99th Adversary: Joesph Flameheart

Silence covered the area. Joesph was holding on to Miko's fist after stopping him.

"It's good to see you two again after so many years."

He released Miko's hand. He helped him stay balanced on one leg before gently allowing him to sit on the ground. He looked down on both Miko and Luka with a smile.

"While there's nothing wrong with you two fighting here and there, I don't like the idea of you two killing each other. After all, your Proxy Duel ended already."

Tia and Ouroboros appeared from a bright light.

"One of the parties has admitted, so the Duel has come to an end!"

They both pointed at Miko.

"Miko wins by submission!"

Everyone became confused by the gods' declaration, they couldn't remember Luka admitting defeat.

"Wait…"

That's when Miko remembered what Luka said just before Joesph appeared.

"I really can't beat you, Miko. You're the better fighter."

"But isn't that just stretching it?"

"It doesn't matter. The purpose of a Proxy Duel is to determine which proxy is superior. The words Luka spoke declared you as the superior one, thus ending the Duel."

Tia explained. After hearing her explanation and seeing Joesph's appearance doubts started appearing in Miko's mind.

"Everything was planned…."

He looked at Tia for confirmation.

"I didn't set this up but I did go along with it."

She didn't hide anything.

"Don't worry, Miko."

Miko looked at Joesph.

"This wasn't to pit you and Luka against each other. It's just to draw me out."

A sharp look appeared in his eyes. When Miko saw it, he had the feeling this man was on a completely different level from everyone he's ever met outside of Samael.

"Why would me and Miko fighting concern you, Progenitor?"

Luka asked.

"That's because I wouldn't sit back and allow either of you to die, and they know this."

"They?"

"Let's talk about that later. We need to get you two some medical attention."

"Ah, Miko! Renacido is under attack by the Flameheart Clan!"

Hina suddenly remembered and shouted.

"Don't worry about that. Darwin is dealing with it."

Meanwhile at the borders of Renacido.

"Ahhhh!"

Screams rang causing the residents of Renacido to quiver. Even the former guardians of Jara felt chills down their spines. The screams came from the Flameheart side, but they weren't the ones causing them.

"Acting on your own is one thing, but you guys have some nerve to mess with my granddaughter."

Darwin stood on the chest of a Flameheart elder and was looking down at him with an ice-cold gaze. He pressed his foot down and the elder's rib cage cracked open and Darwin's foot sunk into his chest.

"Looks like I must remind you all why I'm the leader of this clan."

Around him were hundreds of Flameheart members laid out on the ground with either disfigured or missing limbs and body parts.

"I'll take my time and remind you all using your bodies, just what kind of person you're all messing with."

His eyes narrowed as he spoke.

"You might not fear the Dragna Clan but you'll definitely learn to fear me."

*Crack!*

"Ahhhh!"

Back where Miko and everyone were.

"Hm….I think should've sent Jeffery instead. At least I'm sure he wouldn't kill them."

Joseph had a troubled look on his face.

"Well, anyway. The Flameheart Clan will be under control, so there's no chance any one of them will target Miko anymore. Also with me around, a war between the Dragna and Flamehearts is impossible in the first place."

Hina remembered something Layla said Tia told her while Miko and Darius were fighting.

"A war between the Flameheart and Dragna Clans can't happen. Not as long as that man is hidden in this empire's shadow."

"So she was talking about him….Hm?"

That's when she realized that Joesph was looking at her or rather he was looking at her, Ace, and Sora. The look in his eyes seemed a bit weird. He eventually smiled at her and then turned to Miko and Luka.

"Alright, let's go back. Some things must be done."

Joesph took Luka and left with Ouroboros but not before speaking to Miko, who was being helped by Sora and Ace.

"Miko, although you did hit a wall, I'm glad to see how much you've grown. I can tell there will be hardships for you in the near future but you'll be fine as long as you keep your head up."

Miko didn't know what to say to Joesph, since he was still trying to wrap his head around everything that happened. Joseph seemed to know him well but he can't recall ever meeting him. However, he had to admit that Joesph had a nostalgic feeling.

"Oh"

Joseph looked like he just remembered something.

"Don't trust that snake too much. He won't lie but he won't tell you the entire truth either."

"?!"

After saying that, Joesph left saying that he'll meet up again later. Miko stared at Luka who was being carried away and sighed. He didn't realize but he had a look of relief on his face. This look didn't escape the eyes of the others.

Later at the Dragna Capital.

"You crooked father!"

Sasha was in the royal palace choking her father with blazing eyes.

"Why didn't you tell me Miko was fighting Luka?! Now I hear they're both badly injured!"

"Well, if I had told you, the plan would be ruined."

Nero smiled while being strangled by his daughter.

"How dare you use my son in your sick plans?!"

She stopped and released him.

"That's it, I'm telling Mama that you've been flirting with the maids again."

"Don't! She'll believe you and then kill me! Do you want to lose your father?!"

Nero grabbed her shoulder with desperation.

"Besides, this wasn't my plan."

"Whose was it?"

"That would be me, aunty."

Aeon appeared in the room and said.

"Alright. As punishment, I'll kill you once."

Sasha cracked her fingers.

"Wait, this is something that will benefit the empire!"

"So you're trying to justify it? I'll kill you three times."

"It also benefits Miko as well."

"…..I'm listening."

Renacido. Miko was brought to his base where he was being treated by Alec who was called over.

"Wow, Luka really did a number on you."

This was the first thing he said to Miko when he saw his beaten state.

"Hmm…."

"What's wrong?"

Momo asked him when she saw that he stopped treating Miko. Alec looked at Miko with a serious expression.

"Miko, I'll ask you again. How long has your body been like this?"

"Is there something wrong with Miko's body?"

Sora asked.

