In the northern part of the forest, a being was making his way to complete the mission assigned to him by his master, it was Drako in the Great Forest of Dawn, same as Jericho but he was much deeper in the forest precisely at the center of the forest.
As he was making his way around, he didn't run into any forest creature, hostile and non-hostile which he thought was very strange indeed, then he saw a clearing with acres of destroyed vegetation, looked like it was burnt to ashes, but he wasn't smelling any smoke and the ashes didn't look like it was caused by a fire… "now this is very strange indeed… how is all this even possible" said Drako with curiosity in his voice and eyes, just then he heard a loud explosion coming way out in the edge of the forest, he was taken by surprise and looked towards where the sound came from, then he saw smoke, he manifested huge black dragon looking wings and lifted off into the sky towards the direction of the sound and smoke, soon thanks to his dragon wings, he made it to the area and he was met by a huge cloud of smoke and fire that really did feel hotter than any normal flame, but the heat wasn't much of a problem for him, as a being with lesser dragon blood, as every single Drakziel are, he was blessed with few of their normal gifts as they had the advantage of accessing a bit of soul energy, but since joining Jace and forming a contract, he unlock all the gift available to a Drakziel, and it was amplified ten times more, making him much more powerful than an average Drakziel.
One of this gifts he used was his good eyesight, also known as Drogo Sight, the smoke that engulfed the area of the sound he heard couldn't stop his eyesight, he looked through the smoke, and saw someone on the ground with a sword that looked like it was melting, and another person pointing their own sword behind the first person he saw… "was this a… duel?… wait that's not what I should be asking… how can mare humans do this, all this... wait, that is the princess of Righteous… was she responsible for all this… who is that person with her… I have a really bad feeling about that guy" Drako rambled on with confusion in his voice… soon the smoke cleared and Erica began making her way towards the others with Jericho beside her, looking at the direction they were heading Drako turned his gaze to the end of it and saw a bunch of other people their… "those people looks like the holy knights of the kingdom of Righteous, what are they doing all the way out here" Drako asked with curiosity, cause of that he opted to follow closely behind them to listen in on their conversation.
After a while of spying, he finally got some useful information that sent shock all over his body, he wasn't sure he heard right that's how surprised he was, about mankind being able to use soul energy, and the princess of Righteous responsible for the total damage he is seeing around, but most of all and definitely more shocking, the brother of Jace is still alive, and he too can manipulate soul energy, the information he was receiving all at once was just too much for him to handle, he faltered for a split second before regaining his composure, but it was enough for Jericho to finally sense his presence through his soul energy.
Without warning, Jericho prepared to send an attack Drako's way… "Soul Casting… Sliver Barrage" said Jericho, with a serious look on his face, small round shaped sliver balls came flying out of Jericho's hand straight toward Drako in a flash, it took him by total surprise, and the speed of it made him stand no chance of reacting to it, it ended up making contact with him and knocked him out of the sky and back to the ground, with a huge thug upon landing creating a crater… "whoa, what was that sound" Erica asked with a surprised tone…. "we were being spied on by someone… and he is strong, round up the knights to prepare just in case… am gonna go say hi" said Jericho as he quickly burst forward towards the location Drako landed…. "hey Jericho, it's too dangerous to go alone, don't be reckless" William screamed but Jericho had already disappeared from their view… "damn it, he never listens when he is thinking of protecting someone" William stated with frustration in his voice… "I'll follow him, you and Alice go prepare the knights" said Erica… Alice and William nodded in response and left, Erica also quickly left to go after Jericho.
