Infinity| A Time After

|Escalation|

"Ouch." Was all he said as a cold indifference washes over him. He could hear the Lances pounding against the barrier, but ignores them as he feels his flesh growing rapidly along with bone.

The clouds above start to gather, turning a menacingly dark grey as purple lightning flashes above. The crackling of thunder being the only warning of what was to come. With a flick of Arthur's wrist, purple lightning erupts to life and falls from the dark clouds in a ravenous haste towards its target. Arc's of lightning dance across the sky, rocketing down as Dragoth moves rapidly to dodge.

'Why are you playing with him?' Regis' voice echoes in Arthur's mind as he continues to strike Dragoth with destructive electricity.

"Letting off steam." He replies monotonously with half lidded eyes. He could see the Scythe slowly dancing closer to him, every step taken was careful and precise with no wasted movement. Lightning dug into the sand, electrifying the small grains and sending the battlefield into chaos.

With his arm regrown, he lifts him hand as aether follows, coalescing at a thin point before it bursts. A shockwave of pure aether blasts Dragoth back several meters until he tumbled back into the sand, unable to regain his balance.

He watches with half lidded tired eyes as the Scythe rockets towards him at break neck speeds, landing a punch so forceful that Arthur's head snaps to the side with an audible sharp crack. A sick smile breaks across the Scythes face as his goes for another forceful blow, but his fist is caught and crushed in the hand of Arthur.

The white haired Lance snaps his head back into place, healing almost instantly as he sends the wide eyed Scythe flying once more. Tilting his head, a loud snap echoes around him, making everyone within his barrier flinch. He lifts into the air, just as a sickly black mist envelopes the ground where he once stood. The sand somehow seemed to decay, turning black before crumbling further out of existence.

Arthur stares blankly at the decay in intrigue, outstretching a single hand and watched as the aether within those particles drifts into him. The rune of destruction flares to life as a burst of blackened aether rushes from his body, his rune decoding and reinventing the mist of decay, becoming destructive yet somehow creative. It didn't move how aether normally did. It swarms like a massive flock of birds, directed straight for the Scythe.

Dragoth disappears in an instant, reappearing before his foe with onyx gauntlets pulled back. He raises his arms before crashing them back down, only to be met with the sound of metal against metal. Black, scale like armor ripples into existence as Arthur parries the blow, throwing Dragoth aim completely off course.

BOOM

The sound reverberates in the atmosphere as Arthur launches a well placed kick to Dragoth's abdomen, sending him back down to the blackened ground. A shockwave was created from the force of the kick, sending sand up into the air. Before Dragoth could stand again, an amethyst blade carves through his shoulder. He grunts in pain, holding his wounded shoulder as blood pours from the wound. Arthur made sure to hit an artery, wanting him to loose as much blood as possible.

Suddenly, everything grew heavy as the gravity shifts, and pulls Dragoth to kneel on one knee. Arthur's Attention turns to Mica, who stood at the very front of the barrier, along with Varay, and Bairon. Arthur had let them come through the barrier. He trusted that they are strong enough to fight, and if any trouble arises, he would intervene.

He gives them a nod, watching from his place in the air as the Lances start to release spells that are more powerful than he'd expected. He knew they are in the integration stage, even if it's only the beginning of said stage. They are still growing in strength, and this was the perfect opportunity to test just how much they've grown.

"Sylvie, how are things within the sanctuary?"

'Everything is fine. This Noah guy just gave this weird artifact to Gideon. It's a communication device that he wants us to replicate.' Her voice is serious, and Arthur could tell she was being cautious of the Alacryan troops still within a separate part of the sanctuary.

"And the people?" Varay launches a blast of fog like ice that  races toward the Scythe, freezing everything in its path.

'Everyone is antsy, waiting for some good news. Elder Levis just casted another barrier for safety measures just in case.' A pained scream pulls my attention as Mica falls to the ground holding her eye as blood dribbles down her face.

The gravity field seems to widen exponentially as a crushing force falls upon the injured Scythe, who is cackling like a madman.

"Alright. Keep me updated."

'Okay papa.'

"Mom! Look!!" Regis calls out. Arthur's rolls his eyes as he watches Bairon gather massive amounts of mana, lightning rippling throughout his form as his pupils dilate. The hum of electricity follows his every move as he launches himself at the Scythe, a spear of lightning forming, looking as solid as metal.

The Lance and Scythe dance around one another, dodging, parrying, and attacking. Neither on the defensive as they fought.

'He's improved my spell.' Arthur thought as he watches Bairon's speed increase to incredible rates. The arch's of white lightning branching out and taking blows that could've possibly hit Bairon. He was using his lightning as a shield.

In the blink of an eye, Varay is behind the Scythe, a sword of ice piercing straight through her foes back, the tip of the icy sword exiting his chest, right through his sternum. Before anyone else could react, Mica springs into action, her enlarged battle hammer swung with speeds no human should achieve as it makes direct contact with Dragoth's head, sending it flying meters away.

The bulky body of the Scythe falls limply, signaling that the battle was over.

Mana dissipates as the battle come to an end. Arthur appears right at Mica's side, his left hand resting over her bloodied eye socket as a greenish blue light envelopes her. She yelps as she feels the flesh of her eye reforming.

"You were arrogant. You've gotten stronger, but never let your guard down. Always assume your opponent is stronger than you, Mica." Arthur says as his vivum rune magic slowly starts to disperse. She blinks her eyes as Arthur removes his hand from her face, watching as she lifts a hand to her own childlike face in wonderment.

"That felt weird." She says as Varay shake her head. Arthur then turns back toward the Barrier, releasing the aether.

"It's over, let's keep moving."

__________**********___________

Tehe

So....back at it again in the hospital lol.

I'm okay, can't say the same to my ✨mental health✨

Check your food before you eat if kids~

Anywhore, COMMENT!!
How was the chapter? Did you enjoy it?

See ya!
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