And so, the battle commenced between the Half-blood Infinity Slayer and the primeval beast of the ancient age.

Serana, much like her Master. Has the power to bend the steel under command and direct them. However, the magic behind this art is poorly understood. The two know too well that they must harness their mana into their power by concentrating their mana pool into the metal surrounding the environment. As if, transferring part of their consciousness into a metal and achieving some kind of higher evolution of sense and self.

Her Master also believes that such power can be enhanced by understating its originality. And sharing that same sentiment.

Metal represents the mind, as well as a state that could transcend death. In the old ages, it was known as mercury, and it was believed to be able to shift between liquid and solid states. Therefore, in alchemy, mercury was believed to shift between life and death. And that's exactly what Ophaliea did. Her powers as Infinity Slayer only boosted that understanding into a higher sense. And just as stubborn metal as she can be, so are the Infinity Slayers.

Only then. will Serana understand her full potential power. And she is far from reaching that level.

As the decrepit blades spiraled around her. She commanded a few of them to attack the bear, striking through the glacier snow as if a ghost controlled these blades.

Her power primarily revolves around her mastery of the blade and her ability to manipulate multiple floating blades with her mind. She would swing her arm alongside the same axis the blades would go. And retracting them following her hand's guidance. Such as rotating them and spinning them. Much like the flow of water, the same goes for Metal. She guides the trajectory of her blades, orchestrating intricate patterns of movement that confound her enemies and leave them reeling in confusion.

Before the beast could lunge himself, Serana managed to land a few hits with her swords in a spacious space. However, such attacks are futile against a primeval creature.

The blades would indeed slash and pierce the bear’s fur. But from his reaction, the beast remains unharmed and unconcerned. And rather, furious at this mockery.

Just then, the beast quickly sped himself to Serana who managed to evade his upcoming charge at the last second before he could swipe her away.

But as a result of the snow twisting around the bear's position. Serana was caught in the storm and further pushed back before he could even recover from her evading.

Yet she remains unharmed and safe from the beast. She cursed herself as she developed a new strategy to defeat this bear.

If one blade won't be enough to inflict a wound on the primeval beast. Then it's either she brings a more powerful and destructive blade or strikes the beast with her current blades but at one interval.

She quickly charged as the beast recovered and retained his gaze towards her.

Before the beast could swing at her, she managed successfully to evade his claws and followed up with her hands, swaying through the air as a series of blades, consisting of long and short swords, cast a grievous wound on the beast's side abdomen. Each blade followed by another all in perfect union, parallel to one another, and in synchronicity, slit the wound deeper than the last. As if one blade strokes the flesh five times in the same second. Then quickly retracted around Serana as they protected her.

The beast roared in anger and attempted to strike her down once again only for her unmatched speed and reflex to catch up and avoid it. Followed by yet again another veil of blades to strike the beast's other side.

She figured staying close to the beast was the best option since it gave a little room to reach, and a lot of time got him to rotate to her position given how large he is.

In retaliation, the beast quickly slammed his palms on the snow grounds. Casting a heavy blizzard that concealed his presence.

Serana quickly retreated and ran between the storm, hoping to avoid the beast's surprise attack.

However, suddenly a brash of giant snowballs rassled toward Serana's position.

She attempted to evade them, only to fail and be hit by one of the large snowballs, striking her down. Given how large and plenty they were made by the Primeval beast.

Just as she was about to recover from the snow, she felt an oncoming threat ahead of her. The beast was about to charge and was away a second.

She quickly unleashed a sword towards the beast's eye. Injuring him and knocking him slightly off balance.

In return, Serana once again was knocked out by the beast back as he fell off. Pushing her back further in a bruise.

“Should have dodged that......” She coughed with blood as she tried to recover her feet.

She quickly pulled a healing vile from her pocket and drank it. Energizing her vital life, even for an Infinity Slayer. a half-one.

And so did the beast; he roared in fury.

