With a swift and fluid motion, Argus unleashed the deadly technique he had mastered after becoming one with Dreadstar: Mani Katti. It was a move of unparalleled precision and devastation, capable of piercing the enemy's body thousands of times in the blink of an eye, leaving them riddled with holes like a pincushion.
As Skullpiercer danced through the air, each strike found its mark with unerring accuracy. Eylis's screams echoed through the chamber, a symphony of agony that only fueled Argus's determination.
Time seemed to stand still as Argus pressed his relentless assault, his movements a blur of speed and precision. With each strike, he drove Skullpiercer deeper into Eylis's flesh, each thrust delivering a fresh wave of pain and suffering.
Despite Eylis's desperate attempts to defend herself, he was no match for Argus's fury. The onslaught continued unabated, the sound of bone-like steel that was used to forge Skullpiercer meeting flesh filling the air with a sickening chorus of violence.
-BUT I DIDN'T SENSE ANY HEARTBEAT?! WAS THIS HOW I WAS GOING TO DIE? OH, NOBLE CELES-
Before Eylis could finish his sentence, his body had turned into an unrecognizable mass of flesh.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Eylis' unrecognizable flesh fell into the ground.
Blake, on the other hand, was trying to understand who this masked figure was and whose side he was on. The mask obscured the features of the man before him, and the long hair further disguised his identity.
But for Argus, recognizing Blake was no challenge. Despite the passage of years and the changes in appearance, Blake's face was etched in Argus's memory, a constant reminder of their shared past.
As Argus looked at Blake, memories flooded his mind. He remembered the days they had spent together, the laughter and camaraderie they had shared.
But now, standing face to face, they were on opposite sides of a conflict neither had anticipated.
For Blake, the encounter was bewildering. The masked man before him seemed familiar, but he couldn't place him.
-Brother... Are you okay?
His voice, however, triggered a sense of recognition, stirring memories long buried.
As they stood there, a silent understanding passed between them. Despite the masks and the passage of time, they both knew who the other was.
Their paths had diverged, leading them to this moment of confrontation, but the bond forged in their youth remained unbroken.
Blake was frozen in place, his mind racing to make sense of the situation. For so long, he had searched for Argus, following rumors and whispers, only to arrive at empty locations, the remnants of Argus's passing long gone.
He had tracked Argus's movements, always one step behind, until finally, here they were, face to face.
The mask obscured Argus's face, but Blake could hear the familiarity in his voice, the echoes of a past they had shared. Memories flooded back, of adventures and hardships, of dreams they had once shared under the starlit sky.
But now, standing before him, he realized the passage of time had changed them both, and Blake struggled to reconcile the image before him with the memories he held dear.
Despite the shock, a flicker of hope ignited within Blake. Perhaps this encounter was a chance to mend what had been broken, to bridge the gap that had grown between them.
-ARGUS?!?! YOU... YOU'RE ALIVE!
-AM I NOT THE ONE WHO SHOULD BE SURPRISED? TO SEE YOU ALIVE?!
-HAHAHAHAHAHA! I'VE REALLY MISSED YOU, MY LITTLE STUPID BROTHER!
-Hahahahaha!
-It seems like we have a lot to tell each other. But before all that, it would be good if we went to a safer place. I'm not sure if I can go anywhere while I'm this heavily injured.
-Don't worry. I have enough energy and strength to carry you on my back. Where are we planning to go?
-It might sound ridiculous now, but it might be a good idea to go to Etris.
-Etris... We can't go there. You're likely unaware of this because you've isolated yourself here, but the King of Etrea never returned from a journey he made to a different luminary. In his absence...
He choked up before finishing his sentence. He had believed that the happiness of being reunited with his brother after years would allow him to explain, but Indra's death still had its initial impact. He continued speaking with tears in his eyes.
-In the absence of the King of Etrea, the fourth Prophet sent by the Ministry, Zi'eer, took over the rule of Etrea. Someone as powerful as him will definitely notice our presence when we arrive at Etris. It's not as safe a place as you think anymore.
-I understand... Then the only place we can go is the home of an old friend of mine, Puck.
-Puck? Wasn't he with us on the ship?
-No. He was one of the lucky ones who weren't on the ship that day. After what happened on the ship, he gave up sailing and moved to Erisia. His house is not far from here. Take me on your back and let's go quickly before anyone else comes.
-I see. I'll be as fast as I can.