Biting Mirage Trident and held it high above him in one hand in a victory dance, disappearing from his hands into his soul. The Deaths cheered for Ruby Death, celebrating their victory over the Dragoons. The Death Clan destroyed the Dragoon Clan; thus winning the First of the Four Wars of AnimA that lasted a month.

Chapter Twelve: Second of the Four Wars of AnimA: The Great War (Deep Space Army versus Death Clan)

Sauron, the Dark Lord of Mordor where the Shadows lie, watched through the eyes of his flying Nazgul high above AnimA, seeing Ruby Death issue out orders to his Clan and then looked to the fleeing Dark Templar reaching the ancient site. He decided to wait and watch to see if Asad would destroy Ultima Death and Ruby Death in hopes to ally with Asad and take over AnimA in order to expand his own power to invade RhyDin.

A sudden thought occurred to Sauron: What if Asad decides to keep AnimA to himself and tries to destroy me? He could, but not easily for the Dark Lord was far older and powerful than Asad in terms of strength and sorcery. Sauron could manipulate Asad and use him as he pleased if given the chance. Plus, he had multitudes of Orcs and a small number of highly trained Nazgul to back him up so there was a very slight chance Asad could kill Sauron.

Content with this in mind, he smiled a grim smile and watched the Deaths get into action hastily as Asad planned in the safety of the ruins as the day progressed into evening. A small yet barely perceptible flash of blue light caught his Nazgul?s keen eyes and Sauron directed the Nazgul to fly to the place where the flash took place and scan the area. The Nazgul obeyed and commanded his flying featherless steed to take him to the site where Ruby Death killed Dragoon Spirit. Soon, through the eyes of the Nazgul, the Dark Lord saw the crater and the burnt corpse of Spirit nearby. He instantly recognized a new figure kneeling next to the corpse. It was Dragoon Water. The Nazgul then went into a lazy circle, keeping an eye on this forming event, still unnoticed for he was very high up in the air.

Dragoon Water was kneeling next to Spirit?s corpse and she was on the verge of grieving over his death. She had begun to take a liking towards her superior despite the fact Spirit was already taken. But now, where is his lover? Gone to some nameless realm to the end of her days, perhaps. Tears welled up within Water?s eyes and she blinked them away as she made a shuddering sigh. She could revive Spirit; she was the Dragoons? appointed healer after all. It would take almost all of her strength, because she had no experience with reviving let alone spells that could do the reviving. But those kinds of spells only worked on the very recently dead.

She charged up energy and whispered an incantation that created an aura of Water energy, her base element she mastered easily early in her life, around her. Water then touched Spirit?s corpse, transferring the Water-charged energy aura from her into the corpse that glowed light blue to dark blue afterwards. She willed the aura to heal the corpse back to its original state and the aura glowed brightly, concealing it for a moment until it revealed Spirit?s body healed. It also restored the teal armor as well.

The final phase of the revival was now at hand. Water concentrated her own life energy into her hands, and twin spheres of blue-green spiritual energy formed around her hands that lit up the place around her and Spirit in a small radius. She placed her hands on the body and instantly, the energy spheres transferred into the body and became absorbed in a matter of seconds. Water pulled her hands away and sat on the ground, nearly blacking out from spending so much energy in this process.

Spirit woke up; a slight gasp from his mouth as his soul entered into his body. Suddenly and very violently, his memories came back to him, flooding his mind with events from the start of his life to his death by Ruby Death?s spell. Wasn?t he supposed to be dead? He sat up quickly and looked at himself, patting his body with his hands in disbelief. No, it can?t be! Ruby Death?s spell must have scorched me! I felt the intense heat burning into me! He was on the verge of being hysterical with disbelief when he looked up to see Water sitting next to him. That answered his questions. She had simply revived him.

?Water? You revived me? Never mind about that, what happened to the Dragoons? Did they scatter or did they try to avenge my death?? Spirit asked, hoping against the fact his Dragoons were destroyed. He saw Water?s downcast face despite the darkening light from the evening sky and saw his answer instead.

?Dammit! It can?t be!? he got up in a flash and paced around the ground restlessly, debating on what to do next: either renew the Clan or join the Deaths. Eventually, he made up his mind and looked to Water, still sitting on the ground, her face now somewhat expectant.

?I have decided to join the Deaths, Water. I release you from your servitude to me and free to do whatever you wish,? the former Dragoon Leader said and Water started, but fell silent, accepting this with no word but got up and walked away towards the direction of RhyDin. She was never seen again. Spirit then turned to the direction of AnimA and walked towards it, stumbling a little for he was still recovering from his death. The evening turned into night.

The next day, the people had a communal bonfire and they decided to let this last for a day twice per month. They were beginning to pull together, but still not quite united as a whole because their land was rugged and they were too spread out. Total unity could not be done, and never will be. The folk lacked crucial knowledge to politics; sure they had little, but not enough to wisely govern as a whole. They were simply laid-back, allowing others that were strong-minded and possessed power such as the Death Clan and Asad to rule the folk. Some considered and even favored for Asad to be Ruler of AnimA while others wanted the Deaths to govern and protect AnimA at the same time. Ruby Death, Grand General of the Deaths, repeatedly declined their recommendations and kept on pressing them to govern themselves and let the Clan protect them from invaders. Invaders rarely attacked AnimA, and when they did, they came from RhyDin or less-known areas that remained nameless in the folks? legends until much later on.

At the communal bonfire at late morning, the folk had their fill of breakfast and was about to commence the festivities (an idea that was approved almost unanimously). Atma Death was seen leaning upon a small oak tree that was emerging from its sapling phase in its long life, he was chatting with two people, Musashiden and Nikki.

?? Hope you get some fun today, Atma. Will you be able to stick around for the night? I hear we are going to have a dance around the fire tonight!? Nikki said in an excited manner. Atma Death smiled and considered her offer. Musashiden nodded to a person passing by, raising his cup of ale as a greeting, and then looked back to the two.

?Hmm, a dance coming up tonight? Maybe I will be there if I?m not too busy,? he said and Nikki squealed with delight, jumping up and down. She was a teenage girl, a young one, of course.

?I hope so! We will have so much fun tonight!? she gushed and Atma Death smiled politely, nodding as he got up from leaning on the tree. He looked around and looked back to Musashiden and Nikki, looking apologetic.

?I?m sorry, but I must depart to attend my duties Ultima Death has ordered me to do. Hope to see you tonight,? he nodded and the two said their good-byes. Atma Death walked past them towards the direction of the Death Castle. He really didn?t have orders from Ultima Death; he just said that to get away from them. Especially Nikki. She was too effusive and too young according to his preferences in women. But he did have orders from Ruby Death and they were, according to his rank as Defense General, to oversee activities near the Castle and put a stop to any that deemed odd or suspicious. There weren?t any such activities yet. As he was only one-fourths across from the festivities to the Castle, he saw a familiar figure in teal armor watching him. Isn?t that??

?Spirit?? Atma Death stopped in his tracks and looked to the former Dragoon Leader. He slowly reached for his shotgun strapped on a belt and a shotgun shell upon his ammo sash across his body armor. Spirit walked towards him slowly, wary.

?No need for rash moves, Atma Death. I was revived and I have decided to join your Clan. Take me to your leader,? he asked in a soft voice, as if the people close by would overhear everything despite their loud conversations and raucous laughter. Atma Death quickly took out the shotgun from the belt, brandishing it at Spirit.

?Leave before I will kill you! You will not get to my Lord! I will not let you have your vengeance!? he yelled and Spirit stopped.

?Fool, Ruby Death is far stronger than me. How could I possibly kill him? I only wish to serve him out of humility,? persuaded Spirit. Atma Death considered very carefully. He then put his shotgun in its slot in the belt.

?I will not take you to my Lord. You will have to meet him yourself sometime,? said the Defense General and he hastened towards the Castle, not letting Spirit say another word. He entered the Castle and looked for Ruby Death. Eventually, he found Ruby Death and Ultima Death strategizing for war against Asad in the Lair of the Deaths. They looked to him.

Atma Death knelt down on one knee, putting his hands together, the left hand covering the right fist as he bowed his head down.

?My Lords Ruby Death and Ultima Death. Forgive me for the interruption, but I bring urgent news: Dragoon Spirit was sighted in the vicinity of the folk around the bonfire. He has approached me, requesting me to take him to you to let him join the Clan, Ruby Death. I made him meet you by himself,? he got up, standing ramrod straight.

?What? Impossible! I killed the fool! I killed him with the Mirage Flare spell! Are thou saying he was revived?? Ruby Death asked, surprised and disbelieving at the same time.

?Aye, my Lord. Someone close to him must have some skill with the art of healing,? Atma Death said, and as he said this, he was in deep thought, trying to find out who would have revived Spirit.

?Let us find him, comrades and find out what his intentions are to be,? Ultima Death suggested and the two agreed at once, so they set out to find Spirit. They found him not too far away from the Castle. Ruby Death bade the two to act as guards for he would approach Spirit. As Spirit saw the Leader of the Death Clan coming towards him, flanked by his Knight General and his Defense General, he got up and met Ruby Death.

?Maybe you are thinking that this is some trick. This is not a trick for I was revived by Dragoon Water,? Spirit said.

?Hmm, so the Dragoons are not wholly destroyed, eh?? Ruby Death inquired. Spirit only shook his head.

?No, I bade Water to be free and renounced myself the rank as Leader of the Dragoons. So the Dragoons are no more and I wish to join your Clan out of humility.?

Ruby Death thought of this carefully and then waved away Spirit, saying this at the same time: ?Nay, I am still wary for thou could be leading this ruse. Thou will not join my Clan, and I could care less if thou go over to Asad.?

Spirit was taken aback but composed himself by nodding silently and he left the three towards the bonfire. He already vowed to himself that he would help the Deaths no matter what if he was recruited or not. The three Deaths retired to their Castle and did their own ways for several days.

During the course of several days, Asad came out of hiding and issued propaganda for everyone in AnimA to join his newly formed army named Deep Space and there would be high ranks to the ones that came to him first. A score of the townsfolk flocked to him and they were enlisted in the Army. Among the first ones, Sephiroth DCW and a person by the name of Icy Fire received high ranks: Icy Fire being Great Commander and Sephiroth DCW being Vice-Commander. They were only subordinate to Asad who named himself Leader of Deep Space Army.

Asad quickly gave lesser ranks ranging from Private to Major to the rest of the ones that enlisted in his Army and bade them to recruit as much as possible. Soon, the Army contained fifteen soldiers and Asad wanted more, but Icy Fire remonstrated by saying: ?Lord, if you keep on recruiting, there will be no order within our Army. I would recommend that we stop recruiting for the moment and set up rules suitable to keep order within our Army.? Asad agreed and set up rules for the Army to follow and got them to training each other. The Dark Templar was confident in his Army; he had the advantage of numbers over the Deaths: fifteen to five. And after his Army would be trained sufficiently, he would have strength over the Deaths as well. AnimA would be his in a matter of time, and he was sure of that.

The Deaths, hearing the news of Asad?s Army flourishing, set out to recruiting and managed to get one recruit: Crimson. Asad took most of the potential recruits.

Crimson was of six feet and three inches, had deep black eyes, long blood red hair, and long fangs protruding from his mouth. He possessed chain mail on his body with black vest armor over it and a black cape with a red inside that faced his body over the armor. Crimson also possessed two swords: Crimson Sword of Fate and Krimson Katana. The Crimson Sword of Fate was a short bastard sword made out of Adamantine with an emerald in the hilt, giving it a power to inflict poison-based attacks. The Krimson Katana was a short katana that could be split in two and thus increased Crimson?s speed quite a bit. He had a dark and secretive personality, yet he would show nobility at times for he loathed people that attacked women. Ruby Death gave him his new name: Crimson Death and was assigned as Major.

But the Clan was not alone without allies; they still had Mach Xavier, Slade, and Sara. The Deaths gained another ally by the name of Blue Mystic Tear. Ultima Death had to fight Mystic and in the end, both gained neither advantage to the other. At the end of the fight, Mystic decided to leave AnimA for a little time, but promised at the return, he would help the Deaths in any way. So the Clan now had six members, and four allies, totaling in ten that was almost even with Asad?s numbers within his Army. Those events lasted nearly a week.

Asad, the Dark Templar, sat upon his chair and looked to his two subordinates with a glow in his orange eyes. He was eager to commence the first strike against the Death Clan. Behind the subordinates were three rows of each five soldiers, standing at attention and awaiting orders from their Lord. Asad disciplined and trained every one of them by himself and he was anxious but eager to show off his main body of the Army?s strength. The soldiers wore dark blue armor, and each had blue metal shields with a silver insignia that represented Deep Space Army. They also had their own weapons, mostly swords and staffs of simple design.

Icy Fire and Sephiroth, you two shall be my bodyguards for I will personally lead this first strike. At my signal, the main body will attack the Deaths with all they got. The mages will serve as support, to keep the attackers going with healing spells. They will also use offensive spells as well. I will target the leader of the Deaths. Move out people! Asad ordered his Army and they complied. The whole Army moved from the ruins of AnimA, which was now halfway reformed as a barracks and armory of Deep Space. It was simply named Deep Space with Asad as its ruler. Soon, the host moved to the grasslands and waited for the Deaths to meet them.

Within the Lair of the Deaths, the Deaths and allies were already gearing up to meet Asad?s Army. Sara wasn?t there on this day. She wished to be no longer a part of the Deaths as an ally. Since after the First War, she couldn?t take it anymore, but she still loved Ruby Death.

?Comrades, today will be an all-out battle. No strategy is needed, just brute strength. We will show them the might of the Death Clan!? Ruby Death said; raising his Omni Ruby Lance to the air and the rest joined by raising their weapons and cheered. Quickly after, the Clan rushed out of the Castle towards the grasslands; their spirits high and thunderous war cries could be heard quite a distance. The Deaths stopped ten yards before the Army and took their battle stances.

Asad looked to the Clan and chuckled to himself. He pointed his right hand at Ruby Death, and a Wrap Blade extended from the hand, a bright-greenish color.

Ruby Death! Your head is mine! The Dark Templar yelled. The Aesir warrior laughed in reply.

?Fool! Thou shall be sorry thou underestimated my Death Clan! Comrades! Attack!? at this call, the Deaths and allies surged forward, rushing towards the Army with war cries as they closed the gap between themselves and the Army. The Army charged as well.