His eyes now gleamed in blue as ice shards were summoned around the arena, casting a magnanimous sight scene of blizzard ever-growing furious.

“Oh....is this a shard of the Frozen maiden power?” Serana chuckled. “Come on bull chuker. Let's have another round, shall we?”

The Beast, however, this time, modified his whole body as he grew double in size. so much as the size of a house, the figure stood tall and mightily as he kept roaring. his echos spoke volumes of his fury and his calls were heard from beyond.

Serana now has a little window to survive his strikes given how large and sharper his claws grew.

This is where she must rely on brute strength. Enough to take him down before he takes her down.

As the beast charged. Serana quickly thrust her arm, guiding the newfound decrepit swords picked from the scars of the mountains to the bear. All while her other hand leaned backward, preparing for a trap.

As the two distances became imminent, a large great sword emerged from above as it landed on the bear's right front joint, piercing as hard as she could and knocking the beast on its back as slides in pain.

Serana quickly jumped over the beast, evading the incoming crash as it slowed down.

As the beast remained weakened. Serana took this moment to summon another five blades to her side and guided alongside the first five to strike the bear down. Further injuring the beast until no signs of the Frozen Maiden blessing can save him.

But suddenly, the bear quickly recovered on his feet and roared in fury as the echoes pushed back Serana.

She noticed how the bear seemed to recover to full strength. Even with the great sword remained thrust on his joint. For a moment, he seemed unaffected by it.

Majestically, the bear once again slammed the floor with two paws as another spawn of blizzard seemed to cover him once again.

Serana remained on standby knowing well he could be preparing another barrage of snowballs.

However, in a shocking state. A massive terrain of ice crystal emerged from the snow glow as it directed toward Serana's position.

She managed to evade it with ease given how large it is. However, the other ice crystals that flew from the snowstorm weren't so easy to avoid. Given how many and smaller they were, Serana had a more difficult time evading so many in an already compacted window.

Thus, Serana suffered several wounds from the crystal, but she remained alive, nonetheless.

Only then, did she notice the blizzard settled down as the bear reappeared. Triple the size, standing on its two feet like a human. Protected by shards of ice crystal-like armor that concealed his fur from swords or anything that could injure him. As if he was a knight shielding him from all threats.

The great sword lingered in his wound but was now covered in a sheath of ice crystal. Preventing Serana from controlling it.

“You have to be shitting me....” Serana mumbled in shock and amazement.

“I taste iron in the wind......” The Frost bear spoke, in cold and fury. “It calls for blood!”

The beast echoes roared through the valley as the storm grew thicker, concealing every scenery that surrounded Serana from mountains, trees, or any sight beside the endless storm.

The beast, enormous as ever, slowly walked towards Serana as each step shattered the earth around him. As if the world were trembling to a titian foot. Something the lesser Titans are never able to achieve.

“AN OMEN TO THOSE STAND AGAINST THE PRIEMVAL GODS!” The Frost bear shouted. “And you mean to kill me?”

The beast chuckled as it pointed down to Serana. Mocking her strength.

“You cannot tame the storm nor the ice! You have no power traitors! Death be cast upon you!”

“Omen my ass!” Serana mumbled. “You should have been dead alongside you Maiden!”

As Serana prepared herself for another battle. A one where she knows she has no chance to win. Regardless, she remained tenacious and selfish as ever. Like any other Infinity Slayer.

Meanwhile, Ophelia watched the scenery as she said joyfully.

“So, they aren't mad...” She chuckled. “Guess that means the Maidens are still alive somewhere....”

----------------------------------------

Serana summoned ten more blades, five of each on the right and another on her left. Without delay, she rushed towards the Frostborn who didn't bother to charge back at her like any animal would do. Instead, he simply walked towards her. Preparing to take her down using his magic alone.

As Serana neared, she unleashed her left side swords toward the Frostborn face who managed to block using his hand. Leaving them stranded on the dorsal side of his palm.

The bear then attacked Serana with his other hand, quickly following with the injured one.

