*BOOM*
Jericho crashed into a huge rock the size of a house obliterating it in the process.
It has already been 10 minutes since he used Blood Burning. 'He should be running out of blood soon' Marcus thought as he dodged a rock that was thrown by Jericho.
He then proceeded to change his sword into a whip with a blade at the tip.
Jericho got up from the rubles and picked up two more rocks from the piles. His fingers sank into the rocks so he could hold it better then proceeded to throw it at Marcus.
Marcus then wielded his whip with expertise and diced up the incoming rock. His movements were precise, he used the end of the whip to slash the rock apart and when the rocks was diced up the rock then separated spiralling at his direction avoiding him all together. Another rock came next this time slightly larger.
He coiled his whip around the second rock then turned 360 degrees before throwing it back at Jericho.
The airborne rock was welcomed by a fist which destroyed it.
"WRAAHHG!!"
Jericho growled at Marcus with intense rage. This was one of the side effects of Blood Burning. The user would lose all rationality and go crazy becoming a wrathful monster who only sought destruction. The only way to stop the technique was to either awaken the user or for the user to destroy or kill anything that moved. A third option was for the user to drain his blood and die.
When Jericho used this before he had ordered his soldiers to retreat and to only watch from a distance so he wouldn't accidentally attack them.
But alas his efforts were wasted because his father decided to kill his subordinates just hours after he wiped out Tribe Pact.
Marcus took the initiative to attack. He whipped Jericho at the legs creating a deep cut then retreated back.
Enraged, Jericho pounced at Marcus but the latter managed to evade and keep his distance. Marcus then moved at the right, this time targeting Jericho's right shoulder.
He kept on going right until he was circling around Jericho attacking him from different angles. Jericho tried to fight back but his attacks always missed by a few inches.
Five minutes passed by and their fight still continued. Marcus was now slightly breathing roughly and sweat began to run down from his forehead.
Dodging Jericho's attack wasn't that easy. He has to concentrate and focus everything he has when evading. One wrong move and he could have his body broken. He couldn't afford to make a mistake.
Jericho's body was now covered with deep cuts and flesh could be seen but for some reason he was not bleeding.
'Tch. I thought I could fasten the process of blood loss by cutting him up. This technique is more profound than I thought'
He was actually slightly getting nervous. Marcus' aura might be plentiful and strong but there was also a limit to it.
This was out of his calculation. He thought fighting this berserk Jericho would be easier than fighting the sane one.
Jericho once again stood up and charged toward him like a mad bull. He looks quite grotesque. His muscles were bulging and twitching. His eyes were only white while his body was full of deep cuts. The once galant man was no more, what replaced him was a berserk monster.
But contrary to what he was expecting Jericho suddenly stopped then hammered the ground with his fist causing sands and dust to rise.
'Smoke screen!' Marcus was taken aback.
'I guess he doesn't have that much blood anymore. He's gaining consciousness!'
I need to finish this before 'He' comes.
Just as he was about to make his move. His instinct suddenly went crazy and told him to dodge but it was too late. He was hit at the right side! His right arm was crushed and his right rib cracked. It all happened too fast! A split second of delay was all it took for him to be hit by the attack.
*BANG*
He flew 15 meters away and crashed at the nearby trees but he still didn't stop. His body continued to slide creating a path of dirt.
After a moment Marcus slowly tried to get up, he heard ringing in his ears.
*PUH* he coughed out a mouthful of blood.
His body was aching all over. His right arm was broken, his ribs were cracked and even his right shoulder was dislocated.
His head was also bleeding. Blood flowed down on his right eye making him see red. Basically half of his right side was a mess. 'Good thing my right leg wasn't damaged' he thought as he looked at his right leg.
"Fuck!" He couldn't help but curse because of what he saw.
His right leg was stabbed by a piece of wood.
He slowly got up but he was slouched forward, his right hand was dangling. He was pressing his left hand at his right ribs. He looked at Jericho's direction but he couldn't see him because of the dust clouds. He then surrounded his body with three shields rotating around his body.
He removed his left hand from his right side then he gripped the wood that was stabbed in his leg. He pulled it out and blood splattered on the ground.
"Kuhg!" He winced in pain.
He was already in high alert. He prepared himself for an attack but it never came. After a while, the dust cloud settled in and he was able to see Jericho lying on the ground looking pale and skinny. He was breathing heavily, gasping for air with difficulty.
Marcus was stunned! Looks like Jericho gave everything he had on that last attack.
"Haaa...Haaa...Haaa" Jericho was breathing heavily. He lied on the ground looking up at the night sky with unfocused eyes.
He then turned his head sideways. He saw a silhouette of a person walking towards his direction while limping.
After a few moments the person stood beside him and spoke…
"Crazy bastard! If you were going to die then go die by yourself, don't drag me with you" complained the person.
When he heard that voice his vision gained its clarity.
"P- Punk… Yo- You...Haaa...You really a-are one tough so-n of a bitc-" before he could finish his sentence Marcus kicked him on the side causing him to tumble for a few meters.
"Urgh!" Jericho coughed up.
"Watch your mouth. You piece of shit!" Marcus said with rage and a pained expression.
This was the first time Marcus showed anger. He would always display a radiant smile even if he was irritated. He was always able to keep his emotions in check. He also never reveals his emotion easily.
Jericho was also surprised. I guess he hit a nerve.
"I- I'm s..s-sorr-y" Jericho said with difficulty.
He doesn't know why but for some reason he felt he needed to apologize.
"...."
Marcus didn't speak any further. He again went beside Jericho, bent his knees and kneeled down. He then searched Jericho's body until he found a small badge. He took it then stood up again.
He took off his black ring and then twisted it. Suddenly it lit up and after a few minutes it opened a small portal he then threw the badge at the small portal. After the portal swallowed the badge he crushed the ring.
"Haaa" he breathed out a sigh of relief.
"Everything is now up to you guys." Marcus said with a smile as he straightened his body and gaze unto a certain direction.
Marcus then looked at the man he fought just moments ago. The raging behemoth was now reduced to skin and bones.
Jericho also looked at the youth standing beside him.
"You must be wondering why I haven't killed you yet."
Jericho just stared at him waiting for him to tell him why.
"There was something you needed to know before you die." said Marcus with a smile.
"Wha--" Jericho wanted to know what it was but he was interrupted when they heard a fast flying jet pass by them. And then it was followed by the sound of something whistling down.
*Swishhh*
*BOOOM*
Something fell fast from the jet before crashing behind Marcus. The impact was so strong it made a small crater.
Sands and dusts flew everywhere and after a breath of time they heard something walking up from the crater.
Marcus turned around and saw a man now standing before him.
"Finally" he said with a malevolent smile.