Forbidden Wrath charged toward Vaos, his massive axe already descending in a powerful arc. Vaos knew the only way to end this was to destroy Wrath's core. If he failed now, the world could be plunged into another Void War. His resolve solidified; he couldn't allow that to happen. He had to defeat Wrath here and now, no matter the cost.
Vaos narrowly dodged the descending axe, feeling the rush of air as it barely missed him. In one fluid motion, he spun, delivering a powerful roundhouse kick across Wrath's face. He followed up with a swift, brutal strike to Wrath's elbow, aiming to snap the bone and cripple his opponent's arm.
However, Wrath's muscular facade body proved far more resilient than Vaos had anticipated. The strike hadn't disabled him as expected. With a roar, Wrath swung his massive axe again. Vaos barely managed to dodge, but the edge of the axe grazed his cheek.
He didn't allow it to distract him, he quickly regained his footing, his muscles tensing as he focused on Wrath's movements. The monstrous figure swung his axe again, its weight sending a shockwave through the air. Vaos leapt backward, narrowly avoiding the blade. As he landed, he spun into a powerful spinning kick aimed at Wrath's exposed side, aiming for the ribs.
The impact was solid, but Wrath's body absorbed the blow like a wall of stone. Wrath gripped his axe with both hands, raising it high, ready to bring it down in a powerful arc.
Vaos eyes flicked to the massive axe, he focused on his opponent's stance. Wrath's bulky body had a predictable rhythm, and Vaos was quick to capitalize on it. He dashed forward, using his momentum to aim a low, a swift kick directly at Wrath's knees, hoping to stagger him . Wrath staggered, but he seemed to barely notice, instead swinging his axe.
The air around Vaos sparked with Void energy as he pushed himself to the limit. His body surged with power, the energy engulfing him like a dark aura. He stared at the descending axe, his heart pounding in his chest. As the massive weapon swung toward him, Vaos channeled the Void energy through his legs, propelling himself upward with unnatural speed. His foot connected with the axe's head mid-swing, and he stopped its deadly descent, his energy coursing through the blade.
Before Wrath could even process what had happened, Vaos twisted in the air, a blur of motion, and delivered a crushing kick to the war axe's bar. The axe split in two, falling apart into jagged fragments that fell to the ground.
Wrath's grip loosened on the remnants of his weapon. But Vaos was already in attack, charging at him, his next move already planned.
Vaos shot through the air, his leg trailing Void energy. He drove his kick downwards, connecting with Forbidden Wrath's broad shoulder. The impact sent a shockwave through Wrath, but Wrath's sheer muscle absorbed much of the force, the blow only slightly staggering him.
Before Wrath could react, Vaos used the momentum to propel himself even higher, twisting in mid-air. As he reached the peek of his leap, he took in a deep breath and shouted, "Hyperion Tree Cutter!" His leg, now glowing with a swirling black energy, descended upon Wrath like a falling star. The Void energy around his leg condensed into an enormous, concentrated blade of power, aimed directly at Wrath.
But Wrath, unfazed by the strike, yelled, "The battle's just started! I won't be defeated so easily!" He spread his arms wide, a taunting gesture, almost daring Vaos to come at him with all he had.
As Vaos descended, his eyes locked on his target, and with an explosive burst of energy, he aimed his Void-charged leg for Wrath's head.
But just as the blow was about to land, Wrath separated from his facade body, leaving the body behind. Vaos's strike cleaved through the facade with ease, but the real Forbidden Wrath was no longer where he had been.
Before Vaos could recover from the miscalculation, a massive fist, infused with raw Void energy, collided with his chest. The sheer force of the blow sent him flying through the air, his body crashing into the ground.
Vaos pushed himself up, feeling the burning pain in his chest from the Void-enhanced punch. He wasn't ready to give up, not when the stakes were this high.
"Is that all you have, Vaos?" Wrath taunted, now in his phantom form as he walked towards Vaos, the air around him thick with an Void energy.
Vaos stood tall, wiping the blood from his lip, his body still aching from the blow. He narrowed his eyes at Forbidden Wrath, his resolve hardening with every breath he took. The Void energy swirled around him like a storm, fueling his determination.
"As you said, the battle has just begun," Vaos said. "I'm hardly done yet."
Wrath's laugh echoed through the pocket dimension. "Then show me, traitor! Let us drown in battle!"
