Fourth Arc: Legend Reborn
Taboo Skill: Devil's Summon
-Unknown territory, Beast Realm –
The sky cracked and darkened.
The moon was swamped by dark clouds.
And a terrifying presence appeared on the battlefield.
Mike breathed out a cloud of bloodmist. His eyes were Crimson and bloodshot, tears of blood dripping down his cheeks as his Aura appeared around him, burning red like a furious flame.
Then he drew Riptide and his Aura erupted like a volcano, surging up to the skies in a blazing inferno. The tips of the inferno remained Crimson, but the heart was now pitch black. And that was where Mike stood.
The beast kin were silent.
Percy and Michelle were both silent.
Chrysaor broke the silence with a laugh.
"So it's the same trump card as your teacher? Such a pity. I was hoping for something – "
His eyes widened and his voice was froze as Mike stepped forward and teleported in front of him. His sword flashed, almost lazily, and Chrysaor flew back with a scream.
His chest had crumpled and his left arm had been severed from the rest of his body with that single move.
Mike fell to one knee and gasped and his Aura disappeared. But the pressure still remained, bloodmist escaping his lips with each breath.
"Mike?! " Michelle screamed.
Mike grit his teeth and forced himself to his feet again.
"His body isn't able to adapt to the strain his power is causing. " A familiar voice suddenly spoke in Percy's mind. "Using it is killing him, and every attack is pushing him to the edge of death even faster. "
"Is… is he dead? " . A soldier called out, peering at where Chrysaor had fallen.
Mike raised a hand, stopping anyone from moving closer. "He's recovered. "
"Ahahahaha! as expected of you! Just like your teacher! Truly, both you and your teacher are remarkably powerful, but it is a pity that your sword style will die out with just you two! " Chrysaor appeared from within the cloud of dust, laughing mockingly.
Mike teleported again and his sword swung again, but this time Chrysaor was prepared. His golden sword swung up and met Mike's own strike, pushing it aside at the Last moment.
Both their swords became a blur as they clashed in a shower of sparks, each strike from Mike destroying the very landscape, and Chrysaor weaving through his attacks, just barely managing to deflect each strike.
"W-whats happening? " Tory asked, eyes wide as she stared at the spectacle.
Michelle shook her head. "their speed… it's even beyond my ability to follow! "
Percy was silent, but his eyes were moving in rhythm with the two warriors, following each of their sword swings. His left hand was glowing the same color as Mike's. " Mike has the upper hand in offense. But… Chrysaor is regenerating after each attack. And Mike grows weaker with each attack. I don't know how much longer his boost will last! "
Michelle's face turned ashen.
-Mike POV –
Each slash was like a red hot iron being driven into my muscles. My vision was already starting to blur and I knew that this was the side effect of my nerve degeneration. Soon, my sight, hearing, smell and even touch would be gone. After that, my muscles would waste away. And finally… death.
I roared and spun in a circle, and riptide screeched as a shower of flames erupted from my body!
"Taboo Skill: Devil's Defiance! "
Chrysaor leapt backwards and the golden glow of the monk covered him within a suit of armor. The sword in his hands doubled in size as he descended upon my storm of flames.
Boom!
I took a step back and black blood poured from all of my wounds, covering my entire body and hardening into scales. Riptide rose and met his slash. I sidestepped and spun in a kick.
Crack!
I heard the crack of a bone breaking in his arm, but he seemed unfazed, ignoring his injury as he landed in a crouch, then leaped at me.
I growled in challenge and charged at him.
Our weapons clanged off each other, but I was already somersaulting over his head, riptide at his face in an instant.
Chrysaor roared and his own Aura exploded, flinging me to the side.
I twisted in midair and roared back as my Aura erupted, clashing with his golden Aura.
Black and golden Aura's collided, and with a heaven rending screech, riptide tore through his defense, slicing across his face, running a jagged groove across his nose and through his left eye.
My arms were already numb, and I could feel the pain fading away. I knew that this was my brain slowly shutting down all the unnecessary parts as it died. But even so, I heard his voice as clear as ever.
"The first rule to remember when you are fighting an immortal enemy is that they aren't invincible. Wounds take time to heal. Always go for the eyes. "
Chrysaor screamed and clamped a hand over his eye, swinging his sword wildly.
