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Great bangs thundered across the ground as a body slammed upon it, the forceful impact trembling the earth. Ahzrael's intense, golden eyes observed the scene that was unfolding a tremendous distance from him.

Standing tall, pure power exuded from the superior Diuxal, beings almost as old as the stars, while he remained still as a mountain. The only thing that moved was his eyes, shifting side to side, while he watched the other two Diuxals from afar.

They were oblivious to his presence, as he made sure he was unnoticed. He always enjoyed watching his warriors during downtime, sharpening their skills that would never wane. It was one of the few things that still satisfied him in this infinite life.

The sounds the duo made took little effort for him to hear, even from this great distance. Watching them, he could see the fine details of their appearance as if they were standing right in front of him. One of them fell to the ground, and Ahzrael enhanced his focus even more to get a clearer view.

A hand came sweeping down, but the fallen body dashed away with whirlwind speed, springing to their feet. Beneath the peach and lavender sky, the two Diuxals stood at full height, staring at one another.

A showdown.

Ahzrael's eyes shifted to the other one, Sirone. She was shorter in stature, standing with a cunning smirk etched on her face. Her crimson hair flowed backward, twirling with the wind. Eyes like honey met with her competitor; Nirus, staring him down, refusing to blink.

The gentle glow of their world's light gleamed over their bodies, highlighting the ivory markings engraved beneath their skin. The terrain was still, and the winds halted as if the land was bracing itself for the next impact. The two Diuxals remained feet apart, continuing to observe one another, patiently waiting for one to make their maneuver.

Sirone took one step to the side, followed by another, in a slow and steady half-circle. Her white pants, like leather, clung to her thin but strong legs perfectly. There were silver plates over her thighs that ran down her calves, gleaming in the light. A tight copper and white vest adorned her upper section, revealing only parts of a smooth beige complexion. The metallic vest hugged her body close, as if it were a part of her skin. A slight shadow defined her toned arms, as she held them flexed and ready, preparing each muscle for the brawl. Fierce eyes remained fixated on her taller opponent, who wore an impish grin.

"Does fear delay you?" asked Nirus, his low voice filled with taunt.

Ahzrael chuckled to himself as he watched Nirus incite her, far from surprised by his words. He crossed his large arms together, continuing to observe.

There was a mischievous smile on Nirus' lips while awaiting her response. Shiny strings along his waistline hung loose and would dangle against fawn trousers each time he took a single step. His arms wore bands stiff as iron, submerged and shielded in gold that tailored perfectly around his wrist, just as Sirone's.

The setting light glazed upon their bands, shimmering its flawless beauty. Several symbols were carved into those golden bands, though the markings were uniquely diverse from the two, as they were for all Diuxals.

"Never," she responded, her voice easy, yet hard. Her steady steps took a halt upon the grass' vibrant gold.

Gradually, a white glow shimmered around her frame, illuminating her figure in the presence of misty smoke. The grass beneath her feet began to rustle around her.

"Good," Nirus replied. His own iridescent light outlined his toned physique with a steady rising force.

In an instant, they charged at one another, equal in speed and power. They collided with supreme strength, enough to send a minor shockwave, meters in diameter.

Swiftness was their skill. They were blurs of speed within the wind. Arms charged forward, legs dodged left and right. Long, deep red hair whirled around, spinning about her opponent, avoiding his moves. A large hand came rushing towards her frame, but her reflexes were too quick, too powerful as her forearm tossed it aside.

Her legs hurried behind him, climbing up his back as she flipped forward, rolling his body down. A hard bang shuddered the land once more while she stood tall, her boot pressing down on the chest of her opponent. Nirus' eyes flared a piercing yellow, a wide grin plastered on his face. Heavy breathing filled the air while her now glowing eyes stared down in triumph.

Ahzrael's mouth tilted into a hint of a smirk, barely. Concluding the battle was over, he decided to present himself and greet his fellow companions. He marched over the fresh grass, each step filled with grace and strength as he approached the pair.

"Well done." The sound of his deep, prevailing voice surpassed their heavy breathing.

The red-haired Diuxal turned to him, flashing a smile at his presence.

