Gu Zhi slipped deeper and deeper into madness. His consciousness took the back seat as his instinct took over. All he could feel was the soothing song of his heart pumping blood and the strength it gave him. The only emotion he felt was rage as his body exploded with power.
As the youth with black hair gave the command several people rushed into melee combat whilst others started to casting their spells.
Gu Zhi didn't wait, didn't think, didn't blink. He accelerated so fast he was a blur. He went straight for the black haired youth as cutting off the head of the snake was always the best bet.
The youth reacted quickly, thoroughly shaken by Wu Zhi's monstrous speed. He took out his sword in the nick of time and used a horizontal slash. Gu Zhi didn't even care, before the blade reached him his fist reached the mans head first. Like a balloon that suddenly pops, so did the man's head. It popped with the sound of a skull breaking as the only thing left of his head was the blood and scattered bits it was made out of.
Before anyone could realize their leader was just killed. Gu Zhi went back in for the kill again. He immediately went for the back ranks - the spell casters. Before they could even move, cry for help, or beg for their lives, their heads were gone. Shattered into small bits as they painted the land. Some looked on in sheer horror and without a moment to spare ran for their lives.
Gu Zhi didn't care... he couldn't, all he felt was rage. He moved back into the original encirclement as his wife just finished her spell.
Some people were still moving towards her, determined to kill.
She cast the spell using some roots, vines and foliage to cover her body in its on little cage. Usually a very stupid move in combat as the defense was limited and it completely trapped the person inside. It looked more like a desperate measure than a defensive skill.
That didn't matter however as it was a perfect solution to her current plight. Gu Zhi's one weakness in this fight was his wife's life. If they held her hostage they might have been able to win the fight or run with their lives. Now however she bought him enough time to protect her. With the defense she had brought herself the people moving to kill her were now in a bad position.
Before they could regroup or think of a new idea Gu Zhi came down upon them like the angel of death.
With a huge overhead strike using both of his arms with his hands clasped together he swung down with a monumental force. It was straight overkill as the man who he had targeted had not just his skull but his upper torso as well turned into meat paste. As his blood shot to the ground as the force in Gu Zhi strike was enough to crush boulders.
He moved on. In a trance he massacred, ripping people limb by limb. Crushing their skulls without a moment of rest, turning their bodies into nothing but bits and blood.
People ran. The entire group was routed as they headed for the woods. Determined to use the trees as cover, hoping to make an escape. Gu Zhi ran after them determined to make sure none of them escaped. He hunted them down one by one, as screams of terror filled the forest, it only made the others who were left alive run faster and faster. Gu Zhi didn't know how many he had killed only that he couldn't find anymore to kill.
After a while his berserk ended and he headed back to the grass lands.
"Ugh" Gu Zhi groaned.
He collapsed onto his knees in front of his wife.
"The after effects are pretty severe, come on let's move, we should be given a rest period after we finish the trial" Gu Xiao said.
She helped him up as she took one of his arms making him lean on her shoulder.
As they passed by the blood soaked battlefield he whispered to himself.
"They gave me no choice, it was either kill or be killed, and I killed".
His wife heard him but didn't say anything as they made their way to the city gates.
they slowly approached until they were right in front of it. They were 2 right hand indentions on the gate. Obviously to open it you needed yourself and your partner to make it here.
"Here it is, quickly let's not waste anymore time put your hand to the gate let's finish the trial".
Gu Zhi did as he was told and placed his right hand into the indention, Gu Xiao placed her right hand into the other.
The gate seemed to come alive as it slowly opened up its door into the city.
"Congratulations on completing the first trial, if you wish to leave now with the rewards turn back and head into the woods, you will be teleported out safely with your rewards. If you wish to continue forward for better rewards, head inside the city and rest for the remaining time of the pilgrimage trial. Take this badge to prove your identity, you will hear me speak again when the time of the next trial comes" a feminine voice said as badges appeared out of thin air in front of them.
A badge depicting a rose, the flower of love appeared for both of them. As they accepted the badge they both looked at each other, nodded and headed inside the city.