Chapter Thirty-Six: Evolution
It was a time of uncertainty and fatigue. Dusken had caused the armoured knight to fall with a single slash of his sword.
His gaze moved from the scene below him as he scrutinised his blade. It was coated in dark flames that rose from it, making it look like a demonic weapon forged for suffering.
Without thinking any more, he dashed forward, running at full speed. However, his thoughts churned rapidly within him.
'What was that power? It feels like my dark flame has subtly evolved, though it feels incomplete,' Dusken pondered as he ran, his muscles screaming with every movement.
He had to say that the series of events happening now were simply too much. He hadn't discovered the mysterious power that had helped him in his battle with the beastman and now… another power helped him?
Dusken was more alarmed than happy. This help could smell trouble. However, this was still inadequate, as he could remember that he normally felt a pull from within him whenever this happened.
'Perhaps, this all has to do with the Abyssal Star talent?' He contemplated while he ran.
The carpet was smooth under the touch of his boots, while the walls of the corridor were ancient, rough to the eye.
The eerie light of the torches planted in the walls shone in the hall, giving it a dark, ominous feeling that reflected his inner turmoil and confusion.
Dusken made the dark flame move from his blade to his body to enhance his energy. The flame did not form into a tattoo as it had before; instead, his body suddenly ignited with black fire.
Yet, he did not feel any heat. All he felt was a cold, chilling sensation that made his speed drastically increase.
His strength had doubled, though not to the extent of level two. Dusken was certain the strength he possessed now was comparable to when his Abysmal point had touched the hundreds.
Ahead of him, Ebon ran with lurching steps. Dusken used his heightened senses to observe the knight as it ran.
He gave a quick glance to his back and saw that a mysterious force was pulling all the scattered metal parts together, reassembling the knight once more.
The harrowing entity was being reconstructed in all its dreadful, vile glory.
It took large strides on the red carpet of the corridor, charging forward like a mad bull. Its heavy steps sent tremors through the hall.
'Curse it,' Dusken couldn't help but curse inwardly.
However, due to the energy enhanced by the dark flame, his speed had increased drastically, making him appear like a blur.
He dashed down the hall with great speed, with the knight pursuing him.
Soon, the corridor was no longer endless, as a huge door appeared in his vision. He laughed inwardly while pushing himself even faster, reaching the utmost limit of his speed.
The air in the hall whistled in his wake, and that of the armoured knight's. Ten metres, nine metres, eight metres...
The knight closed in on Dusken little by little. Suddenly, inspiration struck him, and he issued a mental command to Ebon.
Ebon stopped running. The greatsword it held was almost double its size, but it didn't seem to hinder its movements.
Staring fearlessly at the incoming armoured entity, it spun around, the air whizzing under the slicing of the greatsword.
When the armoured knight drew near Ebon, it lunged forward with its enormous weight, not caring for the greatsword Ebon held.
However, what met its charge was the sword flying through the air. Ebon had let go of the enormous blade, allowing it to soar toward the knight.
The momentum was fearsome as the sword collided with the armoured entity, sending a deafening sound reverberating through the corridor.
The knight was blasted backwards by the force of the collision, while Ebon fell to the ground under the weight of the greatsword and the after-effects of the spinning motion.
'Success,' Dusken smirked internally while calling Ebon back.
Using the precious time that had been bought, he stretched his limits to the utmost, increasing his speed to terrifying levels.
His eyes couldn't follow his own advancement, causing him to slip and fall with a low thud. Quickly stabilising himself, he dashed forward once more.
A minute later, the knight had already risen, picking up its greatsword, and resumed its pursuit. Dusken's teeth gritted in anger and frustration.
The knight ran faster, while Dusken slowed. The energy boost from his dark flame was the only thing keeping him moving at a normal pace; otherwise, he would have already collapsed.
The door was drawing nearer in his vision, but then another metallic sound reached his ears.
Turning his head, Dusken stifled an angry curse from escaping his lips. The armoured entity was no longer a single knight, but now two were pursuing him.
'Once I arrive at the door, everything will be alright. Keep going, Dusken, keep going,' he thought, straining his limits even further.
Inhaling deeply, he mustered every ounce of strength he could, unleashing a burst of speed. The aftershock from his sudden acceleration caused the carpet to fold slightly.
His vision blurred as he ran at the full speed of a level one enhanced by his dark flame.
Following his burst of speed, the knights accelerated their pace. When they drew near Dusken, they lunged at him like cats pouncing on a mouse.
'Death? I refuse,' he thought excitedly as he summoned a material card.
Contrary to what people might expect of him, Dusken suddenly stopped and ducked low, allowing the two large knights to fly above him.
They collided with the ground, sending a resounding clang ringing through the area.
Without lingering, he dashed forward again, leaping over the scattered metal debris of the disoriented knights.
The dark flame on his body burned darkly, absorbing the light around him and causing the darkness to grow deeper wherever he passed.
The door was now before him, just a few metres away, but then...
The sound of tearing winds reached his ears as that same mysterious power projected the danger in his mind.
A huge greatsword was coming for his head, and a spear was aimed at his rib.
The two knights had thrown their weapons at him in one final attempt to stop him.
Without any fear, Dusken turned around, raising his hands to meet the weapons.
His bones creaked under the momentum of the strikes, and a snapping sound echoed as Dusken was blasted backwards by the force.
He slammed into the door behind him, blasting it open and falling to the ground with a huge thud.
All life seemed to drain from him as he lay sprawled on the ground... Dead.