89 Payback

/Don't say I didn't warn you.../

Ignoring his patron deity's ominous words, Riku let the newfound power he now possessed to flow through him. The fatigue he was feeling along with all of the other problems he was dealing with all almost seemed to disappear as clarity returned to both his mind and body. It didn't completely take away his need to breathe, however, and he was still sinking deeper into the sea. However, he got something that he sorely needed.

[BOONS OF CHAOS: CHAOTIC SYSTEM: OVERCLOCKED TRUMP ACTIVATED]

[CHAOTIC REROLL COMMENCED]

Nyx's expy echoed inside his head as his power returned to him in full force, his mind and body eagerly waiting for something good this time as the system rolled the dice. He didn't know what having an overclocked Trump meant, but he could only assume that it was going to be stronger than any of the normal powers that he could possibly get.

[ROLL SUCCESSFUL]

[CHAOS CHARGE: ALLOWS THE CHAMPION TO DO A CHARGE FOR A LIMITED DISTANCE, IGNORING ANY AND ALL DAMAGE AND STATUS AILMENTS. VALID FOR THIS DEPTH ONLY.]

After a full minute sinking into the abyss, Riku opened his eyes once more, the anarchic dark glow of Chaos blooming from both his eyes and chest as he flexed his newfound power. Despite the papers weighing him down, he crouched down into his knees, his power pumping energy into his very being before shooting him right back up to the surface. His chest burned from the exertion, but it was a minor inconvenience compared to his newfound freedom.

Being deep into the sea, his first charge only managed to get him right underneath the ice sheet trapping him in the water. He didn't trust his [Chaos Charge] to be able to break through the ice. However, he still had his other Trump up to the task.

'[Chaos Walk]'

Flipping his body around, he stomped both feet into the ice blocking his way, his power immediately exploding the barrier to bits and allowing him to finally take a breath of fresh air after minutes of being underwater. At the same time, the papers clinging onto him all fell off one by one. It would seem that they only worked when he was underwater, and their effect no longer worked now that he was above ground once more.

"I'm finally free..." he whispered to himself. "Now to find Luke..."

His eyes scanning the horizon, Riku turned his attention to the direction of their boat. Specifically, to the small river that he had been working on in what felt like ages ago now. Sure enough, Luke was right there following the trail, his papers absently floating around him without a care in the world.

'Payback time...'

Crouching low on the ground, Riku clicked his tongue before putting his knife on his mouth once more, allowing him to get on all fours as he mimicked the starting pose of a professional runner. He didn't know how far [Chaos Charge] would take him, but he wanted his hands to be free just in case he needed to do some free running.

"[Chaos Charge]"

With a soft whisper of his power, Riku felt his feet move like lighting beneath him as he began sprinting at Luke with the speed of a roaring motorcycle. All the while, [Chaos Walk] remained active, his footfalls causing the ice behind him to disintegrate as shockwaves followed his wake. He knew immediately that he had something going that he could use against this man, something that might catch him off guard quickly enough that he could finally end this man once and for all.

With the speed and agility of an assassin, Riku vaulted and swerved past each and every spire of ice that dared to stop his progress. The destruction behind him almost felt like it was meant to be the closer he got to his target. He already knew that his approach would be far from ideal due to [Chaos Walk], but he was fast enough now to just kill him outright the moment he closed the gap.

"Champion of Nyx?"

The surprise in Luke's voice almost sounded like vindication to Riku as he brandished his knife and swiped at the old man. His charge had allowed him to close the distance with but a blink of an eye, but like last time, one of the old man's many pages moved to intercept his attack.

"I'm impressed," the Champion of Mimir genuinely praised. "I was sure that I've left you for dead."

Remaining silent, Riku used [Chaos Charge] once more, borrowing its speed as he circled around the old man and used his overwhelming speed to his advantage. At the same time, he was carving out a small island for the enemy Champion to stand on, all while cutting through page after floating page until he finally managed to nick a cut at the man's Achille's Heel. Then, for good measure, he cut through the sides of his abdomen before he had no choice but to jump away from the collapsing ice.

"Arghh!"

Luke roared in pain just as Riku quickly disengaged, his [Chaos Walk] having rendered the area around the old man practically impossible to stand on as the enemy Champion fell to his knees. It was clear that the professor had no clue how to handle an injury, and seeing as the man was old, he was sure that such a simply injury as this was already dangerous for the man.

"You... You cut me..." Luke gasped, shock coloring his face as he placed a hand over his profusely bleeding cut. "You managed to... get past [Mimir's Knowledge]..."

"You have no physical abilities to speak of, I'm assuming," Riku scoffed as he flicked the blood of his knife. "You will die here if not aided."

"Don't be so sure..." Luke spat out, his composure utterly broken as the ice around him crumbled further and further. "I'll be back if you don't finish me off..."

Scoffing, Riku grabbed a particularly sharp block of ice from the ground before promptly tossing it up in the air. Then, with a flick of his knife, he aimed the projectile right at the old man's stomach. The death was swift and immediate as the ice punctured his body, the old man's corpse now sinking into the waters without so much as a whisper.

"Farewell, old man..."

With his job done, Riku sheathed his knife before returning to the ship. The pain in his chest was starting to grow worrisome, and that was on top of Shizu possibly needing his help. Though, he probably had a lecture waiting for him the moment Nyx saw him.