48 Chaotic Battle

Aiden and Damien stood face to face, their gazes locked in a battle of wills. The atmosphere grew tense as their surroundings seemed to fade into insignificance. Charles and Dian Long, well aware of Aiden's presence within the tower due to his previous attack, maintained their composure, expecting this moment to unfold.

With a sly smile, Damien taunted Aiden, his voice laced with a mix of arrogance and curiosity. "Aiden, it appears you haven't learned your lesson from our last encounter. Despite my best efforts to bury you, you persist in challenging me. How amusing that you refuse to succumb to death."

Damien then turned his attention to Charles, his spear pointing menacingly at Aiden. "You and Dian Long must have noticed something peculiar about him, haven't you? The audacity to claim the title of 'the sin of pride.' It surely struck you as odd for a mere human to bear such a title that was once used by that man, right?."

Aiden's eyes flickered between Charles and Dian Long, seeking an answer. However, both remained silent, purposefully avoiding his gaze, refusing to offer any insight. Aiden, undeterred, refocused his attention on Damien, his voice steady and resolute.

"It seems this is connected to the name you called me earlier, 'Zerafill,' isn't it?" Aiden questioned, his tone tinged with curiosity and a touch of apprehension. He knew there was a deeper significance to this enigmatic name, a truth waiting to be unraveled.

Damien's smile stretched wider, a twisted blend of amusement and malice dancing across his lips. "Ah, so you've finally grasped it, Aiden. Zerafill, the name that links to my and those two era. The forgotten era, that carries with it secrets that may change the world, but do not fret, for I won't say the full extent of this story just yet."

His voice dripped with a chilling confidence, revealing a sinister intent that belied his earlier amusement. Damien's eyes gleamed with a mixture of delight and treachery, as if relishing the impending confrontation. "In fact, I have no desire to witness your true self resurface, Aiden. That would pose quite the inconvenience for me and my future plans. Therefore, this time, I will make sure to end you once and for all."

As the words hung in the air, the weight of their significance amplified the tension between the two adversaries. Aiden's determination swelled within him, fueled by a mix of curiosity and a thirst for retribution. He understood the magnitude of the imminent battle, realizing that his very existence and the secrets he carried were at stake.

The tension in the air was palpable as Aiden stood before Damien, his grip tightening on his mighty axe. Their first encounter has almsot ended with Aiden's death but this time it was diffrent. Not only here they going to fight during the day but also Aiden new rise of power thanks to achieving the first level of DST. This time, Aiden was determined was determined to turn the tables and prove his superiority over Damien.

Damien remained composed, his demeanor unflappable, as he calmly regarded Aiden with a mix of annoyance and curiosity. He had initially underestimated Aiden, dismissing him as a mere annoyance to be disposed of. Yet, Aiden's unwavering spirit had proven him wrong, and now Damien found himself intrigued by the tenacity of his opponent.

With a swift and determined charge, Aiden lunged forward, his powerful strides resonating through the room. The ground trembled beneath his feet, echoing the force behind his movements. His axe swung through the air with formidable strength, aiming for Damien's neck in a swift and decisive strike.

However, Damien effortlessly intercepted the attack, using his spear to counter the incoming blow. Though the force behind Aiden's strike caused Damien to take a few steps back, he quickly regained his composure. His face contorted with seething anger, he retorted, "Do not mistake this minor setback for victory, Aiden. Pushing me back means nothing in the grand scheme of this battle."

Aiden couldn't help but smirk in response to Damien's words, his confidence unwavering. He then noticed Damien's eyes, transitioning from blood-red to an abyss-like black, reminiscent of their initial encounter and their first battle. However, Aiden remained unfazed by the dark energy gathering around Damien's spear. He laughed, his voice carrying a mix of amusement and determination. "This is only the beginning, Damien. I assure you, I have the power to overwhelm you easily."

In a flurry of movement, both combatants disappeared from the sight of onlookers, reappearing at the center of the hall. The clash of metal reverberated through the air, the rapid exchange of blows creating a symphony of echoes that filled the chamber. Each strike, parry, and dodge became a testament to their skill and determination as they engaged in a fierce and relentless duel.

Both Charles and Dian Long observed the relentless battle between Aiden and Damien, their gazes fixed upon the intense clash. It was the little dragon who first averted his eyes, a look of concern etched upon his face. Turning to Charles, he voiced his worries, "Charles, if what Damien said is true, then Aiden... we might be in serious trouble. The fact that high-ranking demons are still alive, and that Aiden bears the title he mentioned..."

Charles interrupted him abruptly, unwilling to entertain such a notion. "There must be some mistake. Aiden cannot be one of them. Merely using that title doesn't prove anything. There could be countless explanations for why he chooses to call himself that."

Dian Long, however, remained steadfast in his opposition. He spoke with conviction, emphasizing the significance of their simultaneous appearances, "We cannot overlook the undeniable connection between their arrivals. It seems closely tied to the prophecy you received all those years ago."

Charles nodded solemnly, aware that his worst fears may be unfolding before his eyes, leaving him powerless to intervene. "I understand. We will seize an opportunity to confront Aiden about this, but if I do not survive this ordeal, I entrust this mission to you, Dian Long."

"Rest assured, I will fulfill that duty with utmost dedication," Dian Long affirmed, his resolve unwavering as he accepted the weight of the responsibility placed upon him.

____________

Minutes had passed since Aiden and Damien commenced their rematch, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The once pristine hall now bore the scars of their fierce clash, with holes littering the walls, floor, and even a sizable gap in the ceiling, revealing a glimpse of the blue sky beyond.

