Ajax stood quietly as the sand before him began to tremble. Little by little, it rose up as a figure emerged from deep below.

Unsheathing his swords, Ajax circled with the beast as the two went on a standoff. But this time, the beast was far more wary than before. It could sense something was different. Way different.

Ajax, even without the help of his element, remained calm. It's not that he wasn't afraid of what might happen or worried over their difference in strength and ranks; it's that he simply felt confident in his newfound power.

He did not endure that agony to cower in fear. No, he will not.

After some time watching each other, the beast finally made its move as it's jaws flew wide open, revealing a row of razor sharp teeths. But as it did, it began to glow along with it's neck.

Sensing the danger it posed, Ajax wasted no time. But instead of preparing to dodge, he went forward, charging head-on as a flame-like burst of blue energy escaped the beast's maws.

But to the beast's surprise, Ajax nimbly manoeuvred around the attack as he slashed with both his blades.

Realising the immediate threat it was in, the beast abruptly ended its stream of attack as it raised its arms to defend itself from the swords.

Unfortunately, it underestimated Ajax's new strength.

The beast's eyes widened as the blades shattered its scale like armour, while the sword went on its path unhindered, piercing its forearms and cutting through the flesh beneath.

Without wasting another second, the beast jumped back, disengaging fast as a loud screech escaped its lips; it's greenish blood staining the sand.

But Ajax wasn't done as he blasted forward with one forceful step, sending a dust cloud back as he threw one of his weapons.

Seeing the incoming projectile, the creature's throat bubbled as an ear-shattering scream blasted from its mouth, sending a shockwave outwards and deflecting the weapon.

But that wasn't Ajax's intention.

With its attention focused on the weapon, it failed to notice Ajax's advance as the Saint closed the gap with ease.

Without holding back, Ajax sent a high kick towards the creature, his shin smashed against the jaw of the beast and smashing its scales into pieces.

As the beast recoiled to the side, Ajax pivoted his foot as he raised his other foot high in the air before bringing it down with reckoning fury.

Unable to dodge, the beast could only block with its arms as the foot of the man shattered it's bones before his sole dug to its face, sending him down once more.

With the sheer impact of the kick, a small dust cloud rose in the sky, blocking the view.

Attempting to take advantage of this, the beast hastily charged another beam as it fired at Ajax without remorse. But Ajax was faster as he grabbed the beast by the chin before pointing its face upwards.

Ishkar's laugh intensified as the dust cloud was blown away by the steam of blue energy coming from the beast.

With it's arms broken, the beast could only wiggle in desperation to escape the man's clutches.

It was time to end this fight.

Ajax slammed his knee on the beast's neck with enough force to shatter its throat. As the stream of energy collapsed, he did not hesitate as he reached out, grabbing the beast's tongue and pulling with all his might, taking out its spine with it.

Letting go of the abomination, it dropped down with a loud thud as it's blood poured out into the golden sand, staining it with its filth.

"Great fucking job!" Ishkar praised. He couldn't have done it better. It was truly a sight to behold.

"I guess this fight was fairly easy for you, huh?" Ishkar asked.

"It was enough to know my current level," Ajax said as he looked at his stained hand.

"Well, if you're done, we need to head back. I sense your disciple has begun to wake," Ishkar said as he marched back.

***

When Samael left his innate world, he was left floating in darkness for a while before he began to feel himself waking up. It wasn't a violent awakening or anything; in fact, it was calm.

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Under the glow of the morning sun, Samael opened his eyes as he blinks a couple of times.

Sitting straight up, he swept his gaze around the camp before staring off into the distance. As he did, he cannot help but notice how different he felt.

He felt... free and clear. It was almost as if all his burdens had been lifted from his shoulders and everything makes sense now. It was as if his worries were never there. He simply felt a sense of clarity unlike anything before.

Yes, they have merged. Or rather, he finally accepted himself.

Although he denied it before, that sensation he felt when fighting Ishkar was not an external influence but rather his spirit that is unwilling to lose. He was so blinded by his objectives and missions that he forgot the very things that mattered most.

Now, he has accepted his spirit and now he and him are finally one.

But it did bring a sense of loneliness to him for it felt as though it had gone. But now that the deed is done, Samael can feel it's presence deep within him. In the end, they were one.

This unity gave Samael a sense of serene calm and confidence in himself. Now, he knows what he truly feels and what the emotions he fought so hard against meant. Now, he had no more doubts and the road he is tackling is clear.

It's not as though they were separated. No, it was simply that his soul had been protecting him from it's influence and power.

But what does that mean?

