"Now, Arise! Grim-Thorn, show them the reason why you were seen as a God!"
In the wake of this sublime chaos, Nobu and Magnus stand in reverent silence, humbled by the overwhelming manifestation of the godlike might. Their mortal frames shiver in the presence of a being beyond their comprehension, as the world around them surrenders to a symphony of destruction, echoing the inexorable ascent of this wretched deity.
This abominable creature stands at a towering height of 18 meters, casting a long, eerie shadow across its surroundings. Its body grotesquely combines human and animal elements, leaving a disconcerting impression on any unfortunate soul who lays eyes upon it. The Grim-Thorn's torso, resembling that of a muscular human, is marred by two deep slashes that crisscross its chest, serving as a haunting reminder of a past battle.
Its head, dominated by the terrifying visage of a wolf, exudes an air of malevolence. The crimson eyes burn with an otherworldly intensity, reflecting a sinister intelligence. Jagged, elongated fangs jut out from its snarling maw, dripping with viscous saliva that falls like a grotesque cascade. The Grim-Thorn's dark fur clings tightly to its form, adding an eerie aura to its already imposing presence.
The lower half of this unholy amalgamation exhibits the unmistakable limbs of a goat, complete with hooves that strike the ground with an unnerving resonance. Its nimble goat legs allow it to move with an unsettling grace, granting it unnatural agility despite its immense size. A long, sinuous tail, swaying with an almost serpentine motion, adds an extra element of unease to its appearance.
Every inch of the creature's body is adorned with menacing features. Its hands, reminiscent of a human's, are tipped with elongated, razor-sharp nails that gleam ominously in the faintest of light. Its goat legs, while seeming mismatched, lend the creature an uncanny ability to traverse any terrain with swift, unsettling ease.
In the presence of this abhorrent entity, the very air seems to grow heavy with fear, and the faintest rustle of leaves sends shivers down the spine. Its ghastly appearance and the malevolent aura it emanates make it a true embodiment of terror, forever etching itself into the nightmares of those unfortunate enough to encounter it.
And in an instant, as if emerging from the depths of the abyss itself, the monstrous entity fixes its malevolent gaze upon Magnus, marking him as its primary target. A sense of foreboding fills the air, suffusing every fiber of Magnus's being, yet he stands resolute, unyielding before the impending clash.
Summoning his magical prowess, Magnus envelops his entire body in an ethereal shroud of impenetrable steel, forged with a determination fiercer than any enchantment he had ever conjured. This defense, painstakingly honed to perfection, now stands as a bastion against the indomitable might of the godlike creature.
With a thunderous bellow that reverberates through the very core of their souls, the Grim-Thorn unleashes a primal, unearthly roar that sends tremors coursing through their bones. The colossal being raises its arm, an appendage of titanic proportions, dwarfing Magnus's fragile frame in comparison. With a swiftness that defies comprehension, the gargantuan hand hurtles toward Magnus, driven by an unfathomable force.
Despite his unassailable defense, the impact of the Grim-Thorn's fist strikes Magnus with overwhelming and merciless ferocity. The sheer power behind the blow defies reason, effortlessly propelling Magnus through the air, his body twisting and contorting in the face of such raw might. The very foundations of his fortitude are tested as he's ruthlessly flung aside like a ragdoll.
"Magnus!" Nobu's voice pierces the chaotic tumult and a shrill cry laces with profound worry for his dear friend. As if woven from thin air, Nobu vanishes from sight, melding with the intangible realm. With unparalleled grace, he switches and materializes directly behind Magnus, his presence undetectable to all but the most discerning eyes.
The Grim-Thorn's strike, an overwhelming force of devastation, propels both Magnus and Nobu toward the unyielding wall with merciless momentum. However, thanks to Nobu's swift intervention, the impact that awaits Magnus is tempered, and its crushing weight lightens, as Nobu absorbs a significant portion of the impending shockwave, making him gulp his heart out in pain.
