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Amidst the ongoing battle outside the tower, another intense confrontation unfolded within its walls between Aiden and Damien. Apart from them, only Dian Long and Charles remained on the top floor, existing in their incorporeal spirit forms, impervious to physical harm.
The clash between Damien's spear and Aiden's axe reverberated throughout the chamber, each strike carrying with it an escalating surge of power. Their movements became swifter, fueled by their determination to outmatch one another. The explosive shockwaves produced by their clashes wreaked havoc, reducing the surroundings to rubble.
With a resounding boom, a colossal shockwave erupted from their clash, compelling them to momentarily retreat from the immense force unleashed. However, neither combatant conceded defeat, swiftly regaining their balance and lunging at each other once more.
The clash of weapons resonated—metal meeting metal, creating a symphony of clashes and explosive impacts. Damien's spear became enveloped in an ominous darkness, while Aiden's axe blazed with a fiery, crimson glow, a counterforce against the abyssal darkness emanating from Damien.
Damien, attempting to undermine Aiden's resolve, taunted him, "Seems like I have gravely underestimated your stubbornness. You must grasp the truth that my power far surpasses yours."
With a sharp, piercing sound, Aiden found himself struck by a deep, searing cut across his chest, causing blood to gush forth. Undeterred by the injury, he leaped back, his focus now fixated on Damien. Extending his finger towards his adversary, Aiden unleashed a formidable attack. A colossal fireball materialized at the tip of his finger, its radiant glow resembling that of a miniature sun. Propelled with incredible speed, it hurtled towards Damien, driven by Aiden's unwavering determination.
As Aiden proudly proclaimed, "Behold the might of the Cruel Sun!" Damien's response was one of utter indifference. He let out a weary sigh and shook his head, as if pitying Aiden's futile attempts.
"Can't you understand that your attacks are useless?" Damien retorted, his voice laced with a hint of exasperation. With a commanding gesture, he directed the swirling tendrils of darkness that surrounded him to converge upon the blazing fireball. The inky blackness enveloped the ball of flame, suffocating its radiance. Aiden's attack, rendered impotent, failed to even reach Damien, as it was effortlessly neutralized by the overwhelming power of the darkness.
Damien's face twisted into a smug expression as he observed Aiden, expecting him to be disheartened by the failure of his attack. To his surprise, Aiden remained unperturbed and instead wore a confident smile. With a snap of his fingers, Aiden redirected his attention towards Damien, leaving him astonished at the spectacle unfolding before his eyes.
The once modest flaming sun began to swell in size, defying the encroaching darkness that sought to shroud it. Despite the darkness' attempts to fully cover it, the sun's power proved too immense, shattering the shadows that surrounded it and revealing its true potency. The radiant orb expanded tenfold, its searing heat causing everything in its vicinity to melt and distort.
Aiden's grin widened, and he taunted, "I hope your darkness can protect you from what comes next. Pride Flare!" The sun flame ball erupted with an enormous surge of heat, igniting everything on the top floor in a blazing conflagration. A blinding light enveloped all present, culminating in a cataclysmic explosion that reduced everything to oblivion.
The deafening boom echoed throughout the tower, surpassing even the destructive power of Olenna's most formidable magic attack. Almost the entirety of the top floor was obliterated, reduced to minuscule remnants of rubble. A huge pillar of smoke covered the upper are rending everyone unable to see the inside of the center of the explosion.
After a while, Aiden could see only fragments of the ground and the staircase leading to the lower levels remained intact, serving as testament to the floor's former existence. Aiden using mana to float within the aftermath of the explosion, surveyed the destruction he had wrought. Knowing that someone as powerful as Damien would likely survive such an assault, he had shielded himself with a last-minute infusion of mana before soaring beyond the explosion's reach.
His gaze shifted to Charles, who stood nearby with Dian Long. Addressing Charles with a touch of mischief, Aiden remarked, "I hope you're not mourning the loss of the tower. Rest assured, I'll exact retribution by claiming Damien's head as compensation. What do you think?"
Charles shook his head, a smile gracing his lips. "Deal with him first, and then we can discuss matters further," he replied, his tone calm and collected.
With a swift motion, Aiden propelled himself forward, slicing through the dissipating smoke. Before him stood Damien, his hands and chest bearing injuries, his body covered in burn marks. The once-imposing black robe had been reduced to ash, and even his red chest armor had melted away, leaving him vulnerable and diminished.
Clad only in his spear and black pants, Damien's remaining attire, he gathered the shroud of darkness around him, using it to mend his wounds. Anger burned in his eyes as he locked his gaze on Aiden. Unfazed by Damien's fury, Aiden maintained a serene smile, showing little concern for his opponent's emotional state, eagerly awaiting the impending attack. Taking the opportunity, Aiden began to question Damien.
Aiden: "Judging by your mastery over darkness and those eyes that shift to a deep black, it seems safe to assume you are a demon, isn't that right?"
