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Zerrex stopped, then he snarled as he felt a presence fill the room, different from the stupid gangsters and almost anything else he had felt in the past. No... this was like the forces he had felt when he'd been in the Goth Legion, around supersoldiers and those like Tinny, who could change things as they willed with their mind or bore special powers. Except unlike the Tinman, this presence was broken and furious... and the reptile snapped his head to the side as he rose in a ready position, snarling as he saw the body of one of the Godkillers... the leader of the Godkillers, in fact, Felicity... rising slowly up, her arms hanging limply and legs giving only the slightest support as a blue, strange aura glowed around her, shining out of her eyes... and in those eyes, he saw true anger and pain.

"You... you liar!" she yelled, then paused before turning her head suddenly to the side and shouting: "Don't interfere!" as Requiem and Cherry both moved to go forwards. Then she suddenly made a hard shoving motion, and the enormous central pillar that had once stood in the center of the room dislodged before slamming down between them, forming a wall... before the vixen rose both hands and made a falling motion as she shrieked in anger, and the entire third floor collapsed amidst yells from the others and the few surviving soldiers still inside the windmill.

Zerrex felt a strange pain burning in his chest as he watched the pile of logs and lumber collapse until his loved ones, the last thing he saw being Requiem's face curling in disgust as he shielded the others with his huge body... and then they were gone, a few heavy concrete blocks from the ceiling falling as well before the Drakkaren slowly turned his own cold gaze to the vixen, as the strange blue aura around her seemed to pull inwards into her body, her hands flexing slowly. Their eyes met, and the tension in the air was almost electric before she whispered: "You killed Mika... you killed my best friend... you're a monster..."

"And you and your gang are nothing but weak cowards... attacking this windmill, my family, while I'm out fighting Requiem..." Zerrex responded coldly, his hands raised defensively, and for a moment he thought he saw a look of confusion on her face before he snorted and tilted his head to the side. "But yeah. I'm a monster. I get that a lot... but I'd rather be a monster than a maggot."

"You don't know anything about me!" Felicity shrieked furiously in return, as tears leaked down her face, then she slammed a hand violently forwards, and Zerrex's eyes bulged as he felt some invisible force with the strength of a transport truck slam into his body and throw him backwards in the wall, rattling the entire windmill as he felt his limbs pinned out to the side. The vixen panted hard, looking at him with nothing but hate and anger, and then she screamed: "You bastard! I loved you, I looked up to you! I just wanted to help!"

Then she clenched her hands together, and Zerrex's limbs snapped against his sides before he felt a crushing force digging into his body. The reptile grunted, his eyes clenching shut in pain as he struggled, then forced his eyes open to watch her movements, pushing all his strength into his arms and forcefully trying to lift them out to his sides. Felicity shuddered, and her hands opened slightly as she looked shocked, then Zerrex grinned before ripping his arms outwards as hard as he could, and a faint blue glow surrounded the vixen again as she shrieked and stumbled backwards, her own arms flailing outwards as the reptile snapped her psychic bind with his own incredible force of will and immense physical power.

Then he was charging forwards, but the fox recovered before lashing her hand upwards, and the Drakkaren was thrown high into the air before another force caught him and slammed him straight down into the ground, blood spraying from his mouth as he sent up a cloud of dirt and sawdust with his collision. A moment later, the vixen shrieked and made a quick spinning motion, and the reptile grunted as he was dragged in a circle through the hard earth, leaving a rooster tail of debris behind himself as he smashed through an overturned metal table before she threw him hard against the wall again.

Slowly, Zerrex slumped, then fell to his knees, blood dripping from his face and several cuts over his chest as he panted hard, his hands hanging loosely. Felicity was snarling at him, tears still running down her face as she too panted, the aura once more growing around her... and he could feel her power increasing in leaps and bounds, could feel her hate... and the pain beneath that was driving her. He could sympathize... he too knew those emotions, and he couldn't help but smile faintly as she straightened and then shoved a hand out before making the other a fist and drawing that arm back. I can see myself in you... he thought quietly. And I can't beat you.

Then she made a slight shoving motion with the outstretched palm, and the Drakkaren grunted as he flew ten feet into the air before slamming against the wall, pinned like a bug on a needle to it, his limbs hanging loosely before she slammed her fist forwards. The Drakkaren coughed blood, his body spasming as he felt the wall behind him crack, then her mental fist slugged him again, this time smashing in his face as the vixen let out another wordless cry of hate and mental agony, striking at him wildly... but instead of weak flails, every psychic blow against him was like a sledgehammer. The reptile could almost see it in his mind... and then, as the force slammed into his kidney and made him twitch, his eyes flashed as he felt one last desperate idea come to his mind.

Then he was thrown hard down itno the ground, and Felicity was panting roughly, snarling and then screaming: "How does it feel? How does it feel to be weak and defenseless and picked on... how does it feel, you motherfucker! I bet you've never felt this before, have you? I bet you never knew what it was like to get walked all over, huh? You shit, I thought you cared, I thought you were a good person!"

"I'm not a good person." Zerrex said softly, but his voice carried as he slowly forced himself to his feet, closing his eyes... and then smiling again as blood dripped from his mouth, startling the fox and causing her to hesitate as he slowly rose both hands on front of himself in a stopping gesture, taking a slow breath as he focused his body's energy and continued to speak in a gentle voice: she'd earned it, he felt. After all, it was so rare that someone managed to kick his ass, that he thought they should get some kind of reward... and words were all he could offer. "But yeah. I do know what it's like... and maybe I did come to care. But... family, friends, and the people I truly... who mean something to me have to come first. Please stop... Felicity, that's your name, right? Please stop, Felicity. I don't want to hurt you."

"I cared about you..." she whispered... then she shook her head quickly, letting the hate flow into her again instead, building her power on anger as she trembled, then shouted angrily in a voice that was now almost unsure: "And... and we'll see who hurts who, you bastard! Don't threaten me!"

Before the Drakkaren could speak again, however, she shoved her hand forwards, meaning to slam him into the wall again... and Zerrex snarled as he closed his eyes, feeling her psychic blast rushing towards him before pushing back against it, harnessing his own willpower and physical energy, remembering a lesson he'd been taught long ago as a child and the reaction of the vixen when he'd broken her initial attack, how she seemed connected to her powers just as Tinny was to his. And then, suddenly, her powers slammed into not his body, but his hands... and he shoved forwards back against it, snarling as his muscles strained and he forced slowly forwards, and the vixen let out a grunt and then put her other hand forwards as well.

Their abilities battled, and the energy in the air almost became visible... a strange, shining blue glow in front of the Drakkaren's hands, forming a dome in front of him that covered his body and warded off the dark, raw force of the vixen's anger as she poured all her strength forwards, the weird blue glow growing around her body. Between them, bolts of energy that looked like blue streaks of electricity crackled into sudden life, then vanished as quickly as they came, perhaps simply illusions or visualizations created by both their minds... and then Zerrex smiled again before whispering: "I'm sorry."

