*** Author's Note ***
4.5k words. Needed a say or two to finally finish the last chapter of this Volume.
It has been months since the Forest Arc has begun. Finally it is over.
But don't worry. Just as a Volume has ended, a new one starts. This is just the beginning of Cloud's Adventure.
I would like to thank all of my readers who stuck with me although I shamefully admit that I can't churn out chapters like other authors do.
But I do my best.
Anyway, here's today's chapter!
Enjoy!
***
A slash across the torso. Ducking under claw swipes after claw swipes. Jumping away from a wing stab attack before cutting off the phalanges like wings. Step in to cut the head off, fails and somersaulted to dodge a beam attacks from up top, while taking her bow and arrow from her back in a smooth motion and firing a Mana charged arrow that bore a hole in the enemy's torso. Unfazed, the demon quickly closed up his injury before continuing his assault.
Unable to take it anymore, Ortho grinds his teeth and his hand whitens from his tight grip of his weapon. "Can we do anything to help her?" Ortho asks while standing guard to a meditating Kurt.
Although I wish I can say that there is a way to help her, all we can do right now is to watch her fight for her life. For if we jump in, we will be more of a burden than help. It is frustrating to see the love of your life fight while I am just standing here doing nothing. But what can I do?
"We can't do anything right now. The demon is sticking to her like glue. If we try to support her with magic attacks, we will more likely hit her along with the enemy. However, if we try to help her with melee attacks, we will most likely hinder her instead of actually helping." I told the party. It might be tough to accept, but this is the best way we can help her. By not getting in her way.
The Elf Vice-Captain Nindr spoke. "Other races are truly foolish. You've been with her for months and you still haven't found out your companions' true capabilities?" With a serious tone, he continued "She can do it. She may have been exiled, stripped of her rank. But she is still an Elf. Not just any Elf, but the strongest in our generation. You will never reach her level." He then stared at the figure of the former Elder Maximillian. "Not without dabbling with powers beyond your ken." He snarled as if every word offends him.
"You're saying it like we are responsible for all of this." Mark Anthony retorted.
"You're races have an insatiable hunger for power. Instead of being thankful for the gifts given to you by the Gods, your race always yearns for more. You are never satisfied." He replies. "This is how your races get transported here. Because your greed destroyed your original worlds. Your greed leads you to this!" He points at the demons possessed Elder, or whatever is left of him. "If we don't stop this thing here, it will endanger the world!"
"Well, according to the legends, all races inhabiting Astera are all transported here. Does that mean your original planet was also destroyed by your race's greed?" Mark Anthony snidely replied.
"You dare say such slander to our race?! If only you're not part of the party of our Captain's sister, I will slay you where you stand." Nindr have a furious expression, as if ready to kill with a slight provocation.
I put my hand over Mark's shoulder and shakes my head, to tell him to stop provoking the man. I then turned towards the Elf. "I am sorry for what my friend's said. He is a curious one, he didn't mean any harm with his question." I apologized.
He calmed down a bit after the apology, but he still looked annoyed. "This is why I die first before being indebted with your kind. Rein in your friend. It might cost you your lives in the future."
I knew that Elves were a prideful race. Hell, when I first met Alora, her unwavering pride on herself is what caught my attention. As a son of a noble who don't have any notable accomplishment to show for, I was ashamed of myself. Maybe that is the reason I invited her to the party. Her unwavering pride even when the other adventurers are not treating her equally and even making fun of her behind her back, she never gave in. Her trust in herself was something I wanted to have for myself. That is when I slowly learned of her weaknesses and short comings. But those doesn't take away from her brilliance. No. It only made her shine more. For even with all her flaws, she could still stand tall, beholden to no one. Unfortunately, this man took that pride to the extreme. To the point where he doesn't even see us as people. Are the other Elves also like this? Is this also how Alora see us?
No… Even if the other of her race are like this prick. Alora is different. She is our friend. She is my… I clenched the sword in my hand so tight that I can feel that I am drawing blood. Our friend, my love, is fighting the fight of her life and we can't even help… All I can do is close my eyes, and pray…
Goddess Luna, please hear my prayer. Protect her from harm that she may return to us. Grant me the strength to protect her from the evil that threaten the peace of the world. This I pray to you…
**
This is a problem.