"It's mutating. While his body should slowly evolve into one similar to Tiamat's, it's not. Instead, it's mutating."

Alec answered.

"Miko, I'm sure you know this but your body wasn't that of a human's from the beginning but now it's completely different."

"…..Ascending Satan."

"Huh?"

"Ascending Satan, it's a technique created to control, train, and master my Irregularity. Since I first used it my body began to change. Not only my body but my mind as well. There are times when I feel like my mind is drowning in a maddening darkness. I feel violent urges out of nowhere, it's more apparent when I'm angered or in a desperate situation."

Miko explained.

"Ascending Satan, huh?"

Alec started pondering something.

"Miko, give me the details about it later. I'll concentrate on patching you up now."

He started examining Miko's body again.

"You'll need a wheelchair for a while."

"A wheelchair?"

"You're seriously injured you know. I can patch you up but I can't fully heal you. Also, it looks like you've been carelessly stacking up injuries recently. It's normal you'll have some complications in the future."

Alec spoke with a serious expression.

"The wheelchair is only for you to rest as much as possible, but if you don't learn to fight and protect yourself, you'll eventually become a cripple. If that happens, your body will have to go through some extreme treatments for it to return to normal. You might have to replace your limbs which would take years to get adjusted to….Keep that in mind."

Back at the Flameheart residence. Because she had gained some serious injuries from her battle with Miko, Luka was currently being treated by the clan's medical staff.

"Master, do you want something to drink?"

Jeffery bowed in front of Joesph and asked.

"Nah, I'm fine."

"I see. Please tell me if you need anything."

"Will do."

"...You really only show Master respect, huh?"

Darwin said after seeing Jeffery's servitude behavior.

"Hmph. Master Joesph is my true master since the time of the war. The rest of you "Clan Leaders" are just figureheads in my eyes."

"You don't mince your words, do you?"

"Jeffery."

"Yes, Master Joesph."

"I've told you countless times already, respect the clan leaders. They are your boss."

"With all due respect, Master Joesph. I only recognize you, Princess Maria, and Prince Ranga as my masters. Everybody else is just snot nose brats I have to take care of."

Joseph sighed and didn't push the issue.

"Master, thanks again for intervening and calming down the situation."

Darwin bowed to Joesph in gratitude.

"Ah, don't worry about it. Luka is my great-granddaughter so it's natural I help her out."

Joesph replied.

"Also, I was the one who suggested that Luka and Miko get married to you and Nero. If they're having a falling out I think it's my duty to do what I can."

"About Miko. What stance should we take with him?"

Jeffery asked.

"Are you still upset about Darius?"

Jeffery nodded.

"Forget it. Darius' death is all my fault for letting Krow do as he pleased. Despite knowing what he was doing, I just couldn't bring myself to kill my master's son. As a result, I lost my grandson."

"It's not your fault. I know Krow isn't easy to handle even for Master. I should've kept Darius under control."

Darwin said.

"Let's not start a pity party."

Joesph said with a bitter smile.

"As for Miko, he's very vital to this empire's future. No, the world's future. He's the one who was born to succeed Augustus Dragna and do what he couldn't after all."

"You've always valued Miko pretty highly. Is there a reason why you're so confident that he'll become something great?"

"I do."

Joesph lifted a finger.

"My gut tells me so."

"….Huh? Are you serious?"

Joesph responded to Darwin's question with a laugh. While laughing he remembered something from the past. It was during a time when the War For Supremacy was at its peak. A young Joesph was looking at the vast land that made up the then Dragna empire.

"…..It feels like we already rule the world."

"Unfortunately, Joey, we aren't even close."

He heard a voice and saw someone appear in front of him. He floated in the air with his back turned to Joesph. This dark skin, long flowing purple hair, and a broad back was very familiar to Joesph.

"Master Augustus."

This back belonged to the mortal who turned the heavens on its head and ripped apart the hells with his bare hands; the Heavenly Conqueror, Augustus Dragna.

"Joey, the world is far more bigger than you can ever imagine. The lands are endless, the sea is vast and mysterious, and there are countless realms that have been abandoned by the Primal Races and were forgotten in time."

Joesph saw Augustus spread his arms wide.

"I want to see them all! I want to claim them all for myself! I want to conquer this beautiful world and make it a free one!"

Hearing his master shout out his desire so freely, a chill ran down Joesph's spine. He felt pure excitement from just being in his presence.

"But…."

Augustus slowly brought his hand to his side.

"Life doesn't always go how we want it, huh?"

"Huh?"

"Joey, if for some reason I fail to conquer everything in this world, do not weep because my descendants will carry on the torch."

Augustus turned his head to look behind him. The sun hid the majority of his face but Joesph couldn't forget his boyish smile.

"One day someone worthy of inheriting my dream will be born and they'll put on a grand show as if to declare, I AM HERE! When that person appears Joey, I want you to guide them and prepare them for the greatest battle that the world will ever see."

"The greatest battle…."

Augustus' words mesmerized Joesph. He had spoken them with such confidence as if he had seen it himself.

He continued to smile and turned back to face his empire.

"Ahhh!"

"Master?!"

His sudden scream frightened Joesph, who wondered if something was wrong.

"Dammit! I can't believe I might miss it! I wanna fight in that battle too!"

"….Huh?"

"Alright, that does it. I'll just reincarnate and take part in that battle. Yeah, that's a great idea."

Augustus started nodding.

"….Um, Master?"

"Oh, I might even compete against my descendants for the throne. Hell yeah! That sounds fun!"

*******

"I still don't get what he was talking about back then but he was right about one thing."

Joesph mumbled to himself with a smile on his face.

"Miko's birth was really like he was screaming to the world I AM HERE...Alright."

He suddenly looked like he made up his mind.

"I'm gonna help Miko out a little bit."