The battle of blood, Part 2

-Current time, after Freya teleported to Yuto's location-

As Freya arrived with a thud, the impact sent a jolt of pain surge through her body. She pushed those thoughts away as she focused on finding Yuto. She scanned the area, trying to locate him.

The courtyard was a mess of rubble and debris, making it hard to see, the sound of a sword clashing and massive roars pointed her in the right direction.

As she ran closer to the fight, the magnitude of the demon's size became clearer. It was as tall as a mountain, which left Freya feeling insignificant in comparison.

She stood in awe and terror, till she took a deep breath and pushed forward, weaving through the rubble and debris that littered the courtyard.

She searched desperately for any sign of Yuto, calling his name repeatedly, her voice cracking with panic and worry.

It took her longer than she liked to admit, but she finally found him. He was standing in the middle of the crater, staring down the Demolisher. Both were covered in injuries and scars.

Yuto's armored frame still shimmered with the light of determination, while the Demolisher's ferocity was reflected in its snarling visage, both awaiting the moment to strike again.

Yuto steadied his breath, locking eyes with the Demolisher, his heart pounding against his broken ribs like a war drum. 

Pain radiated through his body, but he found solace in focusing inward.

"I can win this"

With each passing second, adrenaline-fueled his resolve, a steady thrum urging him forward, prepared to continue their deadly dance.

He needed an opening—an opportunity to reclaim the upper hand.

["Yuto be careful, with each step, you are taking more blood will leak faster"]

"Is that why I feel a bit dizzy?"

["Get it together, it seems the Demolisher is sensing something as well"]

Sensing the stalemate, the Demolisher bared its jagged teeth and let out an earth-shattering roar.

It thrummed with dark magic, its body emanating waves of uneasiness. While Yuto gritted his teeth, preparing for yet another assault, a flicker of anxiety crept into his mind

The ruins of where they stood felt as alive with power as it was treacherous, and he needed to rally his trapped thoughts to combat the looming threat

Passive: Cold Blooded is now active.

Just as the Demolisher swung its massive fist toward him, Yuto launched into action, leaping to the side and rolling to regain his footing.

The air shimmered with energy, the remnants of their previous assaults dancing around him.

He swung his sword, aiming for its taloned feet, trying to ground it and dismantle its towering form.

Steel met flesh, and as Yuto's blade bit deep, it howled in rage, its foot crashing down violently.

He barely dodged the blow, the ground rattling beneath him as he skidded backward.

The ruins of a once-living city now bore witness to their struggle, the echoes of their combat resonating through stone walls that seemed to weep beneath their violence.

With a growl of defiance, the Demolisher retaliated—dark energy spiraled from its gaping maw, forming tendrils of destructive power aimed directly at Yuto. 

Time felt as if it had slowed down as Yuto felt the weight of the shadows closing in. He ducked and rolled to the side just in time, the blast missing him but shooting out a plume of debris that obscured his vision momentarily.

He regained his footing, heart pounding furiously in his chest. But even as he gathered his thoughts, he could feel the energy shifting and intensifying around him.

Demolisher was now being driven by pain, prepared to unleash its full wrath, a sinister glee dancing in its glowing eyes.

With a primal roar that shook the chamber, the demon unleashed a torrent of shadowy magic, colliding with Yuto with blinding speed.

The force hit him like a freight train, launching him high into the air, and spinning uncontrollably through the destroyed trees.

He felt weightless for a moment, caught in the storm of the battle, until gravity reclaimed him, and he plummeted toward the cold stone floor.

["Are you okay, Yuto?!"]

Yuto despite his broken bones and using whatever mana was available to hold them, pushed himself up.

"S-status window?"

Stats: Strength 350 (1050) / Speed 160 / Agility 160 / Mentality 1500 / Stamina 5000 

"Defense, Mana, and Health, what are they currently on?"

<- System ->

Defense 250 (1000) is now 250 (100)

Mana is sitting at 10

Heath 1555 is now 418

Grace Healing activates when HP is lower than 150

Yuto chuckled, and a bit of panic surged through him: the battle was slipping away. He was tired, hurt, and afraid.

"Never thought I would see my armor's defense going down, is this demon stronger than my uncle?"

["Yuto how are you feeling?"]

"Honestly, I feel like shit, if I relax for even a moment I think I might faint"

["Do you think you can keep going?"]

