Averoth formed and leaned against a tree, "We got company."
Travis halted and turned around. A figure dropped from the sky and landed, blue embers falling to the ground. The figure looked at Travis and spoke, "It was you?"
"The Azure Phoenix?"
Travis frowned, the fact that a player obtained such a special Title to the point where he was aware was no small joke. Moreover he was aware of who this person was already.
Wrock rolled his shoulders, "I noticed someone was moving about. Moreover completely unhindered, evident by the fact that no Heresy is lingering around you. So forgive me, but I'm suspicious."
"I have no intention of getting mixed up in this."
"Ah but you see, I have a bit of a hard time believing that. Everywhere you go there's chaos in one way or another. Now suddenly in this area that has a specific way of entering you're just hanging around? I just don't buy it."
"You can believe what you want."
Averoth laughed, "So it was this guy! The one who noticed us upon our entry."
Travis frowned at the comment, "Since the beginning?"
Wrock tilted his head, "What?"
"You've known of my presence since the beginning?"
"Not you specifically, but I knew someone was running about."
"So if that's the case why are you here? You choose to investigate now?"
"So you know what's going on. That only increases my suspicion."
Averoth moved towards Wrock and circled him, "No good. You best explain yourself, else this guy might hinder our progress."
"You have greater concern.", Travis warned.
"I don't think I'm needed just now. Why don't you explain what you're doing?"
Averoth paused, eyeing the two he suddenly smiled, "Do you remember what I said? About you getting lucky?"
"What?", Travis found it hard to focus on Averoth's nonsense.
"I think it's about time you figured it out."
Averoth threw a punch towards Wrock. Travis was puzzled for a moment, for Averoth should only exist in his vision. Yet Wrock moved and dodged the punch. The two frowned and Wrock commented, "Not willing to explain?"
Travis was annoyed almost immediately. Averoth's meddling stuff was about to gain him an enemy! Immediately he put up his hands, "No that wasn't-"
Averoth appeared again, this time next to Travis. Feeling something strange Travis immediately recognized this as the Skill in his ring. Averoth had triggered it on his own.
Travis shouted, "Why are you doing this?!"
Merely grinning Averoth flickered and made an attack. Wrock was displeased by the suddenly aggravated assault and raised his arms to block the blow. Upon making contact Wrock was pushed back a few meters. Averoth murmured, "One."
It was too late now! Travis unsheathed his swords and prepared for combat. He hadn't planned on messing with Six Lights any time soon. Moreover their current strength was unknown, for something must have happened in the Gated Arena for Wrock to gain such a Title.
Wrock noticed the movements and prepared himself, "I only wanted to talk, but since you're being so adamant about it-!"
Averoth leapt forward and aimed a kick. Wrock dodged and countered with his own attack. Averoth held a surprised expression as he was pushed back. Landing softly he suddenly grinned and vanished.
Reappearing in a form only Travis could see he said, "Now then, about time you learn the difference."
Travis could not respond, for Wrock was already moving towards him.
Pang~!
Travis slid back in shock. His Stats were insane at his current level. Although Akiol was capable of keeping up with him, this was overwhelming him.
It made no sense! The amount of multipliers that are always in action, the amount of early Stats he had was insurmountable. Even if someone reached it, he shouldn't have been surpassed in the same Stage! So how?!
Flicking his wrist Travis aimed for Wrock's neck. Such a move was easily dodged and Wrock kicked his abdomen. Travis was just barely able to tell his move, but Wrock's speed was insane for someone of the same Stage.
Recovering quickly Travis grit his teeth, "Damn! How did you get this much strength?!"
"I wonder."
A shadowy monarch flickered above Travis and pointed towards Wrock. A heavy pressure fell onto his shoulders, making him tilt his head. Flexing his muscles he commented, "That's one of the more weird War Sights."
Boom-!
So what if he had higher Stats?! The amount of times Travis fought people who were stronger than him couldn't be counted on his fingers. He would surpass this guy too! His eyes began to sting slightly as he activated [Truth Threefold: Revealing]!
Closing the distance Travis swung Abe diagonally forward. In his eyes he saw Wrock's dodge and next attack, so he quickly acted accordingly. Dodging the counter attack he stabbed Lumen towards Wrock's chest.
Wrock was going to step back to escape his range, but Travis saw that too! Lumen flashed with a bright light and a white beam shot forward!
