Lightning Is the Only Way

The green sparrow introduced Gravis enthusiastically. Gravis was the pride of their region, a level four King that managed to beat an Emperor. There had been a select few beasts that managed to fight an Emperor as level five Kings, but they were the stuff of legends. There hadn't been one in millennia.

"How far has the southern region fallen?" a grey elephant said with disdain. "A measly level four King is already considered equal to an Emperor. You are really throwing away the last bits of respect I had for you."

Gravis furrowed his brows. He was pretty sure that the whole continent knew about him by now. Additionally, did that elephant just comment on the southern region? Did this mean that there were regions?

"Don't judge a snake by its scales, Borro," the green sparrow said. "The Emperor he has beaten is standing right behind him."

Of course, the green sparrow was referring to Morus, who always stood quietly behind Gravis.

Borro, the grey elephant, huffed in disdain as he threw a side-eye at Morus. "A traitor that colludes with fish," he commented. "We land beasts are much more powerful than the sea beasts, yet the northern and southern region can't even deal with some fish. I'm ashamed to call myself an Emperor when you're also calling such a fish-fucker an Emperor."

Morus remained silent, but his tail cramped up in rage. Morus followed his master's orders, which was why he didn't act.

Gravis' brows furrowed even more. "Why are you talking to these idiots?" Gravis transmitted to the green sparrow.

"They are from the western region," the green sparrow answered with a voice transmission. "Nearly all Emperors from the western region are like this."

"Why?" Gravis asked.

"Because only the northern and southern regions fight the eastern sea. The sea beasts already have it quite hard resisting our two regions. If we send the third region at them, they might collapse. The Ultimates don't want that since they want tempering. This means that the western region is not fighting with the sea beasts."

"They see that our southern and northern regions are not able to overwhelm the sea beasts and think us to be useless. That's why they always show such disdain," the green sparrow explained.

"That's great and all, but why are you talking to them?" Gravis asked back.

"Because of you," he answered.

"What do you mean?" Gravis asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Whenever a known Emperor from our southern area challenges one of them to a duel, they always back off for a multitude of reasons. Yet, their small-mindedness won't accept that you have the power of an Emperor as a level four King. That's why I called you over," the green sparrow explained with some mirth in his voice transmission.

"So, you want me to kill them instead?" Gravis asked.

"You want tempering, don't you?" the green sparrow asked smugly. "Isn't fighting an Emperor some good tempering?"

to agree. If the green sparrow hadn't so openly explained his reasoning, Gravis might have felt manipulated. Yet, since the green sparrow was so forthcoming, he actually appreciated the

Gravis sent back. "I'm actually interested,

answer, but as long as Gravis didn't agree, there

them," the grey elephant said to the brown buffalo beside him. "They are obviously talking to each other merrily. The southern

and looked neutrally into his eyes. "Your words

Know your place!" the elephant

own world," Gravis commented again. "I have better things

that, Gravis turned around and

of trash," the elephant commented. "Trash begets trash, and as long as such trash keeps existing

Gravis stopped.

"Repeat

region can multiply however much it wants, but as long as trash like you exists, all the southern region's offspring will also be trash. It's your southern region's fate to remain trash. That's why our western region doesn't procreate with your southern region. We don't want trash

before the smirking elephant. "So, my offspring is

elephant spat in disdain to the side. "Of course it is! Look at you! How can anything good come from such a black

life and death

his children were his weak spot. No one was

sudden challenge, but then his disdain only increased. "Me, an Emperor, fighting a mere King? Fighting you would be a loss of status for me." Then, the elephant's disdainful smirk widened. "But you can fight my chosen King. If you manage to beat him, I

your chosen King?" Gravis

a black raven appeared. "Yes, Emperor?" the black raven asked

to fight you,"

disdain at him. The raven was here to fight other outstanding level five Kings, not some mere level four King.

ruffled his feathers as they stood up aggressively. "You want to fight me? Know your

BOOOOM!

raven was

with some lightning without even looking at him. Dealing

and me,"

check on their surroundings, and they had all noticed the

would, at least, take some seconds. After all, all of these Kings were absolutely outstanding. Yet, Gravis, a level four King, killed one of these level five Kings in less

knew Gravis, and they also knew that none of their Kings would win as long as he partook in the competition. The appearance of Gravis told them that they wouldn't receive any Law

to sneak-attack my chosen King!?" the grey elephant shouted in rage. "Your conduct is not the conduct of a land beast!

or not," Gravis said. "You said you would fight me if I managed

grey elephant shouted with righteous indignation. "You only want to distract me so

"We must seek justice