"I don't have much of a choice, I have to stop that thing, now or never," he raised his sword, his blood leaking into his gloves and through his armor, but he stood his ground.

["Yuto, you might have Grace healing, but that's a gamble, and what if the next attack kills you!"]

"Well that's why I called it a gamble, don't worry I got this!"

As Yuto was loading up his aura, from the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a flicker of light—a spark of hope amidst the chaos. 

Freya had been watching from a distance, her periwinkle eyes wide with alarm as she witnessed his plight.

Yuto's heart sank, his mind swirling with desperation. Freya should have evacuated with the rest, why was she here?

"Damn that Senki, couldn't even do this one thing!"

BOOM!

Yuto was hit by the Demolisher's tail and was sent flying, he could see Freya running towards him, her fingers trembling with magic as she readied herself.

["Yuto, I can feel immense magical energy from her"]

"Haha, I'm guessing her class is finally awakening, it took a while"

In that moment, Freya reached deep within herself, a reservoir of strength long buried beneath layers of doubt. 

A new power awakened, her magic rising to the surface, calling upon her bloodline of an elf hero. 

With a sudden burst of energy, she focused her will, wrapped in a cocoon of glowing light that cascaded around her.

"Yuto!" she cried, voice piercing through the din of battle like a clarion call—hope igniting within him even as he neared the ground.

"Freya!" Yuto shouted back

He felt a surge of energy within him as he understood she was awakening her class, a transformation that could tip the scales of their battle against the demon.

"I, no we can win this!"

With a graceful leap and a flourish of her arms, Freya unleashed a torrent of sparkling magic, illuminating the ruins with a radiant brilliance. 

The Demolisher paused, its eyes narrowing as it recognized the new threat emerging.

["It seems that the Demolisher is also noticing her power, is that okay?"]

"Not like we have a choice, I'm running out of mana and aura, we need to recover as much energy as possible"

["Dodge as much as possible"]

"We do have another problem"

["What?"]

"I'm still falling"

["Oh, well make sure to absorb the impact"]

"Will do!"

The air crackled with magic as Freya tapped into her abilities, channeling raw energy from the very fabric of the ruins, perhaps being in a location rich in mana was overcharging her abilities more than they should

Freya conjured shimmering arrows of light that pierced the air like shooting stars, each bolt striking the darkness that surrounded the Demolisher and it only seemed to intensify its fury as Freya's magic took hold.

Yuto, now bolstered by Freya's presence, steadied himself. He landed with a heavy thud, rolling to absorb the impact. 

"That hurt less than I expected"

Rising to his feet, he noticed the Demolisher's anger flared as it lashed out at Freya, its massive tail sweeping across the ruins. 

But she danced gracefully aside, her movements fluid and precise.

Simple Arrows x Holy Magic

She fired her arrows, with each glowing projectile hitting its mark, striking its hide, and forcing it back.

"Yuto! Now!" Freya shouted, the light surrounding her summoning an ethereal glow that cast away shadows. At her cry, Yuto surged forward, racing to close the distance between them. 

The demon, caught between two formidable opponents, found itself trapped in a torrent of magical chaos.

["She learned light magic?"]

"Holy Magic to be exact, as expected of a hero, just like Wanless, like Father"

As Yuto reached his target they both combined their might. Yuto charged with fury, his sword gleaming in the holy light, while Freya wove layers of shimmering spells around him, creating a protective aura that shielded him from the Demolisher's counterattacks.

["Jeez, I know it's her class but don't you think she's learning a bit too quickly?"]

"I agree that she's learning too quickly but we can ask later," As Yuto approached the demon, he focused his energy on a single, fervent strike, momentum carrying him forward. 

With a fierce yell, he brought his sword crashing down, channeled with the magic woven by Freya—a combined onslaught that sliced through the magical essence surrounding the Demolisher.

The impact resonated throughout the ruins, a collision of light and darkness. It roared in shock as Yuto's blade found its skin, cutting through its defenses. 

Blood sprayed from its wounds, streams of darkness mingling with the cavern's desolate stone as it staggered under the force of their combination.

With the moment gained, Freya unleashed a volley of ethereal blades, their luminescence brightening the shadows that had cloaked their surroundings for so long. 

Each blade struck true, piercing its skin like arrows dipped in sunlight. 

