The ground cracked as our magic clashed in the air. Soon, the clouds were pushed back, some splitting in half due to our intense magic that we are releasing. Mankind or monsters, everyone was pushed away from the strong gust of wind. The pressure makes it harder for the weak to move.
Without hesitation, I dashed straight to Cecilia, clashing mid air against her armor. The two of us exchanged blows, creating a shockwave from each hit, creating a cushion of air which doubles the strength behind our punch.
"Oh, this is fun isn't it, dear Ashe?" Cecilia chuckled, agitating me even more. I didn't bother to answer her. I let my actions speak. Clearly, my bloodlust was strong enough because she shut her mouth as soon as I glared at her. I charged forward, my whole body imbued in magic. As I got closer to Cecilia, she used her magic as a shield to cover my attack. I let go of my power, exploding in front of Cecilia. She plummeted on the ground, hitting hundreds of monsters. But because the force was powerful, those monsters that she collided with died due to the impact.
Cecilia's wings flapped to stop her from flying further away. Before she could recover, hands appeared from the shadows, grabbing hold of her body. She released a powerful shockwave, pushing the hands away. Before the hands reappeared, she flew straight towards me. Before she reached me, I summoned a sword in my hand. She did the same thing too. Our swords clashed, metal to metal. Even though mine is made of shadows and hers is magic, our blades were strong and sharp enough to cut even the strongest material.
We kept exchanging swordsman ships, slowly pushing each other away.
"Little girl, you have grown powerful. Is it because of the Keys? Or is it because of your hatred towards me?" Cecilia asked. "How does it feel to see your mother dead by my hands? Does it make you sad? Or does it fuel the anger you have?" I'm getting annoyed, but I kept my calm. I kept exchanging swords against her, putting more force behind my strikes. I was slowly pushing her away. Cecilia laughed. "That's right! Get more angrier. Come on, kill me! Don't tell me this is all you have got? After all that preaching about getting your vengeance! How pathetic! Like your mother!" That was my last straw.
Anger took over. I roared from the top of my lungs, creating a powerful shockwave which turned into an explosion from me. Cecilia was pushed back, hitting the ground. My eyes glared in gold, but they were bloodshot. I see red… All I see is death and destruction. I can see that Cecilia was getting weaker as we kept on fighting. Her wings flapped intensely. Within a blink of an eye, she closed the distance between us. We exchanged blows once more. Swordsmanship or martial arts, I didn't care. My attacks were overpowering the bitch. She was being pushed back once more. I can see in her face that she is getting weaker and weaker. Soon, she became slow. Jackpot! I got her.
I imbued my fist with magic. Before I could drill a hole to her heart, Cecilia's palm struck me on the stomach, causing me to vomit blood. This time I was the one getting pushed back. For some reason, she became even more powerful and stronger than me. But I kept my feet. Despite the pain and wounds I was experiencing, I never faltered. Not in front of this woman.
"Come on! After all that show off… Don't tell me this is your limit?" Cecilia mocked. Finally, I spoke.
"You keep running your mouth like a bitch. If you can't shut up while fighting, let me help you with that." My fist struck her jaw, pushing her head back. She backflipped mid air. Her feet kicked my jaw as she backflipped. The two of us clashed once again, not caring about the blood and pain we are experiencing. To be honest… I am getting tired too. But I can't lose again. I can't lose her again. This time, I will kill her. Those three Keys will be mine!
A sharp blade pierces my ribs, dangerously stabbing my heart. Cecilia was holding a small knife made of magic in her hand. I didn't even notice it. I was too busy lusting over her corpse.
"This is what happens if you let your guard down, little Ashe." She pushed the knife deeper and pushed it up, leaving a huge open gaping wound on my left side, exposing my ribs and my heart inside. But before she could kill me, I called upon my serpentine. Within a few seconds, Cecilia had lost her right arm from my partner's deadly fangs.
"What were you saying about… Letting your guard down again?" I smirked. The serpentine turned around, ready to take her other arm. But before she could bite her arm off, the air became heavy to the point it became harder to breathe. Suddenly, a very ominous aura was exceeding Cecilia.
"What is happening?" I asked as I watched Cecilia's body become hidden under the dark smoke that appeared out of nowhere. Her magic… Is getting powerful as seconds goes by. What the heck is happening?
The smoke disappeared, revealing a different being in front of me. That is no longer Cecilia… That is…
In front of me, stands a female human shaped galaxy-like being. Her eyes turned into stars, while above her head floated a dark red halo.
"Behold… The incomplete power of Spirit of Light and Strength!" Cecilia spoke, but her voice came out different. It is like a deep voice, almost sounding like a man.
That is just an incomplete power of the Spirit of Light and Strength, yet I feel my strength draining out of me the more I look at it. As if… I am facing a godly being. Before I could recover, I was sent plummeting to the ground. My eyesight became blurry. When I stood, I became dizzy to the point that I fell on my knees. I heard footsteps in front of me. There she stands… Cecilia. Or rather, a different being.
Cecilia released a powerful wave of air towards me, which sent me flying backwards, colliding with a giant ally. Before we could both recover, another sharp blade pierced through my stomach. But it wasn't a blade this time. It was her hand. I clenched hold of it, trying to get her away from me but to no avail.
"Little Ashe… Tell your mother that I said hi to her." Despite having no lips at all, I can see her smirking behind this ugly galaxy skin. I took a deep breath and did my best to give her a smirk that she will absolutely hate.
"Why don't you focus on your surroundings, bitch." Before she could speak, Cecilia received a powerful punch from King Gia who appeared beside her.
"You look like a mess, little Ashe." King Gia said. "Can you heal?"
"I… can." I said amidst panting, trying to catch my breathing. Before King Gia can say a word, Cecilia has recovered and on her way already.
"Focus on healing. I will deal with her." King Gia said, clashing against the newly awakened Cecilia. I was left laying on the ground in the middle of the corpses from both sides, staring at the dark sky. For some reason, I just want to be at peace. Suddenly, my mother's smiling face appeared on my mind.
That's right… I can't die yet. I promised my mother that I would get my vengeance for her. Not like this…
Then I felt something inside me that wanted to get out. A very strong power that has been waiting to be unleashed. I let it loose. Soon, the Shadow Field grew bigger and thicker. My wounds healed instantly, and my broken armor has been repaired fully. My body felt light. My strength was returning to me.
Then I roared like a beast.
The roar sent shockwaves around me that pushed everything, even my shadows, from me. Soon, my whole body was covered with dark smoke. My eyes flared in gold brighter than before. I unleashed a powerful aura which caused the ground that I was standing on to break due to the force behind my power. I felt powerful once again.
As much as I was curious what power was this, my mind automatically thought of the Key. The dark smoke that was hiding me dissipated, revealing me to the public's eyes.
In the corner of my eye, I saw King Gia losing ground against Cecilia. Before she could take King Gia's head, I intervened, stopping her attack with my bare hand.
"You are like a damn snake. Whenever I thought I have killed you, yet you are still alive." Cecilia said in annoyance after seeing me.
I smiled at her face. "I will not rest… Not unless I take your head, Cecilia."