[UNITED STATES]
"It's good to get out of the office and get some fresh air." Jinchul said with a smirk as he smashed his right leg into an abomination creature.
"I'm not sure this qualifies as an "office outing", but I guess it will have to do." Adam replied as he pierced an imperial soldier through the chest with his sword.
Both men looked up at the sea of creatures targeting the IHA headquarter building. The creatures lacked a uniform appearance…some looked like spiders, others like octopi, bugs, 3-legged dogs, humanoids, etc. The IHA opted to name these creatures "abominations." However, the hunters fighting on the frontlines abbreviated the name and simply referred to the creatures as "minions."
"There's a lot of them…but they are fairly weak." Jinchul said with a grin.
"Keep up the pressure!" Adam yelled at the nearby platoon of hunters.
Seeing the President and Vice-President fight on the frontlines had a rallying effect on the troops.
[NORTH EMPIRE – RA'S CASTLE – THRONE ROOM]
Siri smiled in appreciation for the excellent swordsmanship displayed by both Suho and Thalia. Unlike other Itarims, Siri never enjoyed watching his creations fight endlessly…rather he enjoyed fighting them himself.
Long ago, while watching his creations battle, Siri had an idea. He decided he too wanted to fight…he materialized a body and joined the battlefield. The thrill and exhilaration he felt was beyond anything he had imagined…facing a strong opponent, blocking and evading their attacks, finding an opening and defeating the opponent…never had he tasted something better.
Victory is a drug…one that even Gods crave.
From that day forward, Siri became the Sword Itarim…and he spent every moment mastering the sword in countless battles.
"You are both good. I am glad…it's too bad I must kill you both…what a waste." Siri said.
He continued, "I have waited a long time for this. Most Itarim don't enjoy fighting…they find it beneath them…they believe they are too superior and are somehow exempt from fighting."
"The Outer Gods War and everything that has occurred…it's the cosmos' way of rendering judgement on the Itarims. They have been weighed and measured…and found lacking. Their insipid and stagnant rulership is an insult to all life…all life must fight to live."
"I know the truth…for a God to be truly a God, he must dominate in all things! Like this!"
Siri darted toward Suho and Thalia, sword in hand. The throne room erupted in a frenzied melee battle. Sword collided with sword in an elaborate dance between three skilled masters encircling each other.
[CANADA]
"Is that all you got?" Thomas Andre asked the dying Apostle as he crushed its throat.
"This is sad…you should have stayed home." Thomas said as he looked down at the defeated six elite Apostles as their bodies faded into nothingness. Moments ago, Thomas had decapitated two of them with a single punch, the third he grabbed from an arm and leg and tore into two pieces. The fourth he punched a hole through its chest killing it instantly.
The fifth Apostle attempted to strike Thomas from behind. Thomas side stepped the attack with the swiftness of an expert cage fighter. He locked the Apostle's arm between his right elbow and body. With his right hand he grabbed the Apostle's leg and in one quick jerk, pile-drove the Apostle into the ground head-first. Before it could let out a painful cry, Thomas crushed the Apostle's skull with one gruesome foot stomp.
He sixth and most powerful of the elite Apostles attacked with a sword strike aimed at Thomas' chest. However, Thomas didn't bother to block. His immense mana stopped the blade like a stone wall. As the Apostle fell back in recoil, Thomas grabbed the Apostle by the neck…picking it up into the air with one hand and crushed its throat.
Thomas looked around, his giants and titans were obliterating the Empire's ground forces with easy. He called out of one of his commanders.
"Finish this up…I'm bored."
[VOID CENTRAL ARMY]
"My king, the right flank is holding steady, but the left flank is taking a lot of punishment." A shadow soldier said as it delivered the update.
"Tell Supreme General Gaia and General Kavar to fall back. Gray and Ammut, cover their retreat." Jinwoo commanded.
"Sire, two Itarim are personally attacking the right flank." Another shadow soldier said.
"I will handle them personally, Beru take command of the center." Jinwoo said calmly.
[NORTH EMPIRE – RA'S CASTLE – THRONE ROOM]
["Something is off with this guy…he hasn't used his Creation or Authority…by now most Itarims would have attacked with an avalanche of projections."] Suho said as he methodically analyzed the fight.
From the start of the battle, Thalia used her REVELATION skill to learn more about their opponent. She saw glimpses of his past including his bloodlust and love for battle.
["I don't think he will create minions…he is too proud for that. He wants to defeat us himself personally using his own two hands."] Thalia said.
["So, he enjoys fighting. That explains the title Sword Itarim....and also explains why he is far stronger than other Itarims. He must have devoured many."] Suho concluded.
["We are wasting time…we need to end this. Suho, I will create an opening for you."] Thalia said with confidence.
Thalia approached Siri slowly; her gaze fixed on her opponent. Each step was intended to be a proclamation, a statement of defiance, a clear signal that she did not fear the Itarim standing before her.
The two fighters stood feet apart from each other. Neither moved. Both fighters visualized the battle in their mind…both deciding what move to make next.
Thalia opened her stance, dropping her hips down. Her body sank into a Quick Draw stance.
CORONA
She buffed her strength and speed even further.
In response, Siri flared his mana as he prepared to counter the incoming lightning-fast attack from his opponent.
Thalia pushed off with her left foot and stepped forward with her right foot in one blazing fast attack. Her cutlass swept gracefully with tremendous speed and force like that of someone trying to split the air itself.
CLANG
Siri managed to parry the attack with his own quick draw.
Thalia took advantage of the momentum of her swing to spin her body closer to Siri. For an instant, Thalia stood with her back against Siri's chest. Still spinning, she struck the Itarim in the face with her left elbow flinging him backward.
Suho immediately recognized his opening and unleashed a series of quick slashes each striking the unguarded Itarim.
Siri landed on the ground with a hard thump. His body had countless slashes caused by Suho's attacks. He calmly got back on his feet without bothering to heal or regenerate from his wounds.
Smiling Siri said, "ok, time to get serious."