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~ ~ Third Person POV ~ ~

"Hehehe, continue to struggle you say. What foolish words you utter jackal, guess you haven't even realized the sort of situation you're overconfident and underestimating nature has created for your soldiers."

The calm demeanor that his opponent used puzzled Reshef along with the folf remaining completely still while he spoke those words, despite the small army that was rushing towards him that very moment. The jackal's face curled in a scowl as he tried to process the statement, unable to come up with any sort of conclusive answer as to their meaning.

Just what does this hybrid mean by that? I've watched everything he's done and nothing besides that weird aura and his shuriken breaking up seemed to be out of place. There's no room for a powerless Omega like him to boast, even as strong as he is or while using that trident, and yet he's not even budging as my army descends on him. That's something only an Alpha or mad man can-

"Ah, that's the spot right there."

"The heck is that suppose to-"

Clic-Kaarooooom

The span of a single second was all it took, that moment of being distracted by his opponent sealed the fate of several of his men as a giant explosion erupted from underneath the sands, the deafening boom resounding through the entire coliseum as five jackal soldiers were simultaneously ripped to shreds in the ensuing blast. Winds whipped about across the entire desert scene, blowing up sand and obscuring the entire both combatants' line of sight. Reshef could do nothing but shield his eyes from the harsh sand storm that swirled around him, gritting his teeth in aggravation for falling for such a trap, waiting until everything had settled down before voicing his frustration.

"What the hell was that and when did you set a mine hybrid?"

"When? Oh please, I had ample time to set out dozens of my Ginto when I was fighting you during the playlist. But of course I didn't do it then," The folf responded, stepping through the cloud of sand on his side of the explosion, a knowing smirk spread across his muzzle under his shaded eyes as he looked back towards the jackal. Without saying another word, he took several more steps forward before bending down to pick something up, holding the shimmering silver pieces of metal up for his opponent to see.

Is that...

"Like I said, I didn't set the explosions during the music, I had a ginto, or silver tube, connected to each blade of that shuriken I threw, and had it rigged for them to shoot off when I pulled the string, which of course I did when you deflected it."

"So you expect me to believe that that little tube created that big explos-"

"Yes I do. Each of them is filled to the brim with my own special liquid explosives, just contact with air is all that's needed to set them off. This tube I had set for contact detonation, all with the other _three_jackal."

That bit of news made Reshef's eye widen slightly, the realization that there were three more of those explosives hidden under the mounds of sand somewhere was an alarming fact, if they could rip his soldiers apart then who knows what damage they would do to his more physical body. This isn't the time to be thinking about that, those blades scattered out around me so as long as I don't move I shouldn't have to worry about them. Since that was one of them and they all went in four different direction, two should be to my sides and the last one behind me, so my soldiers should be safe.

That thought made the jackal's lips curl up into a small smirk, the gleam of assurance returning back to his eyes as he stared his opponent down again. Reshef chuckled lightly as he looked around at his remaining soldiers, and finding none of them to be close the trajectories that he believed the blades would have traveled, returned his amber gaze to the trident-wielding folf across from him.

"Whether what you say is true or not, none of my remaining soldiers are along those other three blades' trajectories so-"

"Don't think they're the only serious threat Reshef. You'll be in for a big surprise if you think I'm finished here."

"Oh? You plan to pull out something else to fight with? Perhaps one of those swords you have at your waist, though a sword with a trident would seem the ideal pair of weapons folf."

"Hehehe, oh, I'm not pulling anything else out. I'm just ready to show you my true strength... my personal combat style."

"And what exactly would that imp..."

The words died out as his eyes widened again in disbelief, jaw hanging open mid-sentence as he watched the folf's glowing blue aura return around his lower legs, and then extended upwards to envelop the rest of his body. He knew that wasn't good news, the strange glow seemed to give him greater strength, and with it spreading to the rest of the folf only meant that his opponent was preparing to really come at him. The jackal's thoughts were confirmed when the other canine moved again, pointing the blades of his trident forward and smirking once again, the light blue aura now pulsing like flames from his entire body and even around some of the weapon.

"Enough talk Reshef! It's time we both got serious and give these people a real show."

"Don't think just covering yourself in that aura will make you strong enough defeat me. I've still got a few more tricks up my sleeve."

Reshef throw his staff forward again as he finished, his face becoming more serious as he returned his focus on directing his soldiers to end this fight as soon as he could. The black jackal moved as their master wished, those ten that were behind him closing in and taking positions to defend him as the rest in front or beside charged forward at the glowing hybrid. That was when the music started up again, but not from the point where it was interrupted, it was one meant specifically for the end.

