Hear My Prayer!

What is considered the pinnacle? It's usually considered the most successful point, the highest something can be. However it is constantly mistaken as the highest something will ever be. Wrock could feel it, the pinnacle of swordsmanship Merin displayed, it's the highest anyone has ever seen.

But as she fought with Akiol, he could see it. Not the flaws, but rather her effort to strive even higher. But when you reach a point higher than everyone else, you lack things to compare yourself too. Can you even tell if you've improved? Did you rise an inch? Did you fall an inch?

It's a cage, a lonesome point that can't be calculated using numbers. The only way to tell is with something that can be compared, but at the so called pinnacle who can reach you?

Entering the Arena Wrock lifted a hand, a bit of Spirit formed into a feather. Closing his eyes he murmured under his breath before crushing it. Merin watched in interest, "What was that?"

"A prayer of sorts. It is not a lie to say you're going to be the strongest person I have fought yet."

"Ah, asking for guidance?"

"No, merely a message."

"In that case let's see what you're capable of!"

"I'll be in your care."

Humive placed his hands behind his back, "His focus is amazing, it seems he's dead set on obtaining victory."

Nine pinched one of his hairs and twisted it, "I used to never understand those who use weapons for combat. Even more so for those without one, willingly placing themselves in the way of a sharp object."

"And now?"

"Kan'na has given me a bit of insight on the matter. A desire to grow further, perhaps for warriors it stems from danger. To put themselves at risk. While for us it comes from a desire to obtain knowledge. While the two are not similar, they are not entirely unrelated."

"A wise insight, but for some reason I get the feeling that Wrock is not here to improve."

"Hmm?"

"Just a feeling, in the meantime let us delay no further."

Clearing his throat he broadcasted his voice, "Now let the next fight. . . Begin!"

Merin didn't wait around, immediately she dashed across the Arena with her sword unsheathed. Not bothering to test the waters she immediately went for the kill! The simplistic yet incredible deadly sword in her hand swung across the air aiming for his neck.

Raising his leg he used his knee to hit the flat end of the sword, directing it higher and away from his neck. With a rapid motion he then released a kick with the same leg towards her throat. With her off hand she caught his leg, "No hesitation, almost as if you've seen these moves before."

Blue flame ignited at his leg, forcing Merin to let go before she got burnt. She stepped back to dodge the continuation of the kick and swung her sword in retaliation. Using the back of his hand he smacked against the flat end of the sword. After the several times he fought against Akiol, he was more than aware of his own way to deal with a sword. Although Merin's swordsmanship vastly outperformed Akiol's!

She twisted the blade and swung downwards, Wrock's senses went full alert as he dodged to the side. The tip of Peerless Edge touched the ground and a massive gash formed across the Arena floor. Wrock did not pause to admire how such a simple swing could have such devastating results.

From the small exchange they just had Wrock could feel that they were similar in strength, which was good enough for him! Although Akiol lost despite his vast increase in stats, the reason for that was obvious. He was vastly outmatched in technique. Thanks to that fight Wrock had more than enough insight on how Merin handled her sword to even that playing field!

The Sword Saint adjusted her grip on her sword, "The way you move is almost exactly like the ones who have repeatedly challenged me. As if you've seen all my moves before."

[Rapid Slashes].

Wrock's eyes narrowed, this single move felt like he was being attack from a hundred angles at once. To think that this kind of feeling could be produced by technique and not overwhelming speed! Yet. . . !

Spirit ignited at his fists the flame condensed to almost a solid. His breathing grew to a rhythmic pace. He could feel it, see it, hear it. The way her muscles moved, the way the air was being cut through, the way the world and she reacted to this one technique.

His senses were pushed to the absolute limit, and then even a little further beyond that. It became clear to him, the path each swing was taking. His heartbeat began to rise in response. . . !

{Spirit of the Phoenix: Wing Beat}!

Du-du-du-du-du-du-

Merin's eyes lit up as Wrock's fists constantly intercepted her swings, "Aha! As expected you can see this too!"

Wrock's hands turned to a blur, he felt the ground shift underneath his feet as he was being pushed back. The Spirit protecting his fists was being chipped away at an alarming rate. He had about three seconds left before the sword would start cutting through his flesh!

His hand flickered as he punched against Merin's sword. Such flawless technique left no room for a counter attack, despite him watching every movement like a hawk. It left him wondering how exactly he was supposed to counter such a move.

'No, just create something then!'

Spirit bloomed from his feet and encompassed him, the bright flame blocked Merin's sight. With a single and flawless move she switched between techniques.

[Horizontal Slash].

The cut split the flame in half, strangely it floated apart for a bit before scattering. As if the flame wasn't registering that it just got cut. But it revealed that Wrock was no longer there. Merin smirked. Flicking her sword she swung upwards, the space being cut behind it.

[Upwards Slash].

{Spirit of the Phoenix: Wheel of Reincarnation}!

Whooom-!

Spirit exploded from the contact, flames scattering across the Arena floor. The explosion hid the two moves contact, but as the slowly faded it revealed what had happened! Merin's sword cut through Wrock's heel without much resistance!

