“You sure you want to do that, lad?” Cirayus asked, cocking a brow. “I won’t have you complaining later.”
“When have I ever complained? Besides, you’re assuming I’ll lose. If I win, won’t it be even more of an accomplishment this way? Beating you even without my Artifact?”
“Empty bravado? Or do you truly believe that? I see the Mahādi Realm has given you confidence. Though is it well founded, I wonder? Or will it crack under the slightest pressure? We shall soon find out. We fight to knockout or surrender. Ready yourself, lad. The duel begins when the dagger strikes the ground.”
Cirayus produced a dagger Vir had never seen—likely one he’d pilfered from the Mejai of Realms’ men—and hurled it at the ground between them.
Vir activated Haste, and the world slowed to a fifth of normal. The dagger’s every spin became visible as it sailed through the air. Not slowly, but slow enough for Vir to track.
He did more than watch, though. Prana Current surged to its absolute maximum, strengthening the Prana Armor which was always active.
In the few moments before the dagger hit, Vir had already coalesced prana around his body, bolstering the armor, making him more durable.
His heart pumped madly.
This was the moment he’d wished for. To test his mettle against a truly capable opponent. The Domain Lords hadn’t been strong enough. Cirayus, though? Had he truly grown strong enough to defeat the giant?
The dagger struck, its clang against the rock coming like a low boom, pitch-shifted and deep.
A volley of Chakram Barrages erupted from Vir’s fist the moment it did.
The disks of pure Ash prana ripped forth in deadly succession. Vir fired off half a dozen before Blinking around to Cirayus’ back and firing six more. Then he repeated the process, Blinking and firing barrage after barrage. Mobility was Vir’s greatest weapon. He understood Cirayus’ strength better than most, both offensive and defensive. It took a lot to hurt him.
So it was to Vir’s immense satisfaction that small gashes opened up in a dozen places around the giant’s body. Though shallow, blood wept from each—a darker crimson against Cirayus’ red skin.
He can’t even dodge with how fast I’m attacking!
Just to throw off Cirayus’ uncanny sixth sense, Vir alternated between Blinking randomly around the demon and sinking into the shadows. From there, he could strike from practically any surface—this truly was an environment that favored him.
Still, despite his dozens of attacks—each of which would rend lesser Ash Beasts—he’d failed to deliver a crippling blow.
Aspect of the Final Sanctuary.
Vir had never once seen the demon use that tattoo. It was an unaffiliated art, meaning any demon from any clan could use it, and its specialty was defense, protection, and restoration.
As with the other Aspect tattoos, it was abstract in nature, its exact powers changing based on the wielder’s imagination and mastery.
Vir had never seen him use it because the demon had never once been injured in their time in the Ash.
That was when the reality dawned on him.
That’s the first time he’s taken an injury. I… injured Cirayus?
Until now, he wasn’t even sure if the giant could bleed. Giant’s Hide made the demon nearly impervious to weaker attacks; Vir had witnessed Shredders chomp onto his arm, only to flail in desperation as Cirayus casually swatted them off—ending them.
Yet bleed he did, even if his wounds rapidly healed. Though, Vir noticed, not nearly as swiftly as he’d feared. The healing rate, while faster than Vir’s pranites could manage, was nowhere near Ashani’s own capabilities. Or those of the Garuda Vir fought in the Ash, for that matter.
Which means… if I keep this up…
Vir flashed back and forth, alternating between Chakram Barrages and the stronger, albeit slower, Katar Barrage. Each attack left its mark on the demon’s skin, covering him in wounds.
He felt bad about hurting Cirayus like this, but he blamed the demon for being as strong as he was. Also, if he was honest, he had a lot of pent-up frustration to release. Cirayus just so happened to be the perfect target.
More!
Vir Blinked to within melee range. Prana Blade erupted from his katar, and Cirayus’ eyes lit up in surprise. Its deadly energy was so thick that even the giant saw it.
Vir swung, and for the first time in their duel, Cirayus attempted to dodge.
Attempted, and ultimately failed. With how quickly Vir moved, the demon’s large frame was a hindrance. Vir’s katar traced across his chest, and a great gash opened. Cirayus did not buckle, nor did he even grunt in pain.
“Your mobility is truly impressive, I must admit,” Cirayus said, lecturing in his normal, measured tone. “When you learned to accelerate your body, you gained an edge. I see now that you’ve managed to improve upon it. What is it now—four times your normal speed? Five, perhaps?”
Vir clucked his tongue. How can he be talking so calmly after taking such a wound?
“As entertaining as it would be to fight you like this, I must admit I am at a disadvantage. Let us balance the scales a bit, shall we?” Cirayus said, grinning at his own joke.
“Go right ahead,” Vir shot back. He’d seen Balancer of Scales in action. He knew its power. Ten times his weight would slow him, yes, but it was nothing he couldn’t—
“Hrrgh!” Vir’s knees buckled, and he went crashing to the ground. An almighty force pressed upon him with the weight of a mountain. Like his Foundation Chakra training had manifested in reality.
Yet this was no chakra attack.
How can this be Balancer of Scales!
“There is an old saying among demons. A wise one.” Cirayus cracked his neck. “The Shrike hides its talons. Until now, you have seen me increase the weight of objects tenfold. When applied to a large area, this is indeed my limit. But when coalesced? Right now, you are experiencing fifty times your own weight. Even with your prana-strengthened body, I doubt you can shrug it off, yes?”
Fifty? The old geezer’s been hiding his abilities! Although that wasn’t quite correct. Just that he’d simply never needed to use them before.
Grinding his teeth against the pressure, Vir slowly worked his way back to his feet.
This… might be a problem.
While he could at least stand, his body had become unbelievably sluggish. With Haste active, his mind was still running at full speed, but his body could no longer respond like before. He was practically wading through a thick syrup.
How’s he manage that, anyway?
On several occasions, Cirayus harped on just how difficult it was to master Balancer of Scales. To concentrate the ability on just Vir alone meant he had to not only track Vir’s movements, but also keep the ability centered upon him at all times. Just what godlike level of control did it take to manage such a feat?
Damned old chal. He’s probably spent hundreds of years getting it to this state.
To Vir’s horror and frustration, he saw Cirayus’ next attack coming. That didn’t mean he could do anything about it, though.
Cirayus was almost casual in the way he stomped up to Vir. The tower shield surged forth, and Vir went flying.
Prana Armor might’ve protected him from the blunt force trauma of being struck by a shield the size of a wall, but it didn’t cancel the weight of the blow.