Chapter 5: Lelouch vs Zeotikus. Part 2
Fully completed story at:
patreon.com/FanFictionPremium
***
The boy had it all figured out...
Lucifer, leaning on the handle of his throne, watched as Zeoticus and no longer Erhard Bael, but Lelouch Lamperouge would battle in the dimension he had created to
to settle their dispute.
Even took his own name. Almost his own...
The battle should start any minute now, and all the Demons present in the hall were waiting for the battle to begin, to watch the battle between the two young geniuses. And also to see what kind of people they were....
If he had not given up the surname Bael, his head - Zekram, would have simply forbidden him to challenge the boy Gremory to a duel. Though it would have been more profitable for him to declare himself AWOL after the duel, but in that case he would have had to persuade Zekram to agree to the duel or play on Zetic's pride to accept the challenge. (Zeticus is Zeotikus, Lucifer's brilliant mind came up with it).
Zekram stands and sizzles the figure of Lelouch on the screen with an angry glare. The newly minted Lamperouge stands in a relaxed pose, waiting for the fight to begin. Venelana stares languidly at her prince in shining armour.
Zerach looks anxiously at his son, contemplating a strategy against Lelouch should Zeotikus be defeated. He knows that his son will surpass his grandfather's strength a hundred years from now, but Lelouch's demonstrated skills make Zeotikus' victory ambiguous.
And what kind of strategy can be employed against a boy who literally recently rose from the dead?
He even asked for land on the outskirts of Hell, where there would soon be fighting, asking me personally. There was no reason to refuse, so thus, I 'conditionally' gave him my patronage. This will keep the Demons for a while, which, I hope, he will spend usefully on the defence and strengthening of his new lands...
Lucifer smiled faintly.
He wouldn't shine his eye, for he was getting too much attention, and if he showed his new Power, the Pillars would tear him apart before he could leave.
Margarett walked in with Lelouch from the side of the stage, but no one but Lucifer noticed.
And now she wasn't throwing herself at my feet just at my appearance. It was annoying, but now it's a little frustrating. Wait, what's that?
Margaret's eyes flashed red at Lelouch, but she closed them immediately and walked over to her father, but didn't speak to him.
You act fast, boy. You've already managed to use your eyes not only on the dragons that were in the mountains near the borders of Zekram's lands, but also to subdue your sister. What a demon you are.
Lucifer smirked at his own thoughts.
It's a shame you didn't call the rest of your fellow Lords. This place is fun. But unfortunately, they must prepare to counter the Pillars' alliances, or at this rate, Bael will fall and a Civil War could break out before I'm dead.
Lucifer sighed and decided to finally announce.
- Let the battle for the honour of the beautiful young lady begin, dear participants. And may the strongest man win! - Lucifer smirked, glancing at Venelana's red face.
***
Lelouch and Zeotikus found themselves in a space where literally every pebble phoned with Lucifer's energy.
At this rate, I'll end up underestimating all Demons. To create such a thing, you need an unimaginable amount of mana, and if you consider the fact that Lucifer uses demonic energy, which he created himself, and the magic that he was given at birth Biblical, he is actually a demigod with such powers.
This space was just a small wasteland at the foot of the mountains. Nothing special or noteworthy for the battle Lelouch had spotted for himself.
- Let the battle for the honour of the beautiful young lady begin, dear participants. And may the strongest man win! - Lucifer spoke, and Zeotikus rushed into battle.
Gremory began to create different kinds of spells that shot out in different directions under different trajectories.
Immediately releasing a spell, he analyses where I will retreat to and launches another one, depending on my movement speed and defence. I had underestimated him, I should have done more research on him. I assumed that because I was going to take his 'wife', he would act more aggressive and want to show how weak I am with just a few attacks. He decided to approach the battle wisely and not rashly. I made a note in my head about you, future Lord Gremory.
With a coating of demonic energy creating a counterpart of armour for Lelouch, he was able to dodge and bump into other people's attacks without harming himself.
Zeotikus was surprised by this delicate handling of mana, but ignoring it, he continued the fight.
After getting a few spells into his body, Lelouch was tired of running, and finishing this fight with his mother's birth ability....
So, it was time to show his superiority...
- Show yourselves, my army! - gave the order to Lelouch, whose left eye flashed red with a bird pattern for a moment.
***
- Lost Gift...
- The ability of the Pillar of Malfas?
- But they had been destroyed!
- Looks like Zekram was able to steal one woman from the clan...
- Unthinkable...
And dozens of other voices echoed around the hall and every one of them, thanks to his demonic hearing, Zekram could hear.
He himself couldn't believe his eyes...
Pillar Malfas's ability was Puppeteer. They possessed high levels of hypnosis and control of demonic energy, allowing them to subdue a victim and use them as their puppet, controlling them with strands of mana. This requires the highest control of energy in their body, otherwise they cannot move their 'puppet'.
Zekram's wife, Aria, was the last survivor of the clan after the attack on their home by the Angels. Zekram, being Lucifer's most loyal servant, decided to pick her up and provide her to his Lord, to which the Lord of Hell gave orders to keep her. From then on, Zekram began to grow attached to the girl, and she to him. Eventually it came to the point where Aria married him, but her origins were hidden from other prying eyes. Children were born to them - Venelana, Erhard, and Margarett. It was on the boy that she spent the most of her life force.....
