Chapter 5: Atavistic ruins

Part 1:

The darkness wrapping around my body slowly solidified, transforming into a full set out of armour. The dark gold armour covered from head to toe. The shape was similar to that of a humanoid dragon. With no opening except for the eyes. Channels of platinum ran through the armour converging at the silver core in the chest.

Along the outer edge of the amour was a thin pitch black mist, quite similar to aura but fundamentally different.

“[Susano-o form 2]!”

A divine jewel formed in the armour. Yasakani no Magatama. The ability to teleport at high speeds at will. Instead of movement speed like with [takemikazuchi], this was more like the ability to attack with no meaning for distances. My sword can strike at any foe no matter how far, the only condition would that I had no where the target was.

Just as I was about to clash with Iginis I teleported behind him, slashing at his back. As he turned to counterattack I had already teleported and attacked from a different side.

With an angry roar Ignis fires an energy wave that hits every direction. At close range this blast of energy could not be dodged.

That is against normal opponents. I step towards the wave and the moment it's about to touch me I teleport past it.

“Kurogane shomatsu-ryu: Storm Field.”

I teleported above and rained down countless tabs on him, lightning shoots out from the tip of blade. Just as his defences were up I teleport to his side and fire slashes like a raging hurricane.

“I call upon the immortal ice that shall embrace the world, freezing all to death. Bring forth the chilling hell of a world with no sun. Create the beautiful wonderland that will consume world at the ends of time. Bring forth the death of stars. World End Garden: Primal Ice Storm.”

Carved on the ground below him was a massive magic circle. Ignis immediately tried to jump away.

Gathering the swirling black stream around the edge of my blade, I fired a wave of energy at Ignis from above.

Hit by the wave he was slammed heavily into the ground. The black steams' true identity was super gravity. My version of the sword that can cut apart heavens and earth.

A massive spike of ice pierced through Ignis's chest, followed by many more ice piles impaling him. But that was not all. The temperature around him rapidly dropped, all the way to absolute zero. Even the spikes of ice were affected, not that they mattered their purpose was only to bind him a little.

Ignis could sense the danger as the temperature rapidly fell to the negative degrees below a hundred. He released powerful flames all around to offset the damage, but even they began freezing over. Slowly his blood froze, the liquids in his body froze, his organs, even his mana. Everything froze till the point that even particles froze over, the absolute zero temperature had completely shut down the dragon god.

But this was a dragon god, an existence I can't even begin to measure. In terms of raw power he is superior to me, has more experience then me, his divinity was stronger then mine and he knew how to use it.

There was no way an existence like that could be beat by something as simple as absolute zero.

Now that I had the advantage it was turn to truly strike! I had to use this chance while it lasts.

I gathered a large amount of power into [Tsumi], I was at very least going to get one full strike through.

“Kurogane shomatsu-ryu: Celestial Executor.”

The sword technique was strongest destructive power! Plus a massive increase in range.

With that single slash a large deep cut was made across Ignis's torso.

I had no time for another attack, I had noticed the minuscule movement Ignis did. In seconds absolute zero was crushed by a massive blaze. In the center of fire stood Ignis in his full humanoid dragon form.

He was finally pulling out all the stops. I instinctively could tell that [Susano-o form 2] would no longer be effective. It was time to stake everything on pure power.

“[Susano-o form 3]!”

A black katana descended down from heavens. Kusunagi no Tsurugi, otherwise own as the Ama no Murakumo. The magnificently crafted divine katana merged with [Tsumi] granting her all the powers it held.

But that was not all, this was not enough to defeat Ignis. I can remember the thickness of his scales, more power was needed.

“Kurogane shomatsu-ryu forbidden technique: Burst x infinity.”

Just like any other martial arts schools I had my own forbidden techniques. My forbidden technique each had a different price associated with them but all lead to death, it didn't matter how strong you were if you any of them you would die. The chance of survival was mere 0.001%. Each forbidden technique was base off of certain concept or theory. Take burst x infinity for example. This technique uses the base of the technique burst and combines it with a radical idea, if one strike with sword takes I.5 seconds to execute how many strikes can a person generate in their an entire year? In one year they generate 47,304,000 strikes. Now how many would that if you added in the seventy year lifespan of an average human? 3.31128e+9 strikes. The price for the technique would the time it would take execute the number of attacks required, but if sacrifice a soul the price can be bypassed. And if I you more then one soul it 3.31128e+9 times the number souls, making the number for busty seem truly infinite. Just like my other skills this is effected by a cool down, a really severe one at that. This a technique that can only be activated once per year and you need to repay the half price once again the cool down is done to unlock it.

