In a world where the very air teems with invisible energy, known as Essence, those who can harness its power rise above the rest. This Essence, when properly absorbed and manifested, forms an Aura unique to each individual. Masters of this art can shape their Aura into devastating techniques, each a reflection of their innermost nature and experiences.
But beyond even these impressive feats lies a realm of power few dare to tread : the domain of Ultimate Techniques.
Ultimate Techniques represent the pinnacle of an individual's mastery over their Aura. They are the culmination of years, often decades, of relentless training, battles and self-discovery. These techniques push the boundaries of what's possible with Aura manipulation, often defying the conventional laws of nature itself.
However, such power comes at a great cost, Ultimate Techniques strain the user's body and mind to their absolute limits, and beyond. The toll they exact can be severe, sometimes even life-threatening. It is for this reason that most wielders of Aura regard Ultimate Techniques as a last resort, to be used only in the direst of circumstances.
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Grak, let out a chilling laugh that echoed across the ravaged landscape. His eyes, gleaming with mixture of pain and savage excitement, locked onto his opponents.
"You've earned it", he growled, his voice dripping with dark anticipation. "The honour.... of witnessing my Ultimate Technique!!"
The air around Grak began to shimmer, distorting as if reality itself was bending to his will. A deep crimson aura, darker and more potent than anything he had displayed before, started to seep from his pores. It writhed and pulsed like a living thing, hungry for destruction.
"Blood Sanguine", Grak intoned, his voice reverberation with power.
In an instant, the crimson aura exploded outward, enveloping Grak in a cocoon of swirling blood red energy. The very ground beneath his feet began to crack unable to withstand the sheer pressure of his power.
Jack and Jaz watched in horror as Grak's body began to change. His muscles bulged and twisted, veins pulsing visibly beneath his skin. The stump of his severed arm erupted in a fountain of blood, which rather than falling to the ground, began to coalesce and take shape. In mere seconds, a new arm had formed, crafted entirely from hardened blood.
Grak's entire body seemed to become more fluid, as if his very flesh had turned to living blood. His eyes glowed with an unholy light, and when he smiled, his teeth were razor-sharp and crimson.
"Behold", Grak's voice boomed, now carrying an otherworldly echo.
Indeed, in this form, Grak seemed nearly invincible. His ability to manipulate blood, both his own and potentially that of his opponents, made him a terrifying force on the battlefield. Any wound inflicted upon him could be instantly healed, and his offensive capabilities were amplified beyond measure.
Jack and Jaz, both battle-worn and exhausted, felt terror clawing at the edges of their mind. This was the first time they had encountered such an overwhelmingly powerful technique, even after all their experience on deadly battlefields. Grak's Ultimate Technique was unlike anything they had ever faced.
Yet, even as Grak reveled in his power, signs of strain were already beginning to show. His breathing, though controlled, was heavy and labored. The physical toll of maintaining such an overwhelming technique was immense, and it was clear that even Grak's formidable constitution had its limits.
Jaz was the first to notice it - the faint heaving of Grak's chest, the way his breathing faltered ever so slightly as he sustained his transformation. She gripped her sword tightly, mustering the last of her strength. Jack, despite being on the verge of collapse, noticed her resolve and knew he had to act.
As an Enhancer, it was his duty to support his partner. With the last vestiges of his power, Jack invoked his technique.
"Enhance Spectrum!"
A shimmering blue circle appeared around Jaz, and her strength surged temporarily by Jack's final gift. But the effort completely drained him. Jack collasped to the ground, unconscious, his power spent.
Jaz, now bolstered by the enhancement, dashed toward Grak with renewed determination. She had one shot, and she knew it. But just as she was about to strike, her body froze. Not by her own will - something else had seized control.
"AUGGHHH....!"
She couldn't move.
"How foolish..," Grak mocked. "Is this your fi-first time encountering an Ultimate Tech..nique? ... If either of you knew how ... to counter one, you might've entertained... me longer."
Jaz could feel the cold hand of death closing in, her every instinct screaming at her to fight, to resist. But her body refused to respond. She mustered every ounce of willpower she had left forcing her muscles to move, inch by inch. Her sword trembled in her hand, and she began to regain control - if only for a moment.
But the effect of Enhance Spectrum wore off as quickly as it had come. Jaz's strength faded, her body collapsing under its own weight. The world around her began to blur, and darkness crept into the edges of her vision. She fought to stay conscious, but it was a losing battle.
The last thing she saw was Grak's blood-formed arm, reaching for her face, his twisted grin looming closer.
Then, nothing.