Chapter 12: Ajal; Shauran 20th, 344SR; 09:00

Ajal looked around the field, the center of Logos was a wide open plain of grass. His third eye scanned the strong spirits gathered within it. ‘A lot is going on here...’ Ajal looked past Alexander on the ground. Multiple people wore glossy white suits around the field, they were holding strange weaponry. Reinhardt struggled to his feet behind a short angel with black hair in white and red. George was busy trying to untie a man with short black hair, as a woman with blue hair and a blue robe kicked Sarah to the ground and put a sword to her throat. ‘Oh no you don’t!’ Ajal took off with a single step into a full sprint across the grass at the blue-haired warrior. He spun, dragged his feet through the grass, and then threw the scythe.

“Riva look out!” a short man in black yelled.

The blue-haired warrior looked up and raised her blade to block the scythe. The edge of the blade spun against her sword, sparks flew until her foot left the ground and the blade was knocked out of her left hand. Riva fell on her back, but she quickly jumped back up to recover. Ajal jumped forward at her with his leg raised.

The woman was just short of six feet, and the blade that landed in the dirt a short distance away from her was just as tall. Her blue hair was tied back in a long ponytail, big blue eyes, and an unflinching expression that brimmed with discipline. On her left shoulder was a blue robe that covered the sleeveless black top that hugged her body. Riva raised her right arm to block Ajal’s leg, a blue tattoo on her shoulder seemed to glow before Ajal landed his strike. His foot connected and she didn’t budge at all.

“Huh,” Ajal said as the woman held back his strike.

The tattoo of three stripes on her arm glowed a bright blue. Right before Ajal could pull away she grabbed his leg with the same arm, pivoted, and swung him away from where the blade landed. ‘What the hell...She didn’t seem that strong earlier?’ Ajal landed on the grass far away from her.

“That’s an interesting gift you got there...” Ajal said as he stood.

Riva quickly darted back to her blade and pulled it out of the ground. ‘That’s a long katana...’ Ajal observed the long silver blade, the blunt edge began to glow blue the moment she took it.

“Nice sword,” said Ajal.

Riva gritted her teeth as she collected her breath, her eyes locked on Ajal. She ducked down and charged back in with her blade in her right hand. Ajal conjured his scythe and spun it as she closed the distance. Riva kicked off the ground with her right foot, Ajal swung his staff the moment she swung her sword and the two clashed. A shock wave of force rippled through the air.

“Not a talker I guess, I’ll respect that. I didn’t expect to meet people who are this strong here,” Ajal complimented.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Riva kicked Ajal back with her left foot.

‘Why wasn’t that strike strong?’ Ajal pondered as he conjured a second scythe in his other hand.

Ajal brought both scythes downwards. Riva jumped, flipped in the air, and made a spinning slash that parried the strike. She absorbed the force of the impact and was knocked away, twirling in the air, landing on both feet, then staying low and watching Ajal’s next move carefully. ‘She’s taking me very seriously... That sword... Is that her gift? Or is it the tattoo? Both aren’t normal...’

“Assist the royal guard!” angels wearing glossy white suits charged in.

Riva charged in front of the angels. ‘That’s some cool armor... But it looks advanced?’ Ajal’s third eye opened and began to glow. The blue-haired swordsman took notice and she charged even faster, flipping her blade in her hand to strike with the glowing blue blunt end. ‘What?’

Ajal jumped backward and fired the purple beam at the approaching forces. Riva didn’t dodge, but instead, she swung the blunt end horizontally, creating a clean blue slice in the air that extended vertically into a blue rift. ‘Huh!’

The purple blast shot straight through the gate. Ajal stopped and the portal closed, the angels and Riva were unscathed as it lowered.

“Wow... That is one hell of a gift,” Ajal laughed.

The angels marched forward, their glossy white suits glowed green from within. They held iron staffs with green flames lit at both ends. They took heavy steps through the dirt and mechanical gears could be heard shifting within. Their arms and head were exposed, while their torso and legs had bulky armor. ‘I saw these suits earlier... At the angel’s warehouse...’

The thruster pack buzzed before the soldier in the front jumped high into the air. ‘Are those thrusters?’ the angel flew down at Ajal with his staff above his head. He swung down, Ajal charged his spirit as he spun his scythe, and Riva charged in from below. ‘I can’t budge her right side... but her kick from the left wasn’t as strong... I’ll aim for her left!’

