Antrax darted forward, his claws lashing back and forth. The grating sound of steel and bones leaving trails of echo in the air.

A groan escaped Ajax's lips as he strained to dodge the harrowing storm of attacks launching his way. Beads of sweat meandered down his forehead as he redirected the attacks sideways.

He had no weapon left; his blades are long gone, and his armour is barely holding on. His ethos is near rock bottom.

At most, he can muster a single attack. A lone skill that may buy them time. What lies beyond? Only time can tell.

Antrax's claws shot forward, etching lines through what's left of Ajax's armour as it got flung to the side.

Ajax swiftly countered with a high kick, his shins crashing against Antrax's arms, sending the abomination a few steps back.

"DIE DIE DIE!" Antrax roared as he swung in a frenzy.

Ajax weaved left and right, nimbly avoiding the attacks as he countered every chance he saw.

Loud bangs reverberated in the air as their fists clashed. However, it is incomparably tame compared to their fight earlier.

Both sides have sustained injuries far beyond what their natural regeneration can restore, and their ethos is not fairing well either.

However, he does know one thing.

Antrax's regeneration is a force to be reckoned with. He managed to heal wounds fatal to most and even go as far as to regrow a new arm.

But when Samael's element struck him, he was unable to regenerate properly and in time.

Ajax and Antrax struck each other in the face, their figures dashing back as they gained distance.

He knows what he must do now.

Ajax propelled himself forward, his figure breezing through the wind.

Antrax saw this and met the man head-on, his claws raring to go.

Sparks lit the dim night sky, a bright parade of steel and bones.

Slipping to the side, Ajax gave Antrax a sharp uppercut, shattering the razor-sharp teeth of the abomination into pieces.

However, Antrax struck back with a headbutt, further denting Ajax's visor. In a few seconds, his fragmented teeth mended back.

Unfazed, Ajax dug his elbow through Antrax's face, shattering his nose and caving his skull back.

A muffled scream escaped Antrax's lips as he recoiled back, crimson staining his visage.

Not wasting time, Ajax twirled and plunged his foot on the abomination's abdomen, sending him flying with a back kick.

Antrax flew a few metres back before smashing against the ground with a thundering boom.

"Y-you b-bast—COUGH!" Antrax struggled to deliver his words as he violently coughed blood.

Ajax's gaze narrowed.

Antrax rose to his feet in haste, as he said. "Bone blade."

Sharp protrusions jutted out of his flesh, coiling together to form a blade extending from his wrist.

Antrax's body shook, his ethos dipping down even deeper. The side effects finally caught up to him. Like Ajax, he can only cast one more skill.

With a thrust of his foot, Antrax dashed forward, his blade humming in the air as it met Ajax.

Then a shiver ran down Antrax's spine.

In the corner of his eyes, Antrax saw Samael lay down the fallen Savant. He watched as the boy stood up, axe in hand, as he shifted his wrathful gaze towards him and muttered.

"Overdrive."

***

Samael felt as though he was submerged in water. Unable to breathe or swim for air. Yet his skin burned in heat as though he were tossed into flames.

He felt no happiness, no despair, no nothing. Just... Rage and pain

What did Savant do to deserve all of this? To lose his home, his friends, and his life?

Why?

Samael gritted his teeth as he sank even deeper. His consciousness dimmed by the second as the flames of fury devoured him.

Like some twisted joke, Savant's death played in a loop within Samael's mind. Tormenting him endlessly.

Antrax.

He did all of this. Caused all of this damage.

He must pay...

No.

He will pay the price in blood.

Samael's hand balled to a fist as he felt the dark slowly devour his withering sanity—when a voice whispered to him.

"Don't blame yourself, Samael."

Samael's body trembled.

He wanted to rip Antrax to shreds. and he will.

"Honour my wish and witness the dawn in my stead..."

But he will not lose himself in the raging storm of emotions stirring within him.

He will win as Samael.

The darkness consuming him coiled through his body, pulling him deeper into the abyss.

But he remained unfazed, for the darkness is his light.

Samael's eyes flung open, his crimson-stained eyes fixated on Antrax, his axe nesting in his palms as Void matter latched to his skin and weapon.

