Pillars of light envelops the battlefield as every time lightning hits the ground, thunder follows.
Each and every one of the pillars aimed at the black card holder as he runs across the flat plane, avoiding everything he can.
The Thunder Seer held it's orb as more pillars of light crashes down on the golden field of light, double casting as it shoots out lightning that tracks the black card holder.
He leaped in the air, avoiding the lightning that tracks him, surprising even himself as he lands back on the ground.
However, he did not have enough time to be in awe of his own discovery as the Thunder Seer suddenly appeared in front of him, swinging down it's giant axe.
"[Evade]!" The boy casted as he disappeared out of harm's way.
His sudden movement surprised the Thunder Seer as it gets hit by a hard strike in the face. The boy was about to throw another hit but the Thunder Seer casted another barrage of lightning as pillars of light falls around it.
The black card holder got hit by the lightning, burning and stunning him as immense pain surge through his veins. The Thunder Seer swung it's axe at the stunned boy, slicing his chest open as he ragdolls on the ground.
But the boy stood up just a few seconds after.
The Thunder Seer prepared it's orb, blitzing through the battlefield as it gets closer to the boy.
"[Bind]!" The black card holder casted
The Thunder Seer prepared for it's movement to be restricted only to be found with confusion and pain as it was hit by a whip made out of black energy in the face, making it bleed.
It took a step back with each attack, copying the boy's movement as it bobs and weave each of the whip's strikes only for it's leg to be hit by a devastating low kick.
The Thunder Seer retreated back, casting faster lightnings as the pillars of light hit the ground, then follows thunder. This time, it moves around like electric current on the battlefield, making it harder for the boy to chase it.
As lightning hits the ground, it also shoots out tracking lightning on the orb then blitzing to a different direction as it throws spears of lightning towards the black card holder.
The boy kept getting hit, stabbed, and electrocuted yet he didn't stop moving. He kept chasing the Thunder Seer as his left arm is now burnt from the lightning.
The black card holder used his [Bind] as hooks to move faster through the flat plain, casting it on the ground, pulling himself to that direction before cancelling it as he lets the momentum catapults him forward.
The Thunder Seer blitz around, casting even more lightning as the pillars of light fills the battlefield, trying to not let the boy get close to him.
"[Evade]!" The Seer heard as it lets out a huge thunder wave from every direction.
Every direction except on top of him.
Before the Thunder Seer could even check the area to see where the card holder is, he immediately got hit by an axe kick directly in the head.
The Seer staggered from how hard the hit was. It tried to cast another wave of lightning to fend off the black card holder but the orb was no longer in it's hands.
Suddenly, pillars of light struck the ground in a row, all of them targeting the Seer.
It avoided the onslaught of lightning with it's fast movements, but the boy already saw through it's movement, leading it towards him instead.
The Thunder Seer grabbed it's great axe with both of it's hands as each swing creates a thunderous roar. The boy avoided it and threw counter attacks only for the Seer to avoid it as well.
The both of them took a step back.
"[Bind]." The boy casted, wrapping it's right arm along with the Lightning Orb as he raises his fist once again.
The Thunder Seer huffs it's breath before properly holding it's axe with both hands.
Both warriors looked each other in the eyes as the both of them rushed in.
The Thunder Seer swings it's axe in such a fast manner that thunder is the only evidence of it even being swung... but the boy predicted the trajectory before seeing the strike as he weaves out of danger, throwing a counter hit at it's side.
The Seer blocked it with the handle of the axe but the lightning surge from the orb flows through the metal, electrocuting the Seer.
The black card holder saw an opportunity for an attack as it throws a kick at the Seer's body, making it crumple on the ground before throwing a wild swing, almost ripping off the card holder's arm.
The Thunder Seer kept throwing lightning fast swings, making deafening thunderclaps each swing, hoping to catch the boy off guard.
But the boy's eyes are starting to adapt. He's no longer predicting the wild trajectory, he's now looking directly at the moving axe.
"[Evade]!" The boy casted, but the boy didn't move away, in fact he confronted the great axe mid swing
Suddenly, his hand smacked away the Seer's great axe mid swing as both of them were shocked by what just happened.
"I can parry--?!" The black card holder said as a wide and victorious grin appeared on his face.
The Thunder Seer didn't even have the time to process it's confusion as the boy threw three different strikes, hitting it's face and body.
It tried to back away, only to get hit by a devastating kick in the leg, not able to blitz away.
The Seer knew that it has no chance of hitting the boy with it's axe as it basically disarm it, closing it's fist as it tries to fight the boy with bare hands.
The black card holder looked at the Seer with amusement and admiration. He easily avoided the Seer's attacks, returning a counter each strike.
He did not throw anymore kicks, only using his fists while countering the Thunder Seer's every punch. The boy started to redirect some of the Thunder Seer's strikes before landing a counter.
The Ram has started losing it's strength. It started to use it's head to headbutt the boy, only for the boy to punch it in the face, refusing to use his legs against the warrior in front of him.