Ultima Death lunged at a group of three soldiers, swinging his Ultima Weapon sword at them with a yell of effort. The crystal blade ripped into all three of them easily due to its size and length, and the three were careened to the ground with wide and deep gashes in their bodies regardless of their armor. He looked around for new targets and saw a soldier rushing at him with a sword raised high in the air. The Knight General appeared in the air, avoiding the soldier?s attack.

Omega Death rushed at Asad, pulling back his Black Cross sword for a mighty swing. One of Asad?s bodyguards, Icy Fire, jumped in and blocked Omega Death?s swing with his blade infused with two elements: Fire and Ice. Icy Fire pushed the Elite General away and proceeded to counterattack, but Omega Death jumped into the air. He landed on the ground with his sword poised for a downward swing and that hit Icy Fire with some damage for he was close enough for the downward swing to hit. The bodyguard of Asad stumbled backwards and held his shoulder that bore the brunt of Omega Death?s downward swing.

Atma Death ran at a soldier with the Atma Blade in his hand, watchful of the soldier?s movements. The soldier saw Atma Death rushing towards him with a sword in his hand, so he raised his shield before his attacker would hit him. But seeing that happen, the Defense General flipped up into the air and landed on the soldier?s head feet first. The unfortunate soldier fell to the ground with a yelp of pain coupled with an audible crunch of neck bones from Atma Death?s leather-shod feet slamming into his head.

Six soldiers rushed at Emerald Death, swinging their swords in the process. The Field General deftly blocked their swings with his Emerald Saber, sparks flying from the point of impact each six swords clashing against the Emerald Saber. Seeing an opening, he countered by doing a 180-degree slash that hit all six soldiers with some force. Only one fell, and Emerald Death swung his Saber twice at the five soldiers that blocked in turn.

Crimson Death swung his Crimson Sword of Fate at four rushing soldiers, keeping his ground. The blade sliced into all four soldiers and they fell to the ground, dead. The Major then charged towards Asad, pushing down any soldiers that tried to stop him with his left hand, the right hand holding his sword. Sephiroth DCW saw Crimson Death charging towards his Lord, so he stepped in and charged up energy for a spell. He cast Shadow Flare at Crimson Death, just moments before he could reach Asad. Total whiteness took over the surroundings and the people were blacked out, contrasting against the total whiteness. Black energy engulfed Crimson Death, entering his body and concentrated until it exploded into black flames that rushed outward from his body with a shrieking roar. The force of the spell knocked Crimson Death backwards to the ground as the whiteness faded back to normal, everything as they should have been with the exception of the spell?s target wounded on the ground.

Mach Xavier jumped high into the air and hovered there, surveying the battlefield. He saw Emerald Death struggling with five soldiers so he charged up energy into his X-Buster until there was a basketball-sized sphere of energy and unleashed it at the soldiers. The energy sphere slammed into the ground that exploded into a dome-like shockwave, knocking the soldiers away from his ally. Then the Android hurled himself from his position in the air to the ground in front of Emerald Death, taking out his plasma sword, and took a defensive stance.

Slade, the Demon from Hell, took out his M-41A Pulse Rifle and rushed into the fray, the lust of battle taking him over. He saw five soldiers rushing towards him, each possessing simple wooden staffs that crackled with lightning energy. Mages, eh? Slade thought, smirking as he brought up his Pulse Rifle at the rushing mages that unleashed great bolts of lightning at him with a hissing crackling sound. The bolts slammed into the Demon, embracing him with electrocuting power that made him yell in pain. The embracing bolts faded away, leaving him kneeling on the ground on one knee, panting. He got up, heedless of the electrocution he had received. The lightning spells were strong, but the Demon felt stronger spells before. Slade opened fire on the mages with his Pulse Rifle, the bullets streaming through the air until they punched through the mages easily. They fell down to the ground, dead.

Asad watched the battle fall into the favor of the Deaths slowly with shock in his glowing orange eyes. His Army was almost eradicated, with the exception of his subordinates repelling Omega Death and Crimson Death. Slowly, anger overtook the initial shock and Asad recalled his subordinates to headquarters. He would deal with this rabble personally.

Ruby Death also recalled his Clan, but they remained behind him, ready to guard him at any moment.

?Ha! Ha! Thy Army is too weak, pitiful creature!? Ruby Death called out and this made Asad?s temper finally take over.

One versus one, fool! We will see who will win this fight! Asad hissed. His Psionic aura charged up around his body, charged up to the point the energy radiated away from Asad in bolts. Ruby Death accepted the challenge eagerly. The Deaths cheered for him.

The Grand General stood in front of the Dark Templar, holding his Omni Ruby Lance in both hands. Asad got his Wrap Blades extended from his hands, charging them with Psionic energy, so that they had green flames upon them. Ruby Death charged at Asad, his Lance poised for an impaling attack. Asad quickly flipped over the Aesir warrior, dodging his attack all the same, spun around to face his back and slashed at his back with his Wrap Blades. The twin Blades ripped into Ruby Death?s back, ripping his ruby-studded Cloak and gashing his armor in the process. All of this happened in two seconds for Asad possessed god-like speed. The Grand General fell forward to the ground from this attack with a yell of pain. How in the fires of Muspellheim did he do that? Ruby Death thought as he flipped up from the ground, landing on his feet afterwards. Ignoring the pain inflicted upon his back, he quickly charged up energy for a spell. Turning around despite the pain, he cast Ultima at Asad by spinning his Lance and pointing it at Asad. An energy-gathering star appeared above Asad, expanding with absorbing energy until it exploded. The explosion unleashed a green energy blast that slammed into the Dark Templar with force, creating gold flames upon impact. Asad only stumbled backwards, chuckling a little before he blasted a beam of Psionic energy at Ruby Death. The beam slammed into him with the same god-like speed. Yelling in pain, he fell to the ground hard.

Ultima Death, seeing this happen, could not let his brother-in-arms die, bade the Deaths to attack Asad. The Deaths rushed at Asad, intent on saving their Lord from his death. Asad turned around to face them, only chuckled as he charged up energy within his Psionic aura. The Knight General saw this and appeared high in the air above Asad, and then appeared next to Ruby Death.

?Brother, avenge my death!? the Grand General said, already in the pretense that he was dying. He wasn?t, of course, but close to it.

?Nay brother! Thou are getting out of this alive!? Ultima Death said, picking up Ruby Death and slung him over his shoulder. He turned around, just in time to see Asad unleash a wall of Psionic energy at the rest of the Clan. The energy wall slammed into them, knocking them far away from Asad to the ground. Asad laughed and turned around to face his fallen adversary. To his surprise, he saw Ultima Death carrying Ruby Death on his shoulder.

Thinking about running away from me? Die! The Dark Templar yelled, green flames erupting from his Wrap Blades. He charged at them, pulling back his Blades for an attack. Ultima Death managed to jump up high into the air, but Asad got in a gash into his left Orihalcon Greave with his flaming Wrap Blade at the same time. His left shin also bore the brunt of the blade?s force. Ultima Death countered by swinging his Ultima Weapon sword at Asad, the double-edged crystal blade nicking into Asad?s chest for he nearly dodged it. The Knight General then appeared before the fallen Deaths, and landed on the ground, charging up energy for a spell. Asad was now rushing towards the Clan and at the same time, White Wind was cast upon the Clan, including Ultima Death and Ruby Death. The spell healed all of them.

?Get up, comrades! Scatter and return to the Castle in an hour!? Ultima Death yelled, and the members and allies complied, running away in all directions. Only Ultima Death and Ruby Death remained. Asad was closing the distance in seconds and despite his exhaustion from appearing and bearing the weight of his brother-in-arms on his shoulder, he leaped into the air and hovered towards the Castle as fast as he could with diminishing energy. Asad stopped and watched his fleeing enemies with anger smoldering in his orange eyes.

As the entire Deep Space Army was gathering around Asad in the heart of the ruins, Mach Xavier and Slade rushed towards the Death Castle to bring the news of the sudden activity within Deep Space. They were admitted inside and got to Ruby Death and Ultima Death in the Lair of the Deaths.

Both of the Aesir looked to the Android and the Demon entering the Lair, their strategizing interrupted for the moment. They wondered what happened outside.

?Ruby Death and Ultima Death! You better get your Clan ready for another battle with Asad!? Mach Xavier said, panting between words as he skidded to a stop before the long table. The Aesir got up from their chairs before the long table, wearing looks of surprise and consternation on their faces.

?Deep Space is gearing up for another attack. I can sense a great power within the ruins, and I?m willing to stake my life that Asad has something to do with it,? Slade added in before the warriors could say anything. They were silent for a few moments and then Ruby Death nodded to the allies, a solemn look on his face. He was going to meet Asad and his Army right here and now.

?All right, get thee ready for battle and meet the enemy immediately! We will catch up with thee,? the Grand General ordered and the allies complied, hastily getting out of the Lair and the Castle to get ready. Ruby Death looked to Ultima Death, an eyebrow raised in question.

?How could Asad have something to do with a great power within the ruins?? he asked.

?I don?t know, brother. But I daresay that we should be wary and see for ourselves once we meet his Army. Remember the first battle? We rushed head-on and nearly finished off his Army, but we got our asses kicked by Asad himself. This time, I believe that Asad may have put in a serious effort into his Army. We should be cautious this time and be on defense,? the Knight General warned.

?Aye, I agree with thee. Let us get ready and do battle!? Ruby Death said, a grin forming on his face, his blood-red eyes glowing. The entire Death Clan geared up for battle and marched out of the Death Castle towards the fields which their allies waited upon them.

Thunderheads formed in the darkening sky, the rumblings of thunder warning of an approaching thunderstorm. ZERO watched the Death Clan and their allies converge into one as a whole army that represented AnimA: Ruby Death, Ultima Death, Omega Death, Atma Death, Emerald Death, and Crimson Death as the Deaths; Mach Xavier, and Slade as the allies. After a moment, this small army descried Deep Space approaching towards them, and they could see a great and brilliant aura of blue light leading the main body of the Army. The aura undoubtedly belonged to Asad, the Dark Templar and Leader of Deep Space. The Deaths and allies sensed a great amount of power that was coming from Asad and doubt had crossed their minds. But their resolve to wipe out Asad and Deep Space made them stay their ground. They wanted AnimA to remain free, to be ruled by its folk alone, not by a dictator like Asad who sought for power.

About twenty yards, Asad and his Army stopped before the Deaths and allies. A great clap of thunder sounded and rain began to pour down fast. Both sides scanned each other and took out their weapons.

Ruby Death summoned his Biting Mirage Trident into his hands from his soul, an aura of afterimages of itself surrounding its monstrous sixty-pound form. Ultima Death summoned his Ultima Weapon sword into his hands, ten feet tall and five feet wide in its glory. Omega Death took out his newest weapon which he forged by himself, the Omega Scythe. It was a seven-foot tall scythe with a long curving blade of double edges five feet long upon the smooth, thick shaft that served as the Scythe?s ?handle? for swinging and spinning. An aura of Darkness emitted from the curved blade in a seeping fashion in several shades of colors: pink to purple to black. Atma Death took out his twin pistols from their holsters and cocked them. Emerald Death drew his Emerald Saber from its sheath, it glowing green light. Crimson Death took out his Krimson Katana and split it into two, one in each hand. Slade got his Hell?s Wrath Wrap Blade out; charging energy into it so that it glowed with the Demon?s blue Chi. Mach Xavier took out his beam saber, the bright green blade pulsing with energy.

Asad extended his Wrap Blades from his hands, and charged his intensified Psionic energy into them. Green flames exploded from the blades and burned upon them with such power. Glitch whipped out his long spear, spinning it around him until he got it to his right side, smirking arrogantly. Steve drew his broadsword from its scabbard, the metal blades reflecting lightning brilliantly as thunder sounded. Icy Fire took out his sword that had Fire and Ice elements imbued into it, scorching hot flames and deathly cold vapors coming out of the double edges of his sword. Sephiroth DCW drew his Masamune Blade out, it was very much like Ultima Death?s except Sephiroth had his own Blade forged here on Midgard. The soldiers had their standard issue blades and spears of simple design. They had no shields this time, but they were trained to defend by using their weapons like true warriors. Deep Space had now thirty troops plus five high officers.

?Attack!? Ruby Death commanded, and the Deaths and allies rushed forward to meet Deep Space.

Kill them all! Asad yelled, and his Army rushed to meet the oncoming onslaught of the Deaths and allies. The war cries of both sides nearly drowned out the sound of thunder, lightning, and rain as they clashed against each other.

Mach Xavier quickly charged up energy for a spell and casted Triple upon himself. Bright pink geometric lines appeared around his body and glowed white at some corners of the lines, enabling him to cast any spell three times in a row. After the Triple spell faded away, he did a wide sweeping slash with his energy saber as he rushed into the front lines of the main body of the Army. Five soldiers fell before his energy saber with deep burning gashes in their guts. The Android then jumped high into the air just in time to evade the attacks from five more that replaced their fallen. Mach charged up energy for a spell and unleashed Firaga three times at the Captain of the five replacements. A great fire explosion with a small flaming shockwave blasted forth from the Captain?s body, burning him badly. Two more followed up, killing the Captain. Mach Xavier spied Glitch nearby and yelled, ?Glitch! Prepare to meet your doom!? and then launched himself from the air towards Glitch in a blur.

Slade slammed himself into a rushing soldier, making that soldier fall to the ground hard that made the forming mud splash around him. The Demon charged up energy for a spell as he saw a small group of four rush to assist the fallen soldier before him. He cast Hell?s Judgement at the soldiers now flanking the fallen one getting up. The Circle of Hell grew on the ground under their feet until its radius contained all of them inside the glowing circle. The Runes upon the Circle of Hell glowed brightly, sending a column of Dark energy into the sky, engulfing the trapped soldiers within. After a moment, the Circle of Hell exploded into flaming shards that ignited the column of Dark energy into Hellfire. The Hellfire burned the soldiers critically to the point of near-death and the spell ended. Slade quickly charged his Chi into his sword and unleashed Baal Spin upon the writhing soldiers with roaring blue Chi flames trailing in the spin slash?s wake. The devastating Baal Spin finished off the soldiers, decapitating them and setting their sliced and torn bodies aflame with the Demon?s Chi. As the burning bodies fell upon the muddy ground with a hissing splash, Slade saw Asad dead straight ahead. Charging his Hell?s Wrath Wrap Blade once more, he charged at Asad in a blur with his demonic speed.