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He felt the urge to just let loose.

To allow himself to be consumed by rage.

But not this time.

He will watch with his own eyes as he finishes what Antrax started.

Ajax cast a sidelong glance at Samael as he gave him a stiff nod. It was time to end this.

With a forceful kick to the ground, Ajax's figure zoomed forward.

Antrax scowled as he returned the favour. His blade humming in the air as it met Ajax straight.

However, the man kept billowing forward, uncaring for the danger heading his way.

"Have you lost your mind?" Antrax roared as he crackled in joy. But his grin was soon wiped from his face as a silhouette darted towards him.

Antrax abruptly halted his advance as he whipped his blade up, forming a makeshift shield.

The silhouette struck the bone blade with a force enough to send Antrax flying as he landed face first against the earth with a thunderous explosion.

Antrax spewed blood as he shakily rose up, his gaze spearing ahead.

Samael stood there, his stance low, as Crimson Raven hung on his shoulders. His body emitting large amounts of Void matter.

The atmosphere around him felt different; he looked as though he was one with the darkness, mending with it. It looked almost...

Demonic.

Antrax felt an emotion rise in his chest. That uncertainty. That gruelling feeling that makes you feel suffocated. An emotion he thought he lost long ago...

Fear...

Antrax groaned, a wave of sharp, searing pain burning through his flesh and skin. His eyes shifted to his hand, whose surface scorched under the revolting rampage of the dark matter. But there was something more...

"WHAT IS THIS?!" Antrax roared.

He couldn't regenerate the part Samael damaged.

"WHY?! WHY CAN'T I HEAL?" He bellowed, his hand trembling as pangs of pain drilled through his sanity.

He has seen the damage Samael can cause, but his regeneration proved far superior. Yet, there was no doubt about it.

His healing is rendered useless, and he was barely hit by the brat.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?" he questioned, fear drilling even deeper in his heart.

Samael's gaze remained on Antrax, a clear liquid meandering down his hand. His visage bathing in the blue glow of the Codex.

His Void level is indeed low enough to disable Antrax's regeneration.

However, he did discern one thing:

It kept bugging him. What did the Codex intend to say to him regarding the Necrons?

Now he knows.

Hives don't spawn in a fixed location. However, their origins and the creatures residing within them do affect their coordinates. Necrons are classified as:—

Undead.

It turns out that Antrax was an undead. And he knows just the right thing for him.

Ajax shifted his gaze towards Samael, his eyes landing on the clear liquid dripping down his palm.

His aqua-blue eyes widened as he spoke. "Divina— I see..."

His Void matter, along with Divina, is what halted the abomination's regenerative capabilities.

Passive [feeder] has taken effect. Enemies will gradually feel fear over time.

"Let's end this," Samael uttered, his figure turning to a blur.

Ajax gave a stiff nod as he trailed close.

Scared and in pain, Antrax called forth an ebony cage, intending to trap the duo. But Ajax's voice lingered in the air.

"Shadow bind."

Antrax's eyes widened, a myriad of shadow tendrils latching onto him as Ajax dragged him towards them.

Antrax swung his sword in a frenzy, but Samael stood steadfast as he bravely fought his way forward. His axe darted back and forth as it deflected the slashes coming his way.

Unfortunately, some of the attacks still bypassed his defence, leaving him with gashes all over his body. Yet even that failed to make him flinch.

Samael steadily forced his way in, leaving Antrax no space as Crimson Raven drew an arc, severing one of the abomination's arms.

"ARGHHH!" Antrax screamed in agony as he dashed back, smoke billowing from his shoulders.

"DAMN YOU!" he roared as he swung his claws. Samael's figure turned to a blur, followed by several thunderclaps as he vanished from Antrax's sight.

Antrax stumbled as his attacks struck nothing but air. His eyes clamped wide open.

Antrax jerked his head back, but it was too late.

A wave of pain swept through Antrax as Samael's axe drilled through his flesh and bones. Cleaving through his shoulders towards his ribs.

Antrax flung his elbow back, striking Samael Square in the jaw, but his advance remained unhindered as it tore through his flesh relentlessly.

Out of options, Antrax screamed. "Exoskeleton!"

