Chapter 42
(Author's POV)
Suddenly feeling the change of atmosphere as the three looked towards the man who was wearing their lovers body, smiling at them with a ferocious glint of madness on his eyes.
The three then took their stance as each readied themselves for the upcoming storm that is brewing before them. Natsumi took her arrows out - 4 - and placed them in her bow, pointing its sharp edge towards her lover as she stretched it out.
Sheryl took her battle stance as she jump back and stood upfront of Isabelle, pointing her daggers upfront as she bend a bit down, and imbued her daggers with her skill, [Void Increment], making it sharper and deadlier.
Isabelle lift her shield up and took a breath, trying to relaxed herself, and ease the pain she just took from her lover's powerful blow. She grippy hold her sword and stood behind Sheryl, and watched the man she loves upfront.
The three were on their edge as if they were on a cliff, trying to balance themselves up in a swinging, ruined bridge. Trying not to fall deep down to their inevitable death.
Fooo~
Taking a deep breath, Isabelle then spoke to the other 2 as she made her resolve
"Be vigilant and be wary, that man isn't the man we swore to love, so be sure to not hold anything back, and go all out"
'Though I said that, I am still quite reluctant to hurt him. I am really going to fuck whoever possessing him'
She thought, as she hold both her shield and sword with a tight grip, and glared upfront. The other 2 then nodded to her words with heavy thought, and uncleared temperament.
"Not going to hold back ha, I see"
Flashing a devilish smile at them as he scoop his hair
Swoosh
"!?!"
He then vanished in an instant as he sprinted forward. Anxious as they were shocked, Isabelle then commanded as she yelled
"Natsumi!"
"On it!"
"[Gales Em-"
Boom!
"Gahhhh!"
Before Natsumi could even cast her skill, Isabelle suddenly received a powerful strike that she briefly could even defend against with. Putting every strength she has on her right leg to not get pushed back, while placing both her arms on her shield, Isabelle gritted her teeth as she received Creeper's quick and deadly knee strike.
"Grrrrrrrrrr.....! Ahhhhh!"
Putting every force she have in hand, she then pushed Creeper away from her, fully swinging her shield to the left. She then swing her sword from the right, right after she swung her shield.
Creeper invaded her strike right after he grab Isabelle's shield with his left to pull him away, and push himself up. He then extended his right arm as he rotated, and grab Isabelle's head, and slam her head down as he landed
Bang!
"Kuhhh!"
"[Shadow Slash]"
He then bend his body to the back, as he dodge Sheryl's swift strike. He placed his left arm below the ground as he grasp Sheryl's head, and forcibly brought it down to the ground, as he rotated to his left
Boom!
"Kuaahhhhh!"
He then scoop the ground using his left hand, and thrown it away towards where Natsumi was, as he turn himself to the right while standing up. He then slam his left foot atop of Sheryl's head, pinning it more below before he jump back, as he avoided all the arrows that was shot towards him.
Natsumi jumped forward, as she avoided that lump of dirt coming towards her.
Bang!
She then leap to the right and twist her body to the left, while she took an arrows from her quiver - 3.
"Combine them, [Meld]"
"[Gales Embrace]+[Tempest Storm]+[Swift Shot]+[Sparrow Shot]"
Facing towards creeper, she then released her arrows
Swoosh
Like a beaming storm dashing forward in great strive, her arrow pushed upfront.
Boom! Bang! Boom!
The ground then shook upon her arrows' impact, but Creeper already avoided it before it could even hit him, and even return 2 of her arrows back at her
'Shit!'
She exclaimed as she guard herself with her arms and legs, as she coiled herself like an egg, trying to defend from the upcoming attack.
Bang!
"Engulfed it, [Holy]!"
"[Revered Cut]!"
Right after Isabelle got back at her own feet, she then unleashed 3 powerful strikes at him, which is buffed with her [Holy]. She swung her sword from the right as she stump her left foot forward. Creeper summoned his [Flame Glaive: Fier Asprins], and swung it to counter Isabelle's strikes
"Scorch them, [Flame Rapture]"
Boom!
Swish
A swift and deadly strike then came at Creeper as he invaded Sheryl's attack, she thrown 3 needles at him, from below. Avoiding it as he twist his body a little bit to the left, he then brought his fist down with a great force towards Sheryl's defenseless body
Swoosh!