Amidst the chaos, a figure emerged—an old man adorned with a green scarf, hovering slightly above the ground. It was Eldric, his eyes scanning the scene before him. He spoke, his voice tinged with a mix of intrigue and concern, "Ah, it seems the battle has already commenced. I should find a vantage point to observe and gather more data on Aiden's abilities. Wait, is that... Seath!"

Eldric's gaze fell upon Seath, lying motionless on the ground, his body drenched in his own blood. Without hesitation, Eldric rushed to his side, disregarding the ongoing clash between Damien and Aiden. He carefully turned Seath over, his eyes narrowing upon seeing the deep spear wound on his upper body. Clenching his teeth, Eldric reached into his bag and swiftly administered healing potions to Seath.

"You wretched creature, you can't die now. I still need you to reveal Lorra's whereabouts. If you refuse, I will ensure to revive and kill you myself, time and time again, until you relent," Eldric muttered through gritted teeth, his determination unwavering.

Swoosh.... Slash

In an instant, Damien materialized before Eldric, his spear poised to strike at Eldric's heart. However, to Damien's surprise, Eldric remained undeterred, his attention solely focused on tending to Seath. With a hint of mockery in his voice, Eldric retorted, not sparing a glance at Damien, "You should concern yourself with your own well-being. There will come a time when you won't have the luxury of caring for others, especially when facing Him."

*Boom!

Before Eldric's eyes, a massive fist hurtled towards Damien, launched by Aiden. Swiftly, Damien managed to block the attack, though the force propelled him backward, crashing into a nearby wall. Although slightly shaken, there were no significant injuries.

"You see, you meticulously avoid engaging with me, pretending to care for Eldric and that wolf. Is that not enough evidence that you're merely putting on a facade, unwilling to face me head-on?" Aiden taunted, a smug grin adorning his face.

"Hmph, you overestimate yourself. I have no interest in fighting someone as feeble as you. You're not worth my full attention," Damien sneered, his confidence unshaken.

"Oh ho, then let us fight until both of us are satisfied and can prove our worth," Aiden countered.

Swoosh..... Slash

Their movements became a blur, their weapons—Rhitta, and the dragon spear—clashing with a resounding metallic symphony that reverberated throughout the room. Aiden and Damien infused their strikes with potent magic, amplifying their destructive capabilities.

Observing the escalating battle, Eldric's worry grew. He recognized the immense pressure radiating from both combatants. They were undoubtedly at the peak of the 8th level and ascending further with each passing moment. If their ferocity continued unchecked, it could result in the complete annihilation of their surroundings. Determined, Eldric made up his mind, "I must retreat and heal this troublesome wolf."

Meanwhile, Charles and Dian Long stood as silent spectators, their attention fixed on the relentless clash. Dian Long voiced his thoughts, "I wonder how Hu Zhao is faring. He tends to go to great lengths in his fights."

"Have faith in him. We both know that Hu Zhao possesses formidable power, surpassing anyone on this island," Charles assured.

*Boom!

"Well, maybe not everyone", Charles changed his words while looking at Aiden and Damien.

____________________

As Aiden and Damien unleashed their destructive powers on the top floor, chaos reigned supreme in the city forest surrounding the tower. The once peaceful surroundings now resembled a scene of utter turmoil.

Fires ravaged some buildings, casting a sinister glow that consumed everything in its path. Others found themselves submerged in water, completely inundated by the sudden deluge. Certain structures suffered an icy fate, encased in a layer of frost that glittered in the chaos.

Amidst the mayhem, every individual present fought tooth and nail, utilizing their spells, attack techniques, and any means available to them. It was a desperate battle, a fight for survival in the midst of unrelenting devastation.

Swoosh... Slash

In the midst of the chaos, a building was abruptly cleaved in two, as if struck by an unseen sword. All eyes turned toward the structure, which stood as a solitary landmark in the heart of the battlefield. With a violent rumble, the upper half of the building teetered precariously before plummeting towards the ground below. In a desperate scramble, those caught in its path hastily retreated, seeking refuge from the impending deluge of rubble. Those who were unable to evade the danger sprinted for their lives, desperately attempting to avoid being crushed by the collapsing debris.

Within the confines of the crumbling building, sheltered from the chaos outside, two individuals stood amidst the wreckage. One was a humanoid tiger adorned in traditional blue eastern attire, a striking figure wielding a remarkably long katana with graceful precision. The other was a man of advanced years, his slate-grey eyes and hair mirroring the wisdom and experience that etched deep lines on his face. Draped in a flowing green robe adorned with intricate illustrations of poisonous flora, he exuded an air of mystique and knowledge.

Hu Zhao marveled at the agility displayed by his opponent, impressed by the mage's ability to evade his attack. "You possess remarkable reflexes for a mage," Hu Zhao commented, genuine surprise coloring his tone as he observed the man before him.

Dario, known as the "Roshtar Raging Sea Tiger," basked in the honor of receiving such praise. "It is an utmost pleasure to engage in combat with someone as renowned and formidable as yourself, Hu Zhao," Dario replied, his voice tinged with respect and excitement.

Hu Zhao chuckled, a light-hearted expression on his face as he playfully scratched the back of his head. "Ah, so you're a fan of mine, huh?" he remarked, pleasantly surprised by the revelation.

However, before their banter could continue, a sudden sensation jolted through Hu Zhao's body. Without warning, he felt a searing pain as his shoulder was viciously slashed by a peculiar purple, slimy substance. The intensity of the pain indicated the presence of a potent poison, and Hu Zhao's complexion began to shift, taking on a bluish hue as the venom coursed through his veins.

Peering at his injured shoulder, Hu Zhao's grin widened, a touch of wry humor seeping into his words. "Ah, I see. Perhaps my charm does not extend to everyone," he corrected himself, acknowledging the intentions behind Dario's malevolent smile.