“Now that was a surprise~! Didn’t expect Arty to get all moody over a little girl but I’m not rusty~” <Girl in Black>

“You know I’m still here you unlucky plague.” <’Arty’>

A girl in a black one piece bent backwards - into an effortless backflip - as a vicious blood red sword intent ripped through the surrounding bush and even shaved the top of a mountain in the background.

It was obviously a casual move as the one who caused it only held a wooden sword for a child in their hand. Casually tapping it on their shoulder. They wore a white shirt and black pants with waist length crimson hair left loose with two pointy crimson fox ears atop his head.

His shirt was baggy with cuffs tapering the shirt at her wrists while also being tucked into the somewhat ‘sharper’ trousers (though still somewhat baggy except for the tapered ends).

A red sash tied around their waist not only kept their pants but seemed lonely with no sword at his waist. Another note on their appearance would be the blood red eyes that came with an unyielding sharpness - most every element of the man could be claimed ‘sharp’ and it wasn’t like his outfit was low quality - more like that of a prince of the sword.

Though to call him a mere ‘prince of the sword’ would be like calling Sohn-Tochter the little miss of a village mayor...

Their stance wasn’t exactly what one would say ‘engaged’ in the duel and the fact the 5 foot girl's hands rested behind her back showed she too wasn’t too bothered. It was more like two old comrades testing their compatriot after a long time.

The girl also had a voluptuous head of hair… That was ‘contained all the colours of the night sky’ to say the least - her open back dress was similar.

“You know fine well the ‘plague’ is my second child… Which makes me very curious as to how she knew about this little game.” <Girl in Black>

“Not my problem.” <Arty>

A sharp response that was followed by a half hearted slash - also it was ‘weak and half-hearted’ to him, many wished they had such ability with a regular sword let alone a toy for a child.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

All Eel could do was barely look up at this outstanding figure; a figure who many overlooked as nothing short of a sidekick to a [Hero] and couldn’t help but mock those people silently in her mind.

<So this is what it’s like when facing the peak of this worlds power? This is what I can accomplish when facing a pillar from the past… If I didn’t awaken my inherited memories I’d never know who this was - {True God of Tribulation - Supreme Sovereign of Storms} and...>

With great difficulty Eel infused her body with the nature around her - it was difficult and she couldn’t say she quite understood what it meant when her inherited memories told her ‘the tribulation lightning from the mortal realm can even shatter meridians’...

But she certainly understood now. A powerful pain that was hard to describe was filling every inch of her body - it was akin to the aching of a wounded organ but it was spiritual not physical!

A link between body and soul being wounded certainly wasn’t a good thing!

In fact, it was questionable if any creature could move with all of their meridians shattering. Why else would people fear the heavens?

However…

“Oh? I didn’t think anyone other than {The Cockroach Jeeves} could move after a wound like that… No, I suppose I am underestimating my Blood Brother’s bloodline too much.” <Sovereign of Storms>

“...” <Eel>

She tried to reply to that emotionless voice but her body refused to listen - after all who would dare speak in the presence of a monarch after being denied the right?

Nonetheless, slowly Eel Jr moved… Slowly was accurate.

<The only reason I’ve been allowed to move is according to her code as a knight making her allow me to struggle as a form of respect… Heh, as expected, I shouldn’t be able to move… This must be [Resilience]?>

Her thoughts became silent as she was only pondering to take away from the unbearable pain.

Some may say it’s a mercy to put her down out of her misery - that would be what most knights also thought - but it seemed {Sovereign of Storms} allowed her the right to die as a warrior.

On her feet…

No matter how long it takes her to get there - of course, part of that respect was to offer no help in standing.

Though - it wasn’t like {Sovereign of Storms} was doing nothing as the screams similar to that of the {Giant Green Lizard} & {Wyvern} were often shortened by booming thunder.

Sometimes even quieter ‘bangs’ could be heard over the thundering tribulations and roars along with the sound of even more menacing roars that Eel simply chose not to worry about.

As such, the seconds turned to minutes and it was almost an hour that had passed before Eel managed to make it to her knees, finally she’d had the chance to fully gaze upon the figure of her killer.

Looking up at the figure who was seemingly floating in a gale of wind a lightning - like an immortal regent held up by the arms of their people - the feeling that overcame any kind of fear or trepidation was awe.

The crimson cape billowed behind her - her rich blue armour seemingly made from tempered scales and on each shoulder would be the blue skull of a dragon and four smaller ones making themselves a guard for her knees and elbows… From the pressure exuding from the materials though;  it seems a skilled artisan had in fact used a technique to increase density at the cost of size.