With that, the ground beneath them seemed to tremble as Wrath's Void infused power surged once more. Vaos could feel the immense pressure building in the air.
Vaos's analyzed the situation. Wrath's durability was impressive, far greater than last time, but that only meant his path to victory would require strategy, not just raw strength. He couldn't overpower Wrath outright. Instead, he needed to wear him down, strike at his vulnerable spots until he had an opening to destroy the core.
With a deep breath, Vaos closed the distance between them, his legs a blur of motion. His first strike was a kick aimed at Wrath's side, aimed to test his defenses. The attack landed with a solid thud, but Wrath only grunted, barely flinching under the force. Vaos didn't hesitate. He flowed seamlessly into another attack, a low sweeping kick to take out Wrath's legs, but he dodged, retaliating with a heavy punch that Vaos narrowly avoided by leaping backward.
Every move he made, every strike, was part of his plan. He wasn't just hitting for the sake of hitting. He was creating openings, forcing Wrath to react, waiting for the moment when the Wrath's defense would falter.
"I'll make you regret coming back here," Vaos muttered under his breath, circling Wrath like a predator preparing to strike.
"Regret is something only the weak feel. I am unstoppable." Wrath's eyes flashed with Void energy, "Arena of Wrath!" Wrath roared, slamming his fists together as a ring of dark Void energy materialized around them.
The energy was like a storm, wrapping around them in an unbreakable barrier. Vaos felt the surge of power ripple through the air, and immediately, he knew what this meant. The ground beneath his feet grew heavier, more oppressive, as the Void energy intensified, feeding Wrath's already immense strength.
Vaos narrowed his eyes, I'm trapped within the circle now, he thought. The barrier was not just a means to contain him—it was designed to empower Wrath, amplifying his power, making him even more dangerous.
This changes everything, Vaos realized. He couldn't escape from the barrier, and any direct attacks would likely be met with overwhelming retaliation. Wrath had the upper hand now, and the only way out was to find a way to turn the tables.
Vaos clenched his fists, feeling his own Void energy beneath his skin. I can't just wait for an opening. I need to push back—
Without warning, Wrath surged forward, his massive fists swinging with brutal force. Vaos barely managed to dodge, his body fluid and agile. Vaos quickly shifted his weight, moving with a speed that defied the gravity of the arena, his legs a blur as he kept himself on the move.
"Running away?" Wrath growled, his voice echoing through the arena. "There is no escape in my domain!"
Vaos gritted his teeth. "I'm not running. I'm waiting for the right moment."
The ground trembled with each of Wrath's attacks, the Void energy amplifying every blow he threw. Vaos could feel the heat of the air around him shifting as Wrath swung again. He wasn't just dodging; he was looking for the smallest weakness in Wrath's movements.
Wrath laughed, "I've been waiting for this moment. Now, let me show you the true power of my wrath!"
Vaos's eyes were filled with determination as he crouched low, his body coiling like a spring ready to unleash. "This arena may give you power, but it won't make you invincible. You're just another opponent to defeat."
Vaos inhaled deeply, feeling the surge of Void energy coursing through his body. "Forbidden Chaos, Storm of Chaos!" He yelled, his legs crackling with violent energy as they were engulfed in a swirling storm of Void energy. The winds of chaos swirled around him, the raw power building in intensity as he prepared for his next attack.
Wrath, seeing the storm, smirked as his own Void energy flared. "That's more like it," he said, his tone filled with anticipation. "Forbidden Wrath, Destruction of Void!"
With a mighty roar, Wrath's massive fist ignited with the power of Void energy, glowing intensely. He was ready to counter Vaos's attack with everything he had.
Vaos launched himself forward, his legs moving like a blur, the storm of chaos erupting around him. He closed the distance within a second, his body a streak of Void power as he drove his foot forward, aimed at Wrath's ribcage. In an instant, his kick pierced through Wrath's defenses, tearing a massive hole through his phantom form. The impact was immense, and the force of the strike sent a shockwave through the arena.
However, Wrath didn't stagger. With the sheer force of his will, he retaliated, his fist shooting out with devastating speed. Before Vaos could fully recover from his strike, Wrath's fist collided with his chest, sending him flying backward. The blow landed with a thunderous crack, and Vaos's facade body—his face was destroyed completely, leaving nothing but his face of his phantom form.