Crimson Death appeared high in the air as soon as he saw seven soldiers rushing towards him. He charged up energy into his Krimson Katanas for an attack as he hovered in the air of the rainy night and unleashed Crimson Eyes at the seven charging soldiers by swinging his katanas. A barrage of red orbs with black centers came out of the charged katanas towards the soldiers upon the ground. They slammed into the soldiers that created a dome-like shockwave explosion of crimson energy that illuminated a portion of the battlefield in the rainy night. The soldiers were flung away from the explosion, unable to serve their Lord in this battle any longer. As the explosion faded away to reveal a shallow crater upon the ground, the rain immediately re-moistened the flash-dried crater and filled it up in moments. The Major then landed upon the filled crater with a splash around his boots, he decided to settle his score with Sephiroth DCW.

Emerald Death charged at a soldier, swinging his glowing Emerald Saber at him. The soldier blocked it with his lance and countered with a thrust of his lance. The Field General flipped away from the thrust and threw the Saber at the soldier. The soldier caught the saber in his throat, falling down to the ground with a gurgling yell. Emerald Death pulled his Saber from his adversary?s throat and surveyed the rainy battlefield. Seeing the glowing blue aura ahead, he grinned. He knew that if Asad died, his Army would scatter and the Death Clan would be victorious. Rushing towards Asad, he dodged the pathetic foot soldiers of Deep Space in the process until he got to Asad. He saw just in time to see Slade get repelled by Asad. Emerald Death stood in front of the Dark Templar Asad, gripping the hilt of his Emerald Saber which glowed bright green that contrasted against the darkness the rainy night had brought upon. His eyes met Asad?s. He was going to have the battle of his life, even if it meant death for him.

?Come, won?t you cross swords with me?? Emerald Death asked Asad with a smirking grin on his face. Thunder boomed and lightning flashed.

Taking the defensive, Atma Death quickly switched from his pistols and took out his sawed-off shotgun from his back and pumped it into action. Jumping forward to protect his Lords Ruby Death and Ultima Death, he blasted at two soldiers that got past their front lines. The report of the shotgun rang loudly throughout the muddy battlefield, echoing in the rainy night. Shotgun shells ripped into the soldiers? bodies easily so that they were careened to the ground backwards with a splash. Reloading his shotgun, he quickly shot at two more that tried to get around him. They fell down hard and the Defense General laughed out loud, ?Ha! Ha! WOULD ANYBODY LIKE TO TAKE ME ON?!?

Omega Death, with his mind set on taking out his nemesis Icy Fire, gripped his Omega Scythe as he rushed into the fray. Three soldiers charged at him and Omega Death swung his scythe at them, taking advantage of its seven-foot length. The Darkness-infused blade of the scythe slammed into all three of them, making them careen into the air, flying away due to Omega Death?s vampire-like strength. Their bodies engulfed in Darkness slammed into the muddy ground that created large splashes in the process.

?HEADS UP!? a voice alerted Omega Death, and he looked up. Too late. Emerging from the darkness of the rainy night came Icy Fire bearing down upon Omega Death. His dual-elemental sword ripped into the Elite General?s shoulder as he landed on the ground. Omega Death yelled and stumbled back, immediately taking a defense stance with his Omega Scythe.

?Payback for what you did to me, Death scum!? Icy Fire said with a laugh. Omega Death swung his scythe at Icy Fire with an enraged yell. The bodyguard of Asad blocked the swing, but he stumbled back from his enemy?s vampire-like strength that came with the swing. What the hell? He thought as he saw Omega Death charging up his Chi for an attack. The Elite General unleashed Omega Cross, which he speed-dashed towards Icy Fire, doing a cross-shaped slash upon him with his Omega Scythe. A cross of pure Chi energy appeared in the wake of the slash upon Icy Fire that glowed for a moment before exploding. The explosion reeled Icy Fire away from Omega Death, making him tumble upon the muddy ground. Icy Fire flipped to his feet, holding his side as he glared at Omega Death.

?You haven?t seen the last of me! You shall pay for this! Forgive me, Asad, but I must flee!? the bodyguard yelled and ran away from the battlefield, melting into the darkness of the rainy night.

Glitch, the Great Commander of Deep Space, heard Mach?s words: ?Glitch! Prepare to meet your doom!? and looked up just in time to see Mach hurtling down upon him with his energy saber poised for a swing. Glitch evaded Mach Xavier?s swing as the Android landed on the ground and countered with a wide sweeping slash with his spear. Mach blocked it, repelling Glitch slightly. Taking defense, Glitch watched Mach Xavier charge up energy for a spell and casted Blizzaga three times upon him. A thin layer of ice crawled upwards from Glitch?s feet to his head that bursted into large ice crystals that shimmered for a moment before exploding into shards outwards from Glitch?s body, damaging him. This repeated for two more times, damaging him further. Recovering from the spell, Glitch countered once more and followed up with a two-hit combo at Mach Xavier. The Android dodged the counter, but took the two-hit combo without falling down. Rearing back his buster arm, he unleashed his Mach Triple combo on Glitch. The Android shot two Mega Blasts at Glitch and did an arc wave of his energy saber immediately after the Mega Blasts. Glitch managed to block the first Mega Blast, but it was too strong for him to block. The plasma sphere rammed into his defensive stance, exploding with force that made him stumble; losing his defense that just sacrificed itself to the first Mega Blast. The second Mega Blast slammed into Glitch?s chest, exploding upon impact. Before he was flung into the air from the explosion, Mach Xavier?s energy saber made contact. The energy saber ripped a diagonal slash from his stomach to his right thigh. Then Glitch was flung into the air and landed upon the muddy ground with a splash before flipping back up to his feet. Damn, that Android is strong! He thought as he charged up his Chi, ignoring his wounds. A glow engulfed him, blessing him with great energy in the process. Suddenly Glitch was engulfed in a brilliant flash and he charged towards Mach Xavier with his spear pointed towards Mach, full of Chi flames trailing behind its wake. Mach noted all of this and tried to evade Glitch but it was too late. Thrusting his spear, Glitch impaled Mach through his armor to his heart, and then through it and out of his spine. Mach Xavier yelled as he felt pain bursting throughout his body as Glitch?s spear impaled him. He gripped the shaft of the spear with his left hand before Glitch lifted him up to the air with it. Glitch then swung the spear around himself, flinging Mach far away from him. Mach landed on the muddy ground with a thump, electricity crackling around his body. No! I cannot die! Not? yet! The Android thought as he charged up the last of his ebbing energy for a spell and with a gasp, cast Full Life upon himself. As he died, a beam of light shone upon his fallen form and a pink mist of reviving energy engulfed him. It entered into his body and healed him instantly, reviving him at the same time. The beam of light faded away as Mach awakened with a gasp. He got up with great effort and seeing that he was in no condition to help his comrades in the battle, he fled from the battlefield.

Asad, the Dark Templar, saw Slade charging straight towards him with his Hell?s Wrath Wrap Blade charged up with Chi.

?Your madness ends here now!? Slade yelled at Asad as he charged towards him. Asad sidestepped to the left to dodge Slade?s charge and he countered with one of his Wrap Blades as Slade rushed past him in a blur. The blade missed its mark by a millimeter. The Demon used his charged up Chi to cast Ultima at Asad after he skidded to a stop on the muddy ground. An energy-gathering star appeared above Asad and it exploded, unleashing a green energy blast at Asad. It slammed into him with force that made gold flames upon impact. The Leader of Deep Space stumbled back a little from the spell?s force. Seeing this happen, Slade charged up his Chi once more for an attack and unleashed Meteor Slash with his Hell?s Wrath Wrap Blade. The Demon appeared high in the air with his sword above him; it was engulfed by a sphere of Chi flames. He flew down towards Asad in a blur, bringing his charged sword down for a cleaving blow, the Chi trailing behind in a hissing roar. Asad looked to Slade bearing down upon him and formed a Psionic force field around himself. The Meteor Slash clashed against the blue force field forcefully that both Chi energy and Psionic energy reacted violently against each other that resulted in an explosion. The explosion canceled out Asad?s force field and Slade?s Meteor Slash and damaged both warriors. The force repelled Slade far away from Asad, careening into the rainy night before settling down upon the muddy ground beyond the battlefield. Slade got up, exhausted, and left the vicinity of the battlefield.

That hurt! The Demon must possess some kind of energy that rivals my own! No matter, I will still crush the Deaths! Asad said to himself after he recovered from the explosion. Suddenly, he saw Emerald Death before him hefting his Emerald Saber.

?Come, won?t you cross swords with me?? Emerald Death challenged Asad and at this, thunder boomed and lightning flashed.

Asad hissed and charged his Psionic energy into his Wrap Blades. His anger towards the Death Clan was fueling him the drive to destroy this warrior that challenged him to a one-on-one match to the death.

You shouldn?t be so eager to DIE! Asad yelled and slashed at Emerald Death in a blur. Emerald Death blocked the slash, but it made him lose his defensive stance. Before he could recover, the Dark Templar jabbed one of his Wrap Blades at his gut. It pierced his armor into his flesh, making him cry out in pain. Asad lifted Emerald Death with his blade in his enemy?s gut and flung him to the ground. Worthless scum! Asad yelled as he charged up and unleashed a wave of Psionic energy at the Field General that was getting up from the muddy ground. The energy wave slammed into Emerald Death, making him flip from his feet into the air before landing upon the ground on his stomach, causing mud splash all around him. A groan escaped Emerald Death?s lips as he got up in a flash despite his wounded gut. He did not want to be defenseless by lying down on the mud. Quickly, Emerald Death charged up energy for an attack and unleashed Emerald Beam at Asad that was walking towards him, his glowing orange eyes seemingly sneering down at him. The red-gold beam blasted forth from the Emerald Saber towards the Leader of Deep Space in a loud whine, illuminating a portion of the battlefield. It struck Asad in the chest, making a small explosion upon impact, the red-gold flames embracing his form for a moment before fading away. Asad only chuckled at Emerald Death?s attack; it seemed that his heightened powers gave him plenty of endurance and stamina to withstand Emerald Death?s powers.

Not smart, scum. Now you die! The Dark Templar said to the shocked Emerald Death, and charged towards him with his god-like speed, his Wrap Blades out for an impaling attack. Unable to defend himself or evade, Emerald Death got impaled by Asad?s double Wrap Blades to the heart. He yelled in pain as he got lifted and flung down to the ground hard, his Emerald Saber flying out of his right hand in the process. The Saber whirled in the raining sky and then went into the mud blade-first near its master. Its glow faded away as if it was in sync with its master?s life force.

?My Lord, I must leave you now? long live the Death Clan!? Emerald Death, Field General of the Death Clan said his last words, his eyes looking to the raining sky as he died.

Sephiroth DCW gripped his Masamune Blade with both hands, watching the battle progress. His mind was debating on whether to betray Asad right here and now or keep on waiting. He knew that if he kept on waiting, his former allies would surely perish so the choice was obvious: betray Asad now. Sephiroth saw Crimson Death running towards him with his twin Krimson Katanas raised above his head. He charged at Crimson Death, swinging his Masamune Blade in the process. Their swords clashed against each other with a clanging sound, sparks flying from the impact points to the muddy ground. Crimson Death pushed Sephiroth away and proceeded to slash at him. Sephiroth remained on the defensive, blocking the slash from his opponent. The Major of the Death Clan jumped back, conserving his energy for he saw Sephiroth in defense.

?Fight me, coward!? he yelled at Sephiroth, and thunder boomed. Lightning flashed, illuminating the rainy night for a second or two.

?Never! I should?ve stuck with you guys instead of going for Asad! Tell Ruby Death I?m sorry for what I did!? Sephiroth DCW said, sheathing his Masamune Blade and left the battlefield.

Ruby Death and Ultima Death stayed behind to direct their attack upon Asad, they watched the battle fall into their favor like last time, but they remained cautious. When Mach fell to the spear of Glitch, Ruby Death saw a worthy challenge for him and bade Ultima Death to take command of the battle. His desire for a fight took over his senses and he appeared in the air before Glitch, Biting Mirage trident in his hands.

?Let us have a duel, a pole arms duel!? the Grand General challenged Glitch. Glitch chuckled and spun his spear around him before getting it in front of him.

?I accept your challenge, Aesir! Show me what you?ve got!? the Great Commander of Deep Space said and Ruby Death appeared on the ground in front of Glitch, chuckling gleefully. Glitch swung his spear at Ruby Death, which in turn blocked his spear with his large trident. The Grand General pushed the spear away with the trident and thrusted it at Glitch, its afterimages trailing behind. Glitch twisted away from the thrust and countered with a wide sweeping slash, meaning to trip Ruby Death. The Aesir blocked it easily and unleashed Dragon Maw combo at Glitch. He spun the Biting Mirage so he held it backwards and stabbed twice at Glitch, left and right; and spun around, executing a single upward slash and a powerful downward slash at Glitch. Glitch took the stabs to his shoulders, the upward slash and the downward slash to his torso. He got down to one knee afterwards, but got up and countered at Ruby Death. Glitch had taken a lot of damage, but he knew that death in battle was honorable and he planned on going down fighting. His counter missed for Ruby Death jumped up and down to dodge it, but he charged up his Chi to follow up the counter. Unleashing it, Glitch spun his spear above his head, running at Ruby Death at the same time and then fully spun around several times, ending his combo with a powerful slash. Ruby Death managed to block the spinning spear, but his defense couldn?t withstand the several spin attacks that followed after. He took the slashes to the torso and at the final powerful slash, he fell down to the muddy ground with a splash. Glitch quickly closed the gap and pointed the tip of his spear at Ruby Death?s throat to prevent him from flipping back to his feet.

?I should kill you, Grand General, but since it was a pole arms duel? I shall spare you honorably despite your defeat,? Glitch said, grinning as he then jumped back and got into defense. Ruby Death realized that he was defeated and he willed his Biting Mirage trident back into his soul from his hands, accepting the defeat despite his growing anger at being defeated. He was not one to admit losing. Ruby Death got up, glaring at Glitch in the rain, stewing his anger.

?Bah! Retreat, comrades!? he called out to the Deaths and appeared high in the air, flying towards the Death Castle in the distance.

