Back at the US Embassy seafront compound, Kraig was baffled by Charles' abilities.
"You used a simple blood and chain spell, yet you tossed me around like a bug. Your ability amplification is impressive, matching my strength and even exceeding it. That's how you managed to pull off that stunt,"
he admitted, returning to his human form.
Charles whispered to himself,
"So he's going to use the nullifying barrier. I better prepare my physical attacks."
Kraig anticipated Charles' thoughts and retrieved a one-handed axe from inside his stomach.
"This axe used to be just for cutting wood when I was in Greece, but thanks to Netheroc, it now boasts a powerful enchantment," Kraig explained.
Smirking, Kraig summoned a purple, corrupted vine that resembled a rope and wrapped it around the axe handle, then swung it around like nunchucks, imitating Charles' martial arts.
Charles was calmly surprised by Kraig's maneuver.
"So, an axe with a vine tied to it," he mused.
Charles noted to himself,
"He's using this technique to defend against my physical melee attacks, alongside his nullification barrier that prevents any spells from entering its range."
He initiated a spell,
"Spell utilize, manipulation: Blood Rain,"
creating small, round blood bullets that he fired towards Kraig. Instead of aiming directly for the target, these shots hovered in the air above Kraig, forming a large blood sphere. Kraig managed to deflect some of the bullets, but most gathered inside the spherical formation above him.
Kraig inquired,
"So, what's your plan with those? You know that giant thing is useless if you try to maul it down to me because of my barrier."
Charles ordered the blood sphere to scatter down, resulting in a torrential
"Blood Rain."
These blood drops successfully pierced through Kraig's barrier, though they didn't harm him, as they couldn't be considered a direct physical threat.
Kraig, puzzled, realized,
"You used real blood to give it a physical form so it could breach my barrier, but it didn't harm me. You've merely littered my space."
Charles then placed his palm on the ground and cast
"Blood spell, manipulation utilization: Sanguine Spike Surge."
This spell allowed Charles to manipulate the blood pooled on the ground, forming it into multiple giant, razor-sharp spikes rising from below the ground, impaling Kraig and inflicting damage.
In a weakened state, Kraig acknowledged to himself,
"He took advantage of the space within my barrier using the spilled blood to cast the spell and create the blood spikes."
Charles explained his strategy to the now incapacitated Kraig,
"The spikes have weakened you, making you unable to maintain the barrier."
Without hesitation, Charles unleashed another spell,
"Blood spell, attack utilization: Chain and Blood Circulation,"
taking advantage of Kraig's barrier's inactivity to pierce him with blood-covered chains. Kraig lay unconscious on the ground.
In Kraig's unconscious state, a series of flashbacks to his previous life unfolded in his mind.
Back in Greece in 993 AD, on Mount Taygetos, Kraig was a human, living with his grandmother in a wooden house at the center of the forest. He was then known as Kallios. At the age of 17, Kallios was engaged in cutting wood, which he planned to sell to the people of Kallianthi village in exchange for money and food.
His grandmother, Achillia, prepared a simple meal of bread and herbal tea for Kallios and called him in.
"Kallios, your breakfast is ready, my grandchild,"
she said.
Kallios, absorbed in his work, replied,
"Just a little bit longer, Grandma. I'm almost finished with this cutting."
Achillia was proud and happy about her grandson's diligence. She commented,
"Kallios, you cut wood so well using your father's axe. He gave it to you, and you've grown so much, my beloved grandchild."
Kallios smiled, filled with happiness at his grandmother's pride in him. After a few more minutes of work, he had completed arranging the pile of cut wood.
Kallios and Achillia sat down to have a sweet breakfast. Their conversation turned to Kallios' parents, who had passed away together due to illness when Kallios was younger.
"It's been years since both of your parents died. I still can't believe they died together from illness at the same time, and what's worse, we were both not there when they passed,"
Achillia lamented.
Kallios, with a bit of teary eyes, responded,
"I miss them so much, Grandma, but I know they are in a better place now."
Kallios stood up, took his father's axe, and prepared to leave for Kallianthi village.
