Chapter 114: A Final Spark
***
"Checkmate"
This cold, dignified "Checkmate" coming from Vlad who opened a big chunk of the Mech Suit that was shielding Idril from the outside, spread around the sombre Temple, resulting in a chilling silence from the one that was targeted.
Idril stared back into the eyes of this seemingly small-sized human who gave off such a large shadow that it made him scream in resistance to this act of domination.
"You have not defeated me. Not YET!" said the humanoid in the centre of the stone Mech, who sent a giant pillar of stone from his body that collided with Vlad, pushing him away from him.
The vulnerable point in the Mech Suit closed immediately, reminiscent to how the Sealed Door started regenerating when he almost burst it open one day ago.
To get back at Vlad, the Mech lunged in the air thanks to some stone pillars that rose from the ground, preparing a devastating attack that would sure put his enemy at test.
From behind him sprouted many swords and with the Mech giving the impression it was flying thanks to the boost created by the stone pillars propelling him toward Vlad who didn't sit limping from just an insignificant push.
He morphed Anathema back into a Halberd that was about double in height compared to his 220 cm stature, and with a string of sharp clicking sounds spreading around the Battle Arena, he swung the Halberd using a lot of strength that it released an Aura Blade that blasted off the stone swords already raining down on him.
This versatility Anathema had for Vlad who was a Master of Arms was something any battle-hardened warrior would desire and dream on nights apart from obtaining an overpowered Devil Fruit Powers.
Still, the ability to defend and block the incoming attacks wasn't enough to deter Idril who was creating all sorts of projectiles behind him levitating based on a mysterious power Vlad couldn't understand, and wasn't that free to have a spare window to tackle this mystery.
With those projectiles increasing in size being suitable for the Mech's size, they started raining down all sorts of attacks from piercing to slashes, keeping Vlad busy with the defense, showcasing all sorts of defensive footsteps and Halberd moves that deflected, parried and blocked each of the projectiles.
By the time the main arsenal arrived, the tempo changed when the black-haired man stomped on the ground creating a shockwave that shattered a big part of the cave's floor, creating a crack that raised the ground in itself as a barrier … in doing so also pushing aside the incoming projectiles.
Yet, in the face of such a flashy move, Idril wasn't impressed or got caught in the effects of the stomp, initiating his offensive sequence.
"Too late! I got you cornered."
Vlad's expression disagreed with that statement, swinging his Halberd with the blade instead of the impaling point, colliding again with a clash that shook the ground around Duskfall Mountain and Fortress.
Both parties were stuck in a stalemate, where slowly the one getting pushed in the clash was the Stone Mech who couldn't contend with the power of the Supreme Weapon and the Master of Arms who was wielding Anathema like a third appendage of his.
Nonetheless, this wasn't the end for Idril who remained stable in his position, creating from his strange suit all sorts of weapons that began launching themselves akin to telekinetic weapons at the Spearman who just smirked in the face of this attempt at having him back away.
'Once you back away, I will have enough space to do the Armageddon Punch. Losing a chunk of my body is nothing if I can take you down.'
'... This guy is stronger than I expected a Key Scavenger to be. Could it be … Since Anathema actually cooperates with him to release most of its strength, he is most certainly the one to Complete the Long Circle …'
'Let's see how far I can push him and myself since I did slack from training the powers I've been entrusted with.'
If the small-being had time to contemplate such possibilities it could only mean he was too comfortable in his idea of a victory.
Idril got his awakening the moment all of his formed weapons started bouncing when touching Vlad's armored flesh and skin.
Placing more force into his hands that his veins started appearing akin to Maggris Worms twirling in the delight of a blood bath, the Mech started losing ground until with a warrior's roar, Vlad managed to push him away, winning the clash of power.
"So what if you managed to push me away? It still works for me." commented Idril whose large right arm started shaking around, followed by his legs that suffered some changes, as he got secured deep in the ground.
There was some pressure created by the large hand that got covered in Armament Haki.
Since Vlad decided to stop giving this enemy chances of preparing all sort of attacks, which wouldn't even be accessible on a real battlefield, he activated his
On the other hand, Idril who finished his quick preparations was beyond delighted seeing Vlad approach him on his own will, pointing out that with his voice booming around the Temple, his right hand got propelled akin to a ballistic missile.
