As the dust settled, Ajax clenched his jaw as he readied his blade, tightening his grip on its hilt.

However, Ajax flinched as a voice echoed within the mist.

"Humans... those who have killed my kin, step forward, and I shall deliver a swift death," the mother wolf said.

"Those who rebel or escape... will face a fate harsher than death," it followed.

Without mentioning another word, Ajax's astral aura shot forward, clashing against the mother beast in a contest of might.

Specks of shadow, ice, and metal flickered in the air as the two went toe to toe, destroying the surroundings within mere moments.

However, a lone bead of sweat trickled down Ajax's forehead as he silently grunted. Although he was keeping his ground against the abomination in front of him, he was also at the same time deploying an astral veil to protect the warriors.

"Fall back," Ajax said.

"But sir!" A warrior spoke.

"This is a command," Ajax firmly stated.

The warriors exchanged glances before retreating, carrying those they could and slinging them on their shoulders.

Once they left, Ajax dropped the veil and cracked his neck. Now, it was time to fight for real.

"I will take it you're the saint...?" the mother beast asked.

"Figure that out yourself," Ajax said before his figure blurred, appearing inches before the abomination.

"Shadow Bind."

Tendrils of shadow stemmed from the ground as they took hold of the beast, restricting it as Ajax swung his blade down.

However, with one loud roar, the tendrils were shattered like dust. Facing the shockwave, Ajax was sent back as he skidded through the dirt before coming to a halt.

"Imprudent human. Face your demise," the mother beast said as a low growl escaped its lips.

"Decaying arrows."

A plethora of blackish-green arrows shot forth, streaking through the air and towards Ajax.

Using his agility, Ajax nimbly weaved through the rain of attacks, dodging back and forth as he closed the distance.

The mother wolf, on the other hand, did not waste time as it cast once more.

"Ice golems."

Multiple chunks of ice burst from the ground, forming large iceberg-like structures that slowly carved into towering giants.

But the abomination was not the only one with summons.

"Merlin!" Ajax shouted as a myriad of spells breezed past him, colliding with the golems in a fiery explosion.

The shadow spawn leisurely stood behind Ajax as it kept firing one attack after the other, not giving the golem any chances to advance.

Seizing the opportunity, Ajax dashed forward as he spoke.

"Shadow latch."

A flash of shadow shot out of Ajax's wrist, clinging to the earth as he used it to propel himself forward.

Watching the Saint close in, the mother wolf released a loud howl as chains whipped repeatedly, shattering the earth.

Ajax hissed in exasperation as he muttered.

"Shadow jump."

Ajax's figure vanished as he mended with his shadow, springing forth in a completely different location.

Seeing its attack fail, the mother wolf opened its maw, but Ajax was faster as he burst forward and delivered a series of slashes.

The abomination swiftly repositioned itself as it deflected Ajax's attacks using its razor-sharp claws coated in steel.

Sparks flied in the air as the sound of steel colliding with steel echoed, shattering the ground upon every strike.

"Dive." Ajax casted as he dropped on his shadow, vanishing before the beast as its claw struck nothing but air.

Using the opportunity, Ajax jumped out of the abomination's shadow as he delivered a swift strike.

However, the wolf's skin hardened, coating itself in metal as it rose up, completely unfazed.

With one fast pivot, the beast swung its claw down in retaliation. But Ajax narrowly avoided it by sidestepping.

"Shadow spear," Ajax said in a cool voice as a long spear manifested in his palms.

Taking a step forward, he catapulted it forward, shattering the earth beneath him.

Reacting fast, the mother wolf bobbed its head to the side, the tip of the spear leaving a shallow cut in its cheek.

Taking advantage of Ajax's vulnerable position, it hastily casted.

"Metal spree."

A myriad of thin steel spikes stemmed from the earth, tearing through and nicking Ajax's forearm as he flipped back.

Using his momentum, Ajax fired out multiple shadow birds forward. The wolf, on the other hand, did not back down as it shot decay arrows in rapid succession.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

The two attacks clashed together, causing thunderous explosions that stirred the dust.

Ajax swiftly flew forward as he sent chunks of earth flying back before delivering a heavy strike as he tore a hole through the fog.

The mother wolf raised its arms, forming a makeshift shield as it greeted the saint's attack, causing another mighty explosion.

Exerting force, Ajax pushed forward, prompting the wolf to do the same. However, his figure fell through a shadow as the mother wolf's claws stumbled forward.

Unable to recover fast, Ajax stemmed beneath the beast as he sliced upwards, cutting through its flesh and staining himself in its dark blood.

A howl of pain escaped the beast's lips as Ajax dashed back, narrowly avoiding a plethora of steel spikes littering his previous location.

"YOU WILL PAY FOR THAT!!!" It roared in pure rage as the ground shook.

"Subspace: Decaying Ice Castle!"

Ajax's eyes widened as he lowered his stance.

"Subspace: Shadow Nexus."

From the earth below, a giant ice castle sprung forth, destroying everything around it as it tried to engulf Ajax. Unfortunately, the Saint was just as fast as a wave of shadow halted the Ice Castle's advance.

The two subspaces collided, causing an ear-shattering explosion as shockwaves swept the wolves caught in them.

The two subspaces grinded each other before dispelling, causing yet another explosion that knocked the two back.

Rising from the rubbles, Ajax speared a glance at the mother wolf. Black lines started to stain the surface of its skin, like a parasite spreading.

It seems it's getting serious.

***

Back on Timeus and Erubin's side.

