Immortal flames and hellfire, both being evolutions of fire magic. Stigmata, the ultimate power of any Demon Lord. Amon was no Demon Lord, or anything alike. He ran away from home in pursuit of strength, now being stronger than most of the population, either in Hell or in the Overworld.
His flames spurred out like they were a tamed beast ready to be released. His breath carried a heat that could melt anything, his feet already sinking in the ground which became a red-hot liquid. His flames were red because of hellfire, but burned bright because of immortal flames.
I had to use a constant layer of magic just to avoid being cooked alive from his aura. Cidion's artifacts were filled with Amon's aura, as well as my own. Still, I'm not sure if they'll hold out.
My Sunsword hung low, light warping around it. "This is the first time I'm seeing your stigmata. I've got no witty words for you this time."
His manapool expanded to over three barrels, just like my own. We were tied when he used his stigmata. Let's see who stands stronger. My sword is thrown into the air as I gracefully catch it, smirking from pure excitement.
"Spear"
A thrust of my technique carves a straight fissure into the ground, barely missing Amon. He moved away in time, using unbridled swiftness gifted by his stigmata.
His figure disappears along with my own, clashing in the middle of those ashy fields, close to the hole I dug when I touched my soul.
Sword against hand, our almost flawless moves synchronize into a dance of flames and light. Using my
Still, while I was fighting with a sword and two magics, he was using his bare hands and only a single magic. He charged a compressed explosion, blasting me away from him, my sword flying away from my hand.
"Got you!" he yells out.
As he propels himself towards me with his combined flames, I grin as the Sunsword flies back into my hand. "Spear"
He dodges that one mid air, but not without it grazing him. His side bleeds profusely as the force of my attack strikes near the hole I made, toppling a large part of the ground inside it, all of the dirt and ash disappearing in the bottomless abyss.
How deep is that really?
I turn back to our fight, dodging one of Amon's fireballs. He developed extreme control over them, as their explosion would only destroy a single building, although incinerating it down to the last atom. The fireballs that could burn an entire city were limited to a smaller area, while packing the same energy.
I dash at Amon, swinging my Sunsword with tremendous speed and power. My demon adversary is left surprised, blocking it with open palms. I didn't fully commit to severing them off, because my sword would've cut through and sliced his face.
Wanting to see why he blocked with his hands, I pushed down, forcing an extreme amount of pressure onto him with the
His hands bled, but his heat increased. He was trying to melt my sword. He wouldn't do it completely, I'm sure of it, but he was interested in his ability to pass through its proven durability. However, even while using 100% of his heat, it didn't leave even a scratch on Grey's gift. The king really chose his swords wisely...
I was now in contact with Amon's flames enough, shoving my forefoot into his abdomen. He recoils from the pain as I grab his head. "Let's see if your flames are worthy."
I tried my hardest to delve into the composition of his magic to try and dispel it, but the complexity of its structure surprised me. I couldn't do it in time, resorting to blocking Amon's blast of heat.
I knew he used two types of flames simultaneously, but how were they so complicated? It was just fire magic...
"I underestimated your newfound power, adversary," I admit, trying to cool myself off from the flames surrounding us. His fire burned indefinitely, not running out or needing any fuel. I guess that's the effect of the immortal flames.
We fought for a few hours, until the artifacts ran out of power. It looked like we were in a perfect stalemate for the whole duration of the fight. Equal power, but he had better regeneration. Equal speed, but I had the better technique. Equal endurance, but he had better reflexes. I had a larger arsenal and an indestructible weapon, our strengths and weaknesses canceling each other out.
-
After exactly three months passed from summoning that damned entity, we were ready to go to Obiwon. The Dreamer didn't assault me during these three months, as I was too strong for its magic.
Cidion wished us farewell, and told me to visit him right after it was done. I smiled, telling him I owe him a beer.
The Sword Saint laughs. "I don't drink alcohol, only my pals do. We can grab tea if you want, since you're still underage. Honestly, that's the weirdest part. I can't believe a kid is set on your path, with your strength."
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
He rustles my hair, and limps off towards the vehicle about to pick him up. He didn't arrange any other Sword Saint to aid me since we're stronger than most of them.
The only thing left now is... the final battle. I'm ready to kill that wretched Dreamer, and end my nightmare once and for all.
Taking the train with Evy and Amon, I felt confident in our victory. [I'm not alone anymore] I think to myself.
Evy was quiet today. We would normally chat about everyday things, but now she was looking out of the train window. I ran my fingers through her hair gently, prompting her to look at me. "What's the matter?" I ask.
She hesitates for a bit, clenching her hands. "I... I'm sorry about what happened. I thought I could handle the darkness, but it was beyond my control."
She felt immense guilt about what happened, since the being that possessed her acted on her stead. She wanted to see it for herself, which is why she allowed it to do as it pleased and take her body. The truth is, neither she nor Cidion should be stumped with guilt, since all of this was my plan anyways.
"I'm the one that got you in this mess," I answer, my hardened expression making her swallow her words. "I acted selfishly, taking an innocent girl and almost killing her."
Her eyes watered, as she wanted to stop me. She didn't blame me, but I blamed myself. For her, for Cidion, for the people in the temple that died, for my mother and young Julie. Even Oliver, I was the one that caused misery. It wasn't Death following me like it is with Evy, everything that happened to me was caused by my mistakes. Every wrong move, it all led to disaster.