Ultima Death, Knight General of the Death Clan, stayed back as Atma Death rushed forward to seek out Steve. He was shocked as he saw Mach get killed by Glitch, and grew dismayed as Emerald Death died to the blade of Asad. So this is how it ends? he thought and gripped his Ultima Weapon sword before he got told off by Ruby Death to command the battle. Ultima Death watched his brother-in-arms engage Glitch in a pole arms duel. When Ruby Death lost and ordered the Clan to retreat, Ultima Death quickly got into action?he would take up the rear in the retreat to repel Asad from pursuing. He appeared in the air above the battlefield and then appeared on the muddy ground with a splash, positioning himself between Deaths and Deep Space. Swinging his Ultima Weapon sword at the last of Deep Space, he yelled a single word to punctuate Ruby Death?s command, ?GO!?

When Crimson Death heard Ruby Death?s command and Ultima Death?s word, he rushed over to Emerald Death?s body and picked it up, slinging it over his right shoulder. He also took his former comrade?s Emerald Saber. With the body and sword in hand, he finally rushed out of the battlefield, following Ruby Death?s wake towards the Death Castle. He intended to give a warrior?s burial to Emerald Death afterwards.

Atma Death was close to engaging Steve when he heard his Lords? commands; he stopped five yards away from Steve, who also stopped. Holstering his shotgun, he took out one of his twin pistols and shot at Steve as a farewell gesture. The bullet slammed into the meat of Steve?s shoulder, and shattering the bone that was in its way. Steve stumbled with a yell and held his shoulder.

?Ha! Ha! Ha! Until next time, punk!? Atma Death said with a laugh and retreated quickly.

Omega Death was in his defensive stance, watching the battle progress in the same way the Aesir watched, except he was in the battle. After hearing his Lords? commands, he abandoned a forming plan to attack Steve and ran out of the battlefield with his Omega Scythe in his right hand.

After they retreated, it was now Ultima Death?s turn to retreat. Since he put himself in such a position to secure his comrades? retreat, it was likely that he would leave wounded. Swinging his great Ultima Weapon sword once more at the remnants of Deep Space: Asad, Glitch, and Steve; he backed away and started to appear when he saw Asad charge at him. The Knight General defended himself as quickly as he could in order to match Asad?s speed, abandoning his chance to appear. He barely got the huge sword in front of him in time. Asad?s Wrap Blades clashed against the blue-white indestructible crystal sword that possessed the soul of Ultima Weapon within. Repelling the Dark Templar, he managed to appear high in the air and fled to the Death Castle, melting away into the rainy night. Asad watched Ultima Death fly away to safety. The Death Clan lost to Deep Space for the second time, yet the Great War would continue a little bit longer.

Once the soldiers of Deep Space encountered Atma Death, they stopped with confused looks as they were expecting more than one.

?Who wants some of this?? Atma Death taunted with his shotgun at the mob, grinning slightly. Three of the foremost soldiers ran at him, yelling as they pulled back their weapons for the attack. The Defense General fired at the three with his shotgun, the shells ripping into their bodies that made them fall down hard, chunks of themselves flying away. At this second, the entire mob surged forward at the lone warrior who appeared in the air above them. He charged up energy for a spell, and unleashed Ultima at the soldiers below him with his shotgun and Atma Blade in each hand at them. An energy-gathering star appeared above them that expanded in size before exploding. The explosion sent forth a powerful green energy blast that slammed into the enemies, making gold flames upon impact. The spell ended, leaving the mob dead in its wake, some of them splattered all over due to the horrible power of Ultima.

The victorious Atma Death landed upon the ground in the middle of the scene and rushed into the HQ, his black trench coat trailing behind him in his wake.

In an instant, both the Android and the Dark Templar went at each other, their blades clashing against each other, making many sparks fly from the impact points, and many more as the blades rubbed against each other.

Regulus broke the weapon deadlock by jumping away from Asad, and Asad pursued after Regulus. Before he could strike Regulus with his charged right Wrap Blade, Regulus appeared in the air away from Asad, already evading the attack.

Landing on the ground, the Android fired away several quick energy shots at Asad in an attempt to do a feint. Asad easily blocked them with a Psionic shield, and then rushed at Regulus.

While the energy shots were being blocked, Regulus charged energy into his right fist, and then did Gravi-Punch at Asad while Asad rushed at him. The feint was successful after all.

The Dark Templar had little time to evade the attack he was running into, but it was too late. The Gravity-powered punch slammed into Asad?s stomach, barely missing one of the bombs upon him. The force of the attack made Asad tumble backwards upon the floor from Regulus.

Beyond the gates, Atma Death rushed into a long and large hall. Slowing down to a cautious walk, he saw several more soldiers enter the hall from the other side. They stopped, looking at Atma Death and then charged towards him with battle cries.

The Defense General blasted away those closest to him with his shotgun, and quickly holstered it; he would be using his Atma Blade in this fight as the rest of the soldiers closed the gap.

Two soldiers attacked Atma Death with their swords, which he blocked them with his own easily. Kicking away the one closest to him, he pulled back and crouched, swinging the Atma Blade at the same time at the two. The Blade ripped through their thighs with ease and he spun around, using his sword?s inertia to his own advantage.

The decapitated soldiers were quickly slashed down to the ground with gashes across their chests, blood gushing as they landed upon their backs.

Three soldiers remained as the Defense General recovered from his attack. Two of the three charged up energy for spells and they quickly unleashed Firaga and Blizzaga in quick succession at Atma Death.

Atma Death barely dodged the fiery explosion but he was quickly covered in ice that burst into large ice crystals that shattered away from his body, damaging him in the process.

With a yell of pain and fury, Atma Death charged up energy for a spell and cast Meteor at the three, pointing his Atma Blade at them. Darkness engulfed the remaining soldiers and many meteors slammed into them, exploding upon impact until the spell ceased. The surroundings came back, revealing the soldiers dead.

Asad flipped back upright upon the floor, roaring in fury as he then appeared in front of Regulus and slashed at his chest with both of the Wrap Blades right after the appearing. The Blades slashed into Regulus?s chest, deeply scratching the metal in the process that made sparks gush forth at the same time.

The Android yelled, falling back from Asad?s attack, his back scraping against the stone floor. As Regulus tried to get up, he was struck by a Psionic wave from Asad that sent him slamming against a wall, falling down to the floor with a thud.

Ha! Ha! That was a good fight, much better than the one I had with Ruby Death! But now, I must kill you! Asad laughed and rushed up to Regulus, his Wrap Blades charged for the kill.

?I don?t think so! Aah!? the Android yelled as he did a ground-to-air Knee Bash at the towering form of Asad. His right knee slammed into the Dark Templar?s collarbone, making it nearly shatter from the sheer force. Asad recoiled from the hit and before the recoil was complete, Regulus did a swift Reverse Heel Kick while he was still in the air.

This kick slammed into Asad?s ribcage, causing a major portion of it to break, the cracking of bone reverberating throughout the air as the Dark Templar careened against the Throne of AnimA. The impact made it crack slightly as Regulus landed on the ground.

Defense General Atma Death reached the other side of the hall and entered a small and slightly long chamber with a low ceiling and many columns in two rows. He noticed various weapons situated upon either wall and scattered battle gear strewn throughout the floor. So this must be where Asad organizes his soldiers before a major battle?he thought as he started walking.

?Greetings, Atma Death,? a voice sounded and Atma Death looked around himself as he moved to the middle of the chamber.

?Where are you and who are you?? he asked as he reached the middle, still looking around. There were a few thin shafts of light peeking through the cracks of the ceiling that gave little lighting into the dark chamber. As his eyes fully adjusted, he saw two figures standing before large double doors. He could see that they were armored from head to toe, their right lower arms somewhat resembling Mach?s Buster and their faces red glass visors.

They happened to be Androids in developmental stage, created in the Dark Templar?s image to serve as Elite Guards. He was also planning on forming a battalion of Elite Soldiers in the same fashion, except his sickness put a halt to those plans.

A thought crept into Atma Death?s mind: what are they?

?Target acquired. Destroy at sight!? one of the two Elite Guards said, raising its gun-arm towards the Defense General and fired a small energy shot at his direction.

?Shit!? Atma Death jumped behind one of the many columns to dodge an energy shot and he took out his pistols from their rib holsters as the energy shot crashed into a wall. He could hear them splitting up and survey the chamber in a pincer-maneuver. It would be a matter of time before he would be discovered by either one of them.

Deciding to turn the tables on them with his guns, he relied on his hearing to find the closest one and upon hearing the closest one close in on his hidden position among the columns, he darted out of his hiding place and into directly the Android?s path, guns blazing and yelling at the same time.

The bullets ricocheted off its armor as it stopped in its tracks and aimed its gun-arm at Atma Death and fired several energy shots at him.

Damn! He thought as he saw no effect upon its armor from his bullets and dodged the shots by darting back behind his column. Holstering his pistols, he had no options left except use magic on them. Looking down to the floor, he saw a piece of a shield and he picked it up, a strategy forming in his mind.

Running across the chamber, he stopped in the middle and then rushed towards the double doors, evading any shots from the Elite Guards as they began to close in on him. They got to be robots! Darting to the closest column, he waited for a few seconds, then darted out into the open and threw the piece of shield at the closest Elite Guard.

The piece bounced off the visor mask of the closest Android as Atma Death charged up energy for a spell and quickly unleashed Thundaga at the Elite Guard.

A large lightning bolt slammed into the Android and made the ground underneath its feet crack up from the tremendous electricity, bursting into tens of much smaller lightning that coursed through the Android?s body, effectively overloading its circuits so that it caught fire with some small explosions bursting from its body in places. It fell apart shortly after.

?Hah! One down, one more to go!? Atma Death exclaimed as he then went back into hiding among the columns.

In the Throne Room, the Dark Templar and Leader of Deep Space laid against the Throne of AnimA in labored breaths as Regulus walked up to him. His gray energy blade was out and he pointed it to Asad as he stopped before him.

?Any last words, wanker?? Regulus said with a smirk on his face that was hidden behind the purple visor-mask.

In reply, Asad kicked at the crotch of Regulus with his foot, which snapped in multiple places upon impact. The Dark Templar howled in pain.

?Idiot! Never try to kick an Android in the nuts! They might be 100% high performance steel!? Regulus replied with a laugh. This infuriated Asad that he used his Psionic powers to repel the Android away from him. Regulus slammed into a wall away from Asad, Psionic flames fading away from his form as he saw the Dark Templar already hovering in the air with his aura flaring around his bloodied body, his orange eyes glaring with anger.

With an enraged yell of fury mixed with pain, Asad appeared before Regulus and grabbed his neck, pinning the Android against the wall as he pulled back his right Wrap Blade for a stab. In a blink of an eye, Asad stabbed his Wrap Blade at Regulus?s visor-mask. The seven-pane glass cracked under the force of the Wrap Blade?s stab upon it, but it held quite easily.

The Android knew that one more stab would make him history, like his younger brother. Determined to avenge Mach?s death, Regulus kicked Asad away from him by the chest, landing on the floor away from the wall in the process. Turning around in a flash, he ran up the wall and jumped away from it in a back flip over Asad, making a half-turn in the air as he executed a well-aimed Power Drive with his heel at the spine of Asad, breaking it in five different places upon impact.

The Dark Templar yelled in pain as he felt his spine shatter in five different places from Regulus?s Power Drive. He careened against the wall and fell down upon his back to the floor, paralyzed as Regulus Xavier landed behind him, victorious in this battle.

?Mach Xavier, I have avenged your death!? with that, he ran to where he dropped down from and then jumped up through the hole, taking off for the day.

The remaining Elite Guard had found Atma Death, and fired away at him in quick shots. But Atma Death had evaded the shots easily, using the columns to his advantage as he tried finding another piece of debris that would serve as a shield for him upon the ground.

He was close to giving up his search and resort to hit-and-run tactics when he stumbled upon a discarded shield that was used by Asad?s soldiers in the first battle of the Great War. His back to one of the columns, he managed to get it and inspected it. Seems good enough, he thought as he strapped it upon his left lower arm, and took out his Atma Blade. He was now prepared to battle the last Elite Guard.

Twisting around the column, he faced the Android and put up his shield as he charged at it with a war cry. The Android blasted away energy shots at Atma Death, but the shield blocked them, making them explode upon impact that slowed down the Defense General.

Still running despite the shots slowing him down, he managed to ram into the Android with the shield. The Elite Guard stumbled back from the collision, its gun-arm stopping for a moment. Atma Death used the moment by ramming his Atma Blade into the visor of the Android while keeping the shield on it.

The Atma Blade ripped through the visor, plunging deeply into the head of the Elite Guard that made lightning crackle from the stab point around its head, making its entire body convulse with sparks shooting out of various points. Then Atma Death pulled his sword out of the Android?s head and did a 360-degree spin slash at its torso.

Bearing a deep gash into between its chest and abdomen, the Elite Guard was careened towards the double doors, slamming into them hard enough to make the hardwood crack significantly from the impact. Instantly after the crash, the Android convulsed rather violently with lightning surging around its form before exploding into pieces that made the doors shatter in the process.

?Score two for the Defense General!? Atma Death cried out exultantly as he did his victory dance: diagonal slash to the left, diagonal slash to the right, followed by a downward cleaving blow to the ground and a 360-degree spin slash before sheathing his sword upon his back. Losing the shield, he then rushed through the remains of the double doors into the Throne Room.

He found the paralyzed body of the Dark Templar close to the Throne of AnimA.

?Regulus killed Asad?? Atma Death exclaimed as he looked to the fallen form of Asad. There was still an aura of flaring blue Psionic energy about him, but it was slowly shrinking away that faded at the same time. When it reduced into an outline, it let out one last flare before dying away.

Atma Death found out that there was no trace of Regulus here, so he thought that the Android took off glad with the knowledge that he avenged his younger brother. All alone now, the Defense General took out his Atma Blade as he looked to Asad.

?This is for you, Emerald Death the Stalwart?? he said as he got next to the Dark Templar?s body, positioning his sword above the neck, then raised it before bringing it down upon Asad?s neck. The Atma Blade stopped short of touching the neck as the Defense General realized that such a move like this one was dishonorable. So he simply sheathed his Atma Blade and nodded at the seemingly dead but paralyzed form of Asad with a smirk, but out of respect.

