The battlefield was a wild mess of dark and light, with the air filled with tension and the smell of burning sulfur. I was breathing hard and fast as I looked at the scene around me, the effects of my last attack still hanging in the air like fading whispers. Two demons were down, disappearing into nothing, but it didn't feel like a real win. Just two out of fifteen. Each one was a reminder of the huge challenge ahead and proof of how far I still had to go.
"Why?" The question kept hitting my mind, sharp and unyielding. Why, after all my training and determination, had I only managed to take down two? The weight of my failures felt heavy, like it was going to crush my spirit. Doubts started creeping in, sneaky and persistent.
The demons circled around like vultures, sensing my weakness, their eyes glowing with evil and hunger. They moved smoothly, with a deadly grace, like they were dancing a dance of destruction. I could see their claws shining in the dim light and hear the low growls coming from their throats.
Anger simmered inside me, like a fire ready to explode. It burned away the fog of despair, cutting through the doubts in my mind. The frustration was real, like a living thing clawing at my insides.
"Why now?" I mumbled to myself, holding my sword tighter. The question kept echoing in my head, a beat of frustration and anger. Why couldn't I be stronger, better? Why did it always feel like I was a step behind, always too late?
With clenched teeth, I poured that anger into my sword, feeling it come alive with energy, like it was channeling my emotions. The demons moved closer, their laughter a loud mix of taunts that only fueled the fire inside me. I wouldn't let them laugh at me anymore.
"Moon Breathing: First Form," I said softly, but with determination. My sword moved, a flash of silver in the dim light, cutting through the air with precision. The attack was quick, a crescent slash that caught one demon by surprise, cutting it down in one swift move.
[Enemies Defeated : 3/15]
The demon crumbled, its body fading into shadows and leaving just a wisp of smoke behind. It was a small win, but it fed the fire of my anger, strengthening my determination. I felt the heat rushing through my veins, a powerful force that pushed away the doubt.
But there was no time to rest. The other demons charged forward, moving together with deadly precision. They attacked as one, a storm of claws and fangs threatening to overpower me. The pressure was intense, like a heavy weight pushing down on me.
Even as they closed in, my anger burned brighter, lighting up the darkness. It was a fire that wouldn't go out, a promise I'd made to myself. I had to beat them. I had no choice.
With a clear mind, I faced their attack head-on, my anger making my senses sharper and my movements quicker. Every dodge and every block was exact, driven by the need to prove myself and quiet the doubts in my head.
"I will defeat them," I declared, my voice strong and determined. "I have to."
The demons came closer, their eyes filled with malice, their actions a deadly, coordinated dance. I could feel the heat of their breath and see the sharp intent in their eyes. But the anger inside me was a roaring fire, powering every move I made and sharpening my instincts.
The first strike came from my left—a demon lunged, claws stretched out. I quickly sidestepped, feeling the wind from its swipe graze my skin as it sliced through the air where I had just been.
No sooner had I dodged the first attack than another demon rushed in from the right, its jaws snapping dangerously fast. I ducked low, feeling its momentum whoosh over me as it crashed into the ground with a frustrated growl.
A third demon jumped from behind, its shadow briefly darkening my view. I twisted while crouching, rolling aside just as its claws slashed the space I had occupied a moment before, the ground shuddering under its impact.
Regaining my balance, a fourth demon came at me from the front, its eyes shining with a fierce, hungry look. I pivoted hard, planting my feet and springing sideways, narrowly dodging its vicious claw swipe.
The fifth attack was sudden, a blur from above. I glanced up just in time to see a demon diving down, claws ready to strike. I threw myself backward, its claws landing inches from my feet, leaving a mark in the earth.
The sixth assault was a team effort—two demons charged from opposite sides. My heart pounded as I calculated their paths, the fire inside me driving my resolve. I dropped to the ground, rolling beneath them as they crisscrossed overhead, their collision leaving them momentarily dazed.
