Chapter 76: The Checkmate of the Puppeteer

Chapter 76: The Checkmate of the Puppeteer

***

The fight between Nihiloor, who was controlling Vlad against Dalyon and Taelar, was a race of patience, something that wasn't known by the young Lunarian who received the Fairy's scolding at each minute of the fight.

Also, to Dalyon's surprise, Titania looked fine even if she was so close to his Flame Abyss, not suffering any harm, unlike himself, who had to deal with Vlad's monstrous strength, but lucky him he also had a strong body and Armament Haki which would cancel out a large chunk of his strength.

It was a clash of power and Haki, who had more in store, and with a fight that already reached the 20-minute mark, with both Dalyon and Taelar starting to breathe hard, watching Vlad who had an impeccable Icy Armor without a single mark on his body.

'My Haki starts to run out … also my flames are draining my vitality. Hah … Hah, I found a weakness in this bastard's defenses.' thought Dalyon who used a moment of dissangage between Vlad and themselves to recover his breath.

Noticing the heavy breaths from those two humanoids facing him, the Crimson-Eye by the anatomical shape, started giving the impression it was satisfied by the results of his strength, power and fighting abilities.

"What's wrong, Black Crow? Have the flames got heavy on you, burning deeper in your core?" taunted Nihiloor feeling superior to both humans he was facing.

"Ridiculous. I can fight like this for days." retorted Dalyon playing a poker face, while deep down the anger and shame of this situation started propping up.

"There's no reason for you to respond to that monster." said Titania while grabbing on to his white hair and pulling it to herself, to remind Dalyon of the plan.

"I know, I know, stop pulling my hair, you stupid woman. I understand what you are asking me."

Dalyon charged again at Vlad, binding their weapons in a flash with strong winds coming from the shockwave of their attacks spreading in the entire Arena.

Both had their arms and weapons covered in Armament Haki, and while this cross of weapons happened the one who stepped back first was Dalyon, full of dissatisfaction for his own weakness and limitations.

Then, with a leg kick to his chest again distancing himself, he blocked Taelar's club swing along with a body blow that followed the weapon attack. Both of his arms were covered in Armament Haki, easily blocking the attacks of the Elder.

"If you think this will be enough to defeat me and Dark Champion … YOU ARE CLUELESS TO WHO YOU ARE FACING! YOU ARE FACING GREAT ATLAS HIMSELF!"

Nihiloor began his taunting in a megalomaniacal way, building the hatred Dalyon was feeling for Vlad or, better said, this monster watching from the ceiling, invulnerable to all his attacks that he sent flying to hit it, for the only reason it would disappear and appear only after all of the punishment was over.

Yet, what stung the most was the remarks about his Haki storage, how it boasted no person alive could defeat him when it came to Haki Resources Storage and his Impeccable Control, to which Dalyon could with a heavy heart agree.

With his gritted teeth, feeling indignant about his own limitations, it was Titania who brought him to a calm.

"Once again, boy. You are not weak so don't look down on yourself. I can feel the limitations of that creature, once you weaken the Icy Armor, you'll give a window for Vlad to fight back and reclaim his body."

"There's also no point in comparing yourself with a coward who only is capable of fighting with the help of others. Is there a point in comparing yourself with such a pathetic creature?"

Nodding his head, with his face being a mix of annoyance and calm, but this remark outrages Nihiloor who, without a comment for Titania, sends a Rankyaku, which got modified to his taste, looking grim and menacing in its crimson-red aura moving straight in Titania's direction only to be tanked by Dalyon having his attacked body part covered in Armament Haki.

"What's wrong, coward? Fearing the words of a little girl who can't even scratch your body, so weak she is?"

*Smack*

"Focus, don't spend your thoughts on trash-talking."

"... Got you."

Pushing himself to his limits, the young Lunarian persevered and brought the fight back to Vlad, striking with a sole Flaming Spear which was wrapped in the black coating, brimming with a burning aura, as it was touching Vlad's armor when they crossed weapons.

Taelar wasn't idle and whenever such crosses of weapons would make them stationary, he would attack from the sides using his spiked club, and for most of the cases it would make Nihiloor choose to dodge since he knew how strong this man he nourished for 20 years was. Only that, this time, his arrogance got amplified by the performance Vlad was giving under his control, resulting in him taking in the attack while his entire side got covered in Armament.

Then as if there was no damage to Vlad, he swung his sword to cleave off Taelar's hands, something the Elder didn't even contemplate happening as he used his entire strength in the blow, and with Daylon tied down, he hit in retreat to at least lose only one hand.

