The Journey Beyond The Absolute
The Winner
I say, my eyes burning with unwavering determination, "Perhaps, but I refuse to be the fool who goes down without a fight."
Ather regards me with an unnerving calmness, his voice smooth and unfaltering, " We shall see about that, wont we?"
With a steady demeanor, I reply, " Let's see how you fare at this speed!" In the blink of an eye, I shift behind him and launch a powerful punch aimed squarely at his face.
Ather maintains an unshakeable composure as he spins around, catching my punch effortlessly with one hand. " Now, now, don't forget." he admonishes lightly, " You've neglected to consider that I am your future."
Initially taken aback, my eyes widen with shock at his swift reflexes, but I quickly gather my thoughts and respond coolly, "Let's do this again, shall we?" I raise my hands once more, ready for the next round.
With a hint of condescension, Ather inquires, "Is that really all you have? I'm not impressed."
Undeterred, I retort, "Let's see how you handle this then!" I throw a wellaimed punch at his gut, only for Ather to effortlessly catch my fist. In a heartbeat,
Ather counters with a swift elbow jab aimed at my chest. The impact leaves me momentarily stunned. "How annoyingly predictable." He mutters, regaining his stance. Ather smirks, "Is that truly the extent of your abilities?"
I can feel my frustration boiling beneath the surface. "Do not underestimate me!" I exclaim as I channel my energy into a dropkick aimed straight at his face.
Ather barely flinches, blocking my kick with ease. "We shall see if you're worthy of not being underestimated." he states, his calmness infuriating, as he deftly absorbs my blow.
Seizing the moment, I twist my legs around him, breaking through his guard, "Gotcha." and deliver a sharp kick to his face while locking his arms. I gotcha now! I exclaim triumphantly.
Athers expression shifts slightly as he admits, "I underestimated you, but there won't be a second time. With that." he propels himself into the Transabsolute, performing a swift maneuver to send me crashing into the Zeravex.
The Zeravexan incomprehensible entity that embodies all and everything and exists on a level beyond mathematical understanding. Each Zeravex transcends the one before it, cascading into beyond mathematics itself there is no conceivable method to quantify their existence. Even the smallest Zeravex can surpass all ideas, all concepts, along with its notions, and analogies at any conceivable level, including that which is contained in The The Eternal Nexus. And The Zeravex also contains The Eternal Nexus.
I regain my footing after losing my grip on Ather. "Nice move." I comment, hastily repositioning myself and soaring into the air, unleashing a furious onslaught of punches that obliterate countless layers of the Zeravex.
Ather remains unfazed, responding nonchalantly, "Is that truly all you have for me? How disappointingly pathetic." He walks through my barrage with a casual grace, my efforts proving to be utterly ineffective against him once more.
As I watch in disbelief, my mind races. "You really are my future self, aren't you? Nothing I do seems to be making a difference." I realize that a shift in strategy is crucial.
Ather's calm voice breaks through my thoughts, "it's as I've stated I am your future. But wait, what exactly are you planning?"
With a hint of resolve, I reply, "You'll find out soon enough. I'm confident this next strategy will succeed." I surge forward and launch a palm strike aimed at his back, dismantling an immeasurable number of Zeravex in the process.
Ather's unfazed demeanor continues as he brushes off my attack. "Not impressed. If that's all you're capable of, then youre in trouble." Before I can react, he retaliates with a powerful punch to my gut, annihilating a staggering number of Zeravex in the process.
I manage to duck just under his punch. "Nice try." Feeling the wind rush past my face, and counter with a low sweep to his legs, shattering yet another astronomical count of Zeravex.
Ather narrows his eyes, noticing a change. "Something has shifted within you. But what exactly is it?"
A determined smile creeps onto my face as I reply, "I'll reveal my secrets in due time." Drawing upon every ounce of my energy, I unleash a powerful roundhouse kick aimed straight for his jaw, obscuring yet another realm of the Zeravex.
In a desperate bid, Ather lunges forward, throwing a punch aimed directly at my face. I smirk, "I don't think so! Thanks to you, I've finally unlocked the key to my true potential."
At that very moment, I catch his punch, an explosion of bright yellow and white light erupting from my being. A brilliant aura envelopes my body as my eyes glow with a newfound vigor, filled with the promise of strength. "This transformed state is something I call The Pinnacle Of The Absolute Sun."
