The rain poured down in sheets, drenching the flowers and grass that stretched as far as the eye could see. The petals of the wildflowers glistened like diamonds, while the blades of grass danced in the wind. The usually arid and dusty steppe was transformed into a lush and vibrant landscape, teeming with life and colour.
While the storm raged on, there was a girl who sought shelter beneath the shelter of an old tree, its gnarled roots and twisted branches providing a sturdy refuge. She leaned against the rough bark and closed her eyes, listening to the soothing sound of the rain as it drummed against the leaves above.
The world seemed to fade away, and the girl was left alone with her thoughts. She reflected on the beauty of the steppe, a land of extremes where scorching heat and bone-chilling cold were the norms. And yet, amid this rugged and unforgiving landscape, there was a certain peace to be found.
As the girl stood beneath the grey skies, her pink hair danced like clouds on the breeze. The rain had finally come, after days of dry heat and dusty winds. Each drop that fell to the ground felt like a blessing, a much-needed respite from the unforgiving climate of the steppe.
Despite the beauty of the moment, the girl exuded an aura of danger and intrigue. Her black latex suit clung tightly to her curves, emphasizing the deadly combination of youth and skill that she possessed. A pair of pistols hung from her hips, a testament to her identity as an assassin or a mercenary. And beside her, a bulky sniper rifle lay at the ready, a tool for dealing death from a distance.
Her sharp gaze swept across the landscape, scanning for any threats that might be lurking in the shadows. Her eyes were like those of an eagle, honed to spot even the slightest movement amidst the sea of grass and flowers. As the rain fell around her, she raised her head to the sky, watching each drop as it splashed against the earth.
The girl was a creature of the steppe, born and bred to thrive in this harsh and unforgiving landscape. She had learned to adapt to its extremes, to live and die by the whims of nature. And yet, there was something about this moment that felt different. The rain was a rare and precious gift, a reminder that even in the bleakest of circumstances, there was still beauty to be found.
The rain had cleansed away the dust and grime that had accumulated on her skin, leaving her feeling refreshed and renewed. And even though the sniper rifle lay nearby, its cold metal a reminder of the death that she dealt, the girl felt at peace. For now, she would simply stand and watch as the rain transformed the steppe into a vibrant and living world.
She wondered what her next move should be - should she continue to take orders from her superiors, or simply stay here and enjoy this rare moment? The answer came to her quickly, as she realized that the joy she felt from watching the rain was more important than any mission she could be given.
If the girl was truly worried about getting wet, she could have easily jumped on her motorcycle and left this place behind. But her desire to stay and experience this feeling overpowered her practicality. When was the last time she had allowed herself to relax like this, to simply be present in the moment without worrying about what was coming next?
Her mind wandered to the past. She had been forced to endure harsh training from the army, even as a child. Her childhood had been stolen, replaced by a life of violence and danger. But in this short time, the memories of her past faded away, replaced by the soothing sound of the rain and the gentle touch of the drops on her skin.
And then, something miraculous happened. On the far horizon, a burst of sunlight pierced through the clouds. The dark land stretched out to receive the light, like a canvas waiting to be painted with vibrant colours. The rays of the sun seeped through the raindrops, casting a sparkling glow across the face of the girl as she looked up at the sky.
The girl was struck by the beauty of it all - the rain, the sun, and the stillness of the world around her. She felt a sense of calm wash over her, a feeling of contentment that she hadn't experienced in years. Even as the rain continued to fall, the sun shone bright, reminding her that even in the darkest time, there was always a glimmer of hope.
Though she had to follow orders from her supervisors, she still had permission to wander wherever she pleased. It was a small sense of control in an otherwise chaotic world.
The girl tapped her fingers on the sniper rifle next to her, contemplating whether or not she should stay a little while longer. The weapon emitted a soft glow and suddenly transformed into a beautiful gem that fits perfectly in the palm of her hand. She carefully placed it in her pocket, feeling relief at the lighter weight.
Turning her eyes back to the horizon, the girl couldn't help but be mesmerized by the stunning scenery that lay before her. The rain had transformed the once-dry steppe into a vibrant sea of green, with flowers and grass stretching out as far as the eye could see. The trees that surrounded her were alive with colour, every leaf and blade of grass glistening with raindrops.
The girl felt her soul being captivated by the beauty of it all. She wanted to stay and soak it all in, to experience every moment of this rare and precious sight. And so, she leaned back against the tree, watching as the rain continued to fall.
As the rain began to slow, the girl opened her eyes once again, taking in the scenery one last time. She smiled to herself, feeling grateful for this nature present in an otherwise turbulent life. With a deep breath, she gathered her things and began to make her way to her next mission, knowing that the memory of this moment would stay with her for a long time to come.
However…
A mysterious figure emerged on a distant hill. It was a Lizardwar, whose head resembled that of a dragon, with long hairs growing on both sides of his mouth. He peered through a pair of binoculars and his eyes fell upon the girl.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here? My brother's daughter," the Lizardwar mused with a roguish smile. "What is that rat doing here?" he wondered aloud to himself.
