Kyurem would return to the Glacial Gorge to heal its wounds, and then, once it had recovered, it would challenge Eternatus again to reclaim its pride!
It was unwilling—utterly unwilling! If it had not been forced to endure back-to-back battles like a wheel war, it was certain it would never have lost!
But defeat was defeat. Kyurem was not the sort of being to look for excuses.
"If, next time, I defeat you in a proper fight, Kyurem… how about becoming my companion?" Lucas suddenly called out, stopping the dragon in its tracks.
Kyurem whipped its head back in shock, its ferocious eyes narrowing at him. This human—was he seriously thinking about capturing it even now?
"Of course," Lucas continued calmly, unfazed by the dragon's murderous gaze. "A fair battle. If I can defeat you one-on-one in a true match, then you would become my partner. How does that sound?"
In his heart, he was confident. As long as Eternatus could restore its full Eternamax form, defeating Kyurem would not be an issue.
Kyurem was indeed terrifying, but Eternamax Eternatus was even stronger.
"Hmph! If you truly can defeat me," Kyurem snarled with a bitter laugh, "then what does it matter if I follow you for a hundred years?"
How arrogant this human was! Did he think that simply because he had managed to take advantage of circumstances and topple it this time, that he could truly conquer it?
"I'll be waiting for you at my lair, human. I'll look forward to the day when despair twists across your face."
With a final, low and hoarse telepathic growl, Kyurem turned and flew away.
Plenty of humans had dreamed of capturing it before, but this was the first time it had met one so brazen, so maddeningly bold. Especially one chosen by the White Dragon, Reshiram, no less!
Very well, it would see just how this human planned to defeat it in a fair fight. Did he really think the Ice Dragon Kyurem was as weak as that useless White Dragon?
Already, Kyurem's mind was plotting. When the time came, it would freeze this human and that White Dragon together, turning them into eternal ice sculptures to decorate its den.
"I'll look forward to the moment you stand at my side instead," Lucas muttered, smiling as he watched the dragon's massive form fade into the snowy horizon.
With Kyurem gone… his gaze shifted to Zacian, the Hero of the Sword.
The wolf's mane bristled, fur standing slightly on end, as its cold eyes locked onto Eternatus with razor-like intensity.
Lucas rolled his eyes. Great. Compared to Kyurem, this big wolf dog might actually be the tougher problem to deal with.
-------------------------------------------
Kyurem had departed, but the tense atmosphere had not lessened in the slightest.
Zacian glared coldly at Eternatus. And naturally, Eternatus was not about to back down—it stared right back, unyielding.
Had it been in its usual, weakened state, if it had "encountered" Zacian before, it might have considered retreating to avoid conflict.
But now? Zacian had already been grievously injured by Kyurem. What was there to fear?
Did this half-crippled wolf really think it could threaten it now? Who was it trying to scare?
Reshiram also noticed Zacian's gaze fixed upon its partner. The White Dragon's eyes narrowed with vigilance, prepared to defend. And from the sky, a Shiny Genesect flew closer, likewise wary.
"Alright, alright, calm down, everyone. No need to be so tense."
Sensing the escalating tension, Lucas let out a helpless sigh and spoke aloud.
The last thing he wanted was to end up completely hostile with Zacian. Even in its injured state, if Zacian decided to withdraw, none of them could stop it.
Worse still, what if it went back to Galar and brought Zamazenta along? The Hero of the Sword and the Hero of the Shield together—those two combined could even smash an Eternamax Eternatus to pieces.
And what would Lucas do then? What could he possibly rely on? His head?
"Zacian, listen. Eternatus no longer has any intention of absorbing energy. I hope you can forgive its past mistakes."
"Although things did spiral out of control back then, in the end, even the fragments of Eternatus' body brought great contributions to Galar, did they not?"
Lucas spoke gently, his tone carefully measured, as he gazed at the wolf's impassive expression.
"That was never its true will, human. You do not understand this calamity. In pursuit of its goals, it is capable of anything."
Zacian's voice was cold, echoing directly into his mind. It remembered all too clearly what Eternatus had done upon waking.
To rid itself of them, it had unleashed a Draco Meteor upon an entire city, Hammerlocke!
Such cruelty—could a being like that really have reformed?
Lucas fell silent, lips tightening. He knew exactly what Zacian was referring to.
But the awkward truth was… Eternatus had only done that because he himself had ordered it to.
"Everyone makes mistakes. If you cling forever to a single mistake, then there will be no such thing as a truly perfect and virtuous being anywhere in this world."
"Birds eat fish, snakes devour mice—every creature has its own survival laws. From a certain point of view, isn't that cruel as well?"
"But you cannot deny that this is simply the way they live."
Lucas's smile was warm, but in truth his words were a bit slippery, perhaps even shameless. Still, if it could convince Zacian, then so what?
"It's not the same. That is nature's balance. Eternatus destroys everything. Its existence alone brings disaster to all."
"If it loses its energy, it will wither away. Do you really think it would choose to die quietly?"
Zacian's telepathy was like ice.
No matter how persuasive the human sounded, it had already branded Eternatus in its heart as a parasite, a bringer of calamity.
"And remember this, human—it does not even belong to this world. It is an outsider. Do not be blinded by its strength."
