Act 1:ch.24 One Hit Kill

Nova, Lazuli, Kuni and Shion clashed with the Demoreals. The moment their fists collided the rippling shockwaves completely destroyed the galaxy they were in while the universe shook like an earthquake. They all continued to fight, sometimes switching opponents before splitting off across existence to fight their own personal battles. One on one.

I just barely blocked the punch from my opponent, but it was so powerful that it launched me up into the air, shattering through dimensions before stopping within The Genesis.

You ok Kuni?

I looked down at my forearms. It looked like the first layer of skin had been burned off, almost like a friction burn, revealing the second bloody layer. Bruised and smashed nerves and blood vessels were made visible.

Stings like a bitch but I'll be alright.

As I replied to Sanguis, the injuries began to heal but I did not let my guard as I felt a presence.

I quickly twisted my head to the side, narrowly dodging an energy blast. My opponent came flying towards me, but he was met with a viscous uppercut to the chin. I felt their jaw dislocate as they yelled out in surprise before I grabbed their face and smashed it into onto my knee for good measure, shattering their nose. While they stood in a daze, I pulled back my fist and fuelled it with Ethos until it glowed similar to that of when you put your fingers over a torch light.

The punch connected with his stomach like a crack of lightning, the shockwave cracking the dimension before I continued the movement so that he was sent hurtling through one of the cracks.

Once they were out of site I looked down at my fist. The knuckles were stained with droplets blood that trickled down my wrists.

I shook my hand so that blood floated in front of me. The Genesis transcending gravity, much like The Beyond, made it quicker for me to lick and ingest the blood.

"Blood Art: Bloodhound." I murmured, activating one of multiple new blood-based abilities I learned.

My opponent's location was suddenly clear in my mind, and I instantly teleported to them.

I appeared just a few feet away from my opponent while he coughed and spluttered, clutching his ribs while crimson blood flew from his mouth.

"You little shit," he spat with a sarcastic grin. "I thought you were just a weakling but that punch of yours sent us straight into The Chaos Void."

I looked around quickly in surprise to find myself out n a void similar to The Beyond however it constantly seemed to change between the neon colours of red, orange and yellow.

He's correct. Specifically, we are in what appears to be one of the first Inner-Realms. Delta-Realms aren't neon in colour theme.

Guess that punch was more powerful than I thought. Wonder if I could punch him into an Outer-Realm. Maybe double the power would, do it?

As I wondered I looked at my hands, flexing them by opening and closing them into fists.

A punch with double the power would probably launch him through the other infinite hierarchy of Delta-Realms that transcend this Inner-Realm before he crashes into the next Inner-Realm. The power of the punch you need is one that'll smash through the infinite hierarchy of Inner-Realms along with all the infinite number of infinite hierarchies of Delta-Realms before he finally crashed into the first Outer-Realm.

If you keep saying infinite, I'm gonna fall asleep. Can I do it or not?

What nice manners you have. You'd think you'd be more polite if you were raised within a wealthy family of assassins. But to answer your question… at your current full power it may be possible, a small possibility, but a possibility none the less.

"Hey! Are you ignoring me!?"

I turned my attention back to my opponent who was now standing up, all previous injuries gone.

"Oh yeah, you're here." I mumbled.

"You little brat!" The Demoreal said through gritted teeth, his veins practically bursting on his head. "I am Azazel Platinum, Head of The Platinum Family."

"Ok?" I said while raising an eyebrow. "And I'm Kuni Saber, the prodigy of Saber Family of Assassins. Status doesn't mean shit in a fight. Only power, strength and skill. You learn that in my kind of work."

"Well then let's get back to where we left off then." Azazel hissed before we lunged at each other.

Azazel threw a punch which I narrowly dodged only to be met by an uppercut from below. I felt my entire body shake while blood flew from my lips as my teeth smashed into each other.

Ha! Big mistake!

With a thought, the droplets of blood hardened and rained down onto Azazel's face like getting hit point blank by a machine gun. He screamed in pain but his wounds healed the moment they appeared and he lunged for me again.

I blocked his kick and countered with one of my own as it made impact a sudden force flung me backwards, sending me spiralling through the realm before I regained balance.

I looked to up to find a hail of Ethos blasts flying towards me.

"This guy is persistent." I hissed.

I leapt upwards, flipping on my side while in the air to dodge the first few blasts before biting my thumb and tearing the skin off.

"Blood Art: Crimson Barrier

The blood squirted out like a fountain before forming a vortex around me, shredding the blasts.

My visibility was restricted, to the point of being nearly blind, but I could find Azazel's location through sending his Ethos.

Shit, it's like he's everywhere.

Due to the blasts being made out of his Ethos it felt like he was everywhere at once.

I can't find him like this!

Try to find the point where the Ethos is most concentrated.

I see.

I almost instantly found him.

Gotcha.

Out of the bloody vortex started to form a long barrel like you might see on a tank.