Ignis on other hand didn't charge at me, well not yet at least. He was chanting something, most likely more unknown god class magic.

His humanoid dragon body was covered in raging flames that made him look like an avatar of fire. Anyone could that these flames were not normal. These were the fires that gave birth to and destroyed planets.

Both of us launched at one another at the same time. Clashing in mid air, resulting a massive shock wave. None of us were yielding an inch.

I my have repeated this many times but the kurogane shomatsu-ryu buts its main emphasis on annihilation and body transformation. It is completely formless style that rest at the top of martial arts, but that is not the ultimate purpose. The ultimate goal of the kurogane shomatsu-ryu is turn the body into a living weapon. This goal was only achievable by using all the techniques in the style along with releasing all constraints on the body.

Hence my body surpassed even the dragon god before me. Combining a sword god along with it, I naturally began to overpower him.

Despite that the dragon god held his ground striking more stronger and fiercer than before. Using more and more powerful flames.

It was even fight as both of our fighting styles matched one another, both unpredictable and savage. Relying more on instinct then knowledge.

[Tsumi] cut through the wind leaving afterimages on each movement of the blade. Even with the slightest vibration of my hand countless cuts and stabs were fired at Ignis. A proper swing fired a truly innumerable amount of attacks that devastated the environment.

With the support of the Kusunagi no Tsurugi Ignis's scales were easily damaged, I only felt half the thickness from last time.

In response Ignis fought back with his flame hell. Whether it was raining down from the sky or rising up from the earth, his flames struck from anywhere. Coupled with that was his ultra fast speed you would think that would be impossible for his body.

The damage was slowly beginning to pile up on both sides. Both of our "refined" martial arts were fading, turning into a savage fight.

Both us had already lost the ability to track time as we endlessly clashed, each team nearly delivering the killing blow.

Even more greater power was needed to end this fight. I could already hear Ignis chanting a new spell in an unknown language.

Whoever seizes the initiative now would be have the advantage.

“I am god of war and storms that has led 2000 rouge gods in rebellion. I am dragon slayer and owner of three regalia. Feel the earth of the rampaging storm god, Haya Susano-o no Mikoto! [Susano-o final form].”

I activated god mode, arming myself with the [storm authority]. Thunder storms and most natural disasters were all under my control.

After the tribunal I researched more on what exactly these divinities were, the results were astounding. What I came across where [authorities]. [Authorities] acted differently from what I imagined. Wrote now I had [racial authority] and the [storm authority]. My [racial authority] was granted to me by the tribunals, the [storm authority] was granted through power. [Authorities] were something that were only available to true gods, or those with the corresponding rank. They were powers of the highest level, truly befitting the gods. [Authorities] were also what defined gods, for example a sword god would've have a [Sword authority] or [Elemental authority] based on what element they excelled in using. What's more they were upgradable, getting more stronger and versatile base your skill with them.

This truly opened my eyes to the fact that I could still get even more stronger. If I could achieve this I would be able to call myself a true god of war.

Based on my analysis Ignis also held several [authorities]. According to him he was the red dragon god of origin, he didn't identify himself as a dragon king or talked about his rank. This led me to believe that he must be one of the gods of old or possibly from an era before them. And now I pushed him to point that he will begin using his [authorities] at full power.

Ignis's flames turned dark red, covering his entire body forming a demonic armour of flames. He fired his flaming scales in all directions, spawning a horde of flaming phantom beasts.

Just the contracting of his legs muscles destroyed the ground under him. His speed was unbelievable as his flaming claws neared my faces, millimetres away from hitting. The heat he was emitting was ungodly.

In his an instant almost all my advantages were stripped from me, leaving only one singe advantage for me. It was the sole thing I had that he didn't.

Insanity.

It was our state of mind that put us apart. My actions and thoughts were not bounded by commons sense or morals. Everything was for the sale of victory. Ignis also acknowledged it as well, only an insane person would stab themselves to block an attack coming from behind.

That's way even if he expected it he couldn't help but get flustered when I acted.

Kicking [Tsumi] into the air I grabbed the approaching claws, turning this into a contest of strength. I withstood the burning heat not giving an inch as my hands were heavily burned.

The golden sword dropped towards Ignis who easily dodged the descending sword. He sneered at me for my simplistic plan, but my next action wiped that smile off his face. Catching the blade with my mouth I once again impaled his torso.

Stretching back I managed to make him slightly lose his balance as he roared in pain. Using his hands as a support I kicked the sword will all my strength, sending it flying through him. A gaping hole was opened in his chest.

Flicking my wrist [Tsumi] was back in my hands. Ignis jumped backwards putting distance between us.

