Dante tightened his grip on the hilt of his katana. He may appear to still be cocky and composed. However in reality his mind was racing trying to come up with a viable strategy to handle Malachi's strange abilities. It honestly wouldn't have been to bad if Malachi's only advantage was his invisibility. Dante could just simply use the glasses of truth to discern his location.
Although in this case it's not that simple not only can Malachi appear to be invisible to the naked eye he is also using Charlemagne. A unique relic that can elongate its form to an unknown length and becomes as flexible as a modern day whip. It is twice as deadly due to its ability to extend and retract bending itself in all manners making it hard to predict its movements. The opponent has the ability to appear invisible for an undetermined length of time and strike from all angles and manner of distances.
Dante could feel the air pressure beneath him almost as if a gust of wind was heading towards his feet. He jumped from the canopy just in the nick of time. He looked back and the canopy was torn into pieces and the cart was flung into the wall. Dante reached into his breast pocket for his glasses and curses under his breath. He forgot that he left the glasses of truth in his top dresser drawer. After Veritas and Chaos kept bickering all damn night he needed some peace.
"Fine remember I gave you the opportunity to die peacefully and painlessly."
Dante dropped down into a crouching stance. A laugh broke out as Malachi's voice echoed all around him.
"Oh? I have seen that stance before are you about to show me one of the skills passed down to you by the sword god? It's funny cause I heard that you never mastered a single one of the techniques that sword God Drake taught you."
Dante gripped the hilt of his katana as he emitted a large quantity of flickering purple aura all around his body. The aura expanded in size as Dante closed his eyes.
"This is absolutely hilarious! You can't even see me so you have no idea where my strikes are coming from and yet you dare to make threats. Unlike your incomplete and incompetent sword saint style I will show you a fully mastered technique."
Malachi's body flickered into view as he gathered his vile dark green aura pouring it directly into his curved whip blade. The more aura he released into his blade the longer the sword became until it was at least 10 feet in length.
Dante's eye were still closed as his dark purple aura danced around the entirety of his body. He was focusing on his breathing.
"I hope you don't blame me for not allowing you to prepare your attack. Now die you damned dog of Apex."
Malachi pulled the hilt of his blade up and the sword came alive and began moving on its own. It began coiling in the air and moving towards Dante at a high rate of speed.
"IRON SNAKE STYLE: PYTHONS GRIP"
Malachi's blade still glowing with dark green aura shot past Dante grazing his forearm. It was one of the only parts of his skin exposed and not covered by the Cloak of Midnight. As the blade coiled up around the rest of his arm. Blood ran down his exposed wrist.
Dante appeared to be unfazed his eyes still closed as he continuously gathered his aura. Malachi's blade wasn't done it circled around his waist this time cutting his other arm. The blade circled around Dante over and over again until he was completely wrapped in the blades cold steel embrace.
However Dante's hand was still firmly placed on his katana's hilt. His eyes still remained closed and his demeanor remained calm. Malachi was starting to get irritated at Dante's indifference to his attack.
"Even with Charlemagne's blade wrapped around your body you still refuse to open your eyes. Fine then that's fitting. A dead man's eyes should be closed anyway."
Malachi twisted and pulled the hilt causing the blade to start squeezing Dante. A low whine of metal rubbing against steel rang out as the Cloak of Midnight began to push back against Charlemagne's lethal grip.
"I know all about your cloak and it's unprecedented powers of protection. However just like any other defensive relic it has limits. The longer Charlemagne has its opponent in its grasp the sharper it becomes and tighter it squeezes. It is much like a python in the way that they both enjoy squeezing the life out of their prey."
"You talk entirely too much" Dante said opening his eyes. Startling Malachi.
Dante's flickering Aura was now even more visible then before. Malachi could see a large concentration build up in Dante's wrists. It was probably the only thing keeping Charlemagne from cutting them clean off.
"You were right when you said I have never mastered a single technique my master has taught me. In that I am a failure. All I can manage are cheap imitations. However that is all I require to beat the likes of you."
Malachi could feel his blood begin to boil out of rage. He jerked the hilt towards him causing the whip blade to let out a loud whine as it attempted to squeeze Dante like a boa constrictor.
"Just die you damned dog!" Malachi yelled out in frustration.
Dante took in a large breath expanding his diaphragm and causing all his muscles to bulge and strain against the whips increasing pressure. His eyes begun to glow a deep demonic purple.
"PSUEDO GOD STANCE: CROUCHING TIGER CLAW!"
Dante pulled his katana from its sheath at neck breaking speeding creating a shock wave of wind and pressure breaking him free from Charlemagne's grip.
Dante wasn't done there he switched his stance pulling his katana close to his chest with the blade pointed at Malachi.
"PSUEDO GOD STANCE- BULL RUSH!"
Dante transferred his aura into his feet completely shrouding them causing the ground to crumble underneath him. He pressed off his left foot propelling himself towards Malachi. He was moving so fast that Malachi could barely trace his movements. Dante's katana was whistling as it cut the air in front of it.