Then, suddenly, he spun to the side and threw one arm out as the other crossed over his body, as if bowing the vixen through a door, and their connection severed as the vixen's focused psychic blast somehow overshot the Drakkaren and smashed into the wall, her mind unable to snag the reptile and instead slamming into the inanimate wall of the windmill, cracking it as the blue glow vanished. She staggered forwards, the aura fading from around her body as she coughed blood, her arms pinwheeling and feeling shocked as her telekinetic powers had... had somehow been redirected, misguided... and then Zerrex was running forwards, and she knew she would be unable to save herself the moment before the huge reptile slammed his fist into her stomach and sent her crashing backwards, slamming into the remains of a wooden table and half-flipping over it before she landed heavily, groaning quietly before her eyes slipped closed as blood dripped from her maw, entire body on fire with agony... not passing out, but her will to fight broken as she felt her powers fading from her body... and a strange, new respect for the Drakkaren in place as she whispered in her mind: I'm sorry, Mika... looks like the Boss... really is invincible...

Zerrex winced as he straightened, panting quietly... then he glanced up as he heard the sound of a fist solidly connecting with the heavy wooden log. A moment later, the support pillar cracked in half and the smaller end rolled slowly forwards as Requiem stepped forwards, wincing and rubbing at several large gashes across his body. Then he snorted quietly and glanced over at the vixen before smiling a bit, saying softly: "Impressive. You countered her powers with raw strength, did you?"

"No... I thought about the old story you told me as a kid. The child and the sorcerer..." The Drakkaren smiled at the giant at this, glancing over him before watching as Cherry, Tinman, and his daughter slowly climbed out the hole in the ground. "The only reason evil magic affects us is because we act like a receiver... do not receive, but be like mirror, and only reflect the power back to its source. Seeing as it wasn't some evil curse from an ancient sorcerer, I couldn't like, reflect it, but I think I did an okay job of knocking it to-"

Before he could finish, however, Cindy charged forwards and then tackled him, knocking the Drakkaren over as he winced and grunted, the young Drakkaren yelling tearfully: "Daddy!" Then she buried her head against his chest, curling up tight against him as she hugged him firmly around the neck, curling tight to his masculine form as Zerrex hugged her back with a wince.

"Cindy, your spikes are digging into me..." the reptile said flatly, but Cindy simply ignored him as Cherry walked forwards with a strange expression on her face... something that was almost jealousy and resentment as Zerrex closed his eyes and simply rocked his daughter slowly in his arms. A moment later, Requiem also slowly approached, and Tinman staggered over, wincing and rubbing at his head. Although Requiem had blocked most of the falling debris with his own body and allowed the others to escape through the trapdoor into the safety of the storage area, a good sized piece of log had still rapped him firmly on the back of the head... but more worrisome was the fact that he was still bleeding rather badly from his stomach, and he was starting to feel... extremely tired.

Then there was a strange, dry chuckle, and a voice rasped: "Beautiful... like a fucking shoot gallery."

Tank grinned viciously as he pulled the first trigger of the minigun, causing the barrels to revolve as he stood slightly-slumped, panting hard and a bit of blood running down his face as he looked hungrily over the group of reptiles in front of him, enjoying the look of horror on their faces: the whole fucking family, right there, ready for the reaping, and even the stupid badger-bitch. The muscular male had a particular hate for this weakling... a little queer who looked a bit too much like him. But he'd be reaped with the others, who all seemed to realize he had the upper hand as he trained the minigun on Zerrex and his daughter, the two of them the most vulnerable from their incestuous position on the floor... and he snorted before licking his muzzle slowly and saying harshly: "Now, before I kill all of you, I'm gonna at least say congrats for taking out the entire fucking army I raised... and thanks for that. It means I don't have to share the city... and although I'm kinda pissed that you killed Felicity too, I guess that's best as well... stupid, scarred bitch only got in the way until the last moment, but at least then she saw the fucking light and how much of a monster you were..." A slow grin spread over his features as he laughed dryly. "Too bad she ain't never gonna know that I'm the one who forced Mika and his fancy little military vehicle into helping me crash this party. And too bad I don't get to have her as my pretty wife, like I'd always wanted... but every king's gotta make sacrifices, right? I'm glad she broke out of where I was keeping her now... you two messed each other up good and proper, saved me a lot of work."

Zerrex felt a strange sinking sensation in his chest... no wonder that the coyote in the humvee hadn't bothered to fight... no wonder Felicity's voice had been laced with pain as much as hatred. Slowly, he snarled... but then Tank snorted and shook his head quickly, aiming the minigun at Cindy as she moved slightly. "I don't think so, babe! Move, and I drill you full of lead so your daddy can weep covered in your blood 'fore I blast him."

Felicity was still awake... and now she slowly forced herself up, but she continued to go unnoticed as she panted hard, her eyes filling with tears again as she realized that she'd made a serious mistake... that Tank had manipulated them all perfectly into fighting each other. Sure, it had been an accident itself as well... but it had still been a brilliant stroke on the badger's part, and it didn't matter if it was genius or luck. She was tired and unable to summon any of her telekinetic abilities, though, feeling blood dripping from her mouth, unable to even speak... and then she stared as the smaller, bloodied and shirtless badger slowly stepped forwards.

"If you want them, you go through me..." Tinman said quietly, and his voice or gaze didn't shake as he stood firm in front of the group. At this, Tank slowly snarled, barrels of the minigun whirring, and then Tinny slowly rose a hand towards him, wincing, as Tank aimed the heavy automatic weapon directly at him, setting himself at the same time as his hands clenched on the stock and handle.

"I can live with that, you little queer bitch of the ex-Boss's..." Tank growled, then he grinned viciously before depressing the second trigger and unleashing a torrent of bullets towards the group, as Cindy shrieked and rose a hand towards the small, scrawny male, and even Cherry's face contorted with an expression of fear for her comrade and friend.

Tinman's muscles bulged, teeth grit as one hand clutched his bloody abdomen and the other stayed extended, using his powers to deflect the rain of bullets being fed into the minigun from the huge ammo pack strapped to the badger's hips. Tank was roaring as he fought to keep the gun aimed straight at the smaller badger, his own muscles bulging as he glared furiously at Tinny... but not a single bullet touched the scrawny male, no matter where he aimed. Instead, they smashed into some invisible barrier just in front of his hand and ricocheted into the air, to the side, even inches past the muscular, furious male wielding the heavy automatic weapon.

Then suddenly only the whirring of the spinning barrels and the yelling of the badger filled the air, the sound of gunfire vanishing as the bulky male ran out of ammunition, his gun settling from its upwards tilt. Tank ended his roar with a stupid grunt, staring at the scrawny male before him, who was now grinning... before Tinman fell to his knees and vomited blood, his hands wrapping tightly around his stomach as Tank snarled, dropping to his own crouch and quickly slapping open the other box of ammunition strapped to his waist and snagging the end of the belt, slapping that into the minigun before slamming it down and picking the heavy weapon back up, depressing both triggers again as both Zerrex and Cindy slowly stood up from the ground. But there was only a dry click, the revolving barrels smoking slightly, and the badger looked down at it before Tinman whispered with a faint smile: "I broke the motor and jammed the gun... it's useless now..."

Tank looked back and forth, breathing hard, his face twitching... then he threw down the minigun and grabbed a plain, simple 9mm handgun he'd jammed in his belt. He took aim the scrawy, bloody badger's forehead... then fired a single round, and Tinman rocked backwards with a look of faint surprise, but that weak smile still on his features as the bullet tore through his skull, sending out a splash of brain matter at Zerrex's feet as the others stared in horror, watching as Tinny rocked slowly backwards as time nearly halted... then he hit the ground, eyes glazing over and body resting, looking almost peaceful as that small smile still played over his muzzle, the last act of the former soldier not to simply destroy, but to destroy a weapon that could only be used for slaughter.