"Taelar, I know everything about you. There's no way you could even wound me, your MASTER!" shouted Nihiloor with his voice spreading in the entire Arena, sure that his blow at least heavily wounded the large man.

But the element of surprise was on his side when he felt being pushed from harm's way revealing a young woman with black hair holding a longsword in hand facing Vlad who was so tall she had to raise her head to face his cold expression.

"Keep yapping you pathetic eyes. You, just nothing. Simple as that, an insignificant and pathetic being. What's more? You are making a fool of Vlad by doing those stupid attacks."

"Sigh, I watched enough of your mockery of swordsmanship."

[Well said, my little Eleine. At least someone has to protect my Pride.]

{Keep the facades, Dracula.}

[...]

Vlad was just an outsider in those moments, only watching from the sides as a foreigner was using his body, constantly raising his eyebrows at each mistake Nihiloor would make when using swordsmanship and martial arts.

"Let me teach you how to use the sword since you are clueless."

Saying that, she did a step forward and used a piercing Attack that got dodged by Vlad who countered back by sending a kick on Eleine's body which was blocked by Dalyon, commenting with arrogance in his tone, unable not to trash-talk this monster who caused him so much trouble.

"So low you've lowered to attack the weaklings? Threatened by her words of truth?"

Nihiloor, while trying to maintain his calm, failed when the Lunarian pulled on a trick where he did various feints, a quadruple feint, which led to a strong spear, piercing attack, resulting in a large crack on the Icy Armor.

Titania's golden eyes started shining a bit when seeing that crack form on Vlad's chest, as if it turned into that "Light at the end of endless dark Tunnel".

When that crack formed, Dalyon didn't stay idle and formed his Flaming Spear Wrath, while various spears appeared around his body pushed like a storm on Vlad's body.

He dodged and parried the initial flaming spears and even something that looked like the Flaming Spear Wrath, allowing just two spears that he couldn't block in time, but which posed no risk to him. Still, the roar of pain coming from Nihiloor spread around the entire Arena, when a flaming spear exploded on impact with Vlad's body creating a large opening in the Armor right on Vlad's heart.

"Fairy, tell that pink-hair to prepare her devil powers. The opening is evident."

Titania turned to Bonney who was unconscious under Reverscar's care and watch, and understanding it was impossible and unethical to force this young girl to sacrifice so much for a stranger, she declined, telling Dalyon another simple plan.

"The girl will die if she uses her powers again, so we have no choice but to have you defeat Vlad. How? Simple, continue cracking his Icy Armor and we'll have a realistic chance that it is exactly this Icy Armor which links the eye to his targets.

"Once the connection is weakened, it will be just a matter of when … Vlad will wake up."

Hearing Titania while he was facing Nihiloor, his face washed-up from the annoyance and started burning with fighting spirit. He didn't like to rely on others' help to win his fights, this wasn't the bearing of a Lunarian who was destined to Rule over the whole World.

He was one among millions of stars covering the night sky, a blessed being with the potential of holding the World in their palms, to Rule as they wish.

"You are asking me too much … However, now what you are saying is music to my ears." commented Dalyon whose flames started blazing with spirit enveloping his wings that he used to fight and his arms.

"Ohh really? Weren't you so confident in yourself? What's to stop you, especially when you got Taelar's, Eleine's support and mine?"

"You think of the plan, I focus on the fight and keeping you weaklings alive." remarked the young Lunarian who later on roared with a lot of spirit, bringing a primal strength that was deep imbued inside the bodies of this Noble Race forgotten by History.

Suddenly Nihiloor found himself being pushed by this outburst of power from the white-haired Lunarian whose appearance seemed to morph into something akin to a Burning Devil. His black olive branch tattoo on his face began shining with a bright red while his Flaming King Spear reached a condensed form burning with such intense flames one would think Dalyon held in his hands a Star.

Without a chance to adjust to his invigorated enemy, Nihiloor entered into a defensive stance, but while the fight continued he noticed something alarming, the connection linking his consciousness to Vlad's body started growing weaker.

'The Veil starts dropping down on the Host's body. It will be detrimental to keep him sleeping if I want to succeed in bringing back Master. I need to return him to the Altar Chamber and imbue him with more Haki and Blood Veil agents.'

With blows flowing fluidly, with Nihiloor managing Dalyon's attacks, countered Eleine's and Taelar's strikes bringing some pain on them, he began doing certain movements that weren't characteristic to this megalomaniac creature and it got noticed by the Lunarian.

"What is wrong, creature? Running out of energy? Or … scared of losing your Knight?"

"..."

Dalyon hit the nail rather decisive with his point, while Nihiloor kept on stepping back.

