The sound of his spear clanging against his opponent's sword was like a thunderclap and this matched the white lightning which arced from the spearhead.

The man clad from head to toe in black and gold trim armor seemed ambivalent to the attack, instead he swept it aside with his broadsword. A fearsome weapon wreathed in putrid, acidic energy.

The man in white robes decided to ramp up his assault. He hopped backwards briefly, his spear pointing downward as he prepared to rush forward. The lightning coalesced into the spear tip as he prepared to move forward -- only to be hit with a crushing blow. The black clad warrior sliced quickly, precisely and powerfully as the energy wreathing the blade stretched out and lashed the white clad warrior against his chest.

The man flew backwards, landing hard on the cold stone ground of the mountain. The skies were like a reflection of the dire battle as the winds raged and rain pelted both men but neither seemed to notice -- for their very lives depended on focus.

The dark haired man clad in white robes rolled over several times and slammed his spear into the ground, forcing himself upwards in one swift motion. He was now on the defensive and this was not a position he cared for. Though his spear could parry attacks relatively well it would seal off his most powerful strikes -- and nothing less than a fatal blow could end this battle decisively.

Behind him were a legion of the man's followers, their appearance ghastly beneath their helmets and visors. Sunken and hollow faces, as if their skin was at war with the act of living. Many bared claws and fangs, more beastlike than men. Their leader was the same, though his face was hidden by the fullguard helmet he wore. All that could be seen of his body were his eyes, glowing red with menacing energy.

The blows grew heavier with each strike against his spear but the man could not yield, the very fate of all realms depended upon it. He was the last of his kind, he could not die here… it was a phrase he continually repeated to himself as he battled. Side stepping swipes which could cleave him clean in two, parrying, pushing and using his footwork but the relentless power of the undead never ceased and soon he found himself battered and bloody.

He sank to one knee as the ominous creature stepped forward and raised its broadsword high.

"I will not die. I must not die.. I must--" His words were cut short by the sickening sound of the blade cleaving deep into his body. The resulting blow sent him cascading several feet in an arc through the air. His spear fell to the ground with a dull clang as his body sailed over the edge of the mountain peak.

The black clad figure stepped to the edge and gazed down, watching as his mortal foe's body spiraled down into endless darkness.

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The young man groaned as he came to, hsi body racked with pain.

"What the hell?" He whispered as he gazed into the sky. It was now well after dark and a stormy night no less as heavy pelting rain washed over him like sheets. He was completely soaked from head to toe, his clothes wet through and through. His apprentice disciple's gi was not made to fend off the elements. His body was cold, this was the second thing he took note of and lastly his environment. Jungle as far as the eye could see, at least from what he *could* see. He couldn't move without a shooting pain searing through his body.

"Did I break something? The teen grunted aloud as he began to feel his body for injuries. His arms seemed fine although they were cold and numb. His head and chest bore no injuries but his legs and hands were severely lacerated. Even the act of attempting to sit up caused him so much pain that he could do little else but fall back down and gaze up into the raging night sky.

He began to breathe in heavily.

"Get up Young Jade, you can't die in a place like this." He said to himself through deep breaths as he tried to manage the pain. Slowly he began to wiggle his toes -- evidence that nothing was broken, just that his muscles were either torn or completely bruised and battered.

"I can't die here. I will make those shits regret this.." He mouthed to himself as he struggled once more to sit up and within that instant the sky flashed a brilliant white color and the lightning bolt struck him.

The sensation of his body locking up was all he could feel, it was mind numbing as the electricity filtered into his body and caused him to convulse. His mind went blank as the lightning completely overcame his mind and body.

"What? Where am I?" He whispered to himself.

"Is this my soul sea?" Young said as he glanced around. Indeed this was his very humble soul sea but it was barely recognizable. This was largely in part to a large blue flame flickering at its center. Lightning flowed freely into the flame causing it to grow wildly by the moment. What's more Young could feel the energy resonating with his own qi as his body tingled.

Suddenly his astral projection began to fade and grow dim, a worrying cause for concern.

"What the hell? Am I being...overcome by this thing?" He shouted as his essence was pulled into the dancing flame.

"No. No! I will not die here!" Young shouted as he clasped his hands together and began to focus. This dangerous energy was not normal! The lightning was flowing into him, not killing him and soon it would completely overpower his being, destroying his very ego. He began to assimilate the energy, absorbing it as quickly as he possibly could.

He knew the risks, but there was little else he could do if he wanted to live.

Young screamed with determination as he struggled to pull in as much of the overflowing lightning energy as possible. Soon his body coursed with it, filling him to the brim in a desperate struggle not to be overcome. He could feel his soul sea beginning to expand rapidly, much too quickly! The only thing he could do was to expel the excess, and so he forced a redirection out of desperation. The energy shot back upwards, flowing out of his soul sea but it was all he could do to stay conscious.

After what seemed like an eternity Young's eyes popped open, he had returned to his normal state of consciousness and he was still lying on the jungle floor being assaulted by the boundless energy of the white lightning. He struggled to pair both his pointer and middle fingers then narrowed the focus of the overflowing power to his fingertips. The lightning was so powerful that the rain surrounding the area evaporated as the raging lightning began to be redirected. He shouted loudly, his eyes turning completely white as the energy pulsed through his body and began to flow freely. The energy ceased its assault on his body and arced several thousand meters upwards into the air in one final surge.

Then Young Jade, weak from his crucible, passed out ; the rain was the last thing he saw as he lost consciousness.