Chapter 477 – A Blast From the Past

The bright morning sun bathed the marble pit in a warm light, illuminating the dusty arena so much it hurt the eyes if one stared too intensely into the ground. The quarry bore many excavation marks, but even more signs of battle. Traces of claws, fangs, and talons riddled every surface. Burnt and singed rock adorned plenty of spots. Crushed hollows and craters disfigured the environment. Once a place of excavation, now a frequent battlefield.

And so it would be today.

That fact didn’t seem to escape the attention of the tribe living on the nearby mountain as crowds of fox-tailed and fox-eared folks drifted all over the edge of the deep pit. The battlements erected around it were able to uphold thousands of spectators, stall owners, and food sellers. Everyone was excited for the upcoming show, the chatter humming through the air like noise in the middle of a trade town.

One attraction was already in place.

A hulking giant rested in the middle of the arena, napping in the pleasant sun rays. The Dracodon rumbled with each heavy breath it drew and released, sending waves of small tremors into his surroundings. Many observed the majestic beast with awe, thanking their lucky stars for being able to witness such greatness, but also for the titan not being an enemy.

Their mountain wouldn’t stand a chance against his fury.

When Asterios entered the realm through a gate opened by his mate, he was dumbstruck for a good while. He didn’t remember those additional structures that made the quarry into a fighting stadium. Someone must have gotten the idea for it after his repeated battles against various opponents in the past. And someone must have also invited all those spectators to watch the thrilling event.

One such someone stood currently by Ast’s side, showing a ladylike smile as her fluffy white tail swayed behind her alluring figure.

“We didn’t mention any audience.” He squinted at the mischievous vulpine.

“Venuzathor doesn’t mind.” Selene examined her pretty nails. “And my people could use some entertainment in their lives once in a while.”

“What about Noir?” Asterios asked.

“She’ll have to deal with it.” She shrugged. “Do you think a little crowd is gonna scare her?”

Another crimson gate rose from the ground and the person in question stepped out of it.

“In your dreams.” The Dragon girl sneered at the taller female. “Your ploys are way too basic, vixen. You need to try harder.”

Selene winked at her and turned to Asterios. “This is part of the initiative we discussed before, my Lord. My people will witness your prowess with their own eyes. However, since not everyone could come or the settlement would have been left unattended, this is only part one. I hope you can help me with part two sometime soon. Maybe after the nest is taken care of.”

“Maybe if you explain to me ahead of time what I need to do and what consequences it will bring.” He snorted and moved closer, leaning in to steal a gentle kiss from the exquisite lady. “But, before that, I have a fight to partake in.”

Grinning brilliantly, she cupped his cheeks and presented him with a few more fluffy pecks before withdrawing. Regarding the other female with a curt nod, she sauntered away, swaying her tail and hips sensually, heading for the spot where her winged sister-mate awaited the start of the challenge.

Asterios met Noir’s gaze and they shared a nod too. Crossing the edge of the quarry, they dropped onto the field at the same time, starting to march towards the monumental body of their upcoming opponent side by side. Multiple layers of barriers covered the arena in a dome as they went.

“Slept well?” he asked casually.

“Decent,” she answered. “You?”

“Like a rock.” Asterios chuckled. “Until one of my mates decided to wake me up earlier than agreed.”

Noir scoffed to the side. “Males.”

“Do I need to remind you—”

“No!” She growled, kicking his shin lightly. “At least you’ll be focused on the fight now. I guess she knew what she was doing satiating your urges ahead of time.”

“Huh. I didn’t think of that.” Asterios rubbed his chin. “But, I don’t have urges.”

“Sure.” Noir snickered cynically. “A male that doesn’t go into heat after battle? Nice fairy tale.”

“Wait, that’s a thing?” He blinked owlishly, glancing at her face.

“Of course, it is. Draconic blood runs hot, no matter the lineage. It has various triggers. For most males, it’s extensive combat or a dominating victory. For some females too. For the others, though…” She took a small peek at him, meeting his eyes, and a light shiver ran down her spine.

Her sentence remained unfinished.

“Well, that just further proves my point.” Asterios slid his hands into his pockets. “I not only didn’t throw myself at you after our duel but even denied your request to—”

“I’m going to kick your ass before the Storm King has a chance!” Noir snarled and tried to kick him but he jumped over her leg with a chuckle.