"darn it… what was that, it hurts so much… even my dragon scales wasn't enough to stop me from taking damage (groaned in pain) but… at least am alive thanks to it… it was so fast, I didn't see it until it made contact with me… was it that guy, the brother of lord Jace…" said Drako as he pulls himself up, but when he finally got up, Jericho had appeared in front of him… "who are you and why were you spying on us?" Asked Jericho with zero emotions in his expression and voice, but his soul energy was leaking out as he stood looking very intimidating… "{w-what is this!?… what is t-this pressure… (sweating) h-how can a human possess this much soul energy… it's on the same level as lord Jace, if not higher, but with lord Jace it's understandable as he is a Demi god… but this… just how is this possible from a mare human (smiles nervously) oh no, I think am getting excited of the prospect of fighting someone like him}" said Drako frozen cause of the pressure he was feeling from just standing in the presence of Jericho, but he couldn't stop himself from grinning… "I asked you a question…(had a good look at him) hmm I see, you are a Drakziel" said Jericho with a calm voice, and his soul energy also getting suppressed… "yes I am a Drakial, my name is Drako, but some people know me as the Grim-Ripper… I guess you caught me… Jericho, or should I say, the first prince and heir of the Dynasty of Menssai… and also, elder brother of my lord and master, at least for now" Drako replied with a cocky smile, Jericho expression finally changed upon hearing the final statement Drako made about Jace… "hmm, you must be one of those generals I was hearing about that serves my brother… I see you also met your objective too as you already know who I am" said Jericho with a sigh running his fingers through his black brimful hair… "oh, you don't seem to care about the fact that I was spying… you are a strange one former prince… but finding out who you were was just a welcomed surprise and bonus, I was actually here for another reason… since I've met my objective it would be wise for me to leave now…. but… {every cell in my body is telling me… no, begging me to run… but, a chance to fight someone like him… (breathing heavily) is something I do not want to miss out on}… with what I saw and how I feel right now, I really want to play with you a little, I can't help it, my whole body can't stop trembling with excitement upon seeing you… I have to fight you" Drako screamed with excitement in his voice but his whole body was still trembling… "you are out of your mind" said Jericho with a heavy sigh… "okay former prince, let me make you an offer (Jericho interest was peaked) if you agree to fight me, I will give you one, just one information about anything you want to know, how is that… interested yet" said Drako with a smile… "{this guy is clearly a psycho, I really do not want to fight him anymore, but if I don't he might take it out on the others, he looks crazy enough to do that, and very powerful… (sigh) at least if I agree to this deal I will get something in return… still he has gotten a lot of information from us already, my identity isn't important in the slightest but I would have loved to keep the fact humans can now manipulate soul energy away from Jace at least for a while longer, till it is fulling ready to be used so it can take him by surprise… should I kill him?… no, that won't be the best course of action, he didn't have any blood-lust when I first sensed him, but his soul energy took me by surprise, I haven't sensed one as high as his, except Erica but even her's wasn't as high has his, plus I can't let Jace suspect more, when one of his generals comes out dead… hmm this is tough, I wish I have already unlocked lord Desmos's ability right about now, would be way easy replacing his memories (sigh) I guess I have no choice, there's nothing I can do about the information he already has from us, I guess it's fine Jace knows am back, it might help in snapping him out of it… and besides if I can sense soul energy, am sure Jace can as well, there was no way we would have been able to keep it a secret from him any longer}" Jericho stated in his thoughts and a warm smile was seen on his face… "you sure are taking your sweet time in deciding former prince… what is it gonna be" Drako asked with a serious look on his face… "hmm… okay I accept, but… I will also make a request of you, add that and we have a deal (Drako nods in agreement) excellent, oh and if you don't keep your word, I will hunt you down where ever you may be, and I will destroy you" said Jericho in a very menacing voice that sent shivers down the spin of Drako, but that only got him more excited for the fight, as they took their stance facing each other, Erica showed up to the sight of Jericho about to fight someone she recognized well herself, as she too has seen him in action before… "it's you… one of the Grand Four Generals… Drako, also known as the grim-ripper… what are you doing here?" said Erica with anger in her eyes… "oh hi princess, good to see you again, would love to catch up but now isn't the best time, as you can see I and the former prince are about to play, we can definitely catch up later" Drako replied with a wink and a smile as Erica was making her way to the side of Jericho… "Jericho, he knows you are the prince!?" said Erica with her gaze still on Drako… "yes, he was the one spying on us… he heard everything, we have lost the element