Arthur went straight for the kill as soon as he arrived! If Kain doesn't survive this attack then Arthur highly overestimated him-
Arthur parried Kain's great sword with his right hand and shot for the throat with his left. His hand bled, nevertheless he grasped the great sword tightly. This madness darkened Kain's expression as he tilted his head to avoid Arthur's attack!
"Who are you?!" As the two faced each other, Kain was greatly puzzled. He could only see a sinister being in front. 'Why would he attack us? Did he also kill the others?'
Arthur smiled and remained silent, there was no need for words.
"Judgement!" Kain roared, coating his sword in dark blue Aera. He wanted to sever Arthur's whole arm.
Arthur promptly let go then sidestepped followed by a jab to the jaw and a hook to the side. "Ugh!" Kain threw a punch of his own and wielded his great sword single handedly. But because Arthur kept sticking to him, he found it hard to maneuver the large weapon he carried.
The two then traded blow after blow! The air exploded as their attacks connected.
Arthur smiled widely, he was greatly elated, this man is indeed strong!
'Fuck! There's a lot I want to ask but it seems it I won't get any answer.' Kain removed unnecessary thoughts in his head and focused on the fight. So many unanswered questions, but no matter, killing Arthur takes priority because he might not be alone. There might be other assailants just waiting for the right opportunity.
As the two were exchanging punches, the third person atop the truck didn't stand idly by. Butch attacked violently with his two axes, separating Arthur and Kain. "HAHAHA!" He whirled about like a red tornado, allowing Kain to freely wield his great sword.
"DIE!" With a howl, Kain charged toward Arthur who skillfully dodged and danced around them. He employed minimal movement to evade, but it wasn't always perfect, sometimes he would barely escape decapitation.
Arthur had amazing battle awareness, but he also seemed awkward at times since his body couldn't keep up. Nonetheless, he was lethal. He'd use his claws to deflect their blades, then sneakily inflict wounds on the two when they least expect it. Arthur was smaller and thinner than his opponents, and his stature allowed him to do as he pleases in this battle. With nimble movements, his two hands were like spears that would suddenly launch to stab them.
Nevertheless, the other party wasn't to be underestimated either. Kain's and Butch's teamwork were flawless, making Arthur barely have time to breathe. Gradually the battle had tilted to their favor, Arthur lost his momentum and now he could only defend.
*Bang!
Arthur smashed heavily on the roof of the unsteady truck. A great sword was inches away from his face. With his left claw keeping the sword at bay, he used his other hand to stab Kain's chest, his nails grew longer in a matter of seconds. The other party had no choice but to back away letting Arthur free, but before he could catch a breath, he rolled to the side and avoided an axe aimed at his torso.
*Bang! *Bang! *Bang!
Butch was like a kid playing smash the gopher as he chased after Arthur relentlessly. With a leg kick to bring him down followed by another to the jaw, Arthur managed to halt Butch's assault but Kain immediately took his place!
A dance of death ensued, Arthur was able to overpower Kain but when Butch joined in, he found it hard to subdue them both.
"HAAAAh!" Arthur erupted with power pushing the two back. Dark red aura burst forth from within him, then he jumped backward and created some distance.
He cracked his neck and grinned, he already found the flow! Arthur was learning how to fight with his current body throughout this combat. He was working on improving his reaction time and body movement. Rich battle experience gradually absorbed itself into his body, and his fighting style advanced as it was employed.
Time for round two!
Butch charged toward Arthur like a wild beast. With a roundhouse kick, Arthur averted Butch's axe by kicking his wrist followed by a punch to the gut. Although Butch was big and tough, a punch from Arthur still momentarily incapacitated him. Without mercy Arthur made a punching bag out of the giant thrice his size.
*Boom! *Boom! *Boom! Each punch was like an earthquake sending tremors across Butch's body. Kain found it hard to attack since Arthur made use of Butch as a shield. He went around in circles placing the giant between him and Kain. Even though the truck was moving in a mess these three still managed to keep their balance, greatly showing their inhuman capabilities.
