Ch 75: It's payback time!!

As Zass gripped Benimaru by the hair, he sneered down at him. "Poor, poor hero," he mocked, laughter bubbling up from his throat. The air was thick with tension, the smell of blood and sweat pungent in the chaos. Zass raised his free hand, summoning a demonic sword that shimmered with dark energy. "Looks like I'm gonna end you—nothing personal," he said with a twisted grin, his eyes gleaming with malice.

Just as Zass was about to flick his wrist and deliver the fatal blow, a sudden burst of light filled the sky. Hina, transformed into her wand form, shot through the air like a comet, her magic energy crackling and hissing. The wand released a blinding beam of energy that sliced through the air with a high-pitched whistle, severing Zass's arm cleanly at the elbow.

"Arrrggghhh! My arm!" Zass roared, the severed limb falling to the ground with a sickening thud. Dark, oily blood sprayed from the wound, the metallic tang sharp in the air. In his agony, Zass flung Benimaru away.

As Benimaru was hurled through the air, he twisted his body with incredible agility. He executed a series of backflips, each one a blur of motion, his movements precise and fluid. His sword, Excalibur, glinted in the light as he flipped, creating a dazzling display. The wind rushed past his ears, the sensation a mix of exhilaration and urgency. With each flip, he seemed to gain more control, his landing sure and poised.

Benimaru landed gracefully, skidding to a stop in a crouched position, his eyes locked on Zass. The hero's heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline surging through his veins. Zass, now on his knees, clutched the stump of his arm, his face contorted in pain and rage. The ground around him was stained with his dark blood, the acrid scent mixing with the dust and debris of the battlefield. The cries of battle and the clash of weapons created a chaotic symphony, underscoring the intensity of the moment.

Zass screamed in fury, "You will pay for that!" His severed hand began to regenerate with astonishing speed, the flesh knitting back together, sinew and bone forming before Benimaru's eyes. The air around them crackled with dark energy, the oppressive atmosphere thick with tension.

As Hina, in her wand form, soared through the air towards Benimaru, she called out, "Benimaru, hold me and raise me! Shout 'metamorphosis!'"

Without hesitation, Benimaru caught the wand and raised it high, his voice ringing out with determination, "Metamorphosis!" In an instant, the wand transformed, elongating and morphing into a magnificent sword. The wand sword, Exodus, now gleamed with divine power, intricate runes glowing along its blade. Benimaru felt a surge of energy course through him as a divine armor materialized around him, radiant and formidable.

"Wow," Benimaru whispered in awe, feeling the weight of the sword in his hand. His left hand still gripped Excalibur, completing his dual-wielded stance. The armor shimmered with a brilliant light, each movement accompanied by a faint, harmonious chime. "I am fired up!" he declared, his voice echoing with newfound strength as he swung the dual swords, their blades humming through the air.

Hina's voice resonated in his mind, "You can use my existing moves to add to your own."

A status screen appeared before Benimaru's eyes, like a video game interface. It displayed various abilities and stats, shimmering with holographic light. "Wow, yeah, I see your system, Hina. So this is what it's like to have a system," he marveled, the information flowing effortlessly into his mind.

Hina, momentarily silent, pondered, "Is Benimaru a reincarnated being? How does he know about the system?" The thought lingered, a quiet curiosity shared only between her and the system.

The system's response was clear, "Negative. I am not sure about that."

As they conversed silently, the battlefield around them buzzed with activity. The metallic clash of weapons, the cries of warriors, and the distant rumble of magical explosions filled the air. The ground beneath Benimaru's feet vibrated with the impact of the ongoing battles, and the scent of ozone mixed with the earthy aroma of trampled grass and dirt.

Zass, now fully regenerated and seething with anger, glared at Benimaru. His eyes glowed with a malevolent light, and he snarled, "Prepare yourself, hero. This will be your end!" The air around Zass darkened, shadows swirling like a tempest as he prepared his next attack.

Benimaru tightened his grip on his swords, feeling the weight of the divine power flowing through him. "Let's do this, Hina," he muttered, his resolve firm. The dual swords hummed with energy, and Benimaru's muscles tensed, ready for the clash.

In the midst of their silent conversation, the battlefield felt charged, every sound and sensation heightened. The warriors around them continued their desperate struggle, but for Benimaru and Hina, this moment felt singular, a pivotal point in their battle against the demonlord's forces.

Zass's voice echoed ominously across the battlefield, "You think you are the only one who can wield powerful weapons like Excalibur? Think again!" His laughter reverberated through the air, sending shivers down the spines of those who heard it. Benimaru's grip tightened on his swords, a sense of foreboding settling over him like a heavy blanket.

As Zass chanted his incantation, the ground beneath them began to tremble, the earth groaning in protest. Benimaru's stomach churned with unease, a feeling of impending danger gnawing at him. Hina, in her sword form, resonated with a similar sense of dread. "I don't feel good about this," Benimaru admitted, his voice tinged with apprehension.

The ground cracked open with a deafening roar, fissures splitting the earth asunder. Lava bubbled up from the depths, molten rivers snaking their way through the fractured landscape. A sword emerged from the fiery depths, its blade forged from pure lava, eyes of burning flame glinting with malice. Dark energy coiled around it like a serpent, tendrils of shadow reaching out hungrily.

Zass's triumphant voice cut through the chaos, "Behold my Dark Shredder!" His hands gripped the dual swords tightly, the blades gleaming with malevolent intent. The air crackled with energy, charged with the anticipation of battle.

The scent of sulfur and ash filled the air, the acrid odor stinging Benimaru's nostrils. Heat radiated from the lava sword, its intense warmth washing over them like a suffocating wave. The ground trembled beneath their feet, the rumbling vibrations sending shockwaves through their bodies.