The reverberations of the devastating impact surge through Nobu's body, a searing pain that clutches at his chest with unyielding intensity. As he fights to catch his breath, his mind races, awash with a maelstrom of thoughts and emotions. "Oh, My God..." he whispers inwardly, the weight of their predicament pressing heavily upon him. In that harrowing moment, the enormity of the task at hand looms before him like an insurmountable mountain.
A profound sense of trepidation washes over Magnus, his resolute voice tinges with a hint of resignation. With every ounce of strength he can muster, he rallies against the pain coursing through his battered body, pushing himself upright against the wall. As his gaze meets the formidable presence of the Godlike Grim-Thorn, a bitter realization settles within him, intertwining with his unwavering determination. "This... this is beyond our capabilities," he concedes, his voice laced with a mix of awe and defeat.
"Magnus!" Nobu protests once more, noticing that the Grim-Thorn is about to strike again. Without a moment's hesitation, he lunges forward and throws Magnus out of harm's way before taking up his sword, ready to face the monster alone.
As the Grim-Thorn's fist collides with Nobu's sword, the young warrior channels his power and attempts to use Overpower on the monster. Despite his valiant effort, the impact causes Nobu's Soul-Edge to fly out of his grasp, leaving the boy's purple eyes wide with disbelief.
"Even Overpower won't do a thing to him," Nobu thinks to himself as he's sent hurtling across the room, his form perfectly engraved on the opposite wall. Blood drips from his mouth as he struggles to regain his composure.
Amid chaos and devastation, Tobio, a peculiar figure of amusement amidst the maelstrom, descends into fits of derisive laughter. With a confidence that borders on madness, he boldly approaches the Godlike Grim-Thorn, his hand extending to touch its monstrous form. A sardonic grin dances upon his lips, a wicked parody of arrogance.
"So, what do you think?" Tobio taunts, his voice laced with a mocking melody, his gaze fixed upon Magnus, who seethes with frustration. "You liked my gift, right?" His words carry the weight of malicious delight, a display of audacity that further stokes the embers of Magnus' anger.
"You little..." Magnus, clenching his fists with seething determination, feels the flames of indignation ignite within him. Tobio's insolence gnaws at his patience, fueling his resolve to find a way to triumph over this formidable foe. His mind races, seeking a glimmer of hope amidst the encroaching darkness.
Yet, before Magnus can formulate a decisive plan, the unfathomable takes an unexpected turn. The Grim-Thorn, its malevolent gaze fixates upon Tobio, paused, its attention captured by the Tobio who dares to mock its divine presence. Tobio, undeterred by the looming threat before him, maintains his devil-may-care demeanor, addressing the monstrous entity with a melodic tone.
"Hey, hey! Mr. Grim!" Tobio's voice echoes with an eerie harmony, his words reverberating through the tempestuous air. "Why did you stop, ha? Go on, finish them already!" His words, seemingly brazen and reckless, held an enigmatic undercurrent, a hidden gambit lurking beneath the surface.
Annoyance emanates from the Grim-Thorn, its divine countenance contorts with displeasure. In a harrowing display of power, the very surface of its monstrous form erupts into a profusion of menacing thorns, transforming its already fearsome visage into an even more nightmarish spectacle. Tobio's audacious attempt to assert dominance is met with violent retribution.
Tobio's hand, once daringly pressed against the beast, is now impaled mercilessly by the savage protrusions. An agonizing cry of pain tears through the chaotic symphony, reverberating through the tumultuous battlefield, a stark reminder of the fragility of mortal flesh in the face of divine fury.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Tobio's voice resonates with anguish, his words an anguished plea laced with desperation. He clutches his wounded hand, his illusion of mastery shattered by the brutal reality of his own action turning against him. "I'm your freaking master, got it?" His words ring hollow, lost amidst the chaos, as his once audacious defiance crumbles under the weight of his impotent realization.
"Wati a sec..." Magnus ponders, his gaze locked upon the enigmatic Grim-Thorn. A momentary shock washes over him, as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. "Tobio is a summoner, and he's the one who summoned the Grim-Thorns. That thing is supposed to hear Tobio's command, right?" The implications reverberate through his thoughts, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the desperate fray.
