BloodLust's attack crashed into Marshmallow like a meteor in free fall. The Eternity Blade, seemingly liquid but solid as diamond, sliced through the air as Marshmallow simultaneously raised the Supernova Titan Hammer and the Titanic Sword of Flames. Metal clashed against the pure energy of BloodLust's weapon, generating an ear-splitting clang that shook the arena walls.

The impact's force hurled Marshmallow back a dozen meters, but he managed to recompose himself almost instantly, landing in a perfect guard position.

What kind of monster was BloodLust? Marshmallow wondered, trying not to let the shock of that superhuman display of strength show. An evil genius like him would have a real shot at realizing his insane plan. The most shocking thing was that BloodLust had revealed his intentions to the whole world, given that they were on global broadcast. He certainly wasn't stupid, and such brazenness could only mean he was confident he could carry out his project.

There was no doubt. If BloodLust won the Survivor Game, he'd have the power to transform all of humanity into a mass of minds trapped in an illusion of omnipotence.

Marshmallow felt he couldn't allow it. So he spun, using the momentum to deliver a powerful strike with the Titanic Sword of Flames. The blade ignited instantly and cut through the air with a hiss. BloodLust moved with almost supernatural elegance, undulating as if performing a deadly dance. The blow ended up barely grazing him, burning a few strands of his blue hair.

"Not bad," BloodLust commented, executing a backflip to create distance between them. "But you're still too slow." With a wave of his hand, almost nonchalantly, BloodLust unleashed a barrage of energy projectiles towards Marshmallow. They were intensely blue spheres, similar in appearance to the Eternity Blade, but smaller and more concentrated. They moved at an impressive speed, leaving luminous trails in the air.

Marshmallow reacted on instinct, whirling the Supernova Titan Hammer in front of him like a shield. The projectiles shattered against the metal with the force of cannonballs.

Shit, what power!

Each impact made his arms tremble. Marshmallow was forced to retreat more and more. Taking advantage of this brief pause in the assault, Marshmallow decided to investigate. "Why?" he asked, out of breath. "Why did you make sure I got stronger instead of killing me right away? It would have been easier. Now I can hold my own against you."

BloodLust laughed, twirling the Eternity Blade between his fingers as if it were a toy. "Remember when they told you I was in the vicinity of Gear Savannah?" He began. "I actually was. I observed you for a long time, but I decided not to kill you right away. I wanted to see how far you'd push yourself in your growth, and I didn't think you'd make it this far. I wanted an equal opponent, after all this is a game, right? If there are no opponents at your level, it's impossible to really have fun. I wanted your growth. I wanted this fight."

BloodLust's words hit Marshmallow like a slap in the face. In short, Marshmallow had been watched and studied all this time like a lab rat. For BloodLust, this was a game? For Marshmallow, it was his freaking life. Anger began to boil inside him like a fire threatening to consume him, but he suppressed it momentarily.

"Even when you went to the Depths of Vesuvietna, I was watching you," BloodLust added, spreading his arms in a theatrical gesture. "I waited for you to leave to destroy everything you held dear here, in the Survivor Game. It's a game, right? Might as well have fun."

Those words were the last straw. Marshmallow felt a flash of pure rage course through his body, from his chest to his fingertips. BloodLust had destroyed everything as if it were nothing, he was his enemy, but how could he accept it? If he was so superior, what need was there to play?

"You'll regret giving me a chance!"

With a scream of rage that seemed to come from the depths of his soul, Marshmallow launched into attack. The Supernova Titan Hammer shone with a blinding light; he had charged it with Lumokinesis. He hurled it at BloodLust with all the strength he had in his body.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

The impact was so tremendous that it shook the entire arena to its foundations. Dust and debris flew everywhere, obscuring the view for a moment. But when the air cleared, Marshmallow saw with horror that BloodLust was still standing and the Eternity Blade had been raised in a perfect parry that had easily blocked the devastating blow.

"I see the flames in your eyes. Show me you're a worthy opponent."

