A Dragon's Freedom

Chapter 16

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DRAGON RANGE

Issei was now doing vertical push-ups with his sais stabbed into the ground as he used them. It was another day and also another loss, this time, it was with his Dividing armor. He was able to develop this armor, when he realized how he had used the red wyverns to develop an armor for Rias, when they had teamed up to face Nidhöggr in the war. However, it still wasn't enough to beat Crom Cruach, not even once.

Despite the fact that he was able to scar Crom Cruach in his Eclipse armor, that was only because he surprised Crom Cruach. He knew that the evil dragon wouldn't have expected him to attack while being burned by his flames. However, after that, he never got a chance to do any more damage, but Crom certainly made him feel the pain. His body had other scars to it, at least he knew he had Ingvild back at home, he also knew that Reya was there as well. Right now, he could thank the heavens and the Phenex clan for the phoenix tears.

Crom Cruach: You know, I must say you have improved.

Issei: Not enough.

Crom Cruach: You keep holding yourself back, but I like your style now, it's physical and violent, I like that - gaining a battle maniac like grin.

Ddraig: "He's right, partner, you also left that bruise on his ribs."

Crom Cruach: Oh yeah, that hit really did a wallop on me, but I enjoy this one the most - tracing the scar that was on his left side- of his face and went down to his collarbone - you have the power, but you fear to use it.

Issei: So I can beat him? - while still doing his workout.

Crom Cruach: No, you won't, you didn't advance your Eclipse armor or maybe you can't, I think you put time into refurbishing your power that you haven't thought of advancing your armors, tapping into Great Red's power, Ophis' limitless potential, when you do, that is when you can beat him. That is when you surpass me, and that is when you take your place as a dragon god, Vali as well. You're the more brash fighter between you two.

Issei: You fight with Vali?

Crom Cruach: Of course, you think he is still weak? Oh no, you see this scar - gesturing to a scar on his right side that looked like a burn and marked the rib area - that was from Vali.

Issei: So we're evenly matched.

Crom Cruach: Yes and you both hold yourselves back, you two could be the next dragons, amplified by the powers of your dragons, the strength of the evil dragons that have passed themselves unto you, power of your ancestors.

Issei: I don't have any ancestors.

Crom Cruach: Oh, but you do now, your body was built by Great Red, he is your ancestor now.

Issei: So Vali gained some power from Aži Dahāka, huh?

Crom Cruach: Oh yes, he has this move with his Reflect technique in honor of him, just like your Eclipse armor is in honor of Apophis. You know what if you find some way to combine the capabilities of your armors, maybe you'll get something.

Issei: That's it! My armors, they're similar to my Triana combination, but my power in the Eclipse is as strong as my former CxC or queen promotion.

Ddraig: "You're right, they are, but now you need to find something to advance it."

Crom Cruach: You also have learned to use your dragon aura fluently.

Issei: Ha - as he flipped over, flicked his sais as they generated a crimson and amber energy around them, which lengthen the blades of them - yeah, thank you for that.