It was a crisp, painful, and crushing feeling.
The air pressure released from his blow was frightening, cleaning the stage that had some dust on it, but that was not it. It also destroyed it.
A mere casual attack, had destroyed the stage, several cracks appeared on the enchanted stage, which was specifically made to endure the harshest of blows.
Alexander’s wrists felt numb, and the sound of the clash, ‘clang’ was still ringing in his ears.
“Ugh…”
He groaned, as the weight of the scythe above him increased tenfold, his feet dug into the ground, bound by the hard marble.
His wrists were hurting, and Alexander looked up.
His two swords, stationary in an X position, blocking the scythe blade, which was one inch from his face.
“Damn…”
He said, as his own figure disappeared, his feet, which were bound by the marble floor, tore through the floor, Which was enchanted but fucking useless. Alexander disappeared in an instant, and Kazikato’s Scythe, now left undisturbed, tore through the stage, immediately turning it to dust.
Just like that, one part of the stage was already destroyed, not even five minutes into the fight.
Kazikato, sensing something, raised his left hand, first covering it in a layer of bone. His left hand blocked Alexander’s gray sword, however, wind blades emerged from it and left small cuts on Kazikato’s body.
Kazikato jumped back.
“Your fast.”
He said, complimenting Alexander, who confused, said.
“… You figured that out and still made some distance between us?”
To him, it was confusing. If your opponent was fast, it was better to stick close and restrict as much of their movement you could. This would give you an advantage, and won’t allow them to gain momentum and use their speed. 𝑖𝘳.𝒸ℴ𝑚
“Yeah.” 𝘪𝑎.𝒸𝘰
Kazikato replied nonchalantly, checking his hand. There was big gash on the bone armor.
As they had this small exchange, everyone became quiet. None dared utter a word.
All of them were simply shocked, even the veterans. Even the host! Who was failing to do his job. He was supposed to host the match! Announce something!
‘Alright… I just need to keep this moment-‘
Alexander’s thoughts were interrupted by a hot, wet feeling on his forehead. He raised his hand to touch the area, and when he saw his fingers after…he grew silent.
There was blood. Alexander had failed to completely block Kazikato’s blow, and was injured.
“You got me…”
He said, and raised his swords, increasing his vigilance. Kazikato looked at him blankly, and then said.
“Yeah.”
A black energy appeared from beneath Kazikato, and covered him. Alexander hesitated, not willing to attack because he was unaware of what this black mass was.
A second later, the mass disappeared and Kazikato was still there, however the injuries on his figure had disappeared. Even his clothes were back in premium condition! Alexander grimaced.
‘I hope he can’t do that every time…’
He thought, and decided it was his turn to make his move. He coated his blades, each in their respective elements. One wind, and another thunder. However, that wasn’t all.
As one blade exuded fierce blades of wind that could easily cut apart steel, and another dangerous bolts of lightning, the fierce display was cut short as another, strange, unknown mana started to envelop them, covering the two by forming a layer on top of them.
“Huh?”
Kazikato muttered, confused at the strange mana that had enveloped Alexander’s blades, however, before he had the chance to question it, a chill ran down his spine as goosebumps appeared on his body. He hurriedly cast a shield around himself. A black magic circle appeared and cast an invisible shield, which was broken by Alexander in an instant.
However, it did give Kazikato a chance to respond. Kazikato raised his hand, and parried Alexander’s attack, which came like a sudden storm.
His eyes had a strange glint in their eyes, Kazikato’s black eyes met with them as sparks flew.
“Ha!”
He grunted, and pushed Alexander back. He was just about to rush at him when he realized…
“Huh…?”
A questioning look appeared on his face as he noticed the mana that once coated his scythe was starting to disappear, consumed by the strange gray mana.
[Null.]
Ariel’s voice resounded in his mind, but he didn’t have any time to process it before he was attacked mercilessly, a dozen or so attacks in a second, which he struggled to parry or block.
Kazikato, after gaining a moment of respite, stabbed the pommel of the scythe into the ground, causing it to become uneven and destroyed. He hoped this would help him against Alex, who was moving so fast he could barely see his figure, only vague after images.