"Here we go Obelisk, finally time for the real show to begin."

In no small part due to you not breaking the mask of previous soldiers Master. There are still roughly half of them rushing you now, not to mention those other ten protecting Reshef in the background.

Not like we haven't faced similar figures before old pal.

That's not the issue and you know it Master, but now is not the time for this.

"That's for sure. Now it's time for action, and I'll prove to these fools the deathly prowess of my Metsukiryu (Demon Slayer Style)."

The folf grinned as he readied himself, gripping the trident in his left paw and lifting it up above his head, right paw soon joining the other as it wrapped around the shaft closer towards the base. He waited until the first of the soldiers was mere inches away from him before he struck, twisting his body around before he drove the corkscrew end into the white mask, shattering the target and stunning Reshef with the difference in performance with movements much swifter and muscles stronger with the support of his aura.

"Boki no Taikai Enbu," (Trident Demon's Oceanic Dance) Fenrir murmured to himself, his body slipping into rhythm with the music once more as he commenced the "dance", trained muscles moving almost by instinct as more of the soldiers jumped forward towards him. Keeping in-sync with the music, the blades of his trident came swooping down from above against the first one's mask as he continued to turn, cleaving it straight in two before spin stepping again towards the next soldier and smashing it right into the right side of its encased head.

Three in 40 seconds. Gonna have to keep it up a notch to end it with the song.

With that thought in mind, the folf launched himself forward at the next target, the trident twirling around his body in mid-air before he caught it firmly again in his left paw and drawing attention to the weapon, distracting the jackal enough for him to grab the back of its head and crash his knee directly into its face. He then kicked off his falling body towards the next victim, clasping his right paw further up the shaft and ramming the blades completely through the expressionless mask, then roughly swinging the helpless body into another advancing soldier. The two tumbled back onto the ground, one dissolving from its mask being broke as the other below struggled to stand back up, only for the treads of a boot to come down to silence its pointless efforts against the canine already leaving it behind.

Continuing forward, Fenrir slammed his way through another soldier with the corkscrew, then turned and swung his trident again, throwing the helpless victim as the blades sliced clean through the next target's mask. The folf smirked to himself at the ease his weapon was having at dealing with the army, before raising his leg up and using the momentum of his spin to kick the dagger-wielding jackal coming up behind him directly in its mask, shattering its head entirely through brute force. Their gradual empowerment really isn't enough while I'm wearing my Burst Aura of the Gokijutsu (_Strong Demon Techniques). Guess it's fortunate for me I can plow through a good bit more in the next parts to see how much stronger these soldiers can really get._

And plow through he did, the canine and his trident continuing to move in step with the music, cleaving and thrusting with the weapon as he danced through the enemies, striking down one after the other as he advanced. Reshef couldn't believe what his eyes were seeing, some strange, biologically impossible hybrid was decimating his army of soldiers, in tune with music no less. It puzzled and infuriated him at the same time, making his teeth and right palm ache from how tight his jaws and paw were clenched. His mind was racing as he thought up move after move, directing the soldiers time and again in different ways to try and counterattack the annoying folf, but they were brought down each and every time, the sacrificial empowerment gained from their fallen comrades seemingly useless before the glow surrounding the opponent.

What in the world is going on with this guy? Why can't any of my soldiers manage to anything of worth in front of him, if I really lose to this guy I'll be the laughing stock of the entire island. There's no way I'm about to let that happen! Screw his little display, I'm finishing this nuisance right here and now.

"Fir'awn Haras!" (Pharaoh's Guards)

The jackal's irritation was clear through his shout, eyes glaring straight at the advancing hybrid as he thrust his staff forward again, his powers reaching out beyond just the surviving soldiers to also envelop the pools of the defeated in an amber glow. Fenrir could only watch in awe and confusion as the desert lit up around him, the soldiers nearby dissolving and the dark water of both standing and fallen flying through the air back to Reshef, the pieces gathering around three lone soldiers standing before the canine and obscuring their form in a twisting spiral.

"Don't think these will be as easy as all the others hybrid! I told you before that the fewer there are the strong each one becomes, and with only three of them left they are all nearly as strong as I am. It's too late to surrender now, prepare yourself for real pain. "

And just as he finished speaking the swirling lights faded, revealing the lone three soldiers again... or what were once soldiers, which now looked more like honed warriors. They each had much stronger bodies, thick muscles rippling under taut black skin, shoulders and upper chest clad in egyptian armor as a similar type of loincloth wrapped around their wastes. While they still retained their expressionless jackal masks, each of them none wielded a straight-bladed sword in each paw, but what surprised Fenrir the most was the guard standing in the middle, directly in front of Reshef himself. That guard possesses two sets of arms, each limb bulging with strong and clenched muscles, holding their swords while spread out in an X-shaped pattern. It was clearly meant to appear as the strongest member of the group.