That is the words that comes to my mind as I watch the wounds that I inflicted on the demon burst with that despicable energy and slowly but surely, whatever has remained of the body of the Elder is being shed off. Revealing the true body of the demon and releasing more and more of his power.
I must end this quickly, before the demon fully. If I only followed the plan. But working with a Void-touched is more than I can bear. Now, we have lost our chance to end the battle before it even began. I only have myself to blame.
No. Stop it Alora. You can receive all the blame later. Even bearing the fact that you let your sister down. Right now, all that matters is defeating this demon and cleansing the world of its filth.
I once more duck under one of his attacks, step in and horizontally slashed the demon with my sword enhance with nature energy across its stomach. Leaving a trail of burn flesh as it slices his flesh.
Tsk. It was a shallow cut.
I could've cut him in half if I took a deeper step in, but the demon is fast to recover his stance and was quick to counter with claws and energy beams that pierce through stone like knife through butter. A direct hit from that will surely take me out in a single strike. Which is an outcome that must be avoided. For once I fall, no one here will be left that is be able to match this demon.
After I somersaulted away from another deadly swipe followed by a barrage of energy beams, I quickly drew my bow from my back and nocked an arrow. I infused my arrow with nature magic and let loose a flame eagle shot the moment he was open. The shot ran straight through his torso, making a gaping hole of at least 15 cm in diameter. It should've been enough to kill a regular person instantly, but against the demon, it was only a slight annoyance as the damage I have painstakingly inflicted was healed by that same Dark Aura that he is emitting.
"You're only prolonging the inevitable Elf! Struggle as much as you like, but in the end, I will still win and you will be dead!" The demon roared as his second wing sprouts on his back. His whole upper body and half of his face has already demonized.
"You will not succeed demon! You will fall here by my hands!" I answered after I cut his hand off from the wrist. A day before the raid, Eleona sent a message back home that we have found the Organization's hideout. It should've reached the hands of the Council by now and a team of the Elite Elves are already on their way here. If I cannot win, then I could at least force him to stay here and fight until the backup arrives. If not, delay him as much as I can that the others will be able to track him and take him down.
Thankfully, the enemy is full of pride. Even when he is surrounded, the thought of escape is not even showing in his face. He must be sure of his supremacy that he thinks that he could kill us all at his leisure. If he could unleash all of his power, then he surely could. But so long as he is not able to draw his full power, I will use this chance to defeat him.
"Haha!" The Demon chuckled as he suddenly sped up and was only a meters away and he attack with both hands and wings.
I quickly cast Nature's Wrath and the roots quickly rose up and wrapped around his hands and wings. Even the Mana enhanced roots were only able to buy me a split second before they were torn apart by the sheer physical strength of the demon.
Fortunately, I only need a split second. I nocked 5 arrows and shot it at the demon.
Flaming Sparrow Barrage!
The 5 arrows I shot formed into birds and homed towards the body of the demon. One was stuck in his forehead, two in the chest, and two in the abdomen. The flames of the five arrows connected to form a 5 point star Circle. All that is left is to activate.
Jumping to create a distance, I activated the spell. "Circle Magic! Five Point Energy Combustion!" This is a spell which uses an enemy's own Mana to burn the body from the inside. The stronger the energy of the enemy is, the stronger the effect will be.
"Guaaahhhh!" The demons screamed as he is being engulfed in flames fueled by his own Mana.
I did it!
But my celebration only lasted for 5 seconds as the demon flapped its wings to take out the arrows embedded in its body.
With flames still blanketing his whole body, the demon spoke. "That hurts Elf. Using my own strength against me eh? Smart. But not as smart as you think! BEHOLD MY TRUE POWER!" He roared as his burnt lower half disintegrates and the Dark Aura covered it once more. After a few seconds, the last trace of the Elder was gone. In its place was the full figure of the demon.
This is bad. His power is levels higher than before. This time, I may not be able to even buy a few seconds for the others to escape. Not with the overwhelming force of destruction in front of me. Even his Dark Aura alone is enough to make me feel like vomiting from dreadful pressure his aura is expelling.