“Take this!” the angel shouted.

Ajal swung the scythe and shattered his staff, pushing forward and slamming his armor. The angel’s head and legs bent forward. The staff crushed the glossy white armor, and a pained grunt escaped his breath as Ajal sent him flying toward Riva and the other soldiers. The hybrid swordswoman rolled under the soldier who collided with the other armored angels. As Riva exited her roll, Ajal closed the distance and swung his foot for her left side. She had to raise her left arm to block, grunting as the strike hit. ‘So that was the trick...’ Riva’s left side shoulder dislocated as she was launched by the kick.

“Ah!” Riva cried out in pain.

Ajal’s eyes widened as he heard a spark crackle behind him. as the sound came close he swung his leg back toward the noise only to see traces of green lightning left behind. The sparks trailed to Ajal’s wide-open back. ‘Shit-’ A flurry of punches suddenly struck him from behind, each sending a series of shocks through his body.

“Urgh!” Ajal grunted.

Riva popped her shoulder back into the socket, shutting her eyes and biting down on her sword handle as she did. She stood up weakly as she breathed out, shaking before charging in. ‘Damn... She’s tough…’

“Avery!” Riva called out.

“Riva! Strike now!” the ball of lightning ordered.

‘Is that a person?’ The green bolt of lightning continued to crackle as it circled Ajal. It stopped, and for a brief second the bolt took on the figure of a woman. In a flash, she charged in and swung her leg at Ajal. He blocked but the green sparks crackled through his body, stunning him in place. ‘Damn!’

Riva jumped up with her sword raised, intent to deliver a fatal slash. ‘Dark Abyss!’ The wave suddenly passed right over Riva and Avery. The green lightning vanished and so did Riva’s tattoo and blade.

Avery was a tall woman who had tan skin with short brown hair, bright green eyes, and round features. Unlike the other, she wore a brown robe over her shoulder ‘They seem to dress differently from angels...’ Her clothing underneath the robe revealed her muscular arms, legs, and abdomen.

The blue-haired warrior fell to the ground, Ajal spun his scythes and swung them into Avery. She blocked the scythe with her arms and tried to get in close. However, Ajal swung his foot up and kicked her in the chin. Avery just barely blocked in time, her eyes faded slightly from the hit. Ajal tucked the same foot in, and then pressed it into her stomach, launching her away.

“Agh!” Avery couched.

“My sword!” Riva uttered in shock as she looked at her empty hands.

“You’ll get it back,” Ajal said coldly as he grabbed Riva by the back of the collar.

The swordswoman’s eyes went wide as Ajal swung her into the air. Ajal pivoted, pulling her through the air and then whipping her at a house. Riva’s eyes were wide open as she crashed through the wall of a house. ‘Stay down...’

Avery landed on her back. Ajal closed the distance. He swung his fist down at her and she rolled to the left, his fist slammed into the dirt and launched debris in all directions. She pushed off the ground with her hands and landed on her feet. ‘Spirit Ignition...’ Ajal went for a direct jab to her stomach, and green bolts of lightning surrounded her palms, Avery took a stance with her hands held together and her feet planted on the ground.

Ajal swung his fist forward and Avery swung her hands in time to parry it. ‘Oh?’ With the momentum, she swung her leg at him. Ajal blocked, but as the foot connected she jumped forward and wrapped her other leg around Ajal’s head and arm. She swung her whole body to the left and pulled Ajal down with her. Ajal’s feet left the ground, she grasped the dirt and swung him with her legs at another house.

Ajal rolled against the ground, pushed off it, and landed on his feet. Avery was nowhere to be seen, a green spark crackled where she should’ve stood. A sudden strike to the top of his head disoriented him. The green lightning coursed through him at the same time, slicing at every part of him like sharp wires. ‘Rgh! That’s after effect is annoying!’ As Ajal’s head was lowered, two kicks struck his knee, and his stomach. His side ached, but he focused his spirit to take the blow. With his other hand, he conjured his black staff and thrust it into her stomach. She gasped as the wind was knocked out of her, her feet dragged against the grass as she held the staff.

“Ack! Gr!” Avery gritted her teeth.