Cindy screamed, and Cherry stared down at the corpse with a tremble, the usually-cold female suddenly looking vulnerable and almost terrified as Tank snorted, laughed, gave some one-liner... but it was all nonsense to Zerrex as he slowly looked up, barely able to comprehend what had happened, not hearing the things going on around him as his daughter fell to her knees and collapsed with her head against Tinny's chest, fingers digging into his fur. Then the Drakkaren slowly looked up, not wanting to believe that another friend had been stolen from him, that again he'd lost someone he'd cared about to a pathetic maggot with a gun... and he whispered something he knew was impossible, that he knew could never happen, but couldn't stop himself from wishing so childishly: "Give him back..."

Tank looked at the Drakkaren strangely, tilting his head... and then Zerrex snarled furiously before he began to stride forwards, responding now in the only way he knew how. The muscular badger staggered backwards under the hellish darkness he saw in the reptile's eyes, his own going wide with terror as he rose the handgun again and fired a single round... and Zerrex stopped before glancing down at the small hole in his breast.

The reptile paused a moment, then he reached a claw down and shoved it into the wound, not even wincing: the pain he felt now was far more than something physical. A moment later, he pulled the bloody bullet free from his muscular chest, then he looked down at it before clenching it tightly in his hand and dropping the round and returning his gaze to Tank.

The badger had enough time to scream and fall backwards, but he never hit the ground: a moment later, Zerrex charged forwards and bent before slamming a fist upwards, knocking Tank into the air like a toy before he caught one of his legs, roaring and slamming him hard down into the ground. Tank's body crunched as the badger shrieked again, and then Zerrex yanked hard on his ankle as he flipped him into the air again: he revolved slowly, and then the reptile's leg caught him in a vicious turning kick, sending him flying through the air to crash into the broken hood of the humvee.

The badger slumped and fell to the ground, and Zerrex advanced again with a snarl on his features as Tank struggled slowly to try and force himself to stand: before he could manage it, however, the reptile grabbed his throat and then slammed him backwards against the broken hood of the military vehicle: once, twice, thrice. Tank screamed again and again in pain, but it wasn't enough, and the Drakkaren felt darkness welling up in his mind and from his soul as he turned and threw Tank as hard as he could, sending him crashing into another wall before he dropped and slumped silently, his body twitching mindlessly, spittle and drool and blood dripping from his maw as his eyes rolled blindly in his head, gurgling and spasming. Again, Zerrex started forwards... but then Cindy stepped in front of him and put her hands against his heaving chest.

The Drakkaren panted quietly, looking down at his daughter as she stared up at him with tear-streaked cheeks and overbright eyes... but then she slowly shook her head, whispering: "Killing him... won't bring Mr. Pettigrew back. Hurting him anymore won't take away your own pain..."

"But... he killed my friend..." Zerrex replied in a strange, broken voice... but then Cindy reached up and gently took his face in his hands, and Zerrex's legs buckled before he fell to his knees, swallowing hard as he reached up to grasp her wrists gently, whispering: "He has to suffer..."

"It's pointless, Daddy... I want him to hurt, too, I do... but... it won't solve anything..." Cindy replied quietly, then she closed her eyes and pushed their foreheads together gently, as Zerrex clenched his own shut and moved his hands to squeeze her shoulders painfully. She rubbed her hands slowly into his ivory locks, then whispered to him: "You taught me yourself... life is crueler than death. Take away his power... take away his freedoms... but don't kill him. Make it so he can't hurt anyone... but don't kill him."

"I'll do it." Requiem spoke up quietly, and Zerrex opened his eyes to look up at his uncle: Cherry stood silently nearby, with Tinny cradled in her arms, rocking him slowly back and forth as she looked at Zerrex and Cindy with a foreign, strange emotion in her eyes. Then the Boss returned his look to the Dragokkaren as the giant continued gently: "You're too emotional to do it right now, Zerrex... right now, you'd rip him in half trying to tie his hands behind his back. Cindy, please take my nephew out of here... you go as well, Miss."

Requiem gently patted Cherry on the shoulder, and she looked up at him blankly for a moment before nodding quietly and heading out through the hole in the wall where the door had been, walking towards the road: a few moments later she was followed by Zerrex, rubbing at his eyes with back of his wrist as he leaned against his daughter, one arm around her shoulders as she gently supported him against her. The Dragokkaren watched them go, then he turned his gaze to Tank before saying quietly: "I wasn't talking to my nephew's wife. I was referring to you, the psychic who gave Zerrex such a hard time."

Felicity twitched from her hiding spot behind the ruins of the table, then she swallowed and nodded silently, quickly walking out the gaping hole in the windmill where the humvee had crashed through and approaching this. Then she stopped silently and looked in at Mika's body: cut apart by glass, ripped apart by bullets... but still looking strangely peaceful, and she fell to her knees before descending into hard sobs at everything that had happened. It was all her fault, after all... she had been foolish enough to try and interfere in whatever battle that the giant and he still-hero were to do, and she had been the one to suggest bringing the army... and now Mika was dead, Tank would live even if punished, and her Boss had lost a friend, the metal-maker who all the children in Comfort Town adored...

Back inside, the giant glanced at Felicity with soft compassion, then he turned his attention back to the muscular badger, who seemed to be slowly regaining his senses. He looked up at the Dragokkaren stupidly, and Requiem looked back down without a trace of the emotion he had shown just moments ago, reaching down and grabbing his throat before throwing him down on his stomach and shoving his heel down into his lower spine, causing Tank to scream in agony. "Scum like you deserves to be skinned alive and boiled for a few hours before finally being fed to yourself in pieces. But as Cindy wishes, I'll give you a mercy you don't deserve... you're only fortunate that she was here today, or I'd have killed you myself to make sure you don't dishonor and darken the presence of my son and everyone else in this town ever again. Let this serve as your punishment."

Then Requiem twisted his heel as he ground his foot down, and Tank's mind lit up with white agony before the Dragokkaren drew his heel hard up his back and finally shoved down, snapping every vertebrae from tailbone to the middle of the badger's spine. Tank's hands twitched as he screamed and looked at the ceiling... but he could no longer feel anything else from the waist down, and he screamed again before spasming wildly on the spot, tilting his head back and forth as tears streamed down his face, yelling: "No! No! No, no, no! What did you do to me? What did you do?"

He continued to shriek and spasm as Requiem turned and left him there, heading out to the small cluster of people standing in the field next to the road, Tinman's corpse laying silently on the ground with his hands crossed over his chest... then the three Drakkaren looked up as the giant approached and nodded respectfully, bowing his head for a moment before looking up and meeting his nephew's gaze. "We can postpone the battle if you want..."

"No." Zerrex said quietly, but his voice was firm and he'd visibly regained control of himself, as he reached up and gently squeezed Cindy's shoulder. "But we'll fight somewhere different... Cindy, Cherry, I'd like you two to take Tinman... Cory... back into town and... clean him up. We'll... all bury him tomorrow."

The two nodded silently, then Requiem motioned towards the windmill with his thumb over his shoulder. "The... bastard is in there. I've made sure he'll never be able to walk again, which should take some of the fight out of him... you can choose to finish the job however you like if that isn't enough. The vixen with the odd powers is also out near the humvee with her dead friend..."

