Within the heart of a dense, quiet forest, the air suddenly exploded with the sound of clashing steel.
Grey thrust his sword toward Elizabeth's neck in a swift, deadly arc but her blade intercepted his, and the force of the parry sent him hurtling backward.
He skidded across the leaf-strewn earth for five meters before managing to regain his balance.
So far, Elizabeth had thoroughly suppressed him.
Not only had he failed to gain the upper hand, but he was gradually losing ground the sunlight played a significant role in this disparity. Though his Authorities granted him strength in daylight, it was only a fraction of what he could summon in the darkness.
Just as he adjusted his stance, Elizabeth surged forward once more, her golden hair trailing behind her like fire. Above her, a glowing projection materialized a radiant, armored knight towering high in the air, exuding oppressive divine pressure.
Grey's eyes widened. He threw himself to the side just in time.
Boom!
Two trees behind him splintered and exploded into fragments destroyed not by direct impact, but by the mere shockwave of the golden knight's presence.
Cold sweat dripped down Grey's back.
Even in darkness,I couldn't cause this much destruction.
Elizabeth rushed him again. Grey, still analyzing the situation, dodged with precision this time noticing something peculiar: her movements had slowed significantly.
He didn't know the exact reason but speculated the golden projection was the cause some sort of power enhancement at the cost of agility.
For the next two minutes, this game of cat and mouse continued.
Finally, the golden knight above her faded into sparks and dispersed.
Just as Grey prepared to counterattack, Elizabeth raised one hand. A searing light began to condense in her palm brilliant and blinding.
Grey didn't hesitate. He dashed to the side.
The moment the beam struck the forest floor, the ground sizzled and hissed an entire area nearly eight meters wide was reduced to scorched earth.
Grey's breath caught in his throat.
Such destructive force
She's only used two Authorities so far, and both surpass mine in sheer power.
He gritted his teeth.
"So Authorities even at the same rank, can differ vastly in quality."
Suddenly, Grey saw a narrow opening.
Elizabeth's vigilance had lowered.
He immediately activated Weapon of Darkness, condensing a two-meter-long spear from the surrounding shadows. In one fluid motion, he hurled it toward her with deadly intent.
Elizabeth reacted swiftly, dodging to her right.
But her instincts screamed.
She turned just in time to block with her sword only for a second weapon, conjured silently in Grey's other hand, to crash into her unguarded side.
Crash!
She was sent flying, slamming into the trunk of a tree, her expression one of shock.
The first spear was just a decoy.
Realizing her error, she gritted her teeth and raised a hand. Light gathered around her as she summoned a radiant shield.
Grey didn't allow her time he rushed forward, delivering a flurry of rapid slashes to test her defenses while constantly shifting his position.
Each strike was calculated. Precise.
Her sword had been knocked away ,she was unarmed.
But what concerned him most was her fourth Authority. She hadn't used it yet.
Suddenly, Elizabeth steadied herself despite her injuries, blood trailing from the edge of her lips. She lifted both hands, fingers forming a triangle before her chest, and whispered a name.
"Warrior of Light."