Looking at all the scales that came together to make a mobile yet fully armoured figure a question arose.

<How many dragons far stronger than me has she actually killed?>

A plume of golden feathers, taken from a long extinct species of dragon, adorned the top and bottom of the cape increasing it’s majesty. The gauntlets and boots were shaped like that of a dragon's claws - reminiscent of how Eel’s would look if the scales weren’t peeling off due to being lit up like a lightbulb a while ago.

It may seem strange for a Dragon-Slayer to completely theme their presence after the powerful beasts but when the only creature of somewhat equal standard is a legendary Phoenix…

Well it becomes the best thing to ironically slay dragons with!

Of course, the woman in front of her wasn’t just any {Dragon-Slayer} and in truth she already knew what she was.

The original {Dragon-Slayers} like just about all things in this world - they came in three.

The most famous and widely remembered is the {Dragon-Slaying Blade} who was touted as a god on the battlefield with no equal. A figure one could only call as what one things of when they think of 'a supreme swordsman' - though most of this was found outside of her own inherited memory but instead from books and stories she'd heard since she was a child.

Of course, he was no where as popular as 'Photon' for example.

Mostly forgotten in the shadows but still remembered and feared {Dragon-Slaying Mind} {The Black Cat} Cheshire - the previous ‘True Rogue’ before vanishing - presumably dying in the second war like the Blade.

And ironically, the only one to survive but one all but forgotten on the western side of the world, {Dragon-Slaying Spear} who stole the power of tribulation from the {Divine Ancient Tribulation Dragon Vor} who she now uses to adorn her throne.

The only person to deft the Heaven’s Judgement then proceed to become the Heaven's Judgement!

Of course, [Lightening Tribulation] hardly occurs on this side of the world.

<Apparently this is due to, as my inherited memories (from what I imagine if my second bloodline and not the dragon one) put it, [The Scaleless Bitch]~!>

Bloodline inherited memories is just knowledge passed down so as can be seen in this case… It can be somewhat ‘lacking context’ if something is considered too common sense to be added.

She wouldn’t have even known about the one in front of her if it wasn’t for that knowledge.

But, regardless of any thoughts she had on the figure in front of her, it seemed said figure was her executioner for the day. Nonetheless, Eel rose to her feet. Slowly and shakenly with only the bottom most layer of her skin able to regenerate after hours had passed.

Her insides were also somewhat fixed and surprisingly even her wounded meridians showed signs of recovery…

But after hours it was hardly enough.

To fight?

To escape?

No, to stand up.

Raising the blade in her right hand unsteadily she finally was able to meet with the eyes of the armoured figure only to see that there were no eyes behind the helm - just the sparks of [Lightening Tribulation].

<I thought it was strange she didn’t have her [Phoenix Fire of Nirvana] but if it’s not her real body - to just deal with a little dragon it would be overkill and a waste of energy… Perhaps?>

A brief thought passed through her head that perhaps with it just being the armour and not the real person…

A smile formed on her face which caused her cracked, burnt lips to bleed once more as she brought her blade to her hip and her very own blood reanimated, forming a wall between her and the flying figure.

Some more blood - having plenty to spare - formed a sheath around her blade which rested in her closed right hand.

Spreading her legs once more - left like a guide pointing towards where she knew the floating armour was.

It may not be ‘alive’ but for some reason her [Life Sense] could sense endless vitality from the [Lightening Tribulation]. Though, she wasn’t in a position to understand the endless and profound nature of life at the moment.

Closing her eyes she prepared to decide the fate of the figure in front of her.

She was under no illusion to think she could kill it but mixed with her [Momentum Manipulation] she hoped to knock it far enough away to which she could escape. She refused to believe such a mighty figure had all the time in the world to hunt a little dragon like her.

It seemed more like killing her was ‘something to do along the way’ while in the area.

<A favour? Or perhaps it’s just a [Dragon-Slayer] benign a [Dragon-Slayer]? Now that I think about it - the reason for the {Giant Green Lizard} and {Wyvern} being here would likely be to escape from her. The {Wyvern} at least tends to be more of social creature at the lower ranks...>

Slowly releasing just a centimetre of blade - glimmering even under the ominous black clouds overhead - soon moving, releasing her blade…

Or at least trying to.

But that centimetre was all Eel Jr managed to draw.

*CLAP*

As if the world itself was cracking up at the very core; the powerful thundering noise echoed out as she found herself unable to draw her blade like a great force restricted her and in shock she opened her eyes.