"You two should probably check to see if she wants to bury her friend as well, then... invite her back and... apologize for me." Zerrex said softly, and Cindy nodded again as Cherry looked away with a visible frown, but at least she didn't say anything. Then the powerful male turned his attention back to Requiem, looking up at him and laughing quietly. "I don't feel like digging my bike out of the wreckage. Let's just take your car to the little spot I know. I'll give you directions."

"Alright." Requiem nodded mildly, then he turned and headed towards his car, leaving Zerrex with his wife and child for a moment. The reptile looked back and forth at the two females, then he hugged them both tightly against him for a moment, Cindy and Cherry hugging him firmly back before he gazed softly from one to the other.

"I'll be back as soon as I can." He promised, then he gently kissed Cindy's forehead before sharing a gentle kiss with Cherry, working their muzzles together for a quiet moment before he pulled back. They gazed into each other's eyes, and the Drakkaren knew that at that moment, they both felt a horribly awkward, out of place arousal flow through their bodies, their gazes locking and electricity almost jumped between them. They both shifted, Cherry hugging herself and Zerrex looking down as he tried to ignore the fact he was almost growing hard at all the sudden thoughts of what he wanted to do, right here and now, amidst all these dead bodies and even by the corpse of his friend... before he quickly nodded and turned, walking away as Cherry bit her lip and stared at his back, one hand silently rubbing at her own crotch as Cindy looked at her with something like shock and revulsion.

Zerrex paused, then he shrugged as he walked around to the back seat and climbed inside, feeling the sword twisting on his back and then digging gently into the seat. The Drakkaren winced, then he pulled the sword off his back and carefully slid it under his body before putting it into the footwell and closing the door of the car tightly. He looked down, crossing his arms and putting one foot on the flat of the blade, keeping it secure against the ground and thankful that at least it was large enough for that, then he closed his eyes as Requiem started up the car, speaking softly: "Just drive straight, then there's a highway that circles the town... drive all the way around to where you probably came in from, and then I'll give you directions to... a certain little plot I know..."

Requiem watched quietly as Zerrex kneeled in front of a grave with a crude headstone the reptile had obviously made himself, and the Drakkaren murmured a few soft words under his breath before he straightened and turned, nodding to the giant. "We can do this now. I've paid my respects... this is also where I plan to have Tinman and Mika buried, if Felicity doesn't mind. I own this entire property... and if I am going to die at your hands..." he smiled a bit. "I'd like it to be here. It's... peaceful, quiet, and the resting place for a girl named Mary... someone who died because of me, and who proved a lot of things to me with that."

The Dragokkaren nodded quietly, then he bowed his head respectfully and asked gently: "May I pay my respects, then, as well?"

Zerrex tilted his head, but then he nodded and stepped back, crossing his arms, and his uncle nodded before walking forwards and kneeling as well, then slipping both knees beneath him as he laced his fingers together and bowed his head, closing his eyes and looking as if in deep thought. After a minute or so, he nodded, then straightened and rose, smiling slightly at the Drakkaren as he said softly: "I don't honor the dead..."

"I honor the memory of those who have earned my respect." Zerrex finished, then he nodded back before the two reptiles turned and walked side-by-side down the hand-laid stone path, to the wide clearing just in front of the road, surrounded on all sides by tall pines. On either side of the field full of tall, swaying grasses, stood the weapons of the two combatants, points of sword and spear buried in the soft soil.

The two split up from the center, then both turned a few feet in front of their weapons, backs to each other and each taking up a ready stance. They stood silently for a few moments, merely looking at each other, both already bloody and cut, before Requiem smiled a bit and asked quietly: "I shouldn't... but I need to know. How did you kill your father?"

"I walked in... I stabbed him in the throat, then cut it... then I simply walked out." Zerrex replied softly, then he paused a moment before smiling a bit and adding gently, glancing down: "Dishonorably, because he was sick and delirious... and in a cowardly way, because I manipulated him when he thought I was my dead mother and since I waited until you, his most loyal bodyguard, was away."

Requiem nodded at this, looking strangely proud of his nephew before he smiled a bit and glanced down himself, saying quietly: "Thank you. But I watched the security tapes... I know you did more than that, but for maybe the first time in your life, you sought to not rub your father through even more filth than he was already covered in. I know that you..." he stopped uncomfortably at this, then glanced up at Zerrex, who looked surprised but steadfast. "I know, Zerrex, that he was not a good person. But he was my brother... and I have that loyalty. I know also, however, that this is no... no excuse. That my blindness was willful... that I deceived myself many times to make him out to be someone he wasn't. Narrius... my brother... I know that in some ways, he was perhaps an embodiment of evil. He killed, raped, murdered... and worst of all, tried to turn you into a pathetic puppet-apprentice, another version of himself, just to carry on the goddamn name... the fucking pathetic bloodline...

"And I stood by and watched... even helped as much as I could." Requiem smiled grimly at this, as Zerrex looked at him with an expression of compassion and sympathy that was strange on the Drakkaren's hard features. "I'm sorry, Zerrex. I too, have dishonored myself, in far worse ways than you, and for nothing but a name that I've come to hate and realize is awash with useless violence and blood. Perhaps all of us are beyond redemption... but I'd like to try and see if I can help you perform at least one act of atonement, to prove that you are better than your father, and better than me."

He stopped, and then Zerrex slowly bowed to his uncle silently, lowering his head as well and taking his gaze from the Dragokkaren as he made himself purposefully vulnerable, showing total trust... and when he straightened, Requiem looked strangely touched. Then the giant returned the bow before smiling and nodding. "But you're right. Enough talk... today there's been enough of that from maggots and cowards, and too much meaningless death. Let there be one more death, and let there be meaning... and whether you or I live determines the fate of our family, even though there is a successor who is as pure-hearted as an angel already to cleanse our name. But we might as well try to take those sins off her shoulders as well, huh?"

"Sure. We have our own personal score to settle... and something beyond honor." Zerrex said softly, nodding. Then he slowly straightened, settling himself and clenching his hands into fists as he crossed his forearms, before moving both upper limbs in a slow circle, flexing and tensing every muscle in his body before his arms settled at his sides and then relaxed, entire form loosening as he tilted his head and grinned a bit. "If you win, promise me you'll protect her... and if I win, I promise to give you a grave here as well and to work as hard as I can to wash off all the blood I've stained my hands with."

"Agreed." Requiem said softly, then he rose both of his hands in a ready stance, not tightening them into fists but keeping them loose, fingers hooked slightly forwards as his features became stony and his eyes cold, but with a spark of excitement still burning deep within. "Now prepare yourself, Zerrex! Show me everything you've learned!"

"Only if you take me seriously this time around, Requiem." Zerrex responded, sliding one leg out and raising one arm in front of himself defensively, the other going up and out to the side with his fingers half-clenched and palm facing towards his opponent. His emerald eyes blazed, but the grin didn't disappear from his features as he tensed his body, feeling the winds suddenly pick up and blowing his hair from his eyes: where Requiem fought with calculated tactics and experience's teachings backing him, the reptile fought using what the moment called for and the raw power of his instinctive feelings and emotions.