"It's just a tactical retreat. Under my own Domain, I can do as I choose fit. Why should I consume myself to bring you down when my minions can do that?"

Saying that, the Crimson-Eye shined with a lot of energy and from nowhere, the ground of the Arena started shaking, followed by the walls and ceiling.

This sudden shift inside the environment brought Dalyon to a stop, as if he had certain memories of such an incident he jumped in the air flying toward Nihiloor in the ceiling, throwing his Flaming King Spear which grazed the monstrous being granting a pain cry.

"LUNARIAN! YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS! EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE TO ME, I WILL RETURN A THOUSANDFOLD!"

"Hmph, just die already you annoying shit." retorted Dalyon who threw another spear at Nihiloor only to miss the target with its vanish.

From nowhere, the destruction of this Arena Chamber commenced and shifted his attention on Vlad who turned out to become like a stone statue, unmoving while the rocks dropped on his body.

"My chance!"

"YOU WISH CROW!" roared a monstrous voice deep underground, and before Dalyon could manage to harm Vlad's body, a large monstrous creature made its way from the underground shallowing Vlad's body like it was nothing.

It was a twisted creature with black-red spiked tentacles akin to torns, with crimson eyes all around the black-red flesh of this monster who appeared from the underground.

"Don't die ants. I WANT TO TASTE YOUR FEAR WHEN I RETURN!" shouted Nihiloor who made a partial appearance for the combatants who stared back with various emotions.

Only Reverse and Taelar showed signs of fear, meanwhile Dalyon's face burned with desire to kill this creature, something that the black-haired woman shared but only an emotionless expression propped on her beautiful face.

If one could be said to be affected by the apparition of Nihiloor it was Titania who closed her eyes, frowning hard, as if she was experiencing something painful. Deep inside her mind, various visions played out.

From a tall woman it gave you the impression you were looking at a giant standing side by side with a man of the same size, but Titania couldn't see their appearance just their shadowy figures, except for a small "thing" made of flesh containing some wooden thorns around itself, but the feature that marked Titania watching this vision was the crimson-eye of the being.

'... What is happening to me? What is this vision?'

"You've lied to me, Amad. This is how you used the Seed of the Adam Tree Clone I've given you?"

[... I will not explain myself to you.]

"Then tell me why? WHYY? WILL YOU ABANDON EVERYONE NOW FOR THAT SELFISH DESIRE OF YOURS?"

"I gave you everything … yet you treat me like something … disposable."

[... Seelie. Reality is cruel to us. Only by escaping from the glitch will I be perfect.]

Titania who listened to this short conversation of the two individuals, where it was clear that the emotions of the woman talking were of pain and sadness, a cry of a desperate woman who looked to be losing someone dear to her.

Suddenly, the Fairy felt a splitting headache, which forced her awake from this vision, but her cry of pain rang even in the collapsing chamber.

"WHAT IS GOING ON!! WHO IS THAT? ADAM TREE? AMAD? WHO IS SEELIE?!" screamed Titania as she was holding her autumn colored hair, clear suffering on her expression as she was enveloped by some emotions that were lurking deep inside her fragile body.

"Oyy, Fairy. Get a hold of yourself! This isn't the right time to be going all-stupid." remarked Dalyon who arrived next to Bonney and Reverscar who barely could move, later on shouting for Eleine and Taelar to get to him.

In no time, he gathered the whole party, and started protecting them from the crushing Arena, destroying any stone that might have hit them with a Barrier made of Flames.

After 5 minutes of stone collapsing to the ground from all directions, with the rubble and dust in the air, the screech of a being which sounded familiar to Dalyon made its presence heard.

"So that fucking Spider remembered that we had some scores to settle. Hey, you weaklings, you better don't die while I kill this large bug."

Without further warnings, Dalyon took to the sky and using his Observation Haki, he dodged the spider webs sent by the frozen Spider, landing a piercing strike on the body of the Spider as it descended to the floor.

*SCREECH*

"You thought I forgot about you? Never! Until I kill you, I will not be able to wash off the shame and humiliation I've tasted from your attacks."

As if this Lunarian didn't know what was "Rest" he started a new fight against an old enemy who managed to defeat him. Yet, compared to Vlad and Nihiloor it become evident that this Spider was weaker, only serving as a distraction for Dalyon and the rest, while deep underground, the flesh creature spit Vlad and, using its tentacles placed Vlad inside a hallow root.

Immediately, the damaged Icy Armor began recovering while the gasses covered Vlad, followed by other injections inside his body, which kickstarted a new discussion deep inside an Inner World since Nihiloor didn't place the black sword on the Altar Table instead it kept being held by Vlad.