"Kallios, that axe is very compatible with you. It has been passed down through generations. My father made it, and it was passed to my husband. Since I didn't have any male siblings, our son received it and passed it on to you,"
Achillia proudly explained.
Kallios replied with a smile,
"I'll take good care of this axe, just like my father did. And when the need arises, I'll use it to protect you, Grandma."
Achillia quickly responded,
"No, my grandson. You must not use that axe for violence. I've always taught you that."
Kallios chuckled, saying,
"I know, Grandma, I'm just kidding. I'll be on my way now. I'll make sure to bring home as much bread as possible. I'll see you tonight, Grandma."
Achillia bid her grandson farewell with a heartfelt
"Take care, my grandson."
Kallios then began his descent from the mountain, heading toward Kallianthi village.
Kallios arrived in Kallianthi village, filled with joy from his hard work. He had not only been selling wood but also helping the villagers in various ways.
In the village, he came across an old man pulling a small wagon filled with harvested corn.
"Let me help you with that. I'll just place my remaining wood on top of your corn, and I'll take it from here,"
Kallios offered, happily taking over the wagon's wheel.
The old man was grateful for Kallios' assistance.
"Thank you, son. You are truly a helpful person."
Kallios replied,
"I don't mind at all, Gramps. My grandma taught me to use my strength to help those in need. Oh, by the way, I hope my wood doesn't dirty your corn too much. I'd hate to see it get soiled, hehe."
The old man assured him,
"No, I don't mind at all. I plan to grind the corn at the mill, so it's fine."
Kallios spent his time helping the villagers and selling wood to the people of Kallianthi. He was highly respected, and he earned money that allowed him to purchase meat, bread, wine, and clothing.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the mountain in the Thalassino village, a group of religious people under the protection of the Greek Empire gathered. Father Demitrino, the village priest known for his influential sermons and the importance of faith in the villagers' lives, spoke to a group of grieving villagers.
Petros and Maria, a well-respected couple in Thalassino, were known for their devout faith and strong ties to the local church. Their son, Nikos, had disappeared while crossing Mount Taygetos.
"Father, do you have any information about the person responsible for our son Niko's disappearance in Mount Taygetos?"
Petro asked with desperation in his voice
Father Demitrino replied,
"We've found someone living on that mountain. He goes by the name Kallios. One of my servants discovered their hideout."
Eleni, a girl from Thalassino and Nikos' childhood friend who deeply mourned his loss, demanded justice.
"Please bring justice for our loss, not only for Niko but also for the other families who have lost their loved ones on Mount Taygetos."
Tears filled her eyes, and she spoke with anger and sorrow.
Father Demitrino reassured them,
"Worry not, my children. We will gather our forces and ascend Mount Taygetos. We will consider this man named Kallios a monster, and we shall bring his head as a trophy of our justice, providing relief to those who grieve the loss of their loved ones."
With determination, Father Demitrino, his faithful servants, and a hundred Greek soldiers prepared to rally to the mountain of Taygetos.
Kallios stood at the foot of Mount Taygetos, contemplating his day's work. As he walked home, he noticed a beautiful pigeon perched by a tree, seemingly guiding him toward a breathtaking sunset.
"I still have time. Maybe gazing at the beautiful sunset would be nice," he thought to himself.
Meanwhile, Father Demitrino, accompanied by his faithful church servants and a hundred Greek soldiers, was marching up Mount Taygetos in search of Kallios.
"Father, there's a small wooden house just ahead. It could be where Kallios lives," one of Father Demitrino's church servants pointed out.
They reached the house and surrounded it with Greek forces to ensure no one could escape.
"Come out, monster! I bring justice for my people!" Father Demitrino demanded with anger in his voice.
Achillia emerged from the house, appearing calm and collected.
"What seems to be the commotion here?" she inquired.
Father Demitrino spoke in a dictator-like manner,
"We seek the one called Kallios, the monster responsible for the deaths of innocent people on this very mountain."
Achillia's heart raced, but she remained unwavering. If she told them the truth, they would harm her grandson, Kallios
"Yes, I am Kallios," she insisted.