I ducked under the wild swings.
"Second rule. Warriors are used to pain. But new immortals have to get used to the pain of injury, as well as the pain of instant recovery! "
"Taboo Skill : Devil's Devastation! "
Riptide burst into black flames as I slashed upwards.
"Final Rule. Nothing is truly immortal! Because the sword you wield can kill even the immortals!"
Riptide burned a track across the earth, then rose as a scorching wave, slamming into Chrysaor and engulfing him!
His screams reached a new pitch and the moon suddenly cracked and shattered in the sky, the blood red color fading as it returned to its original condition.
-Normal POV-
Mike staggered back and fell onto his knees, gasping and heaving as the strain of the battle hit him.
Michelle started to run forward but Percy's hand shot out, stopping her before she could get close.
"It's not over. " He warned softly.
Mike seemed to think that as well, as he slowly rose to his feet. "Stay back " he growled.
The Buddha in the skies raised his staff and struck the flames with it.
Immediately, the flames scattered and Chrysaor's form appeared from within.
He was scorched and burned beyond recognition, but still stood, laughing hysterically. "Is that it?! Is that all you have!? "
Mike chuckled. "So in the end, it comes down to this, eh? "
"Yeeeeeeeess! " Chrysaor steadied his stance. "What do you have left? "
Mike sagged and his energy seemed to drain away in an instant.
"Oh? " Chrysaor raised an eyebrow. "That was your limit? Will you die in disgrace now? "
Mike straightened himself and raised his weapon again. "No… " he whispered softly.
"What was that? I don't think I heard you! " Chrysaor laughed mockingly. "your body is already failing you! What more could you possibly expect? Ive sacrificed so much, used so much time, in order to get the blessings of the Great God of Enlightenment himself! How could your pathetic sword possibly put you up to par!?"
Chrysaor Snarled and he swung his sword down and a rumble tore the skies apart as mike was sent flying backwards, blood trailing from his broken body. By now, the entire battlefield was covered with a hush and everyone's eyes remained fixed on the broken form of the disgraced warrior.
Percy's eyes were stretched to their limit and his chest heaved as the glow on his hand grew brighter. Chrysaor appeared in front of mike and his sword stabbed down, piercing mike's shoulder and pinning him to the ground. By now, even the blood flowing from mike's wounds had slowed and finally stopped, as if all the blood in his body had already drained itself. It was also now that the last traces of his demonic aura faded. Only his sword remained in his grip, still glinting with a bloodthirsty light.
Chrysaor chuckled. His chuckle grew louder, slowly turing into a loud and twisted laugh as he spun and suddenly kicked Mike's body, sending his bloody corpse flying away. "Dead! HAHAAHAHAHAHAH!"
"HHH!" Percy's eyes widened and a terrifying demonic aura burst out of him as he suddenly took a step forward. Michelle and Tory both flinched and reached out to stop him, but then froze. Percy's eyes flickered bloodred, and black scales were slowly beginning to rise up his arms, the very same aura that had surrounded Mike now emanating from him. But his eyes were shrunken to pinpoints and they trembled unceasingly as he stared.
"As if someone who could wield a Devil God Sword, Someone who could wield me, Riptide, would ever die in disgrace!"
A thunderous roar shook the entire battlefield and a terrifying storm of black flames erupted from around Mike. With another roar, the warrior rose to his feet, his eyes blazing furiously as the flames of his life rose to their very peak.
Chrysaor groaned with pain as the scorching heat swept over him. "That's right! Show me! What is the extent of your power! "
Mike's eyes widened to the limit and blood exploded from his body, burning into a blood fog that began to coalesce.
The Buddha's eyes widened and he stepped back. The golden glow around him dimmed and darkened.
"Final Taboo Skill : Devil's Summon! "
Mike howled at the skies and the world around him shattered. Space splintered and time was torn apart for an instant.
And for that instant, an ominous presence descended on the Chaos Heaven's. Like a dark, Malevolent eye staring at an ant, an Elite predator stalking it's prey.
For one instant, the full force of the Devil God appeared in the Chaos Heaven's.
A single slash.
Mike moved one step, and the ground under his feet had shattered.
He had drawn a single breath, and a storm had raged over the skies.