Vaos grunted in pain as he skidded across the battlefield. His limbs burned with the aftermath of Wrath's strike, but his will to fight remained unbroken.
Wrath was also knocked back by the force of their clash. He was pushed outside the boundaries of the Arena of Wrath, causing the barrier to shatter and dissipate into the air.
Vaos slowly touched his face, feeling his phantom body. It had been a long time since he had felt it.
He focused again, his eyes narrowing as he faced his opponent, the true form of Vaos emerging with greater resolve.
"Not bad… but it'll take more than that to stop me," Vaos said.
Both warriors stood locked in a deadly stand-off. Wrath's Void aura distorted the air around him. Vaos, only partially in his phantom form, remained calm and composed, his head the only visible part of his being.
Despite the clash between them, Wrath's attention momentarily shifted as he sensed the movement of the White Crusader and Brian making their way deeper into the labyrinth. A sense of urgency flashed across his mind. While his Forbidden Energy and Forbidden Power could hold them off for a time, the longer this battle with Vaos dragged on, the more likely they were to be overrun. His time to finish this fight had come.
"I'm ending this now, Vaos," Wrath grunted, disdain in his tone. "You're nothing more than an annoyance at this point..."
Vaos, undeterred, straightened up. His voice, calm and defiant. "That's how we're playing it, huh? Very well." A slight pause, then he shouted, "Forbidden Chaos, Domain of Purity!"
The air around Vaos shimmered and twisted, his Domain of Purity was a contrast to the chaos that radiated from Wrath's very being.
Wrath, however, was far from done. With a growl, he yelled, "Forbidden Wrath, Domain of the Defeated!"
In response, Wrath's Void energy exploded outward, surrounding him in a impenetrable sphere of destruction. It pulsed with overwhelming power, and with it, Wrath's intent to end the battle immediately became clear. His energy coiled tighter and tighter as he prepared to release the full force of his devastating attack.
Vaos remained focused, his eyes narrowing. He could feel the immense energy that Wrath had amassed. Wrath wasn't just charging up for a simple strike; this was something far more dangerous. The explosion that Wrath planned to unleash would obliterate everything.
But Vaos didn't flinch. Instead, he began to dissipate the Void energy. He couldn't match Wrath's energy with brute force alone, but there was something else—a power hidden deep within the Void, something that could rival Wrath's destructive potential.
True Void energy. A primal essence that could reshape the very fabric of the Void itself. Vaos could feel it, just beneath the surface, waiting to be drawn out. If he could tap into even a single particle of it, it would be enough to counter Wrath's impending explosion.
Forbidden Wrath unleashed his devastating attack, the explosion surged toward Vaos with terrifying speed, but just as the force rushed toward him, Vaos found it. Deep within the Void, he discovered the True Void energy. It pulsed beneath the surface, waiting to be harnessed. Without hesitation, Vaos surged forward, rushing straight into the oncoming explosion.
"Ginkgo, Arc of Hope!" Vaos shouted, with a swift and powerful motion, his leg swept through the air, the True Void energy infused into his strike. The two forces collided with an earth-shattering impact.
The violent clash sent shockwaves through the pocket dimension. The very fabric of the space seemed to strain and tremble as the energies collided, the ground cracking beneath their feet. The dimension began to give out under the weight of the chaos, the cracks widening with each passing second.
The struggle between them escalated, the explosion from Wrath and the arc of hope from Vaos. But as the battle raged on, something unstoppable happened. The pocket dimension, unable to withstand the force, began to crumble.
Cracks appeared across the space, and with a deafening roar, the dimension shattered completely.
In an instant, both Vaos and Forbidden Wrath were thrown out of the collapsing dimension. Vaos was thrown outside of Legis, his body flying through the air as he crashed into the real world. Forbidden Wrath, however, was sent flying back into the labyrinth, his phantom form smashing through the walls.
Vaos quickly regained his footing, his body was bruised and battered from the battle, but his resolve was unshaken. "Damn it!" he muttered under his breath. "I have to go back before the portal can be activated!"
Without wasting another moment, he tore off strips of fabric from his clothing, wrapping them around his face to mask his phantom form. His focus on one goal: returning to Legis before the portal could be opened.
Vaos sprinted forward, each step felt heavier than the last, but he pushed through the exhaustion and nothing—absolutely nothing—would stand in his way.
He had to stop the portal from being activated, or all would be lost...