Saland blinked, his senses reeling as he found himself in an unfamiliar realm. It was a sprawling plain, vibrant with verdant trees and meadows, a stark contrast to the desolate landscapes he had grown accustomed to. Towering mountains encircled the area, their peaks piercing the sky like jagged teeth.
Suddenly, a voice echoed through the tranquil air, resonating with an undeniable power. "I hope you find this to your liking. This shall be our battleground, the stage upon which the fate of humankind will be decided."
Saland's gaze swept across the seemingly empty landscape, searching for the source of the voice. "Tell me," he finally responded, his voice carrying a hint of bewilderment, "why have you attacked us? Why are you doing all of this? We have done nothing to warrant such aggression."
A figure materialized in the distance, striding forward with an air of grim determination. It was Wakawa. "For us," Wakawa stated, his voice firm, "you have become a threat too significant to ignore. Had we not struck first, you would have inevitably done the same."
Saland's brow furrowed. "You attacked us merely out of fear," he countered, his tone hardening. "But I will prove to you that there is little difference between you humans and us magical creatures."
With those words, both Saland and Wakawa settled into their respective fighting stances, their eyes locked in a tense gaze. Wakawa moved first, his speed a blur that Saland's eyes struggled to track. In the blink of an eye, Wakawa materialized behind him, his blade already descending. Yet, Saland reacted instinctively, his own weapon, Fendi Montagne, rising to meet the attack. A jarring clang echoed through the plain, and Saland was surprised to feel that Wakawa's sword had not shattered upon contact with his legendary blade.
Wakawa swiftly retreated, launching a series of rapid slashes. Saland parried each blow with strenuous effort, the force of the attacks pressing down on him. Focusing his inner energy, Saland channeled his aura into Fendi Montagne and unleashed a sweeping strike. The air crackled as the blade tore through the space, instantly felling the majority of the trees before him. But Wakawa was agile, dodging the devastating attack with a burst of speed, though his simple straw hat was sliced clean in half.
Wakawa's eyes narrowed, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. "I never anticipated such formidable power from you," he admitted. "Very well, I shall show you a fraction of my own... Light Bring." He placed his palm flat against the length of his sword, drawing his energy through it. "My magical attribute is light." As his hand slid from the hilt to the tip, the blade erupted in a pure, almost divine white luminescence.
In the next instant, Wakawa shot forward, his movements fluid and precise. With seemingly effortless ease, he managed to graze Saland's hardened scales, drawing a thin line of crimson. Fortunately, Saland's draconic scales began to knit themselves back together with remarkable speed. Wakawa was now moving at an even greater velocity, a silver streak against the green of the plain. Saland struggled to keep up, his own attempts to strike met with swift evasions. Focusing his magical energy into his legs, Saland pushed his speed to its limit, yet even that proved insufficient to match Wakawa's agility. In a flurry of blindingly fast movements, Wakawa landed several more shallow cuts on Saland's body.
"This technique I just employed," Wakawa announced, his voice laced with a hint of pride, "is the Dance of Divine Light. You won't even comprehend what has struck you." True to his word, Wakawa moved so rapidly that Saland could only perceive streaks of light, followed by the stinging sensation of new wounds blossoming across his skin. In that moment, Saland knew he could not compete with Wakawa's sheer speed.
"Is your innate ability merely speed?" Saland questioned, a determined glint in his eyes. "Then it is my turn... Rekkai!"
A surge of energy coursed through Saland's body. His scales shimmered, shifting from their usual hue to a deep, ominous violet. Even Fendi Montagne pulsed with the same dark energy, its metallic surface now tinged with purple. Saland settled into a more aggressive stance, his senses heightened.
Wakawa was the first to move, launching a swift thrust aimed at Saland's chest. But Saland was ready, intercepting the attack with Mountain Cleaver. He retaliated with a rapid barrage of slashes, forcing Wakawa to evade. Wakawa then attempted a ranged attack, unleashing a blade of pure white magical energy. With a sharp, precise swing, Saland bisected the energy projectile. Closing the distance in a burst of speed, Saland aimed a powerful strike at Wakawa, who barely managed to parry with his katana. The resounding clang of their blades colliding echoed across the valley.