Serana cannot follow up with her attacks. Given how much her window is smaller than the first fight. Therefore, she simply resorted to evasion until she finds an opening.

Eventually, Serana Slipped between the Frostborn legs and emerged behind where she took this chance to strike his back. At the same time, recalling the grounded blades back to her and attacking alongside the first five.

The bear quickly rotated as he attempted to pummel Serana down. In addition, a surge or a bush of ice shards was formed from the ground on the call of his first.

Thankfully, Serana managed to evade that to safety. But not for too long as the bear followed with another pummel to the ground, summoning more crystals from the ground.

She eventually had to resort to retreating and rebinding her opening.

But the Frostborn did not yield. He quickly thrashed the ground, only this time. The ice crystals that were summoned stormed in a vertical plane to chase Serana.

Serana evaded it. The beast repeated the same move to her left where he missed completely.

However, this was his plan, as he cornered Serana into a valley of ice shards on both her sides. Leaving no room for her to escape or escape.

The Frostborn echoes roared the mountain as he attempted to charge on his four legs.

Serana quickly directed her blades to the ice shards' walls. Creating this semi-ladder ledge to climb over the valley and escape.

Just as she was about to escape, the bear reached her and luckily missed the girl as she jumped over him. however, the impact of the ice shards sent Serana away to the back of the arena. Landing on the pile of snow in pain.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

As she grunted, she thought to herself what form of power this one Bear was blessed with.

The Magic was blessed by none other than the frozen maiden herself. Thus, granting a portion of this godly power that no human can comprehend. What's worse, is his unlimited pool of mana that provides unlimited use of magic to his command. Something Serana suffers at the moment.

After such usage of her powers. She is eventually bound to lose some mana. Therefore, she resorted to drinking a mana potion from her pocket.

Only for her misfortune once again to take the better of her. As she noticed there was only one mana potion left in her pocket.

She assumed they must have been dropped as she was fighting the Frostborn. Leaving only this singular mana Potion to her advantage.

“Fuck......” She grunted. “What the hell it's going take to kill this massive ancient bear....”

Suddenly, the fruit of thought crossed her mind as she looked around. Noticing none other than the massive Titian sword thrust into the mountain.

This was her only weapon.

Beg the question, will she be able to carry this ancient blade? such a task is nothing for Master Ophaliea. But for Serana, that's a death wish at her stage.

“One way to try....” She sighed as she looked back at the approaching Frostborn. Who was now nearly covered with ice armor.

There was no room nor options to discuss. There was only one plan.

Take him down once and for all.

“Give it all...” She mumbled as she prepared herself.

The Frostbear plunged both his paws into the ground, shaking the very ground as the snow began to tremble and revert.

Suddenly, the ground beneath him turns into pure diamonds as the snow particles herald together, forming into glacier of smooth ice. And slowly worked its way towards Serana’s position.

She managed to quickly jump and evade the glacier before it caught her. Meanwhile summoning two long swords to her sides and grabbing them.

She landed on the clean surface and thrust her blades into the ice, using it as some kind of fixed object to maintain her position without slipping away.

The Herald of the Frost Maiden screamed once again as it attempted to charge at her without having difficulties skiing through the plane. Part of his blessing supposedly.

Serana quickly used her blades as a ski pole to ride her way through the invariable floor. Thankfully, her shoes were of unique design, allowing her to quickly change from the sharp metal spikes to a smooth planter surface that provided an uncomplicated walk through any symmetrical planes. An invention that the wanderers perfected for climbing long mountains.

Therefore, Serana was able to escape the beast's grasp and took this chance to concentrate on one of her hands to attack the Frostbear while the other sustained her movements around the glacier.

She summoned a few more blades beside her and directed alongside the one she had towards one of the crystal shards that protected the bear. Mainly, the shard that contained the Great Sword. While indeed it was restrained. That doesn't mean it can't be free.

For her master, she would easily pull the blade from its grasp. Serana is far from reaching that level yet. However, she intends to perfect as much as her master.