Almost a minute passed, then Zerrex's foot suddenly dug in the soil and Requiem leaned forwards, before they both lunged towards each other, Zerrex throwing a solid punch at the giant's stomach as the Dragokkaren slammed a solid hammer fist down towards Zerrex's shoulder. Immediately, both of them reacted to the strikes, catching each other's fists in their free hand and both forcing forwards, muscles bulging as they glared at each other, then Requiem slowly began to force Zerrex's hands backwards, his face twitching and a vein bulging in his neck as he used all his power to try and force his nephew back.

Then the smaller reptile slammed one of his feet onto Requiem's set leg, but the Dragokkaren snorted before straightening his leg and causing the Drakkaren's foot to slip; but then Zerrex grinned, suddenly rotating his knee and hooking the back of the giant's leg with the toe of his combat boot before jerking forwards, causing the larger male to grunt and his eyes to widen as he stumbled forwards, his leg forming a step again... and this time, Zerrex managed to get his foot onto it before letting the huge reptile shove his arms back. At the same time, he swung his other leg upwards, as he arched his back, performing an easy flip that also broke his hands free of Requiem's grip as his foot slammed under his chin and caused the huge Dragokkaren to stumble backwards.

Immediately, however, he counterattacked with a hard side kick as Zerrex half-flipped... but the Drakkaren quickly brought his arm up, blocking the hard strike with his forearm and wincing at the power of impact as he slammed his other hand into the ground, before shoving off the earth and landing easily on his feet several meters away from the giant, hands raised defensively. Slowly, Requiem rubbed at his face, his eyes locking with his nephew's... then he smiled slightly as he said softly: "Impressive. I underestimated you... you've obviously learned a lot."

"And this is just the start." Zerrex replied with his own smile in return, rolling his shoulders slowly and taking up an easy boxing stance as the Dragokkaren set himself in his own streetfighting pose, the two reptiles continuing to look at each other with both excitement and the growing thrill of battle.

After a few moments, Requiem charged forwards, and the smaller reptile set himself with a snarl before leaping backwards as the huge Dragokkaren swung in with a hard, high left hook. Then the giant's other hand shot out under his arm as it crossed in front of him, and Zerrex barely managed to get his arms up in time, forearms forming an X that the huge lizard's palm smashed into them. The force was enough to send Zerrex stumbling backwards, but then, as Requiem began to move forwards again, he swung out both hands and grabbed the goliath's wrists as Requiem automatically brought his arms up to block.

The giant snarled, looking surprised, then quickly snapping and reversing the grip with a quick rotation of his hands that left him gripping Zerrex's... and then his nephew jumped off the ground and pounded both feet hard into his chest, causing him to grunt and stumble backwards with a wince of pain. Before Zerrex could land, however, the giant turned and threw the reptile hard by one wrist, and the Drakkaren flew through the air before crashing to the ground and rolling quickly up to a crouch, throwing his arm down to form an axle and spinning around...

And right into Requiem's foot: the Dragokkaren had sprinted after him with amazing speed, then gone into a slide and now the sole of his shoe slammed into Zerrex's face and sent him down on his back, before the giant threw his weight forwards and dropped a crushing knee on Zerrex's chest, one hand descending to snare his throat. Zerrex grunted, hands automatically grabbing the giant's wrist, then he snarled as he felt the enormous fingers crushing in his throat before bringing a knee up hard into Requiem's hip, causing him to grunt and then fall forwards with surprise.

Immediately, Zerrex released the Dragokkaren's wrist and slammed both hands up into the giant's chest, knocking Requiem off his body and onto his back: instead of continuing the attack, however, the Drakkaren quickly rolled backwards and set himself on his feet, breathing harshly as Requiem slowly climbed up to his own. The two looked at each other, then the giant straightened and beckoned.

The Drakkaren charged immediately, and Requiem threw a straight palm out at his face before slamming his knee upwards as Zerrex ducked the initial attack... then the giant let out a surprised grunt and pinwheeled his arms for balance as Zerrex suddenly dropped onto his back and kicked both feet straight up to slam into the bottom of Requiem's raised foot, causing him to stagger backwards. The moment Requiem lowered his leg, however, Zerrex shot both his own out and trapped it, then rolled to the side and brought the behemoth crashing down on his own like a fallen skyscraper.

Requiem caught himself with one hand, however, immediately kicking his other foot viciously forwards and into Zerrex's kidney, causing him to let out a sharp, breathy groan and to spasm, giving the Dragokkaren enough time to withdraw his foot before he spun onto his back and shoved both feet down into his nephew's chest, sending the Drakkaren rolling away: as the reptile rolled, however, he managed to get his hands under him and shove off the ground, spinning rapidly through the air before he landed on his feet and swayed a bit, panting hard. His uncle narrowed his ice-blue eyes, then he kicked up to his own feet.

They faced each other for several moments, then once more both suddenly snarled and charged forwards at the same time, muscles flexing, bodies tensing before Requiem leapt towards the smaller reptile, body twisting as both legs snapped out in a vicious double hook kick. Immediately, Zerrex dropped to a low crouch, then he suddenly leapt upwards, arching his back and slamming one hand upwards in a rising palm and throwing the other out in a vicious, brutal punch.

The reptile's timing was perfect: he flew upwards through Dragokkaren's legs the moment after the first passed over him, interrupting Requiem's attack and causing him to grunt and clench his eyes shut in agony as his nephew's palm slammed into the underside of his muzzle and his fist smashed into his stomach and twisted viciously, smashing through the armor of his chiseled abdominals. The giant's head whiplashed backwards as he fell heavily onto his back, bouncing once against the ground and sliding back a few inches in the long grasses as Zerrex landed, panting quietly.

Requiem lay still for a moment, fingers clenching into the grass, then he brought both knees up to his chest as his nephew looked down at him before slamming both legs in a hard outwards kick as he shoved off the soft soil with his hands, his feet colliding with Zerrex's chest and sending him flying backwards to skid across the field on his back with a snarl of pain. Requiem landed neatly in a crouch from his powerful kick, his blue eyes intense and focused as Zerrex finally halted with a wince on the other side of the field, leaving a long trench in the tall grasses before the beryl-scaled reptile climbed slowly up to his feet, brushing his ivory hair from his eyes as he winced a bit and rubbed at his chest idly, rolling his shoulders slowly and then snorting quietly. "I let down my guard. Stupid mistake."

"You're still doing far better than last time we fought... I'm impressed." Requiem commented softly, then he lowered his stance before reaching up and squeezing a shoulder lightly, tilting his muzzle downwards as he gave the barest hint of a smile, blue eyes flickering. "I think you've earned the right to make this combat serious. You've proven your skill to me... and I'm sure you're more than capable with your ridiculous-looking sword."

"I like my sword, thank you very much." Zerrex said mildly, then he paused as he glanced over his shoulder to see he was next to Requiem's spear instead of his own weapon. Then he relaxed slightly as he walked forwards, and the Dragokkaren did the same: the two already-bruised and battered warriors passed easily side-by-side, within inches of each other as they approached their own weapons, then both pulled the free from the soft soil. Zerrex shook his sword a bit, carefully examining the gleaming blade... but then he turned with the sword in both hands, handle above his head and blade gleaming as he kept it on an angle across the front of his body, tip almost touching the ground as the tall Drakkaren grinned slightly. "We'll see which of us has the ridiculous weapon in a moment."