Feeling a sudden strike from 4 arrows coming at him, he then jumped back before he could even deliver a deadly blow at Sheryl.
Stepping away from the 2, Creeper then stared at them.
'.....Well coordinated, very impressive'
He thought as he compliment their actions. They might have flaws when they attack, but how they react on it was indeed impressive. Not letting even a single opportunity slip from their grasp, was enough to be awed, even if the other party was already took some damage or fallen.
Fooo~
Isabelle then took a deep breath as she wipe the blood from her forehead.
"[Greater Heal]"
She muttered as she heal her wound that was instantly cured.
(Isabelle's POV)
'His strong'
I said as I stared at him, and grippy holding my shield and sword.
'I can't even fathom how strong he is, considering that even the 3 of us can't even hit him'
I annoyingly thought. I then glance at Sheryl who was in front of me. Though Natsumi and Sheryl is ended both low in terms of strength and rank on me, but they still keep up and was able to deliver strong blows after blows, though none was able to reach him, but seeing how they coordinate with me so well is enough to be recognized their experience, and effort as adventurers.
Glancing back at front, I then sneered
'For all people that this bastard could have possessed, why is it darling for fuck sake?'
(Natsumi's POV)
'Hahh.... Hah..... Haaah..... Hah..... Shit'
I cursed in my hoarsed breath.
'I am already at my wits end, fuck!'
I exclaimed in hateful thought. Darling always avoid all my attack, even how much fast they were or strong. He always envade them, and even counter me, like how he out of nowhere returned those arrows I thrown at him, back at me like nothing.
'Dammit'
Wiping the sweat in my left cheeks then below my chin, I then stared at darling with furious gaze.
(Sheryl's POV)
'His quick in making decision, swift in attacking, and all his attack are all powerful, this is tedious'
I thought, as I griply hold my daggers and took my stance. Though I know for sure, better than anyone, that I am weaker compared to Isabelle, but even so
'Isn't this so unfair? His toying us even though he could kill us so easily, what is wrong with him!?'
I angerly asked on my mind, feeling frustrated to his action. I could still remember how he step on my head like I was some rug, and pinned it down to the ground.
'Tsk!'
Really irritated, I then crouch down and touched my own shadow
"[Shadow Duplication]"
I muttered as I summoned my double.
(Creeper's(?) POV)
'Darling...'
'Heheheh I love you~...'
'Don't do this...'
'Darling!...'
Even how much I try to cover my ears and close my eyes, I can't seem to sweep them away from my sight. Their faces, their voices, and their actions always make me remember the one past I wish I could forget. The once dark loneliness I felt I wish I could just.....
'So irritating'
I silently whispered in a longing tone, as I hold my left forehead, and swayed my head as I gritted my teeth.
'Let us end this'
I stated, steeling my resolve once more as I faced what was in front of me, telling myself that what was done, is done.
(Isabelle's POV)
'..... We need something to-!?"
(Author's POV)
"[Gales Embrace]+[Tempest Storm]+[Sparrow Shot]"
Swoosh
Like a deafening roar of a Lion, Natsumi's arrow flew like a Sparrow, swiftly sprinted upfront, hunting down the prey it sets its eyes into
Creeper reflexively guarded himself with his right hand
Boom!
Sheryl and Isabelle was shocked upon the sudden assault from Natsumi. As they looked behind them in quick response, they saw her with her tattered clothes and battered body.
Natsumi, upon receiving her arrows back at her, received grieve wounds on her legs and arms. With blood gouging out from her forehead, blocking her right eyes view. Her clothes was reap with holes and slit, showing her right breast as it hangs, and a hole on her left leg clothe, revealing her long, glossy leg. The dress that is Natsumi wore could negate at least 20% of the initial output of the attack that is being fired at her, but it seems that even such defensed output, that attack that was returned from her, totally ravage her.
"Not bad"
Creeper spoked, as he received her heartwarming assault, praising her for such powerful blow. He then jumped back as he sensed 2 coming arrows from his back.
Bang! Boom!
"Natsumi!"
Sheryl yelled, as she saw her appearance. Isabelle followed her from behind, while she keep her vigilant upfront, preparing herself for any unexpected attack from him.
As both got near her, Isabelle then cast [Greater Heal] on her.