Eventually, the Frostborn directed his gaze back to her as he charged.

Serana quickly pulled the blades to protect her while keeping one in her free hand to drive through the ice. Avoiding the Bears attacks.

The Frostborn suddenly lunged in the air as he attempted to crush her.

Serana's senses tickled as she felt something worse was about to happen. Therefore, she evaded the pummel and at the same time sought to hide between the fissure of the ice, where the bear first charged earlier.

Suddenly, as the Frostborn stroked down. The earth shook to his wrath as the glaze began to crack. Only a second later, the whole floor would collapse and break. Releasing the ground into a massive ice crystal emerged from the once-broken ground. Except, where Serana hid.

She felt the beast would grow wiser as the fight developed. Hinted by him blocking her from grabbing the great sword to her side. She knew he had more than pure brute strength and magic.

Moreover, the Beast has total control over the environment. Every second she spends on it is a threat. An instinct played a part in her, whether it was the Infinity Slayer powers or herself. She felt the rush flow of mana flying between the icy mist. As if she can sense any upcoming magic casts.

She doesn't understand how and why, she only knows how to utilize such a gift to her advantage.

Suddenly, she sensed an upcoming charge from the bear as it rushed through the crystal pillars. Breaking the pillars in his way.

Once again, Serana used her swords to climb over the crystal and jump over the charging beast. Evading him to safety where he already charged through the pillars.

As she landed, she continued to direct all of her swords against the buried great sword from her distance. She needs that blade to hit a knocking blow to the Frostborn.

As the beast rotated. The great sword was finally free from its womb.

As Serana attempted to grab the great sword using her telekinetic powers. She suddenly felt a powerful force grabbing from behind her.

She looked back as she noticed a tornado of blizzards forming behind her. Grabbing her and everything in the vicinity to the center of the cyclone all while moving around the arena at a slow speed.

This wasn't the only one. Two more were summoned besides the Frostbear.

“FOR FUCK'S SAKE STOP SPAMMING!” Serana cursed in anger as the snowstorm attempted to pull her. “You want to play this game? Fine furr fuck! Let's do this!”

Serana eventually gave in as she gave herself to the snow. At the same time, she pulled the great sword towards her. Planning her next move.

The bear charged towards the storm, hoping to grab her and finish her once and for all.

As Serana became one with the cyclone. Swirling and rotating at immense speed. Almost made her nauseous.

However, her gaze was focused on the great sword as she controlled it. Still, in great pain as she attempted to grab hold of the blade and not lose it.

As the Great Sword entered the Storm space. Serana held the blade’s hilt as both began to swirl at immense speed, climbing all the way to the top.

Suddenly, the storm came to a stop as Ice shards formed from the snow plane in pursuit.

Serana thankfully evaded them by climbing over the board blade’s fuller, like it was some ski board as it deflected the shards from below her.

Serana quickly redirected the blade axis towards the Frostborn head as he finally noticed her presence.

“NOW!” Serana shouted in anger as she charged the Great blade in an oblique axis all while using her power to pierce towards the Frostborn head. Finally, Serana jumped away to safety all while the blade struck its head point and knocking the beast crystal armor all the way towards his fur. Breaking his guard and blasting his consciousness away for a moment.

Serana used this moment to take a deep breath and harnessed every sense of her power to pull the titian blade from its grave.

Not only did the titanic blade begin to mold, but every sword and metal around her began to rise and fold under her command. Hundreds of decrepit swords, spears, and axes adhered to her guidance and awaited their order to strike.

As the Frostbone began to recover back. Serena's strength began to wane down and dissipate as she desperately attempted to hold grasp of her mana pool.

Some of the rising blades began to rattle in weakness. Her legs and arms began to twitch down, nearly betraying her. Her eyes began to bleed and tear dark red as a result of sheer power wasted and left inside of her.

Ophelia, meanwhile, took pity on the child and decided to help her.