Aria gave her life, taking about a hundred subordinate Seraphim with her, and about a dozen of them themselves, so that Zekram could retreat as he was wounded.
Lucifer didn't come to the rescue...
Though he had promised to...
But he didn't come...
Since then, Zekram has not been the most loyal Pillar of the Lord of Hell...
And now, the child he called a 'mistake' in his earliest childhood is using his beloved Aria's ability...
Controlling ten dragons at once was difficult for Aria in her teens, though she had been recognised as a genius back when House Malfus was alive. (Dragons are High Class individuals: High Class Dragons, Dragon Kings, Emperors, and Dragon Gods, and dragons are Low and Middle Class individuals)
And now my former son, has no trouble controlling them. Looks like a loss to Zeotikus will be assured. That's too bad. Although, we could try to pull off the marriage again after some time, but only with Margarett...
Zekram glanced in the direction of the grinning Lucifer...
- Did you recognise, you bastard, the ability of my wife that you threatened? - Zekram growled to himself.
***
House Malfus' ability. I'd read about them, but I hadn't given it much thought, thinking it was a worthless and understudied ability that took years of training and practice. And now, this... Lelouch, completely disproves my theory.....
Zeotikus continued to dodge with all top speed from under the attacks of the dragons that had begun to take him in a ring, under Lelouch's control.
I'll wipe that cheeky grin off your face, freak!
Zeotikus decided on a desperate move that would either kill all the dragons and Lelouch, or kill him...
Strengthening my own body with lightning bolts that create a shell against external attacks, and then, speeding up my body with wind, I completely go to my limit. Using Oblique isn't worth it for this fight, I should be fine with that....
Lelouch began to notice the concentration of energy in Zeotikus and began to create a sort of shield of his multi-coloured dragons that covered him from all sides, preparing his own attack.
- It's no use, those dragons will be blown away by a single gust of wind,' Zeotikus grinned predatorily.
Zeotikus' aura began to increase exponentially. Something like a lightning armour completely enveloped his body, making it impossible to see any part of Gremory. The wind that was being created in his legs began to press into the ground of space just from the mere release.
I've been creating this technique for about three years and I haven't shown it to anyone. Not even my father. This is the end for you, Lelouch Lamperouge!
Zeotikus rushed to attack and almost instantly found himself in front of Lelouch, who was clearly shocked at this speed, but Gremory noticed something strange...
Dragons going into his spatial dimension? Deciding to defend himself? Fool!!!
Gremory looks at the smirking Lelouch, who thinks he can resist his technique.
Die!
Zeotikus was already beginning to rejoice in his victory as he prepared for the final blow that would tear Lelouch apart...
I've won!
The blow...
The entire dimension shakes from the release of Gremory's power, but Lucifer's magic suppresses the red-haired mana in space.
Zeotikus, practically powerless, speaks out of the last of his strength:
- I have won. Venelana mo... - Gremory has no time to finish, but he flies back many kilometres.
His whole body hits one of the blocks of stone that was in this space. There's blood all over his body, and he's...
In a sorry state...
Zeotikus can't get up. A kickback from the technique, and then also a powerful punch right in the chest.
- Wh-Who? Wh-Who?' Zeotikus barely asks himself, but is answered by a growling voice from under his helmet.
- Surrender, Gremory.
Zeotikus raises his gaze with his last strength to the figure in black armour, from which emanates a powerful Dragon Aura...
And the blow was delivered with a pinpoint hit to the chest....
It seems to be with this....tail...?
Really?
- Sacred Mechanism? - Zeotikus asks in shock, starting to stand up for a moment, forgetting his pain, but immediately falling back into a pile of rocks, unable to move.
- It's none of your business. You lost,' a growling calm voice answers from beneath his helmet.
Zeotikus' pride is damaged...
All this time, he thought he was the strongest young Demon, only rivalled by Venelana, whom he had long considered as his wife. And just when he could have married one of the most beautiful girls in Hell, Erhrad, or rather Lelouch, stands in his way....
Now, overcome by his pride, he decides to say:
- I surrender...
***
Lelouch, already without his Dragon Armour, appears in the hall with Zeoticus, to whom the healers immediately run to....
All the Demons are watching already in confusion...
Some with suspicion...
Some with fear...
Why this reaction? Have you never seen the Sacred Mechanism before?
- You, boy, almost killed my son,' Zerach let out some bloodlust and Aura, and said to Lelouch, who wasn't the least bit frightened....
- You shouldn't be so angry, I only hit your son once,' Lelouch smirked without fear, at which Zerach frowned even more, 'The fight went according to the rules, so I'll take my reward.
Lamperouge, taking his time, began to approach Venelana, who was barely trembling, but still smiled warmly, and almost crying, jumped at her brother.
- Brother! - Venelana hugged him tightly around the neck, wiping the moisture from her eyes on Lelouch's jacket - Brother! You could have been killed! It was dangerous! How stupid you are!