The wolf's gaze turned to Lucas. Eternatus was powerful, far too powerful, and for humans, that power was an irresistible temptation.
Who among them could truly resist the desire to make Eternatus their weapon?
"It obeys you now only because it has no shortage of energy. But what if, one day, its energy runs dry, and its life itself is in danger?"
"It will rampage. You will unleash catastrophe upon this world."
Yes—that was what Zacian believed. Eternatus might appear obedient now, but it was only a facade.
It was a parasite bound to energy, and the day would come when that energy ran out. When its survival was at stake, would it remain docile? No.
It would once again summon the Darkest Day and drain the very lifeblood of the land!
At those words, Eternatus' spotted draconic eyes flashed dangerously.
This wolf really was slandering it down to the last shred! Was it truly that terrible?
Did Lucas not like it?
Eternatus trembled with rage and cold!
Clearly, Lucas adored it so much!
"Yes, Zacian, you are not entirely wrong. No one desires death. But now, Eternatus will never lack energy."
Lucas raised his brow. He could not fault the wolf's perspective—it was logical.
After all, what kind of being survives solely by consuming energy? That alone made it suspicious.
If it only needed a little, perhaps. But Eternatus required vast amounts. It was enormously powerful, and thus its hunger was insatiable.
Yet, at least now, it no longer lacked.
"?"
Zacian tilted its head, icy eyes flickering with confusion. Never lack energy? What did that mean?
For a moment, its aloof dignity cracked, replaced with a look almost… endearing.
"Eternatus," Lucas called softly.
The great dragon cast one last irritated glare at Zacian, then slowly opened its chest, where the crimson glow resided.
From the radiance emerged an ancient stone tablet.
"This is…???"
Zacian's expression finally shifted, shock rippling across its proud features.
The aura flowing from the slab was overwhelming, the essence of dragons so strong that even Reshiram beside them widened its eyes.
Was that not a Dragon Plate? One of Arceus' primal Creation Plates?!
Good heavens—this human was outrageous! He had even managed to obtain such a divine relic? How in the world had he dared?
"Human, you…!"
Zacian turned its stunned gaze toward Lucas, then back to the dragon.
Good grief! Simply good grief!
It had thought Eternatus was merely a parasite, a danger to the world.
But now?
This wasn't just a parasite. It had fused with a piece of Arceus' very source!
No wonder it would never lack energy. With the Dragon Plate within, Eternatus could draw upon infinite dragon power.
But how? This was Arceus' very lifeblood! God would never willingly give it away.
How had this human and his dragon come to possess such a thing?
For the first time, the proud Sword Hero felt overwhelmed, its mind cluttered with questions it could not unravel.
"Don't overthink it," Lucas said with a shake of his head, crushing Zacian's spiraling suspicions. "I acquired this stone through legitimate means. And when Arceus awakens, I'll return it."
As valuable as the Plate was, it was never his to keep forever. When Arceus returned, he would give it back.
After all, it was the god's source of life. Not returning it would mean declaring war on Arceus itself.
Zacian fell into silence. However it had come to be, the appearance of this Dragon Plate had utterly shaken it.
"With this within Eternatus, it will never again run short of energy. So, Zacian, can you finally be at ease?"
Lucas smiled faintly.
Of course, what he didn't mention was that the Dragon Plate was not the only one he possessed. He had collected several other Plates as well…
"Even so…"
Zacian's eyes flickered. It could not simply let go of its doubts.
"Zacian, you cannot deny it forever because of a single past mistake. Why not give it another chance?"
"If you truly cannot trust it, then… come with us. Travel by our side. Keep watch over Eternatus yourself."
"Arceus will awaken in two years. In that time, if Eternatus shows any signs of rampaging, you can be the first to strike it down."
Lucas's lips curled in a smile, his true motive finally revealed.
Zacian was proud, strong, and majestic. Who would not want such a companion?
If he could persuade it to journey with them, well… the saying went, "the pavilion closest to the water enjoys the moonlight first."
Eternatus glanced at him sidelong, those spotted eyes faintly gleaming, as if rolling them.
It had followed Lucas long enough to guess what was on his mind.
Yes, obviously, he was just eyeing Zacian.
Ugh! Was it not enough to have it already? He even wanted the wolf that had slashed it countless times?
Hmph. Men.
Still, though jealous, Eternatus was not stupid. It held its tongue.
Especially in front of this "mad dog," it had no intention of saying a word.
Zacian froze at his proposal, lowering its gaze in thought.
Strange as it felt, the human's words lingered in its heart.
Perhaps… perhaps he did make a little sense.
Though it could not explain why, something about it still felt off.
"What do you say, Zacian?"
Lucas patted Reshiram's neck, and the White Dragon gently moved closer to the wolf.
At once, Zacian tensed and stepped back warily.
"Don't be nervous. This is the best healing spray in our world. Your injuries are serious. A little of this will help you recover faster."
Lucas lifted the spray bottle and spoke earnestly.
"I don't need it. My body is strong. I will recover soon enough…"
Zacian's eyes flicked to his. The sincerity there made it hesitate.
But aside from its younger brother, Zamazenta, it was not used to letting anyone else come so close.
(End of Chapter)