The boy kept punching and countering the Ram's headbutts, his knuckles cracking each hit. But he's used to this sensation, he's ruined his knuckles before.
He kept going blow for blow, both of them smiling as the climax of their battle is about to end.
The Ram raised his head high, closing it's eyes and nodding before it took a step back and stood on all fours, preparing to ram the boy with all it's strength.
The boy took a stance, ready to tackle his enemy head on.
Both of them rushed towards each other one last time as the Thunder Seer rams the boy with it's whole body weight, piercing and dislocating the boy's shoulder as it forcefully deactivating he's transformation due to him receiving too much damage.
But the boy didn't care about his injuries nor his power deactivating, as he grabbed the Seer's neck, choking it as he twists his hip, throwing the Ram on the ground, shouting as loud as thunder and breaking it's horn on impact.
The Seer looked at the victorious boy, badly bruised and beated. The boy curled his broken fists, ready to finish the job but the Ram raised it's hand, signalling him to stop.
(Juwan's POV)
I can't feel my arms. One of them was burnt earlier by lightning, and the other has a horn sticking out on it.
My left eye can't see anything but I can feel what kind of pain I'm going through right now.
It's agonizing, I feel like I'll die at any second. Hell, even right now I'm coughing up blood and my chest is basically wide open at this point.
But I can't die yet. Especially not in front of him. Not infront of the creature that went blow for blow with me.
So I closed my fists, raising my right arm even if I-- huh?
I suddenly saw the Thunder Seer raised it's hand. My hand started to relax as it sat up. Putting it's hand on it's chest weakly and bowing, each of their movement seems as if they're about to collapse.
It looked at me, it's eyes filled with pride and gratitude towards me. Suddenly, they plucked out their eyes, handing it to me.
I looked at it as I realized that it deemed me as the winner of our fight.
I gently handled their eyes when one of them suddenly got absorbed as my left eye immediately heals up.
"I--!" I wanted to thank it but I was coughing up blood too much.
I looked at them and saw things like a status window, showing their health, information and current status.
I checked the other eye to see the description of the item I just absorbed.
[[Eyes of The Seer: Reveals information about Items, Individuals, and other targets.]]
I let the remaining eye get absorbed by my ability. I look at the Thunder Seer infront of me, trying to not cough out more blood.
It raised it's hand, piercing it's own chest and pulling out it's own heart.
"What are you--!" Suddenly, without even holding it's heart, it immediately got absorbed by me as I feel myself getting better.
The Thunder Seer was in the middle of turning into dust. The horn that was stuck at my shoulder slowly dissipate into thin air as it bowed it's head one last time.
"Thank you very much!" I shouted as strong as I can and bowing as low as I can even though it can't see me.
I raised my head, the Thunder Seer fully turned into dust as the only thing left in the field are his Orb and his Axe.
[[Lightning Orb: Summons Lightning. If absorbed, all attacks and skills will deal lightning damage.]]
[[Great Thunder Axe: Creates deafening Thunder each swing, has the ability to do Instantaneous Strike.]]
I grabbed both items. I immediately let my card absorb the Lightning orb while I stick the Great Thunder Axe on the ground, leaving it there as if it's a grave and as a sign of respect.
I stood up, walking slowly as I feel myself healing each second I walk, healing half of my entire health once I reached the exit of the warp.
As I exit the red warp, it suddenly sucked in on it's own, vanishing out of thin air. I checked my bag if it was still there and thankfully, it was.
I looked at the time on my phone and barely any time passed in the real world. Right, time dilation.
I stretched my back as I let out an exhausted sigh.
I look down at my clothes and saw that my t-shirt is basically tattered. I pulled out my uniform in my bag and wore it as I walk out of the alley.
Thankfully, my apartment is just nearby because I really feel like I'm about to pass out.
.
.
.
(Lovely's POV)
I--It's not here.
Was I too late?
I checked my phone as the holoscreen shows that it's 7pm. I'm sure that it's been only 3 hours since these warps appeared, that's what the note that Pomfy left on my staff.
But I feel anxious. I took a long time for me to defeat the Blade-quoinns warp and when I got out, an hour already passed.
[Scan.]
I casted a skill to see if there are any Quoinnins nearby. There were none at all. Besides if there are then time would've already froze... so where did it go?
Is.. Is Pomfy wrong about having 2 warps? But what if--
...Sonaia was right, I really overthink stuffs a lot.
I deactivated my transformation, my legs basically giving out from fatigue. I guess my fatigue stacked up from earlier. I started to walk away from this dark alleyway.
My eyes are getting a bit blurry after all the fighting I did in the warp. I need to focus, I'm in a city I'm not familiar with so I can't pass out yet.
I kept walking until I reached a street, my eyes suddenly darted towards the convenience store just a few steps ahead. I should probably buy an energy drink.
Come on Lovely, just a little bit more. I kept walking despite my shaking legs when I suddenly bumped into someone.
Ah-- I can't balance myself--!