Alexander was indeed affected by this move, but not so much. He had trained his speed in the ruined land that was Terra damnum, where nothing followed order, so he was more than used to his fair share of uneven terrain to walk on.
However, that was not the main cause of his withdrawal. His head was feeling weird, and he noticed a few drops of black liquid escaping from the previous wound. Furthermore, pieces of his skin were falling off.
‘That scythe…’
Alexander, worriedly, expelled whatever was causing this with the help of his Null mana, which succeeded, although it cost quite a lot of mana.
“What is that scythe…?”
Asked Alexander, as he could feel his strength diminishing, even though he had cleared the external influence.
“A gift.”
Kazikato answered as he swung it, the black mass appeared once again and launched itself towards Alexander in the form of a crescent moon. Kazikato quickly dodged it, and it collided with the Colosseum walls. The walls lost all color and began to be crumbled to dust.
They simply disappeared, there was no debris, only an empty crevice filled with nothing but dust.
‘Ok, don’t ever get hit by that. No matter what.’
Alexander thought, resolving himself to stay the fuck away from that scythe.
He made the right decision, that scythe was a gift from a Primordial Being, of course it would be dangerous!
[Name: Reaper.]
Description:
Forged in the heart of the underworld, the Reaper’s Embrace is a formidable scythe gifted by the primordial of Death, Ariel. This weapon carries with it the essence of death, shadows, ice and is endowed with the power of Ariel, and her children.
The scythe’s curved blade is crafted from Ariel’s scales, gleaming with an iridescent, shifting hue that transitions from deep obsidian to abyssal black, At its core, lies a strange, swirling vortex that seems to draw whoever stares at it, sometimes showing them their beloved deceased, or those who they held close to draw them closer, capturing them in the embrace of death.
The handle is wrapped in shadow-laden leather, adorned with haunting runes that appear dead, but pulse like a heart. At the hilt, a miniature dragon emblem, bearing the likeness of Ariel, serving as a symbol for those who know her to recognize, and get the message of ‘Fuck off’.
—Skills—
Soul Harvest (Passive): Each successful strike with the Reaper’s Embrace absorbs a fraction of the victim’s life force, gradually restoring the wielder’s health.
Sin of Decay (Active): If the scythe touches anything, it will cause it to decay until nothing is left, this skill requires mana to remain active. The more there is to decay, the more mana is consumed.
Cursed Sweep (Active): Unleash a sweeping arc with the scythe, leaving behind a trail of darkness and rot that inflicts a lingering curse upon enemies struck. The curse weakens their defenses and saps their vitality over time. And turns them or whatever it struck into dust.
Primordial of Death, Ariel : Invoke the power of the primordial Dragon, Ariel, to temporarily transform the scythe into a conduit. During this state, the Reaper’s Embrace gains increased damage, extended reach, and the ability to cleave through anything. Further mastery of this ability will allow the wielder to channel Ariel’s powers, and even summon her, only if Her Majesty agrees (and if the wielder is able to handle the summoning).
Because of the Wielder’s current stats, Most of the functions of the scythe are locked.
——-
That was the fearful weapon, and Alexander would thank God for giving him the sudden enlightenment to never allow the weapon to so much as graze him, if he knew what it could do of course. Nothing would be left of him if he did come into contact with it. Thankfully, his special Null mana proved to be helpful.
“Haha… Bring it on.”
Alexander said, looking at his own items. Even though he didn’t know what the scythe was truly capable, he decided to trust the weapons crafted by Festul.
“Huh? Is it raining?”
The host said, as he felt a drop of water on his nose, he looked up to see that a storm was brewing. Lightning flashed as he felt the mana the two youths release increase tenfold.
Alexander’s body was struck by lightning from the skies, and it empowered him, and Kazikato empowered himself with the mana of death.
The audience watched in anticipation as an explosion as the elements of Null, Wind and Thunder clashed against Death.
𝘳𝑎.𝒸ℴ