The Great War had ended with another victory to the Death Clan of AnimA; it lasted approximately a month from its start to its end.

Chapter Fourteen: The Vision

The Deep Space HQ finally crumbled to the ground after an explosion blasted forth within the place, making ancient dust billow about around the vicinity. After some time, the dust settled to reveal a shallow crater of jumbled rocks surrounded by the rest of the ruins that weren?t part of Asad?s HQ.

?The end of the Dark Templar and his Deep Space Army, eh?? Atma Death mused mostly to himself with a smirk on his face before turning to Sephiroth DCW, ?let?s go and report our deeds to Ruby Death.? The former bodyguard of Asad nodded and the two set off towards the Death Castle.

When they got to Ruby Death in the Throne Room of the Castle, they told their stories to the Grand General who was surprised to learn that, of all people, Regulus had done the impossible: defeated the Dark Templar. He wanted to see this Android at once so he ordered Atma Death to find him.

?But my lord, I do not know where Regulus has gone off to,? he replied.

?Then find him no matter what! He could be a worthy asset to our Clan, comrade. How come Ultima Death and Slade never got to Asad in the first place??

?I don?t know, Lord Ruby Death. If it will be of help, I shall assist Atma in the search of them,? Sephiroth DCW offered.

?So be it, then. What is that thou have, Atma Death?? Ruby Death gestured at the Fallen Angel leaning against the Defense General?s shoulder, its reddish aura glowing steadily. There was something about it that piqued the Aesir?s interest in it.

?Eh? Oh! It?s the Fallen Angel. It?s got a power that makes it unable to be used at all, my lord,? he handed the black javelin to Ruby Death who in turn took it and looked at it. Instantly, his blood-red eyes took on the darker red color of the Fallen Angel?s aura and he was a thousand miles away.

Once Ruby Death grasped the javelin and looked at it, he was in another world that was full of the reddish aura. Blinking his eyes, he looked around himself and realized that the Fallen Angel wasn?t in his hands. ?What is this?? he said to himself, slightly afraid and confused at the same time. Faintly, he could see mysterious shapes through the dark reddish aura that seemed to pervade everywhere and in an instant, he could feel a presence nearby.

?Eh? Who are thee? Show thyself!? he yelled at the presence that floated towards him. As it got closer, he could see that it was like a man dressed in all black. But he wondered if that man was really a human or something else that resembled as a human. Aesir, perhaps? Or a Demon? Or an Elf? He really couldn?t tell. The presence stopped before Ruby Death and he saw that the presence was wearing a black cloak that covered its body and its eyes were all black with no trace of white in them. Its hair was of slightly long wavy black hair. A tattoo of a lightning bolt was seen on one cheek and the other cheek had ?Death? in an ancient language tattooed upon it. When his eyes met its own, a faint but piercing yellow glow appeared in the center of those black eyes. A voice was heard in his mind, immediately filling his mind with what it had to say to him. Afterwards, it nodded to him and faded away from his sight.

The Grand General was back to where he was?standing before Atma Death and Sephiroth DCW, holding the Fallen Angel in his hands. His eyes resumed their normal blood-red color and blinked a couple of times before sitting down on the Throne, assimilating and processing what the presence told him in his mind. He was silent for a long time. He understood that he just had a vision, perhaps a glimpse into the future or a message imbued within the Fallen Angel? or something else.

?Ruby Death?? Sephiroth DCW spoke, a concerned look on his face.

?Eh?? Ruby Death looked to him, snapping out of his thoughts in the process.

?Your eyes? they changed color and then back. Are you all right??

?Aye,? a nod, ?it must be the Fallen Angel. Go find Ultima Death and Slade, aye?? At those words, the two comrades bowed and left the Castle to carry out the Grand General?s orders. At this time, Ultima Death and Slade were teleported back to AnimA upon her grassy knolls with Sauron?s voice echoing in their minds.

?What?? What was that?? the Knight General looked around himself before looking to the Demon.

?Sauron plans to take AnimA. I don?t know when.? Slade replied.

?Then we must warn the others about this!?

?Nay! For one thing, we don?t know when Sauron will make his move on us. Besides, it?s of no good to be waiting on him for a long time, don?t ye think? It?s best to keep this under wraps for now.?

?Aye, I agree. In the meantime, we should keep ourselves in fighting shape until then,? Ultima Death suggested and Slade agreed, ?then to Asad we go!? He said and rushed towards the already demolished Deep Space HQ with Ultima Death following behind.

When the two warriors came across to the ruined HQ, they were at disbelief.

?What in the fires of Muspellheim happened?!? Ultima Death cried out partly from surprise at this and frustration to see that all the training he had with Slade come to vain.

?Somebody beat us to Asad and destroyed him! I cannot sense his power anywhere anymore now,? the Demon spoke, wondering what happened here.

?That somebody had to have more power than the Dark Templar, and whoever that is, it?s long gone,? Ultima Death wondered out loud, his green fire eyes scanning the demolished ruins of Deep Space HQ. It wasn?t long before the two heard footsteps running towards them from behind. They turned around to see Atma Death and Sephiroth DCW coming to a stop before them.

?There you are! Lord Ruby Death was worried about you two! What happened to you comrades?? the Defense General inquired and the two traded glances to each other before focusing back on them.

?Hm, I guess Slade and I were busy with our training that it took longer than we expected. What happened here?? Ultima Death asked Atma Death and Sephiroth DCW.

After Ultima Death and Slade heard their stories, their reactions were nearly the same as Ruby Death?s.

?Most impressive, indeed! I must see this Regulus Xavier!? Ultima Death grinned and Slade nodded, impressed as well.

Afterwards, they returned to the Death Castle to tell Ruby Death what happened, clearly omitting what really happened for good reasons which Slade stated to Ultima Death earlier. Both the Knight General and the Demon saw the Fallen Angel as well, and Ultima Death could tell that Ruby Death was preoccupied with something on his mind.

Nightfall came around and no news concerning of Regulus?s whereabouts were given. Ultima Death decided to seek out Ruby Death and learn of what was on his brother-in-arm?s mind. He found him in the Lair of the Deaths with the Fallen Angel in his hands.

?Brother? Are thou all right?? he walked up to the Grand General, his green fire eyes scanning him and then to the Fallen Angel.

?Aye. I have been waiting for thee to come here. I must tell thee this and it must be kept secret. Do thou understand?? Ruby Death looked to him, his blood-red eyes glowing. Ultima Death nodded his shaven head and waited on him to tell him what was on his mind.

?This is no ordinary weapon, as thou can probably tell. This is an artifact with a great power within. I once considered on sending it up to Lord Odin, but I thought better of it when I remembered Magi Death?s words.?

?Magi Death?? Ultima Death raised his eyebrows in question. Had Ruby Death gained a new member while Slade and he were up in Sauron?s Barad-dur?

?Aye. Magi Death spoke to me in a vision once I held this in my hands. He told me many things that I didn?t understand at first. But now, I feel that I do,? Ruby Death paused for a moment before starting up again. ?Magi Death seems to be one of our members in the far future, beyond our time. But I could feel that he wasn?t just a member. He was something more than that, as if he was all of us at once. His world is very much unlike ours, from what I gather from what I saw and what he told me.

?He said that he was of another dimension, a figment of the Death Clan?s future and the spiritual alter ego of all the Deaths. His purpose, he told me, was to find the ultimate magic: Death Meteo, and use it to return to the Past that is Present here by reshaping his own world. He is the Protector of the Past and the Present against the Future.

?As he told me this, I could feel that there was a link, a bond, between the Fallen Angel and himself. I don?t know how, but it?s there. How it ended up here beyond Magi Death?s grasp is beyond me, Ultima Death. Perhaps it was done to show me his message in the hopes of helping him in the future. I just don?t know,? Ruby Death finished with a shake of his head, making his dirty blond hair shake upon his shoulders.

Ultima Death listened to all of what Ruby Death had to say, and at the end, he was genuinely shocked and at a loss for words. After a little time, he finally grasped the meaning of this.

?It?s a prophecy of sorts, brother. Indeed, Magi Death may have done this to send thee his message through the Fallen Angel,? the Knight General said and the Grand General nodded his head vigorously, his blood-red eyes glowing with excitement and anticipation.

?Aye! But keep in mind what I said to thee: it must be kept secret. The Fallen Angel must be kept here so that no thieves of sorts will steal it away from us,? Ruby Death said and walked to a nook within the walls of the Lair, putting the black javelin inside it, ?there! It will do for now!?

Ultima Death smirked and nodded his shaven head, replying ?so none of this happened,? and left the place to his quarters to think on what his brother-in-arms had told him about Magi Death. Ruby Death remained within the Lair, the same thoughts occupying his mind.

Chapter Sixteen: Third of the Four Wars of AnimA: Red Knights versus Death Clan

A man was sleeping, and in this sleep, the man foresaw a dim future. A future of blood, arrows, steel, and guns followed by a blackening of the sky. A gathering of warriors would begin to slaughter each other for hours until an Angel would fall from Heaven, split the sky and rain down its radiance upon those alive and dead. The Angel would bring back to life the vanquished and rejuvenate the living. But as the Angel did its deed, it would turn wicked and fire would rage around its form, burning the air so that all there in mortal sight would die from the poisoned air. The Angel would harvest the souls and ascend back into the sky? and then?

?AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!? Regulus screamed as he woke up from his nightmare, ?its O.K., Reg. It?s O.K? just a bad dream?? he said to himself. The Android would walk outside only to find that the dream had been reality: two opposing factions within AnimA had either been slaughtered or slaughtered each other, and Regulus wasn?t feeling any souls at all.

?Holy shit?? Regulus exclaimed. The Android ran to the nearest large building, which just happened to be the Death Clan?s HQ. But little did he know this one visit would change his life forever.

Entering the Castle, he looked around until he encountered Ruby Death in the Throne Room. The Grand General?s blood red eyes widened at the sight of Regulus before him, getting up from his throne.

?Regulus Xavier?! So thou are the one who defeated Asad!? he said with a laugh, coming down to walk up to the Android. Everything Atma Death said to him about the Android was true.

?Of course, Asad was nothing compared to me. In fact, he was far weak than what they were saying about his strength,? Regulus replied with a smirk hidden behind his amethyst visor mask as he was clapped upon the back by Ruby Death.

?Ha ha ha! Is that so? Well, Regulus, I?m sorry to hear about thy brother Mach. He was a great warrior, aye,? he nodded with a solemn look upon his face and Regulus didn?t reply. After a few moments of silence, Ruby Death cleared his throat and continued, ?Ahem, I was wondering?nay, the entire Death Clan?if thou would like to join us as a member??

The Android considered this offer carefully and then made his choice.

?I?ll be an ally, Ruby Death, like Mach did. You can count on me, all of you! Even better, I?ll form the Chaos Crew and have it allied with you Deaths!? he said, grinning before he turned around to leave the Throne Room, Ruby Death smirking behind him.

Regulus? mind was churning with ideas on starting off his Chaos Crew when he was a ways off from the Castle towards the center of AnimA. At this point, he witnessed a small roguish faction of the townspeople attacking the rest within the center as a protest against their newly-formed government. None of the Deaths happened to be there.

?What in the bloody hell?? You Communist shitkickers are gonna DIE!? the Android yelled at the attacking faction, withdrawing a sword from his sheath, holding it in one hand. This sword was a double-edged broadsword with a silver smooth wing motif hilt that had several concentric circles in its center, an outer blue circle, silver middle circle, and red inner circle with a black center. The double-edged blade was of black with silver edges, having a red Taeran crest that was a circle with a dot in the middle and three lines from the circle?s outer edge. Its name was Halcyon Edge.

The faction immediately focused upon Regulus and before they could do anything, the Android blurred towards them, cutting them down as the bystanders scattered towards their homes, screaming for their lives.

The Android looked around him at the carnage he had wreaked upon the people against the newly-formed government. Their bodies were nothing more than chopped up sections in puddles of their blood. The Halcyon Edge was covered with blood and Regulus flicked it clean before sheathing it.

?Hmph. Bunch of good-for-nothings,? he smirked as he?d open up his visor mask, revealing his face. It hissed violently, its own atmospheric pressure having been dispersed into the surrounding air. It was then he realized the air was breathable and was doing something odd to his biochemistry; it was mutating parts of his android body into a living metallic substance. Spying a mirror nearby, most likely from an old encampment he spied his own face and was shocked; if one word described it, it was bishounen. His brilliant violet eyes were turning red as rubies, and his hair was fusing into a single color, silver. His skin was tanned to perfection, and had 2 war stripe-like tattoos, one on each cheek, shaped like a triangular slash. It was then at that moment he decided to blend in with the world and would head towards a nearby clothing hut and buy himself a simple outfit that looked similar to Jedi Robes, save for it being in blue and black. He found an empty chest and stored his war armor in it, electing to try the native's way of battle, swordsmanship and magick.

As the Android exited the hut in his new clothes, an arrow shot past his face into a tree in front of him with a thud and quiver upon impact.

He would turn around, grasping Halcyon Edge by the handle, drawing out the alien metal blade with an audible scraping noise, his red eyes that now bore black crosses as pupils scanning for whomever shot at his head and spoke, ?WHO THE FUCK DID THAT?! WHICH ONE OF YOU TWOFACED TWINKLETOED COMMUNIST SHITKICKING ASSPLUGS SHOT AT ME?!?

Regulus? sword started flaring with black lightning, as energy started drawing towards it like debris to a tornado. He looked around again, only to come face to face with a tall armored man that looked like a Dragon. Regulus jumped back and took stance, ready for the man if he dared to strike out at him.

?Well, what do we have here, Prince fucking Charming? How quaint. Let me pass,? Regulus said before he tried to pass by the man, and was grabbed by the shoulder before he could even get near to him.

?Looks like we got ourselves a rogue, fellas,? said the person who grabbed Regulus? shoulder. Apparently a friend of the Dragon knight.

?Rogue, my shiny metal ass. I?m a damn beast, I?ll kill you all!? Regulus spat.

?And who the hell would you be?? the Dragon knight asked.

?I?m He who isn?t, and who Isn?t Is,? he replied in a cocky manner.

?Richard Simmons??

?No, dumbass. Death,? Regulus spun around, hacking off the Dragon knight?s and his pal?s heads off in one fluid motion while jumping into the sky and stabbing his blade into the ground, sending a shockwave up the decapitated bodies and atomizing them as the black energy went through the organic structures of trees, flesh, and steel.