[Pierce Even Heaven]!
Wrock lifted his hand, Azure flame igniting in his palm. Grabbing the extended beam he stopped any progress from moving forward. His eyes darted towards something and he said, "Let's stop this. I have to assist with something and fighting you is detrimental."
"You say that, but you still came here to interrogate me."
"It seems I underestimated our foes. Besides, I thought you were someone I had to be cautious about. Especially after Akiol had to try to beat you. Yet I'm disappointed."
"Aren't you underestimating me too much?"
"No, I was overestimating."
Wrock's hand flexed and he shattered the beam, "You're a monster, you've clearly shadowed the version of you that fought Akiol. You're someone of potential, I'll admit that."
Thinking for a moment Wrock offered, "Do you want a piece of advice?"
Travis was immediately about to decline. However something deep within him stopped, "What?"
"The thing holding you back here is the idea that this is a game. Remove such thoughts, for this is far beyond that. Once you understand that I feel you will become a force to be reckoned with."
What was that supposed to mean? Travis didn't understand. He was someone who planned for hours how to make the perfect start. Years of his life was put to building the best account possible. Yet this individual who he has never seen before not only surpassed this greatly, but was offering some advice that made no sense.
His knuckles would look white with how tight he was gripping his swords. In a smooth motion he sheathed the swords, "Fine. I have nothing to do with anything here. It was mere coincidence. I'm just looking for a lost item."
"As long as I don't see you messing with something that's detrimental to us."
A crooked rectangle suddenly appeared next to Travis. A figure stepped out holding something, "I have what you requested. Duke Flinnder ordered for me to deliver this directly."
They stopped and looked towards Wrock, "Oh?"
Looking towards Travis disintegrating War Sight they commented, "That's not someone you can fight."
"I'm aware Dimitrin. Thank you, I was just about to leave."
Wrock eyed Dimitrin's every move yet he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Every movement this person made was like thousands of the same move were being made. Like he was watching an army.
Travis accepted the scroll and put it in his bag. Dimitrin looked about, "Heresy too. You're in some strange place. I'll be taking my leave."
Wrock reached out, "Wait! Who are you?!"
Dimitrin raised an eyebrow, "I do not owe that information to anyone."
"I've never seen so many moves in one action before. Isn't it a mistake to have so many different things built upon your foundation?"
That was right, this almost looked like Akiol's previous situation. This figure studied to broadly. It was worrisome how broad this one was however. Almost like it was everything that was mastered.
Dimitrin was amused, "You're one of the few who can see that. How interesting. Yes I suppose you are correct. Everyone is a blank canvas, but without focusing on one specific path it can mess up the end result. However if I had to make a comparison. . ."
Pointing at Wrock they continued, "If everyone has a canvas, including you. Then I do not. Rather I would be the artist."
Stepping halfway through the crooked square Dimitrin called, "Oh, make sure you stop by and visit Baron. There's something we need to discuss."
"Yes Dimitrin."
Wrock felt his hand itch. This was some peerless expert, he could feel it. The want to challenge this person raged within him. Just as the square vanished he committed their energy to memory. He would challenge this person later.
For now, his Party needed assistance. Glancing towards Travis he warned, "Don't try to attack me again like that. Next time won't be so favorable for you!"
A pair of wings sprouted from his back and he took the sky, leaving a bewildered Travis alone.
Averoth appeared leaning against a tree, "Do you see? Why you got lucky."
"I had greater concerns."
"But you're wondering aren't you? Despite you doping up on crystals how did someone manage to surpass you like that."
". . ."
"This is the difference in foundation. That guy, from the very start of his movements, has been building his foundation. Every move he made showed signs of dedication of following this one path. After all this time it has paid off, and now he's at a critical point. It almost makes me upset that I'm not around to fight him at his peak."
"It's that special?"
"Compared to you, who spent their beginning using Crystals like candy, it's like heaven and earth. Moreover that guy doesn't have the same restrictions as you."
"Restrictions?"
"Enough questions, figure out the rest on your own. For now continue the search."
Too many things lingered in Travis' mind. Dimitrin's impressed look, Averoth's lecture, Wrock's undeniable strength, his supposed unshakable position being overtaken. It was puzzling, he struggled to properly understand just what the difference was.
-<"I have a question for you Dot: What price did you pay for that power?">-
With more questions lingering he turned back the direction he was heading and moved.