She only lifts one of her arms towards the titanic blade. Alongside Serana in an attempt once more to free the blade from the mountain's womb.

Finally, the mountain and the earth began to tremble as the sword began to rise slowly.

The Frostborn finally gained his momentum back as he rushed and charged towards Serana’s position. Summoning more blizzard storms, including where Serana was standing on.

But that mattered a little. Serana’s, clutching her teeth and body in cold and pain. Such agony burned through her body and soul as if she were scorched alive, continued to stand her ground.

Her will as of a steel, remained untattered and ceaseless in her position. Unaffected by the blizzard force and bleaching cold.

She was going to give everything to kill this beast, even if it meant her life was on the stack. Such as the way and nature of the Infinity Slayers.

Finally, the blade rose high and above from the mountain’s shackle. Evident by the earth halting from shaking and the avalanche, a mass of snow, rock, ice, soil, slide swiftly down a mountainside.

Serana’s eyes grew red as velvet as she finally took control of the unholy blade. Redirecting it at the arena.

Though she knows this blade might very well kill her, she takes her chance and shouts;

“THIS ENDS NOW!”

image [https://yourimageshare.com/ib/fCHzKMVeZ3.webp]

Throwing and releasing the blade as a spear towards the arena position Serana finally fell down on her knees and was half-conscious.

The blade struck the Frostborn before he could finish Serana’s off. Finishing him as the mountain shook and the very foundation of earth itself began to flutter as the center of the arena broke in half, Clefs and fissures of narrow, wide space were formed as a result of the blade's newfound gravel. A barrage of stones, soil, and snow began to wane down the mountain terrain.

Though she was knocked cold. Serana wasn't dead, she was still breathing and in pain, as her eyes took note of the earthshaking and the falling avalanche about to strike her. Yet, she couldn't stand on her feet. She wasted all of her mana pool; she is no longer in any state to even stand.

What a joke.... she thought to herself.

(I am master’s perfect experiment... and here she is sending me to die...)

Her eyes gleamed at the titanic blade that she carried and slayed the Frostborn with. Speaking of which, the beast's other half body hanged front of the blade. Dead and defeated, faded into obscurity like their maiden. A lost legacy.

However, she took note of her surroundings still shaking. Even though the sword now remained buried alongside the now-dead Frostborn,

Suddenly, there she heard. A roar echoed through the valley as the snow thickened and a newfound storm swirled between.

(It can't be! There is more?!)

Her eyes loomed over two approaching masses from the titanic sword sides. Both emerged from the blinding snowstorm, ever so furious and hungry. Their wrathful grunts can be heard.

The two Frostborns were revealed as they approached Serana's weakened body. Vengeful over their dead brother.

Serana cursed as she attempted to get back on her feet. Only to notice one of the Frostborn rushed towards Serana's feeble body to feed on her.

For a mere moment, Serana's eyes flashed before her eyes.

Recalling her last moments spent with the children of the orphanage all the way back to her earliest memories with her first encounter with Master Ophelia. She felt for a moment, she going to die.

But that shouldn't happen until Master Ophelia is satisfied with her results.

The Infinity Slayer lunged a mighty jump as she landed in front of Serana without hesitation. Punched the incoming Frostborn with a single first, pushing it back to the Titanic blade wall.

As the other roared in anger, attempted to pay back his fallen brother's blood. Ophelia quickly drew her razor-shaped lid at the beast’s face. Slashing and carving a deep wound on its forehead, enough to break his guard.

Ophelia quickly lunged herself at the injured beast and began to attack him using martial arts. With such a body made purely of steel, every hit felt like the weight of a mountain was to strike you down.

Eventually, the hat retracted back to Ophelia's head. As she grabbed the beast's foot and easily threw him back to the recovering brother. Knocking both out once again.

Then, using one hand to hold over the Titanic's great sword and pulled it towards the two Frostborn positions while still buried in the snow. Cutting through the surface and into the two bears in four halves without much effort.

