Chapter 789: Hail Mary and Hellfire
‘Wait a minute…is that archer guy using [Chaos]?!,’ Zhen Liu realized when he focused his senses on the weird fluctuations he was sensing. He couldn’t help but be a bit peeved at this point, because it seemed like he was running into one person after another that seemed to share his ability of using [Chaos]. Granted, the incidents were weeks to months apart, and the only reason why his great grandaunt and that one creepy dude from the Fallen Clan was able to use [Chaos] was due to a “kaijin transplant”, but still.
However, once Zhen Liu calmed himself down and began to focus even further on the sensation of [Chaos], he noticed that the power being exhibited by Azida was…significantly weaker than what he was used to sensing in the kaijin, the Parasinner, himself or even the orphans he left at the library. If he had to compare the man’s [Chaos] capacity to anything he knew, it would be comparable to that of a simple zako.
‘Wait a minute…Logos and Pathos did say that [Chaos] tends to react to the strong emotion and desires of mortals…maybe this Azida guy managed to reach some kind of emotional power epiphany? Then again, I’d probably be running on pure emotion and instinct too if a giant bear and a giant tiger came rushing towards me…’
Whatever the case may have been, Zhen Liu could tell that this battle wasn’t going to be as one sided as he thought it was going to be.
‘Then again…it’s still three versus one, and one of those three happens to be Hurricroak…’
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[Cyan Double Shot!]
‘Wait…when did I learn that move?’
Before Azida could figure out what the hell he was doing or at least what the hell he was going to do, two cyan colored arrows of energy manifested in the string of his bow, right as he was pulling back the “string” in preparation for an entirely different attack.
Compelled by a mixture of instinct and desperation, Azida let loose the cyan colored arrows, releasing a force of wind he did not recognize. On a positive side note though, the force of the attack gave him enough momentum to turn his downward fall into the ground, into a spinning landing maneuver.
Azida had intended for that attack to be a “Hail Mary” play, basically something that had a long shot form happening.
The cyan colored arrows of energy proceeded to fly with both power and precision, aimed directly at the oncoming animal shaped attacks.
To many observers, this seemed to be a fruitless endeavor. They could sense the sheer amount of power in both the tiger made of inky energy and the strange bear-like construct of rubble and thread, and they could tell that these two “creatures” contained significantly more power than those strange cyan arrows.
However, to the actual combatants themselves, they could sense that these arrows weren’t as simple as they appeared.
Both Mad Stitch and Mad Ink shared a look with one another, moments before the arrows pierced their respective constructs, readying themselves to defend themselves if needed.
As it would turn out, it was definitely needed.
*PTU! PTU!*
“How the heck did he-?!”
“No time! Dodge it!”
Many members of the audience assumed that the moment the arrows collided with the bestial constructs, that the latter would simply swipe away the attacks like they were nothing more than biting flies. Instead, outside of their expectations, the arrows pierced right through the bestial constructs and kept a steady pace as they flew towards Mad Ink and Mad Stitch, ready to pierce through the two of them like pincushions.
(Un)fortunately, the two young warriors proved themselves to be quicker than the arrows and managed to dodge out of the way at the last minute.
The distinctive sound of air cutting through rock could be heard as the arrows impacted against the arena walls, after failing to pierce their intended targets.
Azida let out an audible click of his tongue when he saw his attack fail, not that he could appreciate his failure for long.
“Hey! I’m still here!”
“Oh shit!”
[Smashing Thunder Cross!]
Shortly after Azida’s attack failed, Thunder Diva took the opportunity to launch a surprise attack in the form of a flying press, with her arms crossed in front of her face.
Thankfully, Azida had enough time to dodge out of the way by simplify running forward.
“Ha!”
*Crunch!*
*Boom!*
“Fuck!”
Unfortunately, Azida had greatly underestimated the sheer destructive power in Thunder Diva’s attack, and had not managed to escape the blast zone in time.
A cloud of dust, smoke and ash filled the air, as the crowd tried to determine if Azida managed to get out of danger in time.
“Gods above,is that guy even alive?!”
“Where’d he go? Where’d he go?”
“Look! Over there!”