Father Demitrino hesitated, not fully convinced due to her age, but Achillia continued, "Just because I'm an old woman, does it mean I'm incapable of doing anything? Perhaps I might even be a witch with powerful magic to harm anyone."
Father Demitrino replied skeptically,
"Don't try to trick me, woman. I believe you're hiding the real monster here. Show me Kallios."
Achillia countered,
"So, you won't believe me, then?"
She made a series of hand gestures as if she were casting a spell. Father Demitrino appeared momentarily convinced and ordered,
"Attack Kallios!"
One of the Greek soldiers ruthlessly stabbed Achillia in the back, followed by another strike in the front. They pulled their swords away, and the final attacker decapitated her, taking her head as a trophy back to Thalassino village.
In the meantime, Kallios was on his way home, sensing that something was amiss. He hurried to his house and was met with a horrifying sight. His home was in flames, and he found his beloved grandmother, Achillia, lifeless and headless. He held her lifeless body, tears streaming down his face.
"Why?! No, no, no, who did this to you?"
Kallios cried out in anguish. He blamed himself, wishing he had arrived home sooner.
Amidst the wreckage, Kallios noticed a small bandana on the ground with a cross symbol, colored in red and gold linings. He recognized it as a symbol from Thalassino village.
Overcome with fury and grief, Kallios unleashed a powerful cursed energy. His eyes glowed a dark green, his muscles swelled, his nails transformed into claws, and he clutched his axe with a singular vow: to avenge his grandmother's death.
In the shadows of Thalassino village, Kallios, fueled by a burning rage, embarked on a vengeful journey. The night enveloped the village in an eerie calm as its inhabitants gathered for a mass led by Father Demitrino. Unbeknownst to them, a storm was about to descend.
As Kallios approached the imposing church doors, he shattered them with his axe, revealing a figure of wrath and bloodlust. The villagers, churchgoers, Greek soldiers, and Demitrino himself stood horrified at the manifestation of an enraged young man.
"You wretched bastards, how dare you take my grandmother's life!"
Kallios roared, his voice echoing through the sacred space.
Demitrino, attempting to quell the perceived threat, scorned,
"I knew that old hag had lied to us. It's a good thing we eliminated your grandmother, erasing future threats and bringing you here, Kallios. Guards, bring me his head!"
Ordered by Demitrino, the Greek soldiers lunged at Kallios. In a blink, he deftly dispatched two guards, his fury unrelenting. The villagers, paralyzed by fear, witnessed the massacre unfold, unable to escape due to Kallios's tremendous speed.
Within three minutes, the church grounds were strewn with the lifeless bodies of Thalassino's inhabitants. Kallios, his axe and hands soaked in Thalassino blood, approached Demitrino carrying the severed head of Petros.
Demitrino, paralyzed with fear, uttered words that would linger in Kallios's mind,
"You think killing me changes everything, Kallios? There will always be a replacement. You'll run out of energy and lifespan before we run out of heads. We will continue to exist, unwavering in our faith in the Roman Catholic Church."
In a cold, angry retort, Kallios vowed,
"I will hunt you all down and bury my grandmother above your rotting corpses."
After ending Demitrino's life, Kallios set the church ablaze, consuming the entire Thalassino village in flames. Numb and haunted, he found himself on a rock, where Netheroc, clad in tunic clothes, approached.
"Your sins will never cleanse yourself. Take my hand, and we will serve the dark lord Nāzuru, fulfilling your greatest desires,"
Netheroc offered.
Without a word, Kallios accepted Netheroc's hands, rising to his feet. Netheroc proclaimed,
"From now on, you will be named Kraig, the speed Acolyte, or should I say, 'Tenebis Velox.'"
In the present, as the dust settled in the US embassy seafront compound, Charles beheld the defeated Kraig. Yet, Kraig's turbulent past propelled him to rise once more. In a surge of malevolent energy, he unleashed his final trump card, the ominous transformation into
"Tenebis Velox."
The air quivered as the embodiment of speed and darkness loomed before Charles, a paralyzing terror despite his prior victory.