"Hehe, very impressive troupe you have there Pharaoh. If you want to use the best techniques you've got then so will I! Prepare to be swept away jackal, you'll see just how strong I am with this trident."

How can he still act so sure of himself? Does he really not understand how strong my soldiers are, or does he really have something to defeat all three of them and myself? Even other Gammas have trouble with my three strongest when they are like this, so what in the world can he be planning.

"Metsuki Ogi!" (Demon Slayer Secret Technique)

The jackal's ears twitched at the words, unsure of their meaning but still wary of his unusual opponent's actions, especially when he saw the other canine began to move the trident again. Fenrir smirked to himself as he relaxed his body, muscles flexing and loosening themselves as he began his dance again, sending the trident spinning once again with the flick of his wrist. His body moved in fluid motion, twisting and bending as the trident was spun around and around, both of its blue gems glowing brighter, before the aura surrounding it erupted like a surging river. With each spin and twirl, the blades and corkscrew unleashed wave after wave of the condensed energy, sweeping across the battlefield in front of it like water from a dam as the folf released the maximum power of his weapon.

Surging waves collided amongst one another, becoming sporadic, unpredictable as they rushed towards the four jackals, the three warrior guards surrounding their master as the waves smashed into them. They used their strength and sword to slice and parry the dense, watery energy, knocking away or blocking each assault as they defended Reshef as he stood in the center, shifting his head from one side to the other. He was completely puzzle by the attack, never having seen such an unusual technique in his life that his attention shifted completely away from his opponent, not realize his mistake until a shadow pass over him from above. The jackal looked up in surprise, gasping when he saw the folf hovering in mid-air, arms thrown back over his shoulder, holding his trident as the blades were coated in a column of the surging waves.

"Bakusui Shoha!" (Explosive Water Collisive Wave)

His shout was barely hear over the roaring tides as he swung his trident downwards, sending the full force of his waves cascading down upon the small group, the suddenness of the aerial attack catching them off-guard. The veritable waterfall of crushing waves came crashing down around them, sweeping all four of them off their footpaws and sending them into the other oncoming waves, the technique living up to its namesake as Reshef and his guards were slammed into one wave after another. The assaulted last for only a few seconds more, but in those brief seconds, the four were completely overwhelmed by the forceful surge of energy, all three of the warriors bodies and masks smashed into pieces as Reshef himself was bombarded with crushing blow after crushing blow.

As the large-scale attack began to dissipate, Reshef was left sprawled out on the desert floor, panting in pain from being tossed around, cuts and bruises spread all over his body and dripping blood onto the shifting sands. He struggled to lift his head and glare back through half-lidded eyes at his opponent, who stood a fair distance away with an expressionless face, his gleaming trident slung across his shoulder once more. Fenrir remained motionless as he returned the stare, gazing right into his opponents eyes from behind his shades, before smirking lightly and turning around, beginning to walk away from the injured and baffled canine. The jackal could do nothing but watch his opponent retreat, pounding his fist down against the sand in frustration at being in such a humiliating position.

Just what the hell was that? To not only defeat all of my soldiers, but even my personal guards and then leave me like this, I can't believe it. If things end like this, I really will be the laughing stock of the entire island and never hear the end of it. No way! There's no way I can let it end like this. I'll strike him down with everything I've got, right here and now!

Reshef lifted his right paw into the air and slammed the end of his staff down into the ground next to him, jaws clenched tight in anger as he pushed himself back up into a standing position, his muscles aching from the strain. His glare continued to stare at the infuriating hybrid's back, body shining in an amber glow that grew brighter with each passing second, and casting light across the entire battlefield before he shouted out towards the source of his troubles.

"Fir'awn Gadiba!" (Pharaoh's Wrath)

The shining light grew brighter still, scattering into thousands of specks of amber all around Reshef and transforming into a towering wall of soldiers, the jackal roaring out his aggressions at the top of his lungs. With the wave of his paw, he enraged canine sent the mass of countless soldiers rushing after the hybrid, intent on erasing the opponent under his own wave of anger. But despite the rushing assault heading towards him, Fenrir didn't so much as flinch at the roaring mass, not even turning around as he stopped in his tracks, a whimsical smirk spread across his muzzle.

"Hehehe, looks like he took the bait, huh Obelisk?"

