31. Death's shadow (2): The ire of souls

COSMIC CULTIVATION chapter 31

Silas was confused on what exactly was happening with the shadows in the area and then Karvon walked forward towards it.

"What's that?" Silas asked Juliet who was beside him and she swallowed. Her eyes was on the black figure which arose from the ground.

"That… is his shadow. Death's shadow. The last piece of his being which also wields the ire of souls. To retrieve the ire, Karvon has to defeat his shadow and become one with it," Juliet explained and Silas looked behind Karvon and indeed he didn't see a shadow beneath him which was freaky.

A ragged cloak appeared over the shadow and covered it and it struck the blade of the scythe to the ground offensively.

Karvon furrowed his brows as he widened his legs and got ready to charge at the shadow which was now paying attention to him.

'Last step to gaining my power back.'Karvon sighed as he closed his eyes and the scythe got covered in a red aura. He then opened his eyes to reveal his glowing red eyes.

As if copying him, the shadow's scythe got covered in a black aura and it suddenly shot towards Karvon. Karvon too shot towards his other half with a calm and focused face.

*CLANK!!*

Silas was amazed at the sudden speed exhibited by the shadow and his counter-part. The two scythes were spinning in both of their hands hand. They attacked each other violently, their speed on the same level.

The shadow raised the scythe up to strike Karvon and that was the perfect opportunity for him. Karvon swung his scythe horizontally towards the shadow's chest with all the strength he could muster.

At the last moment, the shadow brought the scythe to the front of its chest and Karvon hit it, pushing the shadow backwards. 

Karvon didn't even let the shadow relax and threw his scythe towards the shadow. The scythe spun like a wheel as it headed towards the shadow, causing a shallow fissure in the ground as it sped past.

The shadow's scythe left its hand and flew in front of it, spinning at an incredible pace, it deflected Karvon's scythe back. Karvon caught his scythe and his speed increased all of a sudden.

He ran towards the shadow, leaving a trail of red light behind him. The shadow too sped towards him at equal speeds and then they clashed, causing a wave energy to blast out in all surroundings. They began exchanging blows again, with none even at an edge.

Silas was engrossed in watching the battle in front of him that he didn't even notice Juliet who had a bright coloured flame on her palm and the other hand deposited more flame into the one on her other hand.

Karvon bent backwards and the shadow's scythe passed over him and he caught glimpse of Juliet channelling a bright fire ball in her hand and he furrowed his brows and then ran behind the shadow and then the fight continued.

Silas was amazed by Karvon's fighting skill that could easily rival that of monks who mastered kung fu. The back and forth movement of Karvon's body amazed Silas. This reincarnation might even be better than him at raw fighting skill.

Now the shadow's back was faced towards Silas and Juliet. A dark aura suddenly exploded from the shadow's body and then Karvon blocked his eyes from the dust blown by the sudden surge of energy. The shadow suddenly came out of the dark energy surge state and then it suddenly vanished and appeared in front of Karvon and struck its scythe towards his head.

Karvon was nearly too slow and he felt the scythe brush the side of his face and he immediately stood up straight and jump back. A surge of red energy emerged from his body and he smiled at the shadow and then they both vanished from their position and appeared in the air.

*BOOM!!*

A loud sound reverberated around the surroundings as the clash of impact was powerful enough to create a resulting force which blew all the old dust from the floors and surroundings.

Silas was confused as Karvon and his shadow suddenly got four times faster than before. He looked at Juliet and that was when he noticed the continuously condensing fire ball in her hands.

"What's going on? I thought he would have to face his shadow alone," Silas said in confusion, forgetting what he was about to ask before he got distracted.

"Death and his shadow are on the same power level at the moment. He can't possibly defeat a replica of himself who has equal experience. Right now both of them are using the innate power of their weapons to boost their strength temporarily," Juliet explained and Silas looked at her from head to toe as she wasn't the type to talk a lot.

It took over five minute for Karvon and his shadow to slow down. The shadow was the first to slow down and Karvon rushed towards it still at a very amped speed. He swung his scythe upwards and the shadow was too slow to dodge or block and the arm was cut off.

A low sound of wind howling resounded as the arm flew and turned into black particles that faded into the air. The energy around Karvon suddenly dissipated into the air and he had sweat drops running down his body.

His eyes widened as the shadow leapt towards him and a bright light shone behind the shadow and Karvon knew what was coming and jumped out of the way. 

A ray of condensed flames passed through the body of the shadow and it fell to the ground as it began to twitch. The area in front of the shadow was blasted open to another cave and Karvon quickly made his way to the Shadow before it vanished and he put his hand into the face and he brought out his hand to reveal a shadow on his palm which danced like a flame.

Karvon then put the ire of souls on his chest and it suddenly vanished into his body. He stepped on the empty garment of his shadow and then he floated up into the air. 

"ARGHHHHHH!!" Karvon shouted loudly and he screams echoed all around the caves.

A red light mixed with a black aura surrounded Karvon and the swirling waves of energy suddenly settled and Silas was amazed at the new Karvon.

He no longer looked like a kid and his mature gaze and long white hair and he seemed to be over six feet tall now. 

Silas walked forward along with Juliet

"That's a nice new look," Silas complimented.

Although he was frustrated that he was going to grow his subordinate's power instead of his, he just sighed as he could always train later.

Karvon looked at Silas and he brandished his scythe as he frowned.

"NO!!" Juliet shouted and Silas was confused. 

Before he knew it he looked forward and saw Karvon's scythe about to end his life.