“You relaxed!” He smiled victoriously, causing her to halt her barrage after the first attempt.

Realizing his trick, she scowled and returned to walking by his side. “You are the worst.”

“I try.” Asterios smirked, evoking a few grumbles from her.

It had been only a day, but he was starting to like that noise.

They reached the sleeping Dracodon and he put his fists against his waist. “Oi, Old Man! Time to earn your keep! You got a pair of younglings to teach!”

While Venuzathor shuffled to face them, Noir gave herself an internal pep talk.

“The only one teaching him a lesson will be me…” she whispered under her breath.

“That’s the spirit.” Asterios snickered.

“Are you two ready?” Venuz regarded them with his big eyes. “The fight starts when the both of you roar together. Anything goes, as usual. However, since I can feel how much stronger you have gotten, Young Dragon, let’s avoid going for the neck. I’m afraid to instinctively lash out in my death throes.”

“Being killed doesn’t bother you?” Asterios got more serious and frowned.

“Death is just a natural part of the cycle. And death in a fierce battle is a glorious one. Since this is a challenge, no one from my kin will ever hold it against you if you manage to strike me down. Everyone has their time to part with their existence.” The Storm King dispensed profound wisdom. “Yet, I would like to remain in this world for a bit longer, offering you my teachings and witnessing your achievements. Thus my request.”

It showed how much Asterios had grown if the powerful Dracodon was going to add such rules.

“Very well. I would miss such an amazing teacher too. I promise to abide by the new agreement.” He bowed respectfully. “Noir?”

“Whatever.” She glared at the Storm King, making Asterios glance at her with concern.

A thundering chuckle rolled over the arena. “Don’t worry. My rule was meant only for you anyway. The female can use whatever methods she sees fit.”

“You think I’m that much weaker?! Because of what, him suppressing my aura once?!” Noir seethed, feral growls leaving her throat. “I’ll show you why they call me Nightmare, you fat bastard!”

Flipping the Dracodon, she grabbed Ast’s wrist and dragged him away, cursing Venuzathor the entire way to their designated spot. Only then noticing that she was holding onto Asterios, she shoved his hand away and crossed her arms, glowering at their distant adversary.

“I’ll share a tip with you,” Asterios offered kindly. “He’s faster than he looks. I also thought he was just a fat bastard, but he got me with that deception.”

She snorted, a tiny curl appearing at the edge of her sneering lips. “Alright. Don’t break your horns.”

“What?” He tilted his head at her.

“Your horns? Don’t break them?” Noir did the same. “It’s a saying. Like, don’t be headstrong. Males have horns. They sometimes shatter on their enemies during a blind charge.”

“Do they ever regrow? Or does it become a shame for the male?” Asterios wondered out loud.

“Depends on the type of wound that caused them to break, but they can be recovered like every part of our bodies. And with your regeneration, I would bet even the worst spiritual or cursed blows won’t be a problem for you,” she answered.

“Neat.” He hummed to himself. “Looks like I didn’t have to be afraid to cut them for ingredients. I’m going to investigate their properties at the earliest convenience.”

“You want to rip off your own horns for resources?” The Dragon girl gaped at him.

“Does it hurt that bad?” Asterios raised a brow at her.

“How would I know! I’m not a male!” Noir scoffed to the side. “And no normal male would mar their prided horns for components!

“Good thing I’m as far from normal as possible.” He shrugged at her.

“You are a psycho.” She showed a savage grin and extended her fist towards him. “Let’s roll, Partner?”

He noted that her fists were now covered by black fingerless gloves kind of similar to his.

Interesting.

“Let’s go.” He matched it and bumped their knuckles.

Hopping to the side, Noir shifted first, appearing in her full True Dragon form. She stretched her limbs and neck before closing her eyes briefly. That shadowy coat of darkness slithered over her scales once more, flowing down the plates like running water, shimmering mysteriously. It looked so different from what Asterios had used in the past, covering himself in his flames.

Joining her quickly, transforming too, he stood by her side at a slightly smaller size. Still, they both looked wild and ferocious, his sharp front-facing black horns adding to his murderous ambiance. His dark crimson scales glimmered under the sun, their edges tinged with onyx. He was starting with both Hearts wide open, no holding back.

Noir snorted some hot air at him. “These altering colors still feel so absurd. Did your father fuck a chameleon or something?”