"I will attack first, Sheryl follow me up while Natsumi will support us from the back, we need to defeat him no matter what"
The 2 then nodded to her words.
"Boost me, [Combustion Impact]"
"Scorch them, [La fiamma del drago Nero]"
A hot scorching wave was then unleashed towards them, with a flaming {Dragon} following through the blazing heat, opening its giant maw with vigor, as it hungerly trying to the devour the 3.
'Not good!'
Isabelle panickingly thought. Jumping from the side to get away from its range is already inevitable, as how close that wave was to them, and running away from it defenselessly, would kill them, especially how enormous the diameter of the attack he just unleash
"Everyone! Stay behind me!"
Isabelle yelled. She then brought his shield down and gritted her teeth
"Engulfed it, [Aegis]"
"[Elemental Aegis: Earth] [Ground Dome]"
"[Steel Dome]"
A 2 meter sized barrier was then erected and wrapped the 3.
"[Iron Wall]"
"[Mirror Wall]"
Isabelle then casted additional 2 protected shields upfront, to act as a cushion to decrease the momentum, and impact of Creeper's attack.
Boom!
The smoldering wave then collided with Isabelle's shield, creating a loud explosion upon their confrontation
Crash! Crack! Bang!
Even with those concussion placed, the blazing hot flame still pushed upfront without diminishing.
"Gahhhhh.....!!"
Isabelle then gritted her teeth, and yelled as she tried everything she got, to halt the rampaging flame that is threatening to devour them. She locked herself upfront, as she used both of feet to stand her ground, breaking her limit as she tried.
"Combine them, [Meld]"
With a silent breath as she point her arrow upfront, Natsumi stood still. Facing the furious {Dragon} that was trying to devour them, Natsumi didn't backed down nor yield. Firmly holding her bow, she then glared as she muttered
"[Gales Embrace]+[Tempest Storm]+[Sparrow Shot]+[Raging Gust]"
Stretching her bow's string with a tight grasp, she patiently awaiting for her spotlight to shine.
"[Void Increment]"
Sheryl together with her double, buffed Natsumi's arrow as they stood beside her.
"Ghhhhhhhhhh.... Aauhhhhh..!!!!!"
Still holding still with everything she got, Isabelle force every strength she holds and stored inside her. Gritting her teeth as she poured all she had
"Khhhhhhhhh... Nowwwww!!!"
She then yelled as she reached her limit
Swoosh!
Like a thundering gust passing through a stream, Natsumi's arrow then flew inside the flaming storm. As if a cloudy day suddenly vanish, the raging flame was sucked by the strong gust, sipping every bits of the smoldering heat towards the striding gale. As it twirl and twist, the arrow vacuums all the heat from the raging {Dragon}, and only it could do is roared upon its defeat.
"Not bad"
Creeper whisperingly spoke, as the arrow pass through and slightly cut his left cheeks. Small blood then drop from his dignified face.
Isabelle then stumble down as she tried catching her breath, using her shield to support her body as she kneeled down. Sheryl then went upfront of Isabelle, guarding her with her double, with a shocked looked as she let Isabelle rest. Natsumi then took another arrow with grimace painted on her look, knowing that her attack didn't even hit her marked target.
Looking at them with an overwhelming emotion of lost and reminisce, he then looked up the heavens and muttered in his silent breath
"..... How stupid am I?"
Closing his eyes as he looked up, he then clenched his fist and wishing, wishing that today may pour a heavy rain down to this disgusting ground he is standing. Cleaning this filthy and agonizing feeling, and this bittersweet ending.
Houuuu~
Taking a calm breath, he then stared upfront as he summoned his flaming sword. A special sword that has a single-edged blade, with a smooth flow of a polished curves. A blade with a circular guard and a long grip, hammered from a hardened steel and smoldering heat, a Katana.
"[Dai of blaze: Kurushimi no Ken]" (Note: sword of suffering in Japanese; you can call katana as Dai or Daito also)
Holding its grip with his right, while grasping its scabbard with his left, Creeper then slowly unsheathed his blade.
"Written in wrath, smithed in fury. Molded in heat, hammered by steel. I ask thy blade to cut its fury, to those may suffer its eternal agony"
"Boost me, [Combustion Impact]"
"[Eien no kutsū o Owaraseru]" (Note: end eternal pain in Japanese)
"!?!"
