Dean needed to admit that, at that time, he felt fear.
Actually, every single person on that battlefield experienced the same. They could feel that quick, but emphatic, chill run down their spines as if the own Death touched their backs. The group had their legs trembling all the time while witnessing that show of terror. Their hands weren't firmly holding the weapons.
No matter how much "Willpower" they had within their hearts, nor how much strong it was, they felt like that energy was way too low compared to that one raising on the environment.
Anyway, by far, Dean was the most affected by that scene. He could clearly remember that the same happened to him before. It wasn't as strong as at that moment but had the same essence behind it.
Black and red rays were surrounding the Dread's body as it cried in pain. Its body began to writhe crazily as if it was being possessed. "Chaos" began to increase in the atmosphere, becoming denser. The lines of "Chaos" were thicker and waving at a high speed.
The pressure on the air was such that Kevin and Rick got launched backward. Dean, who before was circling the Dread nearly got pushed away as well.
They all lay on the ground to avoid being struck by any of the rocks that were flying like arrows in the air.
The soil under the Dread's feet began to sink as the pressure continued to increase.
The Scythe's body was changing now, mutating to a new and stronger form. All that "Chaos" surrounding it was being absorbed by his cores.
All that pressure and energy waving in the air dissipated at once after the evolution ended.
The group promptly raised from the ground, prepared for any sign of reaction coming from the Dread. They knew that the battle once meant to be easy and quick would turn into a very dangerous one.
'After just three weeks traveling, we got stuck into this kind of thing...? Is the world really trying to mess with my plans? I thought that a crazy slave was enough...' Rick gritted his teeth.
Hector gulped as he checked the quantity of "Willpower" within his heart. He did it just so he could be sure that a miracle happened and now he could use his spells multiple times, but it wasn't the case, obviously.
Kevin's traces of fear were disappearing by now. He was the type of man who would fight, if needed, no matter how strong the opponent was. If Rick gave the order, he would go to the frontline without backing away.
Clay would always trust Rick to do the decisions. He wouldn't run away as well.
The same happened with Dean. Also Paul, but he wasn't on the battlefield at that moment.
The Scythe, though, didn't rush at them immediately. It was standing and moving its body, but it was more of a test, so it could get used to the new transformation.
The Scythe had two extra arms now, both with scythe-like claws. Its senses were sharper than before, which increased his sensibility to the environment, making its reflexes rise several levels. The Dread got twenty centimeters taller than before but didn't feel heavier at all; in truth, it never felt so fast and light. Its wings were far stronger now as well, but he felt awkward using them.
The group watched the Dread appreciating his own new body in silence. They wanted to take the initiative to attack, but Rick didn't say anything. They would be lying if they said that they weren't petrified by that sight.
'T-The Dread... got so much power in just one evolution? Are you kidding me? Is there such a high difference between the generations!?' Dean thought.
He never saw a Dread evolving before, nor did he read about it. The book Art of Ascendance was mostly about Ascendants, after all. His knowledge about Dreads was limited to what he saw during his journey.
'Its reserves of "Chaos" are enormous, it is way more powerful as well. These thick lines of black and red energy in the air show it all.' The boy paid attention to it while sweating profusely.
"Everyone..." Rick said out loud. The Dread couldn't understand them, anyway. "It is still learning how to properly control this body and new power. That's the disadvantage of gaining so much strength in a matter of seconds, instead of training to gain it. We just need to keep pressuring and don't lose to the fear!"
The beast looked at Rick, aware that it was somehow communicating although it couldn't understand.
"We will delay it until our plan b arrives. Got it?"
They all nodded, getting prepared.
"You know what to do you shitty brat."
Dean clicked his tongue, holding his sword firmly with his two hands.
"You don't need to say it twice!" The boy stomped the ground, using all his joints and muscles together to sprint forward and reach that Dread as fast as possible.
Of course, he wasn't aiming to fight at close-range against that thing. Dean would deliver an attack or two, then back away. He needed to be the swift type on the battlefield until his body got strong enough to withstand a proper exchange against a Dread.
Just as he was sure that he was within range to attack the Scythe, he swung his sword horizontally, delivering a quick attack.
Everyone was sure that it would connect.
He himself thought that it was the case.
Nonetheless, his sword reached nothing but air.
'H-How is it even possible? That huge thing could dodge my attack like this? I was sure that it was distracted looking to its own body but...' Dean looked in front and got flabbergasted.
The Dread wasn't even in front of him anymore, that agonizing pressure disappeared from the atmosphere for a single second... just to reappear behind him.
He didn't look back but could imagine the imponent figure of that creature standing behind him.