Timeskip(1 and a half hour later).
Swept from the coursing river currents, Alys crawls onto the riverbank, expelling water through gasps and coughs. Kade emerges gradually from the water, approaches Alys, gazes down, and, lowering to his knees, subdues her by gripping her throat, pinning her to the ground.
Kade Northwood:
"Heal, all of this..."
"Now."
Alys Celastrina:
"L-let go of me!"
Caught in Kade's powerful hold, she fights against it, throwing punches at his face in a futile attempt to resist. However, Kade remains unfazed, the darkness receding from one of his eyes, returning to the clarity of white.
Kade Northwood:
"Do you want to live?"
"If so, then heal me."
Kade tightens his hold on her neck, limiting her breath; despite her struggles, she eventually surrenders, tears welling up in her eyes.
Alys Celastrina:
"Healing Touch..."
Alys traces the burns, deep cuts, and grazes on his bare skin; gradually, Kade experiences a revitalization as his body reverts to its usual state, adorned with fully healed scars on his chest, shoulder, and a portion of the right side of his face and ear.
Kade Northwood(INT):
"Good... that's it..."
"?"
While his body underwent the healing process, he observed a gradual rise in his mana pool. Glancing down at the secure hold around her neck, he noticed the veins in Alys's neck, clutched by his hand, emitting a vibrant red glow.
Alys Celastrina(INT):
"My body... it feels weak.... this feels different..."
"The mana from my MP should be the one decreasing, so why do I feel my mana pool disappearing...?"
The verdant glow emanating from her palm onto Kade's body began to waver; sensing her own weakening, she halted the energy transfer and found herself entangled in a struggle.
Alys Celastrina(INT):
"He's not only absorbing my mana pool, but all of it!"
"He's stealing my magic-"
Alys unleashed a tortured scream as Kade lightly pressed his fingers beneath the skin of her neck, prompting her to convulsively writhe and fiercely resist beneath his grasp.
Alys Celastrina:
"NO! NO NO NO!"
"STOP! PLEAS-"
Kade Northwood:
"Stop struggling, and let me take it!"
Seiji emerges from the depths of the forest.
Shinoda Seiji:
"Water Magic, Hailstorm ×6."
Hurtled deep into the forest by a barrage of water Hailstorm blasts, Kade disappears from view.
Seiji comes over to Alys, extending a helping hand to lift her up. As Alys is on the verge of expressing joy and hugging him, she detects a chilly and wrathful expression on Seiji's face, dissuading her from any immediate actions. Casting a brief gaze at Alys's neck, Seiji observes the punctures and blood flowing from them. Gritting his teeth, he redirects his attention to the spot where Kade was thrown into.
Shinoda Seiji:
"What did he do..."
Alys Celastrina:
"H-... he was about to steal my magic..."
"But you luckily came on time..."
Shinoda Seiji:
"Can you still use it?"
Alys Celastrina:
"Yes, I can still feel my magic, but I'm all out of mana."
Shinoda Seiji:
"Alright, hurry back to the girls."
Alys Celastrina:
"Wh-what? But what about-"
Shinoda Seiji:
"Now."
Startled by his sudden words, Alys swiftly nodded and darted into the forest, distancing herself from Seiji.
???:
"These girls, they hold you back, why won't you just leave them already–"
Shinoda Seiji:
"You wouldn't understand how much they've helped me, you're the one who's holding me back."
"Cursed spirit."
From Seiji's back emerges a sizable serpent creature formed of radiant, blue water, its eyes glowing yellow, wearing a disgruntled and irritated expression.
Rejected Kindred Spirit:
"You'll throw that word "cursed" at anything you don't like."
Shinoda Seiji:
"Just shut up, I'm only accepting your help because the girls are exhausted."
"And plus, I want this man knocked unconscious."
Rejected Kindred Spirit:
"Of course you wouldn't say you'd want him dead, you're too afraid–"
Shinoda Seiji:
"What the hell did I just say?"
The kindred spirit dismisses with a scoff as Seiji draws and lifts his sword. Kade emerges from the foliage, rubbing the back of his head with an irritated expression.
Kade Northwood:
"Still up, huh?"
"You just don't know when to stop, do you? Idiot."
Shinoda Seiji:
"Just tell me... why?"
"You are doing all of this for no reason, all I ask was to have you talk with Quasarra."
Kade Northwood:
"And why should I? Is a person obligated to immediately do what anyone says?"
"If I do I what I want, I'll do what I want–"
Shinoda Seiji:
"Water Magic, Hailstorm ×6 + Spirit Technique, Sea Beast!"
Facing a relentless onslaught of swift water projectiles and a soaring sea serpent, Kade absorbs the serpent, quickly dodging the barrage of water projectiles but not escaping unscathed, taking five hits in the process.
Kade Northwood(INT):
"Tch, straight to the point."
Shinoda Seiji(INT):
"No matter what, I will defeat and take him to Quasarra!"
Unyielding, Seiji swings his sword, releasing a all-encompassing burst of water in Kade's direction. Meanwhile, he strategically maneuvers behind and around the trees, utilizing them as cover.
Kade Northwood:
"God, you're just an annoying little thing, aren't you?"