Ather takes a step back, confusion flickering across his features, "What is happening?!"
Nothing of consequence, I say calmly. "I've simply recognized how I can defeat my future self, Ather."
"Then come at me." he challenges, his tone unwavering as he launches another punch that tears through the space between us, disintegrating the Zeravex in its path.
My grin widens. "Very well." Without further ado, it's time for round two! I catch his punch and, using the momentum, deliver a swift uppercut to his jaw, the impact sending shockwaves through the fabric of reality and obliterating countless structures of the Zeravex.
Ather stumbles back, "Let's see how you handle at this power shall we?" the realization dawning on him as he clutches his bleeding nose, pain flashing across his usually stoic demeanor. He retaliates with another punch, this time targeting my gut and carving through reality yet again, feeling the pain reverberate through me.
"You hit like a truck!" I exclaim, the cough that escapes me accompanied by a splatter of blood.
Ather only smirks, "There's plenty more where that came from." In an instant, he's behind me, unleashing a flurry of punches that race toward my back, tearing apart the very foundation of the Zeravex as they continue to collapse beneath us.
"No! I refuse to go down like this!" I muster all of my willpower and rise to my feet, pushing against exhaustion and despair as I throw another punch, one that aims straight for his face and destroys even more of the unquantifiable Zeravex.
Ather's calm expression falters for a brief moment. "You still have some tenacity left in you." he observes, blood trickling down his cheek from my blow. We find ourselves trading punches, each hit shattering the layers of the Zeravex, until the force sends us crashing back to the ground.
"Ive still got plenty left!" I declare, determination flooding my veins as I bring myself back to my feet and execute a graceful flip over his head.
Ather regards me with cold calculation. "Lets see how you evade this." he bellows, his punch aimed directly at my gut once more.
As I sidestep, a frown forms on my lips. What happened to you? "You're fighting like you're out for blood."
Ather's voice drops, revealing a depth of emotion. "Because I'm tired... Tired of witnessing all who came before me falter, crumble into dust because I wasnt strong enough to save them. This existence is no paradise it's an excruciating hell. Someday, you too will break and become just like me…"
My heart hardens against his words. "I refuse to become anything like you!"
"We shall see." he replies coolly, a smirk creeping back across his face.
With unwavering resolve, I deliver a fierce punch to his chest, causing yet another explosive wave that devastates the Zeravex all around us. I feel a surge of energy, one that ignites a sense of purpose as I declare, "Let's end this right here and now!" Inner thoughts I can feel my willpower rapidly fade away. I need to end this fast.
I raise my hands high, conjuring a swirling sphere of radiant yellow and white energy "My ultimate attack, Absolute Dawn!"
Ather's eyes widen with realization. I couldnt agree more. "This is my… True Darkness!" He raises his own hands, summoning an enormous ball of dark energy that engulfs everything in its vicinity, stretching to encompass every corner of the Zeravex.
When our two powers collide, a catastrophic explosion rocks the very foundation of reality itself, annihilating every conceivable layer of the Zeravex caught in the treacherous crossfire. As the dust settles, an image emerges Ather lies sprawled on the ground, his form battered, bloodied, and covered in deep wounds.
Staring in shock, he mutters, "How... how did you defeat me? I am your future my victory should have been guaranteed."
With an air of calm finality, I respond, "Oh, about that… I realized your stamina never seemed to wane. That led me to abandon a strategy centered on wearing you down and switch to one based on unpredictability. I fought in ways that the Ather of the future would never expect. I let go of who I was to become something more significant than you even greater than the version of myself that is the exact opposite of you."
His realization dawns slowly, "So, thats how you triumphed. No wonder I couldnt anticipate your moves anymore you completely transformed yourself and transcended your previous identity to secure this victory."
I offer a halfsmile, "What can I say? I truly hate losing. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to emerge victorious."
Ather contemplates my words, eyes narrowing. "I see now…"
"You were never really my enemy, were you?" I ask, my voice softening. "You simply wanted a way to return home. I think I might know just the person who can help you. Weve fought before, but I believe weve come to an understanding now." And with that, I step back, knowing the battle has only just begun.
To be continued...