Ultima Death came into the scene, pushing past the fleeing folk just in time to see the black and blue robed figure sheath his Halcyon Edge. Was this stranger responsible for the fleeing folk? He could feel it.

?Who are thee?? he asked the figure as he approached him, his green fire eyes glowing. The figure?s eyes met his, red irises with black cross pupils and green fire.

?Regulus Xavier, your new ally,? Regulus replied with a grin. The Aesir warrior was taken aback in surprise by this name. This was the very person whom Atma Death said that defeated Asad!

?Regulus?!? he recovered half a moment later and started walking towards the Android, ?where were thee? Ruby Death, I, and the others looked all over for thee!?

?I had to take care of things. Like attending to Mach?s burial,? Regulus said, ?but now, you and your Deaths can rely on my help.?

?I see. I?m sorry about Mach,? he nodded a solemn nod with his shaven head. At this point, the folk resumed their errands, still wary of Regulus whom they gave a wide berth. One of them, named Wing Zero, greeted Ultima Death, whom replied in return.

?So what happened here?? he inquired Regulus.

?Bunch of no-good wankers tried to pick a fight with me. They all paid the ultimate price for messing with me!? Regulus said with a laugh. Even Ultima Death joined in, knowing full well that many fights broke out throughout AnimA every day. This was both a good and bad thing: the fights strengthened the folk in some ways, but usually disrupted whatever progress they were making towards unity if only for a couple of minutes several times per day.

?All right then. I?ll see thou around, Regulus. Take it easy,? he said, clapping upon one of Regulus? shoulders and then walked off towards the Death Castle, black cloak trailing behind in his wake as his Mithril-shod feet thumped upon the ground from each step.

?Ah, there thou are, Ultima Death. I was wondering what took thee so long,? Ruby Death said as Ultima Death approached him in the Throne Room.

?I met Regulus at the center. Interesting comrade we have as an ally,? he replied with a smirk, chuckling softly.

?Aye, that he is,? the Grand General said with a grin and then got up from his Throne, looking squarely at Ultima Death in the eye. He continued after a moment and a deep breath that was more like a sigh, ?brother, I have been thinking.?

?About?? the Knight General canted his shaven head slightly, raising an eyebrow.

?About whether I am really fit as a leader or not.?

?What??? Ultima Death blinked his green fire eyes in mild surprise at Ruby Death?s doubt. As far as he knew, this was the first time he saw Ruby Death in doubt.

?Aye. I know that I have all qualities a leader should have. But lately, I have been realizing that I have been lacking one quality. An essential quality, aye,? he said as he stepped down from the Throne towards Ultima Death, continuing to speak. ?Conscience, brother. That?s the missing quality I lack.?

?Conscience??? Ultima Death wondered, somewhat confused by what Ruby Death was saying. Now Ruby Death laid a hand upon his shoulder.

?Aye, conscience. Thou possess that quality, believe it or not. I know thou do. I also know that thou possess the rest of the qualities I have. In light of this, I am indeed unfit as leader. Thou, Ultima Death, are fit to be leader.?

?What?? Impossible!? he backed away one step, making Ruby Death?s hand fall from his shoulder. Ruby Death offering leadership of the Death Clan to him was such a shock that he was at a loss for words, his mind a blank occupied with the initial confusion of Ruby Death being unfit as leader. He was so used to being second-in-command, the Knight General, for so long ever since the Death Clan was born. He looked down to the floor, struggling to find words.

?But Ruby Death, thou are a most capable leader! Thou knew the ropes instantly and led us extremely well from the beginning!? he said, looking up from the floor to Ruby Death. ?I don?t know anything about being a leader, thou should know that! All I did was following thy orders!?

?I know. But the times within AnimA are changing, Ultima Death. Peace has now returned and war has already passed. The Deaths need a leader who?s more calm and able to deal with the times,? Ruby Death paused to chuckle, shaking his head that made his long dirty-blond hair shake from side to side, ?thou should know, of all people that I practically thrive on battle, living for the lust of battle.? Ultima Death looked down to the floor again, knowing in his mind that Ruby Death was right. But he was so unprepared for such a task. Especially if the task blindsided him.

?Don?t look so distressed, brother! I will still be here as second-in-command, of course. I shall guide thee towards being a great leader as I was, aye,? Ruby Death said, nodding. After what seemed to be a long time, Ultima Death looked back up to him, his green fire eyes glowing. He nodded twice, two reluctant nods.

?Very well, brother. I shall accept thy offer as leader, Grand General of the Death Clan, and thou taking my former rank of second-in-command, Knight General.?

After that, Ultima Death passed Ruby Death towards the Throne, which he sat upon. Ruby Death faced him, with both hands in front of his chest, left hand covering the right fist as he bowed at the same time.

After two days passed ever since Ultima Death became Grand General of the Death Clan and Ruby Death Knight General, Red Knight Camus had finished finalizing the creation of his Clan. Now he seeked out an audience with the Deaths to become allies with them.

Making his way to the Death Castle through the center and huts, he happened upon Ultima Death who was chatting with a girl named Silverfox. The two seemed to be having a good time and it was apparent that they just started dating each other quite recently. Perhaps Ultima Death was finally ready to settle down?

When Camus approached the couple, they looked at him. The Aesir?s green fire eyes glowed as the sight of this red-armored man confirmed what he was hearing about the Red Knights forming. Camus nodded to Silverfox courteously before looking squarely at Ultima Death, the look on his face meaning business, ?greetings, Ultima Death. I am Red Knight Camus, leader of the Red Knights. My Clan wishes to have an alliance with your Clan.?

Ultima Death hesitated for a long time, wishing to himself that he wasn?t leader. Ruby Death would?ve cinched this proposal instantly. Telling himself mentally that this wasn?t helping at all, he looked to Camus and sighed softly.

?Very well. We shall be allies, Camus,? he replied heavily, wanting to end this as fast as possible so he would be with Silverfox, the only thing that seemed to matter most to him. Camus smiled and then nodded.

?Perfect. Let us shake hands on this so it?s official, my friend,? he stuck his hand out towards Ultima Death, whom looked at it and then shook it with his own before letting go. ?Aye, it is official, then.?

Nodding again to Silverfox, Camus turned around and then walked off. The warrior looked after him, narrowing his green fire eyes for a moment before looking to Silverfox, quite glad the proposal was done.

?You looked different a minute ago, Ultima? what?s wrong?? she inquired, her dark eyes exploring his green fire eyes. She was a funny and creative person that happened to be observant of things happening around her.

??It?s nothing, my love,? he replied, smiling as he returned the gaze, embracing her loosely. ?I?m just glad to be with thee, that?s all.? He kissed upon her forehead and went on, ?let?s go somewhere else, eh??

As the week ever since the meeting with Camus went on, Ultima Death was congratulated, much to his surprise by Ruby Death and some of the members on creating the first alliance with a recognized Clan other than the Deaths. In spite of his increasing need to avoid the burden of leadership, he was aided by Ruby Death?s mentoring and gradually warmed to being a leader.

At the same time, Ruby Death carried out his duty as Knight General to the fullest of his powers, creating a spell book which he poured his heart and soul into it. It was named The Death Clan Spell Book, covering all the elements, even non-elemental. It also included two new elements: Heat, and Reality.

However, all wasn?t well within the Land of AnimA. In a short time, the folk began to speak and whisper rumors abroad about the Red Knights using their alliance with the Deaths to spy on them and try to destroy them.

Those rumors eventually found their way into the Deaths? ears and for a time, they began to get wary around any Red Knights that happened to be nearby.

The tension finally burst when one of the Red Knights named Garr bumped into Atma Death by accident in the marketplace.

?The hell, boy? Why did you do that?? the Defense General snapped at Garr, bringing a hand upon one of his twin pistols. Red Knight Garr blubbered helplessly and then before he could gather up his courage, two other Red Knights arrived at the spot. Both of them took stock of what just happened quickly.

?Is this punk bothering you, Garr?? one of them named Shiro gestured to Atma Death.

?Punk?! Why I oughtta?!? at this instant, Atma Death pulled out his twin pistols from their holsters, cocking them for action. The second of the two Red Knights flicked a charged hand at him, casting Restrain upon him. Several blue-white rings of energy ensnared the Defense General, restricting his movements greatly.

?Damn you! This is uncalled for!? he yelled at the one whom casted this spell on him. Crimson Death and Flame Death arrived at the scene a moment later, their weapons withdrawn.

?Let Atma go or you will all die by my blade!? Flame Death snarled at the three Red Knights, a flaming aura bursting around his form.

Before the situation went on any further, both Red Knight Camus and Ultima Death came, arriving at their respective sides with their own Clans.

?What in the Fires of Muspellheim is going on?? Ultima Death demanded for an answer as Camus conferred with his members.

?They attacked me, Lord Ultima Death!? Atma Death cried, struggling against the Restrain spell, growing more and more furious.

?Bullshit! That asshole was threatening me!? Red Knight Garr shot back, taking out his sword in indignant anger.

?You take that back NOW!? Flame Death exploded, launching himself at Garr, swinging his Fire-charged blade furiously. Garr yelled in pain as he received the sword hit into his stomach in an diagonal slash that cauterized instantly, falling down to the ground.

With a bellowing yell of rage, Atma Death freed himself from the Restrain spell, the rings shattering into nothingness as he aimed his guns at Shiro and let fire. The bullets simply hit thin air where Shiro was. He had appeared at Atma Death?s side. Camus seemed to train his members well.

Crimson Death smirked at this developing battle and took out his Crimson Sword of Fate to charge at Garr who was getting up. Garr saw the precadiment he was in and then quickly escaped to save his own life.

While this was going on, Ultima Death watched in shock, his mind a blank for he was totally unprepared for something like this. This wasn?t arranged, to begin with. All the past battles were arranged and organized compared to this. As the two sides continued to rage against each other without so much progress on each side, Camus simply stood back and watched, most especially Ultima Death.

Finally, the Grand General seemed to come to a decision. He ordered his comrades to cease fighting and fall back. He had just realized that based upon the rumors, the Red Knights had made their first move against them. Camus immediately echoed the same commands upon his own comrades. Both sides obeyed willingly and quickly without any hitches, seething and glaring at one another, muttering oaths of blood and revenge.

?? Damn it all! Let?s go back, Deaths!? Ultima Death commanded with a hint of anger in his voice. He didn?t fully realize that the Red Knights had just betrayed their alliance until later.

During the couple of days since the skirmish transpired, the folk were in an uproar against both of the feuding Clans, since they just gained peace and quiet since the Great War, not wanting that to be shattered. They lost too much to have that happen again.

The Deaths were keen to the folks? outcries and got together for a meeting on how to deal with the Red Knights without losing any more support from the folk. It was ultimately agreed upon that they would find a spy to infiltrate and send information about the Red Knights? movements and plans. This was perfect, since the Deaths could simply sit back and act accordingly in silence from their spying upon their enemy without risking any loss of support.

In no time, the Clan found a person who was more than willing to spy for them, named Omega ?Lance? Zymph. Lance was a laid-back man who preferred to flirt with the same sex while being ?cool? with the girls at the same time rather than fighting with his simple lance weapon which gained him his nickname ?Lance? due to his decent prowess with it.

Under careful instructions from the Deaths, Lance set out to start his spying mission under the disguise of an armored Red Knight. He was immediately accepted without any trouble.

However, in a few days to a full week, some of the Red Knights noticed that one of them was acting strangely towards them. When this Red Knight in question approached them during chow in a seemingly sexy manner, they finally realized that he wasn?t one of them. Lance barely escaped with his life back to the Deaths.

In retaliation, the Red Knights stepped up their plans and began having nearly daily skirmishes with the Deaths; sending out a spy to infiltrate within. It was successful.

In one of the meetings, Ultima Death and Ruby Death had a nasty surprise for them considering that up until now, they thought their Clan was impossible to infiltrate. This spy sent by the Red Knights was named Angel Death. He was growing tired of the Deaths? seemingly inactivity to sit tight and wait on the folk to start hating on the Red Knights, so he decided to reveal himself. This enraged Ruby Death greatly so that he went after Angel Death. But the spy had already escaped.

?We cannot sit tight any longer, Ultima Death!? the Knight General said hotly to his brother-in-arms, his blood-red eyes glowing in anger. ?We?re being infested like rats; we must do something about this, dammit!? He pounded the table with his fists.

Ultima Death, like Ruby Death, couldn?t bear with the situation; but kept a cool head about it unlike him, ?relax, brother! I?m already thinking,? he replied, his green fire eyes glowing.

Eventually, the Grand General gave up on his thinking three days after the Angel Death incident and had Atma Death accompany him towards the waterfalls within a large forest that dominated most of the north of AnimA next to the Death Castle. Unbeknownst to them, Camus happened to be walking towards the same spot from the south, unaware of the two Deaths at the same time.

?My friend Atma Death, do thou have any ideas how to deal with the Red Knights without having to resort to an all-out war and lose support at the same time?? Ultima Death asked Atma Death as they neared the waterfalls, the roaring sounds already audible.

?Nope. I?m as clueless as you are, my Lord,? he replied. The two of them came upon the edge of the lake, taking a moment to look at the splendor of the waterfalls that cascaded into the lake.

It was at this very moment they saw something red against the brown-green and blue scenery. It was Red Knight Camus! He stared at them in complete surprise, not expecting them to be here.

?Red Knight Camus!? Ultima Death cried in surprise and anger, summoning his Ultima Weapon sword into his right hand from his soul, holding it in both hands immediately. The soul of Ultima Weapon glowed within. Atma Death took out his twin pistols, training them on Camus.

Camus took out his sword, spinning it in a blur as he leapt upon one of the large stones that dotted throughout the lake.

?Camus! It ends here now!? the Grand General yelled, smirking as he appeared upon another large stone with Atma Death taking another stone so that the two surrounded Camus? flanks. He had just found the perfect solution to his problem.

?Grr! Two against one?! Bring it on!? the leader of the Red Knights taunted them.

Atma Death drew First Blood by opening fire on Camus, shooting repeatedly as the gunshots echoed into the air. Camus took the first few bullets into his sword arm as he moved quickly to shield his vitals before appearing on a stone farther away from his original and the flanking fighters.