Within the vortex, I held out my thumb and more blood flowed out of the little cut before converging on the inside of the barrel like loading a bullet.

"Blood Art Second Form: Cannon Fire."

In an instant, the entire vortex loaded itself within the barrel before being fired like an artillery shell. A sound like a bomb exploding rang out as a large dark red spear (almost six feet in length) erupted out of the barrel and impaled Azazel right through the chest in less than instant.

Immediately all the blasts disappeared as Azazel vomited up blood while clutching onto the spear as it's momentum carried him along with it through the dimension.

"Don't get comfortable yet!" I yelled as I pulled my fist close.

The spear, with Azazel still attached, was suddenly dragged towards me in the blink of an eye while blood continued to flow out of my thumb and form a ball of blood like energy that swirled around violently within my grasp.

"You die here." I muttered but I spoke to soon.

Azazel was suddenly engulfed in a giant explosion of dark yellow energy that sent me flying.

"What the hell?!"

Looks like our little friend here has himself a Capere Form.

The energy disappeared revealing a much bulkier and shirtless Azazel. His hair had turned silver with a pair of feathered wings, like that of an angel's, spreading wide from his back. It's polished metallic colour shone like a star.

In the religion of Christianity the name Azazel belongs to a Fallen Angel. Looks like this guy really fits the part.

Azazel was suddenly behind me placing a swirling orb of silver energy onto my back.

He's so fast!

"Shit!" I screamed before the orb made contact and exploded, blowing my body to pieces as I rocketed down the infinite hierarchies of realms before finally stopping and smashing into a land mass within the Abyss Omega.

I lay there, blood pooling around me.

I can't feel my legs, no scratch that. I can't feel anything from the chest down.

That's cuz you don't have anything from the chest down. You can't move either because of the damage dealt to where your spinal cord connects to your brain.

Well apart from that what's the situation?

Your entire left arm is gone while you still have the upper half of your right arm. The rest of your body is scarred with third degree burns but your face is mostly fine. Except for a few gashes in your cheeks.

Good. How long will the regeneration take?

In about 3, 2, 1.

Immediately the blood pooling around me connected to the severed ends of my body, reconstructing my limbs while also forcing me to stand up. I was as good as new in an instant.

You weren't joking about how powerful that healing is.

I was then created by Azazel crashing down onto the other end of the land mass.

"No way." He said with a shocked expression. "That's some impressive regeneration brat. Thought that little attack of mine would have killed you. However your still nothing to me."

"I agree. I don't think I'll be able to win like this." I replied, nodding. "So let's even the odds."

I materialised a knife in my hand and slit my throat. Blood gushed out like a waterfall before it seemed to take a mind of its own and covered my body entirely.

The familiar clothing appeared on my body, a crimson mask covering my mouth and nose. As I finished transforming into my Capere Form, the two shotguns appeared in my hands. I aimed an fired.

Azazel, although caught off guard, charged forwards while narrowly dodging the spray of bullets before throwing a haymaker of a punch. I tilted my head to the side, slipping the attack with ease, as I placed the barrel of the second gun directly on the centre of his bare chest. I pulled the trigger.

"Uugh!" Azazel choked while vomiting up blood as his chest caved in and back exploded outwards in a shower of gore.

The blast sent him flying however the wound healed quickly and we charged at each other. I fired two more times but Azazel saw it coming and leaped over the shower of bullets before descending down upon me. I threw the guns at him, using that momentary distraction to leap out of the way of his punch. It destroyed a chunk of the land mass but I was unharmed.

"Strange. I thought an attack from someone in a Capere Form would be a lot more powerful than that." I muttered.

"It's the Ethos control." Azazel called out.

"Huh?"

"Usually when an Ethorian activates a large amount of power their Ethos erupts from their body sort of like an aura. An aura that can cause major damage to the surroundings. In extreme cases for those of immense power, a collision between two Ethorians can cause the destruction of Realities and even higher constructs." As Azazel spoke, he landed on the remaining land mass before taking slow steps towards me. "The Capere Form automatically keeps this aura of Ethos contained within your body, preventing such unneeded destruction or at least reducing it by a large amount. The initial release of Ethos from the transformation process however does not apply to this."

"Sounds useful. Can one do this without a Capere Form." I asked, voicing my thoughts.

Azazel stopped. A nervous expression flashed on his face briefly, like he was recalling unpleasant memories.

"A large amount of the Cosmos family members can do it as well as The Demoreal King along with Phoenix, The Demoreal King's second in command."

"Interesting." I said while noticing the flow of Azazel's Ethos within his body start to gather in his hand. "Nice try."

I fired my gun, the blast catching Azazel of guard before blowing away his whole arm.

While he screamed in pain I leapt forward, dropping my gun and replacing it with a hidden blade.

That's right. Finish it. As the Ethereal Incarnation of the Grim Reaper it is your right to end this fight with that Skill of yours.

"Scythe of the Abyss." I muttered as flew behind Azazel, ready to slit his throat and kill him instantly.