Its fury turned to anguish as it thrashed wildly, desperately trying to break free from the onslaught.

["It's trying to escape, try to block any exits, if this thing escapes-"]

"Don't worry, we got this!"

The ruins trembled, dust swirling as the two continued their relentless assault against the Demolisher—a magnificent blend of light and shadow. 

Yuto felt renewed energy coursing through his veins as he moved in perfect harmony with Freya, their magic intertwining like a vibrant tapestry of fate.

["Yuto, I can feel your mana and aura filling up again, you're still hurt but I can sense your power coming back"]

"Hah, we have to thank her after this, I'm still low on stamina but thanks to her power, I feel energized"

["Careful, it's coming back and I can sense something different"]

The Demolisher stood from that ashes, with a speed that matched a Yuto, it engaged them in a new phase of their battle, every move was calculated, a dance choreographed by desperation.

With each strike of Yuto's sword, Freya's spells ignited in bursts of brilliant light, Demolisher was further weakened with each blow. 

They could sense victory growing closer but knew not to feel relaxed, as the tides of battle can always be changed.

Even as they pressed forward, the Demolisher unleashed a desperate counterattack. It unleashed a pulse of dark energy that rippled through the ruins, sending waves of force cascading toward them. 

Yuto braced himself, instinctively reaching for Freya, as they prepared to withstand the incoming onslaught.

Together, they formed a protective barrier, their magic merging to create a shield that shimmered against its overwhelming power. 

The force struck with an earth-shattering impact, shaking the very foundations of the ruins they stood on.

Dust and debris enveloped them.

"Freya, are you okay?"

"I should be asking you that, do you know how worried I was!"

"Seeing you being sent flying through the air and falling on debris, and having to see your motionless body!"

["Wow, she's real pissed, I can't exactly blame her"]

Yuto whispered, "What did I do?"

["Yuto, you just became her lover, how do you think she feels watching you being hurt, even I, who has been by your side for two years still views the sight of you hurt as unpleasant"]

"I see, Freya… Hold fast!" Yuto shouted, his voice panicking as the chaos surrounded them again. Freya nodded, their conversation could wait till everything was settled.

They unleashed their combined force—their magic exploding outward in a radiant wave that repelled the Demolisher's attack.

It howled as their assault collided with its chaos, radiating light and energy that flooded the ruins, tearing through the opposition. 

At that moment, they felt the tides shifting, the weight of victory pressing against the heavy air.

The Demolisher, shaking off the remnants of energy, turned its wrath upon them. Its eyes blazed with fury as it prepared to strike back, but Yuto saw a flicker of uncertainty in its expression. 

Breathing heavily, he seized the moment—a singular thought igniting in his mind: They could finish this once and for all.

"Freya and Mizuki"

["Yes, I can sense it"]

"Is it afraid of us?"

"We can win this!"

Freya raised her arms, channeling the pure essence of their combined mana. The air shimmers around her as she conjures a grand spell, an invocation of elven power, a spell of light brighter than the dawn. 

It swirled into the air, forming a radiant circle above them, and gathering energy from the surrounding ruin.

Yuto felt the warmth embrace him as Freya's magic intensified. Their connection pulsed like a living heartbeat, emboldening him, and fortifying his spirit as the Demolisher prepared for a final strike.

["This mana is so pure and warm"]

"Yes, I can feel such warmth coming from here, how beautiful," He could feel the darkness creeping into the corner, yet he stood resolute.

As the magic reached its peak, Freya let out a fierce cry, her voice resonating with the fury of the earth, "Now, Yuto!"

With her call, a blinding beam of light burst forth from the spell, illuminating the chamber as it streaked toward the demon, the surge of raw power coalescing into a singular bolt of magic that would bring them the victory they sought.

The ruins shook as the beam struck, colliding with the Demolisher in a cataclysmic clash of power. It howled, its form engulfed in the blinding explosion of light. 

Yuto watched in awe as the magic enveloped it, spiraling like a constellation of stars igniting in the night sky.

As the power exploded outward, the remaining houses collapsed, the darkness receding as the Demolisher struggled against the torrent of energy that sought to engulf it. 

Yuto felt a great hope swell in his chest, the tide of battle turning inexorably in their favor.

Yet just as victory seemed within grasp, the Demolisher, driven by primal instinct, unleashed one final furious roar. 

