Darven tried to dodge, but the ape’s attacks were overwhelming. A fist connected with his wing, the bone snapping with a crack. Despite this, Darven remained composed, falling to the ground, his movements becoming more sluggish. The ape loomed over him, its eyes glowing bright crimson.
…
“That hit was brutal,” Marcus commented, his voice filled with concern. “Alister’s dragon is in serious trouble now.”
“Can he recover from that?” Elena wondered aloud.
…
Darven rolled to the side, barely avoiding a crushing stomp, and swung his tail, slicing the ape’s leg. The ape stumbled but recovered quickly, its fists hammering down in a barrage. Each blow shattered the ground around Darven, creating craters and sending debris flying.
…
“The crimson ape isn’t letting up,” Marcus noted. “It’s like a relentless force of nature.”
“But look at Darven,” Elena pointed out. “He’s still fighting back, still looking for an opening.”
–
Darven put some distance between himself and the Crimson Berserk Ape. The ape roared, its wounds dripping with dark, metallic blood. Darven narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath, his chest glowing faintly.
…
“He’s preparing for something,” Marcus said, leaning forward. “This could be a big move.”
…
With a powerful exhale, Darven unleashed a concentrated breath of lightning. The bolt of pure energy shot forward, striking the ape. The lightning coursed through the ape’s body, entering through its numerous wounds.
The ape convulsed violently, its massive body shuddering as the electricity wreaked havoc within it. With a pained roar, the ape fell to its knees, its strength finally failing.
…
“That lightning breath! It’s incredible!” Elena exclaimed. “It appears the wounds the crimson ape sustained have now served as an opening for the lightning to get into its body.”
“He’s got it on the ropes,” Marcus said, his voice full of excitement. “Alister’s dragon might just pull this off.”
…
Darven landed lightly on the ground, his eyes never leaving the fallen ape, watching as it slowly tried to get back on its knees.
Finally, Darven spoke.
“I was arrogant,” he admitted, his voice had a touch of respect.
“I underestimated you. I intended to not fight you at full strength so I would use defeating you in such a way to get praises from my lord. But now I see you’re truly a worthy adversary.”
“So in order to defeat you, I will have to put in some effort.”
As he spoke, a purple glow covered Darven’s body. His massive dragon body began to shrink, the glow intensifying until it revealed his humanoid knight form, his combat form.
…
“Wait… what’s this?!” Both Elena and Marcus exclaimed.
“I don’t understand, did Alister’s dragon shrink?” Elena finally asked.
“It appears so, but it appears it has taken some sort of humanoid form. Is that another capability of his dragons that we are not aware of?!” Marcus speculated.
“Alister isn’t even here yet his summon continues to amaze us!”
…
Standing tall, Darven reached for his greatsword, Storm Cleaver, which lay beside him.
“In recognition of your strength, I will be using one of my clan’s most powerful moves.”
As he pulled it from the ground, runes flared up along his arm and around the sword, glowing with a fierce light.
…
“Are those runes…”
“They sure do look like they are.” Marcus replied, looking curiously at the screen.
“But… I thought they were only used in alchemy and blacksmithing?”
“True, but the purposes of those ones may not compare to this one. Not only does this look really old but they seem like they’re amplifying his power!”
…
Steam rose from Darven’s body as lightning rippled violently around him, causing tiny particles to rise up in the air.
He lifted Storm Cleaver, positioning himself into a striking stance. His feet were planted firmly on the ground, his knees slightly bent for balance.
He held the sword with both hands, the blade angled diagonally across his body, ready to strike. His muscles tensed, his entire being focused on the next move.
“So I will be ending this battle in my next move.”
Darven’s eyes crackled with purple lightning as he then spoke.
“Valor-Void Sword Art, 12th Form: Lightning Comet!” Darven said, his voice vibrating the air around him with power.
…
“Did you hear that?” Marcus said, his eyes wide. “This is it-the finishing move!”
…
In an instant, Darven propelled himself forward with a burst of speed, the ground beneath him shattering as he shot forward like a bolt of lightning, the earth beneath scorched by the lightning that surged from his body.
He closed the distance with the ape in the blink of an eye, leaving a massive sonic boom in his wake, his sword a blur as it cleaved through the air. The blade sliced through dozens of times, severing at an unknown pace in a split second, accompanied by massive gusts of wind.
The next instant, Darven was standing on the other side.
For a moment, both Darven and the ape seemed to freeze in place with the ape still intact, the wilderness around seemed to hold its breath. Then, slowly, Darven lowered his sword, his
eyes softening with respect.
“You fought well. Rest in peace now.”
The ape’s massive body remained motionless for a heartbeat longer before tiny crackles of lightning could be seen emanating from it.
BOOM
The crimson ape suddenly exploded, its body entrails splattered around in countless pieces, yet surprisingly only its core was intact.
The battlefield, scarred and smoking, was suddenly silent as Darven stood victorious, his sword still glowing with the remnants of his mana.
…
“Unbelievable! I’m not sure what happened since it happened so fast, but it seems the battle
is over!” Marcus yelled. “Alister’s dragon did it. It really did it.”
“What a battle, it had me on edge the entire time, truly a remarkable display of power here.”
…
Darven then spoke calmly, “Since I’m done here, it would be best I return to my lord.”
With that, he turned his gaze toward the horizon. In an instant, his body was enveloped in a
flash of purple lightning.