Ch 28 Subjugation

As Ichiro readied himself once more, his stance poised and his sword shining in the sunlight, a chilling anticipation hung heavy in the air. "I hope you're ready," he taunted, his voice a low, menacing growl as he drew his sword with a swift motion. "Because this won't end well." His words were laced with a confident smirk, a challenge thrown down to the pack of wolves before him.

With a sudden burst of speed, Ichiro launched himself forward, a blur of motion as he charged towards the oncoming horde of wolves, his movements fluid and precise like a bullet finding its target. But the wolves were not about to be mere bystanders in this deadly confrontation. The black wolf, a shadowy figure amidst the chaos, summoned forth a veritable army of over a thousand wolves, a sea of snarling, savage creatures racing towards Ichiro with primal hunger.

"Hoh, a thousand wolves? That's many, but..." Ichiro's voice echoed with a hint of amusement as he unleashed a torrent of cursed energy upon the ground beneath their feet. The earth trembled and groaned in protest as the cursed energy tore through it, ripping apart the very ground the wolves stood on, sending some of them hurtling into the sky amidst a shower of debris. "There's something you should know, wolves," he continued, his voice carrying over the chaos. "And that is—I don't fight alone."

Even as Ichiro spoke, a shadow stirred behind him, coalescing into the form of a majestic griffin, its wings unfurling with a mighty beat as it emerged from the darkness. With a thunderous roar, the griffin launched itself into the fray, a whirlwind of feathers and fury as it tore through the ranks of wolves, talons flashing like lightning amidst the darkness. One by one, the wolves sent airborne vanished into nothingness, torn apart by the griffin's ferocious onslaught.

Meanwhile, on the ground, Baku emerged from the depths of Ichiro's shadow, a spectral guardian wreathed in darkness. With a flick of its monstrous claws, Baku summoned forth a legion of nightmares, twisted and malevolent, to engage the wolves left to fight on solid ground. Fang and claw clashed in a savage melee

IAs Ichiro continued his relentless assault on the wolves, his strikes swift and precise, he found himself frustrated by the uncanny synchronization between the black and white wolves. Despite his best efforts, their coordinated movements allowed them to evade most of his attacks, and even when he managed to land a blow, the white wolf's healing abilities swiftly nullified any damage inflicted.

"Tsk, at this rate, it will take me longer to end this," Ichiro muttered under his breath, his brow furrowing in concentration. "Those wolves are so well in sync, as if they share the same mind, almost like inseparable twins."

As he pondered his next move, a devious idea flickered in his mind, and a wicked grin spread across his face. "Hahaha," he laughed menacingly, the sound echoing through the chaos of battle. "If they are inseparable, then I'll just have to separate them! Griffin!"

At the sound of Ichiro's command, the griffin, ever loyal and attuned to its master's will, swooped down with lightning speed, seizing one of the wolves in its powerful talons. With a mighty beat of its wings, the griffin ascended into the air, breaking the sound barrier as it carried its captive away from the fray.

The remaining wolves, momentarily thrown off balance by the sudden turn of events, faltered in their attack, their movements faltering as they struggled to comprehend the loss of their companion. Meanwhile, Ichiro seized the opportunity, pressing his advantage with renewed vigor, his sword flashing with deadly intent as he focused his assault on the lone wolf left vulnerable on the ground.

As the griffin soared higher into the sky, the captive wolf thrashed and struggled in a futile attempt to break free, its panicked howls lost amidst the roar of the wind. With a savage gleam in his eyes, Ichiro watched from below, his grin widening with satisfaction as his plan unfolded before him. With the pack divided and their unity shattered, victory was now within his gras

As Ichiro gazed up at the flying figure of the griffin, holding the white wolf firmly in its talons, a predatory gleam danced in his eyes. "I hope you're prepared for what's about to happen," he taunted, a smile playing at the corners of his lips.

With a swift movement, Ichiro vanished from sight, reappearing beside the black wolf in the blink of an eye. The wolf's surprise was short-lived as Ichiro's blade sliced through the air with deadly precision, leaving the creature crippled and vulnerable at his feet. As the wolf struggled to rise, its growls of defiance were silenced in an instant as Ichiro's blade tore through its throat, leaving it sprawled on the ground, lifeless.

"Now then," Ichiro declared, his gaze shifting towards the path where the griffin had disappeared with its captive. "I should deal with the other one."

With a surge of cursed energy coursing through his body, Ichiro propelled himself forward, breaking the sound barrier as he streaked across the sky in pursuit of the griffin and its precious cargo. After what felt like an eternity, he finally caught up to them, his arrival heralded by the sudden command to halt.

"Griffin, stop!" Ichiro's voice rang out, commanding and authoritative.

At his command, the griffin obeyed without hesitation, descending from the sky and pinning the white wolf to the ground with a mighty swoop. As Ichiro approached, his aura crackling with dark energy, he reached out and placed his hand upon the white wolf's fur, infusing it with his own cursed energy.

A primal struggle ensued as Ichiro wrestled for control over the wolf's body, his will clashing with the creature's innate instincts. With a fierce determination, Ichiro exerted his dominance, channeling his cursed energy into the wolf's being until, finally, its struggles ceased, and its body went limp beneath his touch.

With both wolves now under his command, Ichiro stood victorious amidst the chaos of battle, his grip on their fates unyielding as he prepared to unleash their newfound power upon his enemies.

As Ichiro rode atop the griffin's back, the wind whipping through his hair, he returned to where the black wolf lay wounded and vulnerable. With a swift motion, he tossed the white wolf beside its fallen companion, watching impassively as the white wolf attempted in vain to heal its injured counterpart.

"It's no use," Ichiro stated coldly, his expression indifferent. "I've sealed your ability, and only I can allow you to use it."

He paused, his gaze piercing as he addressed the white wolf directly. "So, what will it be? If you choose to serve me, I'll save the black wolf. If not, then you'll do just fine. So, what will it be? Do you wish for the black wolf to be saved or not?"

As the white wolf contemplated its options, a sense of resignation washed over it, and it bowed its head in submission. In that moment, both wolves were engulfed by Ichiro's shadow, disappearing from sight.

"Alright, looks like it was a success," Ichiro remarked, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "Now then, let's try it. Skoll and Hati."

With those words, the wolves materialized from the depths of Ichiro's shadow, their forms taking shape before him. A sense of realization dawned upon Ichiro as he observed the wolves standing before him.

"Ohh, so I don't need to tame two of them. I just need to tame one in order for me to get both of them, huh?"

A smirk played across his lips as he marveled at the newfound power at his disposal. "And it looks like the black wolf has instantly healed as well."

"Now then since this fight was a little bit disappointing might as well summon another one"