[Third Person's PoV]
The next day…
Due to the unexpected monster attack, school was canceled for the day, so Cid took the chance to spend time with his daughter.
Cid tickled Celeste's stomach, causing her to burst into laughter. He chuckled each time he heard her infectious giggles.
As he kissed her forehead, Beru and Bellion suddenly appeared before him, kneeling down.
"My Lord, please allow me to put this insolent creature in his place. He doesn't seem to show respect to his betters," Bellion pleaded.
Beru's mandibles snapped. "It is you who should know his place. You appeared out of nowhere and claim to be his general. That spot belongs to me, and no one shall have it. My liege, I beseech you, let me put this newcomer in his proper position."
"Seriously, you two?" Cid sighed, glancing at his daughter before tickling her stomach again. "What do you think, princess? Should I let them duke it out?"
Celeste responded with more giggles and excitement in her eyes. Cid sensed her thoughts.
'Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!' Celeste chanted eagerly, curious to see how beings from her new world fought.
Cid smiled at her enthusiasm and turned towards Bellion and Beru. "Make sure to put on a good show. Celeste is very excited to see you two fight."
Bellion and Beru nodded in acceptance before disappearing into their shadows.
Cid picked up Celeste and sank into his own shadow. Celeste closed her eyes tightly.
When she reopened them, they appeared outside the castle in the training area where Delta and Zeta were engaged in combat, their eyes wild with determination.
The fighting ceased as they spotted their lord/husband and rushed over.
"Bossu!" Delta exclaimed excitedly. "And Puppy!" she added upon seeing Celeste.
Though others couldn't see it, Cid noticed Celeste looking at Delta oddly, which made him smile.
"How are you two doing?" Cid asked.
Cid observed Zeta's longing gaze towards Celeste, prompting him to roll his eyes. "If you want to hold her, just say so. She's your daughter too, you know."
Zeta's eyes sparkled as she gently took Celeste from Cid's arms.
"What brings you here, Bossu?"
"Beru and Bellion are going to fight, and Celeste wants to come watch," Cid explained, conjuring them all seats as Beru and Bellion faced off, with Bellion towering over Beru. However, Beru showed no fear, staring challengingly at Bellion.
Hearing that Celeste wanted to watch, Zeta seated her on her lap and leaned her head towards her stomach to give her a better view.
Beru then pointed towards Celeste, "My victory shall be for you, young Monarch."
Bellion, with a hand resting on his sword, looked towards Beru with distaste. "Do not make promises to her highness about something you have no hope of accomplishing."
Beru's mana surged, accompanied by his killing intent and bloodlust.
*SCREEEEEEEECH!*
A giant gust of wind expelled from Beru due to his screech, blowing away the surrounding dust. Two wings emerged from Beru's back as the ground caved where he stood. A sonic boom was heard as Beru broke the sound barrier, flying towards Bellion at blinding speed.
As Beru threw a punch, Bellion caught it, sending a great gale force behind him but standing firm.
'SOOOO COOOOL!!' Celeste screamed in her mind, her eyes practically shining like the stars.
Bellion grabbed Beru's arms and threw him towards the ground with great force, creating a crater. Enraged and embarrassed, Beru quickly recovered.
He attacked aggressively with his claws, becoming more ferocious by the second. Bellion dodged and blocked with a calm expression.
Putting up an arm to block Beru's attack created sparks. "You've lost yourself to anger. Someone who does that could never hope to lead our Lord's Shadow Army."
Bellion punched Beru in the stomach, cracking his shell and sending him flying back with great force, scoping up and destroying part of the ground.
Stopping, Beru took a running position before breaking the sound barrier once more, taking flight. As he flew, he kicked the air multiple times, increasing his speed and turning invisible due to the velocity.
Cid raised a brow, 'He learned the Marine's 6th Power…'
Bellion, impressed by Beru's swiftness, raised a brow. Beru performed a turn in the air, creating a crescent of cutting force with his feet, which was sent flying towards Bellion.
The crescent moved along, cutting the ground due to its power, not slowing down in the slightest. Bellion was surprised and swiftly pulled out his sword.
He took a defensive position and attempted to block it, but due to Beru's speed, the force was much stronger than Bellion expected. He slid back slightly before redirecting the crescent to the side, continuing to destroy the ground in its wake.
Beru's shell gained a green glow as he attacked once again, slashing with his claws and creating wind slashes. Bellion blocked all of them.
Bellion's sword then extended, creating a sword-whip. Instead of remaining defensive, Bellion grew more serious. "You've impressed me, bug, but you've had your fun. Now it's my turn."
The ground beneath Bellion cracked and crumbled due to his strength, sending rocks and chunks flying as he disappeared from his spot.
Reappearing in front of Beru, Bellion swung his sword-whip with unbelievable force, creating a great rift in the ground. Beru's afterimage was hit as he used Shave to dodge the attack.
Before Beru could recover, Bellion continued swinging his sword-whip, destroying everything in its path to reach Beru. The sword-whip moved like a living python, consuming everything in its way, making it difficult for Beru to dodge.
Large cuts appeared on Beru as he tried to counterattack, but Bellion's relentless assault was too much for him.
After being slashed across his shell, Beru staggered back. Bellion disappeared and reappeared before Beru, delivering a powerful punch that caused the clouds in the sky to dissipate.
Beru coughed up blood as Bellion's fist struck him, causing his eyes to go blank. As Beru was sent into the air, Bellion twisted his arms and wrist, sending the sword-whip after Beru. The sword-whip wrapped around Beru's legs, bringing him crashing down with even greater force.
A mushroom cloud of dust rose as Beru's body sank into the ground. As he reached the tectonic plates, the area around them began to shake, creating a miniature earthquake.
As Bellion whipped his sword-whip, the dust cleared to reveal a large hole where Beru presumably lay.
Delta and Zeta watched in astonishment, their mouths agape. After all, Beru had trained them and was someone they never thought they could defeat. Seeing him so thoroughly defeated astounded them.
Celeste made baby noises and clapped her hands enthusiastically. 'WOOOOAHHHH THAT WAS AMAZING! HE CREATED AN EARTHQUAKE!! AGAIN! AGAIN!'
Seeing Celeste's excitement, Bellion felt a swell of pride. He was pleased to have made Celeste happy with his performance.
Meanwhile, Beru crawled out of the hole with tears streaming from his bug-like eyes. He appeared before Cid, crying out, "My liege!"
"I have shamed you. I have disappointed you!" Beru continued to cry while hugging Cid's leg.
Celeste called out to Beru, making baby noise, "Bah! Bah!" motioning for him. 'Oi bug!'
Seeing Celeste calling out to him, Beru cried even harder and approached Celeste. "Little Liege, please forgive me! I couldn't win for you like I promised."
As Beru cried, Celeste reached over and started petting his head to comfort him. This made Beru sob even more, banging his fists on the ground. "Little liege is trying to comfort me!! I have failed you, Waaaaaaaaaah~"
Everyone stared at Beru in disbelief, while Bellion let out a tired sigh, not from his fight with Beru, but mentally exhausted by Beru's antics and childishness.