Ahzrael's robust arms were now crossed behind his back as he steadily sauntered towards the scene of the two Diuxals, still in the same position. His heightened stature and impressive physique ignited the power he adorned in each step he took.

Suddenly, a gasp left Sirone's lips as her legs were kicked out from under her, sending her falling hard on her back.

Her former opponent now stood over her, his sturdy boot resting against her shoulder. "Now that's more like it," a hearty chuckle escaped Nirus' throat while he watched the figurine beauty glare beneath him.

"Clearly Ahzrael was meant to distract me," she said, teasingly glaring up towards her adversary who removed his boot. Her eyes followed his hand that reached out to her, but she smacked it aside and swiftly brought herself to her feet.

"The fault is not on me," Ahzrael said as he looked on at them. The two who commonly fought against one another in their own version of sparring.

Ahzrael watched the ever-youthful Diuxal saunter towards him with a warm smile until she was standing before him, mere inches away. Her slender fingers slid past his broad shoulders, lingering for a moment before she pulled her arm away and crossed it over her chest.

Ahzrael nodded, returning the common greeting as both their golden bands glimmered in response. He noticed her smile at him, warm, her eyes seeming unable to hold his intense gaze for too long. The calm breeze fluttered past her, passing along her scent.

Instantly, he was overcome by her idyllic aroma. She reminded him of the overpowering scent that came from the mountains in the north, pleasant and strong.

"The fault is always on you," Sirone teased, smiling as she stepped away from him.

He said nothing, smirking, his vibrant ocher eyes watching her as she turned from him.

"I'm needed elsewhere." She slightly lowered her head in a bow, a teasing grin on her lips. Ahzrael fought a tired grin and nodded in return. He disliked it whenever they bowed to him, even in jest.

She then strolled past Nirus with a roll of her eyes. Nirus chuckled, shaking his head as he headed towards Ahzrael.

Sirone continued, her wavy hair swaying as she walked. She did not show any urgency, wandering away when she could simply blink her way there. She seemed to be heading towards their great acropolis, one of the many and main strongholds Diuxals possessed.

The pristine tower stretched high into the sky. Wide as it was tall, two sides of the assembly curving upwards into a triangular tilt at the top. Each side leaned into one another as if coming to touch, but ended meters apart. Its silver-gray appeared a light gold beneath the sky as if hinting the true beauty it held inside.

While Sirone walked off, Nirus faced Ahzrael and greeted him with a slight bow before raising his forearm towards him. They pressed their golden bands together in a show of solidarity.

Ahzrael's band was thicker and longer, shielding further up his arm. He stood almost a foot taller than Nirus, towering over most of his clan. In his truest form, he was even greater.

He turned around, with Nirus by his side, as they sauntered along the grass, towards the edge of the land before it dipped down towards the mighty sea.

Bronze-golden locks swayed along his shoulders and chest as he walked, his head faced in one direction. "I take it the hunt was successful?" Ahzrael asked, his deep voice firm.

Nirus threw him a glance before looking back towards the violet streaked horizon. "Swift and easy." He released a tedious sigh. "Too easy. But they're in their cages."

"Good." Ahzrael kept his attention forward, his mind pondering. Nirus stood next to him, quiet.

Every few years, Ahzrael would send out a few Diuxals or so to find and eliminate strifs who had gone rogue in unprotected worlds. Strifs who escaped the chains of their scorching realm with the sole purpose of harming other life forms.

Usually, the hunters from Earth would take care of this threat, until the threat reached boundaries beyond a hunter's reach. Or they were no hunters present in the first place. But strifs were a minuscule part of Diuxals' problems. There were greater, darker forces across the stars with one sole purpose: to bring nothing but torment.

Ahzrael's brows arched into a weary expression, while golden eyes scanned their home, his chiseled jaw clenched tight. Bronzed skin with golden undertones glowed beneath the sky's light.

He scanned the vibrant grass that stretched to the edge of the land until it curved downwards, into a cliff that surrounded them miles around. At first glance, one could mistake it for a deep and unforgiving abyss. But with closer observation, one would notice the mighty flowing violet sea.

Ahzrael glanced towards the sky. The colors were changing now, from its light purple and orange hue to a solemn cobalt blue. He felt it spoke to him, acknowledging his weariness with empathy.