Yet, before Magnus can fully comprehend the significance of this newfound realization, the Grim-Thorn unleashes another primal roar, its fury channeled into a targeted assault aimed directly at Tobio. In an act of swift instinct, Magnus casts aside his reservations and springs into action, his body propelled forward with determined purpose. With Tobio in his grasp, he propels them both, narrowly evading the descending fist that sought to crush the summoner beneath its overwhelming force.
"It appears that you can't control that thing, Tobio!" Magnus declares, his voice laced with urgency and concern. He glances back at the Grim-Thorns, its gargantuan form looming like a harbinger of imminent destruction. "So your life is quite threatened as well, isn't it?" Magnus' words hang in the air, laden with an unspoken understanding.
"Get off! Jerk!" Tobio protests, his voice a mix of defiance and exasperation as he looks at Magnus, who had positioned himself protectively above him. "Why the heck are you even saving an enemy?" His words drip with incredulity, his perception of the world shaken by this unexpected act of selflessness.
Magnus pivots back, his expression etched with a mixture of exasperation and frustration. A subtle crackle of mana courses through his veins, infusing his gauntlets with more metal.
Raising his right fist, Magnus forges a symbiotic connection with the steel-infused gauntlets, landing Tobio's face the awaited blow, breaking his nose as he leads him to unconsciousness, "Shut up!" His voice pierces through the chaos as he stands up to his full height, "I don't need you to tell me what to do!"
In a heart-stopping moment, the Grim-Thorns unleashes a relentless assault upon Magnus. A barrage of colossal thorns hurtles through the air, each aimed with deadly precision, seeking to impale the young boy's vulnerable body. Time seems to slow as the imminent danger loomed.
desperate to shield himself, Magnus slams both hands onto the ground, his voice resonating with unwavering resolve. "Steel Magic: Steel Walls!" he incants, and like a manifestation of his will, a series of formidable walls erupts from the very earth, rising to defend him.
Yet, even the mighty fortresses of steel prove inadequate against the relentless onslaught. The Grim-Thorn's thorns tear through the defenses with an almost maniacal determination, surging forth unabated. Their menacing trajectory remains fixed upon Magnus, leaving him vulnerable and trapped within a dance of imminent peril.
Amidst the chaos and despair, Nobu's voice erupts with primal desperation, resonating through the tumultuous air. "Magnus!" he bellows, his cry echoing with both anguish and determination. With unwavering courage, he musters every ounce of strength to raise to his feet. His eyes locked on his friend, his voice pleading, "Please endure the pain, and let those thorns ensnare you!"
"Do you want me to freaking die or something?" Mutters Magnus, his voice laced with a mix of frustration and anguish. The predicament that unfolds before him left him no choice but to bear the weight of this excruciating torment.
Summoning his steel magic once more, Magnus encases his entire body in an armor of steel. The metallic sheen serves as a feeble barrier against the thorns' constricting grasp, providing a momentary respite from the full brunt of their agonizing embrace. Yet, despite his efforts, he can still feel the tendrils of pain coursing through his body, eliciting involuntary shivers.
Within this dire struggle, a sudden shift occurs. The thorns that held Magnus aloft begin to ascend, lifting him higher until he finds himself face-to-face with the Grim-Thorn's grotesque countenance. Its gaze, horrific and malevolent, bore into Magnus's soul, a chilling reminder of the dire circumstances that enveloped them.
"Alrighty," Summoning every ounce of his courage, Nobu makes a split-second decision. With a selfless act of sacrifice, he swaps places with Magnus. The thorns that had cruelly ensnared his friend now grip him, puncturing his flesh and sending waves of searing pain coursing through his body. A cry of anguish escaped his lips, a testament to the immense suffering he willingly embraces.
But even in the throes of torment, Nobu's resolve remains unshaken. With a resolute command, he calls upon the dormant power within him, his voice infused with unwavering determination. "Eye! Open!" he commands. The eye engraved upon his bracers, the vessel of Kamaitachi's demonic powers, awakens in response, its malevolent energy coursing through his veins.
At that moment Nobu taps into the abyssal might of Kamaitachi. The air crackles with raw energy, and his form radiates an otherworldly aura.
