As the battle raged on and the casualties began to pile up, Lilith and the rest couldn't help but feel the fatigue slowly build up. Although the leaders of the academy were in the front lines, taking the bulk of the enemy waves, there were still plenty who managed to pass them.

Wiping the sweat off her forehead, Lilith looked around her, at the destruction ensuing. Small mountains of dead abominations were scattered around, their blood forming small puddles mixed with the human corpses.

Just when will things end?

"So you're the girl that man finessed?" A voice erupted a few meters from Lilith, prompting everyone to heighten their guards and take position.

Standing before them was a man adorned in a white cloak along with a large white and gold greatsword slung behind him.

"I must say, he has quite the taste," He followed. "Shame you're a demon."

Lilith clenched her teeth as she coated her scythe in chaos energy.

"Oooh, fierce," He said as he chuckled. "You should know, you're no match for me... I wonder what face he'll make once he see's your rotting corpse?"

Without warning, the man's figure vanished as he appeared inches from the group, his fist barreling towards Lilith.

Unable to react, Lilith watched the fist inched closer and closer, her heart halting for a second—

"Back off."

A loud bang erupted in the air as everyone watched in surprise when Samael's figure appeared in between them as he caught the wrist of the man.

Dragging him closer, Samael whipped his hand, throwing him back as he landed gently on the earth.

"You've finally arrived," the cloaked individual said.

"Azerel," Samael said.

"At your service," Azerel replied as he took off his hood, revealing a pair of golden eyes and a wide smirk planted on his face.

Shifting his gaze at Lilith and the rest, Samael sighed. "Get back. This fight is mine."

"But—"

"No buts," Samael sternly said.

Lilith bit her lip as she forcefully nodded. Following Samael's orders, she guided the other students away from the location, ensuring no one gets hurt any further.

Seeing them leave the vicinity, Samael returned his focus on the man in front of him.

"Long time no see, yes?" Azerel said.

Not responding to his taunts, Samael raised his hands as he closed his palm. From thin air, Crimson Raven manifested in his hand, its shape slowly distorting as it continuously fed off of Void essence.

"Not quite the talker eh?" Azerel said as he too took hold of the hilt of his greatsword before unsheathing it, the brilliance of the sun bouncing off of its surface.

On the other hand, Michael and the rest panted violently as they watched another batch of abominations spring out of the cracks, each time stronger than the last. However, their faces paled when they felt an aura stemming from the portal.

As they feared, it had come. The first Saint rank beast.

From the depths of the cracks in space and time, a elongated white leg stepped out, revealing a slim but tall creature that had no head. However, it possessed four arms and multiple eyes in its torso.

"Shit!" Arnold said as he slammed his fist together before charging forth in a fiery explosion. Within seconds, he reached the abomination as he delivered a sharp jab. But the beast was fast. Way faster than him.

Slipping to the side, the creature easily got through the attack as it swung its arm with speed not even Michael could see.

Everyone gasped as they watched Arnold's headless body tumble down, his blood painting the ground crimson.

"Damn it!" Therese shouted as she raised her hands when a flash passed by her.

Looking at her arms, Therese screamed in horror as she watched blood spurt from her severed hands. On the side stood Rudy, his sword resting on his palm.

"Sorry, it's nothing personal." Rudy muttered.

"You bastard..." Michael said.

***

"Looking for me?" A monotonous voice asked.

Kyros's steps were halted as he shot a glance at a shattered pilar where Ajax sat.

"How kind of you to escort yourself to your death," Kyros said.

"I'll exterminate you now," Ajax cut in as he unsheathed two of his swords.

Kyros gritted his teeth as his hands glew red, illuminating the surrounding areas as smoke began to fizzle from his skin.

Ajax remained calm and cold as his blade was coated in a wave of shadow, slowly swirling around the steel edge of the weapon as the two circled each other.

Their stalemate ended when Kyros lunged forward with a reckoning boom, shattering the ground as he propelled his fist forward.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Heat surge!"

