Next Time (1)

Stomp.

Wielding another Mortal sword in his left hand, Ciemnosc stomped on the ground with his left foot as his body was indeed jumping in the air towards them, but with some sort of spin while he took the second Mortal weapon from his Covert Space bag. All the couple could see as they joined hands to stand beside each other was how an additional 'long arm' appeared on the opposite side where his Mortal sword already was.

“Oh shit,” Niloi was looking at the semi quickly approaching Ciemnosc, who seemed to make some artistic spins in the air while coming towards them. Helala noticed the change in his stance, and just as she was going to remind him to put it together, she noticed his scared, surprised eyes, “What is it?”

She asked, but Niloi took some time to respond. Instead, he very quickly and with such grand precision began to fill up the compartments for feeding Power Energy to his tools directly with a small fragment of an Inferior Powerful Stone, not replacing but simply adding them with the even smaller fragment already in those compartments. “It’s Ciemnosc, I think he, he… He has 2 fucking Mortal swords or blades, 2 Mortal weapons!”

“Oh shit, we- wait… another?!” Helala directly reacted confused, her neck hiding as she uttered out lightly. But once she understood the meaning behind those words, she looked at Niloi’s face once more before shockingly yelling. Then, Niloi grabbed her left hand with his right hand, and both their wrists began emanating flames and ice with Helala making use of her left-handed rapier as Niloi said back. “Another.”

Whoosh… whoosh, whoosh- swish swish, tsshiank- craank. Fwooshh- clankk.

Ciemnosc’s body closed in on them at this moment as the couple gave each other a last glance before returning their seriousness and becoming even more serious to look at Ciemnosc. But they first heard large and quickly approaching rapid wind sounds and before they knew it, they were facing Ciemnosc and his two actual Mortal swords with just their tools and a 2-in-1 Mortal grade weapon.

Helala’s face hardened as she fought for their survival, her rapiers almost becoming like a pair of antennas as they aimed forwards, and ice covered her front fully, forming several thin layers of ice that yet seemed distinct from the ones that Ciemnosc broke open before. In a whirlwind fashion, but with much stability to speak of, they came out from the middle of her rapiers.

But with this, her two forearms and the whole bodies of her 2 rapiers were all covered in a thick and crystal-like layer of ice, still revealing the image of those wrapped up by the ice but making it look like she got herself hurt. While she was indeed not really able to move.

Niloi’s face became harsher and more determined as Ciemnosc approached, the bracelets and gauntlets in his hands and forearms were spitting flames like never before, and he himself felt the enormous heat and fire scorching through his well protected skin like never before; as well.

Flames went on whirlwinds as they forced their way forwards and illuminated both of them, the fire was incredibly close to the ice on his right, but neither the ice nor the flames were interrupted or neutralizing each other, at least not directly and even as they made contact while whirling ‘together’. While in the center of such flames was a tongue of flames that seemed to take the shape of a cannonball but also of what seemed to be a mini shield.

Ciemnosc’s swords arrived fast though, and other than insanely powerfully by the mere fact that it was a Mortal sword even if it wasn’t used properly by a mere Phrenic realm 10th stage, there was a heaviness to the strength from Ciemnosc, and a kind of most natural and utterly, disastrously mightiness behind his arms that made both Helala and Niloi retreat a couple of steps without even lifting their feet.

As the dirt under their feet was caved in and the grass they stepped on and backwards on was futilely destroyed, they saw Ciemnosc’s body on the other side as his left-handed sword went through several strange thin layers of ice before actually becoming stuck at some point. His right-handed sword passed through the flames unobstructed and was instead blocked by a metallic substance, one that had some extra support from another source.

“Ugh…” - “Kgah!” Helala became sluggish as she felt the incredible power from Ciemnosc’s blow, it wasn’t a direct hit, and her effort ended up successfully blocking the hack from Ciemnosc’s sword. But as a young woman and as a cultivator that practiced Water element related abilities, she could only last so much holding the 8,000 kg of arm strength alone added up with the use of a Mortal graded weapon; it was only a good thing that it wasn’t a blunt weapon.

Meanwhile, Niloi received the direct hit himself. But at least he also managed to block it altogether, even though he was just a young man and a cultivator who practiced with Fire element related abilities despite not having such affinity with the Fire element himself that even in the future he still had to depend on tools and Mortal weapons to really use flames in the first place.

It was the same for him, Ciemnosc’s 8,000 kg arm strength was too much for him to handle, and he should’ve had his tool broken, his arms severed up as his right arm was right under and behind his left arm that directly suffered the brunt of the hack from Ciemnosc’s sword. But identically as with Helala’s ice, the flames that had danced around his bracelets and gauntlets and to his front had somehow made his tools one of a kind connected to what little bit of the Fire element he could muster in just this little bit of strength.

Considering Ciemnosc’s natural battle prowess, which was impossible no matter who or how one thought about it if Ciemnosc was actually in the Spirit Gathering realm and even if it was just the 1st stage, Helala, and Niloi were sure that they wouldn’t be able of resisting these attacks even when using the very best of what they had and more.