With a wave of his hand, BloodLust activated a new ability. The arena around them began to transform in a surreal way. The floor, previously solid and immobile, had now begun to undulate like the surface of a stormy ocean. Waves of stone formed and broke, creating sharp ridges and deep chasms. The walls were no less affected, contorting like chewing gum, forming protrusions and recesses without any sense. It was as if the entire environment had become liquid and in constant mutation.

Marshmallow suddenly found himself fighting not only against BloodLust, but also against terrain that seemed to have a life of its own. He had to test all his reflexes and agility, jumping from one platform to another while trying to maintain balance. Under his feet, the floor opened into chasms that threatened to swallow him. Above his head, stone stalactites sprouted from nowhere, forcing him to dodge and roll.

He adapted to the ever-changing terrain with surprising speed, transforming what should have been an obstacle into an advantage. He used the stone waves to gain momentum in his attacks and exploited the protrusions of the walls to perform advantageous acrobatic maneuvers.

BloodLust, who expected to see Marshmallow in difficulty, instead found himself facing an opponent who seemed to dance with the chaotic environment. It was in that moment of surprise that Marshmallow seized the opportunity to counterattack.

Opening his mouth, Marshmallow released a bomb of pure light. The energy condensed in his throat for an instant before exploding forward like a blinding projectile. BloodLust, caught off guard by the unexpected maneuver, couldn't dodge completely. The beam of light hit him full in the chest, burning his perfect skin and leaving a smoking scar.

The expression on BloodLust's face went from surprise to indignation. With an irritated click of his tongue, he deactivated the pseudo-plastic arena he had created. The terrain returned to normal, but the tension in the air was still palpable.

"Impressive. You've exceeded my expectations, Marshmallow."

With a theatrical gesture, BloodLust raised the Eternity Blade above his head. The weapon pulsed with energy, emitting a sound similar to a million souls in agony. It sounded like a harrowing lament coming from the underworld itself.

"But don't think it's enough."

Then, with a sharp and decisive movement, BloodLust lowered the Eternity Blade.

Marshmallow didn't see the attack coming. It was too fast, too sudden. He only felt a searing pain pierce his chest, as if someone had planted a burning ember in his heart and was slowly turning it. He looked down and saw a deep wound crossing his torso. But it wasn't just blood flowing from the wound. There was also a strange bluish energy that seemed to evaporate into the air.

"Your soul," BloodLust explained with a sadistic grin. "The Eternity Blade doesn't just wound your body, it curses your soul."

Marshmallow fell to his knees, overwhelmed by a pain that went beyond the physical. It was as if every fiber of his being was being torn away, not just flesh but also the very essence of what made him himself. He felt strength abandoning him, not only physically but also spiritually. It was a feeling of emptiness that terrified him more than any injury he had ever suffered.

BloodLust began to circle him slowly, savoring the moment like a gourmet in front of an exquisite meal. "This is how it ends, Marshmallow," he said in a mellifluous voice. "All your story, all your hopes... all for nothing. I've already won."

Marshmallow gasped, trying to get up. But his body wasn't responding to commands. It was as if there was a disconnection between his will and his muscles. His vision blurred. He felt it could be the end.

It was then that memories began to surface, as if his life was flashing before his eyes. But instead of seeing his death, Marshmallow saw his reason for living.

He saw his mother's face, disfigured but still full of unconditional love. That face that had endured so much pain but had never stopped smiling for her children.

He relived the moment when he had promised himself to return victorious. He had done it for all his family members, an impossible endeavor for impossible gains.

He particularly remembered the weight of his younger brother in his arms, so small and helpless. He felt a strong responsibility towards him and the desire for that damn war to end once and for all, so that he could grow up without fear.

And then there were the companions he had met in the Survivor Game. Ok Damage, with his cutting humor and unwavering loyalty. SamanthEye, strong and determined, who had fought to her last breath. And all the others who had lost their lives in this cruel game. He couldn't let their sacrifices be in vain.

"No," Marshmallow murmured, his voice little more than a hoarse whisper. "It doesn't end like this."