Looking at Samael, Ishkar felt his body tremble in excitement, his urge to charge at him burning ever so brightly each second that passed.

Samael felt the same; he had no fear this time, just the urge to fight and test how far he's gotten once more.

As the two faced off, they blasted forward like thunder as they shattered the earth with ease, sending dust high in the sky.

As their fists collided, Ishkar's maniacal smile widened. Just how far will this kid go?

At that moment, Samael smirked as he finally felt the feeling he did when he copied Ishkar's battle, except far more intense and dominating.

It was time to unleash it.

Ishkar's eyes widened as he narrowly avoided a black spike stemming from the ground. Although he was using the same amount of power and speed as Samael, it seems he'll need to amp it up.

However, the boy wasn't done yet as he sent forward more spikes, forcing Ishkar to back away as he weaved around the attack, his body like the leaves underneath the influence of the strong wind.

But Samael was swift as he charged ahead, his axe slashing back and forth, leaving afterimages under his speed.

Ishkar swiftly deflected the attacks as he himself threw a plethora of punches, each strike sending a blood wave forward.

Seeing this, Samael raised his arms as he deployed a Void aegis, blocking most of the punches before sending the wave of energy forward.

Ishkar easily evaded the wave as he recoiled for a counter, his fist colliding with a shield on Samael's arms, shattering it upon impact.

Samael skidded off the ground as he sent multiple Void cleave, dicing the ground and all in its way. But Ishkar was faster as he nimbly passed through the gaps, each time sending his own attacks in return.

Samael danced around as he threw one attack after another. Ishkar did the same, his maniacal smile not fading throughout the entirety of the fight.

When the night had come, Samael was left kneeling on the floor, his essence exhausted, and so was his stamina. Buckets of sweat trickled down his forehead, staining the stand as they dropped down.

Ishkar remained standing, his body glistening under the sweat, something he had not felt for quite a while.

"You did good, boy," Ishkar said. "You would have beaten me if I wasn't really a deity."

Samael shifted his glance towards the man as he shakily rose up.

"Enough," Ishkar said as he raised his hand. "You've done enough for today."

Releasing a sigh, Samael slumped down as he watched the moon in the sky. It was exhausting and painful. Yet the thought of losing made his stomach churn. He did not know where he's taking his determination, but he has a feeling it was from his new ability.

"Although you've achieved something great, greater than even the domineering will, your use of it is still crude and poor," Ishkar said. "But I will train you; give me 2 weeks—nno, one week is all I need, and I will mould you into a fighter; this world will speak legends off."

One week, he has about 3 more weeks before he leaves this place. It was truly odd because every moment felt faster than the last. Before he knew it, one month had gone by.

But there is still much to do.

***

When morning came, Samael awoke once again to the same scenery as before. However, Ajax had considerably improved.

It seems Ajax's growth was also another mystery to Ishkar, as the man absorbed the things he thought of him with speed only second to Samael.

Squaring off with Ishkar, Ajax's figure appeared as a blur as the two danced around, exchanging blows.

Sparks flew in the sky as steel collided with blood. But Ishkar did not care for the damage as he began to increase the intensity of his blows.

However, Ajax remained steadfast in his feet as he remembered what he came here for. Putting it all to use, he weaved, slipped, and rolled through the punches of the man, each time sending his own flurry of counterattacks.

However, Ishkar wasn't done yet as he took hold of Ajax. It was now grappling.

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

Ajax swiftly attempted to take control of the man, but Ishkar was faster as he took the upper hand. Without wasting time, he dragged Ajax to a takedown, slamming the man towards the ground.

But Ajax clenched his teeth as he recovered fast. Brining his foot forward, he locked it at Ishkar's neck, his arms consistently pulling down at the brute's arms.

Unfortunately, Ishkar was simply stronger as he lifted Ajax before slamming him down without stop, shattering the earth and denting his armour.

Letting go of the man, Ajax remained motionless for a while. Another defeat. But he did not feel discouraged. He must simply do better.

"You're getting better, Ajax," Ishkar said. "Focus more on grappling, and your body will turn into a weapon."

"Now, come Samael. It is your turn," Ishkar said as he went ahead.

Samael nodded as he followed.

Arriving at their usual training spot, Ishkar turned to face Samuel.

"Do you have an idea how to use your new ability?" Ishkar asked.

Samuel fell silent before he spoke. "No, I don't."

"I see," Ishkar said. "It is similar to Domineering, but stronger. I can only teach you much, but you will have to take over eventually."

Samael nodded as he braced himself. Things were finally moving.

"I use Domineering will in combat to strengthen my resolve," Ishkar said.

"Resolve?" Samael asked.

"Yes, through this, I am able to act without a second thought and give every blow my all," Ishkar said. "With that, I'm able to overpower my opponents and seize them."