Damien scoffed dismissively, refusing to entertain Aiden's inquiries. "I have no obligation to answer to the likes of you. I extended mercy when I attempted to end your life last night, but you proved resilient. Now, brace yourself for the torment you shall endure."
Aiden chuckled, his voice laced with curiosity. "Ah, where did that easygoing and mischievous nature of yours disappear to? Well, no matter. You need not answer me now. I'm certain Charles will enlighten me about your true identity once I dispatch you. However, I am intrigued by one thing. Why do you refrain from utilizing your divine ability at this moment?".
Aiden's final question caught Damien off guard, momentarily halting his impending attack. Aiden, perceiving this opening, smiled and swiftly charged at Damien, striking him with his empowered axe.
"Take this, Super Slash!" Aiden's blow, infused with mana, sent Damien hurtling through the air, crashing down to the ground with great force, creating a massive crater beside the tower. As Damien regained his composure, he found Aiden standing before him, ready for another strike. With a swing of his spear, Damien managed to block Aiden's attack, generating a powerful shockwave that pushed them apart.
Regaining his calm demeanor, Damien returned to his previous self, sporting a sinister smile as he waved his spear.
"I must admit, you caught me off guard. I underestimated your strength, but that won't happen again. In fact, I'm willing to answer some of your questions," Damien declared.
Observing Damien's apparent calmness, Aiden realized that his opponent was unfazed by his presence.
Damien continued, "Yes, as you may have suspected, I am unable to utilize my divine ability at the moment. The reason being that I haven't yet gained full control over it. As for my true identity, I believe I will let Charles explain, considering he is here. What do you think?"
Aiden turned and noticed both Charles and Dian Long had descended to the ground, joining them. Charles took the opportunity to speak, shedding light on Damien's origin.
"Damien is not a demon, at least not in the conventional sense. He is a half-demon," Charles revealed.
Aiden exclaimed in surprise, "A half-demon?!"
Charles continued, "Indeed. Damien Reiss father was a pure-blooded demon, while his mother was not. In fact, she was a dragon."
"Hmm... so he's a hybrid?" Aiden pondered.
Dian Long interjected, "Yes, and not just any hybrid. He is the perfect fusion of a high-ranking dragon and a high-ranking demon. He is... a Demonic Dragon."
Damien couldn't help but grin mischievously, remarking, "Oh, Dian Long, can you please spare me the compliments? You know I'm not interested in guys."
Damien ascended into the air, shrouded once again in darkness that emanated from him. The darkness seeped into his spear, lending it a more ominous and sinister appearance. Fixing a cold and determined stare at Aiden, Damien declared, "Enough with the introductions. Let us continue our fight."
Aiden, concerned for the safety of Charles, warned him, "Hey, Charles, it's best if you stay away. It seems like he's about to unleash his full wrath."
With a swift swoosh, Damien moved at great speed, appearing right in front of Aiden, his spear aimed directly at Aiden's left arm that held Rhitta.
Damien proclaimed, "Fury Strike!"
A ferocious whoosh accompanied the strike, followed by a powerful explosion.
Dian Long recognized the heightened potency of Damien's attack, exclaiming, "That was spear intent! He infused his darkness attacks with spear intent, amplifying their power."
Charles acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, remarking, "It seems he's truly determined this time."
The attack was devastating, propelling Aiden forcefully away from the tower. Unable to react in time to block the strike, he soared through the air like a small meteor, crashing into several buildings before finally coming to a halt. Aiden, blood spilling from his mouth, felt the impact of the mana-infused attack and the force of Damien's spear intent.
With Aiden now at a considerable distance, Damien turned his attention to Charles and Dian Long, advancing towards them, ready to strike.
Aiden, despite his injuries, mustered the strength to shout, "Argggh... leave them alone. I am your enemy!"
With a dismissive snort, Damien uttered, "Hmph... Darkwave."
Bursts of darkness erupted from Damien, rendering Charles and Dian Long motionless and trapped in place. He then molded the darkness into a massive ring, using it to tightly bind both of them.
Damien declared, "Once I finish dealing with Aiden, I'll be back for both of you. Consider it insurance so you won't attempt to escape."
Swiftly, Damien dashed toward Aiden, who had just emerged from the crater. In an instant, Damien stood before him, poised for action. Aiden wasted no time, launching a powerful punch aimed directly at Damien's face. However, Damien effortlessly evaded the blow by swiftly sidestepping.
A resounding boom filled the air as Aiden's fist struck nothing but empty space, creating a mighty shockwave that sent nearby trees tumbling, though it caused no significant damage.
Aiden's eyes narrowed in frustration as his punch missed its mark. He swiftly regained his balance, readying himself for Damien's next move. Without a word, Damien lunged forward, spear in hand, aiming for Aiden's exposed left side. Aiden reacted with lightning-fast reflexes, raising his Axe to block the attack. The clash of metal reverberated through the air as the two combatants engaged in a fierce exchange of blows.
Their movements were a blur, each strike infused with raw magic power. Aiden's Axe whirled through the air, delivering devastating slashes, while Damien's spear danced with deadly accuracy, seeking out vulnerable openings.