In spite of his dishevelled appearance, the Lizardwar exuded an air of power and confidence, as he wore a tattered purple coat and tight-fitting jeans about to tear apart. As he walked away, he continued to stroke his beard, clearly amused by what he had just witnessed.
"After all, I have given her the job and she did not take it seriously," he chuckled. "Have a rest, my dear. I am so excited to banish you from this land and prove my brother is a total fool."
Suddenly, the Lizardwar's laughter was cut short by a sudden bolt of lightning that struck directly at him with incredible force. At that moment, a dark shadow of a mighty dragon appeared in the sky and swiftly flew away.
Dark Blood voiced its concern, "Do you think it's too much to ask of them? They're only sixteen years old. Their minds and bodies aren't fully developed yet."
John sighed heavily, his eyes filled with worry. "I understand your concern, Dark Blood, but we have no other choice. The threat of the Lizardwar launching another attack is very possible, and we can't take any chances."
He took a deep breath before continuing, "My spies have reported that the Replord Empire’s economic status is recovering, and the Lizardwar has been holding military parades to flaunt their strength under their new leader."
Dark Blood looked grim, realizing the gravity of the situation. Asaga and Angel were still so young, but they were the only ones with the necessary abilities to stop the Lizardwar. It was a difficult decision to make, but their world was at stake, and time was running out.
The thought of a second war with the Lizardwar was a grim one, especially after the recent period of peace.
"Then it must be something significant that helped them recover their economy," Dark Blood said, trying to make sense of the situation. "After the long and bloody civil war among the generals, the collapse of the Replord Empire was inevitable. But what is it that's causing their recovery? The new leader?"
The principal nodded gravely. "Yes, my friend. They have just inaugurated their fourth leader, and the situation over there has been stabilizing rapidly since then. This is what I have feared since the end of the great war - the rise of the second 'Komodo Empire'."
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Dark Blood's heart sank at the mention of the Komodo Empire. The thought of another war with the Lizardwar was bad enough, but the possibility of an even more formidable enemy was terrifying. He wondered if they could be prepared for such a threat.
The rise of the new leader in the Komodo Empire was not the only cause for concern. The Replord Empire generals that led their army were a force to be reckoned with, far different from those of the previous generation.
Finding the next Divine Duo was imperative to the success of their mission. However, two of them were not mature enough to fully comprehend the harsh reality of war. Asaga had experienced the brutality of war in the past, and the pain of his losses still lingered with him. Dark Blood worried about Angel, too, as she had only participated in border guarding, which was nothing compared to the warfare that awaited her.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the fleeting colours of dusk began to fade away. John, the principal, did not expect time would go that fast. They had spent all day in the infirmary room.
“Man! It’s getting dark so fast.” The principal said.
“That is probably the best option for us now. Let’s have a walk and enjoy fresh air to regain the spirit,” John encouraged Dark Blood “One more thing, I haven’t had anything in my stomach since lunch. I think I will come to the canteen first. Come with me!”
“It's time to go then.” Dark Blood agreed.
“Let me open the door.”
It seemed that they had resolved all the sorrows of the day. But at the moment John and Dark Blood stepped out of the room, a blast of force stopped them.
Principal eyes widened as he stared in shock at the scene before him. A boy hovering in the air with four wings on his back and horns on his forehead looked like a creature straight out of hell
Dark Blood's expression mirrored John's surprise. "Can you feel it?" John questioned, his voice tinged with concern. "Yeah, same to me," Dark Blood replied.
As they turned around, their attention was immediately captured by the strange sight before them. The boy continued to hover in the air, the wings on his back flapping lazily as he looked down at them with an unreadable expression.
For a few seconds, no one spoke. The only sounds were the distant chirping of crickets and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. Then, the principal finally found his voice. "How could be?" he breathed, clearly astounded by the sight before him.
The boy's horns glinted in the fading light, casting a sinister shadow over his face. Sparks of dark energy appeared around him with dizzying frequency. They were initially compressed into blocks, gradually becoming unstable and eventually freeing themselves by plunging into random locations. They immediately exploded when they hit.
The two quickly dodged those destructive objects and started approaching the mysterious creature. But wait, that face looked familiar. The body was full of scars. Viewing its pain and sorrow expression, they knew exactly what it was. More correctly, they realized who he was.
“Kid… why…?” Dark Blood said with a bitter voice.
“Asaga, is that really you?” John doubted.
“This is Asaga in his demon form, a state in which his power is beyond measure. However, the cost of this transformation is that he loses control of his emotions and his ability to manipulate perception. He only transforms when his negative feelings become too overwhelming. During his time in Dark Dimension, he transformed into this form once, and I was able to prevent him from being consumed by endless hatred,” Dark Blood explained to John.
The dark soul gazed back, its eyes filled with concern as it continued.
“Now look at him,” Dark Blood pointed towards Asaga's floating form. “He's still in that demon form, but I'm not inside him to help stabilize his emotions. We must catch him at all costs, as the results of not doing so could be extremely unpredictable.”