Wakawa, with another lightning-fast maneuver, struck Saland from behind with a flurry of blows, forcing him to stumble backward. Saland gasped for breath, yet a grim smile played on his lips. He gathered his energy and lunged forward, aiming a powerful blow at Wakawa, who dodged. But Saland had anticipated this, pouring his mana into Fendi Montagne and unleashing a relentless series of strikes. Wakawa, caught off guard, couldn't evade in time and was struck squarely, sent tumbling to the ground. He quickly regained his footing, however, his expression now serious. "Not bad," he conceded, "I underestimated you, monster. But now, I'm getting serious... Light Bring Awakened!"
Instantly, radiant white streaks erupted across Wakawa's body, and a brilliant white aura enveloped him. Even his golden blond hair transformed, taking on a pure, snow-white sheen. With a renewed burst of speed, Wakawa dashed forward, managing to graze Saland's scales once more. Saland's eyes widened in surprise, but Wakawa pressed his attack, striking from every conceivable angle. Saland tried to counter, but Wakawa, with a well-placed punch, sent him hurtling towards a nearby tree, the impact jarring his senses. Refusing to yield, Saland channeled the force of his swings with Fendi Montagne, creating powerful gusts of wind in an attempt to strike Wakawa, but his opponent was simply too fast, closing the distance and striking Saland at point-blank range. The only recourse Saland had was to raise his arms to parry the incoming blow. Wakawa then focused his mana into his katana and struck with all his might, sending Saland crashing against a mountainside before collapsing onto the ground.
"You are not strong enough to defeat my Awakening," Wakawa declared, his voice ringing with conviction. "Surrender!"
"N-no," Saland gasped, his body aching, "I cannot surrender... not yet."
Wakawa's expression softened slightly. "I apologize, but this is the harsh reality. There is an immense chasm of power between my strength and yours."
Saland remained silent, his gaze unwavering. Wakawa continued, a hint of melancholy in his tone. "Well, in the end, your parents' prophecy wasn't entirely accurate. Their names were Lassy and Aton, and... I am the one who killed them."
Saland's eyes snapped open, locking onto Wakawa's. He had never known his parents, the concept alien to him. But to learn that the being before him was their murderer ignited a cold fury within his heart.
Wakawa pressed on, oblivious to the turmoil he had unleashed. "My name is Wakawa. Yours should be Saland, if I recall correctly. I was born into a family of warrior monks, living in distant lands where there were no monsters, only us. The techniques of the innate ability were taught to me by private masters from a young age. But the peace we had known did not last. One day, when I was just seven, I went for a solitary walk in the mountains. I possessed enough skill to defeat a wild beast, but thankfully encountered none. I returned to the monastery after two hours, only to be met with a scene that froze my blood. A colossal magical creature with six eyes and four arms was devouring the lifeless bodies of the monks. And then I saw them... my parents, lying still in a pool of their own blood. The monster turned towards me, and I drew my sword, decapitating it in a swift motion. I embraced my parents' cold bodies, tears streaming down my face, and there I swore an oath to eliminate every magical creature I encountered. I embarked on a long journey that spanned five years, finally reaching the lands of Amalor. But soon after, I discovered that humans were subjugated by magical creatures, the Serpentines. It was then that I resolved to help them. One day, by chance, the king himself, your father Aton, was passing through a small town. I seized the opportunity and slaughtered his elite guards. From there, word of my ease in eliminating the elite Serpentines spread, and many sought my teachings. Before long, the majority of humans had learned to harness their innate abilities, leading to a civil war that lasted only a year, during which we conquered most of Amalor. Finally, we reached their last stronghold, and it was there that I killed your parents. Before their last breath, they uttered a prophecy, foretelling a duel between their son and me, a battle that would be remembered for millennia, and that you would stand at my level. But after our current exchange... perhaps they were mistaken."
Wakawa turned his back to Saland and began to walk towards the dense woods. But Saland, fueled by a surge of raw emotion, cried out, "I cannot die now! Not here! Rekkai Awakened!"
