[A/N: I don't believe the Scythes reached the integration stage, but I may be wrong in this case. I am assuming that the Scythes are at the white stage like the Lances but are much stronger because of their Vritra blood.]
|Third POV|
The sky above the Wall transformed into a swirling tapestry of vibrant mana hues, as if reflecting the intense clash taking place below. Three formidable figures converged, each embodying their own power and purpose.
Leading the charge was Gary Whiteborn, the Commander of Dicathen and unrivaled mage of the land. His piercing amethyst eyes, devoid of warmth, mirrored the vast emptiness of space. With every fluid swing of his sword, he effortlessly shattered the spells hurled at him by his adversaries.
Opposing him stood Jezebeth Vritra, the former Demon King who once fell by Ren Dover's hand in a previous life. Driven by a thirst for vengeance, he joined forces with Kevin, their motivations veiled in enigma.
And then there was Kevin, a mysterious figure whose true intentions remained shrouded in secrecy. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his allegiance, his power could not be dismissed. A vital ally to Jezebeth, he proved instrumental in restraining Gary's advance.
The clash of these three titans painted a mesmerizing spectacle, where destinies intertwined and ancient grudges resurfaced. The fate of the Wall hung in the balance, as the battle raged on with unyielding intensity.
The battleground was a realm of chaos and tension, where the clash of swords and fists echoed with an unyielding fury. In this fierce confrontation, no bystander dared to intervene, for the combatants operated on a level far beyond ordinary comprehension.
Gary, wielding his ominous dark blade, skillfully parried the relentless assaults of Kevin's purple sword. The pride of the Vritras that was created from the most powerful Asuras found itself unable to gain an upper hand against the childhood weapon that Gary wielded with unmatched mastery.
An absurd scene unfolded, defying all logic and expectations. Jezebeth, a full-blooded Vritra, could not assert his dominance over Gary. Instead, he was steadily pushed back, his every strike met with unwavering resistance.
Overwhelmed by astonishment, Jezebeth managed to utter a question through gritted teeth, "How did you attain such unfathomable strength? Just a few years ago, you were nothing."
Silence filled the air as Gary's intense gaze fixated on a peculiar ornament adorning Jezebeth's form.
"I have no obligation to answer your inquiry," Gary declared, his voice brimming with unwavering resolve. With a swift motion, he unleashed the devastating technique known as the [Fifth movement of the Keiki Style: Space Splitter], causing the very fabric of space to rupture around Kevin and Jezebeth.
In an instant, they were engulfed by a blinding cascade of luminance.
As the blinding light subsided, Gary pressed forward, seizing the advantage. The realization dawned upon him, connecting the dots behind Lancelot's defeat. The mystery lay in Kevin's possession of a concealed technique, catching Lancelot off guard with its deadly efficiency.
Gary's Sword Domain, an invincible realm of dominance, remained impervious to Jezebeth's mighty fists and the powerful onslaught of Kevin's Levisha Style.
Amidst the relentless clash, a faint tremor reverberated within Gary's mana core. It was a revelation—an awakening to the full extent of his power in this current life. For the first time, he felt an intimate connection with the boundless energies of mana and aether that permeated his surroundings.
In a sudden surge of power, Gary found himself thrust into a realm beyond his current capabilities. His very fingertips grazed the ethereal, translucent boundary that separated him from the elusive <SS-> rank.
"Almost there," he thought, his mind ablaze with determination. Yet, just as swiftly as he had entered this ethereal realm, he returned to reality. He had come perilously close to breaking through to the integration stage, where untold power awaited.
However, he hesitated. The integration stage was shrouded in mystery, its secrets veiled from even the most knowledgeable. Pushing himself to reach it in the midst of battle carried unknown risks and potential consequences he was not yet prepared to face.
Reorienting his focus on the intense battle against his formidable adversaries, Gary knew that emerging victorious and subsequently attaining the integration stage could potentially shift the tide of the ongoing wars. It offered a glimmer of hope, a chance to bring an end to the conflicts before any combatant could ascend to the dreaded <SSS> rank.
The path to the integration stage went far beyond simply absorbing a vast amount of mana. It required a meticulous process of condensing and purifying the mana, elevating it to a level that far surpassed the white stage. This was precisely why Arthur had struggled to break through to the next stage, despite absorbing a significant portion of Cadell's mana and pushing his white core to its very limits.
However, the integration stage was not a uniform achievement for all. Each individual's journey toward integration was shaped by their unique mana arts and capabilities. Even among the asuras, there existed a significant disparity, reflecting the intricate nature of their chosen paths.
