"Now that you are whole, can we start then?"
"GOD OF WAR RAGE...
"GOD OF WAR RAGE..." In an instant, the entire battlefield cloaked itself in an impenetrable black aura. The once serene thunder domain underwent a drastic metamorphosis, as the once benign white lightning and thunder morphed into an ominous shade of black. A bone-chilling sensation radiated from the domain, seizing the Beast, now elevated to Sage Realm status, in its tracks.
"What in the underworld is going on?" the Beast questioned, its tone tinged with a mix of bewilderment and unease. However, Rasoul remained tight-lipped, persisting in his manipulation of the thunder and lightning. The dense black aura continued to swirl around him, casting an aura of relentless power and instilling fear in the hearts of all who witnessed this otherworldly transformation.
Despite his paling complexion, he persevered through the excruciating pain. Had Rasoul been a bit more lucid, he might have heard the endless system chimes and warnings sounding off, cautioning him about the escalating risks as he pushed his power to new heights.
The potency of the Voidkin bloodline within him proved overwhelming, with just one percent of it rendering him supremely overpowered. This premature augmentation significantly boosted Rasoul's brute force, now placing him on par with a peak Saint. Unbeknownst to him, however, the very blood that granted him strength continued its destructive work on his meridians. Undeterred, Rasoul pressed on, advancing toward the Sage, who, though free now, found its movements slowed by the lingering effects of the thunder domain.
Rasoul infused his sword with fire once more, but this time the flames took on a distinctive crimson-green hue. To a discerning Voidkin observer, this flame would be recognized as the Crimson Nova Conflagration—an exceptionally potent flame.
Observing Rasoul's enhanced power, the Beast surged towards him, aiming to swiftly overpower him, sensing the escalating strength Rasoul gained with each passing minute. The clash was instantaneous, with Rasoul executing a simultaneous swing and stab, propelling the Beast backward. Green flames accompanied the strike, steadily sapping away the creature's life force. Each strike inflicted further damage, eroding the Beast's vitality.
Attempting to channel its Sage energy, the Beast encountered an inexplicable obstruction. Upon closer inspection, the green flame emitted a faint red aura or smoke, revealing a subtle yet potent effect. Those well-versed in space law would discern the phenomenon— the green flame continuously warped in and out of the Beast's body, sending potent energy inside. A closer examination would unveil the energy as the most formidable of all—the Chaos Energy, a realization familiar to any Voidkin.
For over 50 minutes, Rasoul maintained an unrelenting assault, leaving the Beast with no option but to defend itself. The continuous barrage not only weakened the creature's defenses but relentlessly consumed its life force, pushing it closer to the brink of defeat.
******
Far from the battlefield, 27 individuals observed the ongoing spectacle with a mix of surprise and fear evident in their eyes. These figures were none other than the Dark Generals who had once followed Nino aka Deity of War during his heyday as the General of the Katan army.
Renowned for their dominance on the battlefield and fearless approach to combat, they now stood with a rare display of fear. The reason for their unease? The sight of an intermediate Grandmaster Realm cultivator decisively overpowering a Sage Realm beast, turning what should have been an easy battle for the Beast into a seemingly one-sided Beat down by Rasoul.
"Is this even real? A Grandmaster shouldn't possess the power to challenge a Sage..." remarked the general with horns, who, in the past, had mocked the young adventurers entering the tomb, doubting their ability to contend even with a Saint beast. Yet, now, he found himself witnessing a young man effortlessly dominating a Sage beast.
"He's no ordinary Grandmaster. Can't you see the energy emanating from that green flame? It's the chaos energy," another individual chimed in, showcasing keen powers of observation. The revelation added another layer of astonishment, as the true magnitude of Rasoul's capabilities became increasingly apparent to the onlooking Dark Generals.
"But how is that possible? He's not a Sage yet, so how can he tap into such powerful energy?" the horned man questioned again. Traditionally, one must reach the Great Sage realm before delving into the study and use of potent energies and Laws. Rasoul employing Chaos energy in the Grandmaster realm defied all norms.
"Mastering such power typically requires extensive training. Many spend thousands of years honing their skills just to harness Chaos energy as he is doing," he added, emphasizing the rarity of Rasoul's feat.
"That kid is no ordinary cultivator," another individual remarked, acknowledging the exceptional nature of Rasoul's abilities.
"He's not the only enigmatic figure on that battlefield. That Assassin and the white tiger aren't normal either, especially the white tiger. Surviving such a powerful strike from a Saint, yet she merely passed out instead of being incinerated by the attack," another noted, directing attention to Rasoul's companions.
"He's too powerful," said another with a cheerful expression. "One look and you can tell he's a battle maniac." The acknowledgment of Rasoul's exceptional prowess left the Dark Generals astounded and intrigued, grappling with the realization that they were witnessing something far beyond the ordinary.
