Chapter 21: Into the Hall of Cleansing part 2
Dust enveloped my vision as I stood tall, inhaling deeply, feeling the raw energy coursing through the air. "This is truly exhilarating," I declared, gazing into the distance. "Why hide when you have already been noticed?" A smile crept across my face, but in an instant, a dagger flew toward my head. I deftly dodged it, narrowly escaping. "So rude! But don't worry I prefer it this way," I exclaimed, thrill surging through me as I felt the energy of this world amplify my madness.
I moved, as daggers rained down upon me, forcing me into a frenzied dance, my laughter echoing through the swirling dust. With a sudden burst of strength, I leaped from the smoke, only to find myself surrounded by nine adversaries. Two of them towered above me in power, but the rest were of my realm.
Their hungry gazes bore into me like wolves stalking their prey. "Aron, go get his head for me," one of them commanded, lounging on a rock, looking down on me with disdain. I landed lightly on the ground, meeting the gaze of this arrogant one. "I believe you should all come at me at once," I challenged, feeling the thrill of the confrontation.
"Why should we go all out for a frog?" he mocked, as I feigned surprise, laughter bubbled within me. "Is this what it feels like to be looked down upon?"
Aron approached, sword in hand, deep in thought. "There's something off about this boy. He shows no fear of this place or us," he mused, clearly unsettled. In a flash, I moved, as Aron followed suit, his movements smooth and calculated. He struck, and for a fleeting moment, it seemed my head had parted from my body. "Hahaha, did you all see tha—" His triumphant laughter was cut short as horror dawned upon his companions.
My palms touched his neck. No words. Just a twist. The sickening sound of his neck breaking echoing in the air. As I yanked his head from his body, blood splattering across me painting my hands crimson, still warm, still pulsing with what remained of Aron's life. I exhaled, hand resting lazily on my waist, the moment sweet as forbidden fruit.
"Do you know," I whispered to the frozen crowd, "how long I've craved this warmth?"
Then I laughed—not from joy, not from madness, but from something deeper… older.
And in that moment, even the wind dared not move.
"So disgusting," I remarked playfully, tossing his severed head into the lap of their leader.
They stood frozen, shock gripping them. "What the hell was that move?" the leader spat, pushing the head away in disgust. "I clearly saw your head fly! Why are you still alive?" The others tightened their grips on their weapons, fear creeping into their eyes. "What have we gotten ourselves into?" one member gasped, staring at Aron's headless body. "Why did he die so easily? Aron was strong, at the peak of Æth baptism realm, yet he met a death unworthy of a rat!" She looked at me, and I smiled back, my hair drenched in blood.
"Fendrick, there's something off about this guy. What should we do?" they urged their leader, some trembling in fear except for one cloaked in a black robe. Fendrick rose from the stone, determination etched on his face. "Lisa and Pan, cover my back. The rest of you, follow me," he commanded, leaping down to confront me.
"Boy, what's your name?" Fendrick demanded, but I remained silent, my silence only fueling his rage. "Then don't speak!" His sword glimmered with a green hue as he executed a piercing strike. "Gale Pierce series!" he shouted, his blade aimed directly at my heart. I smiled, activating Crazed Steps, moving like a shadow, evading his furious onslaught. But to my surprise, his strikes forced me to retreat.
Unbeknownst to me, a woman named Lisa floated above, drawing her bow. "Divine Flock," she declared, releasing arrows that resembled birds. "I admired the beauty of your technique, But that's all it is!" I shouted, gathering energy in my palms, shattering both her arrows and Fendrick's strike in a single sweep.
Their eyes widened in shock. "Who the hell is this guy?" Fendrick wondered, suddenly, a foot connected with his face, sending him sprawling. "There's no time to waste; I can sense more energy approaching," I muttered to myself.
As I contemplated my next move, four of their members surrounded me, swords poised to strike. "Severance Slash! Demon Fang Thrust! Soul Severing Edge!" they yelled in unison, activating their techniques.
I was impressed, but sadly, it wouldn't be their day. I ducked below their swords as they grazed each other, a smile forming on my lips. With a powerful force, I thrust my palm upward. "Void Palm!" I unleashed, enveloping my hands in thick void energy, shattering their blades effortlessly.
With precise control, I focused Æth into my fingers, piercing one of their necks just above the Adam's apple. They could only watch in horror, too slow to react.
Fendrick struggled to rise to his feet, horror etched on his face. "What the hell is beneath that boy's skin?" he thought, losing all motivation to fight as his teammates battled for their lives.
My fingers moved again, ready to claim my third life, a sadistic smile spreading across my face. "How long I have waited for this," I relished in the art of killing. But then, an arrow struck my shoulder. "Void Push!" I activated, repelling my attackers. With wild instinct, I spun, dodging two arrows that whizzed past, and landed, catching another aimed at my head.
"This archer is truly remarkable," I mused, spotting him just as he shifted positions. "You amaze me, but why engage in something so futile?"
Suddenly, a weight of energy slammed into me, sending me flying. "There is nothing pointless in this world," a voice resonated from the shadows. A cloaked figure emerged, his presence commanding. "Fendrick, you truly disappoint me," he said, striding toward where Damon lay.
Fendrick's shame was palpable. "Pan, please, have mercy on me this last time!" he begged, fear lacing his voice. "You have done enough!" With a snap of his fingers, shadowy hands erupted from the ground, seizing Fendrick. He struggled and pleaded, but the more he begged, the more brutally the hands tore him apart, limb by limb.
Pan smiled, stepping closer to Damon. "My friend, I know you still live," he said, as I laughed, rising to my feet, cracking my bones. "That packed a punch!" I replied, standing opposite him. Pan's expression was devoid of joy.
"I see you are truly built to walk at the pinnacle," he said, extending his hand. "Join me, and together we shall rule these forsaken lands, as every beast and human bows at our feet," he proposed.
More laughter bubbled from my lips. "Hold on, you're the one who lurked in the shadows," I said, my expression shifting to one of anger instantly. "Why should a rat discuss power and control with me?"