"Since you are willing! Taste my Armagedon Punch!"
Titania looked at the large hand that was humongous compared to Vlad's size, and she couldn't help but get goosebumps as she pulled hard on the black-hair anchoring her to reality.
"Yabai … Yabai. We have to dodge it." called out Titania watching the 'World Ending' punch unleashed by Idril that was certain to do a lot of damage.
All she was thinking was that 'This is the END' but Vlad's whispering voice brought her back with her feet to the ground, or at least her head back to reality.
Still, the sight of the devastating technique that could engulf even an elephant wasn't something to scoff at, snap your finger, and recover..
"No need to panic, everything is in full control."
Anathema morphed again in his hands taking the shape of a Brass Knuckles that also contained a black dagger on its right side.
The way he wielded this new weapon was forced on his fist, and with an ink-black coating surrounding it, followed by the apparition of crimson-red sparks flying around his body and his abyssal eyes started getting bloody with his untainted irises catching in their maw the red color.
The aura around Vlad and the brass knuckles instantly shifted, followed by the waves of haki that was exuded by both master and weapon that started getting centred around the points of the knuckles.
The audience who watched with trembling, cold feet from long, "safe" distance noticed how the sinister-looking energy waves of dark-red color started circling around Vlad's fist, quickly morphing into the shape of a monstrous mythical being that was only seen in paintings who portrayed their enormous power.
For Gunos, the Obese Crown Prince, the intense clash between Idril, who for a long time he considered a monster that shouldn't be disturbed, since his childhood when he got presented by his father, and now Vlad, the mysterious man, who was showcasing that there were levels even between monsters.
"Ohh man, I think I will die when both attacks clash. Besides, is that really a dragon's head like in the Castle's paintings?"
He could only say that much before an explosion of clashing powers which imploded with a release of the Haki, and the lingering conquerors will that Vlad unconsciously was imbuing in each of serious attacks, resulting in Prince Gunos who was washed over by the scattering wave of willpower that would challenge their wills.
Vlad unleashed another of his newly improved techniques that were based on his melee strength, he still didn't name an wasn't bothered to do so, leaving Bonney or Eleine to deal with the names of his fighting techniques, watched with his cold, murderous eyes at the Stone Mech who froze seeing his arm being shattered into pieces by Vlad's attack.
It was hard to believe it, but in this cold silence that resulted from the stunned state of Idril, a loud click of a tongue resounded in the Temple, followed by a disappointed comment that if taken in full context was nightmarish.
"Still, imperfect. I haven't mastered this mysterious willpower ability. The Armament wasn't enough to sustain the punishment the flesh and bones would receive from the rebound of the brass knuckles."
Titania who formed a prison out of the black hair that acted as her fortress, cleared out the dust in her sight and peeked out from the safety of his hair to see if everything was alright with him, only noticing that his right fist had some cuts and a slight bruise.
Idril who was watching from the interior of the Stone Mech couldn't help but stop at his eyes that were returning to their natural black color, and also not being a fool to miss the unconscious display of Conqueror's Haki that only a handful of individuals was displaying in the world, he had all of the signs and responses to confirm him, he was outclassed.
In an act that took Vlad by surprise the Stone Mech started disintegrating from the outside, akin to a black hole devouring the contents of a sun, revealing the small-statured young man who watched with complex eyes, even showcasing a bit of emotion in them.
He extended Anathema that he morphed into a Curved Saber, and asked in a calm, dignified tone.
"Are you preparing for Round 2, or by chance you've decided to call it quits before turning this fight into a Bloodbath?"
"..."
Idril remained silent, watching Vlad from head to toes, noticing how his attire wasn't damaged in a significant proportion, a showcase of his masterful defensive techniques and footsteps that made it possible to evade his entire arsenal of attacks, from his Stone Giants, his mixed artillery of projectiles, to his base attacks and lastly his Ultimate ability, his Stone Mech.
Shaking his head, he pointed out at Anathema and even asked softly, without his initial arrogance and confident demeanour.