Oh no you don't. I was not going to give him an opportunity to heal. I at rushed him with intentions of cutting him while I still had the chance.

Hordes of flaming phantom beasts stood in my way, even individually they were really powerful. More importantly they were coated in those ungodly flames. Underestimating them would do me no good, but I can't decreased speed either. Leaving me only one option to break through.

“I call upon the inhospitable boundless oceans that shall blanket the land, bringing all life to end. Deliver them all life's final resting place. Create the wave of extermination that will wipe the world clean. Bring forth the death of planets. World end garden: Primal Oceanic Abyss.”

I shot up into air with eight angels wings sprouting from my back. Below me, behind where I was previously standing was a tsunami so thy it reached the clouds.

To prevent Ignis from taking to the air I gathered the floating red stars together. Like lasers the stars homed in on Ignis, causing massive explosions on impact. Effectively grounding him.

With no where to run he was swallowed by the wave, along with all his phantom beasts. Anything inside of water lost control over all their senses, as well losing their sense of direction. There was no light entering the water, cutting off the path to escape. Each passing second they could feel their vitality dropping. Even aquatic beings like the frog- like phantom beasts were effected. Those who tried to move around were hit by abnormal water pressure and water resistance.

I calmly watched as everything was slowly brought to death, crushed by the water. The dark pool of water was truly a herald for the end.

It was time to end this. We've been fighting for very long time now, based on my estimate several days have probably passed by now.

I gathered an unbelievable large amount of magical power in [Tsumi], having her eat the super gravity and red stars as well. I was putting in everything for the final attack. Ignis must've read my mind since he was doing the same.

“Divine darkness accepts all, divine light cleanses all. True darkness swallows all, true light purifies all. Light and darkness are just the two sides of same coin, separated by a thin border……”

Bursting from my body was a spectrum of black and white energy.

“I hold the sword that governs both sides. The divine sword of light and darkness, the sword of salvation and damnation.”

“I am [Tsumi], the incarnation of chaos! Destroyer of worlds!”

Her melodious voice was heard from first time. She was bursting with power as she used her own personally created technique.

“Star slayer blade: light and darkness annihilation.”

A mix of black and white lights coated [Tsumi], with a singe slash a torrential amount of power was released.

Ignis's attack was his dragon's breath, but it was insanely powerful. It held the strength of a meteor barrage. This too was an anti planet attack.

There was many factors that affect victor or defeat in this clash. Factor 1: body strength. Factor 2: our footholds. Factor 3: power difference between our respective attacks. Factor 4: endurance. Factor 5: reach. Factor 6: state of mind.

Our bodies held the same level of strength. My foothold was slightly in better condition as I used my skills to drain the vitality of the land he standing on. Our attacks were almost equal in power, with a minuscule advantage for me. We had equal endurance. The last two were the most deciding.

Mid clash I summoned storm behind me, using the rampaging winds to propel me forward. This round my insane judgement had won over Ignis's rational judgement.

In a single breath I was standing before him, he had entered my absolute kill range. Retaining [Tsumi's] technique I unleashed the full fury of burst x infinity at point blank range.

It was my victory.

Part 1.5:

Only when he battle was over did I realize that it was not several hours but days that passed. The situation was so intense that it felt the battle was over really fast.

Thanks to the life constraint release and the dimension constraint seal release I could heal my wounds and maintain all my techniques without experiencing the cool down effect.

In addition that I could create a small territory around that acted as a miniature in my immediate vicinity. Speeding up time and increase my recovery rate.

I could just relax and recover if it wasn't for a small problem.

“You know when you die you're supposed to stay dead.”

I spoke bitterly to Ignis who miraculously revived and stood before me unharmed. I didn't react because there was no intent to fight coming from him.

“That is not something you are qualified to say.”

He does gave a point but this and that are different!

“I only came back once, you on the other hand are taking your second turn here.”

“How perceptive…… there is much to talk about but so little time.”

Suddenly who spoke like a lonely old man who wanted some conversation. I also wanted ask him some things.

“I can tell that you are very confused and are searching for answers, that is why you are headed to those ruins. Sadly I don't have the time to answer those questions, all I can give you is a lead.”

I expected as much. His body was slowly fading away, his revival was only short term lasting a few short minutes at best.

“Find the shrine of the fire dragons…… with my flames you will be able to head to deepest level. Kurogane Shin I leave to you my legacy.”

With those words who faded out of existence, permanently this time.

I pondered on his words for while but cut my words short. My next opponent had arrived.

Wielding a gorgeous spear, the otherworldly beauty who was the and a glorious king of devils, Ira stood before me.