Aiden's strength and fiery attacks matched Damien's agility and mastery of darkness. They fought with a ferocity that shook the very ground beneath them. Neither was willing to back down, each fueled by their own motivations and the desire to prove their superiority.
Cracks formed in the ground, fissures spreading like veins as the sheer force of their attacks sent shockwaves throughout the area. Debris flew through the air, caught in the maelstrom of their battle, as nearby structures crumbled under the strain.
Amidst the chaos, Aiden's eyes blazed with an unwavering determination. The flames danced and flickered, enhancing the might of his strikes and adding an intense heat to the battlefield. Aiden unleashed
Damien, however, remained composed. He deftly evaded Aiden's fiery onslaught, his dark cloak billowing behind him. The darkness that surrounded him seemed to grow even more potent, its malevolent energy feeding his resilience. With each dodge and counter, Damien exhibited an uncanny awareness of his opponent's movements, as if he could predict Aiden's every intention.
In the midst of the chaotic battlefield, Aiden's mana surged, transforming into a fiery aura that engulfed him, intensifying the power of his strikes and casting an infernal heat across the surroundings. With a resolute cry, he unleashed his other technique, "Crazy Prominence!"
A torrent of miniature suns erupted from Aiden's very body, hurtling through the air with explosive force. Damien, standing directly in their path, bore the brunt of their impact as they collided with him and sent him hurtling backward. The miniature suns continued their destructive trajectory and exploding on impact, crashing into a colossal tree that immediately became engulfed in flames, their combined assault scorching the surrounding area.
But Damien, with his mastery over darkness, managed to shield himself from the worst of the onslaught, skillfully mitigating the damage inflicted upon him.
Amidst the chaotic aftermath, Aiden swiftly soared through the air, his flames engulfing the darkness ring that had ensnared Charles and Dian Long. As the smoke dissipated and clarity returned to the sky, Damien's piercing gaze fixated on Aiden, who was now a distance away, tending to his comrades. With a resounding thud, Damien dropped his spear and drew a deep breath, unleashing a mighty roar that reverberated across the entire island.
ROOOAR
The sound of Damien's roar reached the ears of all present, instilling a primal fear reminiscent of their encounter with the wyvern. This time, however, the terror magnified a thousand fold, enveloping the surroundings with an ominous aura. In the wake of the resounding roar, Damien's appearance underwent a startling transformation. Dragon scales adorned his arms and chest, bestowing upon him enhanced durability and raw power. Enormous black wings sprouted from his back, and a quartet of horns emerged atop his head. The two frontal horns, sharp and pointed, betrayed his demonic lineage, while the larger, curving side horns exuded the majesty of a dragon.
Without hesitation, Damien unleashed his newfound draconic powers, soaring through the air with astonishing speed toward Aiden and his allies.
Dian Long cautioned, "Be vigilant! He has transformed into his hybrid form, amplifying both his mana and strength."
Woooosshhhh
With a single flap of his wings, Damien materialized before Aiden, delivering a devastating punch with formidable force.
"Demonic Dragon Fist!"
Boooommmm
The impact sent Aiden hurtling through the air once again, blood staining his lips. Yet, he regained his composure mid-flight, arresting his descent. Wiping the blood away, Aiden stared back at Damien, a steely resolve burning in his eyes.
Charles and Dian Long had prudently retreated from the immediate battleground, observing the clash from a safe distance. Aiden, now enveloped in a blazing aura of mana, concentrated his power, gathering it within his hand until it blazed with an intensity unmatched.
"Sun Fist!"
"Demonic Dragon Fist!"
Swooossshhh
Their fists collided in a cataclysmic clash, unleashing a huge shockwave that shook all the ground in the island. The ground crumbled beneath their feet, and the surrounding forest was caught in a tumultuous maelstrom of darkness and fire.
Unfazed by the ferocity of their collision, Damien sneered, his voice laced with arrogance. "Do you honestly believe that your feeble hand can penetrate the impervious scales of a demonic dragon? Dragons are renowned for their impenetrable defenses, and when infused with the powers of darkness, they become invincible. You, on the other hand, are but a lowly human, relying on brute strength that pales in comparison to someone of my caliber."
Crack Crack Crack
In an unexpected turn of events, Damien's hand that had dragon scales on it began to fissure and shatter like fragile glass. Pain coursed through his body, and he cast a bewildered gaze at Aiden, who smiled triumphantly. With a touch of sarcasm, Aiden taunted his adversary.
"It seems the half breed dragons aren't as invincible as they claim to be."
Retreating slightly, Damien locked eyes with Aiden, his expression devoid of emotion. Aiden continued his verbal onslaught, relishing the opportunity to provoke his opponent.
"This is merely the beginning. Even in this new form of yours, you cannot escape the inevitable fate of defeat. For I am truly invincible."
Aiden smiled while pointing his finger at the sun above. He knew he entered the second half of day (beginning of noon) and so his power would also raise faster.