The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on the principal as he silently signalled to Dark Blood. The dark soul instantly understood the urgency of the situation and silenced itself. Although John had never interacted with Asaga in this demon form, he chose the safest approach, carefully making his way to the suffering boy, followed closely by Dark Blood.
Their movements were slow and calculated, carefully gathering strength into their hands to make Asaga unconscious with a single blow. As they drew closer, they felt as though they were almost within reach of their goal. However, their hopes were suddenly dashed as Asaga let out an ear-piercing scream of untold power.
The windows near them instantly burst into small pieces.
The force of it caught the two off-guard, throwing them back several feet. They quickly regained their footing and looked back at Asaga, who was now surrounded by a fiery aura. The ground shook heavily, making it difficult for John to approach the target. About Dark Blood, it was already a spirit, so it was not physically affected.
The boy's wings expanded, and his horns grew even sharper. It was clear that they were dealing with a demon in full control of his power, a force to be reckoned with. The principal and Dark Blood knew that they had to act fast before things got out of hand.
The devil clenched his teeth in anger. He quickly stomped the ground with his foot, causing the entire second-floor area to shatter. From that, the debris piled up on the first floor. The principal lost momentum and fell.
The devil's rage had reached its peak, and in a fit of fury, he slammed his foot onto the ground with all his might. The impact was so powerful that the entire second-floor area shattered into pieces, sending debris raining down on the first floor. The principal lost his balance, tumbling to the ground in the chaos.
"Oh shit!" John screamed.
As the destruction rained down, Dark Blood sprang into action, soaring over to the principal and enveloping him in a protective cocoon of shadows.
The destruction was far from over. The weight of the debris was too much for the already weakened first floor, and it too began to crumble beneath the weight. Dust and debris filled the air, making it impossible to see anything.
Amidst the chaos, Asaga spread his four massive wings and began to flap them with great force. Powerful gusts of wind blew away the smoke and rubble, clearing a path through the debris.
The dust finally settled, revealing a scene of destruction. The building that once stood tall and proud was reduced to a heap of rubble. Amidst the chaos, John emerged from a cracked black cocoon, covered in slimy mucus.
"Luckily, I have cast a dark aura around Asaga so that no one can see him. But, please... never do that to me ever again!" John pleaded, his voice strained with exhaustion.
Dark Blood sighed, "Without my help, you would have been crushed by those rocks."
The principal grabbed a handkerchief out of the pocket and began wiping the sticky substance off his body. As he did so, he noticed the cocoon floating toward a puddle of inky water. It dissolved into a plume of smoke, coalescing into a lump before taking the form of Dark Blood's body.
John rose his head to the sky and realized it was almost midnight already. He muttered in his mouth with a look of regret.
“No more good food left... sad.”
Dark Blood sighed at his childish demeanour.
“This is not the time for food. Now, Asaga is heading to the girl’s dormitory!”
“The girl’s dorm? Could it be that he was targeting Angel?”
It did not say anything, but only nodded hastily and sprinted without letting him know.
“Hey! Wait for me!”
John hurriedly ran after and left the wreckage behind.
“You!”
While he was halfway from Dark Blood, a familiar voice rang out. It sounded so gloomy. The principal shakily turned back.
"Hello there, my dear Asaga."
Asaga's eyes burned with intense hatred, his hand dripping with crimson. But what caught John's attention was the strange phenomenon of the blood droplets hovering in the air, defying gravity. They slowly coalesced into a shape, forming a blood-red sword that hummed with deadly energy.
John was baffled. How could Asaga summon his sword without the aid of Dark Blood? It defied everything he knew about Asaga's abilities. But there was no time to dwell on it as Asaga began to swing the blade with deadly intent.
The principal was quick to react, leaping out of harm's way when the sword slashed through the air, obliterating everything in its path.
“Looks like the day you become a true warrior is far away.” The principal laughed.
“Bleh! Catch me if you can!”
John suddenly stuck his tongue out at Asaga. After that, John even dared to point his butt up in front of the devil and then clap his hands on it a few times before running away.
Asaga's fury fueled him, causing him to relentlessly pursue John while destroying everything in his path. John, who was running for his life, cried out for help.
“Little help here!!!”
Hearing the terror in his voice, Dark Blood spun around, stunned by what it saw. It couldn't believe the chaos unfolding before its eyes and stuttered in shock, "W-what the hell have you done?"
"Gotcha, you come with me!"
The principal shouted as he wrapped his arms around Dark Blood's waist, lifting it off the way. The two jumped, dodging the destruction below, Asaga hot on their trail. John gritted his teeth as he tried to stay ahead of Asaga's sword swings.
Asaga continued to swing his sword frantically, cutting through everything in his way, the rage within him overwhelming any sense of reason. John's heart pounded in his chest as he held on tight to Dark Blood. He feared he might not make it out alive.
Dark Blood knocked hard on the principal’s head.
“Are you mad? You dare to piss him off while he is in that form?”
“Don’t worry. Everything is in my plan!” John replied with a confident tone.
Dark Blood looked around and only saw two guys running like two psychiatric patients, which were them. It glared at John.
“A plan? More like run for your life!”