"I suppose so." Requiem said softly, as he stood with the butt of the spear resting against the ground, then he nodded and lowered his head slightly, meeting his nephew's eyes as he spoke a single word: "Come."

Zerrex shifted position, one foot digging over the top of the soil, then he charged forwards with the massive sword swinging down from the ready position to be held easily at his side, blade whispering through the tall grass before he swayed to the side, grinning and tilting his head away as Requiem took his spear into both hands and stabbed viciously forwards at his face. The metal spearhead whispered through his hair, then the reptile winced as Requiem firmly slapped the side of his head with the bamboo pole, but then the Dragokkaren winced and looked surprised as Zerrex ignored the attack and slammed his sword around in a hard waist-level cleave, the Dragokkaren immediately leaping backwards to attempt to back out of range of the huge weapon, but forced to bring his pole to the side, grunting and then stumbling as the bamboo pole shifted in his hands. This time it was Zerrex who looked surprised as Blackheart failed to cut through the spear's body, and then both reptiles leapt backwards, Requiem standing at the edge of the forest.

"I forgot." He said mildly, and Zerrex paused for a moment as he readied himself, sword held firmly in both hands, handle at waist level and massive weapon parallel to the earth. "Hitting you in the head was always pointless. Never seemed to rattle you because you don't think with your brain."

"Not that one, at least." The Drakkaren felt a faint smile twitch at his muzzle, watching as Requiem made a slight face. "You seem to be enjoying yourself, at least." Another pause, then a quiet laugh as he met the Dragokkaren's eyes with his own burning emerald. "But don't think I'll keel over in shock just because you made a joke."

The giant snorted softly, then he glanced up before tensing and leaping into one of the trees above, reaching one hand up and jackknifing cleanly onto one limb. He balanced easily above the reptile, spinning the spear easily between the fingers of one hand and then tossing it to catch it so the point faced down, his eyes challenging the reptile again. Zerrex felt his own features tense as he stood ready: having the Dragokkaren above him and armed with a spear was not a situation that was good in any manner... no matter how he attacked, Requiem would be able to drop on top of him or outmaneuver him. Nor did he possess enough balance and grace to risk climbing up a tree himself... so that left one possible path of attack as he grinned, then cocked the sword back as Requiem stared at him with sudden disbelief.

Then the Drakkaren let out a snarl as his muscles flexed and he swung hard, chopping through the heavy trunk of the tree in a single solid blow and causing the tree to shudder and then topple backwards, and Requiem snarled before he quickly leapt towards another perch: Zerrex however, followed quickly behind him, charging forwards and then spinning as he slashed his sword viciously outwards, cleaving cleanly through another old tree and forcing Requiem to leap into a pine with a wince, green needles hailing down before the Dragokkaren kicked off this tree and then dropped like a stone, pointing his spear straight down with one hand gripping the body and the other on the butt of the weapon.

Zerrex barely managed to roll out of the way, then he slashed his massive sword outwards with one hand as Requiem tried to charge in, and the Dragokkaren leapt high before performing the same dropping stab tactic: this time, however, Zerrex twisted his body to the side as he grabbed the handle of his sword in both hands, slamming it in a vicious upwards arc.

The Dragokkaren snarled, then he suddenly switched his grip on the pole as he flipped his body downwards, the pole of the spear meeting the rising sword with enough force to cause Zerrex's muscles to strain painfully, halting the upwards rise of the enormous blade but managing to cut halfway through the surprisingly-durable bamboo pole as Requiem balanced on his own weapons with his hands on either side of where Blackheart had collided with his own weapon.

Then the giant brought his legs swinging down, landing neatly on the pole and balancing across it as Zerrex stared, his muscles bulging for a moment before the sword began to fall, and then Requiem lashed one of his feet out as he twisted his body to the side while remaining balanced across their crossed weapons, and Zerrex stumbled backwards with a snarl, reaching one hand up to cover his bloodied muzzle as his head snapped back, his sword automatically falling to strike the ground at the same time as his arm relaxed. The Dragokkaren immediately began to slide down the heavy blade, which was now partially-buried in the ground, then he flipped his body backwards and free from the sword as he used momentum to fly through the air in a short arc and pull the pole of the spear with him, landing easily on his feet and spinning the bamboo and metal weapon around his body before halting with it raised offensively, readied in a stab next to his head, gripped tight in both hands.

Zerrex lowered his hand, then he easily tore Blackheart free from where it had bitten into the earth, raising it to rest gently against his shoulder as the eyes of the two reptile's met, small unevolved animals chittering at them from the trees, a few birds singing as they flew by above, uncaring about the battle going on below them. Bugs hummed, and crickets sang, and the trees whispered as a breeze ruffled through pine leaves and the few leaves of oak and birch.

Then Requiem stepped forwards and lashed out with the spear, stabbing it towards Zerrex, but the Drakkaren's hand shot out and snagged the neck of the spear, just past the head. The Dragokkaren's eyes widened, then he stumbled forwards as Zerrex stabbed his massive blade forwards in a hard but basic thrust.

Immediately, the Dragokkaren brought a knee up and twisted his body to the side, and the blade passed harmlessly by his chest before the Dragokkaren spun around to the other side of his spear, one hand still gripping it firmly near the base as the other reached up to snag the body only a few inches away from Zerrex's, his back to his own weapon before he twisted it and spun it free from the reptile's grip, turning and holding it over his shoulders as he dropped his hand to form a flat, almost as if about to take a ridiculously-fancy shot with a pool cue before slamming the butt of the weapon into Zerrex's chest. The Drakkaren grunted in pain, but before Requiem could add another attack in, the reptile countered by stepping hard forwards and slamming the toe of one combat boot into the back of Requiem's leg.

The Dragokkaren fell heavily on one knee, then he snarled and bent the spear over his shoulders as far as he could before letting go of one end and slashing it down, viciously lashing the Drakkaren with it. The hard whipping blow caught Zerrex in the shoulder and sent him down as well, both hands going out, but then he grinned and Requiem's eyes widened as the reptile suddenly flipped forwards low to the ground as he shoved himself off with all four limbs, Blackheart ripping a deep groove through the earth before sending up a spray of soil as Requiem threw himself to the side in a diving roll, barely avoiding being sliced in half as the huge blade slammed into the ground where he had been only moments ago.

He quickly leapt to his feet, then dodged back as Zerrex charged forwards from a kneel, slamming the sword in an awkward, unskilled, but ridiculously-effective cut at neck level that made Requiem stagger, unprepared for the vicious attack as he reared his head back. The blade narrowly missed and instead sank deep a tree as the Dragokkaren pinwheeled his arms, attempting to regain balance, but then Zerrex used the handle to heft himself up into the air as he jumped forwards and slammed both feet into the giant's unprotected chest, sending him crashing backwards and into the trunk of a pine tree with a grunt and a wince of pain.

He fell heavily on his ass, legs sprawled out and back against the tree, then Zerrex easily tore Blackheart free from where it was buried with a spray of sap and bits of bark, advancing quickly as he rose the massive sword above his head, before chopping down hard. Immediately, Requiem winced and rolled to the side and up to his feet, the blade cutting a deep wound in the tree before Zerrex drew it back and turned, slashing viciously outwards crosswise and chopping down a small tree as his attack missed Requiem, keeping the Dragokkaren on the retreat before the behemoth risked a glance over his shoulder as he felt the wind more clearly. Then he turned and sprinted quickly between the trees, Zerrex giving chase and gaining before Requiem suddenly skidded to a halt and turned, kicking a heavy, bowling-ball sized stone free from the ground and sending it rocketing at the Drakkaren.