A colossal pillar of violet energy erupted from Saland, lifting him to his feet. Wakawa spun around in surprise, but before he could react, Saland, moving with incredible speed, materialized behind him. A flurry of devastating blows rained down on Wakawa's back, each strike carrying the weight of Saland's newfound power and his burning rage. Wakawa staggered, nearly collapsing, but with a desperate burst of energy, he spun around, attempting to strike Saland. However, the moment his katana connected with Saland's scales, the blade shattered into pieces. In retaliation, Saland delivered a brutal uppercut, sending Wakawa soaring into the air, reaching heights comparable to the surrounding mountain peaks. Without hesitation, Saland teleported next to the airborne Wakawa and executed a spinning slash, the force of his blade cleanly slicing through all the mountains that encircled the valley, causing them to crumble and fall. Saland then delivered another powerful punch, sending Wakawa plummeting back to the earth.
Wakawa crashed into the ground, a look of disbelief etched on his face. "Not bad," he gasped, "where did you conceal all that strength? However... I too have a trump card... God of Light Mode!"
In an instant, Wakawa's hair, eyes, clothing, aura, and even the remnants of his shattered katana, transformed into a radiant gold. Five shimmering golden spheres materialized behind him. "This mode," Wakawa explained, his voice resonating with newfound power, "can only be attained after arduous training and by finding one's inner equilibrium. It is called... Equilibrium."
In this world steeped in battle and magic, the evolution of an individual's power was a constant factor. An ordinary person stood little chance against a magical creature, but an innate ability offered a glimmer of hope for victory. However, unlocking an Awakening, a stage of power reached after years of dedicated training of one's innate ability, was a rare occurrence, attainable only by those born with a superior mana pool. Even then, those who diligently honed their innate abilities could only marginally approach the might of an Awakening. Beyond the Awakening lay the Equilibrium, a state achieved by reaching the pinnacle of one's Awakening and finding a profound balance within the soul. Wakawa stood as a testament to this ultimate stage.
Wakawa and Saland faced each other once more. Saland still wore his unsettling smile, a mask that betrayed the fact that he was no longer fully in control, his body reacting purely on instinct, driven by the raw power that surged within him. In contrast, Wakawa exuded an aura of calm confidence, assured in his hard-earned abilities.
With a simultaneous burst of speed, the two warriors charged. The impact of their colliding blades unleashed a shockwave that carved an even larger crater into the already scarred earth. The battle raged on, Saland's movements erratic and powerful, his control slipping further with each passing moment. He unleashed a relentless barrage of slashes, but Wakawa, now imbued with divine speed, effortlessly evaded each strike. With a swift counterattack, Wakawa grazed Saland's right arm, his golden energy searing through the violet scales, drawing blood. In response, Saland lunged forward, grasping Wakawa's head and slamming it violently into the crater floor.
Wakawa recovered quickly, imbuing the remnants of his golden katana with concentrated mana. He charged towards Saland with blinding speed, but Saland anticipated the move, delivering a powerful punch directly to Wakawa's chest. Golden blood splattered from Wakawa's lips, but he pressed his attack, the mana-charged shard of his blade lashing out. Saland managed to parry, the impact sending tremors through his arm. Saland then darted towards Wakawa, but his opponent foresaw his movement, teleporting behind him. Saland instinctively raised his left arm to block the incoming strike, but Wakawa began to spin around him at an incredible velocity, delivering a series of rapid blows from multiple directions before unleashing a concentrated blast of golden energy. The attack struck Saland squarely, sending him crashing into a rocky outcrop.
"In the end," Wakawa stated, his voice laced with a hint of finality, "an Awakening cannot defeat an Equilibrium. As I said before, there is an insurmountable gap in power between us."
Yet, Saland continued to smile, a chillingly unwavering expression, as he slowly rose to his feet. Wakawa pressed his advantage. "You are merely a monster relying on brute force. Without strategy, you cannot hope to win in your current state, Saland."
Saland finally spoke, his voice regaining a measure of control. "I allowed my body to acclimate to this newfound power. The first time I unleashed my Awakening, the power overwhelmed my mind because I was not yet ready. But now, thanks to that previous encounter and this one, I have managed to master it." With those words, Saland vanished, reappearing instantly behind Wakawa, who was visibly surprised by his opponent's sudden movement. Saland then swung his blade in an seemingly aimless arc, the force of the blow impacting the far side of the crater with a deafening roar.
Wakawa remained composed, absorbing the five golden spheres that floated behind him. "If I must give my all," he declared, his voice resonating with ultimate resolve, "then I shall do so now! Armor of the God of Light!"
