Sanemi, still grappling with the profound revelation about Haruko's training with the Three Creators, processed the new information. "Why did you part with them?" he asked, seeking to unravel the mystery behind Haruko's departure from such influential mentors. Haruko met his gaze and explained, "For this journey. They are the ones who told me about my destiny." The weight of destiny seemed to echo in the desert air, creating a palpable tension.
As the conversation unfolded, a subtle shift in the environment caught Haruko's attention. "We have company," he remarked with a small smirk. Sanemi sighed, recognizing the telltale sign of approaching danger—the unmistakable tremors beneath the desert sand. The landowners of this harsh terrain were emerging, Desert Worms with menacing heads adorned with rows of drill-like teeth.
The vibrations of the approaching worms created a tremble in the ground beneath Haruko's and Sanemi's feet, the unmistakable thudding sounds heralding an impending confrontation. The worms emerged from the sand one by one, each one larger and more aggressive than the last, their bodies clad in armored scales that glowed with an ethereal light.
"I guess it's time to put your training to the test," Haruko remarked with a sly grin, his gaze fixed on the relentless advance of the worms. As the creatures closed in, he readied himself, his stance firm and his mind focused. Sanemi, though taken aback by the sudden turn of events, mirrored Haruko's resolve and prepared to face the imminent threat head-on.
Sanemi stepped forward, a determined glint in his eyes as he addressed the imposing creatures. "Let me handle these fools. We have been killing many of their kind, yet they don't learn." Haruko relaxed his body and looked at Sanemi, a hint of concern flickering in his eyes. "Are you sure?" he inquired, his tone cautious.
The prince turned to him, an annoyed gaze meeting Haruko's questioning look. "Do you think these... things can beat me?" he retorted, a confident smirk playing on his lips. Haruko couldn't help but smile in response. "No," he conceded, acknowledging Sanemi's undeniable strength.
With a nod of assurance, Sanemi redirected his focus to the approaching worms, his stance poised and his muscles taut with anticipation. "You really are worms," he muttered disdainfully, his voice dripping with disdain as he prepared to face their adversaries head-on.
Sanemi stood his ground as the brave worm rushed forward, its massive form hurtling towards him with ferocious speed. With a calm demeanor, the prince merely extended his palm, his movements swift yet controlled. As soon as the worm brushed against his outstretched hand, a wave of energy emanated from Sanemi's palm, enveloping the creature in a dazzling display of light.
The worm let out a guttural cry as its body began to disintegrate, crumbling into ash that scattered into the desert sands below. Sanemi smirked triumphantly, his gaze never wavering as he observed the demise of his adversary. With a swift motion, he placed his palm above the ashes, channeling his energy into the ground.
"Rise Worm Golem " Sanemi commanded with authority, his voice resonating with power as he invoked the ancient incantation. In response, the sand beneath his palm began to shift and swirl, coalescing into a towering figure of sand-colored golem. With a resolute stance, the golem rose from the ground, standing proudly beside Sanemi.
With a determined expression, Sanemi tapped into the remaining life force coursing through his veins, channeling it with precision and control. His muscles bulged momentarily, a testament to the immense power he wielded, before settling back into their usual form. Clenching his fist, he could hear a faint hissing sound emanating from his clenched palm, a sign of the potent energy contained within.
"These worms sure have some life force... But all the better for me," Sanemi muttered under his breath, his eyes glinting with determination as he prepared to unleash his next move. With a swift motion, he bent his legs and propelled himself into the air, soaring towards the heavens with unparalleled agility.
As he reached the apex of his jump, Sanemi's fist came crashing down upon the sandy terrain below, the impact sending shockwaves rippling through the earth. A crater formed beneath his fist, the ground yielding to his strength as it caved in under the force of his blow.
Seizing the opportunity, the sand-colored golem beside Sanemi sprang into action, responding to the prince's signal with unwavering loyalty. With ruthless efficiency, the golem charged towards the swarming worms, its massive form tearing through their ranks with unstoppable force. Jaws were rent asunder, bodies crushed beneath its relentless assault as it fought to protect its master from the encroaching threat.
Sanemi surged forward, his fists enveloped in a shimmering silver-white hue that crackled with raw power. With each strike, the prince unleashed a devastating onslaught upon the writhing mass of worms, his blows landing with precision and ferocity. As his right fist collided with one of the worms, the eerie effect of the hue became apparent—the creature didn't disintegrate into ash like its brethren, but instead dissolved into a cascade of white particles that were absorbed into Sanemi's body.
With every worm he dispatched, Sanemi felt a surge of exhilaration coursing through his veins, his senses heightened by the rush of adrenaline as he tore through their ranks with unparalleled skill. Each punch he delivered seemed to only further enhance his strength, as the life force of the fallen worms fueled his own vitality.
"This is exhilarating!" Sanemi exclaimed with a fierce grin, his eyes alight with the thrill of battle as he continued to decimate the creatures with unmatched prowess.
Meanwhile, from a distance, Haruko observed the spectacle with a serious gaze, his expression unreadable as he contemplated the unfolding events. "It's not enough," he muttered cryptically, his thoughts shrouded in mystery.
As the onslaught of worms ceased and the battlefield fell silent, Sanemi took a moment to assess the aftermath of his relentless assault. His fists, still crackling with residual energy, hovered in the air as he surveyed the scene before him. The fallen worms lay scattered across the desert sands, their bodies rent asunder by his formidable strikes.
But as Sanemi glanced down at his hands, he noticed something amiss—the influx of white particles had ceased, and the wounds inflicted upon the worms were now clearly visible. Each creature bore the unmistakable marks of his onslaught, their torsos shattered and torn by his unparalleled strength.
A wave of realization washed over Sanemi as he pondered the implications of this revelation. "I have reached the limit?" he murmured to himself, his brow furrowing in contemplation. It was a sobering realization, one that reminded him of the inherent constraints of his own power. No matter how formidable his abilities, there was always a finite threshold beyond which his body could not tread.
Recalling the arduous trials of his training, Sanemi reflected on the countless times his body had been pushed to the brink of collapse, on the verge of succumbing to the overwhelming strain of his own power. Yet amidst the chaos and turmoil, Haruko had imparted upon him a vital lesson—a way to set the boundaries of his strength, to establish a limit that would safeguard him from the perils of his own prowess.
Dismissing his thoughts, Sanemi was about to continue his onslaught, fueled by the rush of battle and the thrill of combat, but a voice sounded behind him, cutting through the chaos of the moment. "That's enough, Sanemi."
Startled, Sanemi turned swiftly, his muscles tense with anticipation, to face the source of the command. There stood Haruko, his figure bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, an enigmatic smile playing on his lips.
Confusion clouded Sanemi's expression as he processed Haruko's words. "There are still more worms." Sanemi answered.
"What worms?" Haruko's smile widened, a mischievous glint dancing in his eyes.
Feeling a sense of bewilderment and disbelief, Sanemi turned around once more, scanning the area behind him. To his surprise, there was no trace of the menacing creatures that had just moments ago threatened their safety.
Turning back to face Haruko, Sanemi's expression shifted from confusion to realization. "You also destroyed my construct," he stated, with a sigh.
Haruko's smile remained unchanged, a silent acknowledgment of his actions. Sanemi turned his gaze back to the scene before him, taking in the sight of the massive crater that lay in the sand, evidence of Haruko's formidable power.
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That's it for chapter 26