Kaijin Fighter: So I Have to Make Monsters, So What?

A brief observational note from a previous Kaijin Lord.

Despite the way they act, and the way they carry themselves, Kaijin technically don't have souls. At least, not in the same way aether warriors do.

This is evident by the fact that Kaijin are unable to manifest any of the key abilities that make aether warriors what they are.

One could argue that their innate forms count as a permanent [Regalia], but their inability to summon an [Astra], an [Icon], or an [Avatar] goes against that logic.

Then again, their ability to distort and upgrade these abilities in mortal warriors lends itself to the idea that kaijin don't have souls because they are souls.

But this does lead me to wonder something.

If a Kaijin had the ability to manifest such things, how would it look?

Because if a [Stigma] is the strength of one's conviction, and an [Astra] is one's ability to impose their will upon the world, then what kind of form would it take for a being that is essentially those things already personified?

Alas, I will never know in my lifetime.

But perhaps, in some far-flung future, someone will find that answer.

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'Now this is either going to be really fucking awesome or really fucking stupid. Are you ready?' Zhen Liu asked Nepherage one more time, just to be sure.

[Always, milord,] the volcanic valkyrie nodded.

'Alright. Bitching,' Zhen Liu nodded as he converted [Alf Layla Wa Layla] into a sphere of [Chaos]. 'I really hope this works…'

In all honesty, Zhen Liu had no idea what the fuck he was doing exactly.

He was technically stealing Dante's homework for this moment; he wasn't exactly subtle with his abilities, but he still had no idea how Dante managed to pull it off.

All he could comprehend was that Dante had manipulated the weird [Cores] that composed them in order to make it so that the ruling personality of the kaijin could take portions of themselves out and temporarily weaponize them.

Zhen Liu couldn't use that exact solution, not only because it was incredibly crude and none of his kaijin engaged in cannibalism quite yet, but because the [Cores] they had were significantly more metaphysical in nature as opposed to being solid like the ones Dante used.

As such, there were certain things that Zhen Liu's [Cores] were incapable of doing. However, there were also some tricks and abilities that only Zhen Liu's [Cores] could do.

For example, since they were mainly immaterial, the [Cores] were easier to manipulate through less violent means and did not self-destruct after being used as a [Stigma] or [Taboo]. This was also the key reason why his kaijin were able to use [Possession], while Dante's were unable to.

All of that stated, Zhen Liu still wasn't entirely sure if his cockamamie idea would even work.

But...it was better to try something than die after doing nothing.

'Okay, so I can reshape the Kaijin into becoming my weapons and armor if I manipulate their [Chaos] like so,' Zhen Liu mentally mused as he toyed with the [Taboo] in his hands. 'Then that means if I manipulate my own [Chaos] like so...Boo Yah!'

Zhen Liu wasn't entirely sure what he had done exactly, by his gut told him that he had accomplished the task of figuring out a way of bestowing his [Taboo] to his kaijin, instead of the other way around.

Now, all he had to do was see what would happen next.

'Alright, this is going to tickle the both of us so please grit your teeth,' Zhen Liu instructed Nepherage as he willed [Alf Layla Wa Layla] to enter Nepherage's chest.

Immediately afterwards, both Zhen Liu and Nepherage felt as if a star went supernova inside of their chests. However, it was also much pleasant than he had anticipated.

'Huh...'

Then again, this pleasant feeling was probably due to the fact that Nepherage was developing new aether channels, or at least, she was in the process of doing so.

'I wonder what form her Taboo will take...'

...Now back to the fighting...

[Incoming rockets!] Depth Strider warned his younger siblings.

[Are they all live or are there any duds?] Rail Horn asked as he prepared to attack and dodge.

[There are a couple duds mixed in. Destroy them while avoiding the live ones!] Pegasoar called out while throwing wind blades at the aformentioned dummy rockets.

[No shit!]

