My form was sent flying over the battlefield, punching through creatures and earth alike.
I gnashed my teeth, holding back a scream as another fireball slammed into me, burying me into the ground.
This was no damn Tyrant!
It had six cores, all shining like miniature suns!
Another fireball came.
But now buried underground, I was able to warp away without prying eyes.
Only to realize it was a mistake as I choked up blood.
Collapsing to the ground, I stared at the slowly growing puddle of blood as I continued coughing.
I haven't seen it in such a long time.
It felt... great.
Between the choking and the gagging, I started chuckling.
And once the gagging ceased and I managed to stand up I started laughing.
Standing and laughing. Missing an arm and only the fractured mask remaining of the once glorious dark armor, I laughed.
The crimson dagger was summoned back to my palm, for the whole world to witness.
The [Assassin's wear] manifested fully, covering my form.
Even then, I continued laughing. As I sheathed the dagger on my belt, another memory already manifesting.
The dark fractured helmet vanished into thin air, revealing my injured, bleeding, and swollen face to the world.
Even then, I laughed.
Finally, the [Twilight bow] manifested in all of its brilliant glory, three arrows already warping into the sky.
Then I warped away another one, and another one, and another one.
Eight shots later, the bow vanished into my soul once again, the dagger held in my grip once more.
I would slaughter the Corrupted Terror. Then the creatures that followed it.
***
(3rd person pov)
Chloe was crouched upon a branch of a tall tree, her bow shooting arrows left and right.
With the help of Rel, she didin't need to be worried of being spotted, the illusion masking not only sight, but scent as well.
As she prepared another arrow, she noticed something high above.
Her neck craned upwards, her expression easily conveying her confusion.
She saw several stars, growing brighter and brighter with each passing moment.
They weren't just growing brighter, they were getting bigger as well!
Chloe's hands began to shake, her bow dropping to the ground.
'It's can't be.. it's not possible! '
The shock and fear were quickly replaced by realization, then panic, as she saw the very familiar sight in the sky.
She had to run. She had to!
Re-sumonning the bow into her hands, she shot an arrow upwards. A signal to Dex and Rel.
They had to warn everyone to run!
Meanwhile, Apex was blurring through the creatures, slicing them apart left and right.
The previous manic laughter had subsided. Replaced by an eerie calm, indifferent to the slaughter he was causing.
His emotions weren't the only thing to shift.
His previously long gray hair turned pitch white, his skin having grown paler as well.
The larger than usual muscles have almost vanished from his skin. Now, the outlines of his bone structure was visible below his skin.
He had changed.
He sliced off another appendage, his eyes scanning the battlefield, apathetic to the carnage.
Until finally, his gaze locked onto the looming shadow high above.
Almost in a single moment, his expression shifted, the smile returning.
It wasn't a manic one, nor one that conveys glee.
Instead, it was empty. An empty husk.
In the next moment, he was gone, already ontop of the Terror, dagger slicing into feathers.
Only to bounce back uselessly, sparks emanating from the point of contact.
The empty smiled was replaced by a snarl, as he extended a hand upwards. As if trying to grasp the very sky.
The next moment, uncaring of the damage he would cause to himself. A Transcendent arrow appeared in his grip, his arm swinging downwards with terrifying strength.
The arrow slammed into the feathers, struggling only for a single moment before piercing throught them and into the flesh beneath.
Apex warped away, just in time as a giant explosion of soul essence and wind sent the Terror careening to the battlefield below.
Dozens of awakened and creatures alike perished under its horrifying weight. The entire battlefield fracturing.
But for Apex. It wasn't enough. It would never be enough until it died.
So he focused his will.
And what followed. Was destruction.
That was the only word that could be used for what happened.
Four brilliantly shining arrows descended.
All Transcended.
Each pierced the feathers and flesh of the abomination, burying it deeper and deeper into the earth.
Each explosion rocked the battlefield, each explosion sent creatures and awakened flying away.
Some were lucky enough to just lose a limb. Some, we're not.
Yet even then.
As screams of pain of his comrades rang out, Apex didin't waver.
He hadn't received the kill notification from the spell.
And so the last three arrows descended.
Yet even then, as they fell from the heavens themselves, aiming themselves at the gigantic creature by the boy's will.
He summoned his bow, augmenting it.
A single arrow appeared upon it.
Already Transcended.
He used another augmentation on it, then warped it to the sky.
And then? He ran.
Even in his manic yet calm state, he realized what would follow.
Even in this state, he recognized allies. Shouting at them to run while he did the same.
