Demon Lord's Reincarnation

Kretos and Kir's battle went on for days. As they continued to fight when there was an opening they would try to eat whatever they could. Sometimes they would eat some insects that were near, if they were lucky a lost bird would come close to them. If one of them wasn't able to eat for a few days, it would mean that the other would gain an advantage. 

Aside from food, it was much harder to look for water since their fight had buried the lakes and rivers. It was a good thing that it rained every now and then which was enough for the two. If it were any other demon they might have died after a few days without eating or drinking as their mana was depleting. Yet these two continued fighting without pause as they also tried to salvage whatever food and water they can. 

The two who had battled continuously with little to no sleep looked pale and a bit thinner. The environment they fought in became a place filled with nothing but death and destruction. Yet despite everything, the two of them continued to smile happily. But in those smiles, there was also a hint of sadness. 

Both Kir and Kretos could already see the ending of this battle. There was no use denying it as it was plain to see. In the end, it would be Kretos who will gain victory. The two had a keen sense of the flow of battle, and they could already feel that the end was drawing near. 

...

The demons who were waiting for the result of the battle between Kretos and Kir were amazed by how long it was taking. The fight was about to reach a few weeks now.

"How much mana do the two of them have?"

"Yeah, they should've fainted from fatigue long ago." 

"Maybe they're some sort of demon Gods in disguise? They could even be demi-demon-Gods!" 

"Are you stupid what demon Gods? There's no such thing. Also demi-demon-Gods what the f*ck is that?"

"If the humans can have Gods, and the elves and fairies have Spirit Gods, then why can't we have Gods as well?" 

"... Now that you mention it, you might be right..." 

"What the heck are you two talking about? Aren't we talking about what's happening with the fight between Kir and Kretos? How did you two swerve into a topic about Gods?" 

The demons could only gossip about the outcome of the battle, as they were unable to get near the middle lands, all they could do was wait for the news. 

...

While the demons were having a busy time gossiping, the human kingdoms were getting a bit nervous about what was happening in the demon lands. It wasn't unusual for the demons to fight all year round, but based on the spies they planted in the demon lands, the demons had stopped fighting. Not only that the huge spike of mana fluctuation was coming from just two demons fighting. 

Even all the archmages of the human kingdoms combined couldn't have that kind fo mana output. Yet two demons were able to unleash such an output.

'If the demons stop fighting each other what would happen next?' That was the question in every human king's mind.

...

While everyone was speculating on what was going on in the battle between Kir and Kretos, the two combatants were finally nearing the end of the battle. 

Kir's body was no longer regenerating, his left hand was gone, and half of his face was scorched. Most of his fur was shaved off, and his right eye was no more.

Kretos was in a similar predicament, the wounds he had were no longer regenerating as fast as before. His mana was nearly depleted, his right hand was broken and unusable at the moment.

The two of them were looking at each other while breathing heavily. Their bodies have already gone far beyond what they were supposed to be capable of, yet despite that, the two continued to smile.

The battle that they so craved was on another level when they fought someone with very similar ideologies. It was like looking at a mirror. Under different circumstances, these two would've been the best of friends. 

"This was a very fun battle." 

"Yeah, it was the best battle I had, and it might be the best battle I will ever have." 

"I doubt that, but still, thank you for keeping this old man company." 

"It was my pleasure." 

"The next strike should be the last..." 

"I know," Kretos answered looking a tiny bit sad as he continued to smile. 

"Don't look like that young one, surely someday, just like me, you will find someone to fulfill your wish... Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like I'm the one who will be able to do that." Kir's smile became a bit awkward when he said the last line. His wish had been fulfilled, but the young demon before him was just at the beginning of his journey and based on his strength fulfilling his wish might be incredibly difficult. 

"Heh, you don't have to worry about me, old man. If you were able to meet me and fulfill your wish, surely someone out there can fulfill mine."

"Hahaha, you're right! Yes you're right the world is huge, surely the end battle that you wish for will come... Kretos, I hope that you remain this cheeky even after a thousand years... I truly hope you find someone that would be able to fulfill your wish... Being at the top is quite lonely." 

"Like I said old man, no need to worry. If fate doesn't give me what I want, then I shall bend fate to my will. If the heavens get in my way, then I shall wreck the very heavens itself!"

"Even for me, that sounds so arrogant and crazy... But for some reason, when you're the one saying it, I kinda feel like you can actually do it." 

"Enough of this sappy and depressing talk." 

"Yeah, we should probably end this battle now. Kretos, I Kir will never forget this fight. Even after death and I reincarnate, this fight will forever remain with me... I hope we meet again in the next life, and next time I hope we can be friends." 

Hearing what Kir said Kretos felt a bit embarrassed as he scratched his head. He then looked at the strongest of the five demon lords and nodded his head. 

"If we do get to meet in the next life, I'm sure we can be friends then, and we'll have another grand battle to celebrate." 

"... That sounds nice..." Kir closed his eyes and a scene appeared before him. In that scene, there was Darius and Elaine happily talking to each other about the map they just found. Then behind them was Kir and Kretos teasing the two in front.

The four of them were going on a fun adventure. Kir then spoke to Kretos and told him to spar with him later, Kretos agreed while smirking. 

"You know I'm going to win again right." 

"I'm not going to lose to you all the time! This time for sure I will win." The two of them spoke excitedly. Seeing the two planning a sparring match, Darius sighed in the background. 

"You two meatheads should stop doing this. If you keep on sparing every hour we will never get to the treasure." 

"How about you join us as well Darius?" Kir spoke while putting his hands over Darius's shoulders. 

"Yeah, that's a good idea. You should practice every now and then so that your body won't look so girly." Kretos chimed in. Seeing the three men act this way, Elaine couldn't help but giggle at the side. 

...

Kretos saw Kir who closed his eyes while smiling had a tear fall down his face. "What's happening to you old man?" 

Kir slowly opened his eyes and looked at Kretos with a weird look on his face and a smile that was both lonely and satisfied. 

"I just saw a brief dream, a cruel yet happy dream. Thank you for waiting patiently. I'm ready now... Let's end this!" Kir went down on all fours, even though his left arm was lost he still took a stance that seems like it was still there. 

Kretos responded by holding a short sword in his left hand. He then enveloped this sword with the last remaining bits of his mana. Same as how he killed the other demon lords, this last strike would be the one that will decide everything. 

The two locked eyes and with no more words to be said charged forward. Kir was still able to move faster than the speed of sound. His body was screaming at him in pain, but he didn't bother listening to it. This will be his final strike and he wanted to pour everything he had left in it. 

Kretos swung the sword in his left hand with all his might. A bit of blood came flowing out of his mouth as he pushed his body that was already going beyond the limit to go even further. 

The two clashed head-on, there was no special techniques or flashy moves, they just poured everything into one single strike. Kretos's blade met with Kir's claws. Kir was growling while Kretos shouted and then in what seems like a very long time, the victor was decided. Kir's claws and his whole body had been cut in half. As he was dying Kir showed a very satisfied smile, and while his consciousness was drifting away he heard Kretos's voice. 

"Thank you for granting me the honor of having a battle with you."