Ripping a tree stump from the ground, he bolts out of the forest, launching it at Seiji with force. With ease, Seiji effortlessly slices the oncoming tree stump in two.
Shinoda Seiji:
"Water Magic, Lake of Hindrance + Abyssal Grasp!"
The System(Seiji):
"MAGIC LEVEL UP!"
Seiji forms a shallow lake with watery tendrils rising beneath his feet to immobilize Kade.
In a swift countermove, Kade axekicks one of the halved tree stump pieces, turning it into a platform, and leaps into the air, evading Seiji's attempt at restraint. He pulls the lighting from his hand, shapes it into a spear, and readies his aim.
Kade Northwood:
"Thunder Magic, Lightning Javelin."
Firing his Lightning Javelin at Seiji from close range, a resounding explosion echoes, propelling Seiji into the forest. As Kade chases Seiji's airborne form through the wooded area, the sea serpent emerges from Seiji's back, unleashing a rapid barrage of water projectiles.
Kade, in response, absorbs some of the water attacks and deftly utilizes the trees for cover during the pursuit. Ducking and sliding beneath the rapid water projectiles, Kade swiftly grabs onto the water spirit attached to Seiji's back, aiming to drain and potentially steal it. However, the sea serpent promptly retreats back into Seiji's back.
Kade Northwood:
"Tch, damned thing."
"?"
Observing the staggered Seiji, Kade narrows his eyes, realizing that Seiji's body appears untouched by the impact of his Lightning Javelin.
Kade Northwood(INT):
"I had just hit him point blank with my Lightning Javelin, and his body looks like it's nowhere near hurt."
Struggling to rise, Seiji pushes himself to stand and manages a few steps toward Kade, only to stumble and end up on one knee.
Shinoda Seiji:
"I... won't stop... until I beat you... and take you straight to Quasarra..."
Kade Northwood:
"And still you remain to be nothing more than just an obedient dog. You know you have something called free will, right?"
Shinoda Seiji:
"Don't talk like as if everything has free will, you know nothing."
Kade Northwood:
"Boy, I have far more understanding of the ten things that leave my mouth than the one thought you could ever come up in your head."
Swiftly rising on one leg, Seiji lunges at Kade, attempting to swing his sword. However, Kade effortlessly sidesteps out of the way of the blade and shapes a spear by drawing lightning from his hand.
Kade Northwood:
"Thunder Magic, Lightning Javeli–"
Despite having absorbed numerous magic attacks moments ago, Kade finds himself inexplicably drained of MP. Suddenly, a slash appears on his thigh, causing him to stumble and drop to one knee.
Kade Northwood(INT):
"What the hell is going on? This kid's still isn't tired, and he looks unscathed."
"Tch!"
Launching himself at Seiji with a punch attempt, Kade misses and receives a kick to the nose, sending him backward. In a retaliatory move, Kade throws dirt at Seiji, but the incoming dirt is swiftly knocked away. Seiji lunges, and lands a punch squarely on Kade's face.
Shinoda Seiji:
"Just stay down already!"
Kade Northwood:
"You brat..."
"What are you doing all of this for? What will you get out of this?"
Shinoda Seiji:
*Coughs*
"I do what I have to do, if it makes this world a better place."
"Quasarra says you will pose a danger to this world, and now that I've seen it all, I'll stop you at all cost."
"I finally have a second chance at life, and I can't have it ruined because of you."
Spitting blood onto the ground, Kade wipes his mouth and promptly crawls toward Seiji. He swiftly reaches out to grab Seiji's collar, aiming to headbutt him in the face.
Kade Northwood:
"All of this bullsh## you spew out annoys me."
"Are you really gonna do all of this for a world that doesn't give a sh## about you? Cause if so, throughout my past life and now, you have got to be the most dumbest person I've ever met."
In retaliation, Seiji grabs Kade's head, engaging in a headbutt exchange. The two clash skulls and lock eyes, exchanging intense glares with gritting teeth.
Shinoda Seiji:
"The feeling's mutual!"
Kade Northwood:
"Do you realize how stupid you are? You have the potential to become far better than this world, yet you hold yourself back to play hero."
Rising to his feet, Kade looms over Seiji, fixing him with a stern glare, his grip on Seiji's collar tightening.
Kade Northwood:
"If playing hero for this world and everyone in it, is what you'll do.."
"Then I will tear down everything you fight for, to make you realize how pathetic your conviction is–"
Kairi Anamos:
"Light Magic, Heavens Glare!"
A massive beam of light descends, forcefully propelling Kade off Seiji, inflicting severe injuries and scorching some of Kade's skin. The impact sends Kade hurtling into the forest. Meanwhile, Kairi lands beside Seiji and extends a hand, aiding him in standing up.
Shinoda Seiji:
"W-wait... Kade... he's getting away!"
Kairi Anamos:
"It doesn't matter, let him run."
"It's better to let him run if it saved your life. Your team is still up near the Lake."
Glancing between the forest and Kairi, Seiji reluctantly nods.
Kairi Anamos:
"Don't worry, you'll catch him later. You just need to rest, alright?"
"That Kade fella' sure did a number on you six, all by himself aswell."
Shinoda Seiji:
"...I know... he's already gotten stronger from this fight..."
"Kairi, I need to recover quickly... because there's no telling how strong he'll become if he's given free time..."