All a while, Serana stood and watched in amazement as her master slain those primeval beasts who were nothing more than rubble to this Infinity Slayer.

"MASTER! BE-

Serana was interrupted as Ophelia quickly jumped high and she evaded the incoming Frostbone from behind her. Then using her power over her modified body of steel to land on the beast's head with immense speed. Killing him as she crushed its head with her feet down to its last bone fragments as ocen of blood gushed all over.

Another Frostbone dared to challenge the Infinity Slayer with his skin protected by a layer of ice shards.

Ophelia chuckled, as smaller disks made of steel spawned from her body were released and flew in the sky under her command.

She directed them to attack the bear. Breaking its armor one by one at unpredictable speed until the Frostbone bared him no protection.

Instead of finishing him off, Ophelia decided to flex her skills as she drew the disks back to her side. Redirecting their concave shape towards the beast axis.

“Fire....” She mumbled quietly as she clicked her fingers, summoning a barrage of heavy artillery explosions fired from their rounds from the disk at the Frostbone.

The explosion that blinded the foreign to obscurity. Fires that rained down the chill call of the snow, only to be replaced with a mountain of rubble and dust.

Explosions that resembled Fire Maiden powers. But it is revealed in unknown technology that no human can understand. A secret Ophelia learned over the past years she spent in isolation.

Such explosions caught Serana’s gaze. Not in amazement, but in horror. Such power can decimate and desecrate an entire city no less civilization in a second. Such scenery resembled that of her old friend who envisioned this dream that shall one day bring forth chaos into his world. Such a dream, she dreamt of a time when the world was molded in destruction.

Fear the old flame..... they say

And just like that, the entire arena was discreet into ashes of what's used to be here. From what teemed with life and nature, to a desolate burning ground as the air began to fall with dark clouds. Evident of firepower.

"Shame... I thought they were going to be more..." Ophelia sighed with disappointment.

Serana said nothing and kept silent. reflecting on her weakness. She should have known that the Frostborn wasn't alone. especially with the Hollowed Ones threat looming over the lands. They must be seeking shelter and safety, and where they stepped is the heart of their sanctuary, the mountains.

"Master....." Serana spoke in shame.

"This wasn't a trail...." Ophelia spoke amusingly as she turned her gaze towards Serana. "But an experiment to prove my theory...."

"Theory?' Serana asked in puzzlement. "About me?"

"About us all...." She slowly walked her way towards Serana. "Aren't you surprised you managed to hold such a blade on your own? you are still far from a professional metal bender."

"I honestly didn't think much. i simply acted on an instinct..." Serana said shockingly.

Ophelia chuckled as she walked past her and said cunningly;

"Do you know what they say about Nous?"

"Enlighten me..." Serana said sarcastically as she stood back on her feet in pain.

"Though he was born raident, he wields the dark soul of the man. A power that rivals every form this universe has to offer. a power that transcends beyond the void itself. and there is nothing more terrifying than that..." Ophaliea said while trembling.

"I don't... I don't understand...."

"You said you witnessed Bahamut in your dreams alongside other majestic scenery, yes?"

"Yeah?"

"And just so happen to manage to wield that sword regardless of your inexperience."

"Is it tied to that?! how?" Serana asked in excitement.

"A power that cannot be understood nor explained. a power that rivaled another form of magic....."

"Metal bending.... is a form of the dark soul of man?" Serana asked. "And my dream made me achieve that?"

"Nous allowed that...." Ophaliea began to speak in a psychotic tone. "You weren't the only one dreaming today of something beautiful."

"Huh?!"

"LOOK UPON YOU SERANA!" Ophelia raised her arm into the sky like a madman as she shouted. "Only once! we experience such power! only when a new Infinity Slayer joined the web of Nous! and ONLY WHEN HE FINDS A NEW CHAMPION!"

"Ma-Master?!"

"And those who have touched the grace of Nous shall all meet him! In his fire..... he is upon us... and await us:"

Umbra was destined for something greater from the moment he became an Infinity Slayer...

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