A full minute later, they all were at the base of the hill that housed the town above.
They all stared at the slowly rising flaming creature.
Few people laughed. Their courage dying, losing all hope.
Few people cried. Holding onto their lost limbs or dead friends.
Most people were silent. Readying their weapons, preparing themselves for what come next.
And Apex, he stood tall. Still on the battlefield. His hair swaying violently from the wind caused by something.
Everyone assumed it was the creature.
They were wong.
The clouds that had regatheted after the previous arrows were swept away in an instant.
Tree branches buckled, snapping off.
Everyone braced themselves. Those who could not, helped by others.
Almost as one, their heads snapped upwards, their mouths opening, eyes widening.
In that moment, as they looked back at the figure who created such a terrifying sight.
The previous opinion of the man changed in all their minds.
The previous, admiration and hope that was tinged with a slight amount of fear died an ugly death.
What remained was only. Fear.
Everyone started stepping backwards from the battlefield, some dragging their allies back, some leaving them to their fate.
It was a well known phenomenon. It was the primal instinct, fight of flight.
And in those few moments. Their bodies and minds chose the latter.
Apex however, marely stood still. The crimson dagger providing a constantly refreshing image of the glorious sight.
The arrow fell like a meteor, slamming right into the back of the creature's head.
It's once rising form fell together with the arrow, a horrifying screech of pain sounding out throughout the entire area.
It was terrifying. It was horrifying. It was beautiful.
The creature and the arrow slammed into the ground as one.
And what followed was an earthquake.
The ground shook, the trees fell. The very space seemed to shake as the Supreme arrow and the Terror collided with the ground.
And Apex stood still. Even when the wind slammed into his as if it were a physical wall, he didint move, his blank pupiless eyes staring at the rising dust cloud.
He remained there, seemingly rooted to the spot.
Until finally, twenty or so seconds later, his shoulders sagged.
[You have slain a Corrupted Terror, Ashborn Pheonix].
The Spell's voice reverberated through the boy's mind, assuring him of his victory.
And of course, he deliberately ignored the tone of it.
Now with victory assured, and just a matter of time before the trial ended. Apex finally let his exhausted and terribly injured body to rest.
His knees buckled, eyelids half litted.
But before he could fall, Nether manifested around him, catching him in his scaly body.
[You have gained an echo: Flame covered egg].
Was the last thing he processed before he succumbed to sleep.
A few minutes after the battlefield had ended. Dozens of awakened reappeared, their weapons drawn despite the lack of creatures around.
As they walked throught the fractured and unrecognizable battlefield. Their eyes searching for a single figure.
Chloe saw him first, her highly trained eyes together with her aspect easily identifying him through the dust and slowly gathering fog of the early morning.
She saw him, held by his echoe, back turned towards them.
He didint seem to be moving.
At once, she activated her aspect, the hundred meters between them vanishing in mere seconds as her body sped through the caved in earth without a problem.
She quickly stepped towards the two figures, outstretching an arm towards the man.
Only to snap it back, barely avoiding the fangs of the echo.
Her eyes widened, backpaddeling rapidly.
Just in time to avoid the extremely long tail of the creature that had spun around in a wide circle, aiming to slam her away.
'Not the smartest idea I've had' she lamented.
Waiting as she saw Rel and Dex approach.
However, they weren't the only ones.
Four more figures approached.
Seemed like two were injured. Or hopefully dead.
Dread filled Chloe's heart.
What was she supposed to do, now that her previous orders clashed with her morals?
Could she really side with the man who had killed one of Valor's Masters?
Could she really side with the man who himself held her at knife point, using her as a hostage?
Her fists clenched, and thankfully Rel and Dex reached her fist.
Their eyes widening at the figure's clothing.
"Shit" Dex cursed, eyes turned to his two companions.
"What now?" He asked after a pause.
He received his answer as a crossbow bolt shot between them, aimed right at the unconscious figure.
Their eyes widening in shock, snapping to the prone figure.
Only to see the bolt caught between the echoe's fangs, which then snapped it in two as he closed it's maw.
Only to open it again, a light starting to eminate deep from it's throat.
Only for the ground to quake, as something slammed into it with neck breaking speed.
The dust was swept away from a strong breeze, revealing.
The dragon princess herself.
Her ussualy amusement filled eyes were cold, locking onto each person with dreadful intensity.
"You shall not attack him."
It wasn't a question, nor a polite order.
It was a demand. Her presence drowning their minds.
Thanks for reading!
Please do check out author notes nr.4 at least.
And I would appreciate your opinion on nr.5