As the battlefield transformed into a hellish landscape, Benimaru braced himself, his senses alert and his resolve unwavering. With Hina by his side and the hero's party at his back, he knew they faced their greatest challenge yet.

Benimaru's expression hardened, determination shining in his eyes. "Even with your diminished power, Hina, we will prevail," he declared, his voice ringing with conviction.

Hina's sword form glowed softly, a faint aura of divine energy surrounding her. "I cannot promise you the full extent of my power now, Benimaru," she admitted, her voice tinged with regret. "But I will fight by your side with all that I have left."

Benimaru nodded, understanding the gravity of their situation. "We may be weakened, but our resolve remains unwavering," he affirmed, his grip tightening on his swords. "Together, we will overcome this challenge."

As they stood side by side, facing the looming threat of Zass and his Dark Shredder, a sense of unity and determination filled the air. With their bond forged in battle and their spirits undaunted, Benimaru and Hina prepared to face whatever trials lay ahead.

As Zass vanished with lightning speed, his mocking laughter echoing through the air, Benimaru's senses heightened, his focus sharpening to a razor's edge. He sensed Zass's presence behind him and swiftly raised his dual swords to block the incoming strike. The impact reverberated through his arms, sending shockwaves of pain coursing through his body, but Benimaru stood his ground, his determination unyielding.

"Good, I can still see the enemy, even at his fastest," Benimaru remarked, his voice steady despite the strain of the battle. With each clash of their blades, reality seemed to warp and distort around them, the sheer speed of their movements threatening to slice through the fabric of existence itself.

Zass's taunting laughter filled the air as they exchanged blows, his dual blades a blur of motion as they clashed with Benimaru's swords. "You can keep up, I'll give you that much," Zass sneered, his eyes gleaming with malicious intent. "Perhaps it's the Exodus Wand you're holding."

"Shut up!" Benimaru retorted, his determination fueling each strike as he pushed back against Zass's relentless assault. Meanwhile, Hina unleashed her magic bullets, each one homing in on Zass with unerring accuracy. But to their astonishment, Zass effortlessly parried the magical projectiles, his skill and speed unmatched.

With a swift motion, Zass threw his dual blades at Benimaru, who blocked the attack with both swords. But before he could react, Zass launched into a super-consecutive assault, his fists a blur as they pummeled Benimaru relentlessly. Despite his best efforts to block, Benimaru found himself staggered by the ferocity of the onslaught.

Seeing an opening, Hina unleashed her magic net, immobilizing Zass for a brief moment. It was a fleeting opportunity, but Benimaru wasted no time, launching himself at Zass with godlike speed. They soared through the sky and across the ground, their movements a mesmerizing dance of death and destruction.

The air crackled with energy, the ground trembled beneath their feet, and the clash of their blades echoed like thunder. In this epic battle between hero and demon, the fate of the world hung in the balance, and Benimaru and Hina fought with everything they had, their determination unwavering in the face of unimaginable odds.

As Benimaru swiftly moved into action, his dual swords swirling in a mesmerizing dance of consecutive slashes, a fierce determination burned in his eyes. "My turn," he declared, his voice resolute as he unleashed his flurry of attacks.

But Zass, ever the cunning adversary, mocked Benimaru's resolve with a sinister laugh. "What do you mean, it's your turn? Do you mean your turn to die?" he taunted, his eyes gleaming with malice as he spotted an opening in Benimaru's defenses.

With lightning speed, Zass lunged forward, his blade aimed directly at Benimaru's heart. But just as the fatal blow was about to land, Hina sprang into action, deploying her meteor shield to intercept the attack. The shield enveloped Benimaru, absorbing the impact of Zass's strike and shielding him from harm.

Seizing the opportunity, Benimaru retaliated with renewed vigor, his determination unshaken by the close call. "Exodus, you are too annoying, aren't you?" Zass sneered, his frustration evident as he faced the resilience of his adversaries. But beneath his sneer lurked a hint of admiration for their tenacity, a begrudging respect for their unwavering resolve.

The air crackled with tension as the battle raged on, the clash of swords and the roar of magic filling the battlefield. With each strike and parry, the combatants pushed themselves to the limit, their senses heightened and their instincts honed to a razor's edge.

As the fight reached its climax, the fate of the world hung in the balance, and Benimaru, Hina, and their allies stood as the last line of defense against the forces of darkness. With unwavering determination and unyielding courage, they faced their greatest challenge yet, ready to confront whatever trials lay ahead.

Apologies for misunderstanding. Let's correct that:

As Benimaru held Hina in her transformed wand sword form, the weight of her power pulsed through his grip, a tangible reminder of the immense strength she possessed despite her current limitations.

Concern etched into his features, Benimaru hesitated, his eyes flickering to the status screen displaying Hina's diminished magic reserves. "But Hina, your stats…" he began, his voice trailing off as he grappled with the decision before them.

Undeterred, Hina's eyes blazed with determination as she met Benimaru's gaze. "We can do this," she asserted, her voice ringing with unwavering confidence. "Trust in our bond, and together, we can overcome any obstacle."

Inspired by Hina's unwavering resolve, Benimaru nodded, his grip on her form tightening with determination. "Alright," he agreed, his voice firm and resolute. "I trust you, Hina. Let's show them what we're made of."

With their trust in each other solidified, Benimaru and Hina prepared to face their adversary head-on, their combined strength and unwavering determination serving as their most potent weapons in the battle ahead. United in purpose, they stood ready to confront whatever challenges awaited them, ready to fight for victory against all odds.

*To be continue *