"While I don't know much about you, I always saw that man treating you differently from us with his creations. I have been in a slumber, waiting for a millennium for the Long Circle of Stars to be Completed."
"Are you sure this is the correct choice? That he will be the one to Complete everything?"
He frowned when Idril directly addressed Anathema with what could only be the subject regarding "Great Atlas" the mysterious figure wrapped in fairytales and realism based on his own experiences with the monsters brewed from his own twisted mind.
And, before he could react to ask for explanations, Anathema's blade started shaking.
Swiftly a dark mist was being released from the Haki waves surrounding it, morphing slowly in the obscure masked face that addressed directly to Idril, shooking Titania, who had never heard the sword talk personally, only knowing that it had a spirit that Vlad was communicating with.
[Surprisingly … I would ask for where you learned about the Prophecy … but it is unimportant right now.]
"Even if you would ask me … for some reason I can't recall from whom I learned about the verses."
"..."
[The harder you try to remember, the bigger the backlash. Our consciousness is still sealed by strong willpower, which doesn't belong to that man …]
"So it wasn't from that …"
[No. Also, let's not make it harder for Dracul and get to the end of this "Challenge". If you know the Prophecy, stop making it harder for us, because, unlike Nihiloor your personality trait doesn't make it necessary for us to take you down for good. Afterall, you have your role in fulfilling.]
An awkward scene for Vlad who couldn't hide his frown regardless of how much he was forcing himself to relax, while Titania was holding on her head as Idril stepped closer doing something rash that spooked her.
He stabbed his hand in his own chest, straight in the heart and with a rotation movement the sound of a mechanism being opened started resounding in the Temple, revealing another profound mystery with regard to Idril and everything regarding Atlas.
From the small-statured young man who withdrew his right hand back, presenting to Vlad and Titania the core of an highly advanced machinery that was in the skin and flesh of a humanoid.
Watching with a sharp gaze at the complex components forming what could be said to be the "beating heart" of Idril, Vlad couldn't help but ask one of his many curiosities surrounding this intelligent being.
"... I know you would give me vague answers if I asked things about … Atlas.
However … talking about you might be a different story. "
Following Idril's calm expression, as he opened his way toward his [Core] the source that was powering his existence, a condensed mass in the shape of a dark-brown ball that had some traits akin to a Devil Fruit when it came to the swirling of torrents, he couldn't help but press on the identity question.
"What are you? A Human … you clearly are not, otherwise you would be dead after such a stunt."
"Your question is hard to answer because I don't have a correct word to describe what I am. Apart from this shell of mine, I want to believe that I am as human as you since I have something important, called emotions."
"If you would go about it, even a creature might have emotions." added Vlad staring coldly at the being who shook his head in disapproval, later doing another of his suicidal movements as he got his right hand in his core area again.
"..."
"It doesn't affect me opening my core area, since I have to give you this." commented Idril, who presented Vlad with a small box created out of the same dark-brown material that was similar to whenever this being was serious about something.
Getting the box after it was tossed by Idril, who instantly closed his core by reversing his activation method, he opened it briefly to see a metal key of a greyish colour that contrasted with the crimson key he gained from killing Nihiloor.
"In the end, if you still fought, I would have been required to destroy you for the key."
"Or make me submit." remarked Idril looking at Vlad while moving his hands behind his back, taking a respectful stance.
"I am better at destroying and killing people, submission just comes after that."
"Mhmm, you do seem like a Conqueror to me."
"Let's not change the subject yet. The response to the question … "What are you?". Are you like a sentient automaton based on your internal build?"
Idril's red eyes showed signs of surprise, and with a "maybe" expression, he does tell Vlad what he knows about himself from his limited flow of memory.
"I doubt you ever heard of such advancements in technology, but I am technically, an Hyper Sentient Android, possessing a human consciousness."
"So, an automaton." added Vlad who wasn't lacking in information based on this subject. Still, all the information he possessed was referenced from Fantasy Stories that he picked up.
"Automaton is just a lifeless, emotionless machine, while an Android … is what I am. There is no difference in here …" mentioned Idril who touched his head to signal Vlad about his human capabilities.