She shoved the staff to the side and spun, she winded up a large kick. Ajal conjured the curving black blade of shadow at the end of his staff and pulled it backward. The blade sliced Avery’s waist and she cried out in pain, her teeth clenched and eyes widened as she was helpless while Ajal lifted his leg. ‘Spirit Ignition!’ Avery tried to block Ajal’s strike, she took the brunt of his kick and curled into a ball as she was launched backward, surrounding herself in lightning as she hit the ground and bounced off it and landed on her feet.

Ajal caught his breath, his head was numb, and his body still tingled from every hit coupled with lightning. Despite the pain, the divine being had a wide grin as blood dripped down his head. ‘I feel a little rusty... But this is kind of fun...’ Avery knelt on one knee as she caught her breath, she held her stomach as her bruised arms shook, and an excited smile spread across her face.

“What’s with that face? Just say it, you like to fight!” Ajal chuckled as he steadied his breaths.

“Man, I’ve never fought someone as strong as you. My name’s Avery, leader of the Monks of Welis... What’s your name?” Avery huffed.

“Ajal. The Divine Being of Imperion.”

“The what of what now?”

“Imperion is my home world, and every world possesses a divine being.”

“Homeworld... Divine beings? Am I one of them?” Avery tilted her head.

“No, not even close,” Ajal said nonchalantly.

“Oh?”

Avery gritted her teeth and ran forward, she jumped through the air and swung her leg down. Ajal spun and threw his leg up to counter, the two clashed and the buildings around them started to crack. She wrapped her legs around Ajal’s leg and spun her torso to the right, pulling Ajal downward to the ground again. ‘Another grapple-’ Avery let go of him, causing him to tumble forward. ‘Damnit, this one fights like a monkey!’

He quickly got up but Avery had already recovered her stance seconds ago. With both fists imbued with green lightning, she jabbed both directly into Ajal’s chest and sent a stunning pulse through him. Crackles of violent energy coursed through him once again, but Ajal was getting used to it. She jumped forward and kicked him in the chest with both feet, Ajal blocked but was knocked onto his back by the force of the kick. ‘She’s using Spirit Control...’

Avery flipped backward in the air as she brought the back of her leg down on him. Ajal focused his spirit into his forearm, as he got to his feet and blocked. The force of the kick pushed Ajal’s feet against the ground, his spirit arts helped control the impact. ‘Focus!’ Ajal breathed in and focused his spirit. Avery’s eyes widened as she tried to combo her strike with two more kicks. ‘Spirit Ignition!’ Ajal parried her strike with his wrist, igniting his spirit at the same time and making her lose balance.

“You know Arken’s Chambers! How?!” she asked as she saw an aura come off Ajal.

His spirit continuously drew into the center of his body, until shadows began to appear out of his skin.

“This guy can-!” Avery tried to pull her foot away but Ajal grabbed her leg.

Ajal spun, dragging her through the air before he whipped her away as well. Avery flew for several seconds, crashed into one of the surrounding houses, and was lost behind the brown rubble and grey smoke.

“Avery!” Riva cried as she quickly ran to her sword and picked it up.

Ajal was out of breath as he observed the swordswoman approach again. Riva gritted her teeth as she stood between Ajal and where Avery was thrown. ‘They just keep getting back up... Why are they fighting anyway...’

“Stay back demon!” Riva shouted.

“I’m not even walking toward you or trying to have this fight... How many times have I been called a demon today...” Ajal muttered nonchalantly. “Why are you fighting anyway?”

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“I will cut off your head!” Riva hissed.

“Wow... I’m genuinely curious... Why are you fighting?” Ajal asked once more before Riva charged forward with her blade. “Ugh...” Ajal sighed as he dodged the edge of her slash.

Just as the blade moved past she changed the direction of the strike and swung the opposite way. ‘She has good control of that huge sword...’ Ajal looked carefully at the edge of the blade as it approached him, he focused his spirit into his palm and caught the blade.

“How- dammit!” Riva put both hands on the handle and grunted.

Ajal focused his spirit and held the blade firm. She struggled to pull her blade free of Ajal’s hand but was putting up a good fight. ‘She isn’t using Spirit Arts though... Odd... Is it not taught to all of them? What’s that about?’

Riva gritted her teeth. “What are you after!”

She stepped forward and tried to kick Ajal in the waist to free her blade, but he didn’t budge. Riva’s eyebrows raised as he just took the hit.

“That’s a good question... I don’t think I’m the villain here. Why were you attacking the town before I was even here?” Ajal asked.