"Can you feel it now Elf? The difference between us?" The demon said in a smug tone. "From the start you never had a chance. If I wanted to, even that weakling of an Elder could destroy you if I granted him even a quarter of my full power." His pride and arrogance dripping from every word he says. "It's just fun seeing you lower life forms struggle. It delights me to see you full of hope, only for me to shatter that hope and you fall to despair! Come! Show me more! Wha-?" Suddenly the demon was interrupted.
The culprit was the Void-touched. Cloud! "Thanks for luring him here Alora! I know I wouldn't stand a chance if I charge at him like an idiot." The man smiled. His expression is full of glee. "Now, how about a late night snack M'agorath? First in the menu, you! Hahaha!"
I feel something burn in my chest. It must be it. Cloud is forcing more of his energy in order to absorb the demon's energy, straining the blood seal, thus, the blood seal is draining more of my energy to avoid from getting itself broken!
"Shhh… Quiet now. Don't fight it… You know you want this!" The Void-touched whispers at the demon as he draws more energy from the seal for his business.
"What are you saying you damn human?! Get off of my back!" The demon roared as he tries to grab him off his back.
While he was trying to grab the Void-touched, I quickly nocked an arrow and shot him in the forehead but he used his wings to catch it midair.
"Grrrr! You annoying flies! Begone!" The demon flapped his wings and blocked the other arrows I fired with just the wind pressure.
"Get back Alora!" The Void-touched yells. "I got this!"
Ugh… I am starting to feel lightheaded as the blood seal continues to siphon more energy from me to reinforce it. I need to retreat and meditate. Must reinforce the seal… I…
As I start to run away, I lost my balance. Suddenly, I felt a strong hand grab me by the shoulder to prevent me from falling on my face. I raised my head up to see who came to my aid. There he was.
"Careful." Philip whispered softly as he carried me in his arms. "I have a feeling that the battle between those two will be crazy."
This man… Always in the time of my need, there he comes…
Putting my hand over his, I feel Philip's gaze fall upon me. "You must be tired… I will carry you to your sister so that you could rest for a bit. Don't worry. I will protect you with my life. This I swear."
"You do know that I am stronger than you, don't you?" I said to him.
"Even if you are the strongest being in the world, it will not stop me from wanting to protect you." Looking forward with a determined look in his face, he continued to run.
"I am glad… to hear… that…" I feel my eyes go heavy.
I can hear Philip say a few more words… How I wish I could hear them… I am just so tired. Maybe after a short nap, we could chat some more...
**
Watching the two powerhouses duel, it only solidified my belief that I will be obliterated as soon as I step in their range. That is why I had to think of another way to catch my prey. Crawling in the ground, suppressing my energy, hiding inside one of the holes the roots dug out, and waiting for the opportune moment really payed off!
"Get off of me maggot!" M'agorath shouts. His wing swoops down, brushing against my back as he tries to stab me with its phalanges.
"No way! I like it here. I think I am going to stick here longer." I mocked the demon as I continued to absorb his sweet, sweet energy.
The pressure that is coming from the blood seal put upon me by Alora suddenly weakened. Great! Now I can put more force in absorbing his energy!
I can feel the demon flinch when I started to increase my energy absorption. "Guuuhhh!" With a swift motion, his clawed hand quickly grabbed me and pulled me off of his back. Squirming in his grasp, the demon continued to speak. "Absorb as much as you like you worm! I will crush you all the same! Hahahaha!"
This is tough. His grip strength is too strong that I can feel my bones are starting to get squished along with my internal organs. If this continue, I will get crushed! Gotta think fast!
I quickly Amplified my Aura, focused my Ki on my teeth and bit the motherfucker hard at his damn hand. I can feel his flesh resist by bite, but pumping more energy on my attack, I finally tore through his flesh.
"You damn human!" Flinching from my attack, the demon threw me hard against the ground.
Feeling full to the brim with Ki energy, added to the Void Energy that I absorbed from the demon, I feel my concentration so sharp that everything around me seem to slow down. I twist my body mid-air so that I could land on my feet. Upon landing, I can feel the ground beneath me crack as the force of the demon's throw creates a crater. Once landed, time seem to resume to its normal pace.