Ultima Death appeared in front of Camus the second he alighted on his new stone, thrusting a Mithril-shod foot into his gut just below the sternum to send him falling into the water with a splash.

Camus yelled in pain and rage at being overwhelmed so quickly, lifting himself out of the water into the air to fling himself at Ultima Death, swinging his sword furiously. The Grand General evaded by appearing back to his own stone as Camus? sword ripped a gouge across the stone where he used to be, sending sparks flying everywhere into the water. Smoke partially obstructed his vision as he got up, panting.

Atma Death chuckled and then switched from his pistols to his sawed-off shotgun, cocking it into action, ?hit-and-run, eh Ultima Death?? he said, grinning as he aimed the shotgun at the recovering form of Camus.

Before he could pull the trigger, he saw an energy ball bearing down at him in high speeds. This made him duck low to the ground to let the ball fly over him to crash into a tree with an explosion, shattering it into flaming splinters.

?Whoo-ee! Looks like our friend is pissed off today!? he got up quickly, laughing as Ultima Death appeared on a stone close by Camus?, swinging his great Ultima Weapon sword at Camus, easily taking advantage of its ten-foot length.

Camus blocked it; a loud crashing sound as their swords hit each other, sparks flying everywhere from the impact. Since Ultima Death?s sword was far bigger than his own, he was pushed back into the water hard.

?Surrender now lest thou wish to die!? the Grand General yelled at Camus, his green fire eyes glowing as the frenzy of battle slowly took him over. Unlike Ruby Death, he was more merciful.

?Never!? in spite of Camus? bravado, he knew he was going to be killed sooner or later unless he escaped. Two versus one was too much. He crawled back up onto his stone and readied himself for battle once more.

There he stood, watching the men battle for their lives. Sire Xavier was in a set of battle gear that was a single black skintight jumpsuit with bits of dark blue armor over his forearms, upper torso, lower torso, shins and feet.

He had a black thin scarf around his neck, and was not wearing his helmet at all but a pair of sunglasses with red and white framework. The lenses were halved, and gave him the badass factor he was looking for.

He kicked off the cliff he was standing on, and started running towards Ultima Death, the metal shoes he wore made little to no noise as he ran at near 15 MPH towards the battlefield.

Hands were brought up into a prayer-like position, but suddenly, he started making strange positions with them causing a large mass of energy to be gathered inside his small frame.

He leapt into the air, and then yelled something quite loudly and loud enough to shake even the more iron-willed men. ?GRAND METEOR!!!? He flung his hands down at Camus, unleashing a massive sphere of red, black, and yellow energy that encased a massive rock that had no stability to it whatsoever. And when it hit Camus, everything was obliterated 10 miles to every azimuth BEHIND where Camus once stood.

Regulus stood there, not saying a single word as he let his new comrades bask in his raw power, and then he spoke.

?Sign me in. I will be a Death, but I cannot take your name. For I need no fancy name to be a brother to you.?

He let them decide in silence.

The stunned and shocked duo looked to the destruction of the waterfall and some of the forest, then to each other. It was apparent that Regulus here was indeed a blessing from the gods. Ultima Death looked to the Android, slowly grinning.

?Very well then. I suppose I can make an exception for thee,? he decided.

?Good. I expected no less from you,? Regulus replied and then went on, ?but you?ll have to pardon me very soon for I have my own quest? to attend to.?

It took a couple of moments before Ultima Death could respond, nodding his shaven head, ?all right, then. Thou are pardoned until thou come back.? Regulus then left in a midnight-blue beam of light that shot up into the skies.

The Red Knights were defeated, ending the shortest war in AnimA history.

?Hah, that wasn?t much of a war, was it, Ultima Death?? Atma Death chuckled.

-------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
?=Told in detail in the sidestory to this epic tale, TSoUD: Zabiru Gaiden

Chapter Eighteen: the Chase across RhyDin

The Aesir warrior went east, where he and Silverfox saw the Dark Lord?s army arriving just hours ago.

Knowing full well that Sauron took the easy way back through teleportation, he wished that he could do the same thing despite his Asgardian status and rank, since he was in Mordor before once with Slade some time ago at the end of the Great War.

Teleportation spells, as he knew from his training with the three Valkyries, were forbidden to all ranks, only accessible to Lord Odin to the Valkyries. The Valkyries were the lowest ranked-Asgardians permitted, since they were the 6th-highest in Asgardian hierarchy.

A day passed since he exited AnimA and he stopped to witness the scene before him. Some distance away by a mile, he could see several low buildings with forests here and there that spanned the entire horizon all the way from north to south.

?So this is RhyDin, eh,? he muttered to himself as his green fire eyes took in the sight. He had heard about the place from Omega Death and he had seen it for himself. Curious, he plodded on through the tall grass towards the city.

Walking along a cobbled road, the Aesir marveled at the mass amount of folk and the diversity among them. He had to twist around several throngs to avoid brushing against them as he recognized Elves, Drows, Vampires, and humans. There was the occasional Dwarf here and there along with the rare Faerie.

But the one race he noticed among many others fascinated him outright. He saw humanoids that were covered in various-colored fur all over from head to toe, possessing tails and animal-like heads complete with muzzle and ears. Most of these furry humanoids resembled cats and dogs, with a few resembling rats or mice. He also noticed many of them were female and wore scanty clothing. He would soon learn that these animal people were named Anthros.

?By the Gods, what beings are these fascinating creatures?!? the warrior said out loud, causing a canine Anthro to stop and look at him, along with other folk around her to look at him as well. She growled lowly and bared her teeth in scorn at the awestruck warrior.

?Did you say something, dear??

?W-what? Ah? er, what sort of being are thee?? he asked her, being quite frank without any pleasantries or profuse apologizes that seemed to make up RhyDinian speech.

She blinked and narrowed her eyes at him as if he was making jest or not. Sighing, she replied, ?If you?re asking me, then I can tell you that I am a canine Anthro. A dog person.?

?Anthro, eh..? Interesting name?? he muttered to himself, scanning the shapely furred form of the canine Anthro, taking note of her ample feminine assets in the process. By now, the surrounding folk had moved on past them to their errands and the female Anthro noticed his scanning look and chuckled slyly, tail wagging.

?Well big boy, do you like what you?re seeing?? she grinned wolfishly as her muzzle would allow, the effect causing her teeth to be revealed. She?d clasp her hands together in front of her legs, causing her breasts to be pushed together somewhat.

It took Ultima Death several moments to recover and looked at her face this time, ?huh? Heh, thou look nice. But I must be going now.? Then he walked past her, the canine Anthro looking after him as his black cloak trailed behind in his wake before his entire being melted into the moving mass of folk. She growled sensuously and licked her chops with her long smooth tongue, wishing that she?d have that armored hunk in bed right about now...

By nightfall, the warrior laid upon a bed in a room he rented inside an Inn named Red Dragon Inn. His mind was on Anthros, especially the voluptuous canine Anthro he had encountered. The reason why he didn?t spend this particular night with her was the thought of his love, Silverfox. He vowed to himself to be faithful to her and he was successful so far.

?Silverfox? just thou wait, I?ll be coming to rescue thee and destroy Sauron with my blade!? he whispered to the cracked and somewhat rotting ceiling of plywood, green fire eyes glowing. Then a small pain gripped his chest for a moment before hunger settled into the pit of his stomach. Sitting up, he massaged his stomach, mystified at being hungry so soon after he had just finished eating downstairs.

?What is this..? That?s impossible...? then the hunger faded off. Shaking his shaven head, he laid back down to sleep.

At the same time when Ultima Death thought of Silverfox, the very same woman had ceased her screams to be freed, her throat raw from all the screaming. She was shackled by the wrists in chains to a wall close to the ceiling in a small prison cell. Her cell happened to be right next to the one Ultima Death temporarily occupied back then. She was close to the top of Barad-dur in Mordor.

Several quiet sobs escaped from her throat as she looked around, examining her cell and her shackles. How she got in here was beyond her. All she remembered was enveloping darkness, a feeling of being displaced for a moment, and then waking up to a great fear that dominated her entire being. She had discovered herself in this cell this morning and that was when she saw Sauron, the abomination who kidnapped her for reasons unknown, opening the cell door to enter.

?Get away from me! STAY AWAY!? she had yelled at the encroaching Dark Lord who had stopped inches before her. The empty black holes within his mask-helmet seemed to pierce into her soul and there was a short laughter that chilled down her spine, sounding like a cross between harsh buzzing and rattling of bones.

Sauron reached up to grasp her jaw line with a gauntleted hand, turning her face to one way, then the other before caressing her neck. The heavy spiked metal rubbed against her delicate skin, sending icy coldness throughout that threatened to freeze her.

?Yes, it is as I predicted when I saw thee with that Aesir warrior, thou are pure. Untainted and untouched. The perfect sacrifice!? he spoke and the same laughter sounded out again, longer this time.

?What are you talking about? Get your hand off me!? Silverfox struggled to pull away from the deathly cold touch, but the wall behind her head wouldn?t allow. So she resorted to spitting at the armored face of Sauron.

Her spit stopped suddenly just millimeters before the metal exterior, turned into black obsidian that crumbled into black sand to the floor. Sauron laughed again, ?if thou weren?t so special, I would?ve had thee lashed raw and sent to the Pit to be left for dead!? He growled at her and then walked off out of the cell back to his Dark Throne. The fear immediately vanished from Silverfox.

Looking back to this recent flashback, she wondered what made her ?special? as Sauron put it. Then she thought of her lover, Ultima Death, and prayed that he could come and rescue her soon. A single tear trickled down her cheek, wanting this ordeal to be over.

Morning came, and Ultima Death was back on the road, carrying an extra-large burlap sack of food in case this mysterious hunger struck again. He had bought out the entire pantry of Red Dragon Inn with all of his money in spite of the Inn owners? protests.

Plucking out a cask of ale from the bag, he chugged it down as he reached the other side of the sector within RhyDin, stopping to survey the changing scenery.

Behind him were the many buildings of bars, shops, guild centers, houses and apartments. Before him were farmland, forests, distant towers and castles here and there. Wondering where to go next, he decided to opt for the forests, certain that they would lead him to Mordor through the rest of RhyDin. He had no idea how big RhyDin was? yet.

By noon, his Mithril-shod feet crunched upon the leaf-strewn forest floor, kicking aside or crushing the occasional twig underneath now and then. Ultima Death looked around, scanning the lush forest that was slowly becoming darker and forbidding in spite of the high noon sun beyond the thick canopy. He had sensed several life-forms circling around him several times.

After some more walking, the ground became wet and there was a humidity that seemed to permeate from the mucky ground, from the air, from the trees and foliage, from everywhere.

?Damn, a swamp?? he muttered to himself, deciding to set up a campfire to prepare him some food as a break before undertaking the treacherous swamp ahead.

Not too soon, he had heard ominous laughter somewhere. His sensing was telling him that they were closing in on him. Pretending to be deaf in order to lure them closer, he continued to cook his food.

By the time he was eating his meal, they had stopped closing in on him, the closest being several feet away. Quickly finishing off his meal, he snuffed out the campfire with a wave of his hand, growing tired of being watched like prey.

Gathering up his stuff, he walked eastward into the swamp, green fire eyes glowing as he remained on high alert for anything to happen.

And something indeed happened! A vine of considerable thickness whipped out at him so fast that he was unable to defend himself, wrapping itself around his right thigh roughly before pulling him upside-down off the ground, causing him to lose his food sack.

?Aargh!? the warrior barked in surprise and pain and grabbed at the tightening vine that was threatening to squeeze his leg off his hip socket. Or snap in multiple places and nearly turned into mush from the incredible pressure.

A branch reached out and brushed against his shaven head, trying to gain purchase upon his sweaty scalp. It only succeeded in scraping up his head with scratches that bled.

Infuriated greatly, Ultima Death charged up energy and let loose Hell Heat, a Fire spell Ruby Death created within the Death Clan Spell Book. The surrounding air turned red with large heat waves that distorted the surroundings greatly. It became so hot that flames burst out of the very air itself, destroying the squeezing vine, the scratching branch and any unfortunate foliage around into ashes before the spell ended. The food stack, unfortunately, was burned into ashes as well.

Getting up from the ground, laughter immediately surrounded all sides of him.

?Damned pranksters!? he yelled at the all-encompassing laughter that seemed to mock him.

?Oooh! This one has power!?

?Yes, such terrible dreadful power!?

?What should we do with this little one?? multiple voices conversed to each other, mocking and jesting Ultima Death at the same time.

Growling softly, the warrior made a break for it, not wanting to become prey to the prank-loving spirits of this swamp any longer. In response, branches and vines whipped out at him, trying to trip him or ensnare him. He only got cuts and scrapes as he continued to evade their attempts.

Hearing rushing water close by, he ran faster until he burst through the thick cover into a wide fast-flowing river.

?AAHHH!!? unable to prevent himself from falling into the river due to cliff-like banks, he landed into the water with a small splash. He was carried away from the swamp and as he surfaced, he laughed at the swamp.

?Ha ha ha! Can?t get to me now, foolhardy creatures!? he mocked at the watching spirits. His glee lasted short, however, as he saw the end of the river before going under.

It was a waterfall, a very tall waterfall. He screamed as he fell through the cascading white mist into a lake far below, pummeled to the bottom by roiling water. He gradually surfaced near the edge, coughing and treading water at the same time.

Reaching the shore, he crawled out of the lake completely as he continued to cough for a long time until all the water was out of his lungs. Exhausted, he collapsed to the sandy ground and slept.

Hard poking upon the warrior?s shoulder woke him up, seeing a long thin stick continuing to poke at him. He snatched it away, snapping it into two, growling.

?Grr! Stop that! I?m not dead!? Ultima Death cried and got up on his feet unsteadily. ?Damn?? he shook his shaven head to clear himself up.

There was an Elf with multiple piercings upon her face and ears and a belly button ring on her navel close by, accompanied with a tiny sprite that seemed to resemble a black furry ape.

?You broke my stick!? the Elf pouted her lips at the Aesir warrior who smirked in reply.

?That?s what thou get for not stopping. Where am I anyway?? he looked around, seeing there was forest all around the lake with a vine-laden cliff that held the waterfall. It was late afternoon.

?RhyDin Waterfall, that?s where we are!? the ape sprite chimed in, floating up and down in mid-air between Ultima Death and the Elven woman.

