Prologue
There they stood, after an epic battle. Facing each other and staring into each other’s eyes and only saw grim determination that had spanned for over 20,000 years.
Drawing up their energy, the Seraphim and the Daemon leapt towards each other. Weapons clashed and then they were thrust aside by the force of the blow. No longer capable of summoning the strength needed to continue the fight immediately.
Both of them took the opportunity of the lull in battle to regain the strength needed to attack. They stood a little distance apart winded.
The Seraphim proclaimed, “I’ll give you this much Shaper: ‘I’m surprised you lasted this long.’ But it will end soon.”
“Do not speak so soon Harper, you of all people should know of the unpredictability of battle.” Shaper shot back.
“The tide of battle can turn easily, that is true.” Harper conceded, “So why didn’t you fight me before? Why did you flee in terror? Why not let me end it all now?”
Shaper bared his inhumanely sharp teeth in anger and shouted, “Why!? Why do you keep seeking my death!? I’ve proven myself enough; I’m not a Daemon! I’m-”
“You’re what?” Harper interrupted, “Human?”
Seeing his foe silent, Harper continued gently, “You cannot escape your nature, you are something which should not exist, you taint the ground on which you walk, defile the very air you breathe and you know it too, the charade you display as ‘human’ is losing bit by bit to your Daemonic nature.”
Shaper knew what Harper was talking about, for he can feel the Daemonic presence inside him fighting to consume all consciousness feeling it rage against his mind, eager and malicious, knowing that he can’t hold it back forever.
“I know enough of what I am, Mikearo Harper.” Shaper snapped, “but can’t those who had fallen find redemption as well? Do you even know what it feels like? Knowing I am doomed to that damned abyss the moment He died on that cross? Then what am I here for? For what purpose do I exist?”
“That is something I do not have the answer to, fallen brother.” Mikearo said softly, “But when the choice came, you have already made your decision, and suffered the consequences of it, knowing full well what you were up against.”
“I am no longer what I was. I’ve chosen what I will be. I am human. And so in this battle I will only use my identity as a human. FOR THAT’S WHAT I AM!” Shaper shouted the last part out. And like the proverbial bolt out of the blue, he attacked.
The Seraphim, clearly expecting the surprise attack smoothly sidestepped. Shaper quickly spun on his heels to parry a blow from the oncoming spear and forced his enemy back with berserker rage. He roared a victory call, but was cut short when one of Harper’s enormous wings cuffed him around the neck, throwing him back.
They took some distance and circled each other again. Shaper felt grateful for the sure weight of his sword. Aptly named Einherjar, for it holds the spirits and dreams of all his companions long past. Who even now encourage him not to surrender.
“Don’t give up my love…”
“Keep at it, bro!”
“I’ll barbeque you if you lose!”
“Idiot boy! Always getting into trouble! Do your best!”
“Don’t be so hard on him honey… he’s trying so hard now…”
“Anders… Please… See this through.”
Yes… My friends are with me. He decided they have never abandoned me. I was never alone. It’s time to do this.
They readied themselves for their final attack, all the while feeling the stress on their bodies, which was not able to keep up with their will power. Both knowing that the one left standing after this would win. They sped towards each other executing their respective finishing attacks.
~Anderson Shaper (EXECUTION Level: Demonic Descension)~
~Mikearo Harper (EXECUTION Level: Divine Ascension)~
They had very similar attacks in nature to begin with, the attack is mainly focused on letting loose a string of continuous strikes after an initial stab with no thought of defense. Each blow only meant to do as much damage in the shortest possible time.
Zipping forward to stab each other. Their bodies were so close that they were almost touching, each could smell the other’s anger, hear the exhaustion, feel the other’s life force literally being drained from the body.
Shaper felt the fiery spear of his enemy at his waist in which it had impaled. He felt the flames burning his veins, hungrily wanting to consume him. At the same time knowing that his foe feels the same as his searing sword found its mark on him as well. Summoning their last scrap of strength and draining their life-energy, they let loose their prowess.
And so they struck blow after blow, each ignoring the damage they took in, and just forcing their tortured bodies to land one more attack, to land another and another, just one more, no, one more, again, another one… …
In a split second after they had first stabbed each other, it was over. Blood splattered everywhere. And again they stood facing each other. Shaper knew that there was no way the both of them would still live after this battle. But his mind stubbornly held on to life, simply refusing to give in to his Daemonic presence prowling the edges of his consciousness waiting to consume him.
All his thoughts save two ceased; I will not fall before Harper! And I will not give in to this accursed Daemon! But he knew he was dying, his past was flashing before his eyes… …
Labels: Novel Updates
Signing off at...
10:09 PM
