Chereads / The Azure Legend / Chapter 21 - Chapter 21 : The Will to Fight On

Chapter 21 - Chapter 21 : The Will to Fight On

'' We have to stop this man from causing further harm Hakai. We must give him no quarter and render him incapable of getting up ever again. ''

The Elder Hieki instructed to Hakai to follow after him as he begun assaulting Friegen with the black haired male following him not long after. Their attacks were in sync and their speed overcame the explosive barrage that Friegen had let loose behind them. They needed to ensure their survival and the survival of those they were protecting so they braved the explosions as they happened.

Hakai struck at Friegen's back continuously while Hieki had aimed for the front, their number advantage made it difficult for Friegen to focus on who to strike at but his explosive power made up the difference.

Friegen's power was enhanced by the Malevolent Dissonance that he was granted by his superiors. It allowed his body to be augmented from the very core of the mark on his hand which gave a different type of upgrade corresponding to the basis of the power of the wielder and it made Friegen's arm appear like a multifaceted rocket launcher, not that this technology existed at the time but it didn't make the arm look any less strange.

There were many open holes in the blackened arm that fired out smaller heat-seeking explosive projectiles that had only the purpose of harming the duo and inevitably it slowed down their assault.

'' We can't continue on like this Hakai, I can tell that we're only going to lose stamina in the long run compared to this man's out-of-control power. Stand back, I'll stop him. Exalted Technique... ''

Hakai's eyes widened as he watched his Master adopt a particular stance, Hieki's legs spread as he pressed his right palm onto the ground. The amount of spiritual pressure coming off of Hieki continuously expanded outward until it enveloped the entirety of the area and forced the berserk Friegen to attempt blowing up Hieki but what he blew up was but an after-image.

Hieki's body appeared right underneath Friegen, slamming the very ground upon which Friegen stood and it caused the entirety of the ring's fragmented shards to levitate skyward, almost as if it was stripped free from gravity itself.

Friegen couldn't muster any words as is due to the power he was granted being the one in charge since he himself was unconscious. The power had taken hold of the unconscious form and it wished to destroy everything it could get its hands on but right now it was at the mercy of Hieki.

Hakai couldn't step in at any capacity considering the true power of an Exalted Technique had caused all others to be forced to essentially kneel down in response to such strength, Hakai couldn't move as he knew he'd get fatally wounded if he got in the way of Hieki's strongest skill.

'' Grounded Sky! ''

Hieki said at the top of his lungs as he leapt past Friegen, striking him continuously as he launched between the various rocks while landing as many blows as he possibly could as he passed by Friegen. This midair sequence of attacks only made possible by being precise and ensuring there was a hovering rock for a person to perform the attacks continuously expended much stamina and spirit power to keep the rocks in place as well as having enough attack power to keep the enemy suspended in the air by juggling them.

Hieki continued this action for a total of ten seconds before he flew to the boulder right above Friegen and launched himself downward to collide with Friegen's chest after using the various strikes from before to adjust Friegen's positioning so that his strikes would have the greatest effect.

The final strike caused the skies to darken for a moment due to how much energy was collected within Hieki's palm as it connected with the male's chest before exploding into a storm of spiritual energy and sending Friegen into the ground.

Hieki had fallen over as he passed out from exhaustion not long after while Friegen's body was incapacitated once more.

Hakai ran towards Hieki to help him get out of the area but the energy within Friegen's arm was still trying to force Friegen to function as a puppet for its will.

'' Get up Master, he's still trying to fight... ''

Hieki was spent, having believed that the technique should've been the end of it but Friegen still stood tall although his chest looked heavily bruised due to the attack from earlier.

Hakai had bit his lip, knowing that this wasn't getting him anywhere. He needed to continue fighting, even if Hieki and Seiya couldn't.

'' I still have the will to continue fighting. I will finish this battle in their stead. ''

Hakai looked at their bodies before returning his eyes to Friegen.

'' I'm sorry Master but if I am to not give any mercy then I'm going to have to use it. ''

Hakai pulled on the bandages covering his right arm, revealing a glowing mark similar to Friegen's that began releasing darkness consistently as Hakai took firm steps towards the towering assailant as he prepared to continue their fight.

'' Obsidian Lance! ''

Hakai thrusted his right arm forward, releasing a piercing black energy that forced its way through Friegen's chest and out his back.

The action was sudden and unexpected from the berserk Friegen who didn't defend or try to evade.

Hakai's eyes were turning completely black as he allowed his mark on his hand continue growing, creating a swirling dark mass similar to what he had wielded a second ago but this time he had moved his hand back and forth as the dark energy began spreading outward and defining itself into various binding ropes to hold Friegen still.

Friegen's arm continuously released explosive bursts in a futile attempt to get free but Hakai's true strength was clearly higher, there was a difference in spiritual pedigree between Hakai and Friegen. Hakai's mind was slowly becoming tainted by using this power so he tried to keep a lid on it but that would mean weakening its overall effectiveness, he knew he couldn't keep Friegen restrained forever and that inevitably he too would succumb to the berserk nature that Friegen was currently in the headspace of.

Sakura continued to hope for Seiya to awaken but she had kept an eye on the battle as it continued to unfold, not knowing what was happening with Seiya.

The young prince was within a faded mindscape, projected there with a large hole in his chest since he was at death's door but he wasn't there alone.

'' Where am I? ''

The boy asked his surroundings but the distant glow of a blue light reminded him who was within his company.

A floating blue heart hovered before him.

'' This power has finally completed its growth, you have to now take it upon yourself if you wish to continue living. Your native heart has been destroyed but if I give you my essence, you can return to life. You have friends that need your help, that burning in your heart has been the awareness of my spiritual ripples reconfiguring your body to suit this power. Are you ready to wield the true power of the Azure Legend? ''