"It was time I set things right," I said coldly, the gleam from my eyes showing my undying determination.
All nervousness ceased when we got off at the designated stop. Amon smirked, pushing me slightly with his shoulder. "Are you ready, rival?"
Am I ready? He has no idea what I've truly been through. Never in my life have I been more ready, all to end one miserable life that caused so much pain.
We set foot inside my old school, where I got enlightened. The school where I met Evy and Dorian, where I trained with Lucidel and... where I met Amon. The crossroad of my dearest memories turned into bitter ones. This bitter dream ends now, with the help of my friends...
There were no guards, as it seems the school has been abandoned. Whatever the Dreamer invades, turns to a deserted land.
The inside of the school echoed with our every step, silent as a ghost town. I knew what lied just beneath us, and it only fueled my anger. Evy was anxious, as this was the first time she would face someone with the intent to kill.
I had a bit of guilt from lying to her about being sent to get her by professor Guille, but it was for the better good.
The basement of the school was a long hallway, dark and humid. It wasn't tended to for a long time, proven by the fact that neither I nor Lucidel ever visited it. Did it even exist beforehand? Doesn't matter, as it is only the purgatory between my Heaven and my Hell...
The wooden doors that stuck out like the evil was inviting us appeared, right at the center of the long hallway. I snickered at the fact I was about to face it, right behind this door. "You two ready?" I asked.
Evy nodded nervously while Amon let out a hearty laugh. "Don't make me wait, rival!"
I kicked the door open, setting foot inside my previous tomb once again, this time not tricked into it, but on my own terms.
It was another hallway, made out of creaking wooden planks and old lamps that gave no light. The three of us walked in this shadowy hallway, able to see everything clearly. Amon had enhanced senses and could see in pitch black, Evy knew dark magic so she could also overcome the lack of light, while I used light magic, so I could see clearly with a simple spell to my eyes.
As we walked calmly, ready for anything, I noticed something. The outside was blocked off with magic, meaning we've now entered the Dreamer's lair. I looked at Amon, who was casually walking with his hands in his pockets. He was probably the first to notice, but didn't care. Evy didn't seem to notice at all, probably too focused on any sounds or movements.
Suddenly, as all three of us clicked our feet against the ground, our surroundings shifted in a single instant, now showing a giant room, just like last time. On the other side of the room—50 feet from us—was a man that looked like a younger version of the homeless man that the Dreamer possessed, with no bald spots and a trimmed beard. Even though it changed its appearance, the neon pink eyes were a tell I knew all too well.
It simply sat in a broken chair, with two figures to each side of it, covered with white cloth. "I was expecting you, Messiah."
I clicked my tongue. "What a corny line. You knew I would invade your little hideout?"
It smiled eerily. "Well of course. I think it's time we ought to be honest with one another."
I didn't know what it was planning, but my racing heart didn't stump my calm mind. "Try to keep the chit chat short, I've got a nice life to attend to once I end yours."
The Dreamer laughs. "Fine, let me be brief. My mark—"
A footstep stops the Dreamers' slow, handpicked words. "Come on you shithead, I want to see how strong you are, not how good you are at giving speeches," Amon says with fire in his eyes.
"Oh Amon, we'll fight, but let me just tell Adam something he probably wants to know."
Amon's expression changed after the Dreamer addressed his name directly. He wasn't afraid or surprised, but took its words with a bit more seriousness.
The Dreamer raised its hand. "My mark, Adam," it says while taking its green shirt off to reveal a skinny body with a glowing pink mark. "It's not like yours, being able to send me back in time. My mark bears a different power. Are you interested in what it does?" he asks.
I don't answer, not even nodding. The truth is, of course I wanted to know what its mark is used for, but I didn't want to play into its games.
"It's knowledge. In sacrifice for my freedom, I get to see things which would otherwise be impossible," it explains. "I don't know how you found me, but I knew you used poor Evy over here to do it. Each time you faced me, I knew what you've done, what paths you've taken. I prepared for every meeting of ours, even this one."
It prepared? What does this mean? Its aura seems to be not even a barrel full...
Its grin grew to unnatural proportions as its eyes posed a newfound insanity. The Dreamer jumped from its chair, opening its arms in a dramatic manner. Grabbing both white cloths, it pulled them to reveal the two figures.
My pupils narrowed, my vision shaking. My heart skipped a beat as I saw something that didn't make any sense. A nightmare far worse than it has ever shown me.
Standing there, beside the Dreamer were...
Lucidel, and professor Guille. Their eyes were glowing pink just like my nemesis'.
Evy was shocked too, unlike Amon who never knew these people. I couldn't process this, as there could be no reason for this development... how? HOW!?
"My my, I can see your gears spinning. It was tough, but two years were definitely enough. I've invaded their dreams, just like you," the Dreamer starts explaining. "Who would've thought that a... 15 year old kid? Something like that, would have a stronger mind than a general of an army and a Sword Saint. Well, to be fair, they have faced nightmares for over a year, as I used their insecurities and traumas against them."
I dashed forward, drawing my Sunsword mid air, only to be stopped by Lucidel. His light sword appeared just in time, clashing against me. My old teacher, now with a face showing no emotion, under the influence of this foul evil.