William retrieved his sword, the arc of its tip almost grazing the Watcher-09's form. But in that fleeting instant, the Watcher disappeared like a phantom. A chilling gust of wind engulfed William, followed by countless sharp stabs of pain—his back seared as the scythe sliced through. Stifling a groan, he spun around, planting his feet firmly and mustering his last ounce of strength. His blade reversed in his grip, crossing in front of his chest as a shield.
The scythe, wielded with devastating force, crashed into William's blade, the deafening impact echoing in the air. The vibrations numbed William's left hand so violently he almost dropped the hilt. Blood seeped from his palms, yet he bit down hard, forcing himself to keep hold, preventing the blade from giving way.
"You're truly an indomitable monster," William muttered through ragged breaths. Every fiber of his body screamed in agony, his muscles writhing in rebellion. Yet he suppressed his limits, clinging to a single thought:
"I can't let him hurt anyone else!"
The battlefield teemed with bloodthirsty masks—an unrelenting swarm striking like locusts from all directions. Each time one closed in, William swung his sword with every ounce of strength. Golden flames roared like a cyclone, but the masks kept coming, leaving him no room to catch his breath.
The masks lashed out with whip-like attacks, their barbs piercing his flesh. Each strike tore his skin, blood flowing freely, yet William stood his ground. Every swing of his sword carried a radiant burst of light, cutting through the onslaught. Still, their numbers seemed infinite, engulfing the battlefield in a relentless tide.
A mask lunged from above, aiming for William's head. He slashed upward, cleaving it in two, but another snatched his wrist. Its fangs, like those of a wolf, sank deep into his skin.
William winced, his body trembling from the pain, yet he refused to loosen his grip. Gritting his teeth, his eyes burned with fury. He shook off the mask, flinging it away with a powerful swing before unleashing a blazing strike that sent others flying. The air filled with the scent of scorched masks, their fragments scattering like embers.
Seizing a brief respite, William roared, and the golden flames surged anew, enveloping him entirely. The inferno burned fiercely in his eyes, unleashing a force that momentarily freed him from his physical limits. For a fleeting moment, he felt stronger than ever. With a powerful leap, he charged forward, his sword igniting into a streak of fire aimed straight at the Watcher-09's heart.
But the Watcher anticipated his move. Vanishing like a shadow, the Watcher reappeared, leaving William's blade to slice through empty air, its whistle cutting sharply through the stillness. As William turned, the Watcher's scythe materialized again, arcing toward him in a swift, deadly sweep.
If the strike landed, William would have no chance of survival. Time seemed to slow as countless images flooded his mind: his comrades, his family, his battles, and the ideals he had fought for. His resolve solidified; he summoned every ounce of strength he had left.
"No! I can't fall here!"
As the scythe closed in, William felt an overwhelming surge of power welling up from within, a desperate, final gambit. That surge propelled him forward, his sword piercing the air toward the Watcher-09's chest.
Yet the Watcher remained unfazed, his masked face betraying no hint of alarm. With a flick of his hand, the scythe moved with impossible speed, slicing toward William's neck.
"Just accept your fate already," the Watcher said coldly, his voice like the whisper of death.
In that split second before the scythe struck, William's blade erupted in golden flames, clashing violently with the scythe. Sparks and fire illuminated the battlefield in a blinding explosion. The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward.
Summoning every ounce of his strength, William's figure blurred with speed. Though his body teetered on the brink of collapse, his spirit burned brighter than ever. Charging at the Watcher-09, his flaming sword arced toward his target's chest—a final, defiant strike against death itself.
The Watcher, still calm, responded with a swift sweep of his scythe, its deadly shadow looming over William. His blade, though ablaze, passed harmlessly through the Watcher-09's form, which dissipated like smoke.
From the Watcher's stance, an ominous chuckle escaped. His scythe reformed, glinting coldly as it aimed once more for William.
With a roar, William swung his blade again, intercepting the scythe mid-arc. The clang of metal resounded as the scythe was knocked from the Watcher's grasp, spiraling into the air and leaving a gleaming trail in its wake. Seeing the Watcher disarmed, William seized the fleeting opportunity. With a surge of strength, he lunged, his sword aimed for the Watcher's heart.
But the Watcher's reflexes were far beyond William's expectations.
He ducked low, faster than the eye could follow, and his hand, like a steel vise, clamped around William's throat.
The crushing grip stole William's breath. His neck bones creaked ominously under the pressure, pain flooding his senses. He struggled futilely, but the Watcher's strength was insurmountable. Cold laughter filled the air as the Watcher lifted him effortlessly and slammed him into the ground.
"Boom!" The impact sent debris flying as the earth cratered beneath him. Agony surged through William's broken body, blood filling his mouth. Yet he swallowed it back, his defiant gaze locked on his enemy.
The Watcher loomed overhead, retrieving his scythe with a casual leap. The weapon seemed alive, its blade gleaming malevolently as it slashed toward William's motionless form.
As the scythe descended, William's world blurred. Time seemed to freeze, every sensation fading save for the cold edge of the blade nearing his skin. In that moment of impending doom, he felt an unexpected calm.
"At last, this cursed struggle will end. The eighth generation… The world is now yours to protect." A faint smile graced William's lips, a warrior's pride unyielding even in the face of death.
The blade fell, its icy light piercing the darkness, ending it all.