Chapter 22: Danus (2)

Meanwhile, Trish was firing her crossbow as much as she could, all of her arrows carrying a green hue. Her target was Travis' back, as she was doing her best to outheal the damage he was sustaining from the pillars of light.

"Could you PLEASE come to safety!" She screamed at Travis, who ignored her and kept punching. "Your stupid punches aren't getting us anywhere!" 

<> Skills <>

Healing Touch [B] [Passive]:

The ability to heal is now a part of the user. Through touch, the user can heal targets and even imbue healing into objects and use them on the targets. Can heal even critical injuries.

<> End <>

"Crap!" Trish stopped shooting Travis and began to run, as another pillar of light began to form underneath her. Without her healing him, Travis' skin began to turn black, some patches already flaking off, revealing the raw burnt flesh underneath. 

Danus stretched both his arms backwards, ready to swipe at the group, when he noticed that there was now one less member there. Suddenly, he felt a burning pain in his legs.

Behind Danus, Jessica was busy slicing through his massive legs at high speeds, having used her skill to get there. 

Before he could attack the girl, Danus was once again barraged by Jake's arrows. He also started feeling sluggish, and he couldn't clearly remember how many trainees there were…

Standing next to Grant, Belle's skin was emitting a thin pink fog, all of it directed at Danus. His focus interrupted, the group was safe from the pillars of light appearing again, and Trish was able to quickly heal Travis to his peak condition.

"Hmm, he's being a great sponge, but I don't want him accidentally moving and hitting us. Maria, restrain him." 

Grant ordered as he watched the confused Demon King. Maria, who was nearby, nodded and closed her eyes, her orb beginning to glow bright blue. The orb was a tool to boost magic channeled through it, which was perfect for Maria's skill.

<> Skills <> 

Water Control [B] [Passive]:

The user can now control most forms of water, changing its shape and moving it however the user wants. Does not work on certain types of water, sentient beings, or water already being controlled by a stronger being.

<> End <>

Unnoticed by Danus, the water beneath him started to shift. Shortly after, ropes made of water shot upwards, wrapping around his head and limbs, locking him in place. The rest of the group, except for Grant, began to attack Danus as well. 

Van and Sid, far away from the fight, were breathing heavily as they watched in awe. They were exhausted from having to constantly run from the pillars of light, and once again Van was jealous. He wished he had that strength, the strength to compete against those insanely superior to him. 

"Guess I can finally show off my skill." Emil chuckled, walking up to the restrained Demon King.

 After leaving a few inches between Danus and him, he put away his shield and raised his sword

"Hah!" He yelled, swinging the sword downwards and cutting a deep gash into Danus' torso. On the front of his sword, a red line glowed. 

<> Skills <>

Frenzy Blade [E] [Active]:

The user can buff a bladed weapon to cut deeper and do more damage. That's literally it.

<> End <>

"It's not a bad skill, but…" Van said as he saw Emil continue to cut into Danus. "I guess I was expecting something cooler."

The fight continued for a few more minutes like that, with Danus restrained and the whole group going ham on him, but not for long. 

"RAH!" 

Danus suddenly roared, causing everyone to cover their ears. The pink fog dispersed, the water bindings snapped, and all of his attackers flew backwards, Jessica using her skill again to return to the group.

Danus towered over them once more, now angry. While his previous injuries haven't disappeared, it looked like he was finally going all out. 

"I am impressed. I will now use the full 1% of my power I am limited to." 

The moment Danus finished those words, the group's surroundings exploded with light. 

After the light faded a little, they saw how Danus had changed the arena. Instead of making it appear beneath their feet, he had made a ring of light, trapping the group and himself inside. 

As if the smaller area wasn't bad enough, the ring then began to shrink, forcing Van and Sid to regroup with the rest. 

"H-How are we supposed t-to b-beat that!?" Sid cried out. Him and Van had gotten a little singed by the light, as they were near the edge when it began to shrink. 

"I think it's time for me to step in." 

Before everyone's eyes, Grant walked away from the group, towards Danus. As even Danus watched him, Grant stopped walking after being satisfied with the distance between him and the group, and turned on his skill.

Immediately, everyone, even Danus, felt a strange pressure emanating from Grant. The pressure demanded reverence, demanded respect, and even fear. Van and Sid realized they had already fallen to their knees, while the rest had shocked looks on their faces. 

Even Danus was a little taken aback. 

"So this is why you stood back." Danus said with a surprised tone. "At first I thought you were weak like those two lagging behind, but a capable leader, but to think you were the strongest all along…"

Grant chuckled after hearing Danus' praise. He looked up, straight into the Demon King's… eyes? stars? before smirking.

"That's just the passive effect. I had the skill turned off till now." 

Danus made a sound like a grunt before light began to gather in front of his face. 

"In respect to a promising talent… No, a genius such as you, I will wipe you all out with the strongest attack I can offer!" 

After his declaration, the light had formed a pulsating ball in front of Danus' face. As the ring continued to shrink, making the group worry, the ball grew larger. As Danus prepared to blast them all away, and the group feared for their lives, Grant took action.

"Kneel."