"You bit me you little shit!" The demon roars and flew towards me with arms open, wings and claws ready to rend me to pieces.
I pump my body with Ki and Void-energy and once more, I feel my concentration shot up and was able side step and duck under the demons attack. I then turned around, seeing my opponent do the same, I quickly spat the demon meat in my mouth towards the incoming demon.
Bullseye! Or should I say, Demonseye!
"Damn you!" The demons shouts as he wipes away the flesh and blood I spit in his eyes.
Not wasting the opening, I pumped Ki in my leg and kicked the demon in the groin with all my strength.
"GUAAHHH!" The Demon screams in pain as he hold his groin.
"Nice to know that demons still have balls!" I yelled while laughing. "Now, for the feast!" But before I could grab the demon and absorb more of his energy, I felt a barrage of energy coming towards our direction. Not even turning my head to see what is happening, I pump my body with more Ki and Void energy and quickly ran to put some distance between me and the demon, and right on the money, multiple spells rained down on him. Even after almost a minute the spells hasn't stopped coming as the dust cloud from their impact gets thicker and thicker. Then…
Bursting from the cloud of dust, the demon flew towards me. Horns first.
"Oh shit!" I yells as the barrage of spells is also following him. I wanted to run away but I know that it is futile for he is much faster than I am. So I ready myself to dodge. I shifted my weight to dodge sideways, but I can see he is ready for it and stretched his wings. How about I duck? Dumb move for he could as easily rend me with those claws of his. Then how about…
I rushed towards the charging demon. Surprised by my unexpected action, it slowed the demons' reaction. I took the opportunity to grab him by the horns.
Let's go! FULL POWER!
Using all of the energy I can pump to my body, I feel my muscles and bones protest in pain as time seem to slow down as I pivot and redirect the demon's momentum. Twirling in place, I then swung the demon's body to block the incoming attacks, while absorbing his energy at the same time to further fuel my body's strength and heal the broken bones and muscle tear that this technique's backlash.
"Impertinent wretch!" The demon roared and tried to grab me with his claws. But before he could, I jump up and mounted his back once more. He continued flying as he tries to shake me off his back, crashing from building to building.
I cycle through absorbing the demon's energy and healing myself from the damage I incur from the rampage of the demon. But I then noticed, that the amount of energy I am absorbing is getting smaller and smaller.
"Enough!" The demon once more shouts. He slammed his back in the ground and I was forced to let go from the pain of my body getting crushed by the force of the body slam. He swoop back and grabbed me before throwing me through the walls of a building till I came out the other side.
"Urgh…" I summon both Ki and Void energy to hasten my recovery. The fractured bones mended, dislocated joints slid back to their socket, muscle tissues reconnected, and the lacerations close up, leaving healthy skin in its place.
"You are a fool." The demon slowly walks toward me. I think we flew far away from the earlier battlefield. From the cliff behind me, we should be at the western part of the camp. "If you just left and let me destroy the Elves, you could've gain more power than you could ever imagine." He continued. "From the look on your face, you must've noticed by now. Your ability to absorb energy has severely weakened. That is because you are running low on Void Energy. Truly a wretched thing. Blessed by the Void to be its harbinger but ignorant of the power you possess." The demon then started to exude more of his Aura. It feels different from before. It feels more like the human mages than what I felt when I first met him in the Void. "You think the Elves would be thankful for your assistance in defeating me? No. They will kill you, burn your corpse, and scatter the ashes in the wind. For you think that you are human. But the truth is, we are more alike than you think. Both favored by the Void. But it seems that it favor you more." The demon paused as if he is remembering something. "The moment you appeared in the Void, I have been made aware of you. Walking through the Void for thousands of years without a care in the world. Seemingly unaffected by the forces that should've killed anyone and anything less than demons." The demon sighed before continuing. "The inhabitants of this planet will not suffer your existence. Your very existence will be rejected like it does to me."
"You and me are alike? I hope not. I will kill myself if I find myself looking as ugly as you." I know I should not provoke the demon, but what can I say? I can't control my tongue sometimes. "You said we are being rejected by the planet. How can you say that when you are already here?" I asked him.