Zerrex immediately brought up Blackheart, twisting the oversized blade in his hand, and then he rocked backwards with a grunt as it struck the wide flat of the weapon and shattered into fragments of stone. Then he lowered the weapon and once more gave chase before sliding to a stop as he saw Requiem with his back to a tall cliff, one hand raised with the palm facing outwards, spear held at the halfway point in the other and the point towards the ground as Zerrex stood with his back to the trees, raising Blackheart in a ready position. The Drakkaren took a moment to look around this smaller field, covered in shorter grass and with a massive stone near the cliff edge, vaguely oval in shape... forest on one side, cliffs surrounding the rest.

The skies were clouding over now, as the two stood facing each other, the wind kicking up and blowing dust off the steep ledge and into the deep ravine below, more than a hundred feet down and a lethal fall even for the two embattled warriors. They stood, both of them panting a bit, titanic Dragokkaren and smaller but far-fiercer Drakkaren standing and facing each other... a Colossus that knew no match, but also a mythical, country-destroying Dragon that had also destroyed every opponent to ever oppose him. Uncle and nephew faced each other... then the older of the two suddenly stepped forwards, stabbing the spear rapidly at vital points of the Drakkaren's body and attempting to force him back.

Zerrex dodged the first strike, then deflected the next two off to the side with Blackheart, before slashing hard upwards as Requiem aimed a stab at his heart: the rising arc slammed Requiem's weapon out of his hands, but, as the Dragokkaren stumbled backwards, he threw himself into a reverse handspring and slammed one of his feet into the smaller Drakkaren's hands, knocking Blackheart flying as well. The spear landed near the edge of the cliffs as the sword spun rapidly through the air, then landed point-down next to the massive stone on the ledge.

Then Requiem launched himself forwards, and Zerrex immediately leapt into the air, twisting his body to the side as he aimed a hard kick at the Dragokkaren's face: the giant easily caught the attempted attack, but then Zerrex suddenly spun his body, breaking the hold as he seemed to almost float in the air for a moment before slamming the heel of his other combat boot straight down in a hard axe, smashing the end of Requiem's muzzle and causing his head to whiplash downwards as Zerrex fell through the air.

Again, the Dragokkaren managed to counterattack, however, slamming a foot upwards and connecting solidly with the middle of his nephew's back, causing Zerrex to let out a hiss of agony as he half-flipped backwards, then crashed onto his stomach in a heap. Slowly, the reptile forced his arms under himself, but then Requiem reached down and grabbed his head, jerking him upwards as his fingers tangled in the reptile's hair, and the giant slammed his fist into the reptile's stomach.

Zerrex let out a groan, then a sharp cry of pain as the giant struck him with a vicious hook, one of the smaller reptile's hands clawing at his wrist and the other attempting to ward off strike after strike, as blood and drool flew from Zerrex's muzzle as hard punch after punch collided with his face. He was unable to defend from the brutal blows of the huge reptile at this range, unable to even see with the blood flowing in his eyes, the hand in his hair crushing his skull in before he reacted without thinking, focusing his strength, his energy into his arm and then shoving viciously outwards with a flat palm strike that collided firmly with the chest of the giant.

Requiem let out a choked gasp as his hands spasmed and released the reptile; at the same time, he fought for balance as the powerful blow sent him skidding backwards to the edge of the cliff, his eyes bulging as his arms swung out for balance, body forcefully bending forwards, and then his back suddenly arching as he let out a roar of agony. His arms spasmed, his muscles refused to respond, and his huge, powerful form stood vulnerable from the blow that had literally knocked his mind loose from his body.

Zerrex panted hard as he forced the pain in his body away for a moment, then he looked up and saw his chance - perhaps what would be his only chance to defeat Requiem, and he let out a loud, senseless shout and stumbled to his feet, breaking into a charge and then leaping forwards as Requiem's eyes filled with incoherent disbelief. Their eyes locked for a moment, as Zerrex flew towards the Dragokkaren, and suddenly his uncle knew what was coming as he fought to regain control of his stunned body. But even as he felt his fingers twitch and his body sluggishly begin to respond, he knew it was far too late.

Zerrex's feet slammed into his chest, crushing in already cracked ribs: one strike, then the other foot made two as the Drakkaren used the added momentum to almost climb his body like a staircase before his leg slammed into the side of Requiem's neck, his arms flailing outwards as he grit his teeth in agony. Then the reptile revolved his body in midair, slamming his other leg into place and locking his lower limbs around the giant's neck as his body continued to spin in midair.

Then the spin carried down his legs and forcefully snapped the Dragokkaren's neck, causing his head to twist to one side as he let out a strangled grunt, head jerking upwards before Zerrex's legs released his neck and he fell, landing easily in a crouch with one arm out to the side for balance, his eyes closed as Requiem slowly fell backwards and then crashed heavily on his back. He panted quietly, then slowly stood and shook his head, closing his eyes and standing with his back to his uncle's fallen body... but something didn't feel right.

A moment later, the Drakkaren's eyes snapped open and he leapt forwards, turning around in midair at the same time as the Dragokkaren twitched, then slowly forced himself upwards, breathing raggedly as he rubbed at a neck that was awkwardly bent, almost dislocated... and the strange, nervous twitching of his body told Zerrex that he'd likely cracked the vertebrae in the reptile's neck but he hadn't snapped it entirely. Requiem snarled, in obvious pain... but then he forced a grin instead, his blue eyes blazing as he rasped: "I never taught you that move... that's... a modified version of your father's old killing attack..."

"It's my signature move now... the Ravenlight Special." Zerrex responded softly, raising his hands and feeling a strange joy at the fact that the battle wasn't over... that he had met an opponent who was actually powerful enough to withstand even his lethal finishing move. He smiled slightly in return, his emerald eyes flashing as he added softly: "You're the only person who's ever survived it... and to be honest, I'm glad. Although it must hurt like hell."

"It does... so let's make this quick." The Dragokkaren responded grimly, then he suddenly lunged forwards and swept out a fist hard towards the side of Zerrex's head. The reptile quickly stepped forwards into the attack, blocking the hard hooking punch with his forearm, but then Requiem slammed a fist into his solar plexus and knocked the wind from him, causing him to gasp painfully before the giant's hand settled around his throat, and Zerrex felt himself thrown hard backwards into the tall rock, his back slamming against it painfully as he let out a grunt and finally managed to breathe again, snarling as he pushed his back off the rock to start towards the giant again.

Requiem, however, had easily kicked his spear up to his hands, and he threw it straight forwards with all his mighty strength just as Zerrex straightened, and the Drakkaren felt agony tear through his body as the spear ripped through his chest, near his shoulder and causing him to stumble backwards: a moment later, he was pinned to the rock as Requiem lunged forwards and slammed the butt of the spear with one hand, shoving it firmly into the stone face behind the reptile as he rose an elbow and slammed it down hard into Zerrex's other shoulder, shattering it and causing the reptile to let out a shriek of agony. Then the Dragokkaren's hand settled on Zerrex's throat, locking around it as they both panted roughly, Requiem's body twitching again and Zerrex bleeding heavily as one of his arms hung limply, every movement only causing pain to burn through his being as he stared up at the huge reptile with both respect and a cynical, dark entertainment at the pain roiling through his being. "Talented... bastard..."