Blood Dribbling from her burst ear drums she looked at the armoured figure standing in front of her with it’s spear casually held in one hand - pressing the tip of the blade against the butt of her blade…

But that was all she needed to rob Eel Jr of her final gambit.

Looking around she fully realized she underestimated one thing.

“Far too slow to launch a surprise attack on me.” <Sovereign of Storms>

The {Sovereign of Storms}’ speed…

She simply just charged through the blood barrier as if it wasn’t even there and so here they were.

A cold shiver ran up Eel Jr’s back.

She realized she spent over 2 hours recovering with her unreal regeneration capabilities, using her newly found skill that was gained from the most superior bloodline for a dragon out there and even supported herself with the bloodline demons would salivate over…

And failed.

But unlike a human who may panic, she didn’t, instead her previously frozen grin widened as she pulled her right hand away from her sword and went to punch the armoured figure.

It didn’t take much effort for the Sovereign to lift it’s clawed gauntlet to catch the fist but was caught a tad surprised when she was sent back for a short while despite not feeling enough force behind for such an occurrence.

Looking at her gauntlet for a second as if trying to figure out the puzzle before turning back to the dragon in front of her where four tails came out from behind Eel in an attempt to puncture the armour and not allowing any escape…

“Trying to use an illusion that’s somewhat plausible to cause an instinctive reaction is good - many try to overcompensate - but I’m afraid not even {The Dreamer} can affect my will let alone your childish tricks.” <Sovereign of Storms>

She simply walked through the illusion - she knew how deadly her lightning was more than anyone else. The little dragon couldn’t possibly have recovered such an unnecessary feature when she was barely able to recover her Meridians.

Of course, even without such ‘common sense’ mental based attacks had no effect on her.

Not even bringing up the fact that it was merely a ‘puppet’.

She just calmly informed the dragon of it’s good points and then continued on to add why it was a purely pointless endeavour to save them both some time. Of course, she followed it up with a bit more than words.

Reeling back that spear that had already pierced the hearts of many dragons - the {Sovereign of Storms} quickly thrust forward said spear towards the little dragon that attempted to retreat.

Seeing her plot fail almost instantly Eel would click her tongue.

<Don’t compliment me when I fail! Then I don’t even get the domination bonus!>

Despite her thoughts she didn’t seem too annoyed at this result as she attempted to slash towards the spear but it absolutely failed as she hardly twisted her shoulders before a sword spear pierced right through her heart from the back. In an instant she felt lightning coursing through her body.

This would of course make Eel Jr’s muscles spasm - completely out of her control - before {Sovereign of Storms} pressed their boot on Eel’s  knee joint before using it as leverage to push her back onto her knees/shins.

Slowly pulling the blade from her back; the {Sovereign of Storms} would go about ending this little problem.

<Guess that’s that…>

With that thought - although she wasn’t planning to go down without a fight - she felt content with the fact that if she was going to be killed on her knees it was while being paralysed by literal [Lightning Tribulation].

Though, a certain sleepy face flashed in Eel’s mind as she smiled softly.

“E-m-i-l-y…” <Eel>

Blood flowed viciously from her mouth and her voice horse from the backlash of briefly breaking through the ‘command’ along with the obvious ‘shocking scene’.

This caused all three of the people some surprise but a certain two figures unknowingly took advantage of this at the same time.

A thin while blade with  greenish gold, faintly holy scriptures embedded upon them in an unknown language to most was thrust forward towards {Sovereign of Storms}.

But also a large black stone blade (larger than Eel herself) filled with glowing blood red cracks shot forward with shocking speed - though not nearly as fast as the piercing green-gold sword intent.

This had the obvious effect of making the {Sovereign of Storms} jump backwards - though they didn’t follow up as they felt they didn’t need to - the two attacks cancelled out one another perfectly…

Though it was obvious that her attention was more on the owner of the black blade that soared from over Eel Jr’s left shoulder.

In front of her eyes she would see two pairs of shoes (one sleek and showy while the other was plain but well maintained showing obvious care) that she obviously hadn’t been there before. Or rather for how noticeable the seemingly endless vitality of the two it was certainly impossible they were simply watching from a little distance away.

But seemingly, the most surprised were the two figures who suddenly appeared.

“Eh?” <Thing 1>

“Now that is quite serendipitous!” <Thing 2>

The first voice was that of a young man - quite frankly a beautiful voice if a bit lazy - while the second was crackly and the tone was ‘unique’ and jovial.