While he wanted to continue the conversation with Idril with regards to the subject of his origin, the ground they were standing started shaking without him even lifting a finger to act.
The same could be said for Idril who looked around himself, his red eyes and star irises flashing with light of a machine, and not wasting time, he told Vlad something the black-haired man had already figured out based on his experience with the Yehimal Mountain.
"We need to get out of this place since it was programmed to self-destruct the moment the Key would be taken from my position."
Nodding at the tiny being, he used his swift movements to appear beside the collapsed, obese prince who couldn't face his unbreakable willpower. Looking at him, he started slapping Gunos fat face, but to no avail, he was genuinely unconscious, making him ponder about the mysterious power that Anathema and even Dalyon briefed him about existing.
'Is this the effect of that weird power? How do I control it? Anathema?'
{...}
'Do you know how or not? Come on give me some hints.'
{I don't feel like helping you in this regard. It will just make your will weaker, which is not in my interest. The stronger your willpower is, the better the results when you fully awaken your Conqueror's Haki.}
'Fine. Whatever, I'll find it on my way anyway. Just like how I awakened my Observation Haki when fighting against Dalyon, or how it happened that when I let Nihiloor control me, I grasped the way to send this intangible force around my body which is called Armament.'
'If you think I will lower myself that low to continue asking you for assistance you are mistaken, afterall, I am a Ruler.'
{That's my intent. The less you rely on me, the better it will be.}
While conversing with Nihiloor, Vlad picked the fat prince from the ground, even in that unconscious state of his, and as he was moving toward Idril, who was at the sealed door, the first pillars supporting the ceiling of the Temple cracked loudly.
The ground shook even harder, with various structural support being destroyed step by step like a domino would wreck apart.
"Many humans are waiting at the door, it would be a shame if they would die engulfed by this madness." said Idril, who touched the dark-brown stone door sealing the temple from the outside.
"None of my concerns. I've tried to spare their lives, if they continue searching for Death, it will certainly greet them warmhearted." commented Vlad who focused his eyes at the door along with his keen hearing to map out in a 250 meters range the Royal Guards who gathered in a large number at the entrance of the sealed door.
"Can't you push them away with one of your punches that would force a strong shockwave in their direction?" asked Titania, trying to escape away from her haunting memories that started being hurled at her with a different train of thoughts that would make her cast aside her former worries.
"... I would rather not bother with them. I will vanish in an instant once the door is opened."
Vlad remained self-centered, not caring about the guards that he would jeopardize his position, and with Idril hearing the conversation between him and the Fairy who he found to be familiar, but not sure from where.
"I'll blend with the stone and escape without those people seeing me. You decide the fates of those humans."
"Let the fittest survive."
Receiving the confirmation, Idril tightened his grip on the dark-brown door which began to shake around, cracking apart as if a charm was removed by its master and controller, point where with the smoke created by the debris falling on the temple, it only took Vlad one opening to blast his way out of the dismantling temple.
Still, seeing that there were a decent number of them gathered, be couldn't help himself but punch in their direction, blowing away dozens of some Royal Guards before appearing on top of a Watch Tower.
There, two girls waited for him staring intently at the newly arrived, especially the tall man whose black suit got dusted by the falling debris.
"Success?" asked Eleine, shifting her glance to the retreating guards who checked on the ones who suffered from an intense collision that blasted them away from the tunnel.
Instead of Vlad commenting, there was a calm voice of a young man that had Eleine and Bonney to get on their guard, turning around with weapons in hand, all pointing at the second individual to arrive.
"I wouldn't sacrifice for a Key that held me chained for a millennium."
"Lower your weapons, this … guy, doesn't seem intent on throwing away his life like that Blood Abomination." commented Vlad, who noticed the mental shifts inside Bonney and Eleine, who were severe in their intent of defending him.
"Indeed. I hold no ill intent towards you or the Key Scavenger. In fact … I want to assist you in finding the rest of the Keys."
.
.
— If you want to read ahead, up to +20 advanced chapters consider supporting me and also enjoy additional chapters. It will help me a lot.
— Patre0n: patre0n.com/Morpheus146 — Discord: https://discord.gg/CMsHqJVDVD