The smell of uncontrollable rage was so intense that Kalista had to cover her nose for a moment. It was suffocating, thick… almost palpable.
-What the hell is this?
( Kalista said, annoyed )
-I've never smelled anything like it.
A shiver ran down her spine. In her mind, that fleeting image surfaced: Morgan locking eyes with her, despite the brutal speed at which she had struck him, as if he had detected her.
Not fast enough to react… but fast enough to see her.
Kalista watched him closely.
Morgan adopted a low stance, knees bent, his entire body taut with tension. He leaned slightly forward, like a beast on the verge of lunging. His arms hung rigid at his sides, muscles trembling, and he never stopped baring his fangs, growling at her incessantly.
-wow… looks like your boy turned into a real beast, don't you think, Zarathoz?
( Helios said, slightly astonished )
Zarathoz simply watched Morgan in silence.
Though she felt relief at seeing him step into the fight, a new unease began to grow within her.
Ever since he had taken on that transformation, his behavior had been erratic, savage, devoid of logic… like a creature ruled solely by instinct.
-What's happening to you…?
( Zarathoz thought )
Kalista began skating in different directions once more.
But this time, there was no amusement on her face. She was no longer smiling as before. Her expression was cold, focused, never taking her eyes off Morgan.
With brutal speed, she struck him again, activating the mark.
Ice spikes pierced his body.
She didn't give him time to get up.
She repeated the formula.
Strike.
Mark.
Spikes.
Again.
And again.
She wouldn't allow him to rest. She was determined to finish him quickly.
With every activation, Kalista could feel the ice spikes embedding themselves deeper and deeper into Morgan's flesh. With every blow, with every freezing burst, her smile widened—twisted, satisfied.
Blood stained the pure ice, dyeing it red.
Steam escaped from his body, hot and dense, rising into the frozen air.
Some turned away, unable to keep watching the massacre.
-Seems like there was nothing to worry about after all.
( Ursa said, smiling complacently )
Luzbel turned her face away. Tears streamed freely down her cheeks.
-Enough… enough already…
( Luzbel said between sobs )
In the tunnel, Galahad held Satana close, pressing her face against his chest so she wouldn't have to see what was happening.
-Almost… almost…
( Kalista murmured, ecstatic )
Then the crucial moment arrived.
Kalista unleashed a blow that sent Morgan's body flying.
But she didn't let him fall.
In midair, she struck him again, keeping him suspended. She accelerated to her limit and repeated the same formula three more times, at a terrifying speed.
Only white and blue flashes could be seen.
Morgan's body rose into the air. Everyone lifted their gaze.
The outcome of the fight seemed to have arrived.
Now there were four marks glowing on his body.
Kalista smiled venomously and snapped her fingers.
Four frost sigils emerged from the ground. Ice spikes erupted by the dozens.
Morgan couldn't dodge them.
His body fell onto them.
Some shattered… but it wasn't enough.
Three spikes managed to pierce him.
One through the shoulder.
Another through the side.
The last through his left arm.
The rest held him suspended, embedded deep within his body.
There was too much blood.
Luzbel covered her mouth, crying uncontrollably.
Ursa's smile widened even more.
Zarathoz's eyes opened wide, frozen in shock.
Satana clung to Galahad, hiding her face as she let out a cry of pain.
Kalista began laughing hysterically, raising her arms toward the sky.
-I did it! I DID IT!
( Kalista shouted, in absolute ecstasy )
The spikes began tearing themselves out of Morgan's body with a grotesque sound of ripping flesh.
Blood burst forth in absurd quantities, raining down on Kalista like a crimson downpour.
She closed her eyes… and accepted it.
She savored it.
When the spikes vanished, Morgan's body collapsed to the ground.
Kalista walked toward him with a manic smile, her face completely soaked in blood.
-more… more… MORE…
( Kalista said, losing her mind )
Then something happened.
A sudden dizziness.
A strange pain in her side.
Kalista brought her hand to the spot… and froze.
She was bleeding.
But it wasn't Morgan's blood.
It was hers.
In horror, she saw that one of her sides was torn open, flesh exposed, as if something had ripped her apart.
-w… w… when? At what moment?
( Kalista murmured, shocked )
And then… Morgan moved.
Kalista stepped back immediately, fear stabbing into her chest.
The entire coliseum held its breath.
Morgan slowly rose to his feet.
From his body emanated a pink aura—thick, filthy, vibrating with power.
-W-what the hell are you…?
( Kalista said, terrified )
Morgan stood upright, once again adopting that savage beast-like pose.
Steam poured from his mouth like from a chimney.
His eyes were completely white.
Then he roared.
A roar that shook the entire arena.
The ground trembled.
The aura grew denser, thicker, more violent.
The fury had been charged.
The rage had transformed into strength.
And that strength was about to be unleashed.
Kalista's legs began to tremble.
Without realizing it—yet with absolute clarity—she let the words slip from her shaking lips:
-I'm scared.
End of the chapter.
Next chapter: Who will endure longer?