Confident Clash

I thrusted the spear forward, aiming for Marth's head but he avoided it and stepped to the side.

I saw the sharp end of his blade near my face and I quickly maneuvered the spear, blocking the strike and sliding back in the process.

When I stopped, I heard footsteps coming from behind and I immediately ducked, avoiding Marth's blade.

I used the blunt end of the spear and struck Marth. Or that's what I thought when I turned around.

I turned around and I immediately blocked an incoming strike.

Clang!

I slid back but lost my balance. I quickly regained my composure and glanced at Marth.

I noticed his eyes were glowing. His eyes however weren't glowing blue as they would usually do. This time, they were glowing green, the same color as that moon.

Marth suddenly vanished and appeared above me. I rose Ordos' spear and managed to block him. I would then kick Marth in the stomach, but my attack seemed to do no damage.

I immediately hopped away but I didn't even have the chance to recover as he shot towards me with a sadistic smile on his face.

Snatch!

I managed to grab my leg and my face suddenly met with the floor.

Crash!

Boom!

Bash!

Crunch!

Crack!

I felt the bones in my body shatter and break as Marth violently swung me around and smashed me into the ground.

When he felt satisfies, he threw me away like a ragdoll. I laid there with my entire skeletal structure broken into a million pieces.

This bastard, he's not holding back this time huh? Either that or it's the effect of that moon.

"What's wrong, Seiya? Are you really going to give up just because you have a broken bone or two? Well technically, I broke everything, but you can just heal. Right?"

I managed to use shadow mending to fix my bones. I could still feel the pain but it eventually died down.

Looks like I'm going to have to tune it up a bit.

Marth launched himself towards me and I did the same. But this time I threw the spear forward directly at Marth.

Marth noticed and he stopped to deflect the spear. When he turned to look at me, I drew my Katana and instantly slashed his right arm off.

I turned around and swung my blade, clearing it from any blood that was caught when I slashed his arm and then sheathed it.

Marth wasn't screaming in pain or anything, he was just looking at his arm. Then, he crouched and picked his dismembered arm up and reattached it, his arm seemed to be reconnecting to his body itself.

So not only strength but even regenerative abilities were enhanced, it's definitely something that this moon caused. I knew the bad feeling I felt when I looked at it wasn't something I should dismiss.

I caught the spear that was spinning around the air and got ready. Marth picked up his sword and dashed towards me.

I waited till he got close enough in my range and then thrusted forward again. He dodged and attempted the same strike but I also stepped to the side and this time, I went behind him and placed him in a chokehold.

I would tighten my grip and he would try to shake me off. He grabbed onto my hair and threw me away.

I slid and stood up. Marth looked at me and got on both his hands and legs. I noticed his claws were extended and his muscles were much bulkier. I even noticed that he had fur around his neck.

I could feel a sudden change in the air. It must've been coming from Marth since I can see his aura. It was spectral green, like that of a ghost.

"Come on… Seiya."

Looks like he still had control of himself but I knew if he were to become a Lycan right now, he would have a chance of losing himself.

"I know you are holding back Seiya. Why don't you just release it so we can get this fight moving on?"

He must've known about me obtaining full-body transformation. As much as I want to, I still fear that I may experience a greater toll if I were to overuse it.

But… for now, I'll use this.

I smirked and jabbed Ordos' spear into the ground. Then I swept my hair back and said-

"Katharsis."

I felt my bloodlust slowly rising and it even manifested as my aura; a crimson red which eventually shifted into a violet color mixed with black particles. My hair felt longer and it was white.

Hmm, not sure about the hair but I can always tie it back.

"This can do… right?"

Marth wore a satisfied grin and I picked Ordos' spear up.

I immediately sped forward, closing the distance between me and Marth instantly. I swung my spear and he blocked. Right after that I drew my Katana and attempted to cut his arm off again but he managed to block it as well.

I jumped back and waved my hand, launching a consecutive wave of Scarlet Bullets. He fought back with his own wave of energy bullets dyed green.

An explosion erupted between us and I used this as a chance to attack since it'll act as a smokescreen.

I ran forward and my eyes immediately shifted so that I could look through the smoke. But I think Marth had the same idea too because we were right in front of each other.

I thrusted my spear but he grabbed it and threw it away. He brought down his longsword, but I did the same.

My Katana and the sword Marth received from his ancestor collided, creating a huge amount of sparks.

I stabbed the ground with my Katana and stopped myself from falling into the lake.

I can't tell but I know that this thing is deep, considering how it is able to swallow a Lulator. It would be bad if one who couldn't swim accidentally fell into this thing.

"Fufu."

I looked up at Marth and he was laughing.

"What the hell is so funny?" I asked. Marth stopped laughing and he stood up, his ghostly aura becoming larger and stronger.

"Let me tell you something about that moon," he said as he pointed up at the green moon in the night sky.

"Several centuries ago, the first Lycan made war with the vampires of the underworld because of the tension the ancient war provided. He was the strongest warrior that existed and he managed to win but sacrificed himself to save his kind."

Then he pointed up at the moon and continued.

"Even though he was gone, he was given another chance. The moon goddess saved his soul before his soul was brought to the underworld. Recognizing his worthy soul, he became that moon, a moon that only appears every few centuries. It may look like a normal moon at first but it wields a special power."

I never asked for a history lesson but I'll just satisfy him. He's probably almost done.

"Once a Lycan looks at that moon, their power will be magnified. And I think you know what that means."

So it was the moon. I knew that thing did something to make him stronger.

"So… you're getting serious this time?" I questioned as I gripped the handle of my Katana.

"Yes. Playtime is over, the main event starts here."

Suddenly, the ground shook, knocking me off balance.

What the hell? Is this thing still alive?

That was what I thought when I stared at the Lulator, but it wasn't it. It was coming from Marth.

His aura was becoming bigger and it began to move like a raging fire. His muscles bulged, and he was getting bigger. The bigger he became, the more fur that grew around his body. Then his head began to change shapes to that of a wolf. His claws extended and curled.

After that, there was a 12 foot Lycan standing in front of me, drool dripping from his mouth.

He opened his mouth and let out a high-pitched howl, making my eardrums pop.

When he stopped, he hunched over and looked at me with green glowing eyes.

He's really not holding back. And just when I thought I didn't have to use that form.

I got into a stance and waited for him to attack but he just stayed still. I was confused for a bit but then he used his long finger and pointed at me.

"…you want me to fight you at full strength as well?" is what I was guessing he was trying to say as he was in his Lycan form. With that mouth, he is probably also unable to speak.

Marth nodded lightly.

"So be it. But don't go crying to your mommy."

I'd stab my sword in the ground and began concentrating every ounce of mana and vigor in me to the center of my body. As my energy overflowed around my chest, I could feel my heart tightening as I did it.

Then when my vision was clouded with crimson smoke, I released all my energy and transformed. A terrifying roar emanating from my mouth.

I took deep breaths so I could adjust to this form. I only just got this a few hours ago so I need to watch my stamina and my breathing. The price is not a friendly one.

Lifting my head, Marth had a kind of satisfied grin on his face and he hunched over, ready for battle.

I expanded my wings and vented out energy as I did. I could feel the floor heating up the more I released it.

Sizzle~

I hunched over just like Marth did and braced myself.

I flew towards him and he ran towards me.

And then our fist clashed.

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