of surprise" ... "we could just kill him, it will be more than he deserves" said Erica in a whisper… "I thought of that, but I think using him will be the best course of action for us... I mean it makes no difference if Jace finds out about us now or later, it isn't a secret, soul energy is now in the world, if I can sense it, am sure he can too… on the other hand, this Drako person does not seem stable to serve anyone, it feels like he is only interested in anything that can entertain him more, am sure I can use that" said Jericho turning his gaze to Erica, she returned it and smile … "you sound like you have a plan" ... "yes I do… trust me with this" Jericho replied with confidence, seeing this Erica nods… "be careful, he isn't an average Drakziel… he is really powerful" said Erica with a hint of concern in her voice… "I know, I sensed it, but do not worry, I will be fine" Jericho replied with a confident smile, Erica returned the smile and stepped back, creating a good distance between herself and the both of them… "I see you guys have finally finished flirting" said Drako with a yawn… "sorry to keep you waiting, we can now begin" said Jericho in a calm voice… "it's about time!!" Drako screamed while leaping forward towards Jericho, throwing his hands in a punch, to Jericho, Drako was so slow that he had time to have a good look at him up close which he did… he then stepped aside, and the momentum of Drako sent him straight to the tree behind Jericho knocking it down to the ground, without a second through Drako lunges himself at Jericho again, this time he was swinging a lot of punches at once, trying not to leave an opening for Jericho, but again to Jericho he was really slow, dodging the attacks was no trouble for him, Jericho then opted to attack himself, as one of Drako's punches was coming towards the face of Jericho, he simply knocked down his hands changing the direction of the attack, holding back, he effortlessly smacked Drako across the face, it was still hard enough that when he fell to the floor it was dented… "oh am sorry, I really though I held back there… {I guess I haven't figured out my strength yet, I have to be careful with how I handle people}" said Jericho while staring at his hands… "{a-amazing (spits blood) simply incredible… i-is he really just a human... I can't land a hit on him, all my basic techniques that would normally be enough to take down any well trained knight were useless against him… (smiles) I knew this would be a challenge, but I still had to have a little taste, it's been so long I felt this way (laughs) well, I guess it's time I leveled up a little}" said Drako in his thoughts as he stood up, his whole demeanor changed and his body surrounded in smoke, his size increased and his skin got scaly, it wasn't a full transformation but he look more like a dragon, Jericho stood looking impressed and he finally saw Drako as a threat... "Erica this is going to get serious now, you should get out of here or find some place for cover" Jericho screamed at the direction of Erica, she nods in response and left… "get ready former prince, am going all out now" said Drako in a deeper voice, without warning Darko took a deep breath and stretched his hands forward towards Jericho… "Soul Casting… Osto Vrechei" he said, then a barrage of bones came flying out at double the speed his previous attacks was, Jericho was now actually putting in some effort in dodging this time, as Jericho was distracted dodging the last of his attack, he used it as an opportunity to get close enough to Jericho and then he landed a very powerful blow to the chest of Jericho, no holding back his full Drakziel strength powered by Jace blessings, it connected and sent Jericho flying hitting down a couple of trees before he lifted to the sky… "JERICHO!!… NO!!" Erica screamed as she ran towards Jericho, Drako manifested his wings, and with one flap he zoomed passed Erica and caught up with Jericho mid air, connecting both his hands together above his head, he swing it down as hard as he could, hitting Jericho again with the force sending shock waves in the sky and disintegrating the clouds, with Jericho also spitting out blood.
The blow sent Jericho plummeting to the ground almost as fast as lightning, as he hits the ground the impact was felt far and wide… "whoa… w-what was that?!" William asked with panic in his voice…. "such a loud thug, is it an earthquake" Alice adds, equally concerned, just then they saw Erica running so fast towards them, she was dawning a worrying look on her face which Alice instinctively knew what happened, fear and worry then appeared on her face… "oh no… Jericho" she whispered to herself as she used both her hands to cover the center of her face, precisely her nose and mouth with a panic expression… as Erica got close William tried stopping her to asked what's wrong, but she didn't wait, she ran pass them breathing heavily with fear in her eyes… "what was that about, was the commander crying" said William in confusion… "Jericho… ("uh, what?" William asked)… it's Jericho… s-something must have happened" said Alice as she immediately ran after Erica… "oh no… darn it… knights stay here and arm yourselves, there's an enemy on the lose, no one is allowed to wonder the forest alone, I hope am clear" said William with authority in his voice, the knights sharply replied in understanding and begun to prepared, while William ran after Erica and Alice as fast as he could.
