Chapter 41: The Edge of Despair
The battlefield, scarred and broken by the clash of titanic forces, was once again plunged into chaos as another presence descended. The air grew thick with power, and the sky darkened as if recoiling from the sheer force of the newcomer.
From the horizon, a massive beast emerged, its form shimmering with an ethereal light. It was an Azure Flame Roc, its feathers glowing like molten gold and its eyes burning with divine fire. The beast's very presence exuded authority, its aura rivaling, if not surpassing, that of the Divine Ascension cultivator already locked in battle with Kayode.
The Divine Ascension cultivator turned toward the beast and smirked. "Ah, the Azure Flame Roc. It seems even the beasts cannot resist the lure of a potential divine treasure."
The Roc flared its wings, releasing a wave of searing heat that scorched the earth. Its voice echoed, deep and resonant, directly into the minds of all present. "I care not for treasures. I sense something... unique. A power that should not exist. That boy's bloodline... it reeks of defiance."
Kayode, panting heavily and leaning on his spear for support, felt the oppressive weight of the Roc's presence. His Nascent Soul thrashed within him, trying to fight back against the overwhelming forces pressing down on him. Despite his earlier triumph, his body was nearing its limit.
The Divine Ascension cultivator chuckled, his confidence restored. "Then we have the same goal. Together, we can erase this anomaly from existence."
The Roc's eyes gleamed with cold resolve, and without hesitation, the two titanic forces turned their attention fully to Kayode.
A United Assault
Kayode barely had time to react as the Divine Ascension cultivator lunged forward, his fist radiating with celestial light. At the same time, the Roc unleashed a torrent of azure flames, the intense heat warping the air and melting the ground beneath it.
Kayode raised his spear, summoning all his strength to defend himself. The bloodlines within him roared in unison, lending him their power as he deflected the cultivator's blow and dodged the flames. But the combined assault was relentless.
The Roc swooped low, its talons aimed directly at Kayode's chest. He managed to sidestep, but the cultivator was already upon him, his strikes landing with bone-crushing force. Each blow sent shockwaves through Kayode's body, and the flames that followed burned away at his defenses.
Despite his best efforts, the coordinated attacks were pushing him to his limits. His spear glowed dimly, his Qi reserves rapidly depleting. The bloodlines he had fused into his body screamed for release, but even their combined might couldn't fully counter the overwhelming force of his enemies.
"Is this all you've got, boy?" the Divine Ascension cultivator sneered, delivering a kick that sent Kayode skidding across the battlefield.
Kayode coughed up blood, his vision blurring. The Roc circled above, its gaze piercing as it prepared another devastating attack.
Oba, perched on a nearby rock, watched the scene unfold with an unreadable expression. His golden eyes flicked toward Kayode, but he made no move to intervene.
"Oba!" Kayode yelled hoarsely, his voice tinged with desperation. "Are you just going to sit there?"
The golden dragon cat yawned lazily, his tail flicking. "You're not dead yet, are you? Figure it out."
Kayode clenched his teeth in frustration. His mind raced, trying to find a way out of this dire situation.
Forced to the Brink
The Roc let out a deafening screech, unleashing a massive wave of azure flames that engulfed the battlefield. Kayode raised his spear, forming a shield of Qi to protect himself, but the sheer intensity of the flames burned through his defenses.
At the same time, the Divine Ascension cultivator struck from the side, his attacks precise and unrelenting. Kayode tried to counter, but his movements were sluggish, his strength waning with each passing second.
The cultivator's fist slammed into Kayode's chest, sending him crashing into a nearby cliff. The impact shattered the rock, and Kayode slumped to the ground, blood dripping from his mouth. His Nascent Soul flickered weakly within him, its light dimming.
The Roc landed beside the cultivator, its gaze cold and unyielding. "This is the end for you, anomaly. Your defiance ends here."
Kayode struggled to his feet, his body trembling. His spear, now dull and lifeless, felt heavy in his hands. He knew he couldn't hold out much longer.
A Moment of Clarity
As the two enemies prepared their final assault, a strange calm washed over Kayode. Despite the dire situation, a single thought surfaced in his mind: I have to survive. Not for myself, but for the path I've chosen. For the destiny I've carved with my own hands.
His Nascent Soul pulsed faintly, and the ball of bloodline energy within it began to stir. A memory surfaced—his realization about the bloodline techniques he had absorbed.
"This isn't over," Kayode muttered, his voice steady despite the pain.
The Roc and the cultivator paused, sensing a shift in his aura.
Kayode tightened his grip on his spear, his bloodlines roaring to life within him. The next move would decide everything.
To Be Continued...