Erubin trembled as nerves squirmed under his skin, his eyes carving a hole through the smirking bastard that took his future.

Unable to contain his rage, Erubin's blade burst into flame, climbing and engulfing his forearms.

"YOU BASTARD!!!" Erubin roared as he billowed forward.

"ERUBIN NO!" Timeus shouted as he followed.

Erubin flew in the air as he swung down, his blade of fury descending with reckoning force.

However, the wolf effortlessly jumped away, dodging the attack as it landed and causing a massive explosion of fire.

"GET OVER HERE!!!" Erubin shouted as he dashed again, keeping track of the beast.

Timeus could only cuss internally as he tailed the rageful man. As expected, what he feared had come to life.

Erubin kept swinging his weapon without stopping, each slash causing a wave of fire and destruction.

But none of his attacks has yet to land on the wolf as it dances around, avoiding each and every strike with utter ease.

Each dodge it did, it would crackle and smirk, further taunting Erubin.

However, the man's rage was halted as the wolf spoke.

"I... remember you. I remember... her."

Erubin's gaze widened as he clenched his jaw.

"Don't you dare."

"She begged... for her friends... life... It... was funny," the wolf said.

"My kin... loved her... She gave birth... To hybrids..." It followed as its eyes turned crescent.

Erubin's body ignited in flames, his killing intent soaring in the sky as he charged forward.

"I'll FUCKING KILL YOU!!!"

Uncaring for his body, Erubin delivered a chain of slashes, each time sending a wave of flames forward.

Unfortunately, his attacks were futile, as the beast simply countered his fire with ice.

"Fire. Weak." It mocked as it sneered.

"SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP!!!" Erubin bellowed as he hastened his slashes.

The wolf, on the other hand, simply chuckled in amusement as it dashed back and forth, playing with Erubin.

But its smile was frozen as a large spear of ice landed near it, stirring the dust.

"You seem to be forgetting something; he isn't alone," Timeus said as he rested his greatsword on his shoulder.

"More... toys," the wolf said in joy as it howled.

A mist as cold as ice spread throughout the field, engulfing the two in its embrace as their very breath formed steam.

Timeus huddled near Erubin, their backs facing each other as they swept their gaze around.

They could see the shadows shift in the mist, moving ever so slightly. It was underestimating them. Playing with them.

"Reveal yourself!!!" Erubin roared as his fire strengthened, pushing away some of the mist.

"Ok," a voice whispered beside him.

Jerking his head to the side, Erubin was catapulted back as he struck the ground three times before coming to a stop.

A chuckle emanated in the mist as Timeus shot a glance at Erubin.

"Erubin!" He called as he tried to inch closer, but to no avail.

From the ice fog, a large figure swiped at Timeus, shattering his armor with ease and leaving him with deep cuts.

Timeus fell to the ground as he wailed in torture, his wounds pestering at a speed he had not seen before.

"More! More! Scream more!" The wolf said.

Erubin slowly rose up as his grunts echoed in the air.

"Damn it," Erubin said in frustration.

Did his strength only amount to this much?

Wielding his blade, Erubin took a step forward, only to be smashed down again.

Blood spewed from his lips as he felt his bones creak and his flesh scream. But none of them can compare to the pain he felt in his heart.

"I remember... Woman begged... Begged to not harm you... kekeke," the wolf mocked as it swiped again, battering Erubin's body.

"Woman beg repeatedly," the wolf said as its voice mimicked that of Erubin's love.

"STOP! NO! DON'T IT HURTS!!! NO MORE!!!" The wolf mimicked.

Erubin's bloodshot eyes carved holes in the wolf as he struggled to raise himself up, his flames weakening to nothing but a mere flicker.

Like a candle losing its strength.

***

Back inside the trial.

Samael's footsteps left trails of echoes in the air as he slowly made his way towards the tower of Leo.

Each step he took felt harder than the last. He could feel his body weaken and his injuries worsen.

However, Samael remained steadfast as he kept his gaze forward, where the call was leading him.

Oddly enough, it invigorated him. It gave him a sense of strength and calm. A thing he only felt with Lilith.

But why was that? Samael knew not.

Passing through its halls and climbing its stairs, Samael felt every second was akin to an eternity.

With each passing moment, he felt his vision blur. He felt his body weaken and tremble, but he could not stop.

Samael felt that if he did, everything he was doing until now would be pointless. It was like abandoning a part of himself.

Keeping his pace steady, Samael found himself in a final stretch as he crossed a corridor, his hand grasping the walls for support.

Just a little more

Pushing himself forward, Samael's eyes widened as he observed the door before him.

"What...?" Samael muttered.

It was a banner. One he was familiar with.

The banner of the Void.

Similar to the one he found under the ruins below the crimson forest.

Just what is going on here? He wondered.

Touching the banner, Samael felt the world darken, as though he were thrown into disarray for a brief moment.

Before his eyes, the banner started to disintegrate, leaving nothing behind as the door opened slowly.

Inside was another altar. Similar to the one he saw before, but the contents were different.

There was no tablet.

There was a shard.

An onyx black shard floating centimeters above the altar. Hovering and enticing him.

What is this?

A goal you must strive for. A piece of the seven shards.

A piece of the seven shards?

Your answer lies in the shard itself.

Shifting his focus on the shard, Samael inched closer. His hand slowly reaching for the piece.

As it did, Samael felt his world shift.

It was as though he was watching something transpire before him. Like a spectator.

Samael could not properly comprehend it. However, he could briefly see two figures conversing. But before he could even make sense of it, it vanished.

And so the dark took him.