[Truth: Neutral]!
This is what allowed Travis to harm Akiol! The slime race was considered one of the best for fights due to the fact that it was mostly immune to all types of damage—except its core. [Truth: Neutral] bypasses this!
Akiol watched Travis' every move, "Why are you hunting the players?"
"They are the one who started this, I will hunt them and reap the rewards."
"No one wants to fight you know, I think you've made your point. So why bother?"
"You won't understand."
"Then just like before I'll remain blissfully ignorant!"
{Expeditious Steps}!
Several afterimages appeared around Travis. Shifting occasionally he found himself being overwhelmed.
'This is what Dimitrin meant about relying on my eyes!'
Travis slowly felt the wind swirl around him. When a sudden shift in movement appeared he swung towards it!
Crang~!
Akiol's thoughts accelerated. Truly it was incredible, this was the first native individual of earth who seemed to grasp at the concept of {Hyperfocused Battle Intensity}! Just how many fights has he gone through?
Akiol jumped and rolled midair slightly. Pushing Travis' weapon downwards he kicked Travis' face. Rolling with the kick to reduce the force he received Travis did a full spin and swung back.
Lifting Stars Akiol blocked the attack and was knocked back from the force. With a flip he landed, only to see a blade aiming directly for his face!
The movement in the air was off, this was clearly the result of a teleport Skill! Leaning back he managed to dodge most of the attack. A thin line appeared on Akiol's chin, the result from Travis' attack.
'Is this guy that strong?' -Mira
'He grows stronger every second, it's hard to grasp at his capabilities when he keeps improving!' -Akiol
T-T-Twang~
Three rapid blows were exchanged, every move reflected and countered. Travis pushed forward, determined to get through Akiol's defenses.
He winced, Akiol had managed to create a heavy cut on his arm! However, he wasn't sure where exactly the attack came from!
{Origami Style: Two Folds}!
Akiol dashed back, resetting the fight's tempo. He took a breath, "You're as crazy as the rumors say! I'm honestly impressed Dot!"
Travis rose an eyebrow at the sudden praise, "Oh?"
"However I don't think you're as unbeatable as people make you seem!"
"Then come prove it!"
~ ~ ~
Desk Guy was thoroughly stunned the whole time. He had long since prepared himself for the disappointment of the two not meeting. Yet for this sudden change to happen! He and Werrison were watching it together. Their excitement must have been visible enough because several of the other developers were gaining interest.
Soon enough a group of them huddled around a small screen.
Scott watched the sight and felt a tinge of disappointment. His super serious team of pro developers were acting like children watching their favorite show on a Saturday morning.
"Alright! I'll put whatever you're watching on the big screen. So stop hunching over a monitor!", Scott chided.
The projector system was set up in record time as every sat down comfortably. Werrison whispered, "So what gives you the confidence?"
Desk Guy replied simply, "When facing someone of the same Stage, Akiol does not lose."
~ ~ ~
[Rising Dark Moon]!
A crescent shaped attack sped towards Akiol. A silver Aura wrapped around Stars and he swung towards the attack. Faced against the power of Akiol's Aura, the attack stood no chance!
Akiol dashed across the field. Travis felt something was amiss and raised his swords to block. A smart move, for he did manage to prevent Akiol's attack. But the strange force behind the swing was oddly familiar. . . !
{Cataclysm Style: Hurricane}!
Travis shot back from the force of the attack. As he sped through the trees he used mana to slow down.
Akiol's figure appeared behind Travis. It appeared blurry for just a moment, like he was vibrating. This cleared up a second later as Akiol delivered a follow up attack!
{Cataclysm Style: Eruption}!
Travis felt a sting form across his back as he flew into the sky. Gritting his teeth he forcefully stopped and turned. Pointing a barehand and Lumen forward he launched two simultaneous attacks!
[Piercing Light]!
[Everdeep Blast]!
Bwong~!
In his haste he failed the synchronization and the two attacks progressed as normal!
Akiol tilted Stars forward and launched himself into the air. A blackhole formed at the tip of Stars and absorbed the beam as he progressed upwards.
Travis canceled the Skills, but only a moment too late. Akiol thrust Stars' forward with a stab. Trying to dodge Travis pushed himself sideways using mana. However Stars still pierced his side. Travis reacted quickly and slammed his elbow in Akiol's arm.
Akiol let go of Stars and gripped Travis' arm. Using his offhand to grab his sword Akiol then turned and tossed Travis' downwards.
As Travis fell Akiol pointed his sword upwards, "Do it Stars!"
'On it!' -Stars
A meteor descended towards Travis. Flames following its descent.
Travis landed and watched as the meteor descended quickly. A series of white rings appeared along his body as he raised his arms. Gripping Lumen with both hands he jumped towards the meteor and slashed it into two!
Teleporting behind Akiol using [Truth Twofold: Existence] he swung downwards. Akiol reacted, but was only fast enough to perform a poor block!
