Final Encounter?

The bald man, James Powder, had been travelling for quite some time. Of course, he wasn't actually trying to get to a destination, but rather, find a clearing ahead of Devotion to lay a trap. He had purposely not covered up the tracks of his horse, wanting Devotion to see them and follow him. He knew Devotion would be desperate for a horse, since every stable had been shut down by James Powder.

However, Devotion was moving much faster than James Powder had anticipated. In fact, Powder had barely even managed to settle down in the clearing when he heard Devotion's hurried footsteps in the distance. This was a disaster! He hadn't had any time to set the trap. No matter. Powder was confident he could take Devotion with the new defensive charm he had gotten.

Luckily enough, Devotion hadn't noticed who he was walking towards yet. The only thing on his mind was an easy horse ride the rest of the way to Wanchen. Devotion leaned on Ghostwhisper's staff form, strutting quickly after those footsteps.

Devotion had just made it into a clearing when he stopped dead in his tracks. Yes, there was a horse, just as he had expected, but standing in front of that horse was the last man Devotion wanted to see: the bald man, James Powder! He had followed him!

Powder laughed to himself. "I've been waiting a long time for this moment. Only one of us leaves this place alive today, David." Devotion cringed, hearing his old and dead name. Upon hearing it, he resolved himself. Today, he would kill James Powder!

Instantly, both cultivators unleashed their auras. Unlike last time, they were evenly matched! Neither was suppressed by the other!

"Don't think your pet will get you out of this one today. I'll have your head, and that ten thousand gold bounty will be mine! I'll be part of the Mystace family, and you will be dirt in the ground!"

"Ten thousand gold? Holy shit!" Devotion nearly passed out, hearing how large the bounty on his head was. that was several times larger than he could ever imagine!

"Quiet! Our fight to the death will begin now!" With that, James Powder sprinted at Devotion, full speed! Each step kicked up tons of dirt, and eh traversed the distance between them in just an instant.

"Ysmir! Buy me some time!" Ysmir nodded, jumping from Devotion's shoulders into attack. It bared its fangs, jumping straight for Powder's neck.

James Powder snorted, completely ignoring Ysmir's attack. Just as Ysmir was about to clench its jaws on Powder's neck, a bright white aura activated, repelling Ysmir and sending it flying. The protective charm had worked! It turned a dull white color after, its power used for the day.

"I won't waste any time on you this time. prepare for my full force attack!" James Powder exclaimed. He rose his right fist, and Devotion watched as it was suddenly covered in a bright red aura. The light shined, then condensed into a single point on the fist.

"Brick Breaking Punch!" James Powder shouted, letting it fly full force towards Devotion's gut.

"Spire of Earth!" Devotion shouted back, raising the staff and performing a hand seal. A thick wall of Earth sprouted from the ground, taking the punch. However, it wasn't enough. The crimson red punch broke straight through that wall and slammed into Devotion's gut.

Devotion was sent flying, slamming into a tree behind him. He felt his internal organs spinning inside of him, and spit out a mouthful of blood. That attack was truly powerful. Had Devotion not blocked at the last second, that attack would have instantly killed him.

Devotion quickly muttered the healing spell he knew, attempting to restore his organs slightly, although it didn't really help much. He wiped the blood from his lip.

"Damn. You had more tricks up your sleeve than I thought. Be proud, you're the first person to survive my Brick Breaking Punch! No matter, you won't survive another one." James Powder taunted, quickly sprinting at Devotion.

Devotion scrambled up, raising the staff once more.

"Bolt of Flame!" Devotion shouted, once more raising Ghostwhisper's Staff form and performing hand seals. A bright, shining ball of flames flew out, connecting with James Powder's fist as it was launched.

Both attacks colliding resulted in an explosion, one that sent both cultivators flying away from each other. They were both injured from that exchange. Devotion appeared miserable, coughing up blood once more and staggering to stand.

At first glance, James Powder seemed to be on top of this fight. However, if one looked, they'd notice that his right hand had been completely mangled! It was barely recognizable as a hand anymore.

James Powder shook in fear. However, he saw how poor Devotion was looking, and decided he could finish him while he had the chance. He quickly steeled himself, sprinting at Devotion and ready to finish him off, when something bit into his left leg.

Ysmir had recovered! It quickly sunk its teeth into James Powder's leg, stopping him from moving and forcing him to collapse.

Devotion slowly staggered back to his feet, seeing that James Powder had been temporarily occupied by Ysmir.

"Ooh! A fight!" Suddenly, Ghostwhisper's sickly voice rang out in Devotion's head.

"Damn it! You're awake now, of all times?" Devotion cursed internally, deciding to ignore that sickly voice.

He limped over to James Powder, staying just far enough away so a stray blow couldn't hit him while Ysmir repeatedly bit him. Ysmir was definitely stronger than the first time it had fought. Maybe consuming all of those crystal cores had made it stronger? Devotion didn't have time to dwell on it, as something kept appearing in his thoughts.

"He's incapacitated! Take the opening! Kill him!" Ghostwhisper's voice was practically screaming in Devotion's ear. He was hesitant. After all, he'd never killed another person before. Even though he hated James Powder, he didn't want to kill.

However, the urging in his ear was too much. Devotion raised the staff.