Riva paused for a moment with wide eyes, “We weren’t-!”

“I don’t understand why you do the things you do, but...” Ajal pulled Riva closer as she tried to rip her blade away. “These people deserve better, whether or not they were chosen by the Celestial!” Ajal shouted.

Riva’s eyes went wide, and her grip loosened.

“At least you know when you’re wrong,” Ajal commended.

He pulled Riva’s blade forward again and struck her stomach with his fist, she dropped onto her knees and coughed. Ajal raised his foot above her head and kicked her down.

“Riva!” Ajal heard someone behind him.

A short black-haired man ran forward and grasped the handle of the greatsword on his back. He wore a similar robe to Avery and Riva, however not brown or blue, but gray.

“Damnit... Another one,” Ajal groaned as he turned to see the black-haired man jump forward a great distance.

Ajal took Riva’s blade off the ground and used it to deflect the short man’s curved greatsword. Ajal knocked him backward through the air before he landed a short distance away on his feet, he stood straight and rested the blunt edge of the blade on his shoulder.

“Now I’m confused... You didn’t use spirit arts there, yet you jumped that far,” Ajal commented.

“I’m confused too, I don’t know what that is... And you just grabbed a fang of Ginpa without being harmed... Who are you?” he asked with a chuckle.

Ajal looked down at his hand, the handle of the blade burned his skin as he held it. “How many times do I have to tell you all my name is Ajal before you remember?” he let go of the blade as it began to sear at his skin.

“My name is Rolo, I heard your exchange earlier, the divine being of Imperion... I’ve read about the divine being before... I assumed it was just some myth...” Rolo answered as he readied to jump once more. “I don’t know what Spirit Arts are, but we hybrid clans are gifted with an oath to the demigods of Hiria. Ginpa’s fangs, Goku’s lightning, mine, Ophi’s grace... “ Rolo balanced the tip of his curved sword on his pinky. “Ophi’s grace allows me to remove the weight of any object,” Rolo explained.

‘Lighten any weight? That explains how he jumped so far earlier... He lightened himself- wait, why is he telling me this?’

“You’re talkative... You should give the blue-haired girl some tips on being social...” Ajal replied.

“I’m afraid I’m not being social, I do like to talk... But, I am actually buying time,” Rolo concluded as he dashed forward while he effortlessly twirled his curved greatsword in hand.

‘Time?’ Ajal pondered as thunder struck the houses behind him. ‘Ugh...’ A spinning weapon flew forward out of the rubble with a trail of green lightning on its edge. Ajal conjured both scythes and used one to block Rolo, and the other to block the projectile. However the projectile curved in mid air, and struck his leg, a ripple of green lightning coursed through him. ‘Ah! A boomerang?!’ Ajal couldn’t move for a moment. Rolo took the opportunity and slammed his palm into Ajal’s chest.

Ajal was surprised as he felt his legs leave the floor, as he descended to the ground he noticed that he seemed to glide. ‘He can even lighten other people!’ Before Ajal could hit the floor he noticed a green light dart underneath him in a single second. He looked down to see Avery with glowing green eyes, her right hand tucked in as she held a stance. She had an enraged look on her face as she slammed her lightning-clad fist into his back.

“Ah! Damn!” Ajal grunted and grit his teeth as he felt the shock once more, he flew back up into the sky.

Sparks coursed through him repeatedly and made his nerves numb. ‘I can’t get hit by that! Dark Abyss!’ Ajal’s third eye flashed and the sky around him went grey, in a second, the blue sky flooded back over it and he began to descend at normal speed. The abyss from his third eye didn’t touch the two clan leaders. Ajal looked down at the ground and saw the green lightning crackle and dance across the field before it made its way underneath where he fell.

“Shura’s array! First form!” Avery chanted ferociously.

‘Shit... She’s going to try and keep me in the air!’ The green light glowed brighter as bolts of lightning scorched the ground. Ajal heard a thunderous growl above him, he looked up to see green lightning spark in the clouds.

“What the…” Ajal uttered.

“Thunder Clap Smash!” Avery yelled as Ajal fell into her range.

