Chapter 188 - Vampire vs the Divine-blade (2/2)
”You underestimate me,” a voice came from behind Staxius, ”-an ice-clone?” he called, the blade ran straight through his back.
*Cough,* blood sprayed, he teleported but the blade went straight through the stomach. 'You can't breathe for a second with him,' just as he thought, Raulf continued his assault. He had pierced through the enchanted uniform without breaking a sweat.
”You also underestimate me,” he whispered. Raulf was in mid-air with Staxius's head as the target, the mind narrowed – an opening presented itself. His eyes opened wide; a dark-crimson colored substance traveled under the ice-floor. Without warning, it broke out and pierced the right leg and left arm. Despite injured, Raulf continued his path to Staxius's head. – Tharis unholstered, *Void Flame Aspect: Maximum Capacity,* the trigger pulled – a giant beam burst forth, one the size of two cars. The sound which echoed around was the highest-pitch screaming one could have heard, it nearly drove some people deaf.
On one side of the arena, crouch with one hand covering the stomach wound and the other holding Tharis, he waited, the Death Element activated, regeneration at twice the speed.
On the other, still standing with steam emanating from his body and armor, Raulf stood without big injuries. Moments before the trigger was pulled, he slashed forward thus separating and dispersing the beam on either side, the ground burnt with a white flame, he stood in the middle.
”Raulf Serlo,” the injuries healed, Staxius stood, ”-how powerful of a monster are you?” he smiled. The blood used returned to being a halo over his head, the more blood he lost, the more powerful the arts became.
”Look who's talking,” he laughed, ”-it's been a while since I had a worthy opponent,” both were joyful; letting loose was the best feeling and honor a man could have. With a shake of the head, ”the battle isn't over yet, King of Arda – show me what you can do,” he jumped.
”I agree,” *Blood-Arts: Orenmir, Blood Blade of the Queen,* a sword came forth, one bearing similarities to the one he bought in the capital with the blade red and a long handle. Not wanting to move, Staxius stood still, Raulf leaped – an ice-beamed shot from his leg, it tripled his velocity, *Divine-blade Technique: Moon,* the shape of a crescent, the sword swung downwards, whirlwinds spawned with devastating strength. The surroundings turned into a death trap.
The moment the blades touched, the ground cracked, a shockwave blew everything in a twelve-meter radius away, the guards who watched over the fight threw up blood. Having countered such a move without moving, it took a toll on the body – in that instant, Raulf smiled, *Divine-blade Technique: Earth,* feet steady on the floor, a horizontal slash which came faster than a blink. Instinct took over, the second strike was blocked by turning the body rather than moving the sword, it lowered the defensive strength to which Staxius got blown away.
*Ultimate Divine-blade Technique: Earth, Moon, and Sun,* no breathing room given – Raulf's eyes looked emotionless – the man fought on instinct, his speed increased and overall combat capabilities from the instant Tharis was shot. He slipped into the world where impossible became possible; Clarity. Strikes in multiple directions, a thrust, and a downward slash – the swordsman used all the techniques learned in a single assault. No block nor dodging, Staxius took the beginning of the assault fully.
'I'm not losing any longer,' the eyes closed, wings sprouted to which a single flap later, both men broke through the castle wall and went off the hill atop which rested the castle. A giant fall was what awaited the combatants. *Blood-Arts: Crimson Threads,* more blood which dripped were turned into the vampiric arts – it pierced Raulf's hand and went all the way to the neck, the man was out cold. With the chest opened for all to see, Staxius bled more and more. Flying away was out of the picture, body strength depleted, *Ancient Magic: Teleportation,* rather than hitting the ground at full speed – they materialized in the arena and landed with the same impact.
The speed at which Staxius flew and speared Raulf and paired with the speed of breaking the wall, would have killed anyone instantly. The icy-ground turned into a puddle of blood, Raulf was badly injured, all that people could see was a heavy mist. ”Stay with me old man,” grabbing the potions made for self-use, he injected it into his foe.
All the blood being lost turned into crystals. In turn, they were used to cover up any mortal wound the divine-blade might have sustained. For the first time, Staxius felt the need to do something, Raulf Serlo was an amazing person under which he could learn a lot. A few seconds later, the icy-cold mist melted, none realized what had happened. The healing potions worked, Raulf came to as soon as the plugged-up wounds regenerated.
The eyes opened, he gasped for air as if drowned. ”What happened?” he panted, Staxius sat right beside. ”I won,” he winked and healed. ”I get why people call you the divine-blade,” the eyes stared at the sky, ”-your technique and raw strength are unbelievable. I shudder to think how powerful you might have been in the olden days.”
”No need to flatter this old man,” he coughed, ”-you're the second to survive, Earth, Moon, and Sun,” memories flooded back.
”Who's the first?” he asked with interest piqued.
”Your father, Tempest Haggard,” he smiled.
”Yeah, that's something he would do,” Staxius chuckled.
The mist cleared, Gallienne walked, her footsteps echoed. Both warriors stood, ”-I apologize for failing you, majesty,” the old man bowed to which she stopped and hugged. ”No, you were amazing,” a tear shed – it might not have been apparent, but Raulf and her were as close as family.
The face neutral, the hair which seemed on fire, the flames in the eyes quelled. Staxius stood victorious – the wings retracted, Blood-Arts dispelled, the crystals soon turned liquid.
”Protector of Arda,” the hug ended, ”-you've defeated our protector and the kingdom as a whole, what is it that you wish?” bound by prejudice, the queen thought that war would be the thing the man sought after.
”On behalf of my kingdom as well as the wishes of my Queen, setting our differences aside – what I wish is for a lasting peace between Arda and the Royal family. Once human and now vampire; I understand how badly the demi-humans were treated. Thus, I wish for but a thing, cooperation and to set aside our crude past. As the new queen ruling your many domains, tis in thy hands.”