?I see. Thanks,? he thanked them, clutching at his stomach as the mysterious hunger struck again, stronger this time. He walked off eastward away from the RhyDin Waterfall.

?Dammit, what is wrong with me?? he muttered to himself as he stumbled past a tree, falling down to his side. He curled up into a ball as the hunger intensified, shutting his green fire eyes tight as he winced in pain.

Suddenly, he saw Ultima Weapon in his mind?s eye, looming large before his vision. It screeched as its bottom head roared at the same time. It reared up on its large hind legs, yelling loudly in his mind that caused terrible pain to make him pass out almost immediately.

Blood! I crave blood! BLOOD! FEED ME LEST I WILL POSSESS THEE!

Chapter Nineteen: the Massacre of Orcs and the Downfall of Slaz

Swarms of Orcs rushed at Ultima Death once he went well past the Black Gate into Mordor, crying out their battle cries as they ran with their swords and spears held up high.

The warrior stopped in his tracks to watch them approach him closer and closer, a grin forming on his face as he?d heft his Ultima Weapon sword up close to his right cheek.

?What a bunch of nothings!? he?d remark to himself before appearing high in the air once the Orcs were five yards away from him. Bringing up the huge sword of blue-white crystal above his shaven head, he began to draw in massive amounts of energy into it, making it glow brilliantly with a blue-white light that seemed to illuminate a portion of the dreary and evil Mordor, blinding the Orcs temporarily.

With a yell of effort, Ultima Death pointed his charged-up sword at the middle of the swarms, letting loose a gigantic beam of blue-white energy that rushed towards the hapless Orcs with a roaring wrath, slamming into them that caused an expanding dome-like shockwave of flaming energy to engulf more of them in a mile-wide diameter before rising up into the air as a mushroom cloud. When it faded off, it revealed a mile-wide diameter of shallow crater with a layer of dark glass on the surface, the arid soil being flash-fried from this attack. Quite a few remains of Orcs in the form of charred skeletons and twisted metal of their armor and weapons were seen throughout the crater. Such was the wrath of the warrior?s Ultima Beam attack.

Ultima Death floated down to the ground, his sword steaming from the energy discharge, surveying what he had done in awestruck silence.

?Damn?? he muttered, having done this attack for the first time. The last of the Orcs, the ones that were fortunate enough to be outside of Ultima Beam?s destructive radius, immediately surrendered by throwing down their weapons and armor to run off towards the far-off plains east beyond the Barad-Dur.

?Hmph, good thinking, cowards,? the warrior smirked at the fleeing Orcs and then walked through the crater he made towards Barad-Dur, the Ultima Weapon sword ceasing its steaming.

Sinister laughter greeted him once he approached the gates of the Dark Tower, opening up to let Slaz, the chieftain of the Orcs, to meet him. The gates closed with a thudding sound, reverberating throughout the air.

?Sha pushdug glob! Kwy made ul run away from kwy? Skai pushdug Uruk-hai! No matter! I, Slaz, son of Slige and chieftain of the Uruk-hai, will mardor kwy!? Slaz yelled at Ultima Death in the mixture of English and the Black Speech, taking out Sarkor from its sheath. The sword?s red aura glowed as it hissed menacingly, eager to kill.

Both Orc and Aesir wasted no time by rushing at each other, swinging their swords at the same time. Ultima Weapon and Sarkor clashed once, then twice as Slaz fought with all his might to hold his ground against the huge sword of crystal that threatened to send him backwards forcefully off the ground due to its size and power, succeeding at last by getting into a weapon deadlock.

?I?m sick of thee, foul Orc! BEGONE!? the warrior yelled at Slaz amid the showering sparks of blue, white and red from their swords during the deadlock, sending out a pulse of energy to repel Slaz away from him, ending the deadlock at the same time.

As he was about to follow this up with a horizontal swing, Slaz fell flat on the ground to evade it, getting up in a flash to roll past him who was recovering from the swing fairly quickly. Getting behind the warrior, Slaz slashed at his back, cutting off most of his black cloak and creating a gash into his Mystile armor, actually cutting into his back through it. Sarkor hissed loudly as if exulting from this successful hit.

?Argh!? Ultima Death yelled in pain from this and did a spin-slash to send Slaz crashing into the ground hard several yards away from him. ?Bastard??

Slaz got up from the ground, panting as he had a gash across his chest. He charged up energy and let loose a beam of light from his hand at Ultima Death, yelling ?Kell!?

The warrior was already in defensive position with his sword in front of him, its 5-foot width easily serving as a shield. The Kell spell struck it, only to be reflected since it was a beam of light energy right back at Slaz, hitting him pretty hard.

?Pathetic, just pathetic,? Ultima Death shook his shaven head as he walked towards the fallen form of Slaz which was breathing labored breaths. Stopping right next to Slaz, he?d look back at the gates of Barad-Dur then to the Orc, he grinned, ?Looks like thou are going to help me out after all!? He?d reach down to Slaz to grab him.

Slaz grabbed the warrior?s hand with his left, and used his right to try to cut it off with his Sarkor. But Ultima Death stamped Slaz?s right arm to the ground with a Mithril-shod foot, ?oh no, thou don?t!? He?d stab his Ultima Weapon sword handle-first into Slaz?s wrist, since the handle was pointed at the bottom, pinning the arm to the ground.

?AAGHH!!? Slaz yelled in pain as black blood gushed out from the stab wound, grabbing the handle with his free hand, trying to pull it out in vain. Ultima Death pulled it out for him, then grabbed Slaz to throw him towards the gates of Barad-Dur. Slaz?s body slammed into the gates, causing a banging sound and no damage to them since they were all metal. Slaz fell to the ground in a heap, close to death as a pool of black blood formed about him.

Ultima Death walked up to the gates and charged energy into his Ultima Weapon sword, so that blue and white flames engulfed it. He?d swing it at the gates furiously until they gave way, shattering in flaming shards and twisted metal.

?SAURON! GIVE ME MY SILVERFOX BACK, DAMN THEE!? He yelled, raising his sword in challenge.

Chapter Twenty-one: Aesir versus Dark Lord

?Where is Silverfox?!? Ultima Death yelled at Sauron, getting down to his knees as he tried to muster the strength to overcome the overwhelming fear that was emanating from the Dark Lord. Sauron laughed a raspy laugh, getting up from his throne to advance upon the Aesir.

?Ah yes, the virgin. Don?t worry, she will be put to good use,? he said as he stopped a yard away from the warrior, looking up to the ceiling. ?Melkor is coming, and thou will not stop it from happening! Come forth and witness his glorious return at the expense of thy virgin?s life!? At that, Sauron vanished in a burst of black energy which gave way to a swirling cone of red energy that reached up to the ceiling. Ultima Death felt the fear vanish and he breathed a sigh of relief. He rushed into the swirling cone, intent on saving Silverfox from what Sauron had in store for her.

Silverfox was roused from her troubled sleep at once when the familiar fear washed over her. She saw Sauron floating up to her over the granite basin of mercury, his large black sword appearing in his right hand. She was of course chained to one of the curving spikes that towered around the edges of Barad-dur?s top and left there for two days. Just when she was about to scream in fright, she saw a flash of red behind the basin and she was at loss for words upon seeing a sight for sore eyes: her lover, Ultima Death.

That elation would be short-lived as four Balrogs, gigantic creatures of flame and smoke with molten swords, appeared around him. She took a deep breath and screamed: ?ULTIMA!?

?ULTIMA!? upon hearing the familiar voice of his love, Ultima Death felt brief flutter of elation at knowing Silverfox was still alive and nearby. In fact, he could see her chained to one of the towering spikes before the Balrogs blocked his view.

Sauron?s unintelligible chanting rang throughout the air at this point, which the warrior felt a surge of energy wash over him from somewhere in the front. Willing his Ultima Weapon sword into his right hand from his soul, he launched himself into the fray with the Balrogs that roared.

Silverfox struggled against the chains fruitlessly as Sauron fully blocked her view with his body, denying her any further sight of Ultima Death and drowning out the sounds of the battle raging below with his chanting that started up the ritual. However, she still could see flashes of light and sparks happening elsewhere that came from the battle. A series of flashing red took her attention from Sauron to the skies, bearing witness of the roiling clouds that produced a near-constant stream of red lightning that concentrated upon a point that eventually discharged a thick bolt into the mercury-filled basin. The crackling red energy danced upon the shiny reflective surface before it settled into an intricate pattern that formed into an array, extending out towards the spikes that ringed the edges of the tower top.

A flash of movement took her attention away from the ritual to see Ultima Death slamming into one of the spikes, causing her to gasp in surprise. He then vanished before a large blade of molten metal crashed into the spot where he was, gouging the spike in the process. She saw a Balrog, presumably the one that tried to slash Ultima Death, get smashed into the gouged spike that caused it to snap off and sent the Balrog tumbling off into the oblivion beyond with it.

Sauron?s chanting grew louder, drawing her attention back to him and it was apparent that he was preparing to use his sword on her. She screamed again, struggling against the chains with a renewed effort before he slashed her.

She felt her stomach explode in pain, looking down to see a thick gash of red across her stomach in a horizontal line, a torrent of blood gushing forth momentarily that slowed down to a trickle. The blood splashed onto the charged basin that created a violent reaction?the red array burst into bright crimson flames that flared upwards towards the sky before turning into black flames, the mercury turning white and ethereal at the same time.

As Sauron resumed his chanting, Silverfox felt a large blast of coldness and then a rumble before she saw another Balrog slide across the top coated in a thick fog of chilling vapors, reduced into a hybrid of Giant and Dragon, not the flaming and smoking creature it was. The white ethereal substance eventually turned into a black and rippling liquid that suddenly became very still as Sauron continued to chant. Silverfox grimaced as she fought to stay conscious against the pain of her stomach wound, glimpsing several blasts of green energy and then Ultima Death flying onto the side of a spike before leaping off it to vanish from her sight behind Sauron.

The still surface of the black liquid suddenly rippled due to Silverfox?s trickling blood reaching it after several moments and ominous rattling sounds could be heard from within the basin?s contents. Sauron ceased his chanting to look at the now roiling liquid that threatened to splash over the basin?s edge but never quite succeeding. She thought she saw large rusted chains peek through the surface.

?It begins at last! Melkor is starting to breach the Void!? the Dark Lord remarked. A bright flash of light flared out and Silverfox could hear roars of pain and thuds, had Ultima Death managed to defeat all four Balrogs?

The chains binding Silverfox to the spike vanished as Sauron grabbed her roughly, screaming in pain and protest at this as it became apparent she would be thrown into the basin. The thick rusty chains were slowly blossoming through the liquid, groaning as they scraped against each other.

After taking a quick breather from defeating the Balrogs, Ultima Death looked up to see his lover in the hands of Sauron, about to throw her into the basin.

?I don?t think so!? he quickly charged up and unleashed a vertical Ultima Slash at the basin, a crescent blast of green energy that ripped a gash across the tower top to slam into the basin, sundering it into two with explosive force. A piercing scream made him look up to see Silverfox careening through the air towards the ruins of the basin.

?SILVERFOX!? he yelled as he appeared below her with his sword back into his soul at the same time, catching her in mid-air before appearing back to where he was on the tower top.

?Are thou all right? Damn, thy stomach?!? he gasped at the sight of her wound and set her down to fumble for an X-Potion somewhere on him.

?Ultima, you came for me,? she half-whispered, smiling a pained smile on her pale features as she looked up to him.

?Aye, I have come thousands of miles for thee, love,? he replied before extracting the desired item from a pouch on his hip. ?Thank the Gods! Here, drink this!? She did so, and an aura of deep blue with white spots engulfed her body which her wound closed up instantly, wincing a bit before sitting up slowly.

Noticing Sauron float down to the tower top from the air to walk towards them, the warrior urged Silverfox to get up, pointing to the gash he had made two feet away.

?Get down through there and get away from here back to AnimA! I?m going to end this for once and for all!?

?But what about you, Ultima?? she made to protest, though she hastily clambered down through the gash to obey, fearful of Sauron.

?Don?t thou worry about me, babe. I?ll find thee when this is over,? he grinned down at her before getting himself into battle position, summoning his Ultima Weapon sword into his hands.

?O-okay! I love you, Ultima!?

?I love thee too, Silverfox,? he replied before slipping away from her view as she had descended onto the throne room of Barad-dur.

Sauron, the Dark Lord of Mordor, was furious at having his summoning ritual disrupted by the Aesir warrior. After thousands of years, he was this close to getting Melkor back from the Void and then denied! Gripping his Sar-dur tightly in both hands, he held it close to his left hip pointing at the warrior, growling.

?Thou have meddled in my plans for the last time!? he rushed at the warrior, his black aura flaring up at the same time. Once he got close enough, the resonance effect kicked in between the two, causing the warrior?s strange aura to appear. His sword parried easily, he hopped backwards and did a spin-slash to send the Aesir reeling backwards. Without letting up, Sauron launched several spikes of obsidian that materialized from his aura towards the warrior, puncturing him in several places where his armor didn?t cover.

Watching the warrior pull out the spikes with a sneer concealed behind his helmet, he quickly stabbed his sword into the floor, creating a brief geyser of black flames underneath the warrior. This sent him backwards towards the edge with a yell of pain. Sauron laughed, relishing in this.

Panting in pain and effort, Ultima Death flipped back upright and appeared behind Sauron to slash at his spine, determined to return the favor not to let up. The armored body of Sauron sparked massively upon contact from the crystal sword, sending him stumbling forward, almost falling over. He noticed a shallow gash across Sauron?s back, smirking as he took advantage of the Dark Lord?s recovery time to charge up for a spell, unleashing Angel Blade at him with a yell of effort.

A blade of Holy energy impaled Sauron from out of nowhere which exploded into a leveling shockwave that made him fall down on the floor hard. The warrior jumped up high into the air with his Ultima Weapon sword above his shaven head, intent on doing a cleaving deathblow from above. Sauron managed to roll away in time, the gigantic sword smashing into the floor that created a seven-foot long jagged hole in the process.

?DAMN THEE!? he yelled at Sauron in frustration at missing his deathblow, swinging his sword around as he?d jump across the hole after Sauron. He wasn?t ready for what happened next. While he was about to land on the other side of the hole, spikes of dark energy appeared below him on the floor that grew up rapidly, impaling him from multiple spots.

Next chapter in progress. Be patient, folks!