And a single slash had descended on the Chaos Heaven's.
Then silence. Nothingness. Riptide's true power endlessly surged and filled the universe, shredding past the buddha and grinding it down to the very last of it's power.
"You… were indeed the strongest opponent I ever faced" Chrysaor whispered.
He stumbled backwards and his entire form disintegrated. But even as he was falling, a single whisper echoed forth. "But I will be back… My life is not over yet. "
The world shook and everything snapped back into place.
The weaker beast kin vomited blood as the Shockwave swept across them, collapsing weakly onto the ground.
Michelle broke out, running towards Mike frantically.
Percy was still frozen in place, trembling with shock. In the distance, they could see Mike's form, standing still between the dust. And at his side stood another figure, faint and almost immaterial, holding him up in his last triumph."You did well… you made me… all of us Proud. "
As Michelle drew closer, the figure slowly faded away, leaving the Warrior standing alone, the sword in his hand the only thing holding him up.
"Mike! " Michelle reached his side and he trembled. As if all the strength in his limbs was gone, he tipped backwards and collapsed into her arms.
She was sobbing, her entire body shaking and trembling as she slowly knelt, and lowered his blood soaked body to the ground, placing his head in her lap as she stroked his face with trembling fingers. "Mike… why… why… "
Mike smiled thinly, a hint of humor still twinkling in his eyes as he stared up at her face. He raised his hand, his muscles twitching and spamming and she grabbed it like a lifeline, clinging to it as she cradled it against her moist cheeks.
"Michelle… Michelle. " He spoke hoarsely, voice almost dead. "I'm… so… so… so… so sorry. "
Her body shuddered and her chest heaved. "Why? Why are you still apologizing?! You gave everything! What more could I want?! What more could I ask?! "
Mike was still smiling as he looked up at her with loving eyes. "I… didn't… See… you… "
Michelle froze, tears dripping down her cheeks and onto his face.
"You… wanted… me… to… see… you. But… I… I… always… saw… Aya… never… you. " Mike closed his eyes. "I saw… how… how… much… you… wanted… to be… seen. But… " Mike shook his head. "I… blamed myself… for… her death… but… I punished… you… "
Michelle lightly shook her head as she gave a teary smile. "What you gave me… it was enough. Always enough. "
Mike coughed violently and his eye caught on Percy, who was still standing beside Tory, still frozen in disbelief. His hands shook as he pulled them out of Michelle's grip, then feebly gestured at Percy.
Percy snapped out of his shock and rushed towards him. "Master! "
Mike's vision had turned black and even his hearing was fading. His breathing grew more labored and he gripped the hilt of his weapon and reached out towards Percy.
Silence spread across the city and as the people slowly recovered, they turned to the Master and Disciple.
"Percy… " Mike grit his teeth and it was as if he was putting up one last fight against his impending death.
"M-master I… I… " Percy stuttered as he fell to his knees beside Mike.
"Silence Boy. I already know what you want to say. " Mike growled, and Percy fell silent and stared at him in surprise.
"I held something dear to me, and I fought to protect it! I don't regret even a single moment of my battle! " He proclaimed. "I always knew that someday I would die, and I only hoped it happened when I fought to protect my dearest possessions with my sword! That is My Path of the Sword! "
He sighed lightly. "You will have your own Path. But as your teacher, I refuse to let you take the path of Hatred! "
Percy blinked. "But-"
"No buts! The Devil God Sword Style that we use grants a great deal of power. But when power is driven by hatred, it consumes everything! And when it has consumed the world, it will consume you as well! That must never happen. " Mike lifted Riptide and pressed it into Percy's hand. "You have one fragment of this same sword. And I believe that if riptide chose you, then you would be worthy of wielding it power. More than that… I believe that you will always be worthy of everything. Because you… you're the one I raised… my son… "
Percy stared uncomprehendingly at the bloody sword in his hand.
Mike's hand slowly slipped down from the hilt as the last of his strength disappeared.
'Master… I failed to meet your expectations. I lost myself in hatred and anger. But this child… he saved me from myself. I wonder… will he live up to your hopes? Will he master the Devil God Sword Style? He might… No… He will! Because he has light inside him that shines brighter than the darkness of the Devil God's. So he will be the one to break the cycle. He will do what we never managed… he will move beyond the second sword slash. "
And a piercing wail rang across the ruined plain.
