Chapter 35: Light
The battlefield became a kaleidoscope of flickering shadows, as thousands of Arcs replicated his form in a dizzying display of speed and precision. Each clone mirrored his movements flawlessly, multiplying the onslaught of attacks aimed at Ethan. The air crackled with the sheer intensity of their clash, as Ethan found himself surrounded by a seemingly infinite number of adversaries.
Undeterred by the overwhelming odds, Ethan's eyes shimmered with a newfound determination. He focused his senses, honing his perception to distinguish the true Arc amidst the sea of illusions. With unwavering resolve, he darted through the chaos, his movements defying the very concept of speed.
In a flash of brilliance, Ethan's hand shot out, seizing the real Arc by the neck with an iron grip. The frenzied battle halted as all eyes turned to witness this decisive moment. The air grew heavy with tension as Ethan's voice resonated with an air of supremacy. "Your illusions hold no power over me. It is time to end this," he proclaimed, his voice reverberating through the shattered remains of the castle.
Struggling to catch his breath, Arc gazed into the unwavering eyes of his adversary. A mixture of astonishment and desperation coursed through his veins. "Who are you? What manner of being possesses such unimaginable power?" he managed to utter, his voice tinged with both awe and fear.
A faint smile curved upon Ethan's lips as he loosened his grip on Arc's neck. "I am Ethan, a traveler from realms unknown to you," he responded cryptically. The weight of his words hung in the air, echoing with an air of mystery. It was clear that Ethan held a profound understanding of the worlds beyond their current reality.
With a sudden surge of energy, Ethan released Arc, sending him tumbling to the ground. As dust and debris swirled around them, a profound silence settled over the remnants of the battlefield. It was as if the universe itself held its breath in anticipation of the final blow.
Regaining his composure, Arc rose to his feet, his eyes gleaming with a newfound determination. "I refuse to be defeated. I will not yield," he declared, his voice resolute. In a dazzling display of power, Arc unleashed his ultimate technique, summoning a cascade of black holes. The very fabric of space distorted and twisted as countless voids consumed everything in their path.
Unfazed by the onslaught of destruction, Ethan stood firm, his body radiating with an aura of pure energy. As the black holes converged upon him, he extended his hands, summoning a brilliant sphere of crackling energy. The sheer magnitude of his power dwarfed even the all-consuming voids before him.
In a moment of perfect convergence, Ethan launched the condensed energy towards Arc, hurtling it through space at an unfathomable speed. Time seemed to slow as the cataclysmic blast streaked towards its intended target, the air crackling with the anticipation of absolute annihilation.
With a thunderous impact, the energy collided with Arc, engulfing him in an explosion of blinding light. The force of the blast tore through the remnants of the castle, reducing it to rubble. The shockwave rippled across the land, decimating everything in its path, as a deafening silence settled upon the desolate battlefield.
As the dust began to settle, Ethan emerged from the haze, his form unscathed and his eyes shimmering with an enigmatic power. He stood upon the broken remains of Arc's body, a solemn expression etched upon his face. "Live on, Arc. Seek out the strength to face me once again. I will be waiting," he murmured, his words carried away by the wind.
With a final glance at the destruction he had wrought, Ethan dissipated.