The dust and smoke eventually both settled and cleared, to the point that people could make out that despite looking tattered, battered and worst for wear, that Azida managed to survive the Thunder Diva’s sudden impact attack. As for the diva herself, she could be seen standing in the clouds of dust and smoke looking rather pristine.
The sight of the two combatants just standing still, however, caused much of the crowd to become…curious.
“Okay, damn! I did not expect that guy to have been able to dodge an attack like that.”
“Same. I figured he’d get smacked with a direct attack.”
“Yeah-wait…if both of them are still fine and essentially look ready to fight, how come neither of them are making a move? This would be the perfect for a counter attack or a follow up from either side!”
“That…”
“Wait! Look!”
Once the clouds of dust and smoke fully disappeared, the audience was finally elucidated as to why nobody was making any moves.
Azida had actually been caught up in the blast of Thunder Diva’s attack, and had been forced into a ring out. As for the Thunder Diva’s footing though, he attack had ended up damaging the arena to the point that they were now standing in a pile of rubble.
For all intents and purposes, Azida had lost this challenge on a technicality.
‘Gods…dammit!’
“Ring out! Ring out! Contestant Azida has been eliminated by a technical ring out!”
“Dammit!”
“Wooo!”
“Hah!”
Waves of relief and defeat washed over Azida as he heard the crowds mix of jeers and cheers. He was annoyed that he had lost the battle, but…he couldn’t help but feel he had grasp something too.
‘What was that weird attack I did party way through the match? And why do I feel like I can do it again?’
Regardless…it still sucked getting eliminated in such an inglorious manner.
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[Huh…that was surprisingly quick.]
‘You sounded disappointed.’
[ A bit. Although, I wasn’t expecting him to suddenly whip out an attack that leveraged [Cha-]hold up…what am I sensing?]
‘Hurricroak? You good?’
[I am not sure…but I also think I should get the kids out of this arena right this second…]
‘Uh oh.’
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‘Huh…I guess there were only three signatures and the fight is now over…oh well. Might as well throw my hat into the ring anyways!’
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“Let’s give a big round of applause to Azida, everybody! Wasn’t he one hell of a fi-”
*KABOOM!*
“OH SHIT!”
“WHAT THE HELLS?!”
“WHO THE HELL IS THAT AND WHY DOES IT FEEL SIGNIFICANTLY HOTTER IN HERE?!”
Just as the announcer for the arena was about to give Azida his goodbye and bring in the next fighter, an explosion of flames occurred right in the vomitorium of the arena.
All eyes were drawn to this sudden burst of energy and smoke as soon as it happened.
From the smoke and ashes of this rather explosive entrance strode forth a rather intimidating looking individual with a rather…unusual appearance.
Pitch black skin with visible veins, reminiscent of magma.
Fierce glowing purple eyes that looked as if they could pierce a hole into someone’s soul.
A strange, crimson crystal that seemed to radiate enough heat to melt solid steel.
These were the traits that were plastered on to a seven foot tall frame of muscle, and topped with a face that radiated pure confidence.
The sudden appearance of this warrior brought out a whole bag of reactions from the crowd, but there was one emotion that was shared amongst them all, surprise.
“No way…no fucking way.”
“That dark skin…those veins of heat…t-that fucking crystal!”
“I’ve read up on them, but I never thought I’d see an aetherii in real life…”
“How the fuck is there an Ignarii all the way out here?!”
Ignoring these comments of surprise though, the mysterious Ignarii simply swept his gaze across the arena and the arena floor until settling his gaze on one particular group of individuals.
Thunder Diva and the Mad Craft siblings.
A wide smile formed on the Ignarii’s face as he pointed a finger towards them.
[My name is Olstenna!,] the Ignarii introduced himself. [And I challenge you, kaijin!]
Many onlookers were stupefied by this strange language…but to the ones who understood…it was unsettling, to say the least.
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‘Did…did that motherfucking orc just speak in a kaijin dialect?’
[Yes, yes he did.]
‘…do I even need to-‘.
[We’re on our way.]
CREATORS’ THOUGHTS
Mizako
Vomitorium is actually a fancy way of saying “entrance”.
Not even joking.