Pointing his finger at Samuel, he resumed. "But your skill is different. It can affect your enemy and yourself. In battle, it burns like a fire, stronger each time you face an enemy. Your foes are like fuel."

Samael fell silent. Ishkar understood that much without even having the Codex to explain? How much of a monster was he?

"Although faint for me, I did feel something try to influence me," Ishkar said. "Since your skill isn't meant only for yourself, there is much to learn."

Smashing his fist together, Ishkar spoke. "Arm yourself. Combat is the best teacher."

Samael nodded as he withdrew his blade, its appearance morphing under the influence of Void matter.

Circling each other, Ishkar spoke. "To master the art of aggressiveness will take a long amount of time, even for you. But our goal isn't to master it but to understand it."

Dashing forward, he slammed his fist against Samael's axe, forcing them into a stalemate.

"Now Samael, feel your fighting spirit!" Ishkar roared as he threw a multitude of attacks, each one shattering the ground as Samael dodged.

"Wrong!" Ishkar roared as he increased the intensity even more; as such, Samael was forced to back away as he racked his mind.

"WRONG!" Ishkar roared as he began to use his abilities.

Samuel's grunts echoed as he struggled to keep up. But his struggles were futile as Ishkar eventually landed a hit on him, forcing him down.

Gasping for air, Samael held his stomach. Seeing this, Ishkar spoke. "Feel it. Now is the perfect time."

Looking at the sand, Samael closed his eyes as he felt his stomach churn. There it was again. That sensation of utter disgust.

"That's it," Ishkar said as he saw the same glow as before. "Harness it."

Samael grasped the sand. How can he harness this feeling?

Ishkar's brows furrowed as he forced Samael up. "Again."

Unable to react in time, Ishkar's fist slammed straight to Samael's face, opting for him to spit blood as he wiped his lips dry.

At that moment, the glow in his body returned for but a brief moment. Noticing this, Ishkar's eyes narrowed.

Dashing forth, Ishkar sent another flurry of attacks, forcing Samael to progressively back away until he could not anymore.

Once again, he was on the ground.

Clutching the sand once more, Samuel grunted as he felt his body tremble. The same disgust permeated his body.

Gritting his teeth, he fought off the sensation as he stood.

"Again," Ishkar said.

Shockwaves swept the desert as the two exchanged blows after blows. Although Samael was beginning to counter Ishkar's attacks, the desired effects were still not there. It was simply not there.

With one heavy strike to Samael's chin, he was sent flying before smashing down the ground.

Just what was he missing? He got the ability, but he cannot use it. Where was he wrong?

Once again, he felt his body cringe at disgust, his stomach churning.

What do you need?! Samael roared in his mind. Yet, the sensation just got even worse.

Picking himself up once more, he wielded his blade. Seeing this, Ishkar's face scrunched up.

"Fool."

Before Samael could react, Ishkar closed the distance with insane speed as he dug his fist at the boy's stomach, throwing him hundreds of meters away.

Samael's body struck the ground multiple times before he came to a halt. Struggling to sit, Samael vomitted the contents of his stomach as he felt the sensation of disgust intensify.

"ARGH!" Samael roared as he slammed his fist at the sand, cracking it.

Ishkar could only shake his head. Just why can he understand? The answers were already in front of him, and yet he remains blind.

"This will be for now," Ishkar said.

"No! I can keep going!" Samael said when he stopped dead in his tracks.

Looking at his hand, he realised it was trembling. He was being consumed by his frustrations and anger.

"My judgement is final. This will be all for today," Ishkar said as he left.

Slumping down, Samuel gritted his teeth. Each loss only made the sensation worsen, as if to taunt him of his weakness.

But why?

No matter how much he fights it, he cannot win. There was simply nothing he could do.

At that moment, Samael felt the urge to smash himself down over his thoughts. What was he thinking? Yes, this wasn't like him. Giving up was never in his books.

Rising up, Samael felt the emotion once more until the sun went down and the cold chill night encompassed him. But like before, no progress was made.

Unbeknownst to him, multiple shadows had begun to stir in the darkness. Casting their gazes at the towering walls of Servan.

It has been watching, especially after what had happened in Tera.

It had sensed it.

That dreadful feeling of fear and... nothingness.

It knew what it was very well.

It cannot stall much longer; it has to act now. And act it will.

Beyond the understanding of mortals, way beyond the understanding of even gods, multiple creatures awoke as they sensed a disturbance in the space.

"Wake now, my children."

Slowly, one eye became two, two became four, and four became eight. One by one, they woke from their deep slumber, forming a sea of crimson gazes.

They were many.

A walking disaster.

A sea of nightmares.

Destroyer of worlds.

Yes, they were the spawns of that which stands beyond the Void. Kept at bay but now free to roam and feed as they please.

They are...

Abominations.

And now they shall do their duty, that which they were depraved off.

As the space began to distort even more, their roars echoed.

The time was near.