Fwoooffghh… Shilaaannkkrrkrkr…

Both flames and ice began to meet each other, not only just working together to move to the front and temporarily letting the nature of these 2 Element based moves not conflict with each other, though that was only due to their incredibly low level; really.

As both his swords were stuck in the ice and the flames, Ciemnosc moved not one bit, even as he very well could. He remained still, even as the flames from his right began to try to cruelly and slithery invade his personal space and cover the left side of his body, even as the ice on his left lunged and lunged at him to the right side of his body.

And from both sides, the already existent flames that weren’t being convoked and the ice that had his left sword stuck in-between also began to, little by little, creep forwards and towards Ciemnosc’s arms.

“...” - “...?” As they watched Ciemnosc be engulfed by both new and old ice and flames, losing more and more of their Power Energy for that matter. But then, they slowly began to feel their eyes unavoidably widen further and furthermore without any chance to stop it.

Crr, crackle, shrilaankk…

Ice and flames began covering Ciemnosc’s head, already having engulfed his shoulders and back, his right side had ice, while flames reflected on that ice as they slowly started to make contact, but the ice didn’t seem to be finished with solidifying and the flames seemed to have found where holes lied as if they had a life of their own. Looking for those holes, the fire became as thin as a needle and in the shape of the same, before beginning to enter the ice.

On his left, as his body was being bathed in always-moving orange-yellow flames, looking as if Ciemnosc simply had a brand new layer of effects on his clothes, on his body, smallish pillar-structures of ice projected from the larger body of ice already created at first. The ice wasn’t as strong as the thin layers that had stopped his left sword from advancing. However, whenever those ‘tendrils’ of ice made contact with the moving flames…their melted drops began to fuse with the fire.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

‘In…genious.’ Even though Ciemnosc was not in the mood at these moments, and as he pretty much was really serious, he still couldn’t help looking at these happenings with an open mind and even studied it a little bit. The results he got as he watched both sides of his body and the methods they used, though it was even below basic, let alone elementary, were still…incredible.

“Now!” - “Now!” At a moment later, just as they were showing panicked eyes and felt as if someone was pulling on their most delicate hairs connected to their skin as if they were about to tear up seeing Ciemnosc not showing even the slightest of discomfort from being covered by such powerful methods - let alone showing signs of being hurt…both Helala and Niloi shouted at the same time before suddenly letting go of the connection they had with all ice and flames!

Jumping backwards, they could see as the ice and flames became as if quelled and inactive for a moment, but then as if mother nature had taken over and was fond of this happening just as they had watched in all of their previous attempts. As the ice then became overly active. Even began to increase in proportions…and enhanced to levels they couldn’t achieve even if they were to breakthrough into the Conflagrate realm and up to its peak.

Even the Power Energy from both their part and from the Powerful Stone began to be consumed by mother nature, somewhat ignoring Ciemnosc who was in the middle of all of this. As of right now, Ciemnosc’s body was actually fully engulfed by a much larger coverage of ice than his own height, looking more like a comical cone of ice with tentacles spreading all around with little flames dancing within them

And in the core of all that, Ciemnosc was still visualizing everything around him. Just as he was done with watching, just as he was just thinking about using his dark Power Energy and getting away from this precarious situation that was quickly becoming chaotic with the flames and ice seemingly becoming so ultimately unstable…he saw it…

From all around him, but mostly right in front and above him, in the middle of the deepest, dark blue night, a kind of ‘force’ that was everywhere yet unnoticeable by even himself before - now appeared to manifest all around him mostly at his front though.

Watching this ‘force’ appear before him, like this, for the first time; Ciemnosc suddenly felt as if he was suddenly comprehending many, even diminutive; things.

His darkest eyes were as if dancing along the ‘force’ outside of the cocoon of ice, that was also somehow inside, and somehow…Ciemnosc also began to feel as if he could see this ‘force’ everywhere. And even in his memories, he just literally had the feeling of now knowing where it was and how it was put to work at any moment, even as it seemed to be always dormant but never dormant at the same time.

It was as if, just because of him seeing this ‘force’ appear right in front of him and as such developing his knowledge in some totally intrinsically complex manner. Something…had awakened within him; him.

…BOOOM!!!!

WHOOOOSH WHOOOOOSH WHOOOOOOOOOSH!! RUMBLE RUMBLE RUUMMMBLE~!

“!!!?” - “Kyahh~!!” Just as Niloi and Helala were beginning to stop on their run as they were arriving at the limits of what the huge explosion was always about, much earlier than ever and in a heavenly, out of this world kind of way that didn’t give them any iota of time to react to and let alone to prepare to endure - their backs were totally instantly struck by something even way before they could hear the everything-destroying sound behind them.

The only thing they could tell was the reality they knew of, and that they were still alive as well as still having an opportunity to live on was their pain and extreme shock as Niloi could only feel his face growing really terrified now while Helala emitted a delicate and light scream before they both fell face first against the ground.