"You okay?" I felt someone catch me from behind, their hands holding my shoulders as my head rest on their chest.
I jumped back, my social anxiety giving me enough energy to not make this more embarrassing than it already is.
"Y-yes! I'm sorry for--"
"Pftt HAHAHAHAHAHA."
Suddenly, my words and train of thought got cut due to them laughing at me while their hand rested on my hair.
Their hand feels kinda good when they rustle my hair as if slightly massaging it, making me feel very comfortable.
"Juwan?" I uttered, his name being the first thing that comes to my mind from this familiar sensation as I opened my eyes.
"Yo, Lovely." Juwan said with a smile as his eyes focus on mine as he continues patting me.
"Juwan!" It really is him!
"You shouldn't let strangers suddenly touch you, you know?" He told me as he giggles.
"But you're not a stranger though." I told him as we walk to the convenience store.
"That's not what I meant. I'm pretty sure you didn't recognize me and you didn't swat away when I patted you." He said in a gentle tone.
"That's just because I know that's you patting me." I told him.
We entered the convenience store as I immediately went to the aisle where the energy drinks are located.
"Pftt-- what, is my way of patting really that memorable?" He asked me as he stifle his laugh while he accompany me.
"Yes. Very." I told him as he suddenly fell silent.
I looked back at him, his hand was covering his mouth as he was looking away.
"Juwan?"
"I-- uh yeah?" He asked as he look back at me.
I squat down, looking at the different types of energy drink, grabbing one that looks the strongest.
"No-- you just suddenly went silent so I was--"
"Don't take that." He cut me off, grabbing my hand as I let go of the energy drink that I was about to buy.
"Eh? But I--"
"You probably think that energy drink will wake you up but no, that'll make your heart palpitate. Just take a regular canned coffee." He said as he grabs a canned coffee.
"T-thanks." I responded weakly. Seriously, can this man read my mind or something?!
"W-wait what are you even doing here?" I asked as I look at him.
"What do you mean?" He asked me as he held his hand out as I instinctively grab it as he help me stand up.
"I mean, what are you doing in this city?" I asked as I stretched my back slightly.
"Well, I live here."
"Eh?"
"Is it really that surprising?" He asked as he walked towards the cashier, buying the coffee.
"N-no, I'm just surprised." I said as he opened the coffee and handed it to me.
I took a sip as we leave the convenience store... Wait--! Did he just pay for my coffee?!
"It's my treat." He suddenly said before I can even reach for my wallet. I'm super sure that he can read my mind.
"T-thank you." I said, taking another sip from the coffee.
"So how about you? Whatcha doing here?" He asked as we walked.
"O-oh! Just stuffs." I said, not being able to think of a good excuse.
Suddenly, my foot tripped on something as both my legs give out on me. Juwan grabbed me by my shoulder, helping me balance myself.
"Well, the 'stuffs' you did here must've been really tiring huh." He teased me, slowing down his walking pace even more.
Nooo! Why did I have to trip again! H-he must think that I'm such a clumsy idiot now, maybe he's--
"Hold on to me." He told me, sticking out his arm.
Eh?
"B-but!"
"No buts, if you actually trip and fall then you'd have a harder time getting home." He told me in a stern yet gentle way before smiling at me.
I looked at his arm and back at him.
"Thank you." I said, gently holding on to his arm as he walks slowly to match my pace.
We kept walking towards the station. There were lots of times that I almost tripped, making me cling to his arms.
Every single time I almost trip, my brain keeps telling me that he must think I'm such a clumsy idiot, that I'm being dramatic for always tripping, that he must hate me by now.
But everytime I looked at him, he just keep smiling at me, waiting for me to recover before walking again.
"I'm sorry." I said to him as we reach the station. My mind is foggy, I feel like I'm about to pass out any moment.
"Hmm? Why?" He asked me as I feel him hold my arm instead of me holding his.
"It's just... I feel like you might think that I'm clumsy idiot or something." What am I saying at this point?
"I kept tripping... and you keep having to wait for me..." I felt him help me sit down as he seats beside me, I feel myself starting to fall asleep.
"And I didn't even know your name before..." I felt my eyes dropping as I felt his hand guiding my head at something I could rest on.
"Pftt...!" I heard him stifling his laugh
"...so I'm sorry if... you hate me by now.." I told him as my eyes are basically closed at this point.
"I don't hate you." I heard him say as I snuggle at where my head is resting.
"It's fine if you keep tripping, I don't mind it." I heard his voice as I start to feel more comfortable.
"I also don't mind that you didn't know my name." He said while I was on verge of sleeping.
"And rather than hate you for it. All of them just made you cuter to me."
My mind suddenly woke up from what he just said. I looked up and realized that I was snuggling on his shoulder as I feel my face burn up.
"W-what? W-w-what did you just say?!" Did I hear him right?!
He looked at me before a smile appeared on his face as it turns into a gleeful laugh.
"I said, all of what you told me just made you cuter to me."