A massive steel axe smashed into the ground, sending shards of earth flying across the grass.
The sharp shrapnels of rock flew through the sky, aiming to rip apart a robed figure standing in its path.
In the last second, a transparent barrier was erected, blocking the oncoming projectiles with relative ease.
The figure waved his hand as a bolt of lightning streaked through the air. Landing a direct hit on the axeman, he was sent flying back into a tree.
Letting out a cough, the man smiled. Blood was dripping from his wound, but he seemed unperturbed.
His muscles suddenly bulged and a reddish aura formed around him. He clenched his axe with both hands and jammed it into the earth.
As the ground beneath them rumbled, cracks and tremors started to form. The battlefield shook as the mage was knocked off his feet, giving in to the collapsing soil.
Taking the opportunity, the axeman rushed towards the mage with fervor, aiming to split him apart with a cleave.
The mage lifted his hand once more, and a small bolt of lightning pierced the air at an astonishing speed, landing another direct hit on the axeman. Then, the bolt disappeared into his body as if it had never existed.
"Ha! Is that all you've got?"
Sensing that the bolt of lightning didn't do anything, the axeman smirked and progressed forward.
Then…. he froze.
A single drop of blood dripped from his nose, and with another wave of a hand from the mage, the axeman exploded.
Charred and mangled body parts dispersed across the field as the mage removed his hood.
He perceived a whisper, one that he had heard multiple times today.
[You have slain an unawakened Challenger.]
[You have gained 1 point.]
[Current Points: 4]
Luke ruffled his head, staining his thick green hair with blood.
'Another berserker, what a pity.'
Then, thinking out loud, he spoke.
"I wonder if anyone is interesting enough to give me a challenge."
+
[Point Leaderboard]
[1. Luke: 4]
[2. Cristina: 3]
[3. Neo: 3]
…
…
[436. Nox : 0]
+
Suddenly, he sensed something. Rolling over to the side, he narrowly dodged a flaming spear.
It impaled a nearby boulder, scorching it into ash.
The spear flickered and exploded. Dark smoke covered the proximity as Luke hurried to create some distance
"Hey, Goober."
A red-haired girl stepped out of the smoke, several more flaming spears hovering above her. The projectiles shone menacingly as the air around them shook from the heat.
Not to be outdone, Luke folded his hands. A ball of crackling lightning was formed.
"Not bad! You almost had me there."
Despite almost dying, Luke was excited. He was one step from fully blossoming his Divinity, and killing the fiery girl in front of him would likely push him over the line.
The spears moved. Rapidly advancing towards Luke, he prepared to dodge.
But this time, it flickered midair… and exploded. Clouds of smoke quickly rushed over Luke, blocking his field of vision. He coughed as the smoke spread into his lungs, falling onto the ground.
Cristina rammed into Luke, knocking the breath out of him. Right after the impact, she activated her Divinity.
'Rip.'
Her eyes flashed a dark red as her hand dug into Luke, ripping off a chunk of his flesh. Blood flew through the air as he struggled to close the wound.
Cristina was about to follow up, but decided not to. She disengaged as a wave of thunder ran through the ground, spreading to her body.
'That's one.'
Still bleeding from his chest, Luke smirked and prepared for his next attack.
His divinity was 'Current'.
Giving the Challenger the ability to imbue attacks with electric current, he was able to detonate the target once it had been struck twice. Once with a positive current, and once with a negative current.
The girl in front of him was powerful, but the fight would soon be over. He chuckled to himself as he clasped his hands together.
"Die."
——————————————-
'It's fast.'
She suddenly disappeared. He was a notch above the other challengers.
A bolt of current streaked through the air, ripping apart a flaming spear that replaced Cristina.
Her divinity awakened, giving her the second aspect. 'Flare' activated as a torrent of flames was thrown at Luke.
He tried his best to ward off the fire as he rapidly shot off bolts of electricity, trying to gouge her location.
However, it was to no avail.
[You have slain an unawakened Challenger.]
[You have gained 1 point.]
[Total Points: 4]
A moment later, Cristina reappeared a mile from the battlefield, holding the severed head of Luke, eyes still wide in shock.
———————————
All over Noxus, a similar sight was occurring. Challengers encountered each other and engaged in combat, using everything at their disposal to rip their opponents apart.
This was the basis of an Elimination-Type Challenge.
Each successful kill would grant a challenger a point.
At the end of the challenge, the challengers with the most points will survive, while everyone else is eliminated.
Young talents devoured one another as Divinities were being formed every minute.
Away from all the action, a dark-haired boy quietly meditated on a lonely island.
A moment later, the boy summoned a blue feather.
Making his decision, Nox consumed it, feeling a wave of energy rush into his heart.
He collapsed, clenching his chest.
There was no doubt, that his Divinity was being formed.
His body felt hot, his bones shook as tears and mucus dripped from his face.
Every ounce of strength in his body was gathering at the center of his heart.
'It's overwhelming.'
Nox couldn't even scream. The pain was unbearable. He felt as if his chest was going to burst at any second. His limbs were weak as he laid there hopelessly. Otherworldly energies were clashing inside his frail body.
Hours flew by until it finally stopped.
Nox slowly opened his eyes, and what he saw shocked him.
'Strings… they're everywhere.'
The island was covered in golden string, from the grass to the rocks. Transparent strings floated through the air, covering every single object. The threads seem to dance through the fabric of existence, weaving into the world.
He looked over to the shore, where it was no exception. The entire ocean was littered with strings both in and out of the water. His eyes bled from the epiphany.
Nox unconsciously stumbled towards the center of the island.
Lying there, on the corpse of the voiceless beast, were thousands of strings weaved together. Staring at it, he felt as if he had completely comprehended the beast. It's ability, it's weakness, it's way of combat. He saw it all.
Blankly staring at the sky, he heard the Phenomenon.
[Your Divinity has blossomed.]
[Your Divinity is: Mythmaker]
[Description: Long ago, gods and devils fought each other over the control of the universe. Their subjects and offspring watched in amazement and horror as the divine beings were slain and consumed. One brave individual was a writer. He wrote down the battles and passed them on for future generations to see. The legends inspired and gave people strength, giving hope and meaning to the lives of many. Over the years, the impact of the legends slowly diminished. You have been chosen by the ancient entities to carry on their legacy. Your actions will be seen by the gods.
Your words carry weight to it, and you can control the strings of fate. Beware, for your presence attracts the attention of the powerful.]
Without missing a beat, the island trembled as a massive sea serpent rose from the waters, salivating as it stared daggers at Nox.
'I guess this is my ticket off the island.'
[The Mythmaker is writing his first Epic..]