In a flash of golden light, Wakawa's body was encased in a flowing aura that solidified into an intricate suit of armor, reminiscent of a samurai's, radiating a brilliant yellow hue. Above his head, a circular halo of golden energy materialized, echoing the form of his lost straw hat. Wakawa settled into a final stance, unleashing every ounce of mana within him, causing his power to surge to unprecedented levels.
Saland, witnessing this ultimate transformation, responded in kind. "I have expelled the majority of my mana to create an invisible armor of pure mana that envelops my body," he announced, his violet aura intensifying. "It is called Skin of the Supreme Serpent. It further enhances my Awakening and my overall power. Thanks to you, I have managed to reach this point. I thank you."
The two warriors locked eyes, a silent acknowledgment of the final clash to come. With a speed that defied perception, they charged. Wakawa was the first to strike, unleashing a blinding slash of golden light. But Saland met the attack, parrying with precision before countering with a lightning-fast punch aimed directly at Wakawa. The force of the blow sent Wakawa hurtling backward, crashing into the crater floor. He immediately surged back to his feet, his divine speed allowing him to create countless shimmering copies of his energy, launching a mass assault on Saland. Yet, Saland remained unfazed, his violet blade a whirlwind of motion, striking down every manifestation of his enemy's energy. Once again, the clash of their blades echoed through the ravaged landscape.
Saland pressed his attack, his violet blade a blur of relentless strikes. Wakawa, despite his enhanced speed, was forced to evade the majority of the blows. But in the midst of his evasive maneuvers, Saland managed to land a solid hit with Fendi Montagne. However, the golden energy armor mitigated the damage. The two warriors traded blows countless times, each strike carrying the weight of their ultimate power. Finally, both Saland and Wakawa charged their blades with their respective energies and unleashed simultaneous attacks, the force of the collision sending them flying to opposite ends of the battlefield.
Wakawa steadied himself, his golden armor gleaming. "I will end this here and now!!!" he roared, gripping the remnants of his katana with both hands. "God of Light Ultimate Technique: Lustrous God Dragon!" An immense amount of golden mana erupted from him, coalescing into the form of a colossal golden dragon with piercing blue eyes.
Saland, witnessing this final, devastating technique, braced himself. He poured every last drop of his mana into Fendi Montagne, the violet energy intensifying, darkening until it was almost black. "Haaaaaah!" he roared, his own mana erupting around him, taking the form of a gigantic violet serpent with glowing yellow eyes.
The two colossal manifestations collided with earth-shattering force. The already massive crater groaned and cracked further under the immense pressure. The auras of the two warriors clashed, a maelstrom of gold and violet energy. In the heart of the collision, Saland and Wakawa struck each other, their final forms dissolving into pure energy.
The two figures landed heavily on opposite sides of the ravaged battlefield. A torrent of blood erupted from Wakawa's right side, and he collapsed to his knees. Moments later, Saland coughed up blood, his own body reaching its limit, and he too fell to the ground.
"In the end..." Wakawa gasped, his voice weak, "neither humans nor magical creatures... cough cough... have truly won."
"You are right," Saland wheezed, a faint smile gracing his lips. "It has ended in a draw. Your techniques... are truly magnificent, Wakawa."
Wakawa chuckled softly, a hint of warmth in his voice. "In the end... you are not the monster I believed you to be. You only wish to protect those you hold dear, is that not so?"
"You are correct," Saland admitted. "However... know that I forgive you for the death of my parents. My race has committed terrible atrocities against you humans. I... I regret it."
Wakawa offered a weak smile. "I too... I ask for your forgiveness for all that I have done... for all of humanity."
A new light flickered in Saland's eyes. "Then... perhaps we could put aside our differences... and become friends? What do you say?"
Wakawa let out a genuine laugh, though it was strained with pain. "I never would have expected such an offer... but I gladly accept."
With those final words, both Saland and Wakawa succumbed to exhaustion, their bodies shutting down after the monumental clash. The epic battle had reached its conclusion, ending not in victory or defeat, but in a fragile truce born from mutual respect and understanding. In the years that followed, their legendary encounter would be etched into the annals of history, forever known as the War of Union.