Breathless but determined, I got to my feet, creating some distance between me and the demons. They regrouped quickly, fixing their eyes on me with a new intensity. I took a quick pause to catch my breath, my mind racing with strategies.
I realized I couldn't take them all down at once, not with how well they moved together. I needed to break them apart, find their weak spots, and tackle them one by one. I remembered past fights and how I'd used the surroundings to my advantage.
The battlefield was rocky and uneven, with jagged boulders scattered around. A plan started to take shape in my mind, one that needed perfect timing and precision. I aimed to use the terrain to separate the demons, picking them off individually.
I quickly scanned the area, noting where the boulders were and the narrow paths between them. If I could lure the demons into these tight spots, their movements would be limited, giving me a chance to strike. It was a risky move, but it was my best shot at turning things around.
With my determination burning brighter than ever, I raised my sword, ready to put my plan into action. The demons stared at me, their eyes full of malice and hunger, but I wouldn't back down, not now or ever.
"I have to," I murmured to myself.
Taking a deep breath, I prepared myself, eyes flicking over the rugged landscape. The demons watched, their eyes gleaming with predatory intent, but I was ready. My resolve was a blazing fire, fueling the strategy that had formed in my mind.
"Third Form: Loathsome Moon, Chains," I called out, my voice clear and commanding. My sword sliced through the air, creating a web of chained crescent slashes that spiraled outward. The crescents tangled together, forming a barrier that caught two demons, halting their advance. They struggled against it, their movements restricted by the chains.
Seeing my chance, I moved to the next part of my plan. "Fourth Form: Crescent Moon," I whispered, launching a rising vortex of slashes from my blade. The slashes layered over each other, creating a swirling storm that engulfed the trapped demons. Their forms were torn apart by the attack, dissolving into shadows as the vortex died down.
[Enemies Defeated: 5/15]
The remaining demons pulled back together, their eyes narrowing with a renewed sense of determination. I could practically feel their malice, a tangible force pressing against me, but I stood firm. The rocky terrain was my ally, a means to split them up and take them down one by one.
I dashed toward a narrow passage between two towering boulders, luring the demons to follow. As they came closer, I spun around and executed the "Second Form: Pearl Flower Moongazing." Crescent slashes spiraled out, forming a shimmering shield that deflected their attacks.
The path was cramped, hemmed in by the stone walls, restricting their movements. With quick precision, I jumped to the top of a boulder, gaining a strategic view over my enemies. From above, I unleashed the "Third Form" once more, sending the chained crescents sweeping down to ensnare another pair of demons.
Their efforts to break free were useless against the chains, and with determination coursing through me, I initiated the "Fourth Form" again. The vortex roared to life, a wave of destruction that swallowed the trapped demons, turning them into mere shadows.
[Enemies Defeated: 7/15]
The battlefield was a wild mess of clanging swords and growling demons. But I could sense things were changing in my favor. There were fewer demons now, and they had to change their tactics, attacking more wildly and without a plan.
I jumped down from the big rock, moving smoothly and with purpose. "First Form: Dark Moon, Evening Palace," I called out, swinging my sword in wide, moon-shaped arcs. The move was fast and deadly, slicing through the demons with a graceful yet deadly force.
But the fight wasn't over yet. The demons left were watching carefully, their eyes showing they were smart and cautious. They knew I was strong, and they wouldn't be easy to beat.
Gathering my strength, I got ready to use my most powerful move. The demons came closer, moving slowly but with determination. I could feel their evil energy, almost like it was something you could touch.
"Fifth Form: Moon Spirit Calamitous Eddy," I shouted, my voice filled with the strength of the move. My sword became a whirlwind of cuts, a storm sweeping across the battlefield. The demons were caught in its path, torn apart by the unstoppable force.
[MP: 550/600] [Note: MP increased due to stat allocation, and the used MP has been refilled to its maximum].
[Enemies Defeated: 11/15]
For a brief moment, the battlefield was quiet, with the sound of my attack still hanging in the air. The demons that were left, now only half as many, paused, clearly shaken by the power I had shown.