“My biological mother is Selene’s ancestor, remember?” Asterios huffed back. “She is a Spiritual Fox of the Moonborn Bloodline.”

“Ah, right.” She turned forward, then took one more glance at him. “You sure? Maybe it just posed as one?”

He laughed strongly and shook his head. “How are you doing this?”

“Doing what?” Noir squinted searchingly, spotting where his attention was directed to. “My Coat of Darkness? It’s a fairly advanced technique. You wouldn’t be able to imitate it after seeing it just twice. It requires an immense amount of dedication to training mana control and precision which I spent years on.”

“Amazing. How does it work?” Asterios tried praising her a little.

She proudly raised the tip of her nose a little. “Our scales aren’t layered in a random pattern. There’s a flow to them. Their edges create a mesh, connecting the sharp borders into a net. You need to release your aura in a way that synchronizes with their direction instead of pushing it out everywhere at once. Fine precision is needed for that, and unimaginable control to sense each scale separately. The result is both protective and fearsome—”

As she was speaking, he dove into his Hearts and followed her advice. He had tried the loose technique previously, activating it instinctively during his real battle with Venuzathor. Now, he drew on his combined mana and spread his awareness past his circuits, imagining his scales like an armor surrounding them. One by one, a shield of hundreds and thousands of little plates surrounded the mental image of his spiritual pathways. Following the flow of their direction, he leaked out his aura.

Sensing a change in the air, Noir halted her monologue, her grey draconic eyes snapping to Ast’s form. Her pupils narrowed into thin slits as a red flame-like mist rolled down his scales, streaming along their edges like through meticulously dug trenches. Black tongues slithered amidst the sea of dark scarlet, adding even more ferocity to it.

“What kind of freak are you…” She didn’t even hide her shock this time.

Admiring his new coating, he puffed out some air with dignity. “Summoning Magic requires quite a bit of precision and control, as I have already told you through my past. Thanks for your guidance. You would make a great mentor.”

“Whatever.” Noir snorted and turned her focus to their opponent. “Let’s get this over with.”

They both took a deep breath and roared into the air together. The two draconic howls harmonized, his deeper tone mixing with her slightly higher pitch to form a mighty blast of sound that smacked into the Dracodon watching them intently, ruffling his wings.

As soon as they ended, Noir shot Asterios a glare. “Don’t get in my way.”

Before he could respond, she flapped her wings and shot forward, engaging on her own.

Perhaps his actions might have hurt her pride just a little bit.

Following the shadowy streak left by her coat, he watched her engage their opponent. Initially, it looked like she was charging straight at him, but he quickly recognized her ploy. In the end, it was the same he had made in his first battle with Venuz too, which the other male had deemed a wise move, but…

Dodging the chomp, Noir aimed for the first wing, only for it to flick away much faster than she had expected, making her miss completely. The second one in the row smacked her from above and she smashed into the ground. She rolled away from the incoming stomp but moved into the path of another leg and was punted ahead with full force.

Bouncing over the smooth marble ground a few times, she slid far enough to stop at Ast’s claws as he extended one limb to halt her progress. She wriggled around and rose on all fours, snapping her growling head at him.

“I’m just getting warmed up!” Noir scowled and sent a cloud of dust into his face as she flew off.

Sneezing hard, Asterios shook his snout. Hastily returning his focus to the battle, he saw her rushing from the front again. However, he knew she wasn’t that thickheaded to just try and repeat the same thing until it worked, especially after her proverb she used to remind him of that, so she had to have something in her sleeve.

That turned out to be the Shadow Transfer as Noir evaded a powerful swipe and ducked into the giant’s own shadow. Venuzathor couldn’t tell where she would emerge, so he started raising his wings to lift off the floor, which would reduce the size of the darkness his body cast. But, before he finished the motion, she shot out of hiding and mutilated one of them, cutting it up nicely.

Asterios had to admit, she was a vicious girl.

And he didn’t exactly hate it.

After her attack, she was gone again, the cuts she left in her wake slightly glowing blue, which announced their slow but steady healing. From Ast’s own experience, it took about a minute or two for Venuz’s membranes to recover. Unless he put all his focus into it.

The Storm King didn’t. One damaged wing was but a scratch for the titanic veteran.

