The Great Fiend

Big Bear's glowing form dimmed more and more until everyone could see Big Bear again. Instead of a nearly three-meter tall man with white hair, a much smaller man just under two meters tall stood. The armor Big Bear wore was sluffed off to the side. It was much too big for the current Big Bear.

A new pristine armor of gold and black covered Big Bear's body. The armor included a breastplate, arm and shin guards, boots, and a helmet. Big Bear's body color changed from being a pure jade color with white hair to alternating colors of green and red with orange hair. Big Bear's eyes were crystal blue.

A magnificent red horn sprouted out of the top of his head and fit through a hole already present in his helmet. Big Bear lost the standard Bear man proportions of short powerful legs and long thick arms. Now, his body was perfectly proportioned. Some might say there was a deadly elegance about him.

Power rolled off of Big Bear's body as if he were the energy source of all things. Captain Mobux was shocked. He could sense the frightening power of his opponent. Even the Great Fiend looked mildly interested in Big Bear's explosion in power.

Big Bear gave a large toothy grin to Captain Mobux. "Let's try this again," said Big Bear.

After a blur, it was like Big Bear disappeared. Almost instantly, Big Bear appeared in front of Captain Mobux, slammed his fist into him, sending him flying away like a meteor. Not satisfied with just propelling him like a missile, Big Bear appeared in his way and kicked Captain Mobux up into the air.

Flashing away once more, Big Bear appeared high in the air and struck down at the body of Captain Mobux. Which shot down like a laser. The impact of his body hitting the ground caused the Imperial Palace and surrounding buildings to collapse.

Landing near the crater Big Bear observed Captain Mobux laying in the center of the crater. Blood sprayed from his mouth, but Captain Mobux just laid in the crater looking at the sky. After some time, Captain Mobux finally stood up from the crater.

Looking at Big Bear, Captain Mobux adjusted his earlier opinion of Big Bear. Instead of an ignorant useless brute, he now rated him as a peerless cultivator and vicious brute. Captain Mobux was no longer sure he had what it took to win this fight. However, this wasn't the first time he felt like this. He could still find a way to win if he believed!

"You're definitely not going to make this easy for me," said Captain Mobux.

"As I recall you said you were looking for a challenge," responded Big Bear as he smiled.

"True!" Captain Mobux laughed.

With that said, the two warriors once again attacked each other. This time, Captain Mobux brought out his full strength which was considerable. Even with his full strength, it didn't seem like he was able to pressure Big Bear much. Big Bear's domineering attacks made Captain Mobux feel like a child fighting an adult.

Captain Mobux pulled out every trick he had, but he couldn't find an advantage. He was helpless against Big Bear's new battle form.

"What do you call this battle form of yours?" Captain Mobux couldn't help but ask.

"Invincible," grunted Big Bear as he threw another heavy blow. The punch nailed Captain Mobux, but he couldn't help thinking, 'what a great name! I won't mind being defeated by such a warrior. There's no shame in it.'

Captain Mobux thought about his imminent loss. At first, he was intent on playing with Big Bear. However, he realized it was too cocky. It's no wonder the Great Fiend quietly watched the battle. It seems he's waiting his turn. I know the Great Fiend doesn't value me or anyone else here. He probably thinks he can easily defeat these warriors. But I can't help thinking about the guy who Big Bear says is stronger than him.

Even a descender can be killed if they face someone at the pinnacle of this realm who knows how to fight! I don't think I'm the only one who is cocky about this fight. Oh well, time for the final push. Maybe I can make a miracle happen.

Gaining some space between himself and Big Bear, Captain Mobux brought out a staff and twirled it in his hand. He released the staff whirling so fast it seemed to disappear. Soon, every attack Big Bear launched towards Captain Mobux was intercepted by the spinning staff.

Big Bear observed the staff and pulled out a box about the size of a basketball. Tossing the box out, it opened at the top and something flashed out from the box. The box itself unfolded and became a rectangular shield.

The shield floated in front of Big Bear, and moved around as if protecting Big Bear from some unseen enemy. The shield spun until its rotation and speed matched Captain Mobux's staff.

The object from the box suddenly struck the spinning staff. The object burst into millions of pieces, as did the spinning rectangular shield. Each piece of the shattered object turned into a small sphere. The spheres bounced violently out and were intercepted by the shattered shield. Both the spheres and the mini-shields split once more.

