One of the most basic temperaments needed for a shielder was the courage to trust your teammates. Enduring pain that most people would die from, persisting in receiving aggression all while believing it is not being done in vain. Shielders were the cornerstone of any party, and Abel was a damn good one.
"DIE, YOU F*CKING ORC!"
Clegane finally arrived in front of Abel, and his body was arched backward to perform a massive swing; he didn't even need to use his skills as he was sure that just his enhanced strength from being a 2-Moon Asgardian would be enough to smash the orc's shield in two.
"Movement skill [Citius quam lux]."
A coolheaded voice reverberated when everyone was on heightened emotions. Cain used his 1-Moon skill [Citius quam lux] Latin for faster than light. This skill was born when Cain picked himself up after failing to save his sister. He vowed he would never be late in saving his loved ones again.
This gave birth to the ability that phased his body to photons to allow him to move at the speed of light. Upon reappearing between his team's shielder and Clegane, He moved his hands to intercept the blade of the Asgardian's halberd, which was erupting in azure light.
"Unique skill [Shèmiǎn]."
Cain's hands started glowing bloody red as he grabbed the edge of Clegane's halberd with his right hand and moved to place his left hand on Abel's shield. His 2-Moon unique skill was named [Shèmiǎn], the Chinese word for absolution. In his desire to gain negate attacks or dissolve defenses, he gains the ability to negate Force completely.
This allows him to remove Force from his targets altogether, reverting them to at most 4-Star levels but still retaining his abilities. Allowing him to completely dominate any target so long as he had enough force to support it.
Clegane was surprised as his halberd was caught in the orc's hands, with his momentum dissipating like it was nothing. When he tried pulling his weapon, he noticed it felt stuck inside a wall, not budging even an inch. He then heard Cain say in a steady and cold voice.
"Clegane, as an honorary Asgardian due to being a 3-Moon ranked warrior, I invoke Fullrettirsorð, fight with me."
The giant Asgardian felt his spine shiver; the statement was said in a calm voice, But alarm bells were blaring in his head. The giant knew the Earthlings had families, and those could be exploited. He would then coerce, extort, or bully the Earthlings—those with enough strength needed to be sent out on missions while we always remained at the fortress.
Since Asgard came to Earth mostly to get additional soldiers, they didn't care much about what happened to the former's families. They treated Earthlings beneath them, allowing Clegane to have free reign and act like a king in this place.
However, any Fullrettirsorð was brought to the All father's attention if such a promising Moon warrior died. Even if he won, he would be punished when the Valkyries reviewed his conduct and the reasons for the duel.
He would be stripped of his position at best and crippled at worse since the All-father enforced Chivalry through the Asgardian ranks. This realization rapidly cooled the giant hooligan's head; he decided to decline. He lowered his halberd and cleared his throat while saying.
"I don't think this matter requires a Fullrettirsorð; if the giant orc over there kneels before me and apologizes, I will forget the matter ever happened."
Calming down, everyone lowered their weapons. El briskly walked and stayed beside Cain, keeping her guard up. Still reeling from the effects of Cain's skill, Abel was also careful as he was currently only at four stars and would be blown away if Moon warriors assaulted him. Just as he dispelled his shield, a whirring sound could be heard.
'Shit, here it comes; I need to evade it! It's the same as my vision!'
As Abel thought of getting out of the way, the mysterious power coursed through his limbs again. It was preventing him from moving. He could only curse as he lamented being unable to change the future even if he knew what would happen.
-Do not test my patience, my champion; I adore you, but even you will be sacrificed if needed be. -
Before Abel could even react, the tank was pushed by Cain to the side as a projectile the size of a weapon slammed into the blond swordsman's chest. They were launching him back past the group standing in place 500 meters around.
The strength of the blow was evident to everyone present as the swordsman was vaulted past the Earthlings and the Asgardian, all dumbfoundedly looking at the projectile's source. All except one.
"CAAAIIIIIINNN!!!!!!!!!!"
As Abel lay on the ground, unable to move, all he could think of were the words spoken by the lady of the white world.
(You must not change what has already happened, my champion; such a fate has its purpose. Do not deviate from it and fulfill what you are supposed to do.)
(Do not test my patience, my champion; I adore you, but even you will be sacrificed if needed be.)
'How many times has "this" already happened? Why must the Asgardian's arrow spear Cain? Even I am to be sacrificed? Just who the hell do you think you are? why are we repeating this if it has already happened.'
He then remembered his exchange with the Lady of the white world two months ago.
"Lady of the white world, I keep dreaming of a girl with white hair dying in my arms; Who is she? Who is Xin?"
-She is no one, my dear champion; she was nothing but a speed bump on your way to your destiny. -
"Why does my heart break and my tears flow when I hear her name? What do I need to exchange for you to tell me."
After a few moments of waiting, the sultry voice finally answered. Her voice was firm and condescending, unlike her normal affectionate tone, as if she couldn't be bothered to explain.
-Go to one of the six beacons, the one named black hammer. When you arrive, seek a blond swordsman at 3-Moon with the code name Cain, his real name is Arthur Fourreau. You are to gain his favor and protect him and his team until the time comes. –
"The time comes for what?"
-Until the time comes for them to fulfill their purpose. Isn't knowing who Xin is more important to you? Why do you care what happens to a random group? –
A black torrent of Force suffocated the very air, waking up Abel from his reverie. He now needed to verify what was going to happen next. From what he understood. Everyone here was just pieces fulfilling a play by the same deity that assisted them during the shattering.
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Proofread By: Pearl_Wang, ThePotatoKing
Edited By: WorthyAdversary