250 How The Hell Is He Still Alive? (1/2)
The moment the Third Art detonated, what followed went beyond what you'd call an explosion. The force of the shock was so big that s.p.a.ce-Time instantly broke apart and started messing with the scenery and time flow.
Arima first felt a sudden and unbearable heat before his vision began to twist. The horizon tilted and distorted because of s.p.a.ce. The colors also disappeared and the world became black and white. Sounds of earthquakes, explosions caused by leaking-mana, burning wood, melting stone…
Arima had already lost all point of reference. He was in the middle of an unimaginable explosion. The fire had transcended and become an unknown energy of ma.s.s-destruction. He couldn't see the three Guardians that were in front of him just before. The only thing he could think about was resisting the power of his own magic along with Aeshma. But he was bound to be killed if he continued like that.
He used Natus at its maximum capacity, not even caring about the state of his eyes. Blood flowed down not only from the corner of his eyes but also his nose and even his mouth. The devastating pressure caused by 'Fragor Magnus' was unfathomable although he was the one at the origin of it.
Arima's eyes moved from one side to the other very quickly. His glowing eyes spotted his target and he forced his wings to move. The surroundings felt like a really thick liquid. You could compare it to lava, and the more Arima tried to move inside of it, the more painful and hard it was.
”{Time is dysfunctional in here. You are moving while trying to push unstable molecules which are semi-frozen in time.}” Krynox said and Arima groaned.
”{I know.}” He could not open his mouth to talk so he used telepathy, ”{s.h.i.+t, if I take too much time, not only will that 'Sage' dissolve before I can reach him but I'll also die soon enough.}” He uttered and tried to create a path for himself with the help of Aeshma and his new twin guns. But it was to no avail.
”{Dammit! The only Art I have capable of doing damages on a molecular level while also being able to resist 'Fragor Magnus's power is the First Destruction Art. But if I use it, there are chances that I will also erase that guy in the process. From what I know, I don't think he will actually be killed but his body will temporarily be reduced to nothing to be reconstructed afterward. But I need his heart in a physical state or else it would be useless.}”
”{What about the Lawless Tome… oh.}”
”{Yeah, I can't use it since Lanya is using it right now.}”
”{…There are two other Arts that can help you.}”
”{No. I won't use them. Both of them are not something I want to use. And I don't even know what could happen truly if I use the First Forbidden Art. To be honest, I created that Art just to fill up the 'First' spot. I never intended to use it.}
Arima was still trying to advance whilst talking with Krynox. Although he was using all of his strength, he only managed to push through for a few meters. But considering that he was trying to go against molecules restrained by Time, it was like he had managed to push an entire plane and all of the planets and stars inside. That showed how much Arima's might had already transcended all rules.
”{I have no choice. I'll use the whole Red Set.}” Arima declared and channeled an endless amount of mana on five formations formed around him.
”{…If your head explodes, I'll die with you, you know?}”
”{I'm aware. I'll do my best to no drag you down with me.}” Arima replied indifferently. He was already too focused on his magic. He forced his mouth to open and deliver his voice while his aura was released at its maximum output.
”[Fifth Red Art, Exhaurire] (Drain).” He chanted and every single bit of Worldly Energy remaining in that world converged toward him.
”[Fourth Red Art, Nativus Dominare] (Elemental Rule).” The elements around him became as obedient as a little pet.
”[Third Red Art, Semita Vitisque Repertor] (Pathfinder).” The Third Red Art's ability was originally to make every matter around the caster to help him move and evade. Molecules are concerned even though it's limited because of their unstable state.
”[Second Red Art, Scientia est misi Cesarem] (The Alchemist's Science).” Arima conjured this art to alter anything he encounters and make them more fragile and smaller.
”[First Red Art, Ragnarök]” Finally, Arima cast this art which had to be applied across the entire surface of Heaven. Which meant he had to give enough mana but also enough spirit to spread the magic over a surface at the size of a plane.
When Arima finished the activation of his Arts, it clearly became easier for him to progress. But at the same time, his body and soul were slowly being eroded because the five G.o.dly magic's toll when used together was immense.
Arima couldn't lose any more time. Natus was being overstressed and his eyes were bloodshot. His scales were cracking. His muscles contracted and most of his bones fissured. He flapped his wings and dashed inside this endless 'explosion'.
He checked his surroundings as he neared the 'Sage's body which was melting and regenerating indefinitely. The individual in question had lost consciousness because of the pain. Heaven's floor had become something between solid and liquid and looked like slime mixed with ashes. He saw that the Second Plane Guardian was already dead but he couldn't spot Ellen's aura or figure at all.
”{Where is she? She couldn't have died already…}” Arima doubted but he couldn't stop at this point. He reached the Third Guardian and grabbed him. In his Ancient Demon form, the 'Sage' was like a small animal that he could crush with a single hand.
Almost immediately, Arima managed to form a small gate to his soul realm and sent him inside while also using Natus to put him in stasis.
And in case you may wonder why Arima can't go inside his soul realm to escape the explosion. It's obviously because a soul's location is a very complicated theory. But technically, whenever Arima goes inside his soul, he basically goes inside himself. In that case, his physical body may be able to enter the soul realm but something more crucial will be left behind. Most of the time, it's in the form of a gate.
The gate leading to his soul realm will be left behind. That gate represents him. If it's destroyed, Arima will die. There's no way he could use it in that place.
As he was about to go at full speed to leave this plane, he quivered and a great pain was transmitted to his brain through his nerves. He coughed blood and looked down with a darkened face. There was a giant diamond-like stake piercing his chest, making him lose rivers' worth of blood.
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As Layla was fighting the Téras with a cold and calm expression, that countenance was suddenly disrupted. She looked back at the last Silver Gate that was open and a trace of worry flashed in her eyes.
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