Chapter 20 - Return to the capital, again

"Why are you here.. Theos Phoenix!?"

Satan can only question the man standing before them, who is in fact, Theos Phoenix the Second. He stands there, smiling, requesting that they put their faith in Akio. God and Satan nod in agreement, saying that they already have, but how and why is Theos here?

Theos says that he has materialized himself as a spirit for the sole reason of convincing the two deities to truly put their faith on Akio. It's easy to say but it's hard to act on it, something which the three know well.

He goes on to explain that he knows more about Akio than them, seeing as how he's over looked the little one's progress ever since he had come of age. Akio is an abnormal child with tremendous potential. Hell, he even mastered Phoenix Magic within ten years, something which took even Theos himself longer to master.

That is a good point, indeed, but Theos says that they both know that Akio is the one who will defeat The Dark Wizard. He will..!

God nods, now having been enlightened after Theos' monologue. Satan follows, as their eyes have now been opened. Theos disappears, noting that he hadn't that much time left to begin with, saying goodbye to the deities, also noting that he wishes to see them again someday.

They too wave him goodbye, and then they go back to discussing, though now they must focus on Akio's training. It seems as though bringing him to his limits is what sparks his evolution, so that's what they have to focus on.

A few hours later, the day breaks, with Akio being woken up at 7 AM to begin his new training. To his relief, and for obvious reasons, it won't be illusion training, though it'll be something much more effective.

Akio arrives at the training grounds, where the deities request that he stands at the middle of the field, as they both attack him. As expected, Akio's reflexes have grown significantly ever since the incident, so he almost catches their fists, asking them what they're doing.

He also has his cursed form and Burning Sense activated automatically, so this goes to prove that he's advancing to a higher level. God and Satan continue to attack, but Akio starts activating his Phoenix magic in order to multiply his speed and counter them, something which he does.

The deities laugh, saying that now it's about to get interesting. Akio steps back, creating two blades out of magic, made with Durandal in mind, as he charges at both of them. They both manage to block Akio's attacks, but this becomes increasingly harder, as Akio adapts to their strength.

This adaptability of his is incredible. Minutes ago, he was struggling to keep up, but now, it seems as though he is about to overpower God and Satan. They, however, laugh, pushing their power beyond what they should be limited to.

The power of the two amazes Akio, who can simply smile in excitement. Without faltering, he charges on strong, fighting the newly-empowered deities. They fight against Akio in perfect synergy. Akio, however, flares up his magic energy, making full use of both his Phoenix and Lightning magic attributes.

He uses his Phoenix magic to fly faster, while using the Lightning magic to amplify his speed, in terms of his swords, imbuing them with magic doesn't make a difference now, as they are already at their strongest.

He gets the edge above the two gods, albeit temporarily, as they continue to overpower him. Akio, however, continues to adapt to their fighting style, but ultimately, he loses. He frets not, however, as the two tell him that Akio can't win as he is against the two gods when they try to use more of their power.

With this, they actually reveal that it would be more effective to train in one go, so in a few hours, their training session will also be the final one, as he is ordered to say goodbye to his friends, since he won't see them for eight months.

Akio asks why that is, and God says that they will amplify time. One day for them will be eight months in the real world. They could do the opposite, but it would prove ineffective, since he and Satan can only use up to 35% of their power at best, something which Akio would need no more than a day to match.

Understanding, Akio says that he'll be back in a few hours. Kurayami and Hisako are sad to learn that they won't see their boyfriend and son respectively for eight months, but they make peace with that fact, knowing that for its for the greater good.

The young adult also takes the time to wave his other friends goodbye. Everyone sends him off with the best of wishes, as he steps onto the training field. Immediately, though, he can feel the effects of the time.

God tells him not to worry and to come closer. Akio nods, closing the distance between the two parties, as God and Satan rush to him, saying that to get the maximum effect of the training, they must begin immediately.

Understandingly, Akio also powers up to his strongest, beginning to fight the two deities once again. They fight for a good while, with God and Satan continuing to have the upper hand, until finally, Akio starts to evolve even further.

His cursed form fuses with Burning Sense, creating a new technique: Cursed Sense. Not much is different, but it makes Akio stronger, as opposed to Burning Sense, which simply raises his senses/reflexes to the maximum.

Akio starts to catch up to God and Satan, his speed starting to exceed theirs, but they are still physically stronger. After some hours pass, Akio is worn out, but still, he charges one final attack, defeating both God and Satan, though he kneels, having ran out of energy.

The two deities congratulate Akio, saying that he has in fact become far stronger than what he was merely hours ago, and that their training has concluded, apparently. Akio asks why, and God says that even they realize the time passing, a day has been completed.

This comes as a surprise to Akio, but he accepts it, noting that the rate of his evolution was quite abnormal. In any case, they exist the training area, feeling like a weight had been taken off their shoulders. As expected, eight months have passed for the three, and Akio steps out to find his friends.

He only sees Kurayami and Genkei, but he instantly charges at the latter, who blocks the attack, seemingly having been prepared for this moment. Without saying anything, the two cousins share the same thought:

"Show me the results of your training!"

Genkei powers up to use his Vortex magic, while Akio uses his Phoenix and Lightning magic alongside his Cursed Sense. The two have an equal fight, until Akio starts beating Genkei, though he starts catching up to Akio.

It doesn't surprise Akio all that much, seeing that they've trained for most of their lives together. God and Satan, on the other hand, start to think that the children of the Phoenix family have some really unique adaptability.

Meanwhile, Akio and Genkei are starting to fight on equal terms, as a barrier is formed around them, so as to not repeat anything similar to the berserker's destruction. Akio punches Genkei in the face, but he does not flinch, as he hits Akio with a punch in the stomach, sending him away.

Akio stops this by using his wings to accelerate himself, instead flying back towards Genkei, kicking him in his own stomach, sending him straight to the ground. Genkei spits blood but catches Akio's right leg and knocking him down, shooting a blast at his face.

This has Akio use his Lightning magic in order to amplify his speed and dodge the attack from point-blank range, instead kicking Genkei in the head. Genkei laughs, cutting off Akio's left leg, which had kicked him.

In turn, Akio appears in front of Genkei, delivering a jab, which actually fazes Genkei, though he also cuts off Akio's left hand. Akio falls back for a bit, as he must regenerate his limbs. When Genkei finally reaches Akio, preparing to finish the fight with one final attack, Akio regenerates his left arm, on which he had focused all his energy, punching Genkei in the stomach with his strongest punch.

The ground below them is completely obliterated as Akio sends Genkei to the ground, his punch not stopping whatsoever. It seems as though they're going quite low, until finally, they stop, with Genkei being unable to block Akio's punch forever, instead forfeiting.

They fly upwards, with the crater made being filled in by magic, as Satan scolds them for ruining his realm again. Akio and Genkei awkwardly laugh, saying sorry, as God announces that Akio will be returning to the mortal realm, his training being complete.

The Dark Wizard will be attacking in a month as planned, yes, but the two deities figured that the mortals would want to see their loved ones before fighting. However, it'd be dangerous to send in all of them at once, due to the fact that something could happen and they'd die, so Akio will be the first to go.

Akio agrees to this, and he says that he'll see everyone back in the city, as he teleports back to see that the city is nothing more.. than ruins.