He landed on the ground, blood forming a line from his movements. Spirit formed at the wound and cauterized it instantly. The exchange now made it awkward to stand on it on the foot. Wrock sucked in a breath, he actually managed to reduce the amount of damage he received from the attack. This solidified one of his ideas!

Spirit rose up and ignited. Wrock and Merin sprinted towards each other, ready to clash again! Wrock leapt into the air, Spirit swirling into his fist as he punched the air. A small Phoenix formed and shot across. Merin cut through this easily and watched as it exploded, the flames failing to hurt her. Wrock moved quickly and appeared in front of her, punching towards her stomach.

As the Spirit was blasted away it revealed Wrock already swinging! The two reacted to each other's moves at an alarming rate. Wrock's off hand flickered towards his neck and Merin's hand went towards her stomach.

Wrock's punch was caught and Merin's sword was struggling underneath Wrock's iron grip. Suddenly he smiled, twisting his hand he gripped Merin's wrist and pulled the two apart. Their equal strength suddenly not showing any further as Wrock powered his arms with Spirit.

The blue flame ignited at his foot as he kicked upwards towards her jaw. Merin watched as it approached, an deadly calm look on her face. No perhaps it was amusement? Her arm tensed and Wrock's eyes widened. The sword he held with an incredible amount of strength pushed further and swung through the upper half of his hand.

Merin leaned back and dodged his kick and primed her sword. Wrock attempted to retreat, but he wasn't the only one holding on! Merin stabbed forward, the space warping behind her simple move!

Vomiting blood Wrock found the sword piercing through his chest. Space snapped back into position and sent him flying across the Arena, blood following his path.

Inspecting her sword Merin commented, "After seeing Mira's strange way of fighting I thought it was an interesting thing to try. To be able to swing as if you had all the momentum from a mere inch. That's a really tiring feat however, I wonder how he can do it so consistently."

Wrock slammed into the ground and tumbled a few times before stopping. His hand had been partially severed, and he received a dangerous wound to his chest. Moreover the space warping had torn apart the upperhalf of his gi.

<Alert! Due to receiving a large amount of damage the item [Rising Azure Phoenix] has been broken!>

<Due to this the additional Skills provided will be temporarily disabled until it is repaired!>

Wrock stood up, Spirit once again cauterizing his wounds. Merin shook her head, "I'm afraid simple first aid won't be enough. The damage caused by space warping is at a more fine level."

In response Wrock spat out the blood remaining in his mouth, "You didn't hold back did you?"

"I have high hopes! It's my way of showing honor."

A painful laugh escaped Wrock, "Yeah, my clan follows a similar method."

"So do you wish to continue?"

"Do I look like I'm in that condition?"

"No, but your eyes tell me otherwise."

Power, it was the same thing every time. The fight against the Lich in Goldlight. The fight against the Crimson Immortal Rygeth. Against Perina. Now against the Sword Saint! Every single time he lacked it! No matter how far he grew!

Spirit welled inside his body, swirling inside him. It was so disheartening! To be unable to fight with everything he had! The very thing that drove him forward! The losses he suffered that he could have won if he was at his original strength! It was frustrating beyond compare!

Merin tilted her head, "This Spirit you're showcasing. I thought it was going to be what you used against Intel. . . but it feels different somehow."

No more! This time he will fight with everything he had! Even if it might be taboo against his beliefs! He served the Phoenix! He believed in its power! He fought in its honor!

Gritting his teeth he mumbled, "So let me fight for you again. Hear my prayer!"

Merin raised her sword to stop whatever was occurring, but then she hesitated. For so long she hadn't faced anyone worthwhile. She had to constantly hold back so others could learn as well. It was so tiring being at the pinnacle. If this could provide her with a challenge. . . it would be well worth it!

"Show me Wrock! What you're truly capable of!"

WHOOOM!

Spirit rose into a twister of flame. It wavered in and out, showing power beyond any Spirit Wrock had showcased! It spun faster and faster, the wind grew in temperature and billowed. The heat began to reach the audience despite the protective barrier!

Somewhere in the crowd someone smiled to themselves, "So you've finally steeled yourself Wrock. With this my favor to Yomi is complete, now you walk a path none shall follow!"

The twister of flame suddenly vanished, not a single sign of it remaining. It revealed Wrock, his injuries completely healed. He looked upwards, a calm yet relieved expression on his face. Merin watched in joy, "Yeah! That's more like it! The feeling your giving off, it's completely unlike anything I've felt before!"

Lifting the hand that was originally partly severed Wrock inspected it. Flexing it here and there he nodded in approval. Returning his gaze to Merin he took a single step forward. . .

Merin's gaze sharpened as she leaned to the side. A gash formed across her shoulder, blue flame slowly fading away from it. She looked behind her with a surprised expression, "This. . . this isn't something you can do with just a Berserk ability."

Wrock was crouching, "My apologies, it's been a while since I had speed like this. Seems like I overshot it a bit. Although I must say you're incredible. Being able to react to that."

"I've seen greater speed, but this is not within the realm of Second Stage. You haven't ascended, so what exactly is this. . . ?"

Wrock stood up and answered with a single word:

"Rebirth."