While the War Chief was busy doing whatever he was doing with Blazejudicator and Nepherage, the Gallop Brothers were tasked with charging through Dante's barrage of gunfire, smash his face in, and prevent the false Kaijin Lord from firing off any big attacks that could actually cause some damage.

Which was... actually fairly doable.

Zhen Liu's [Astra] was working overtime as a barrier to prevent Dante's smaller guns from blasting the Gallop Brothers out of the air, with hundreds upon hundreds of cranes acting as shields against the hail of gunfire, while the aformentioned Gallop Brothers were doing their darndest in avoiding the rockets that would definitely explode into damaging shrapnel and destroying the duds that were meant to fuck with them.

All in all, it would only take a few more moments for the Gallop Brothers to bleed the bastard dry of ammo and finally deliver a well-deserved coordinated kick into the man's vertebrae.

However, just before they were able to do so, a pair of events happened back-to-back that threw them for a loop.

First, Dante decided to stop holding back. Well, a part of him did anyways.

[Bah! How annoying! Please, master. Allow me to shoot these horse flies down like the annoying pests that they are!] A familiar, sycophantic voice called out from Dante's back.

[Oh, what the fuck?]

[I knew that bastard was still alive!]

When Dante absorbed the [Demon Knights], he hadn't fully consumed their personalities in the process. Instead, they just sort of...lingered in specific key parts of his increasingly chimeric gestalt of a body.

Which is why, when Dante suddenly spread out his wings and began to channel [Chaos] into them, the Gallop Brothers were reminded of that stupid feather barrage trick that Delictum would use when fighting.

Hell, it was that exact same trick but with even more power behind it!

[Delusional Feather Barrage!]

A flurry of feather arrows ripped through the paper crane barrier, exploding with a variety of effects that ranged from simple fireballs to strange bursts of tar.

Needless to say, the Gallop Brothers knew damn well that they wouldn't be able to block these feathers cleanly, nor would they be able to avoid them all without coming away with at least a couple of injuries.

[Well, shit.]

[Gallop Brothers, step back!]

[Huh? Whoa!]

Second, and more importantly, Nepherage got back into the fray, but she was looking a little different than before.

More specifically, the usually athletic warrior monster woman made of crimson jade and [Heroism] was rolling into the fray with a pair of oversized gauntlets that looked like they were made of pitch black steel and connected to a flowing cloth that added a decidedly touch of divine flare to the otherwise demonic looking volcanic valkyrie.

It only took the Gallop Brothers and Dante a single moment to realize that Nepherage was rushing in while armed with a [Taboo].

Not only that, but it was Zhen Liu's [Taboo].

[What the fuck?]

[We could do that?!]

Ignoring these comments of pure shock and surprise, Nepherage proceeded to strike back against the barrage of tricky feather arrows...and Dante himself.

[Chaos Art: Heroic Meteor Charge!]

Nepherage gauntlets began to glow as if they were set ablaze while [Chaos] surged throughout her body.

With a swing of her fists, Nepherage launched herself forward and turned themself into a meteorite that burned down all of the feathers like they were...well, feathers.

[Well, that's annoying, but you're now one big target!] Dante commented over the sight.

In response to this charge, Dante proceeded to direct all of his guns and cannons in Nepherage's direction.

Now that there weren't any paper cranes running interference, Dante had full reign to release unhindered firepower.

However, that turned out to be completely fucking pointless.

Whether it was bullets or bombs, it didn't matter, as all of these projectiles impacted Nepherage's form and were reduced to dust before they could do any meaningful damage.

If anything, all of the interference somehow empowered Nepherage's attack even further and made the flames surrounding her burn even brighter and hotter than before.

This didn't make sense on any logical basis, but it did make sense from a metaphorical point of view.

Heroism only ever really grows in the face opposition and oppression, after all.

By the time it dawned on Dante that he should probably ease up on the attack and get the hell out of the way, it was too late.

CRACK!

Nepherage's fist made contact with Dante's stomach, and sent the bastard flying backwards.

The sound of bones breaking and organs rupturing, echoed throughout the cavern.