"Hmph. Such ignorance. You must've already noticed abnormal things happen to you right now. Signs that the planet itself wants to kill you. That is because we, and the power that we bear, doesn't belong here." The demon explained. "But that is enough chit chat. I will now kill you and absorb what little Void energy is left within you." He said in a matter of fact manner.
This is bad. He is getting serious now. His next attack will surely be lethal. Checking on my energy, I don't have enough Ki or Void energy to dodge and drag this battle on for others to come to my assistance. The bastard drag me away from the others, so I can't expect any help from them. That means, the only option is to fight back.
This next attack might as well be my last. So how about I put a brave face for one last time and give my all. Just like my father say, use my own strength to grab my future. If I die, that means I don't have enough strength to do so. But at least I tried.
"Hoooh… That is a good face." The demon says. "It is a shame that you rejected my offer to be my vessel. We would've had a lot of fun destroying the insects of this world. That is, before I absorb your soul and take control of your body. Such a shame…" The demon sighed as if he is sincere with his words. Then, looking me in the eye with a steely gaze. "I've been entertained enough. Let's finish this. Get ready! Use all your power in your last attack! Give me your all so that I can crush you with power that surpasses the realm of mortals! Come at me, Void Walker!"
This demon is a true warrior. Fierce but at the same time full of pride an honor. It will be shameful if I don't answer his challenge. Summoning all of my remaining energy, both Ki and Void Energy, I ponder on what attack I should do. It must be a one hit finisher. But I don't have something like that. I can punch with all my might but I don't think it will do much damage against the demon. Is there nothing I can do? Or…
First, I took a stance and Amplified my Aura with both Ki and Void energy. I then focused all of my Aura to my left fist. The energy within my fist is so intense that it created an orb of Aura that is about 2 meters in diameter and glowing in Dark and Yellow. "Ready! Let's go M'agorath! I, Cloud Alistair will send you to the afterlife!"
"So you do have a name. Wonderful! Then let's go Cloud Alistair! Let's finish this!" The Aura of the demon flared up and he started to charge at me.
I remained standing, waiting for the demon to come to my range. I focused my Aura more until the orb surrounding my fist is only 20 cm in diameter which only made the Aura more intense and heavier than before. I only have one shot. 20 meters. 10 meters. 5 meters. 3 meters. Now! With a straight punch, I released all of the energy from my fist and willed it to fire a wave of destructive force like Kurt did. "Void-Ki Wave Explosion!" I shout as my punch emit an explosion in front of me. I don't know if it killed the demon. All I know is that I am feeling light. Like I am flying.
And now I feel like I am falling.
I opened my eyes and see myself falling from the cliff that was behind me earlier.
Oh shit! I focused all my energy to my fist that I forgot to put some to my feet! Did my attack killed M'agorath? No, this is not the time to think about that! What I should be concerned about is that I am falling! I don't think even with full energy, that I will survive a fall of hundreds of meters! No!
Oh wait! Rebeccah said that there is a river below this cliff!
I twist my body mid-air to see where I am falling to, and she was right. There is a river with a bunch of trees lining along the riverside. Maybe if I could fall into it, maybe I will survive… But if I am falling at this speed, I might as well hit concrete than water. I must do something to slow my descent.
I know!
I stretched my arms and legs like a chipmunk. I once saw from TV that this is how they break their fall. Now just to try and fall towards the water. Just a few more meters west and I will be clear of the tall trees and safely land and…
Shit I can't make it!
I quickly pulled my hands and feet towards my body to shield myself from the branches of the trees.
*Crack*
"Gaaahhh!" I yelped in pain. Is that sound from the cracking branch or my bones? I don't know any more as the pain continues as I hit every branch of the fucking tree, breaking bones and scratching me all over.
God… What a shitty way to go. Had an epic battle only to die from falling down a god damn cliff.
I continued to fall and hit every branch when I feel my head crack as it hit a branch. As I start blacking out, I felt my body submerge into something cold.
Am I dead? Oh well. I don't care anymore. I've only been here for just a few months but there is nothing here but fights, day in and out, every day is a struggle to survive. I just… I feel tired…
Father, Mother, last but not the least, my little sister Anise. I guess I will just wait for you on the other side…