But if Gary could transcend the limitations of his white core, he would rise above his current standing and wield power unmatched by his peers. He would become the fourth player in this world, a master of his own destiny, commanding the pieces of the game that unfolded in these tumultuous times.
Kevin's emerald eyes narrowed, fixed on Gary's sternum with a mix of admiration and trepidation. "You're on the brink of shattering to the next stage," he acknowledged, his voice tinged with awe.
Jezebeth's lips curled into a sly grin as he chuckled, his dark eyes widening with intrigue. "The first lesser in centuries to approach the integration stage. How fascinating," he mused.
A glint of determination flashed in Gary's eyes as he raised his hand, summoning forth his most potent weapon.
Unleashing the [Sixth movement of the Keiki Style], a colossal ethereal sword materialized behind Gary, pulsating with a raw, otherworldly power. In his previous life, it had been his trump card against adversaries surpassing the <SSS-> rank. Although its might had diminished since then, it still posed a formidable threat to Jezebeth and Kevin.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Kevin knew evading the impending strike was not an option. His purple blade crackled with ominous waves of energy as he prepared to release his own devastating attack.
Jezebeth mirrored Kevin's resolve, compressing his soulfire and bracing himself for the imminent clash. Though his expression remained confident, a flicker of anticipation danced in his eyes, hinting at a hidden agenda.
Within the confines of the Sword Domain, time seemed to hang in suspense as the three adversaries readied themselves for the cataclysmic clash that was about to ensue. The air crackled with palpable tension, foretelling the magnitude of the imminent collision.
As the colossal ethereal sword hurtled towards Kevin and Jezebeth, a voice pierced through the chaos, halting the impending collision. A man materialized before them, raising his hand to intercept the attack.
A purple shield of shimmering aether emanated from his outstretched hand, effortlessly halting Gary's last trump card. Yet, even the powerful figure before them couldn't conceal a faint tremor, his eyes widening in mild surprise.
Gary's expression shifted from resignation to a mix of resignation and recognition as he locked eyes with the man. The newcomer possessed wheat-blond hair, his eyes aglow with the unmistakable violet hue of aether, and an aura of authority that demanded reverence. It was none other than Lord Indrath.
"You've finally arrived," Jezebeth sneered, his voice laced with both bitterness and anticipation.
Gary's gaze remained fixed on Kezess, the deity and once-loyal ally of Dicathen who had now turned his back on them. "So you've chosen to betray us," he stated, his voice tinged with disappointment.
A wry smile curved Kezess's lips as he replied, "The Vritras offered me something I couldn't resist—an offer to satisfy my desires. Besides, it wouldn't be prudent to let you lessers grow too powerful."
A surge of King's Force radiated from Kezess, enveloping the entire battlefield in its overwhelming presence. His <SS+> rank power loomed over them, causing gasps to escape the lips of those present.
"Kezess Indrath," Jezebeth uttered his name with a mixture of defiance and disdain.
Gary met Kezess's gaze without flinching, his voice calm yet resolute. "Take my life, but in return, spare Dicathen for a year."
A momentary pause filled the air as Kezess considered Gary's proposition. "I could take your life regardless," he responded, his tone laden with authority.
Unfazed, Gary replied, without a hint of arrogance. "You cannot. I can escape. So I offer you my life willingly."
Kezess pondered the proposition, his now-golden eyes piercing Gary with scrutiny. After a contemplative pause, he eventually nodded in agreement. However, before Kezess could proceed to claim Gary's life, Kevin made a swift move.
"Kindly allow me to finish him, Lord Indrath," Kevin requested with a polite bow.
"Do as you wish, lessuran," Kezess acquiesced, turning away from the scene.
Gary, resigned to his fate, released all his defenses, accepting his impending demise. Kevin, devoid of any visible excitement or remorse, raised his purple sword and drove it into Gary's stomach.
Crimson blood gushed from Gary's mouth as Kevin embraced him, allowing the dying man to expel his life force over his shoulder.
"I'm sorry it had to end like this, Ren," Kevin whispered into Gary's ear, his voice tinged with regret.
"Please, Kevin," Gary pleaded weakly, his voice barely a whisper, "I may not care about the rest, but ensure no harm befalls Kathlyn. She is my everything."
"Rest assured, Gary," he murmured, no hidden motives lacing his voice, "I will not allow harm to befall her till she is to stand against us."
"Farewell, Gary," he said. Tapping into the boundless reserves of aether and mana, Kevin summoned a swirling vortex of power that enveloped Gary's body, erasing him from existence itself.
And so, the commander of Dicathen met his demise, leaving behind a void in the world that would forever bear the weight of his absence.
[A/N: Remember to vote if you guys like this chapter! It helps me in gauging the quality of my writing! Epilogue coming tomorrow likely.]