He folded his wings along his lengthy and wide body, fitting them neatly in line with his jagged spine and other sharp protrusions. If she wanted to attack them again, she risked being grazed by those spikes whenever he shifted around. She would also put herself in the open air for many possible counters.

Being the smart cookie that she was, Noir switched her tactics. Instead of going for his sensitive wings, she barely peeked out of his shadow to slice her claws behind his legs and all over his belly. Once again, it was something that was giving Asterios serious flashbacks. Their choices weren’t that much different, though he could feel a bit more fury from her enactment.

Yet, indisputably, she was much stronger than he had been back then. Her shade-covered claws actually dug through Venuz’s slightly less sturdy bottom scales. The Dracodon was soon riddled with bleeding lines, not receiving any major wounds, but still collecting a great number of light lacerations that had to become an obstruction and inconvenience at some point.

So, he removed that strategy from her too, slamming his bulky body into the ground with an immense tremor. The space underneath him was now gone, leaving only bits of shadow around his one side, opposite to where the sun was shining from. Angling his thick neck at that spot, Venuzathor opened his huge maw and breathed lightning all over the remaining shade.

That move flushed her out of her safe haven and she pushed herself into the air. He began rising, but she didn’t take the bait of returning to the shadow, sensing the danger behind that decision. Ending up as a pancake wasn’t on Noir’s list that day. She didn’t like how the lightning particles danced over the ground the Dracodon moved over onto. It was a definite trap.

Making a few quick laps around him, she flew high above and dove toward the ground at a breakneck pace. Venuz expected a blow into his neck while blinded by the light, but she twisted her body forcefully around his jaws as he attempted to bite her, plunging into her own shadow this time.

Asterios jolted when something pushed into him from underneath and he flapped his wings to move back, watching Noir crawl from under him with a vehement growl. She didn’t pay him any mind, instead opening her sleek jaws and condensing energy in her throat. He felt the gathering of the immense flame and saw her coating diminish greatly while she focused on sheer firepower.

The Storm King took notice too, turning his heavy head towards them. Figuring out what was coming, Asterios hastily launched himself to the side just as Venuzathor’s maw split too and he mirrored her actions. The behemoth’s breath launched first, but her sizable pillar of flaming darkness clashed with it right after, bathing the arena in blue and black.

This time, the events didn’t follow the script from Ast’s first fight. Noir was that much more powerful. Her swirling column almost as wide as Venuz’s began pushing his breath back. When it passed two-thirds of the distance, she brought forth the might she had shown in their challenge and her flames grew, crossing the rest of the way in a blink, widening even more. They bathed Venuzathor’s torso in a merciless inferno, just the tip of his spine and his legs on the sides poking out of the fire.

Then, Ast’s move was shown to be the correct one.

All three pairs of Storm King’s wings unfurled vertically in a flash, positioning themselves like a fan of a peacock, and before their membranes could burn to cinders, they flapped forward in a single heartbeat. A concentrated force of air smashed into Noir and knocked her aim off the mark, the deadly beam skidding over the protective dome around the quarry.

Before the flames fully dispersed from his form, Venuzathor pushed his snout out of them and snapped his jaws with a booming clack. Lightning crackled over his scary fangs, and when he opened his maw, a fabulous bolt flashed forward, striking the True Dragon right in the chest, interrupting the breath.

Asterios decided that he had watched enough. It was time to give his companion some support.

Soaring into the air, he dashed around to capture Venuz’s attention. His teacher’s sagely gaze followed his shape, sending another lightning bolt to probe him. The tell was simple so Asterios avoided it easily. He answered by gathering a rotating sphere of crimson fire in his jaws and spitting it at his opponent.

Venuzathor angled his body just the way to deflect the ball into the ground, where it buried itself harmlessly half-deep in the marble. The bombardment continued, most of the projectiles ending with the same fate, some exploding near weaker points of his physique. Wary of those still smoldering on the floor, he watched his step, knowing well that they packed enough punch to make him stumble or even attempt to topple him.

But, that wasn’t the plan.

Stopping his assault, Asterios hovered right above Venuz, peering at his adversary calmly. When the Storm King met his eyes searchingly, he puffed some smoke out of his nostrils with a smirk. The Dracodon’s pupils narrowed thinly and Ast’s jaws opened, another orb already formed. It was clear that he didn’t mean to launch it, however.