Pale white bones gushed out of his body, clawing through as they enveloped his entirety, forming a makeshift armour.

"Let go of me!" He said as he swung back. However, Samael took a step back, the claws nicking his right eyebrow.

Samael planted his foot on the ground, his grip tightening as he twisted his blade, stirring Antrax's flesh.

"ARGHHHH!" he wailed in torment as he swung tirelessly.

Ajax saw this and shot forward, his shins landing on the abomination's leg, forcing him to kneel down.

Seizing the chance given by his mentor, Samael dragged the axe up, Void matter gushing out as he doubled the output.

Antrax felt the urge to scream, but Ajax kneeled his jaw, sealing his lips as a muffled wail escaped his maws.

Samael tightened his grip as he ripped the weapon horizontally.

"ARGHHHHHH!" Samael roared as the axe tore through Antrax.

"NO!" Antrax roared, but to no avail.

Samael felt a surge of power, a wave of Void matter coursing through his veins. Screaming to be free.

So he let it loose.

Prerequisite conditions were met. You have learned a new skill: [Void Cleave].

Samael stared Antrax in the eyes as he muttered.

"Void cleave."

Antrax's face paled. "NO—"

A wave of Void matter resonated with Crimson Raven, blasting out in the form of a wave.

The onyx-dark wave sliced through Antrax's neck clean, severing his head from his body in one fell swoop. Its march remains unhindered even after tearing through the abomination.

The abominations head flew high in the heavens, his vision swirling, a lone thought lingering in his mind.

What happened?

Antrax's head fell down with a soft thud, his eyes quivering as he stared at his body's headless corpse before it limped and fell down, stirring the dust.

There stood Samael, crimson raven in hand, his body tattered with wounds oozing crimson.

Slowly, he raised his axe and spoke. His voice reached far and wide.

"It's over; the abomination... is slain."

For a moment, there was silence.

Then the golden glow of dawn bathed his face as it peeked over the horizon. Marking the end of their gruesome battle and, at the same time, signalling the start of a new day.

The lush, warm light of the sun glimmered in Samael's pupils. A wave of fatigue crashed against him as his consciousness flickered. But before the darkness took him, he said

"I have fulfilled my vow..."

Samael's body went limp as he fell into the rubbles of their clash, stirring the dust as he lay on the brown earth. His consciousness sinking little by little.

Ajax wasn't faring well either. The moment Samael severed Antrax's head, he fell unconscious.

Samael's ears perked up as he faintly heard footsteps coming their way. Shifting his gaze ahead, he saw figures emerge from the morning mist.

The... villagers...? He wondered.

The villagers faintly heard Samael's announcement, so they came to check on the outcome of their battles.

There they saw the headless corpse of the abomination laying in the ground. Along with Ajax, Samael, and Savant's bodies

Murmurs filled the air— when a man saw Samael's shallow breathing. His eyes widened as he roared.

"The watchers..."

"THE WATCHERS ARE ALIVE!"

His voice echoed in the air, reaching the ears of all the villagers. Bringing along relief and peace as tears streamed down their faces.

Their cheers filled the air, dancing with the wind as they realised something. The disaster was over. They survived.

The villagers hurriedly tended the wounded, while the doctor turned his focus upon Samael and Ajax.

"Goodness. How are they alive?" he muttered under his breath after witnessing Samael and Ajax's wounds.

However, a hand grasped his shoulder, startling him back.

Samael's firm grip remained tight, as he said.

"Bring... me the corpse," he said.

The doctor's face paled. They didn't even touch it in fear that it was alive, but if their saviours asked them, what could they do?

The doctor jerked his head back and screamed. "G-Get the c-corpse of the abomination here. Now!"

The villagers looked at each other as they pointed fingers, but eventually dragged the limp body of Antrax towards Samael.

The doctor helped the boy stand up, tending to him as he fought the urge to run in fear.

Samael's gaze locked at Antrax as he uttered.

"Devour..."

Antrax's corpse liquified as it turned into nothing but dark matter. Leaving nothing in its wake. An onyx-dark sphere hovered inches above Samael's palms. Eventually merging with his skin.

Devoured Essence of "Antrax": The undead plague [Saint III] +5300

Then everything went dark.