Kuni! Dodge!

Not hesitating, I leapt backwards as far as I could, witnessing something crash down on to the land mass in an explosion of debris.

As the dust cleared I saw the body of one of the other Demoreals laying next Azazel who just stared at them in shock.

"Mammon!?" He almost shouted in confusion.

Mammon groaned as clearly broken limbs cracked and popped back into placing while making a sound akin to cooking popcorn.

He looked different. Before Mammon had only one scaly patch on his cheek but now his entire body were smooth orange scales that glowed dimly like a dying light bulb. His teeth were razor sharp and his eyes were green like a snake's with his hands and feet showing two inch long black claws on each finger and toe. His previous, slightly bulky, 6'7ft tall build was now even more impressive, rocking a 7'5ft height and a physique that would put even the most roided up bodybuilder to shame.

"Huh? thought you'd die from that."

I turned round to see Lazuli standing casually next to me, adjusting her glasses while looking at Mammon almost like a teacher grading a student.

"You little bitch." Mammon hissed. "When I'm through with you your hair ain't the only thing that's going to be red."

"Ooo scary." Lazuli mocked.

"Hey, just letting you know that you just stopped me from ending my fight with him over there." I said, gesturing to the frustrated Azazel.

Lazuli looked at me then at Azazel. She looked Mammon then looked at me again.

Her face suddenly turned beat red.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" She squealed while furiously bowing over and over again.

That's a reaction.

Azazel and Mammon probably shared the same thought as they just stared at the scene, slack jawed.

"It's fine really-"

I was cut off as both Lazuli and I leaned back to dodge two energy blasts. We turned our heads to find our opponents charging towards us.

"To make up for my mistake let's switch opponents. You think you can handle Mammon?" Lazuli quickly said.

I looked at Mammon and the Skill Sloth showed me all of the Skills different he had.

I nodded and we charged.

It was over in an instant.

Mammon threw a punch that looked like it packed the power to shatter Omega's, if not Delta-Realms, but it was slow. I dodged it easily and formed the same blade I had materialised previously.

His scales probably act like an armour. Better put all my power into this.

I activated Scythe of The Abyss and, in a flash, sliced the blade cleanly across Mammon's cheek. Blood flowed freely and Mammon just had enough time to show a look of surprise before disintegrating immediately into a reddish gold coloured energy that disappeared the moment it appeared.

Looks like that Incarnation Skill of yours has gotten stronger aye?

Nope. The cut was closer to one his vital organs. The brain. The closer the cut is to a vital organ the quicker the process.

Fair enough.

I turned to see Lazuli.

My mouth dropped open.

The speed and punches of Azazel that I was struggling to keep up with were being easily dodged by Lazuli. She stood, her feet frozen to the ground while easily swatting away or dodging Azazel's attacks who was attacking from all directions.

S-S-Sh-She's not even in her Capere Form!?

Lazuli dodged a kick before throwing a punch directly at Azazel's gut who just barely blocked it by crossing his arms over his stomach.

Huh?

Azazel also looked confused. When the punch made connection with his arms it didn't make a sound. In fact it didn't even phase him.

Maybe she's just fast but lacks punching power.

Azazel's head was suddenly blown of his as if it had been hit by something incredibly powerful from the side. The head also broke apart at the same time almost like a watermelon exploding. Blood scattered across the land mass before Azazel's, limp body dropped to the floor.

He's dead.

Wow Sanguis I didn't know you got a promotion to CAPTAIN obvious.

Don't say I'm never here to help.

I ignored my Ethos. My mind was still trying to make sense of what just happened.

Was this an ability of her's? If so what is it?

"Lazuli," I called out causing her turn to face me. On side of her chin and cheek had a small amount blood splattered on it giving her calm expression a slightly psychotic look. "Umm… What just happened and how did you do it?"

Lazuli smiled. Adjusted her glasses and put a finger to her lips.

"Always keep your cards close to your chest." She giggled.

Suddenly her eyes widened, brimming with what looked like fear. She darted her head from side to side.

"Lazuli what are you d-"

I suddenly felt really dizzy, my vision swaying as fear creeped its way into my body like an icy hand gripping on my heart.

W-what the hell?

Lazuli bent down on one knee heaving heavy and panicky breaths.

I felt someone, no, something. A presence. It was everywhere and nowhere all at once.

"What the hellll!?" Lazuli yelled, her breathing becoming more ragged.

It felt like all my senses were sent into overdrive, cold sweat dripping down my forehead.

"It feels like millions of eyes are boring into my soul." I said through gritted teeth as I grabbed my chest.

I looked to the side and could have sworn that I saw the silhouette of a small child. If I did see it then it mysteriously disappeared the moment I laid eyes on it.

The fear and paranoia gripping my body slowly began to wash away, like washing away the dirt on your body when showering.

Lazuli and I stood up straight and stared at each other. Her blue eyes showed my current thoughts.

Fear. Confusion. Shock.

"What was that just now?"