Samael's soul is a vagabond. As such, it wields tremendous power, and that is why it is sealed. With the intent of protecting itself and its only host, it refrained from fully synchronising with Samael to avoid him being overloaded.

But now? Now he was strong enough, and he proved that by surpassing the trial his soul had given him. He was now capable of handling at least its current form and its burdens.

But with such power came the truth.

Truth that he never knew before.

Now Samael knows that something out there is after him, or rather, the Void within him. That's why his soul has remained hidden and protected by the abyss.

Not only that, but upon delving into his inner world, he can now see the same chains his soul was bound with stuck on the walls all leading up to him.

So this was the burden he had to endure.

Samael now knows that to access the full potential of his soul, he must shatter these chains, one by one.

Much like collecting the shattered fragments of the Void, unlocking these chains will give him power that can stand toe to toe with what the fragments can give him.

And at last, he could feel a myriad of emotions. Anger, sadness, care, love and... accomplishment. Accomplishment that his soul had finally gone back to the only place it can call home.

Now, it was up to him to take on the mantle and shoulder the responsibilities. It was time for him to finally grow stronger than ever.

"Samael?" A voice called out. It was Ishkar.

Shifting his gaze towards the two, they halted their steps as they felt a shiver run down their spines.

They knew it; something had changed. Something in Samuel had begun to change. He felt... free and clear. He felt... unbound.

Not only that, but his eyes were bright like the sun in the sky, carrying a sense of profoundness Ishkar has never seen before.

Just what had he achieved?

"You're awake," Ajax said.

"Yes, yes, I am..." Samael muttered as he stared off into the distance once more.

Slowly rising to his feet, he dusted himself. "And I am ready for my final task."

Hearing this, Ishkar's lips curled to a maniacal smirk, his expression full of anticipation and the thirst for combat.

He could feel it; fighting him now would benefit not only the boy but him too.

"Then come, boy, time to see if you really meant that," Ishkar said.

"Right here?" Ajax asked as he slowly backed away.

"Right here," Ishkar said as he slammed both his fists, forming a gauntlet made of blood.

Without fear or pressure in his eyes, Samael grabbed Crimson Raven's hilt as he unsheathed the axe.

Ishkar laughed as he roared. "Come bo—"

"Void Cleave."

Ishkar's eyes widened as he narrowly avoided Samael's cleave, forcing him to sidestep. However, he had no time to relax as Samael appeared inches from his face, his axe coming down with destructive force.

Ishkar, nimble that he is, dove fast before evading to the side, his foot blasting towards the boy in return.

But Samael's figure exploded into a flock of ravens before forming behind the man as he slashed down again.

Ishkar laughed crazily as he shot a blast of blood forward, sending himself back and avoiding the attack, but to no avail as multiple hover blades chased after him.

"Shit boy!" Ishkar roared as he kept moving back while deflecting the daggers.

Not giving him a chance to recover, Samael spoke. "Abyss spikes."

Before Ishkar could even initiate his next move, his focus was once again diverted to the sea of dark spikes hurling his way.

In response, he cast.

"Blood sea."

Slamming his foot down, a wave of crimson spread outward like a plague as it devoured the spikes before hardening and halting them.

But Samael was yet again after him as Samael's voice echoed again.

"Needle rain."

Ishkar smiled wisely. Although he was able to somehow still combat it, the effects of Samael's sovereign will were prominent. He could feel his judgement and actions face blockades and doubts.

This was a very dangerous ability.

Not thinking twice anymore, Ishkar weaved and danced through the rain of needles, avoiding them one by one as he closed the gap.

In response, Samael blasted forward, his heart beating fast.

He felt ecstatic in combat. He felt energised, and he felt the urge to dominate. Fighting had never been so fun until now.

"Null thrust."

"Blood judgement."

For a moment, time seemed to have stopped as blood particles rose high in the air, forming a large hammer that descended with great speed.

On the other hand, Samael's hand glowed purple as Void matter converged in one spot, forming a spear-like image as he faced the incoming attack.

As the two collided, a blinding light engulfed the entire camp as tremors shook the entirety of the surrounding dessert, even making it towards the camp.

Then it came.

An ear-shattering explosion erupted as Blood met Void. The explosion was so vast that the entire camp, along with the abominations close enough, were blown to shreds like dust carried by the wind.

With it came harrowing shockwaves that were felt throughout the sanctuary, raising concerns.

Ajax, who stood close, had no choice but to shield himself from the damage done by their clash.

As the dust settled, only Ishkar stood in the midst of the destruction, with Samael's unconscious body standing together with him, unwilling to yield.

"Good job, boy, you have passed," Ishkar said as he catched Samael's body.

"You passed with flying colours," he resumed as he looked at the wound in his arm.