-Unknown Territory, Spiritas Realm-
"where is this? " Percy asked, looking around. They had left after sunset, heading to the outskirts of Capital City Gomti of the Spirit Kingdom.
Stella had left as soon as she had recovered, wanting to confront her uncle on how her brother could have been possessed by the DarkFlame Phoenix. She had also handed Percy a letter of introduction to the Spirit Academy, which would grant him provisional admission as a student of the academy.
But Ascelepius had asked Percy to accompany him first and thus, he'd been brought here. They had entered a cavern near the peak of a mountain that stood near Capital City Gomti. From there, they had descended, moving in darkness
"This here… is one of the most sacred areas of the Spirit Continent. " Ascelepius intoned. "One of the biggest secrets of the entire continent. If you were not by my side, and instead came here alone, you would have already died a hundred deaths without even knowing what hit you! "
Percy's eye twitched. "What's so special about this place? "
Ascelepius chuckled as he reached the center of the cavern, then slammed his staff down onto the floor. "Welcome to the Cavern of Erebus! The Shrine of the Five River Nymphs! "
Lines of light exploded from where his staff had touched the ground, radiating out towards the walls.
"What… ? " Percy Swiveled, looking around with awe as the cavern around them blazed with a holy light.
The floor was covered with an intricate mural, painted with vibrant colors. He leaned forward to inspect the design, and was struck by how realistic it was.
Skeletons danced around the floor, writhing in pain and devotion.
Jewel's that seemed to sparkle and pop out of the floor rolled among the dead.
And along the lines of light, we're five river's, some intersecting, some splitting into tributaries, as they spread across the floor.
The first was red, a mass of surging and blazing fire that actually seemed to be burning, radiating a heat like lava. It was the only river that merged with another river, the second river.
The second veered close to the river of fire, a dark blue that looked like the depths of the ocean, but somehow seemed to radiate a bone numbing chill. A sense of despair swept across Percy as he gazed at it and he quickly averted his eyes.
The third river was a milky white, the shallowest looking of all, with small patches of earth even jutting out. And by the shores, there were a mass of tall, pale trees. It radiated a feeling of comfort, a feeling of drowsiness… a feeling of sleepiness… forgetfulness…
Then was a pitch black River. It started from the walls of the cavern, seeming to bleed out of the ceiling, while the others started on the edge of the floor where it met the wall. It dripped down the wall, then broke into two rivers that branched and spread across the floor. The original river looked ordinary enough, but even as Percy watched, pain bloomed behind his eye's and a chorus of pains sprang up across his body together.
And the last river, similarly looked ordinary. Except it was a pitch black in color, and even as Percy watched, the river seemed to flow, inviting him closer, drawing him closer and closer.
"The underworld… " Percy murmured. "And these are the five river's that flow through Erebus. "
Ascelepius spread his arms out as he gestured to everything around them. "Indeed. This is the Sacred ground where the ones who have undergone the baptism of one of the five river's come to learn of their heritage and unleash their true power. "
There stood five statues, one standing over each other of the river's, each depicting a goddess of the river, a nymph born of Oceanus and the blood if Ouranous.
Phlegethon, dressed in cascading robes of silken fire, eyes turned up as her skin burned like scorching flames, cracking and reforming.
Cocytus, looking down at her cupped palms while tears splashed down her face, her eyes a pool of endless sorrow and despair.
Lethe, lay in a foetal position, curled around herself, arms hugging her knees to her chest.
Acheron, clawed at her hair, her face drawn into an endless shriek of agony, her eyes wide and frozen forever in her infinite pain.
Styx stood silently, her face a mask of pure hatred. Her eyes roiled with a hatred so deep, the world itself seemed to shrink away from her. Her eyes seemed to beckon to Percy. 'Son of the Sea… you have arrived… at Last…to fulfill the curse of your broken promise… your broken Oath."
Ascelepius smiled. " and you Percy, are the successor of Styx, the second person to ever manage to inherit the power of her infinite, all consuming Hatred!"
A.N.: Hello! I got a new laptop for Christmas, so I thought, why the hell not? Also, I've had a great deal of support which has highly motivated me to continue writing this story, despite it's complicated nature.