"How's Sirone?" Nirus asked, jest in his tone.

This earned a brief chuckle from Ahzrael. "Was she not just here?"

"Maybe I need a reminder," Nirus teased.

Ahzrael released a heavy sigh, his eyes glowing a faint amber light. "She is-" his words were intervened when he sensed a presence rapidly moving behind him.

He jolted around, faced with a whiff of white mist that formed into a male Diuxal. The Diuxal stopped just feet before Ahzrael, a stern gaze on his face above the layer of distress he wore beneath.

Ahzrael could see through this façade with ease but would mention none of it. His eyes transformed, arching into a severity that meant business.

"Pryme Ahzrael. Nirus. Pardon the intrusion," the Diuxal announced, bowing. This Diuxal was a messenger, shorter than the two, though displayed a form of lean power and endurance. His posture was calm but there was a slither of urgency coated across his expression.

"What is it, Onyx?" Ahzrael questioned. He moved towards him, power in each step while he towered over the anxious messenger.

"A sighting..." the messenger paused. He glanced at Nirus who stood with questioning eyes, then back to Ahzrael, "of an Inusir," he finished.

A burst of loud, boisterous laughter left Nirus. "An Inusir?" Nirus repeated, shaking his head. "Madness! We would've sensed its energy."

The messenger cleared his throat, making eye contact with Ahzrael who remained composed. Ahzrael stood, awaiting further elaboration.

"I recognize how this may sound, but it has been reported that an Inusir has not only been sighted but is... incapacitated."

Nirus let out an exasperated sigh, peering his gaze to Ahzrael in astonishment. He turned his head back, walking towards Onyx. "Does logic escape you? Inusirs would never freely allow themselves to be seen, let alone be found incapacitated," Nirus said. Truth supported his words, for such allegations could not be taken lightly.

Ahzrael kept quiet. His harsh glare was enough to shiver the messenger's glance away. He inhaled a deep breath, analyzing Onyx as if reading to see if what he spoke was the truth.

The messenger would have no use or desire in presenting false intelligence for it would do him no good. If the information were false, however, Ahzrael knew it would not have come from Onyx, and so would begin a hunt for the real perpetrator.

"From whom did you receive this report?" he questioned, his composure firm, his arms tensed at his sides.

"The hunters of Via Lactea," the messenger answered, assurance in his tone. "Indirectly, of course. My essence pointed me towards the speculation circulating among them. A great loss has befallen them. My essence has never failed me."

"You believe this?" Nirus asked.

The known presence of an Inusir was a rare occurrence. And Diuxals failing to sense its presence was even rarer. But that was only in the case of deceased Inusirs whose power sent signals across the universe as it drained away. The last report of an injured Inusir dated back about one-hundred millennia, and a deceased Inusir more than ninety ehkon. To say this information sparked Ahzrael's curiosity would be a grave understatement.

"And they witnessed this? With their own eyes?" asked Ahzrael.

"No," the messenger sighed and Nirus scoffed. "But their suspicions are real. Something happened there." The way his voice became still intrigued Ahzrael further. "And if these whispers were loud enough to reach our ears—"

"Then we may not be the only ones who've heard," said Ahzrael. "We must see for ourselves, quickly."

Deep down, he knew there had to be some truth to this or the hunters of Via Lactea better have a sensible explanation for such fabrications.

Ahzrael turned to his long-time friend, a brother. "Retrieve Sirone and the others. I'll travel to Via Lactea. You will find me once I signal you," he ordered, a swelling power resonating in his voice.

Nirus nodded immediately, taking notice of the severity of his tone. This was a situation not to jest with.

Nirus moved past the messenger, and in a flash, he dashed away, leaving a ghost of his presence in the form of white smoke. Its mistiness was drawn away by the steady winds before fully vanishing into the air.

Ahzrael moved face to face with the messenger, his chest heaving up and down slowly. The adrenaline within him ached to reach the surface at the thought of facing off against an Inusir. But before he planned to fight, he first had to make sure the story ran on pure honesty.

Ahzrael glared at Onyx. "In which world was it spotted?" he asked.

"The world of the humans."

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