Negotiations. 2.

In a blood-soiled terrain, with crumbles of the bloodied mountains, Big Mom sat on a heap of mangled flesh with an aghast expression, looking at the laying dragon strangely.

She was still holding her club tightly, her huge bloodied body showing how hard and bloody the battle she fought was.

"An exchange?" She said in curiosity.

"Yes… an eye for an eye… a limb for a limb… a heart for a heart… a life for a life," Ignatius said solemnly.

"Ohh! And the sacrifice is someone in my city?" She said with a thoughtful expression.

"Yes, I need whoever the prophecy described dead." 

"I kind of understood that part… there are many children in my city…" Big Mom said in exasperation. The Red Light City had its rules separate from that of the empire; children were not forbidden in the Red Light City, only that they had to reach a legal age before they could be introduced to the affairs of the City.

"I'll have to get all male children then," he said, interpreting Big Mom's words.

"That's too extreme… don't you have any method to identify this sacrifice?" She inquired, intrigued by his situation.

"Should I waste time again?!" He asked, the whole region trembling. It was as if an 'earthquake' was about to occur.

"Haa, then I guess the battle continues. I can't let you kill every kid in my domain," she said, getting up from her majestic throne of mangled flesh.

"If you were in my place, wouldn't you sacrifice everything for your goals?!" Ignatius yelled out, also getting up.

Moving higher than big Mom, he glared hatefully at the big human, stopping his progression into the Xadia empire.

'There had promised to help me out this time… I just have to take her down, then I can save my child… the bright moon in my starless night,' Ignatius thought, preparing to end his enemy's life.

"Why be obstinate… we can end this peacefully, you are going to lose if this goes on," Ignatius said in a solemn tone. Though he had an enmity with Big Mom, after their little chat he felt like giving her a chance.

"I would have loved to. You know; I enjoyed your story, and also felt sorry for you… too bad, I can't let you get what you want," Big Mom said solemnly, glancing at her weapon.

"Why not tell me Ignatius… who's working with you?" She said, taking her eyes off the weapon, and turning slowly toward the east. "Is it them?" She continued, turning toward the north. "Or them?" She iterated.

"You're pretty smart, but knowing that won't help your situation," Ignatius said solemnly. He seemed to be shocked by her sudden words, though did his best to hide it.

"I know, it must be the 'Heavens pavilion Sect'. I always knew they had secret agendas, just didn't guess they would move this fast," she said solemnly, shaking her head in dejection.

"Seeing through everything in just a short period, now I must end you…"

"How can you be so foolish, believing the humans you claim are deceitful."

"They can't…"

"Lie… you made some pact, contract, oath, or some stupid whatnot to assure neither side is cheated!" Big Mom yelled, gritting her teeth in anger. She was not heartless, though prepared to do anything for her goals; seeing his sad past, she felt a sudden need to help him save that offspring.

'Why am I trying to help him out? I just have a strange feeling; it might be beneficial to me.'

"Trying to cheat death! … right?" Ignatius said, his pupils enlarging.

"I don't need to do that… though you have the advantage, don't underestimate me, there's a big reason why my enemies, though many, can't confront me personally.

They shiver in fear, at the thought of fighting me, even as a group, which I find… pitiful." She said, placing the club on her shoulder.

"Though your race might have an advantage over us humans, I'll advise you to remember… that's for the weak humans!" She said, her eyes widening. As if the law of gravity had been broken, the Earth caved in, as her legs sang further into the Earth. 

Ignatius could hardly stay suspended in space, as he fought against the force pushing him down.

"I'm Big Mom, the one who caused Chaos in the Southern continent, chiefs, kings, monarchs, emperors, and even powerful rare creature's like you feared me… don't forget!" She said, the arcane runes on her weapons extending to her flesh, the dark color glowing brightly under the sun.

'W-what the hell, I thought she was done for,' Ignatius thought, struggling to stay up. 'I'll have to find a solution.'

Big Mom wasn't an ordinary existence, she was someone who the whole Southern continent recognized… for her strength.

_____________

Laying on the deck of a ship… flying ship, was a muscular figure, its muscle bulging as if to break through its thick skin, it had a straw hat covering its face.

"Mmh."

A sudden sound escaped from the figure position, with it taking off the hat covering its face.

From the facial structure, one could tell that it was a male, even his muscles supported that theory.

"Hmm? What is she up to?" He thought, getting up from his resting position.

Stretching his hands wide, he yawned, not showing any etiquette or so.

From his exterior, he'll be seen or described as a bandit; ragged clothing, his bald hair which can be associated with some dangerous bandit group around the globe, and finally the flying ship that has an aura of loot surrounding it.

"Mark!" He yelled out, looking in a specific direction.

"Boss!" Replied a frail voice, from the captain's cabin.

Accompanying the frail voice was the sound of rushed footsteps heading in the muscular male direction.

"Did I tell you to come here?!" The muscular male yelled out, glaring at the newcomer.

The newcomer aka owner of the frail voice was a skinny male, his ragged clothes a lot worse than the muscular male clothing stood out, he seemed to have taken a swim in 'crude oil'.

"Ha! You…"

"Don't get me wrong, boss, I've been experimenting with a new substance that can improve our ship!" He said excitedly, his eyes displaying stars of different origins.

"I don't care what experiment you do… just don't wreck my ship," said the male, waving at Mark to leave.

"Yes, boss Igor!" Mark yelled excitedly, about to leave the venue.

*Bam*

"I called you for a reason! Why are you leaving without taking my order?!" Igor said angrily, punching Mark's stomach.

"Learn to use your brains!"

"I'm sorry Boss!" He said in pain. "What's your order?!"

Igor didn't reply immediately, instead, he looked toward the south, his expression taking a dark turn. "To the Xadia empire."

Did I forget to remind you who 'Igor' is… I think you all know that 'hehehehe' it's not like it matters.

Anyway, thanks for reading this chap, I appreciate it… pinky swear, so do keep reading, and I'll love power stones, they give me power!