A Different Person

As death loomed just at his doorstep, he refused to succumb to his fear. Instead, a seething anger swelled within him, directed solely at himself.

His one thought was that he was weak, too weak to alter the course of his destiny. Gradually, he embraced his fate as his weary head slumped to one side.

In the instant of his passing, an extraordinary phenomenon commenced, defying the boundaries of the known. His chest radiated in a dazzling glow, casting a luminous white aura, that enveloped his lifeless form.

A surge of energy burst forth from his body destroying everything in its path.

The dragon roared in pain, its wings withering as it took off to the sky. It landed with a thud creating a small crater. It's body slowly withered away, leaving a large glowing crystal.

Meanwhile, the glow intensified, Will's body slowly rose from the ground, the energy forming a cocoon pulsating with raw energy. His broken body started healing at a fast rate with the other half of his body regrowing.

 *****

Arriving at the entrance of the city, they were unable to pass through due to the pulsating orange barrier surrounding the city.

Arghhh! The captain groaned puilling out his hair. Even the formidable captain attacks were unable to go through. 

"The barrier is gone!" The group of soldiers exclaimed. Unknown to them, the death of the dragon led to the barrier shattering.

"Quick! Search the city for the students," the captain ordered, his eyes scanning through the vast expanse.

The soldier's stunned by the massive destruction silently navigated through the city, searching for the students. 

"What on earth did this!?" A soldier muttered staring at the rumbles. He could feel a trace of foreign energy present in the air. 

'Who's that!?" He voiced out, calling the attention of his comrades, his gaze fixed on a vibrant young man standing miles away. 

 The young man stood confidently, his gaze fixated on the distant horizon. His long wavy silver hair gently moved along with the wind. His upper body was bare showing his well toned muscles. The young guy slowly turned his head, and they were able to see his face.

Will Sonoma! Shock of gasps filled the battleground, as sign of recognition flashed in their faces.

His blue eyes shone in an otherworldly glow, with the soldiers finding it difficult to stare straight at his face for long. 

"Leave! Will said, his voice hoarse." 

"Where are the rest?" The captain asked him, ignoring his word. 

"I'm talking to you! What's going on!?"the captain yelled at him, yet got no response. Filled with anger, he shot forward, his face a mixture of fury and fear.

The captain stopped in his tracks as he felt the air thickened, an ominous aura slowly spreading round the area.

 A figure with wings made utterly from dark energy appeared at the sky, heading towards their direction at high speed. The soldiers found it difficult to breathe and couldn't move an inch of their body as they felt the wild energy supressing them. 

The figure finally landed with the wings dissipating. It was a man with a burly build.

His dark hair was tied in a bun, the only distinctive feature were the two large horns that curled upwards towards his head. He wore a long trench coat but had no shirt underneath.

" You killed Asira." He said, ignoring the rest, his gaze fixed solely on Will. 

"So you're the so called guardian of the crystal," Will replied, cracking his fingers. " Where is the other half?"

The man let out a loud dry laugh, " You're are here for the crystal? I can see they sent a strong this time around. To get the other half you've to defeat me first," he said, his face concocting into a devilish smile, revealing his razor-sharp teeth.

"Then be prepared," Will said as his aura erupted, sending out a wave of energy across the land. A sword slowly materialised formed purely from his aura.

"Hahaha, Impressive! I believe you should know the name of the person who ended your pitiful life," the man said. " I am Athos, the guardian of planet Mithral!" With that, he summoned a spear and charged towards Will. He swung his spear, aiming to cut him apart. 

" A demi god raising his weapon at me," Will said with a scoff as he caught the spear with his free hand.

" It seems the world has forgotten about me. Will said, pulling the spear with great strength, yanking it out of his hands and also dragging Athos along. He then swung his sword straight at the incoming demi god. 

A shield made of dark energy appeared before him, taking the brunt of the attack. 

What monstrous strength! Athos thought, as he flew back, crashing into the ground. He stood up with his expression turning serious. Taking just a step, he appeared before Will. He swung his fist, but it got blocked easily. Will retaliated with a punch, which Athos dodged easily. 

They both exchanged several blows, with none unable to harm the other. The soldiers watching from afar were stunned, finding it difficult to comprehend the ongoing battle. They could feel the power of each punch, strong enough to turn one into a pile of blood. 

Impossible! The captain said with a look of disbelief. He quickly operated the device in his hands, and a hologram screen appeared. A picture of Will was displayed with little information about him.

"Just in the initial realm!?" He exclaimed, confirming his thoughts. "What the hell happened to him?"

Meanwhile the battle raged on as Will attacks began to find its mark after countless exchange of blows. Gathering his aura in his fist he punched out sending him into the ground. 

" Are you ready to talk now," Will asked with a frown. His fingers trembling with little cracks forming.

" Is that all you got? " Athos voiced out as he charged towards Will. The aura around him intensified as he unleashed several powerful energy beams.

Will easily avoided the attacks and threw his sword at him. The sword transformed to a spear mid-air but was easily deflected by Athos.

With a spin he hurled back the spear, charging forward. Will took the attack head on coming out unscathed.

Do you think a mere demi god can defeat me? Think again, "he said as he punched his chest. Athos was lifted up his feet, but Will caught his legs and slammed him into the ground.

Dark flames slowly wrapped around his hands up to his forearms. He swung his hand backwards, blocking a huge sphere of chaotic energy that exploded on impact creating a cloud of dust. A dark fist shot out from the rising dust nearly hitting his chest.

Will caught the fist, then with a leap, he slammed him back to the ground again. Still holding his hands, the dark flames started surging wildly as it began to spread to his hands. Athos quickly gathered his aura, forming a condensed energy which protected his hand from the flames. He then punched out with his other hand slightly pushing Will back. Escaping from his grasp, he appeared before Will and swung his hands, which was covered in a densed aura. The space distorted as a wave of energy crashed into Will, sending him into the depths of the earth.

" Get ready for this one," he bellowed, as the dark energy once again started gathering and condensing. The space started distorting as his aura surged wildly. His fists covered in raw condensed energy struck Will's chest this time around. 

A large explosion occurred, destroying the area.

Will rose from the ground, spitting out a blob of blood. Without wasting time he shot towards Athos delivering an uppercut on his chest. Appearing before his flying body, he joined his fists together slamming it on his chest. 

A deep crater was formed as Athos plunged deep into the earth. He staggered out, his chest caved in. His chest emitted a vibrant green glow, healing quickly. His body started transforming, turning into a giant form. Dark wings grew out from his shoulder blades. The wings were made of flesh this time around. 

He lifted his large foot and slammed it on the ground sending a wave of dark energy, the earth crumbled on impact forming several craters.

" Above," he heard a voice amidst the chaos. Looking towards the sky he saw Will descending straight at him, his figure covered in an ethereal glow. 

Perfect! Let's see you dodge this! This time around his hand was covered in a dark spatial energy that could shatter even the strongest defense. 

The collision was cataclysmic, the spatial energy surged wildly consuming Wil. His body shot towards the ground creating a deep crater. His form slowly broken and disfigured. His body melted under the intense aura turning into a dark sticky liquid.

"I thought as much," Athos said. He stood watching the dark liquid evaporate into the thin air. He jumped out of the crater with ease, dispelling the cloud of dust. His gaze fixated on the group of soldiers. 

"Hope you had enough fun." Just as he was about attacking he heard a voice which sent chills down his spine.