Venuz’s head snapped to the glowing spheres beneath and around him, finally noticing the pattern. Asterios had been aiming for his deflections, not his sensitive parts.

But, it was too late.

The grounded projectiles shone with amber light from inside as Asterios bit into the one between his fangs. Every round shell shattered, orange strings of fire shooting out of each of them. Two dozen flaming ropes surged into the sky, connecting with Ast’s jaws.

He yanked his head up, then let go.

In an instant, a web of fire smacked into Venuzathor, forcing him into the ground hard. His entire body was bound to the floor, restricting his range of motion almost completely. He was tied up and immobile. Tricked.

Bluish sparks already crackled over Venuz’s scales, but Asterios knew he had bought himself enough time for a decisive blow, able to finish his preparations before his teacher freed himself. They both knew it. Yet, he didn’t follow his scheme with anything, instead leaving the next move to Noir.

The black True Dragon sliced and burned their enemy’s wings with pure ruthlessness. Now that she didn’t have to worry about getting countered, she could go to town with his weak points, and that was what she did. There was something primal in it, and Asterios realized she was fighting by letting most of her draconic instinct take over. More now than at the start, but even then she had shown some. Perhaps her recently received blow had tipped the scales.

Soon enough, Venuzathor’s aura ate away at Ast’s cage and he spread his wings wide with a flourish, sending Noir flying aside. Judging Asterios as the bigger threat, he opened his maw and revealed tens of little lightning orbs on his tongue. Ast’s eyes widened and he flapped his wings just as those spheres were sent his way.

Unfortunately, while he was able to dodge and weave around the initial attack, the follow-up wasn’t so easy to avoid. Those orbs bounced off the barrier and took another swing at him from unexpected angles. A few grazed his wings, making them sting painfully, which forced him to the ground. Venuz’s anti-air techniques were no joke. And he knew how to use the battlefield to his advantage.

Shortly after landing, Asterios spotted a bright glow ahead. The Storm King was already in the middle of charging a strengthened beam, ready to fire. Perhaps he wanted to test Ast’s breath this time, crafting this opportunity carefully.

Snickering, Asterios decided to ruin his design.

Flinging himself forward with all the power of his refreshed wings, he attained great speed. The column of lightning shot ahead too, wishing to oppose him. He spit another spherical bout of fire into the ground ahead and shifted as much of his coating onto his wings as he could. Barely moments before he met with the crackling energy, he wrapped those wings around his front in a cone, detonating the Fireball just as he was passing by. The additional impact waves aided his charge even further.

All Venuzathor saw was a crimson flash somewhere along the path he aimed his breath attack at, and in the next moment, something heavy smashed into his lower jaw with unbelievable force, snapping his snout shut. His neck cracked painfully as his head was blown to the back with enough weight behind the blow to lift his front legs. They crashed into the floor alongside his chin a moment later, their owner getting a tad dizzy, his vision swimming.

“Got you, Old Man.” Asterios chuckled from above his nose.

“I see you have some new tricks.” The Dracodon rumbled too, slowly lifting himself up. “You’ve grown well. Your Hearts are in harmony, and your draconic side doesn’t push away your humanoid logic and reason. As for you, on the other hand, Little Dragon…”

Noir launched a black blob at his snout, which burst into ticklish flames. Asterios felt like that one was close to something akin to spitting on someone in draconic customs.

“Hmmm…” Venuzathor worked his jaws thoughtfully. “If words won’t work for you, perhaps actions will speak louder…”

The atmosphere grew tense, almost electrified, and Ast’s attention shifted to the sky. Dark clouds hastily sailed towards the arena from all sides, obstructing the sun. He shivered both instinctively and from experience.

“Ah, shit… Here we go aga—”

He didn’t get to finish as a humongous lightning bolt struck Venuzathor from above, a culmination of multiple other streaks. The released energy shoved Asterios and Noir away along with chunks of marble and lots of dust. Amidst that white dirt, Venuz’s plates shifted, opened a bit, and toughened. An ominous blue glow illuminated his belly, neck, and many frantic pathways all around those reinforced plates. An echoing howl filled the battlefield, accompanied by crackling and thunder as lightning from the sky struck random places repeatedly.

The True Storm King had descended.

And his last arrival had been cataclysmic.

But, this time, Asterios wasn’t alone.

There was a real chance to take the colossus down.

If he and Noir could work together.