The next moments were the most strenuous Askyros had ever fought. He would slash at the Demon of Frenzy, who would batter him without regard for his own wellbeing.
"What's wrong?! You had the upper hand a moment ago!" [Demon of Frenzy]
"..." [Askyros]
Askyros grit his teeth as he suffered a blow to the stomach, in return he lopped the boy's head off.
"Ouchies~." [Demon of Frenzy]
Speaking sarcastically, the head latched back on.
"Tsk!" [Askyros]
He clicked his tongue as he struck hard enough to cave in his opponent's chest cavity.
"Urgh!" [Demon of Frenzy]
Blood spewed from his mouth, but he smiled as the wound filled up again.
"Having fun with that?!" [Demon of Frenzy]
He punched Askyros in the face, causing him to freeze for a moment.
"..." [Askyros]
Locking eyes with the boy, he spat out some blood.
"Oh my, that's quite gross." [Demon of Frenzy]
Is what he said before finding himself crashing into the ground. Half of his skull had been cleaved outwards as if it was grabbed and torn off, which was a surprising result since Askyros just punched him really REALLY hard.
"That's gonna leave a headache." [Demon of Frenzy]
As he tried to pick himself off the ground, Askyros cut off his legs and stomped the Demon of Frenzy back down.
"Oof!" [Demon of Frenzy]
"Ta kata piete, Silent Coffin." [Askyros]
The ground surged, attempting to cover up the Demon of Frenzy. Strangely, he didn't resist.
"..." [Askyros]
He raised a foot as the earth swallowed his opponent. Askyros then waited a few seconds.
"..." [Askyros]
There were no signs of movement.
"..." [Askyros]
Standing silently, he didn't move an inch.
"...Not falling for it a second time?" [Demon of Frenzy]
Without much effort, the boy pulled himself out of the ground.
"Tada~." [Demon of Frenzy]
Askyros held a grim expression.
"...Are you truly immortal?" [Askyros]
The Demon of Frenzy laughed.
"You really don't know how this world works, do you? There IS no such thing as an immortal!" [Demon of Frenzy]
He smiled gleefully.
"Once you kill an immortal, you start to realize something." [Demon of Frenzy]
Askyros furrowed his brows.
"Where are you going with this?" [Askyros]
The Demon of Frenzy grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him.
"Don't you see it?! If immortals can die, so can gods! Why must we live under their rule?! Why must we follow their every whim?!" [Demon of Frenzy]
Askyros shoved him.
"You're insane. The gods cannot be killed. Their very being is power itself." [Askyros]
The Demon of Frenzy frowned. He then spoke in a low tone as if he was speaking to himself.
"Just when I thought I could open someone's eyes…" [Demon of Frenzy]
As the boy uttered those words, something about him changed. There wasn't anything visible that shifted, but it was enough to put Askyros on edge.
"I'm tired now." [Demon of Frenzy]
Flames burst out from him, along with a frosty mist.
"This…!" [Askyros]
Askyros' eyes widened with surprise. The flames burned so hot it became white, whereas the ice turned so cold it became red. Most of all, Askyros could feel it on his skin.
"Your shiny blue veins won't save you this time." [Demon of Frenzy]
Askyros instinctively backed away as a series of punches and kicks came towards him.
"Ngh…!" [Askyros]
The sweltering heat singed his hairs and the blistering cold gnawed at his skin. All he knew was that staying too long would not be favorable.
"You must be thinking of getting away right about now." [Demon of Frenzy]
He leaned close enough to damage Askyros' armor from his mere presence. Seeing that, Askyros kicked him hard enough to put a good amount of distance.
"Such an annoyance…" [Askyros]
He looked down at his shoe and found that it had melted and reformed into something undesirable.
"..." [Askyros]
Thinking that all of his equipment would turn useless, he unstrapped everything and only wore his clothes.
"Smart choice." [Demon of Frenzy]
There was a worry that his clothing would burn off, but Askyros believed that his hand made clothing would be able to handle itself for at least five minutes.
"..." [Askyros]
Without another word, they engaged in combat once again. Askyros tried to maintain a small amount of distance with his sword, but it was taking quite a beating.
"Movement Arts: Cloud Steps." [Demon of Frenzy]
Moving as if he was gliding on air, he circled Askyros.
"Crushing Arts: One Hundred Hammers." [Demon of Frenzy]
Numerous strikes came from all directions, in which Askyros struggled to defend against. He would parry, if he could. If he could not, he would deflect. If he could not, he would block. In the end, he found his sword begin to give way.
"Monk Arts: Ringing Bell." [Demon of Frenzy]
The boy stopped right in front of Askyros, throwing a fist aimed at the center of the chest. Luckily, Askyros reacted quickly enough to block it.
"Ngh!" [Askyros]
He let out a loud grunt as the sword snapped in half and a fist drove itself forward. Askyros felt an immense amount of pain as if he was getting struck in the same place multiple times.
"What will you do with no weapon?" [Demon of Frenzy]
Askyros cast aside the broken sword and deflected attacks with his bare hands. The direct contact burnt his hands, but he didn't have the luxury to deal with it.
"..." [Askyros]
Gritting his teeth, he went blow for blow. He accumulated fire and frost on his body, all while slowly breaking his opponent apart. With just enough time, Askyros was able to grab the Demon of Frenzy by the throat and throw him.
"Tergi Navaire, Stone Binding." [Askyros]
Rocky chains shot out of the ground.
"Huh?" [Demon of Frenzy]
The chains wrapped themselves around the boy, pulling him to the ground.
"Another one of these? Have you given up on killing me?" [Demon of Frenzy]
Askyros did not reply. Instead, he approached the armor he had taken off and reached inside. Within it, he pulled out a small ornate box.
"...What is that?" [Demon of Frenzy]
His expression changed. It was as if the boy could sense something within the box.
"An ethereal blade. Or so the Sovereign of Faith had called it. Although, I find it difficult to believe this small box can fit something like it inside." [Askyros]
He then lifted the lid.
"Hm?!" [Askyros]
Something shot out of the box, entering into Askyros' forehead.
"What…?" [Askyros]
He staggered as he began to feel drowsy.
"Hrng...!" [Askyros]
Askyros fought against the drowsiness, causing his veins to light up. Within seconds, he felt wide awake.
"..." [Askyros]
He stood still. Askyros felt something about him changed, but wasn't sure exactly. It was also then that he fashioned a smile.
"Fret not, demon. I have not given up on vanquishing you." [Askyros]
Raising a hand, a golden light beamed down on him.
"Requesting access to the celestial archive." [Askyros]