Upon casting, his hands burst into flames, engulfing his entire arm. However, Ajax wasn't going to sit idly by as his figure fell down his shadow, prompting the man to miss. But the scale of his attack was enough to pulverize a building behind Ajax into nothing but ashes.

Taking advantage of the situation, Ajax resurfaced behind the man as he delivered a swift slash.

Reacting fast, Kyros whipped back, his hand slamming against the blade, forcing the two in another stalemate. But Kyros wasn't wasting time as he cast.

"Flame burst!"

His hand glew bright within the span of one second, releasing tremendous heat. In response, Ajax spoke.

"Shadow bind."

Multiple tendrils of shadow latched unto Kyros, forcing his hand down as Ajax fell back. On cue, a wave of flame escaped the man's hands, engulfing his previous location.

Breaking free from the shadow tendrils, Kyros propelled himself forward, flames surging from his soles, allowing him to reach speed no mundane man can see.

As Ajax left his shadow, his eyes widened as he slipped to the left, barely avoiding the fist of the Thaesir leader as it nicked his cheek, melting his armor and fusing it with his wounded flesh.

Ignoring the pain, Ajax pivoted his foot as he swung his blade towards the man, drawing a line across his cheek as blood stained his visage.

Recoiling back, Kyros hissed in pain. Although a saint, his power was mostly artificial as he never fought the same amount of battles Ajax has.

Although his element has more firepower, Ajax has more experience.

"Bastard!" Kyros roared as his arms blazed in flames.

Instead of being defensive, Ajax spoke.

"Shadow weave: Battle saint."

Traces of shadow began to slowly swirl in his body, extending outwards to form another pair of arms that unsheathed Ajax's remaining two blades. With one forceful stomp, he jetted forward.

Kyros's eyes widened as he ducked, barely avoiding the two swords aiming for his throat. However, the onslaught of attacks were just beginning as Ajax threw strike after strike, forcing the man to dance as he dodged without stop.

Increasing the intensity of the attacks, Ajax launched one abilities after the other, pressuring Kyros as the man had no choice but to dash back.

"Fire rain!"

Punching the air rapidly, Kyros sent forward a myriad of punches made of flames, all hurling towards Ajax, forcing him to defend. But Ajax was persistent as he delved into the shadows, easily passing through the sea of flames.

Noticing the same move, Kyros slammed his fist on the earth as flames erupted from them, completely shattering the ground. But to his surprise, the shadow was left unaffected as Ajax hopped out and cast.

"Copy: Imgrave wolf."

From the shadows, a large wolf made of shadows leaped out, charging at Kyros and biting his arm.

The man hastily jerked his arm back but that small window of opportunity was enough as Ajax swooped in, delivering a slash at his ribs. Unfortunately, it was shallow as Kyros managed to weaved to the side.

Holding his wound, Kyros gritted his teeth. He did not know Ajax was this strong. He knew he became a saint recently but how come he was already this far beyond? What made them different?!

"I can't accept this!" Kyros roared as he chanted.

"Burning body."

Ajax's steps were halted as Kyros's entire body exploded into a sea of flames, engulfing every part of him ang scorching the ground and area around him.

Ajax watched as the pieces of glass from the ruined houses slowly melted, turning orange as they began to bubble under the intense heat. Even at his distance, he could feel the immense flames.

"Time to burn, boy," Kyros said, his voice deep and coarse.

Ajax took stance when Kyros bursted forward, flames exploding from his soles as he crossed the distance with ease.

As the man inched closer, Ajax felt the searing heat begin to trouble him. But he stood strong as he dodged the swing of the man.

Countering back, Ajax swiped fast but his eyes widened as he saw his blade melt without trouble. Each centimetres it crosses hastened the melting process, turning it to nothing but scrap iron.

Seizing Ajax's bewilderment, Kyros threw a wide hook. Noticing this, the shadow Saint cranked his body as he began to evade but a small jet of fire ejected from Kyros's elbow, boosting his speed and power as it smashed against Ajax's raised forearms.

