Chapter 64: Frustration
As the battle raged between Ethan and Everly, an air of disappointment and frustration settled over Ethan's countenance. The anticipation that had built up over the course of two long decades seemed to crumble in the face of this lackluster confrontation.
Ethan's eyes flickered with a mix of boredom and irritation as he watched Everly unleash his powers with all his might. The golden strands of Everly's hair danced in the chaotic winds, reflecting the determination burning within him. Yet, to Ethan's dismay, the display of power fell short of his expectations.
With a casual wave of his hand, Ethan swiftly severed one of Everly's fingers, an act that punctuated the futility of Everly's efforts. His voice dripped with a hint of disdain as he taunted, "Is this all you've got? Give it your all, or prepare to meet your demise."
Everly, fueled by a potent mixture of anger and wounded pride, tapped into the depths of his potential, unearthing reserves of power previously untapped. His movements became a dance of fury and desperation, as he unleashed a barrage of techniques that bore names as formidable as his own presence. "Crimson Inferno," a blazing onslaught of fiery strikes that engulfed the battlefield in a tempest of flames; "Ethereal Torrent," a swirling maelstrom that twisted reality to his will; and "Heaven's Fury," a celestial bombardment that threatened to tear the very fabric of existence.
But to Everly's shock and disbelief, Ethan stood unwavering amidst the chaos, his expression growing wearier with each futile blow. The disappointment etched on Ethan's face was palpable, as if he had expected something greater from his own flesh and blood.
A heavy sigh escaped Ethan's lips as he finally voiced his exasperation, "Are you quite finished?"
The question hung in the air, its weight pressing upon Everly's battered spirit. He struggled to comprehend the magnitude of his failure, his heart sinking with the realization that his efforts had been in vain.
Summoning the last vestiges of his strength, Everly unleashed his ultimate technique, "Red Day." The very sky seemed to darken as a colossal beam of energy, radiating a deep crimson hue, surged forth. It was a force of unparalleled destruction, capable of obliterating mountains and rending reality itself.
In a mix of frustration and despair, Ethan cried out, "Why?!" His fists clenched with an intensity born of both disappointment and a desire to provoke. In a display of raw power, he struck the beam with an indescribable force, shattering its existence into mere fragments. The impact rippled outward, erasing mountains, galaxies, and entire star systems from the tapestry of existence.
A profound weariness resonated in Ethan's voice as he implored Everly, "Tell me, my son, why are you so weak?"
Everly's features contorted with a potent blend of shock and disbelief. He found himself reduced to his knees, staring up at Ethan, a once-mighty figure now diminished by the weight of his defeat. The words reverberated through his consciousness, leaving him with a deep sense of self-doubt and introspection.
With a tone tinged with exhaustion, Ethan spoke, his voice heavy with the burdens of his own journey. "I am weary. Weary of the ceaseless search for the true creator, tired of the deceptions, tired of the feeble attempts at strength. Henceforth, I shall bring an end to all realities and timelines."
The words hung in the air, a declaration that sent shockwaves through the very fabric of existence. The profound implications of Ethan's statement left Everly and the world in a state of profound uncertainty.