Trang~
The force sent Akiol crashing into the ground. Travis watched as a large body of dust arose where Akiol landed.
Slowly floating down Travis watched for any sudden movement.
Schiiing~
The dust blasted away with a sudden powerful gust of air. Akiol was revealed with Stars' Berserk Skill active. Around the rings a small purple energy lingered. Taking up a stance Akiol spoke, "Taking it up a notch already are we?"
"Don't say such useless things."
Berserk Skills have been activated! The fight had leveled up!
T-DOOM-!!
Their speed increased several fold. Utilizing such speed they both acted at the same time! As their swords clashed shockwaves ruffled the leaves.
Akiol frowned, the difference in strength was far larger than he anticipated. It was like Travis had two Berserk Skills activated!
That was because [Averoth's Lust for Blood] was at full blast! It had triggered when Travis first started his attack against Eternal Candle, Akiol had initiated combat long after!
Travis' arm blurred and a cut formed on Akiol's chest. The difference in speed was something he had to readjust to!
Bang-!
Travis kicked Akiol and sent him flying into a tree. Shaking his wrist Travis made Abe turn to mist and raised his hand. A dark energy forming in his palm, "You're not strong enough!"
Bwong~
Akiol swirled Aura around his sword and slashed forward, a wave of silver Aura crashing into the dark beam! His Aura wavered but never broke! Travis was unsure what the Skill Akiol had used was, he had never seen such a strange move. Additionally the feel the energy gave off was strange and unfamiliar.
Travis ended the beam once he realized that it was pointless. Once the beam faded Akiol sped across the field and closed the distance.
Clang~!
Travis grit his teeth, the speed at which Akiol moved at wasn't right. Therefor he deduced it must be a movement based Skill! Lifting his sword to block an attack Travis was stunned to see the sword dissipate right in front of him! Suddenly six wounds formed across Travis' body.
Akiol merged two of his styles together!
{Apparition Strike}
+
{Origami Style: Six Folds}!
=
{Origami Style: Ghostly Fold}!
"Tsk!"
Travis swung rapidly, hoping to push Akiol back. The speed was great, but was a perfect opportunity for Akiol to adjust! Akiol slowly maneuvered into the stance of {Absolute Territory}. It was like he was dancing in place, dodging through his attacks!
Travis wasn't about to be dodged. His eyes stung slightly as he activated [Truth Threefold: Revealing]!
He paused his attacks, something was wrong! [Truth Threefold: Revealing] should be show him Akiol's intentions! Yet there wasn't a thing showing!
It was because when Akiol used {Absolute Territory} he no longer has any intention, his every movement was based on pure reaction!
The perfect counter! Except neither of them knew this!
Travis leapt backwards with a large amount of force. Pointing Abe upwards a large ball of Abyssal Energy formed.
[Setting Dark Sun]!
Akiol leapt towards the giant ball, swirling Aura around his blade. Spinning in the air he sliced towards the ball, a thick line of Aura spreading across the ball.
Whoooosh~!
The ball of energy split in half and dissipated, revealing that Akiol was unharmed!
Travis clenched his hand in frustration. This feeling is what he felt when facing Dimitrin and Flinnder! How could a player reach the level of individuals who lived centuries?! Travis stomped the ground, causing it to cave in. Abyssal Energy swirled around him, dark triangles started to form on his body.
'What are you doing?! The Abyssal and Holy energy will chaos havoc in your body!' -Abe
"It's fine! I can channel the energy normally!"
Akiol frowned at the chaotic mana, it felt off from normal Berserk Skills. Like it was fighting itself. Faced with an unknown feeling Akiol chose to maintain the distance and keep an eye out.
Whoooom-!
A blast of air slammed into Akiol. He squinted his eyes and watched Travis slowly approach him. A set of black triangles and white circles sprawled across his body, like some sort of disease. Travis took an additional step, and vanished. Akiol's eyes widened as he lifted his sword to hopefully guard!
Schiiing~
'Akiol!' -Stars
Travis flicked his sword, "I am at a realm you cannot reach."
Akiol's arm fell to the ground, detached from his body. Travis' speed had managed to claim his arm before he even realized!
Badump~
A thick sense of bloodlust emanated from Akiol. It even overwhelmed Travis, like a thick syrup clogging his pores. His heart thumped violently, a natural instinct reacting to something.
Akiol held a hand to his chest, "It's okay you two, I am fine. Calm yourselves."
Travis stared at Akiol, he felt like two apex beings were hovering their jaws at his throat!
Akiol picked up his arm and absorbed the slime, sadly his arm did not replace. Akiol inspected it with a slight smile, "I almost forgot what it was like fighting with a human body. I was spoiled by the Slime's benefits."
Travis warily watched him, "What was that?!"
"Don't worry about that, instead watch the battle."
A Silver Aura erupted from his body, a sense of power lingered around him. Akiol lifted his sword and pointed it at Travis, "I have fully recognized the danger you pose. Thus, I have resolved myself to end this battle."