"Yes, he's powerful now, but I doubt he can endure the aftermath. Utilizing energies stronger than his body for such an extended period will undoubtedly take a toll. Surviving this will be a miracle," commented a blond-haired young man, whose demeanor indicated he was the leader among the 27 individuals.
"He'll face a significant backlash for straining his body like this, but I believe he'll survive. If he can wield such power, he likely possesses a means to heal himself. Besides, he and his friends casually consume spirit fruits like ordinary fruits," the leader elaborated.
"It seems someone worthy will finally inherit that artifact. I've waited a long time to witness it firsthand," another remarked in a cryptic tone.
"Indeed. If he manages to pull through, his prospects will be nothing short of legendary," responded the leader, his expression filled with respect. The acknowledgment of Rasoul's potential fate left them contemplating the extraordinary events unfolding before them and the possible impact on the individual who dared to harness such formidable power.
*****
On the battlefield, Rasoul relentlessly bombarded the beast with his overwhelming brute force. Each swing of his sword further drained the creature's life force, and signs of defeat gradually manifested. Unbeknownst to Rasoul, blood started to drip from his eyes, nose, ears, and mouth.
His once vibrant appearance now resembled that of an undead figure. Despite the visible toll on his body, Rasoul, consumed by his quest for revenge, remained oblivious to his deteriorating condition.
Lost in the darkness of his relentless pursuit, Rasoul continued his assault. However, from what appeared to be a sudden restriction on his body, he found himself unable to move. But suddenly, a pure white beam of golden light passed by him, striking the beast through the heart and instantly ending its life.
A soft yet familiar voice entered his mind, immediately snapping him back to reality. But before he could ponder the situation further, He succumbed to unconsciousness, his body unable to withstand the intense strain any longer.
*****
Lara's POV
An hour earlier, as Rasoul unleashed the formidable power of the God of War Rage and Sabrat shifted his focus away from Lara, a brilliant golden light penetrated Lara's forehead. Entering her being, the golden energy briefly enveloped her before gracefully dispersing.
Miraculously, the wound from the powerful strike to her head instantaneously healed, and her body reverted to its human form, cocooned in a radiant white aura reminiscent of Rasoul's transformation.
Within this ethereal cocoon, Lara underwent yet another metamorphosis. A stunning nine-edged gold emerald-shaped gem began to take shape on her forehead. With meticulous precision, the gem completed its formation after 30 minutes, leaving behind a dazzling nine-edged jewel radiating on her forehead.
A regal crown materialized upon her head, adorned with nine distinctively colored gems. The green gem emitted a gentle glow, and a soothing green energy enveloped Lara. After 20 minutes, the energy receded, but within Lara's consciousness, a tender and caring voice whispered, "Arise, my Queen, your beloved awaits." Lara's eyes immediately opened, responding to the beckoning voice.
The cocoon shattered instantly, revealing Lara wearing a magnificent crown. She turned to Sabrat and inquired, "What happened, and where is Rasoul?"
Sabrat couldn't find the words as tears welled up in his eyes. He simply pointed towards the battlefield.
Lara directed her attention to the scene, and when she saw Rasoul's dire state, tears streamed down her face. The realization that all of this was happening because of her actions weighed heavily on her. Understanding that Rasoul was not in a coherent state of mind, she chose to set aside her grief and sprinted towards the battlefield, with Sabrat following closely behind.
As they neared the fight, Lara witnessed Rasoul on the brink of death. Instantly, the white gem on her crown gleamed, and she uttered, "Crown of the Nine Realms: Diamond of Radiance." A golden beam shot forth, piercing through the beast's heart. Lara swiftly activated another gem, the green one, proclaiming, "Crown of the Nine Realms: Emerald of Vitality." A green energy enveloped Rasoul, causing him to immediately lose consciousness.
Lara caught him before he could collapse, while Sabrat, being more composed, swiftly gathered the bodies of the Great Beast and the Sage Beast into his space ring. Without hesitation, they moved through the last door, stepping into an unknown place. The fate of Rasoul and his companions hung in the balance as they ventured into the uncertainty that awaited them.
*****
On the other battlefield, the death toll continued to rise. The fairies and heirs, once formidable, now found themselves in dire straits. The Great Beasts had ascended to the Saint realm, surrounded by multiple Saints, and despite deploying all their life-saving artifacts, they teetered on the brink of death.
Their quest for a legacy had turned into a desperate struggle for survival, and regret weighed heavily on their hearts. Battling with fading hope, they pressed on, clinging to the belief that someone would successfully clear the trial and transport them out of their perilous situation.
As minutes passed, their situation seemed increasingly bleak. However, just when they were on the verge of giving up, a white light enveloped them, rendering them temporarily blinded. When the light faded, and their vision cleared, they found themselves surrounded by a group of people with incredulous expressions.
"What the heck happened to all of you?" was the only question echoing in the air as the bewildered onlookers tried to make sense of the battered and exhausted group before them.