With the impulse from the… whatever the hell was that kind of explosion from just now, they became unconscious for even a few minutes just by hitting their foreheads— and whole faces —on the ground despite being cultivators.

…whooosh, whoosh, whoosh…

… It was only after a few seconds of having woken up that both of them managed to wake up, slowly and with a struggle, as they instantly went over with their hands toward where they last sensed their partner. As their hands moved panicky all around, they found each other, their shoulders relaxing and their heads that were looking down slowly being lifted while kneeling over to each other’s side.

Only by doing that did they realize what kind of a fuck up they made, with every single thing in their surroundings being that of dirt flying around, as if they were no longer in the world that they knew of. It was a completely strange and never before seen kind of result and reaction.

Dirt flew around as if this was the middle and deep in some large body of water and for some reason, there were strong currents going on about. They were marveled, but more than anything, they were terrified looking all around them while they moved to stand up on their feet while holding each other’s hand and leaning on each other’s bodies.

“We- we didn’t kill him, right?” Helala spoke at a certain point, calmness returning to them as the dark all around was decreasing, showcasing that the- this strange event… was finally coming to an end; hopefully.

“... Ciemnosc? … …Ciemnosc?!” Niloi couldn’t respond to that. Was there anyone ever who could survive, let alone resist, such a… such a ‘something’?! Nevertheless, he continued shouting out with his lungs out, “Ciemnosc!! If you hear me, can we talk now?! I think it’s over for you if you don’t receive medical attention. Just let us-”

Step- whistle, whoosh- pam pam, thud thud- swish swish, tak tak, swish swish… trickle trickle.

Just as Niloi was in the middle of his words, just as he was frowning not knowing where to even direct his voice as he wasn’t able to use his Power Energy now, definitely not after witnessing and realizing what kind of shit they’ve made; let alone knowing if Ciemnosc was even alive or not… A mere sound of a step was heard, which would’ve been normal on any other occasion, but was immeasurably scary just at these moments!

What followed next was the whittling sounds of sharp objects making their way towards them, Helala and Niloi both tried to sacrifice themselves for the other, placing themselves before the other, but it was Niloi at the last moment that made her stand behind him and who was about to push her towards the ground in order to save her.

Drop, drop drop, drop drop…

It was at that moment that all movement and strange empty sounds from the dirt ‘flowing like water’ in the air all around them fell, everywhere except where they besides another few spots within the ‘flowing dirt’; but that was also the moment that they barely saw a shadow move towards them with such speed it even scared them. But it was mostly due to them having weakened.

Two kicks for each person, one on Niloi’s upper back, making his face contort in pain and close his eyes as he felt his spine being pardoned yet still becoming hurt from that kick. And Helala received it on her left shoulder, with that kick being careful enough not to crush her heart with the broken bones all over her left shoulder and even a couple of ribs added up.

Falling on the ground, together instead of just Helala as Niloi had planned it before, like rag dolls; they then felt more pain on their bum as they looked up, just in time to feel the tip of a sword puncture right at the middle of their throats. It didn’t penetrate through, only leaving a gap open with blood beginning to trickle down their throats.

The next moment, however, they felt a cold substance placed at their left and right jugular with respect to Ciemnosc’s right and left-handed swords. Looking up at him, they could see his bare torso and his barely covered pants, wearing no shoes and the only thing that remained untouched was his hair for that matter, as there were some brutal injuries here and there.

Ciemnosc stood in front of them, in the middle of each person’s shins, with his knees visible bleeding as a large hole was opened and revealed quite the anatomy. His lower abdomen, to his sides, were fleshless, let alone skinless, and some of his ribs were revealed, while his chest could almost reveal his sternum right at the center with his collarbone also showing its bone.

Though the Elements that went off didn’t seem to damage Ciemnosc in the slightest, there was still the Power Energy from both Niloi and Helala that remained within the flames and ice that wasn’t fully overtaken by mother nature.

When the explosion occurred, while Ciemnosc’s body did fly away like crazy, it was those remnants of Power Energy that cruelly lunged at his body and struck down his body, severely putting it in danger for almost a deadly encounter. But with his dark Power Energy and his All-Devouring Force Chronicles going at full motor, it became just an ugly wound instead.

And while he was within the natural…explosion of something, seemingly of the respective Elements colliding, Ciemnosc even somewhat healed up instead, but it didn’t last long at all.

Now, as both Helala and Niloi could see Ciemnosc’s body so up close, they saw how his injuries seemed to slowly heal up little by little, almost indiscernible to the naked eye of a cultivator. When they lifted their heads, all they saw was a calm pair of eyes from Ciemnosc, no longer ravenously trying to vent to them or something.

They both slowly stood up, careful to not show any dumb, sudden, and silly movements on their part while facing Ciemnosc. Niloi seemed to have things to say, but as he saw through Ciemnosc’s eyes, he felt as if whatever he said would become the unnecessary words of a conversation; hence, there was not a single word that wasn’t needed to be heard - thankfully.

…