Chapter 51- Power of a Contender Part 3

I found it funny that everywhere in here counted as being in the shadow, therefore my mana was consistently recovering, and my attacks were always considered lethal.

My attack wasn't reduced while I was here, so I always did maximum damage.

I was starting to understand that even though I had a constant stream of mana and healing, I could still get tired.

Both he and I knew that the shadow army was there to tire me out and he just bided his time while I struggled, to finish me off later.

His plan would have worked but I had an ace up my sleeve that if it worked how I think this was going to, it would be the most broken thing in my arsenal.

He confidentially floats over to me, and I sit down, pretending that I've given up and he reaches a hand out that's filled with darkness.

His hand passes right through me, and I let out a laugh.

Confused he tries again only for the same thing to happen.

From where I'm sitting, I smile and say, "The definition of insanity is repeating an action over and over but expecting a different result."

As he talks I can hear the annoyance and frustration in his voice. "How are you doing this?"

"Oh, you don't have this spell. That's a shame, I can tell you this however, you're going to be waiting a bit before we actually fight."

He scoffs and actually backs off, watching for any movement from me while I continue to sit waiting for my fatigue to be over.

It seemed like I was being cocky but that couldn't be farther from the truth. Considering the monstrosity, I was facing, every move needed to be carefully planned.

He told me himself, knew what he was doing it fights and his experience showed.

Even know I'm sure he figured out that I couldn't attack while maintaining this form and backed off so if I made any movements he would see.

But I some advantages on my end as well because I could maintain this ultimate that made me ethereal indefinitely as any shadow spells had no cost while in shadows.

Of course, I had to be careful as I could be pulled out my ultimate by space spells, which Im quite sure could be found among some shadow spells.

Nevertheless, I hoped I was safe for now, as it gave me time to think.

The question marks on the health bar made me think, there was some special way I had to damage him.

He was also immune to curses which put me at a disadvantage as well. My only option was to go physical or use shadow spells.

I still had to test some theories out before Acute Mind could come up with a plan to beating this guy but otherwise, I was ready to begin.

I stand to my feet, causing the shade to become more focused as I finally take action.

Drawing a dagger, I take a leap forward as he remains where he is, and I teleport with my ant who was lurking by him the entire time.

Coming at him, I swing my weapon which connects with nothing as it passes right through him.

While I'm confused about what just happened, my instincts once again kick in, and I jump back just as a long thin spike made of shadow erupts from where I once was.

Not bothering to turn around, he says, "I've noticed your little teleporting with the shadow trick long ago. Your reliance on it will be your undoing in this battle."

As I land from jumping back, I notice a slight movement under my feet, and lean backwards in time to dodge a shadow spike from piercing my skull.

I quickly back pedal to the left and right as shadow spikes erupt anywhere I dodge to.

I continue to back away until I'm now at least 15 meters from where he is.

With no signs of another shadow spike, I quickly review the information I have so far.

He seems to be unfazed by physical attacks as my blade passed through him, unless he also had my ultimate and was pretending, he knew nothing of it.

The speed of the spikes are just slower than me even though I never de-cast any of my blessings and have Enhanced Movement active.

Since everything around counts as shadow, he can cast it wherever he wants, but I can only assume there's a range of 15 meters.

Of course, it could be more, but this is all the information I had until proven wrong.

One of my choices, was to test to see if he was actually also immune to physical attacks because if he was, I had limited options to kill him.

I bend much like how I see track runners do as I figure it'll give me more speed for what I'm about to do.

Giving myself a little countdown, at zero I activate Enhanced Overdrive which launches me in a blur towards the shade, zig zagging as much as possible to avoid the onslaught of shadow spikes that appear where I'm going to be.

Turning to face me, he raises both of his wispy arms and column of shadow spikes rises in front of him, cutting me off from reaching him.

To keep the momentum going so I don't waste all my efforts that I've done so far, I teleport once again with my ant and into the path of two shadow spikes that impale my stomach and shoulder, sending me back flying.

On the ground in pain, more spikes stab through my legs and arms making me cry out as they pin me down.

He hovers slowly to where I'm struggling on the ground, where he takes a second to watch me.

Trying to buy myself some time to break free, I try to distract him, "So that's it? You're going to kill me then go about being lonely again wandering around until Skiaxodius decides to deal with you?"

"Youre mistaken. I never once said that I plan on killing you. While you were in the Ethereal spell, you gave me time to think about what I need to do. I can vaguely remember being human, but I feel that if I were to possess you, I could become human again and with your prowess, stronger too."

He kneels and places both his hands on my head and my vision turns green.