Nobu harnesses the essence of the Void Push, generating an ethereal force that emanates from every pore of his body. With a fierce determination, he directs this invisible power toward the cords of thorns that ensnare him, channeling it into a mighty surge that pushes the wicked tendrils away. The painful grasp releases its hold on his body, freeing him from their agonizing clutches.
His fist crackling with the potent energy of All For One, Nobu readies himself to strike a decisive blow against the Grim-Thorn. However, as he lunges toward the monstrous entity, an unforeseen force shatters his momentum. A searing pain courses through his entire being, rendering him completely immobile while suspended in mid-air. Bewilderment etches across his face as he grapples with the sudden paralysis that seized his body.
"What the hell?" he exclaims, his voice tinged with a mixture of frustration, confusion, and a hint of underlying fear. In that moment of vulnerability, "Crap, it's the side effect from the previous healing!"
Seizing the moment of Nobu's immobilization, the Grim-Thorns acts with ruthless efficiency. Its colossal hand closes around Nobu's vulnerable form, its grip tightening with a bone-crushing force. With a violent flourish, the monstrous entity hurls him through the air, hurtling him uncontrollably toward Magnus.
In a desperate bid to save his friend from impending disaster, Magnus reacts with lightning speed. His gauntlets, gigantified with more steel, strike the ground with a thunderous impact. The resulting shockwave propels him skyward, launching him toward Nobu's airborne trajectory. With unwavering determination, he reaches out, his arms extending to scoop his pained comrade into his protective embrace.
As they gently descend back to the ground, Magnus's voice trembles with a mix of concern and frustration. He cradles Nobu's trembling body, his eyes scanning every inch for signs of harm or injury. "What's wrong with you, Nobu?" he protests, his voice laced with a blend of affection and worry.
"That was way too reckless," Magnus admonishes, his voice firm yet laced with a touch of vulnerability. His gaze locked onto Nobu's, conveying both gratitude for his selflessness and a plea for caution. He understands the gravity of their situation and the risks they face, and he implores his friend not to jeopardize his own well-being again.
"It's not like we had another choice," retorts Nobu, his voice carrying a hint of defiance. "And I didn't expect the pain to suddenly surge through my body anyways."
With a renewed onslaught, the Grim-Thorns launches its massive hand once more, hurtling it toward Magnus and Nobu with unyielding force. Magnus, caught in mid-air, his grip firm on his friend's trembling form, finds himself compelled to step away, narrowly evading the looming threat. As the world spins around him, his mind becomes a tumultuous storm of unwanted thoughts.
"What should I do?" Magnus's thoughts race, echoing in the recesses of his mind. The weight of their predicament bears down upon him, every decision carrying the potential for triumph or catastrophe. Gritting his teeth in frustration, he grapples with the tormenting dilemma that unfolds before him.
"Should I use it or what?" he ponders, his internal struggle laid bare. The unspoken choice, lurking within the depths of his being, hovers in his consciousness like a forbidden temptation. The very notion of employing a power he harbored conflicts with his principles, igniting a profound sense of resistance within him.
"But... But I don't accept it," Magnus's thoughts continue, his resolve unwavering. The prospect of succumbing to this power, of relinquishing his ideals, clashes with his unwavering spirit, as he's aware that he shouldn't be wielding such great talent if it wasn't for the Irie's nasty way of doing things.
The Grim-Thorns unleashes another barrage of deadly thorns, its relentless assault threatening to assault Magnus, threatening to overwhelm him. Yet, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, Nobu's indomitable spirit surges forth. Despite the lingering pain from the previous strike, he throws himself forward, his very being charged with demonic energy.
With a resounding All For One punch, Nobu defies the onslaught, altering the trajectory of the thorns and diverting their deadly path away from Magnus. The air crackles with the release of his power, a testament to his unwavering resolve and the strength that resides within him.
"Magnus..." Nobu's voice, low yet filled with simmering anger, reverberates through the tumultuous air. His gaze locked onto his friend's, his eyes ablaze with a purplish intensity. "Why the hell are you hesitating?" he demanded, his words punctuated by raw frustration.