Ajal tried to shield his face from the bolt of lightning. It struck him and forced him straight down to the ground where Avery slammed her fist into his side the moment before he hit the ground. Ajal clenched his teeth from the pain, he was hit from two angles and he could only block one with his Spirit Control. Ajal crashed into the ground, green sparks crackled over his body. ‘Dammit... Ah- That hurt!’ Ajal coughed out blood, and the wound under his chest began to ache ‘Ah! She hit my scar... Really?! Of all the places!’ Ajal wiped the blood from his mouth and stood up.

“Arthur! What the hell! He was open and you just stood there!” Rolo shouted.

Ajal turned to see the noble from earlier, he was looking directly back at him with wide eyes. ‘That guy has been staring at me like that since I got here...’ Ajal heard the thunderous cracks circle around him. Avery charge back in, but before her strike landed Ajal caught her fist and stopped her movement. Her eyes glowed a bright green while the green lightning sparked through her body. Avery tried to pull away, but Ajal simply tightened his grip on her hand.

“You’ve been a pain in the ass, but I guess that ability is tiring,” Ajal analyzed.

Avery looked up and she saw his third eye open, his hand was engulfed in a pitch-black aura. ‘Heart of Darkness.’ The green bolts around Avery started to react violently, they were suddenly dyed a deep black.

“What the!” Avery grunted. “Ah!”

Avery tried to pull away but couldn’t as the tainted ether started to travel into Ajal’s body instead. The black lightning didn’t injure Ajal but instead hurt her. She struggled to get away, but Ajal didn’t loosen his grip.

“You really shouldn’t use elemental abilities against me... Or anyone capable of black magic really,” Ajal recommended nonchalantly.

Ajal smiled as he pulled his hand away, sparks of black lightning coursed through his arm. Avery’s wide eyes were no longer bright green.

“You... You took my lightning- my gift!” Avery stuttered in fear as she looked at Ajal with wide eyes.

She took a step back as Ajal raised his hand into the air.

“Avery get back!” Rolo cried.

“Tempest Clap!” Ajal roared, Avery and Rolo’s eyes widened seconds before the impact flashed a bright white.

Ajal slammed his palm into the ground and a massive field of black lightning exploded outwards around him. The center of the field was engulfed in a massive explosion that filled with smoke and dust. Avery and Rolo were both hit by the black lightning, the two of them grunted as the energy coursed through them. Sarah raised her arms as the cloud of dust and smoke approached but Ajal ran out of the smoke instead, his right sleeve was burned off up to his shoulder and his coat burned.

“W-wow... Woah!” said Sarah.

Ajal scooped her up and ran toward George, he knelt and effortlessly lifted the large man as easily as he lifted Sarah.

“We need to get out of here!” Ajal ordered as he looked around the area.

“Get out? But Ajal you won?”

“Those two over there... I can go and get Reinhardt but who are they? Friends?” Ajal asked as he looked at two black-haired men in the distance.

“Them? That’s the Rodrick brothers... They are in the resistance, yeah... Wait... Why are we running... You looked like you were winning?” Sarah asked as Ajal set her and George down.

“Go and get those two and George to the south of town, Jack and John should be there... I’ll get Reinhardt... Just go, I got you covered. There’s definitely more people showing up, and those three we’re already a pain to deal with,” Ajal explained.

He conjured a scythe before he ran forward across the field. The one from earlier who wore a white coat with red stripes stood between Ajal and Reinhardt. He was short and appeared to be in his early twenties, on his chest was the insignia of a dragon coiled around a spear. His clothes looked like Alexander’s, but the colors were red instead of green. ‘This one looks like an angel!’ Ajal raised his scythe as he ran towards him. ‘Huh?’ Ajal saw his blank expression as he approached, the angel stepped aside. ‘Huh…’ Ajal was confused, he glanced at him as he ran past. The man didn’t even stare back. Reinhardt was on the ground behind him, still breathing.

“Yo, Reinhardt!” Ajal looked down at the unconscious man.

“Ajal... Are they... Safe?” Reinhardt uttered, Ajal smiled as he knelt.

“Yeah, they’re fine... Let’s go, we’re getting out of here....” Ajal lifted Reinhardt onto his shoulder.

As Ajal stood he heard heavy steps coming from his left, he turned to notice a large pale fist coming toward the other side of his head. ‘Huh!?’ The fist slammed against Ajal’s cheek, and the punch sent him and Reinhardt tumbling. Ajal’s face throbbed in pain as he fell over. ‘What the!’ Ajal looked back before he hit the ground and rolled against the grass, Reinhardt tumbled a short distance away and started to cough as he looked up.