"I'll give you a warrior's death instead of snapping your neck... at least take peace in that much." Requiem responded softly, then he stepped back before reaching a hand out and yanking Blackheart out of the ground, then he lifted the gleaming sword high above his head as he met his nephew's eyes emerald eyes, adding in his damaged voice: "I promise to take care of Cindy."

The sound of his daughter's name awoke something in Zerrex that defied everything that was happening... and then, as the gleaming, enormous blade swung down, the reptile lunged forwards and twisted, letting out a snarl of agony as the bamboo shaft ripped the rest of the way through his body as he narrowly avoided being struck by the massive sword, Requiem looking shocked as he dug only into hard rock instead, then Zerrex slammed a foot hard into the Dragokkaren's waist, sending him stumbling backwards and releasing the blade.

Immediately, Zerrex grabbed the handle in place of the giant, then he simply put all his strength into a hard, desperate swing that tore the blade free from the rock, then smashed the flat into Requiem's stomach and arms as he slowly began to straighten, the smaller reptile letting out an incoherent yell of both agony and determination as his shattered shoulder sent up a flare of agony, the sizeable hole in his chest spurting blood as Requiem was sent flying backwards, the tip of the sword ripping a deep gouge in his stomach. The giant's body smashed against the ground, then he rolled bonelessly backwards to the tree line before laying still a moment, his body heaving.

Zerrex fell to one knee, his body burning with agony and coughing, blood spraying from his muzzle and leaking out of his mouth... then he looked up as Requiem slowly forced himself to all fours. The Dragokkaren didn't look up for a moment, however, then he vomited blood before wiping at his muzzle and finally standing, once white pants now tattered and dirty, sash ragged as it blew in the light wind: the clothing reflected the damaged giant, who managed a faint grin as he staggered forwards, unable to even walk straight as he clutched at his stomach.

Slowly, Zerrex dropped his sword, then he too stood and stumbled forwards, the two standing with only a short space of ten feet between them as their eyes locked for the last time. The two stared at one another, then Requiem whispered finally: "We're both likely mortally wounded... I think I clipped your lung and the amount of blood you've lost is quite amazing, but you've definitely ruptured quite a few of my internal organs. But I think we both have the strength for... for one final attack, to prove the better..."

"But it's not whether we win or lose... it's what we take from the battle, right?" Zerrex managed to say in return, and Requiem gave him a full, proud smile that made Zerrex feel strangely... happy. They looked at each other, then set themselves, one of Zerrex's arms hanging loosely and Requiem barely able to raise his fists, before they both staggered forwards with one last, loud warcry, then Requiem slammed one of his fists forwards and slammed it hard into the Drakkaren's face.

Then the giant fell forwards, collapsing onto his stomach as Zerrex staggered backwards, the Drakkaren slowly beginning to topple... before he put one foot out behind himself and steadied his body, straightening and panting hard as he slumped and looked down at the fallen titan. Requiem looked up at him with a cough that sent out a thick spray of dark blood, and then he managed a final question: "Why... didn't you..."

He was halted as he coughed hard again, blood leaking from his muzzle: his pants too, were stained with blood now, his life fluid flowing from every orifice out of his broken body, and Zerrex looked at him quietly for a few moments with true sorrow, and then a tear silently spilled down his cheek as he spoke in a broken but clear voice: "Just like you taught me... sometimes you don't need to fight to win. I didn't bother wasting my energy with a last attack... I just prepared myself to take yours, since I knew..."

He broke off, reaching up a hand to wipe at his face and smearing blood over his cheeks and into his hair, and then he looked down at the giant as Requiem smiled again and nodded slowly. Then he reached a hand up and managed to say in a firm, happy voice: "You're truly... the best student I've ever had... I'm proud of... you..."

Before Zerrex could catch his uncle's hand, it fell to the ground, and Requiem's head dropped as his eyes slipped closed, a smile still on his features as he ceased to breathe, leaving the Drakkaren to stare down at his dead uncle with something like misery and no sense of triumph... from this victory he took sadness, but also a million solemn lessons... and a promise he would do everything in his power to fulfill.

For a few moments, he stared down at Requiem, as he felt his own life essence fading... but then he heard a whisper, a strange calling in his mind as he slowly turned and picked up Blackheart. Instead of putting it safely on his back, however, he simply dragged the huge sword behind him as he walked slowly back into the forest. As he walked, he looked back and forth... and all around him, he could see ghosts, playing hide-and-seek amongst the trees as the Drakkaren looked quietly back and forth, the agony fading into a wonder and horrible longing.

He saw Mary... she was wearing her maid's dress, which she'd always acted like she hated but was so happy to wear around the house, smiling at him as she peered out from behind the trunk of a pine tree, formed of mist and white smoke... and there was Tinman, laughing and smiling too, looking happy as he walked nearby... vanishing behind a tree only to appear on the other side of another tree further away, and once or twice almost right next to the Drakkaren. He even saw other fallen members of the Legion, some of them waving, some of them looking at him with distaste but respect... even Vampire, who had caused so much trouble those three years ago for him and he'd had to kill... he stood against a tree, looking sulky, but he rose a hand in a salute before glancing to the side and watching as Tinman approached, then flicking his sunglasses down over his eyes to try and hide whatever emotion he felt at seeing his old friend again before they both disintegrated into wisps of white smoke.

Then there was that Godkiller, Mika, walking along nearby, his hands in his pockets, and he nodded respectfully to the reptile before vanishing, and Zerrex knew instantly that something had been seriously wrong with the coyote... but that he'd at least died peacefully. And then he looked up, and standing near the clearing, he could see Requiem, dressed in one of his eloquent but casual suits, a hand raised to him... and next to him, only a few feet away, stood Celestial. Zerrex smiled faintly at this vision, as his mother looked at him with that old soft love... and then they too - along with the parade of other spirits still following in his steps - vanished as a strong wind ruffled the trees, the white effervescence that made up their bodies dissolving, and leaving Zerrex to walk into the field alone.

He swayed slowly, shaking his head and then falling to one knee, weak from the loss of blood... then he glanced up as he heard a motor before laughing faintly, somehow knowing what it was. Then he forced himself to stand and shoved Blackheart point-down into the ground before sitting and leaning back against the blade, body slumping as he whispered: "Damn. I was supposed to come to you... not... the other way around."

Twenty minutes later, Cindy walked silently into the field, accompanied by Lone and Cherry... the former barely able to remember his own name from the concussion and massive head trauma he'd suffered. Then Cindy stopped and simply stood, tears rolling down her face as she saw her father's damaged and weakened body: a few birds were sitting on his shoulders and arms, and some small, unevolved animals sat near the muscular reptile's form, a family of squirrels perched on his legs and even a small deer standing nearby, staring at Cindy. The female smiled faintly as both Lone and Cherry looked on with awe at Zerrex, his eyes closed and his hair falling over his face... then Cindy quietly clapped once, and the animals and birds scattered in all directions as she walked forwards and kneeled down silently, reaching out to stroke her father's face as tears leaked down her own, whispering: "I'll never let you live this down, Daddy..."