While Venelana scolded him, Lelouch gently began stroking her hair, putting his arm around her shoulders.
- It's all right, sister. I fought for you, which means nothing could stop me,' Lelouch smiled confidently, to which Venelana blushed and muttered:
- Fool...love...
Even though Lelouch heard it, his feelings were reflected outwardly in the form of a cheeky smile. Except that his heart began to pound faster.
- I know,' Lelouch whispered. Venelana hid her red face in his chest, where resentment was hidden. She had confessed to him, and he ...
- What is it this time? - Lelouch thought, seeing that Zekram, as if awake, began to approach them and loomed like a rock.
- Lelouch Lamperouge, you have broken the law of Hell regarding the use of the Sacred Mechanism, therefore you are immediately sentenced to execution! - Zekram said loudly and confidently, creating a Force of Destruction that made the entire hall tremble. Around him, his Servants immediately appeared.
- Is there such a law? - Lelouch thought stunned, realising that he couldn't fend off his father's attack unless he used the Gias.
No! I can't use the King's Power now! I'll have to use plan B...
Lelouch abruptly picks up Venelana and pulls her behind him, while he snatches from his pocket a leaflet bearing the emblem of the Holy British Empire - the Clan of Lamperouge - which he immediately throws to the floor.
- Come to my DADA, Evil Dragon! - commands Lelouch, whose eye turns for a moment into Gias, to his Servant, who must appear....
And he does appear...
The Power of Destruction released at Lelouch could have killed half of the people present. Still, Bael spared no energy and released almost a quarter of his stockpile of concentrated Force.
But Zekram's Force shatters against an invisible barrier, with a new guest appearing behind him....
Lelouch's servant, Ladon, the Evil Dragon.
- Master, I come at your command! - Roared a huge Evil Dragon that looks like a large tree with huge scaly wings, and two hollows that are eyes glowing bright red.
- W-What!!!
- Where did the Evil Dragon come from!
The demons began to move away in shock from the barrier that Zekram had set up to prevent the 'criminals' from escaping. But at the same time, they were already unleashing their energy through their bodies....
- The evil Dragon Ladon, who was created by the Greek Gods from the Sacred Tree to guard the Golden Apples. What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be guarding the tree? - Zekram calmly began to ask his new enemy, wanting more details.
After all, his servants had also come to recruit him, but he had chased them away with the words:
- I will not serve you wretched Demons!
And now he openly addresses Lelouch as Master.....
What have you done, my former son, that you were able to draw him to your side... and an Evil Dragon whose barriers can withstand the attacks of the Gods... that is not Malfus' ability....
Zekram tried to use his strongest mental technique, after which the victim would immediately fall asleep, and while sleeping, it would be possible to tweak some memories...
But his attack didn't work...
It's like a reflection?
Like there's an impenetrable wall there that everything bounces off of....
Zekram staggered slightly, writhing from the intense pain in his head, but still he didn't show weakness and fell to the ground.
- Master? - One of his servants, dressed in a dark green battle suit, approached Zekram worriedly.
- 'It's alright,' Zekram said in his usual calm tone, keeping his eyes on Lelouch, who calmly endured his father's gaze and smiled.
Only a few Gods I know, including Loki, are capable of such a powerful mental defence. How did this young man manage to set it up?! When I leave you with only a few limbs, I will surely question and torture you until you beg me to kill you.....
- Zekram, only you broke the law here, - Lucifer calmly said, looking at Zekram, who looked at the Lord of Hell in shock, - The law on the use of Sacred Mechanisms applies only in peacetime, but not in wartime.
All the Demons, even more shocked by the information, did not take their eyes off their Lord, wanting to hear the continuation. It seems that few had realised that there was already a war going on....
A formal one for now...
- The Angels have attacked the defences in the Grimae Valley. Therefore, I'm declaring martial law. I order all Pillars to mobilise their armies and move out as ordered,' Lucifer spoke in a commanding tone as he rose from his throne.
Looking at Lelouch, Lucifer said:
- You will participate too, boy. From what I saw, you have a small army,' Lucifer argued, to which Lelouch only nodded.
- I do, Lucifer-san,' Lelouch said, seeing no point in lying.
- Good. We can call it a day. Zekram, wrap it up, maybe another time,' the Lord of Hell smirked, 'I'll send my Servants in a few months to make sure you're ready.
- Yes! - Demons immediately bowed.
- All dismissed! - Lucifer waved his hand in the direction and disappeared into the spatial rift.
- I think I'll go too, Zekram Bael,' Lelouch said with a touch of arrogance, taking Venelana in his arms - who reacted with a "yelp" - and sitting on the Dragon, 'We'll meet again.
- No doubt, boy,' Zekram said, as he could not show his "daggers" now in front of all the Demons, which would mean disobeying Lucifer.
Lelouch only took one last look at the crowd of Demons before disappearing with the Dragon through the Dragon Gate.
It looks like this is just the beginning. You've matured noticeably these days, Er... Lelouch. But our game has only just begun...
- From this moment on, Venelena is no longer part of House Bael. There will be a bounty on her head as a criminal! Dead or alive!