It would seem so Master, but was it really necessary to do this? Antagonize him so much he jumps ranks? You're only making things more dangerous for yourself.

"Of course. If he at least manages to awaken his power to the Beta level, then we'll both be able to win. It's just too bad for him his powers aren't really a good match up against me... but enough about that. Time for the finisher!"

Leaning to his right slightly, the folf slid his left boot back behind him, kicking up a cloud of sand as he spun himself around to face the oncoming threat, flicking his wrist up to send his trident twirling into the air above him. His grin was almost maniacally sure of itself as he reached down to his sides, flicking open the buckles of his holsters' retention straps and drawing his guns, their polished gray-white metal gleaming in the light as they swung through the air. Bringing his arms up in front of him, Fenrir crossed them over each other as he pointed the dragon-shaped barrels at two points around the middle portion of the wave of soldiers, the blue gem on each of their outer sides shining brightly with energy as their triggers were pulled.

"Metsuki Ogi: Taiho Sendan" (Demon Slayer Secret Technique: Great Cannon Flash Bullets)

They shot with a deafening roar that resounded throughout the entire desert, firing off two enormous pillars of shimmering blue energy that shone across the sands as brightly as Reshef's newfound powers had before them, tearing through the distance between them and piercing straight into the wave of soldiers. Their impact was as explosive as they were bright, decimating the jackals one after the other as the destruction spread out to engulf the rest of the entire army, shocking Reshef at the overwhelming force destroying everything in front of him.

Shriiing

"Gahh!"

A flash of light was all he saw before pain erupted across his chest and shoulder, looking down just in time to see a slash across his chest spew out blood in an arc through the air, his eyes widening in complete astonishment at the sudden wound. Turning his head to the right, Reshef looked back over his shoulder to see what had hit him only to be met with the winged back of his opponent once more, which just served to further confuse the jackal. As exhausted as he was now from unleashing so many soldiers, he could do nothing as he legs buckled out from under him, sending him tumbling forward onto the sands and panting for air.

Fenrir smirked as he watched Reshef tumble onto the desert, as clear a signal that the battle was over as anything else, and taking that signal for what it was, the folf broke his trident back apart and stowed the pieces back under his haori. He turned back around and took the few steps forward to close the distance between him and his opponent, before squatting down and looking at the exhausted canine's panting face, reaching up to remove his sunglasses and slip them back into his interior breast pocket.

"Congrats on breaking ranks Pharaoh, you followed my plan almost exactly."

"W...hah... what are you... talking about?"

"Just as I said, you followed through with my plans to evolve you almost to the letter. You were one of the strongest Gammas around, so close to raising up to Beta in fact. But unfortunately for you, I've had to deal with a big group of people before and after I learned the weakness to your soldiers, it was no different than the rest. So I figured if I could aggravate you enough, you might evolve to the next class while we fought."

"But, even with experience like that, my soldiers are still not weak. And why would you take that risk, what if I had killed you with that last attack."

"Heh, life isn't fun if you don't gamble a little bit jackal. But I will admit, even I was surprised by how massive that wave of yours was. It was only luck that helped me there, both of those moves I used on you were at the sacrifice of every ounce of energy my trident and guns had in them. As such, I couldn't have done them a second time, unless I diverted energy from another source and even then it wouldn't have been easy."

"Looks like this is my total defeat then. Damn, what a nasty way to start being a Beta."

"Won't argue with you there, but at least you've reached that level. All you have to do is train more and grow even stronger. Now, let's get you up and taken care of."

The folf smirked as he reached across Reshef, his paw slipping between his chest and underarm as his other lifted the jackal's right arm and swung it up and over his shoulders, letting him get a firm grasp on the other male as he started to stand and lift them both back up onto their footpaws. He had to lean forward some as the jackal's body hung limply from his shoulders, blood still dripping from the cut and turning the yellow fur a darker shade as it seeped down his chest, but Reshef somehow managed to give his opponent a small smile of thanks despite himself.

"And the winner of this surprising exhibition match is the underdog, Fenrir Rose everyone. But let's not forget to congratulate his opponent as well on his achievement of reaching the Beta class, they both fought well and put on a spectacular show for us tonight."

"Looks like we are both getting something out of this, now I'm starting to feel bad for how I acted before."

"Don't sweat it Reshef, neither of us expected this match in the first place. But want to hear me out on something that might help you out?"

"What would that be?"

"Show a little more emotion, looked like your soldiers moved better with your anger than when you were all stone-faced at the beginning."

"Heh... we'll see hybrid... we'll see."