"Why do I keep on fighting?"
This was a question that constantly appeared within Luminous' mind as he was thrown away, he felt most of his ribs break, his scales shattered, his innards were in serious danger of exploding.
He was vomiting blood constantly, and felt like his body could not move any longer…
"How many times have I been in this situation already?"
When he had finally thought he had become strong enough to defend his home after he and Kireina defeated the Genie, more dangers arrived.
A never-ending stream of foes, each one stronger than the last… For someone raised in luxury by the Elves, he had never faced as many difficulties as he had done in this last year.
Since he met Kireina and her Elfina.
"I can't believe they convinced me to keep fighting, me, someone so used to peace and tranquility…"
So many memories went through his mind, of the many adventures he had with them, and how he ended landing in here, in the middle of a bloody battlefield.
Protecting people that wasn't even from his home world, fighting a terrifyingly powerful demon. All for his friends…
"No, I'm not doing this just for them…"
The face of an adorable young elf girl passed through his mind, one of the first friends he ever made on his life.
This girl that saw him hatch from his egg and raised him alongside everyone else in the tribe…
These people that taught him the importance of emotions, friendship, and love.
That still hurt him so much to remember about, because they're all gone so long ago.
Thousands of years have passed since their passing, yet he still hasn't been able to completely process this lost.
Because for someone so long lived as him, it felt so fast…
"Kireina helped me protect my world, the world they loved so much…"
He slowly started to stand up, his wings spreading out, releasing waves of holy light.
Memories of the elves talking to him, of the girl holding his claws and giggling.
Of the delicious fruit they feed him, of the giggles he had…
And of Kireina and her friends, as they went through an epic adventure to save his world.
Kireina helped him and saved countless people, even when she had no obligation to do so…
He had to return the favor too and protect these people as well.
And fight…
Even when he had always hated fighting.
"I can't give up… Not yet."
Luminous enormous figure rose up from the barrier he had fallen over, the cracks slowly repairing themselves as he moved out.
His wounds slowly beginning to regenerate as his healing magic acted rapidly combined with his supernatural regeneration abilities as a Divine Dragon God.
And as he stood up and faced the old demon with the power to blow him into pieces, he started to think, as his resolve slowly began to rise.
"Kireina… How many of these types of foes have you faced? How long have you been fighting?" He sighed, his body overflowing with Aura. "Fight after fight… Endless foes, each one stronger than the last. How can you deal with this? How can you… smile and laugh, even after all the difficulties and tragedies you've faced?"
He continued moving forwards, his resolve growing stronger as he remembered the good friend he has made, a woman that was slightly insane, but her heart was always in the right place.
"You're really an amazing person, Kireina…"
His eyes glowed with golden light, flashing with his Divinity and the power of his Dao, which was beginning to grow stronger and even evolve as his resolve strengthened with each step he took.
"I might have looked down on you back then, I might have mocked you, even laughed at you…" He sighed. "Sorry about that, you're… You're great. Even if only a little, I want to be like you. At least that resolve that endless resolve. Give some of that to me, please… Because even though I hate fighting, even though I hate pain. I have to keep fighting. I must keep moving forwards."
Kireina's bravery had inspired Luminous like nobody else. But also something else flashed through his mind. All of his friends!
The gentleness and smile of Elfina, which always brought him so much joy, as she reminded him of the elf girl that raised him.
The bravery and slight melancholy of Sol, a hero long forgotten, trying to amend for his past sins by helping others and do the right thing now.
The decisiveness and strength of Fiere, a loyal maidservant of Elfina, and also her best friend, someone that always acted like the group's mother by how worried she always was for everyone, despite her faking she wasn't.
The Desert Elf twins, with their charisma, happiness, and energy, always helping them get through hard times, with their smiles, jokes, and dances.
The gentle giant, Brunhild, so unsure of herself, yet so gentle and amazingly honest, someone that always loved helping others, with a heart of hold and self-sacrifice.
And the stubbornness and resolve of Frank, a man that literally fell from the stars, wounded and confused, who quickly became their reliable ally. Someone he knew he could always rely on.
All these people, not only Kireina, had built his courage and his resolve more than anybody… While the elves that raised him became the pillar of his emotional stability.
"I have to do it; those dragons are too young…" He sighed. "I can't call myself a God if I let these younglings die in front of me."
Luminous flew at light speed where Beleth was, facing him once more and standing between him and the other dragons…
"Beleth, I am not done with you…" Luminous spoke. "No matter what, I will not let you get through…"
"Hohoho, you've still got some fighting spirit in ya, little lizard?" Beleth mocked his resolve.
Luminous Aura continued growing larger and larger, he was going all-out from the start now.
"I am not a little lizard, not anymore." He spoke with a dignified tone of voice. "I am Luminous, the Dragon God of Primordial Light, Guardian of Grand Terra… And Kireina's friend!"
"Very well, Luminous." Beleth nodded, taking him more seriously. "If death is what you want, then come. I will serve it to you in the fanciest of plates."
The two monsters clashed against one another, demonic and holy energies shaking the heavens and the earth.
CRAAAASSHH!!