'This will be your last payment for using my body, you pathetic shit.'

{Hah, I feel a bit guilty knowing what might happen to him … but this happens to megalomaniacs who believe themselves to be unmatched. A clear defect from the creation of Nihiloor based on the state of mind that person was in when constructing him.}

'Mind telling me more about this Nihiloor and how it came to be? You seem to know something about the whole fiasco?'

{I do know, but I would rather not discuss it being Ancient Memories that are cloudy even for me.}

'At least the basics, something that wouldn't affect the "bigger picture"'

{A being made from that person's powers … and an important plant seed called Adam Tree. If you want to know more, study it yourself.}

'Adam Tree … good enough. I got somewhere to start.'

{...}

The whispering voice of a man vanishing as if the entity inside the black sword kept its quiet, while Nihiloor was roaring in rage in the face of his defeat, but calmed down seeing Vlad immobile, reacting well to his procedures, rather too well considering his connection with him was weakening.

It was something he didn't even bother to contemplate, especially now that he had reconstructed the Icy Armor.

Minutes passed and after 25 minutes the Altar Chamber started experiencing some quakes akin to someone trying to force its way inside.

"I knew that Spider was just a waste of my time. Nourishing and taking him to the next evolution stage, where I could have used those resources on this perfect pawn."

It didn't take long for an explosion to be heard inside the Altar Chamber after the many quakes, and then a large voice calling out in an arrogant tone while descending on the Altar Chamber.

"I'VE COME TO KILL YOU DAMNED MONSTER! ARE YOU PREPARED?"

Dalyon along with the entire party, were standing on a large monstrous spider who was left in a charred state, a complete death state for the imposing frost spider used for a platform in the descend of the humans.

Nonetheless, once he reached ground he turned his head around to see the abomination lurking in the last chamber, a being of flesh inside a large tree trunk with a similarly huge crimson-eye the size of a large human body, while around himself were various roots that give the impression they were tentacles, all covered in crimson-eyes and blackthorns.

The atmosphere in this chamber was chilling, an environment where flesh and blood reigned supreme as it dominated the stones this Chamber was made out of.

Closer to the abomination at the end of the room, was an inclined narrow root shining with a crimson-light, pulsing as if something was transmuted inside the root.

"No, you only arrived to face your death. You are unworthy of claiming the gift of flesh, unworthy of even standing in front of my presence." said Nihiloor in a sinister voice which shifted to a man's tone while the twisted roots enclosed this entire chamber.

"For you were naive thinking I am only able to control my puppets. My gift is Creation itself. The one who will bring Chaos and Fear Incarnated. NOW ARISE MY CHAMPION!"

Both Nihiloor and the hollow root standing close by to the monstrous eye released a crimson-red light, as if painting the whole chamber into blood.

Then, Vlad appeared in front of everyone with his eyes taking on a crimson-red color akin to the one Nihiloor was possessing.

"He looks as if that long battle never happened." commented Eleine who was behind Dalyon, as she watched some smaller details on Vlad's appearance.

"Just appearances." remarked Dalyon who placed a poker face of full confidence and arrogance, but deep down, he was cursing the situation.

'Damn it. I am at my lowest point right now since it took me far more Haki and Flames to destroy that Spider than I anticipated.'

'Still, I can put on a last spark to remove a large part of his Armor and weaken the connection between this monster and the guy.'

Dalyon began stepping forward, moving towards Vlad who walked in front of Nihiloor giving off an imposing and dignified aura under the emotionless gaze.

"Unlike you Dracul, I am not a coward to run from a fight just to achieve my dreams. Even though I only have so much inside of me, I will not abandon those weaklings who stuck along with me, watching my back."

"Enough talking, Lunarian. I am not in the mood of listening to any of your insignificant comments. KILL HIM DRACULA!"

'Ready, scrap metal?'

{It's Anathema, human … and yes I am ready.}

'Then let's end this charade.'

A heavy pressure arises from Vlad's body while his crimson-eyes shined brighter, the black sword in his hands also released a dark-red light as most runes activated, followed by the blackening of Vlad's lead hand holding on the black sword.

Such a display of power was impressive even for Dalyon who was drained, but he didn't linger around awaiting his death, instead also released all of his power, condensing it down into his strong body.

"If I am to die, at least I will take you with me, bastard."

Yet, instead of Nihiloor's voice, another voice spoke out, sounding cold and emotionless, with a regal dignity only certain individuals could cultivate in their miserable lives.

"Unfortunately for you, boy, you will not have such a chance. To die under my watch."