Alexander Rael stood on both feet, his shirt was gone. Ajal froze. ‘Hold on... What...’ Ajal looked puzzled as he looked at Alexander’s arms, they were once again attached, but now paler than the rest of his body.

“Wait, wait...” Ajal’s thoughts began to race for a moment.

‘He healed? Was that his gift? Then what about the sword he conjured... And the flames... It’s almost like...’ Ajal’s eyes went wide as he realized something he had only given some thought to earlier.

“Ugh... Ajal? My head…” Reinhardt struggled to his feet.

“Reinhardt… Run…” Ajal’s third eye opened and he conjured his scythe into his hand.

“What? Why?” Reinhardt looked up. “Oh... Shit,” Reinhardt looked up and saw Alexander’s maddened eyes, veins on his forearms glowed green.

‘That punch was mainly raw strength... Then it’s possible that this guy-’ Ajal quickly put his guard up as Alexander’s body ignited with green flames. He charged forward in a wild sprint toward Ajal.

“Reinhardt! Get to the south part of the town!” Ajal ordered and put his fists up as Alexander charged directly at him and lunged at him.

Ajal dodged backward. ‘I’ll send you flying again!’ Ajal focused his spirit on his foot and kicked Alexander in the head. As his kick landed, Alexander was knocked off his feet but he stumbled a short distance. The moment Ajal put his foot back down Alexander charged in once more. ‘What the-’

Ajal knocked away one hand, then focused his spirit into his fist and slammed it into Alexander’s stomach, the large man tumbled backward but pressed forward once again. ‘Okay...’ Ajal tried to block once more but Alexander grasped his hands and swung him above his head ‘The fuck-’ Alexander threw Ajal down, his back slammed into the ground and he felt every organ in his body rattle with the impact.

‘Dammit... Something is different about this guy!’ Ajal jumped to his feet only to see Alexander’s pale fist. Ajal raised his arms to block it, but he winced as his forearms ached. His feet dragged through the dirt.

“Ajal!” Alexander shouted as he continued his onslaught.

The enraged noble swung his fists violently at Ajal, who was now on the defensive. ‘His hits are getting heavier... No... The more I damage him he’s getting stronger...’ Ajal analyzed as he continued to block the strikes, he focused his spirit into the palm of his hand the moment Alexander’s strikes hit.

Ajal danced across the field dodging and evading Alexander’s strikes, he focused his spirit intently on where Alexander would strike to minimize the damage. ‘Is this guy even conscious? He’s just swinging randomly!’ Ajal adjusted to the flow of Alexander’s attacks. ‘I might have to hit him a bit harder than I already did... Should I use my Spirit Bloom?’ Ajal thought about it. ‘It’d kill him... No...’ Ajal felt the wind leave his lungs as Alexander shoved his foot into his stomach. ‘Damnit! Do I even have the luxury of holding back right now? Just end this right now... No! I vowed after Anor that I wouldn’t do it! I won’t kill ever again!’

Ajal noticed Alexander reach outwards and his greatsword appeared in his hand, he jumped forward and swung it down towards Ajal. ‘He isn’t just swinging randomly, each hit has all of his strength behind it! You really are strong. How did someone as despicable as you become so strong...’ Ajal jumped backward and turned before he ran at full speed toward a house. He focused his spirit on his foot, igniting and jumping straight to the roof. Ajal looked down to see Alexander jump directly toward him.

‘Woah!’ Ajal kicked off the roof and dodged backward. Ajal looked down at the battle-scarred field which was once the town center of Logos as he fell through the air, the three hybrids from earlier were unconscious, and the field had been cleared of people. Ajal stopped as he saw someone in the distance hiding in between the houses near the south part of Logos.

‘Isn’t that... Jack? What is he-’

“Raaah!” Alexander roared, demanding Ajal’s attention once more.

The noble slammed his greatsword into the ground and a massive pillar of flame erected into the sky, it was much larger than the last time. Ajal was out of the range of the blast that engulfed the northwest houses in Logos. The heat was intense, Ajal felt dehydrated from the constant fighting and heat. Another explosion from within the pillar blew outwards, and balls of green flame descended upon the houses in Logos.

“This guy won’t give me a moment-” Ajal saw a fireball fly toward the hybrids from earlier.