Dark tendrils lashed out, attempting to ensnare Yuto and Freya within its chaotic mass. 

They gritted their teeth, bracing against the chaos as the forces collided, a violent maelstrom of magic, and for a moment, it felt as if the world itself had stopped.

Yuto's heart raced as he prepared to deflect the Demolisher's final onslaught, but a crack resounded through the ruins, shaking the very earth beneath them.

With terrifying force, it propelled itself upward, tearing through the air—its massive fists smashing against the walls, sending boulders tumbling, chaos reigning anew. 

"Yuto! Look out!" Freya shouted, her voice cutting through the turmoil. 

Yuto turned just in time to see one of the rocks hurtling toward him, his instincts firing as he rolled sideways to avoid the brutal crash.

Now burdened by the carnage of battle, Yuto's breath hitched in his throat—pain surged through him, but he kept moving. 

["Yuto, you are reaching your limit"]

"I can still move!"

["But for how long?"]

"Just enough to get the job done, because Freya healed me a bit, Grace Healing won't activate"

["I understand, I'll make sure to redirect some of your mana into your legs, just don't do anything stupid"]

Yuto let out a chuckle, he could see Freya, dancing amidst the chaos, summoning all her magic, her power shining brighter than ever.

The beam of light continued to pour forth from Freya's spell, illuminating the Demolisher's form, unyielding as it pressed further into its final stand. 

It moved in desperate jerks, absorbing the magic around it but fighting against its fading strength.

Yuto surged toward the flailing creature, adrenaline flooding his veins. He felt the sword heavy in his grip but knew this was their chance—a chance to end the tumult once and for all. 

With every ounce of power within him, he charged forward, determined to pierce through the darkness, seeking an opening to strike.

The ruins rumbled as the Demolisher unleashed a final wave of dark energy that crashed against Yuto and Freya, trying to force them back. But Yuto wouldn't be moved. 

He promised his uncle he would become a guardian against the malice, standing firm in the face of such madness.

Freya mirrored his resolve, their energies resonating as they plunged forward—their magic entwining in a brilliant display.

"Together!" she cried, and in that moment of unity, they moved as one.

Just like his battle against the three generals, he felt a new connection, with a step forward, sword and hand extending, Yuto thrust toward the heart of the Demolisher, empowered by the radiant magic swirling around him, the light pulsating with life and vigor. 

As he delivered the strike, the blade plunged deep into the Demolisher's chest, cutting through the chaos. 

Darkness erupted outward as a catastrophic explosion lit the sky, engendering a brilliant radiance that washed away all shadows.

Yuto felt the shock of the impact resonate through his limbs, and as the ruins echoed with the Demolisher's anguished cries, he withdrew his sword, bracing himself against any last trick it had.

But nothing happened, the Demolisher was dead, its body covered in blood and wounds, and the dark magic that fueled it was now leaving its body.

"Yuto!" Freya called out, extending her hands as the brilliance swirled around them, enveloping them in warmth. "We did it!"

But as the dust settled, amidst the wreckage of the ruins, a heavy stillness descended upon the air. Yuto and Freya stood, both breathless and battered, yet victorious.

<- System ->

Cancel Rings effects?

Yes or No

The host has clicked Yes.

Yuto's dark armor dissolved, and what was left was his bloody form, Mizuki took on her physical form to hold him up.

"We did it, Yuto," she said with a grin.

Yuto chuckled as he looked at the Demolisher's body, "Haha, we got some help though"

He looked at Freya who had tears in her eyes, "Freya"

She didn't let him speak another word as she ran to hug him, she clung to him tightly, her hands wrapping around his body as if afraid he would disappear. 

She buried her face against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heartbeat.

Yuto looked over at Mizuki as if to ask for advice.

["Don't look at me, comfort her, I'll be looking at the Demolisher's corpse"]

Mizuki with a chuckle walked away as Freya's eyes met Yuto's bloody left eye.

"Don't ever scare me like that!" 

"I can't lose you, you hear me?" she said in a low voice that was barely more than a whisper.

Yuto noticing her shaking held her tighter, "I'm sorry, Mizuki explained mid-battle that I must have scared you a bit"

She let out a small huff, a mix of relief and irritation bubbling up inside her, "A bit? You call that scaring me a bit? Yuto, I was terrified"

She pulled back, her eyes scanning his battered and beaten body, "You're covered in blood and look as if you lost a fight against a mountain"

"Well, the Demolisher was the size of a mountain," he said with a chuckle.

