Chapter No.19 Ashvasena (3/3)

[Aditya's POV]

My entire body radiated only one word—Power.

Pure raw, power flowed through my veins, igniting every cell with fierce might, outwardly my appearance remained the same but inwardly my muscles were swelling and compacting rapidly which forced my face to twitch from the sudden rush. I felt the divine energy course through me like a raging river, flooding my senses with overwhelming strength and confidence.

The command to activate the boon surfaced in my mind as fixed on Ashvasena. I could sense the creature's venomous fury, but it was nothing compared to the might I now possessed. The air crackled with energy as I prepared for the confrontation, the Leviathan Axe humming with anticipation in my grasp.

"You are now my opponent!"

Just as I uttered those words, another surge of power through me as the 'boon' activated.

The rush of power enveloped me like a blazing sun, illuminating the darkness that surrounded us. I felt the weight of Ashvasena's malevolence lift, a stark contrast to the overwhelming dread I had felt just moments before.

"Your strength… is now mine!" I shouted, revelling in the electrifying sensation coursing through my muscles. The Leviathan Axe felt as if it had become an extension of my will, its weight now negligible as I channelled my newfound power.

Ashvasena's nine heads recoiled momentarily, confusion flickering in their glowing red eyes. But that confusion quickly morphed into rage, and the creature lunged at me once again, its fangs bared and venom dripping like a deadly rain.

"Foolish mortal!" one head hissed, the sound a terrifying symphony of anger and contempt. "You think you can defeat me with borrowed power?"

But I was no longer just a mortal. I was a force of nature.

The ground beneath my feet trembled as I stood my ground, my heart pounding with adrenaline. I could feel the divine essence of Vali pulsing through me, enhancing my speed and reflexes. The creature charged, and I was ready.

With a burst of speed that surprised even me, I dashed forward, the Leviathan Axe raised high.

I swung the Leviathan Axe high above my head, feeling the air around me crackle with energy. A torrent of icy winds and crackling lightning began to swirl around me, forming a massive storm. The sheer force of the storm amplified the power of the Leviathan Axe, making it feel almost weightless in my hands.

"Breath of Thamur!" I shouted, invoking the runic attack with all my might.

As I brought the axe down, the storm erupted, unleashing a cyclone of freezing winds and sharp shards of ice that spiralled outward in every direction. The air filled with the sound of howling winds and the crackling of electricity, drowning out Ashvasena's furious roars.

The storm engulfed the creature, the icy blasts slicing through the air and striking each of its nine heads. The darkness that surrounded Ashvasena began to dissipate, swept away by the relentless assault of the storm. I felt the surge of my power intensify as the storm raged around me, amplifying my strength even further.

Ashvasena's heads twisted and thrashed, each one screaming in pain as the freezing winds and razor-sharp ice tore into its flesh. The creature's venomous essence fought against the storm, but it was no match for the divine energy I had absorbed.

"You will be nothing but ash!" I declared, feeling invincible as the storm continued to batter Ashvasena. I remained rooted at the centre of the tempest, channelling all my energy into the storm's fury. It was as if I had become one with the storm, a force of nature unleashed upon the battlefield.

The ground shook violently beneath me as Ashvasena fought back, attempting to regain control. Dark tendrils of energy lashed out, seeking to snatch me from my place at the centre of the storm, but I stood firm, my resolve unwavering. The storm was relentless, swallowing up the darkness and shining brightly with the power of the heavens.

"ASHVASENA! THIS IS YOUR END!!!"

The storm roared with fury, swirling and twisting around me, drowning out the creature's anguished cries. I could feel the energy from the Leviathan Axe resonating with my own, amplifying the storm's wrath as it surged forth. The battlefield transformed into a chaotic maelstrom of ice and lightning, each blast striking Ashvasena with punishing force.

The nine heads thrashed wildly, trying to escape the onslaught, but the icy winds wrapped around them like chains, dragging them back into the tempest. Their scales cracked under the relentless barrage, the dark energy that had once fueled them now being consumed by the divine storm I had unleashed.

The storm continued to grow in intensity, fueled by my rage and the power of Vali. Each blast of wind and ice sent shards flying, piercing through the monstrous serpent's flesh and tearing into its core. I felt an electric rush, the thrill of victory coursing through me as I unleashed everything I had.

With every swing of the Leviathan Axe, I called upon the storm's might, willing it to consume the creature entirely. The winds howled, the ice shattered against Ashvasena's form, and the energy of the heavens converged on one point—its heart.