"Take a break!" Kain grabbed Butch by the collar and tossed him to the back.
*Bang!
"Ahhhh!" Harry screamed in fright when a huge silhouette slammed at the hood of the truck "BUTCH??"
"Ugh- hi guys" he was too lightheaded to stand, it was a miracle he managed to hold on to the truck. Kain simply had no idea how much he suffered under Arthur's relentless attacks.
Arthur's attacks weren't simply physical, Butch's body might look fine outside, but each blow he received wreaked havoc inside him. His internal organs were literally swelling, not to mention his brain that got tossed around in his head like a blender. Using Blood Dominion Arthur reversed the flow of his blood with every punch. Every contact made his blood flow in a different direction.
.....
Back on the roof, Arthur faced Kain one on one. The two were trading attacks.
"HAAA!" Kain swept his sword horizontally and missed Arthur by an inch. After jumping, Arthur used the sword as a platform, he leveraged his body up and then kicked Kain in the cheek with full power, sending him back. Kain stabs his sword on the truck to stop his momentum and quickly replies with a spinning heel kick of his own followed by a sword sweep which grazes Arthur's chest.
Arthur bent his back barely dodging the great sword and like a spring, he recoiled back to clutch Kain's chest. After the attack connected, he dragged his claws across Kain's body, creating five vertical lacerations.
"Ugh! Retribution!" Kain conjured a blue magic circle above Arthur's head, and before Arthur could react, an ethereal giant sword landed on his back. It penetrated his back and came out of his stomach.
'Shit!' Arthur backed away and using his claws, he grabbed the ethereal sword and broke it like glass!
'A flawless counter attack.' He had to admit that Kain was indeed a veteran. He was quick witted and bold. He also had a calm mind that enabled him to make perceptive judgments.
…
Meanwhile inside the truck cabin, Harry was hysterically steering the wheel to control its advance. It didn't take long before he managed to stabilise the truck and albeit slower, they still managed to press forward.
…
Inside the truck compartment, "Jasmin, take care of Hansel" Darren said before quickly climbing out. Hansel was still alive. They need to hurry and get to the Main Estate to save her. Thinking of this he quickly took action to subjugate the mysterious attacker. When he arrived, he saw Arthur punching Kain in the jaw, knocking him down.
Like a shark, Arthur smelled the blood from Darren's bleeding shoulder, he knew he had come.
The thick iron scent excited him.
Arthur suddenly ducked and did a leg sweep after evading a horizontal slash from Darren. His leg sweep managed to tilt the attacker's balance but Darren was also a skilled fighter-
As he was falling, Darren used his right hand to do a headstand, he then kicked forward meeting Arthur's own spinning kick.
*Bang! In terms of power Darren was weaker, he felt his sheen went numb from the impact yet despite that he held on. 'Is his bones made of metal?! he thought.
Arthur's body wasn't that of a human right now, he was a Vampire, a being that was physically more powerful than humans.
*Swoosh!
A great sword separated the two. "Are you alright?" Kain asked Darren when he saw his injured shoulder. "It's just a scratch, you?" replied the latter.
"What do you think?"
A short standstill was created, Kain and Darren faced Arthur and at his back Butch slowly arrived, although a bit groggy he was still a force to be reckoned with.
'Two versus one seemed to be the limit of my physical ability' Arthur thought but he really wanted to find out if he could keep these three at bay at the same time.
And so he did-
He turned back and attacked Butch, he jumped and swiftly kneed the giant in the face.
Butch's nose cracked from the impact, yet he didn't fall. Butch mindlessly swung his axe but Arthur used his chest to propel himself toward Kain and Darren.
Arthur was met with a swift sword to the face but he diverted its trajectory by palming its blade surface at the last minute. With a wide smile, he was about to grab Darren's throat and yank his neck open. However another sword that glowed in blue greeted him-
Kain's vertical slash forced him to catch the incoming sword with both hands. This strike was a special move that warped the opponent's perception. Arthur saw Kain raise his blade, but it appeared inches from his skull the next second, as if teleported.