The mini-spheres bounced back to the spinning staff. Struck again, the mini-spheres shattered and formed even more spheres which were smaller. The mini-shields also split again. This process happened hundreds of times until no one could see the spheres or the shields any longer.

The process was a waste of resources. It was as if Big Bear threw this object out just to watch it get destroyed. As Captain Mobux pondered the reason behind Big Bear's action he started to sense something. It felt like innumerable needles pricking his skin at the same time. "Did something get through?" he wondered as he looked at the still spinning staff.

The feeling of being pricked increased. It wasn't a painful experience just annoying. However, as time went by this feeling became constant. Eventually, Captain Mobux felt a loss of control over his body. It was like he was being separated from his body.

"It's over." Big Bear said grimly.

Captain Mobux couldn't understand what he meant. Even as he continued to try to fathom what was happening he felt something strange. A gentle breeze came through and as it did, Captain Mobux turned to a light mist as his body was carried away by the wind.

Captain Mobux's soul floated in the air. A sphere suddenly formed and swallowed Captain Mobux's soul. The sphere flew into the reformed box which flew to Big Bear who deposited the box in one of his spatial compartments.

Like the snap of fingers, Captain Mobux was no more.

"An impressive trick!" The Great Fiend suddenly said to Big Bear. Big Bear looked over at the Great Fiend. Now came the battle he avoided as long as he could. His confrontation with the Fiend leader was inevitable

"It seems like a mysterious technique. I doubt Mobux even knew how he died. He had no say in his birth and had no say in his death. It seems fitting." The Great Fiend said with a contemplative look on his face.

Such a trick will not work on me. There's nothing you can do against me. You seem to be the second strongest next to me in this realm. Once you are dead there will be no one left to stop me," The Great Fiend said smiling derisively.

"No, I'm only the third strongest," said Big Bear.

"Really, I wonder who you think is the strongest?" The Great Fiend asked with interest.

"He's on his way. Just wait for a little and you'll meet him," responded Big Bear.

"While we're waiting what should I do to pass the time? You're not bad, maybe I'll see how much you can take," The Great Fiend said as he viciously smiled at Big Bear.

Big Bear pushed on an area of his chest armor. All around Big Bear appeared a nearly endless number of weapons and shields.

"I call this War Bear mode, and I made this just for you!" Big Bear said with a smile. When he first learned of the Great Fiend he knew to stand a chance fighting him he needed to create an all-out attack even the Great Fiend couldn't laugh off.

Big Bear held his giant Khando 'Star Shatterer,' with both hands. Big Bear dashed forward while all of the surrounding weapons either shot deadly energy beams at the Great Fiend or flying weapons like swords, spears, daggers and so forth flew against him.

This attack surprised the Great Fiend. He knew how gifted this Bear Man was in forging weapons. It looked like he came prepared from the beginning to face him. The Great Fiend let out a malevolent laugh as he dashed forward to meet Big Bear in combat.

The Great Fiend was immediately impacted by the attacks and his forward momentum halted. Even if the beams and weapons couldn't penetrate his skin, the impact force still worked against him. The Great Fiend was surprised. He couldn't believe someone was able to stall a descender such as himself.

Still, The Great Fiend was only amused, these attacks didn't affect him much. As a descender, his body was tougher than any material or energy produced in this lower realm. There was nothing in this realm that could harm him. Even if his powers were restricted it would only be a matter of time before he won.

After a while, the Great Fiend got bored. Walking forward casually, he finally walked in front of Big Bear who tried to flee but found he couldn't. The Great Fiend stood in front of Big Bear and smiled faintly.

"Not bad, little bear, but it's time to end this," The Great Fiend said to Big Bear.

Next, the Great Fiend punched Big Bear who, now free from the spatial restriction, was sent flying away several hundred meters away. Big Bear's body rolled a few times and when it came to a stop, it wasn't clear if he was alive or dead.

"Hmm, I guess I'll just continue destroying the Dragon army until that mysterious fellow shows up. Maybe if I kill all of his friends he'll get here quicker."

After hearing this, all the people present felt their blood run cold. The Fiend Army was defeated but given the strength of the Great Fiend, did he really need them to wipe out the Dragon Empire?

"Oh, the Dragon Princess, maybe I'll start with you." The Great Fiend said as he slowly lifted his hand to destroy the Dragon Princess. "A little mindless slaughter is always good for the soul."