"Mutilation!" I shouted as the axe was enveloped in an icy blue with lightning arcs running through its blade, in front of gaze Ashvasena's vital points.

I felt the energy of the Mutilation skill surge through me, guiding my strikes with precision and lethal intent. With the storm raging around me, I took aim at the heart of Ashvasena, focusing all my strength into one final, devastating blow.

The Leviathan Axe gleamed with an otherworldly light as I swung it down, empowered by the divine essence of Vali and the relentless force of the storm. "This is for all the lives you've destroyed!"

The moment the axe connected with the serpent's body, a cataclysmic explosion erupted. The icy winds intensified, howling as they combined with the lightning, creating a brilliant cascade of energy that illuminated the battlefield. The Leviathan Axe struck true, piercing through the dark scales and finding its mark.

Ashvasena let out a roar, one that echoed through the night, reverberating with agony and rage. The nine heads flailed and thrashed violently as they were consumed by the relentless power of the storm, but it was too late. The storm's fury, combined with my newly acquired strength, was insurmountable.

As the energy surged from the axe into the creature, I could feel the life force of Ashvasena weakening. The dark essence that had fueled him began to wane, absorbed into the very storm that had been summoned to combat him.

The storm encased Ashvasena in a vortex of ice and electricity, tightening its grip like a vice. Each head shrieked in pain, their glowing red eyes dimming as they were overwhelmed by the divine light of the assault. The serpent's monstrous form bucked and twisted, but the storm would not relent.

"Feel the true might me—Aditya!" I shouted, my voice filled with righteous fury. With one final push, I summoned every ounce of strength and divine energy I had left.

The vortex exploded outward, sending shards of ice and arcs of lightning cascading in every direction. A blinding light enveloped the battlefield, leaving only the echoes of Ashvasena's tortured cries ringing in the air.

When the dust settled, I stood amidst the remnants of the storm, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The battlefield was transformed; the ground that had once been scorched and toxic was now glistening with ice and remnants of energy that flickered like dying stars.

Before me lay the remnants of Ashvasena, his once-formidable body now reduced to nothing but shattered scales and dissipating dark energy. The nine heads that had once threatened us lay scattered, fading into shadows.

"Draupadi!" I called, still breathing heavily from the exertion. My eyes searched for her amidst the remnants of the battle.

She emerged from the protective barrier, her expression a mix of awe and disbelief. "Aditya… you did it! You defeated him!"

[Ding! Task Completed Successfully!]

[Name: Hissing Trouble]

[Objective: Defeat or Kill the vengeful serpent. (Completed)]

[Rewards: 3 Fate Points, Venomous Obsidian Scale.]

[Do you want to claim the rewards?]

[Y/N]

'Yes! Store that scale inside the storage.'

I mentally commanded the system, while the power I got from Ashvasena because of the boon left my body like a mirage.

Draupadi ran towards me with self blaming expression and tears streaming down her cheeks. "I was so afraid I'd lost you!" she cried, throwing her arms around me, her body trembling with relief. The warmth of her embrace grounded me, reminding me of the bond we shared amidst the chaos.

"I'm right here," I reassured her, my voice hoarse but steady. "And I'll always fight to protect you." As I held her close, I felt the weight of our victory begin to settle, but the shadows of the battle still lingered at the edges of my mind.

Pulling back slightly, Draupadi searched my face, her eyes wide with admiration and concern. "You were incredible, Aditya! The way you wielded that power… it was like you became a god."

"Just a man with a heavy axe and a bit of divine luck," I chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood, though I could feel the exhaustion settling into my bones. The adrenaline from the fight was fading, replaced by the toll it had taken on my body.

Suddenly, a low rumble echoed through the air, causing both of us to turn towards the horizon. The skies were darkening, a stark contrast to the aftermath of our victory. It felt ominous, like the calm before a storm.

"You! Who are you?" A voice filled with self-importance and curiosity boomed from the heavens.

As we looked up, a figure materialized from the swirling thunder above, descending slowly like a god-owning the world. Clad in silver intricate armour adorned with symbols of power and authority, the figure's presence was both majestic and terrifying. The aura surrounding them crackled with energy, reminiscent of the very storm I had just summoned, but more chaotic, more foreboding.

"Why do you feel like my dead son?"

.

..

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[To Be Continue]

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