*Pah! With a clap he caught the sword above his head. Although he succeeded in stopping the attack he left his chest wide open. Kain didn't miss the opportunity and with a kick, he sent Arthur back.
'Shit!' Arthur cursed when he felt danger from behind. A sword that glowed green swept by and due to his awkward position it would be hard to evade or even defend!
"True Mirage!" Darren's sword suddenly became two then four, it created three illusions and Arthur felt each could inflict a high amount of damage. A red protective shield hurriedly coated him, followed by another layer, however the sword arrived quicker!
The barrier failed in stopping the sword completely and a deep wound was inflicted on his side. Yet before he could regain his bearing, he was struck in the back by another onslaught.
"Crimson Strike!" Butch covered one of his axes in Aera, and as it glowed red, ethereal serrated edges appeared around it. He threw it with unimaginable force causing it to spin like a razor blade.
"Ugh!" The axe spun like a chainsaw, mutilating Arthur's back open.
*Crack! It only stopped when it embedded itself in his spine!
*Cough!
Arthur then coughed blood, a sword just stabbed his chest right after the axe struck his back!
"This is for Hansel!" Darren roared as he pushed the sword deeper before twisting and pulling it out in swift motion. After that a greatsword was brought down, Arthur used his hands to stop the incoming slash but it was simply unstoppable like a judgement from heaven. Both his hands were chopped off and his chest was sliced wide open. Arthur's arms fell to his side and he coughed another mouthful of blood.
Kain didn't know if it was arrogance or confidence but he knew Arthur didn't use all of his ability in this fight. He saw how Arthur used chains, daggers and even needles while pursuing them yet in the entirety of the fight, Arthur only relied on his strength and a shield until the very end.
Perhaps he ran out of Aera? That was a possibility. But could this inhuman thing actually be that careless? No.
"Let's finish him." Kain ordered. He wanted to interrogate Arthur, but they didn't have that kind of luxury at the moment. Time is of the essence and besides, their opponent was a blood thirsty killer. He might even self-destruct if needed.
Arthur, looking like someone who was a step away from death, shook his head in disappointment. He had expected to fall short in terms of physical combat but not to this extent-
'I still need more training. I'm lacking in all aspects.' he thought as he analysed the battle. It seems that although he had gained tremendous strength he was still unable to fully utilize it. He didn't stand a chance at all. There were some instances where he could've made a different move but it mattered no more. He was thrashed, he could only reflect now. This was his current limit if he only relied on the physical prowess of the Half-Awakened Primordial Vampire Physique.
"DIE!" Butch roared as he pulled his arm to swing his axe. He was going to chop Arthur's head off!
...
But the axe never came!
"Huh?" The giant wondered after his hand stopped without his control. He looked back and saw black chains, wrapped around his arm.
"KILL HIM!!!" At first Kain relaxed a bit seeing the damage they dealt, but after seeing that Arthur still had the strength to stop Butch, he immediately regained his killing intent. 'Fuck, I knew it!' he thought as he cursed his negligence.
But how was he supposed to know Arthur could still do something in that state?
His greatest mistake was perhaps judging Arthur as a human.
Darren sprang into action, "Emerald Storm!" he jumped and was intending to finish Arthur with this move, he gathered a large portion of his Aera and coated his sword, if one looked closely there seemed to be a tornado wrapped around his blade.
His sword soon came down, hacking Arthur on the neck.
*Puchi!
… .
"Wha- How is this p-possible?" Darren was taken aback; this was his ultimate move. An attack he was very confident in. This could easily slice a mage in half, but it only penetrated a few millimeters of flesh!
Feeling a bad premonition, he looked toward Arthur who was now blankly staring at him with apathetic eyes. This stare made his heart skip a bit.
Author's Note:
Rate this cliffhanger lol