With a loud bang, Ajax was sent flying back as he smashed against multiple buildings, tearing them apart as he sat down their rubbles.

A soft grunt escaped Ajax's lips as he looked at his forearms. Not only did the attack do severe damage, but it also scorched his skin and melted his armor, fusing it with his flesh and every move he did inflicted great pain.

"Not so strong anymore, huh?" Kyros taunted as he approached Ajax, his steps heavy and powerful.

Ajax slowly rose up, his eyes wandering to his shadow weave. The heat from Kyros's flames were enough to also melt the shadow armament. If that's the case, how will he get close?

If he wishes to win, he would need something so hard not even his flames could beat. But how?

Ajax watched the man slowly inched closer, the flames in his body illuminating everything in his path, casting shadows against the walls of the ruined houses.

Seeing the shadow slowly appear closer, Ajax's eyes glimmered. He had an idea, something that might work. But he only has one chance to make this work.

Tightening his grip, Ajax guided the shadows around him to form, slowly slithering around his body, solidifying and connecting like a puzzle. Even Kyros was forced to halt his steps as he felt an odd aura envelop Ajax.

Much like his shadow weave, Ajax grew two more arms. But the ability wasn't done yet. As the shadows latched unto him, they began to take the shape of an armor. As the process ended, Ajax was enclosed in a suit of armor that appeared similar to what he was wearing but far more stronger.

"Shadow weave: Shadow sentinel."

Kyros clenched his teeth as he scowled. "You think using another form is enough to beat my heat?! I'll drill it in your brains then!"

Without warning, his figure exploded forward, melting the earth behind him as he threw his fist at Ajax.

But this time was different.

An ear shattering explosion shook the area as a surge of flames enveloped Ajax. Seeing this, Kyros erupted into laughter when a fist slammed against his jaw, forcing him to step back as he felt his boiling blood trickle down his nose.

From the flames walked out Ajax, his body unharmed.

Shadow sentinel, an ability Ajax thought of. However, it wasn't some new idea that he had on the spot. It was something he had considered when his Avatar formed. A miniature version of an avatar. Something far more efficient and energy saving. Not only that, but suited for combat where excess destruction must be avoided...

And it worked.

Kyros watched in bewilderment as Ajax walked out of the sea of flames unharmed and unbothered.

Now it was his turn.

Dashing forward, Ajax slammed his fist unto Kyros's stomach at speeds that far exceeded even the Thaesir leader. However it wasn't over yet as Ajax followed with a quick jab straight in his face, shattering his nose.

Amping up his attacks, Ajax pummeled the man without stop, throwing one punch after the other.

Attempting to retaliate, Kyros shot a burst of flames at the man but Ajax was faster as he swing his swords, easily cutting the man's arms.

"ARGHHHH!!!" Kyros howled in pain as he stumbled back.

Looking at Ajax and the shadow around him, Kyros felt his heart sink. Just how unmatched was he?

Ajax inched closer and closer as he spoke.

"Your flames might burn brighter than everyone's, but from the beginning you've already lost."

Raising his blade in front of him, Kyros saw his reflection in the shadow, fear slowly eating him.

"For every light will dwell a shadow. And know that I will be there."

"Sub zone: Shadow Nexus."

A sub zone, something Kyros did not possess as he was too weak. His inability was the problem.

As the Shadows engulfed him, Kyros felt unbearable regret and frustration.

Just why did he suffer like this? What did he do to deserve this?

Turning to the side, Kyros saw a child and a house. One he was familiar with.

"Weak. Too weak. What a disgrace to our family."

"Are you really their son? What a waste."

"You'll lead your clan to downfall. Trash."

Yes, the cycle never really ended.

Expectations, something he was used to and something he truly hated. Yet, he failed to realize he did the same to others.

"Consumed by your greed, the shadows consume you in return," Ajax said amidst the darkness.

Yes, perhaps this was what he truly deserved.

Death.

"Good bye, Thaesir Kyros."