With a turn of his body, the large black-haired man who was giving off an asphyxiating pressure faced the abomination with his cold crimson-eyes and only mentioned.

"Nihiloor, I am a person who keeps his promises. No one is to control me, Dracula, the son of the Dragon. Now go to Hell and greet that master of yours!"

"Calamitous Leviathan."

Vlad's attack came unexpected for all sides, especially for Nihiloor who still felt his connection with this Host, and while the sword slashed his monstrous body, cleaving him in halves like one would do a tree, it cried in agonizing pain, screaming later a name.

"ANATHEMA!! YOU BETRAYING BASTARD! ETERNAL DAMNATION WILL BE UPON YOU!"

Before another comment could be inflicted Vlad slashed again at Nihiloor's body, cleaving another piece of his body, and with an all-out attack where Haki was consumed, he didn't give this monster any chance of cooking plans of escaping.

The roots were being cleaved into pieces, and while he was pushing forward, facing a monstrous Haki coming from the enraged Nihiloor he pushed past that, arriving quickly inside the center of the monstrous being, where he could dimly see a twisted seed with a bleeding eye that was wrapped around a fragment of a key.

"Don't kill me! I can offer you the world! I will even betray Master Amad for you, just leave me alive. I will serve you and make you the King of this World. With my help it will be easy to kill that betraying Witch, Araushnee." called out Nihiloor using a pitiful woman's voice.

Titania who managed to see inside the debris of flesh and roots which were cleaved apart by Vlad who got inside the Inner Core of the Shell placed by the monstrous seed pulsing with veins, while small roots wrapped around the fragment of the key.

This creature matched with the vision she had, and extended her hand as if to call out Vlad who declined the offer.

"Not interested in your story, and nothing that is related to that master of yours. I just want to reclaim my sight."

"But it was me who offered you your sight. It was me who healed all the head trauma that you suffered. I even treated the poisoning you've suffered, which would have killed you."

"All from your magnanimous soul?"

"YESSS!"

Vlad who regained his sight as Nihiloor using a pitiful voice claimed could tell by how weak his vision was, that he would return in no time to being blind again, only giving him a temporary fix.

"Sadly, for you Nihiloor. I am a cruel man who Impaled hundreds of thousands of people in my life and is void of emotions when I want to be a monster. Now enough with your talking."

Moving his sword in a merciless swing, the cries of pain from Nihiloor slowly died down, when it got cleaved into small fragments, all returning in his large hands, similar to the key fragment.

'A fragment … Does that mean there needs to be 3 more fragments to build the key?'

{Indeed, also you did well for not listening to Nihiloors attempt at winning your heart.}

'What heart? There's no such thing inside of me right now.'

Slowly, the pressure he was releasing withdrew back inside his gigantic body while his crimson-eyes returned back to their original form, of a cold abyssal black and as he shifted his attention on Dalyon covered in his burning flames ready to strike at him.

In those moments he couldn't help but laugh with a sarcastic undertone.

"Boy, do you think you can defeat me in the shape you are right now?"

"I can kill you while sacrificing myself."

"KUHAHAHA, there's no point in us fighting right now."

As he was saying that the quakes happening inside the mountain made Vlad look with a serious look above his head, later on at the group of people behind Dalyon.

"Dalyon, right? Take the men and prepare to escape from this Cavern, this place is set to destroy itself when the key is claimed."

*QUAKE*

The whole artificial construct inside Yehimal Mountain was destroying itself since the Core at the center of everything was missing, and to self-preserve himself Dalyon agreed with Vlad, appearing next to Reverscar and Taelar, which he grabbed by arms, and beginning to fly.

Meanwhile Vlad didn't really rush himself, walking toward the three girls who were watching him with skeptical eyes.

"If you give me that look, I'll make sure to send Bau-Bau to haunt you girls."

"Well, that's Master Dracul for you. You were playing with that creature and also us all along?" questioned Eleine who wasn't used to turning her head so high to look at Vlad since initially his 1,97 meters tall height was comfortable for her 1,85 meters tall height, but now the disparity was too large.

"This isn't the time for chit-chatting, little Eleine. Now hold tight, and don't struggle too much or I will drop you in the Abyss, literally."

Grabbing both Bonney who was unconscious, and Eleine, while Titania was standing inside the black-haired girl's hair, remaining quiet for the entire time Vlad used his monstrous strength to fly in the air using his kicks, catching up to Dalyon who had to carry King Taelar who was by no means a light man.

"See you at the top of the mountain, boya." said Vlad while passing by like a Ghost, clearing out the path for Dalyon, even blasting open a closed wall.

.

A/N: Your thoughts about the events thus far?