As Jericho landed on the ground he looked unconscious and was breathing strangely, while Drako hovered above him and brimming with excitement… "(heavy laughter) this is so much fun… oh what a wonderful feeling, it has been so long I let lose like this, training never feels the same as actual combat… I was not expecting I would have the chance to ever go all out in an actual fight (more heavy laugh) this is what I live for" screamed Drako filled with excitement… "I hope you are not done yet former prince, not after you've just lite a fire within me… please play with me more…. Soul Casting…. Osto Fengari" Drako screamed with his hands stretched out wide, out of nothing thousands of bones started forming and combining together, more and more and more formed until it was blocking the sun itself… "I truly hope this doesn't kill you, I want us to continue having so much fun together" said Drako as he send his latest attack down toward Jericho, whom was still on the floor with his eyes closed, still breathing strangely, just then Erica, Alice and William has gotten to the place Jericho landed and saw total destruction, the ground wasn't leveled anymore, it was like they were standing at the edge of a cliff, and Jericho was lying on the ground below them… "oh no.. (panic in her voice) will Jericho survive something like this" Alice asked, with all hope lost in her face… "am sorry to make this worst but, if he does survive this, then that moon falling toward him might finish the job if we don't do something" said William with his gaze up in the sky with shock in his face, the others also looked up at what William was talking about, and complete panic washed over them… "oh no, no, no… I can't lose him now… WAKE UP!!…. JERICHO!!" Erica screamed with anger and worry, Jericho still lie there breathing strangely, then upon hearing the voice of Erica, his eyes flashed opened with a golden glow… "thank you… Drako, you've helped me draw out my second ability at last (getting on his feet)… now no more making my friends worry" said Jericho with a smile then he got on his feet like nothing happened, with not a single scratch on him as his godly healing kicked in… Erica, Alice and William faces was filled with relief as they saw Jericho unharmed, but the moon shaped bones were still heading toward him…. "yessss…. I see you are standing after all that but there's no stopping this, go back to sleep former prince" said Drako with an hearty laugh, Jericho stood nonchalantly with just one hand stretched toward Drako's attack heading his way, as he prepared his counter… "Bend To My Will… I Summon Thee, One of The Four Divine Avatars of Nature… The Avatar of Storms… Come Forth, Tigri Fos… Devour All" said Jericho as the skies started getting darker and very windy, and thunder was ringing all over but no lightning yet, William, Alice and Erica had to hang on tight to a tree so they won't be blown away by the power of the wind… "what is this?, is it from Jericho?… I haven't seen him use this ability before… come on Jericho, learn the meaning of restraint before it's too late" William screamed with frustration as he was hanging on, the girls had a blanks stare on their faces, still in shock… "w-what is this… what is all this about" said Drako looking nervous… "just give it a second… from now on, I shut you up" said Jericho with a menacing stare towards Drako, then finally lightning started forming, they gathered together forming a huge head of a tiger that looked like it was coming down from the heavens, it opened it's mouth and completely engulfed the attack of Drako, with no single trace of it, frozen in shock with the miracle he just witnessed, Drako was in total awe of Jericho, using that distraction, Jericho used his godly strengths to pick up a very huge boulder, about the size of a midsized house with extreme ease, he throw it perfectly towards Drako hovering in the sky, frozen in shock, he was too distracted to notice it coming towards him until it hits him sending him crashing back down, as the impact of the boulder hitting the ground caused the earth to shake like when Jericho landed.
William, Erica and Alice mouths were all left opened, they saw what just happened but believing it was the hard part… "hey commander… I think Jericho was also holding back a lot in your duel" said William with the expression of shock… "indeed he was… Jericho is incredible" said Erica with a smile, after recovering from her shock, she jumped down and ran towards Jericho, as she was so worried about him when he was hit the first time…
"well even I have to admit, that was a very intriguing fight… if all the grand four are this formidable then we have a long way to go if we hope to defeat Jace… uh, I really did enjoy myself fighting Drako" said Jericho with a smile, while dusting his hands off, then he felt someone jumping on his back, as he was off balance it knocked him down, then another was instantly on him as he was on the floor, it was Erica and Alice with huge smiles on their faces… "Jericho!!… am so glad you are alright, I was so worried" said Erica giving Jericho a very tight huge that was suffocating him… "E-Erica… A-Alice (choking sounds) air… n-need air" said Jericho turning blue… "me too Jericho… don't scare us like that again" said Alice in a timid voice equally squeezing him… "yeah I will pass on hugging you thanks… but am so glad you are alright (smile)… uh ladies, Jericho might have just survived a huge fight, but if you keep hugging him like that I think he is really gonna die this time" said William with a look of sympathy towards Jericho on his face… "oh no Jericho come back… don't go towards the light… we are sorry!!" said Erica and Alice simultaneously as Jericho was acting like he was losing consciousness, William sigh.