Freya rolled her eyes at his joke, feeling both frustrated and relieved. "This isn't a joke Yuto"

Her voice was stern but soft, "I was worried sick, you can't go scaring me like that"

"Freya, I had to. You know that had I not killed it, your people would be in a worse situation"

He was right, she knew he was right, what he did was to protect her people, the first request she ever gave him. 

But despite that, she can't help but feel a nagging sense of helplessness and worry.

"I know," her voice was quiet and resigned.

"But that doesn't mean I don't worry about you, from the first time we met it has always been like this, you running into danger, sword in hand ready to fight. You're not invincible, Yuto."

Yuto felt a lump in his throat, she was right, he wasn't invincible, even with the System, Mizuki, and his uncle's training, he almost died.

"I know"

She could see the look in his eyes, she knew that her words were sinking in. Yuto was strong, stronger than anyone she's ever met, but even he had limits.

She reached up and placed a gentle hand on his cheek, her gaze fixed on his face. "I just…I can't stand the thought of losing you," her voice was soft and vulnerable. 

"You mean so much to me"

"Do I now?" He said with a smug look

She rolled her eyes, a mix of irritation and affection bubbling up. Yuto's usual smugness was reassuring, reminding her that he was the same person even after the battle.

"Yes," she said firmly. "You do. Idiot."

"Well, you know in these types of situations…"

She raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "In these types of situations…?" She asked, her voice filled with skepticism.

"You know, a hero gets a kiss from a princess"

She could feel a blush creeping up on her cheeks, her heart skipping a beat. But decided to feign indifference, tilting her head to the side to give a coy look.

"Is that so?" She said with a smirk.

"Then I guess you're expecting a kiss from me, huh?"

"I mean, we did more than a kiss," Yuto couldn't help but grin, Mizuki who was listening from the back tried not to laugh.

Freya could feel her cheeks burning at his words, memories of their intimate night flooded her mind. 

She tried to keep her composure, but she could feel her heart pounding hard.

"That was different," she said a little breathless.

"We weren't in the middle of a battlefield, surrounded by rubble and blood."

"Hahaha"

Freya could feel a pout as she heard Yuto laughing, his carefree attitude drove her crazy. "You're insufferable, you know that?"

She muttered, there was no hint of malice in her voice, only fondness and annoyance.

Yuto pulled her closer, his right hand caressing her back, "Is a kiss too much right now?"

She let out a surprised gasp, her body molding close against his. She felt the heat radiating off of him, his touch sending a shiver down her spine.

"You have no shame, in treating royalty like this," her voice was a mix of amusement and frustration.

Despite her words, she couldn't deny that she wanted nothing more than to kiss him right now. 

Yuto with his left hand cupped her cheek, she felt the warmth of his touch, his rough, calloused bloody fingers against her soft skin.

"You're hopeless, you know that?" She murmurs, her voice a mix of teasing and desire.

"Just kiss me, you fool"

With a small pout, she finally gave in, "Fine," he voices low and sultry.

"But only because you asked so nicely"

With that, she leaned closer, her eyes locking with his as their lips met in a deep passionate kiss.

Yuto's lips were firm against hers, his arms wrapping around her and drawing her closer. 

She felt the heat of his skin, the strength of his muscles, and she let out a soft gasp, the kiss was becoming more instance.

She wrapped her arms around Yuto's neck, pulling him closer, wanting to feel every inch of him.

She wanted more, and as she felt a fire ignite in her she heard a familiar voice call out.

It was her father, who came with the royal guards to check up on them, "It's my Father!"

"Guessing he came to check on you?"

"It looks like it," She sighed, reluctantly pulling away from Yuto even though she wanted to cling to him some more.

"Hey, Freya?"

"Yes?" she turned around with curiosity. 

<-System- >

The host will now fall into a slumber to recover mana, aura, stamina, and blood.

"My eyes feel a bit heavy"

"Huh?"

"Yuto, are you okay? Do you need to sit down?"

Yuto couldn't keep his eyes open as the system forcibly shut down his body, and he began to collapse. 

The last thing he saw was Freya and Mizuki trying to grab him as he reached the ground.

<- System Rewards ->

Will the host accept them?