Suddenly the atmosphere of the north area, felt like a windy cold night in the middle of a stormy winter. Dread surrounded the vicinity, taking away their breath and hope, as if light abruptly dissappeared and lost.
All three of them lost the will to even breath, as the surrounding area took their desire to live. Slamming down the ground as they speechlessly trying to hold their breath, with their hands grasping their dry throat.
Thud! Clank! Tunk!
Their weapons fell as they lost their grip to even fight back, and even think of doing so. Kneeling down to the ground as their chest suddenly tighten, suffocating them to their painful breathless death. The three could only try grasping their seeming dissappearing breathe, as they stared upfront with puzzlement and hopelessness
Their eyes grew heavy with their body losing strength. Laying on the ground as their breath became much more difficult to take, every second pass and every try they make. Their body suddenly turned pale, with their sign of life leaving their mortal body.
But even in their demise, the three breath in their last with a silent wish of undying desire, and murmured in whispering voice
(All Three POV)
"We take it from here, thank you"
A silent, warmful voice then whispered on us, before we lose consciousness.
(Creeper's POV)
Shnk Tap
I then put the blade back to its scabbard right after I unleashed its skill. Though I didn't fully unsheathed my katana and only pulled till its half, [Eien no kutsū o Owaraseru] could still kill them in an instant.
[Eien no kutsū o Owaraseru] has a skill that would kill anyone in 8 meter radius, by taking their breath away, or the desire to even breath. All those that are inside this skills range will feel as if they are being drowned in the bottom of the ocean. No hope, no light, just darkness and death that is grasping them down, pulling them below the surface.
[Eien no kutsū o owaraseru] has 2 skills effect: 1st is [Breathless Death], which will take your will to breath and die by suffocation, and 2nd is [Thousand Slashes], which will slash anyone from the inside in a thousand, different slashes, while heightening their senses by 20 times. The latter will activate when the blade was fully unsheathed, while the former is merely at its half.
The blade give birth such skill when a swordsman asked a blacksmith "what is the most painful death, by suffocation, or being slash a thousand times?". Having such word spoken unto him, the smith emerge himself in his work, fully integrating as he hammered the blade he his forging. From a simple framework of curiosity, he made a dazzling blade full of mastery.
Ffuuaaahhh~
Taking another breath, I then turn around and unsummoned my katana.
Hoooohh~
Looking up the reddening color that is painting the clouds, with orange mixing to its coat, I then heave a heavy sigh.
"..."
Looking up with remorse clouding my thought, and regret painting my heart, I then heave another breath as I close my eyes
".... Let just en-!?!"
Clank!
"Gahhhh!"
I exclaimed as a sudden swift and powerful blow just strike me from my back. Reflexively defending myself with it, I then summoned my sword and tried blocking it. But even with the blade upfront, the impact still shook my inside.
"Grit your teeth darling"
"!?!"
Smack!
"Kuhhhhh!!"
I groan once again as a powerful kicked just landed on my face, pushing me away from where I was. I was thrown quite a distanced from my original position. I rolled several times before I used my right hand to pushed myself up. I then landed with my right leg first before my right, then pierced the sword I was holding on my left on the ground, to act as a brake with assistance of my feet.
Swshhhshhhh
The kicked was really powerful enough for the sword I impaled, to cut the ground, but thanks to it, I was able to decrease the momentum of my speed before I halted.
As I stopped, I then sweep the blood on my nose and mouth that was dripping until
Bang!
Booom!
I was then thrown once again to my right, causing me to slam myself to the building. I don't know what just hit me, but that was fast and strong.
"Ghhhhhhh"
I moaned as that unexpected strikes hit me at my body's left side. The attack was ferocious and yet, I couldn't even felt any intent to it, as it was delivered towards me.
Frustrated to what is happening towards me, unexpected things happening to me, I then got up from the rambles of fallen debris. Staring upfront with a frown and anger, all those ravaging emotion was suddenly sweep away as I saw what was in front of me
"..."
Speechless to the scene that left me stunned, I could only stare in awe and dumbfound. No words could left through my mouth, and seemingly no voice came out from my throat
"It is been a while, darling"
Was what the person stated, as I watch her in deep solitude