‘Shit!’ Ajal charged forward and his third eye opened and began to glow purple, he fired the blast at the fireball which flew at them and it was blown away. Ajal’s third eye closed as he panted, his body felt exhausted, and his shoulder was numb from being stabbed earlier.

“Why did... Why would you? What...” Rolo stuttered.

He turned to see the short man on one knee struggle to stand, Ajal turned back to the pillar of fire.

“Just stay down please...” Ajal asked.

Alexander walked out of the smoke with his blade in hand, green flames leaked out of his skin.

“Alexander!” the angel who didn’t attack earlier shouted. “Extinguish these flames! You’re burning Logos to the ground!”

“Shut up Arthur!” Alexander suddenly snapped. “This isn’t even the battle we’ve prepared for... This isn’t even why the Celestial chose us... After all these years... And you dare take the insult of having this fool defeat all of us! I refuse... I will win!” Alexander declared. “And you... You’ve done nothing but stand there and shake in your boots Arthur Pendragon! I knew you had no right to call yourself a noble! You’re nothing but a pale imitation of Shinra!”

‘These two don’t seem to like each other very much...’ Ajal started to focus his spirit on the center of his body.

“Watch... Noble of House Pendragon! Clan leaders of Hiria! Watch as I, Alexander Rael vanquish this heathen.” Alexander pointed his sword at Ajal.

‘It’s a good thing that Arthur guy isn’t attacking... I don’t know why... Come to think of it... Wasn’t he the one with Jack when I woke up?’

Ajal’s body continued to store spirit at the exact center of his body as he charged toward Alexander who raised his blade to strike. ‘One hit... I’ll end this in one hit...’ Ajal dodged the strike of the blade and dashed past Alexander.

“You dare try to run from me!” Alexander turned and chased after Ajal.

‘I’ll focus all my spirit to a single point, striking him with it like a cannon... If he can heal… He should be fine…’ Ajal turned as Alexander ran forward, swinging the greatsword horizontally. Ajal tried to dodge backward but the blade came for his nose. He turned his head slightly to the left in time for the sword to just barely graze his cheek. The cut burned slightly.

Ajal stumbled, lost his balance, and fell on his back. He could see wisps of smoke close to his eye coming from the burning cut. ‘His sword is like a heated blade!’ Alexander raised his foot and it ignited in a green flame as he stomped down on Ajal. He blocked it with his arms but the flames still burned him. Ajal shoved the foot off and tried to make some distance but Alexander barely budged before he charged back in.

‘This guy is relentless!’ Ajal jumped back to dodge another strike. Ajal felt his spirit overflow, as his back hit the wall of a house. He immediately dodged to the left as Alexander stabbed his blade through the wooden wall. He dragged the blade through the wood and swung the sword through the wall, the chips scratched at Ajal as he jumped away from the blade.

“What’s wrong?! Are you already out of strength? Damn weakling!” Alexander mocked as he swung violently at Ajal.

Alexander swung the blade, cleaving at Ajal and launching him backward. He felt his arm throb as the blade hit him, and blood leaked out of it immediately. Ajal flew backward and his back dragged against the dirt. He got to his feet, took a deep breath, and focused as a deep gash in his hand dripped blood.

“Die!” Alexander yelled as he jumped into the air and swung his sword downwards.

“Imperial Battle Arts!” Ajal chanted as he focused his spirit behind him.

To Ajal’s surprise, a bright green light suddenly soared through the sky behind Alexander. Alexander noticed the light approach from behind. It burst into green flames. Alexander quickly shielded himself from the explosion with his back turned to Ajal. ‘Now!’ Ajal felt his spirit burst through his hand as he charged. Ajal threw his fist forward and jabbed with all his strength, driving his hand straight into Alexander’s back.

“Cannon!” Ajal roared as he dashed forward and ignited his spirit.

“Aah!” Alexander’s scream echoed across Logos.

The noble looked down, Ajal’s hand went directly through the center of his upper abdomen and out the other side. Blood spilled out of Alexander’s mouth. Ajal put his foot on his back, and then shoved him off, releasing his arm. Alexander fell on all fours and coughed up an ample amount of blood onto the dirt, the droplets splashed into the pile that collected under him, and blood leaked from the hole in his stomach. The flames that burned the houses of Logos crackled as the battlefield became silent.