Malachi jerked Charlemagne back causing the blade to retract. He knew there was no sense in trying to attack Dante's back. Dante's blade would run him through before Charlemagne could even position itself for a pincer attack. Dante's trajectory changed 3 times. He bounced off the ground leaping from cart to cart. He was moving so fast that Malachi wasn't sure if what he was seeing was actually Dante or an afterimage.
Dante's movements were actually advantageous for Malachi because it gave his blade Charlemagne a chance to return back to its original form. A moment later Dante shot forward towards Malachi with the speed and intensity of a bullet. A bullet aimed straight for Malachi's throat.
"Your techniques are fearsome however in the face of my snake style it surely pales in comparison. I confess my sword style has rather poor offensive abilities. It is definitely better suited for defense and counter attacking."
Dante ignored Malachi and thrusted his katana forward with the intent to remove Malachi's head from his shoulders with this next strike.
"IRON SNAKE STYLE: 1,000 LASHES!"
Charlemagne roared to life like it had a mind of its own flailing in all different directions. Its speed and wild circular movements created a makeshift barrier around Malachi. The blade clawed into the ground leaving deep lashes into the concrete. The whip blade was moving so fast that even the most trained contractor would struggle to trace its movements.
Dante still determined to end this battle once and for all continued his assault rushing towards Malachi. Dante knew that what he was doing probably looked akin to suicide. However he had no choice. Once he begins the Bull Rush his momentum can only be stopped by force. The stance had always been the most risky in his arsenal. It could easily become a double edge technique. The stance was simple in nature and easy to execute but it could potentially be just as easy to counter.
Dante felt the sting of Charlemagne's blade make contact with his skin. It felt like someone was taking a fruit peeler against his bare skin. Every lash peeling down to the bone. The pain was quickly becoming unbearable. Even still he refused to let out a sound. Instead he focused back on the task at hand and continued using the momentum he built up to push Malachi back.
"It's no use no one has ever broken through this defensive barrier and lived to tell the tale. This is where the mighty hell hound meets his end."
Dante could now feel the strikes underneath his cloak. He could hear Bellatrix strain under the pressure of the continuous strikes. She was doing everything she could to shield him and absorb the brunt of the more serious blows. Although she was starting to reach her limit. Dante could hear chaos beg for him to use her powers to teleport and escape out of harms way.
Dante had already considered that option but he knew if he were to let up now with the damage he has already sustained combined with the stamina he had drained using two PSUEDO GOD moves. He would undoubtedly lose if this were to turn into a battle of attrition and stamina. If he were to retreat to safety now. However Dante was more concerned about Bellatrix and whether or not she could take any more punishment.
"I know what you're thinking master. You needn't worry. I am alright it is my job to protect you as your shield. Focus on your fight. Now is not the time to waver or second guess. Push through with all your might!" Bellatrix strained voice rang through his head.
Dante shook his head vigorously her words of encouragement pushed down all of the doubt and worries building in his chest. He instead turned his focus back to pushing with all his might. His only goal was penetrating further into the core of Malachi's defenses. Malachi was being pushed backwards as Dante continued to advance deeper into his technique.
"It's no use just give up and die with dignity. This technique requires no stamina on my part. It is purely Charlemagne rage causing it to rampage and thrash about as it sees fit. So if you were hoping to outlast me you should just give into despair now."
Dante ignored his provocations still pushing inward until he reached a space where the strikes slowed in intensity and speed. Which provided him breathing room and the small reprieve he needed to gain his senses.
After taking a few short breaths he could finally hone his hearing to recognize the ringing caused by the constant strikes to the midnight cloaks exterior. As his sense heightened his eyes focused on what seemed to be the slightest glimpse of what the whip looked like in motion.
At first it appeared to be just a blur that caused him to feel tremendous pain as it thrashed about. Its strikes marking the concrete around Dante's feet disorienting the space around him. Now that he could see them close up they looked like an array of small silver strings falling to the ground in all directions. Dante focused on those strings studying them even as they collided with his body he did not allow the pain to make him lose focus or break his concentration.
He had only one chance and there was only a single technique he knew capable of potentially countering the impenetrable defense currently threatening to tear him to shreds.
Dante's eyes glowed with an intense dark purple aura. He pulled his ebony katana back towards his body no longer pushing forward invading Malachi's defenses. Dante slowly started to trace with his katana making sure to follow the glimpses of silver strings with every movement.
He braced himself lowering his center of gravity. It was going to take all of his strength to stop the wild movements of the rampaging blade. His blade finally collided with the whip causing a large spark followed by a deafening boom. Dante felt the force of the impact ring through his body forcing him to his knees. It felt like someone dropped an anvil onto the tip of his katana.
Dante gritted his teeth in anguish. He could taste the metallic taste of blood fill his mouth. "PSUEDO GOD STANCE: REVERSAL!" Dante yelled out in a fit of desperation as he pushed against the momentum with all his might.
A Loud boom rang out right as the blades collided into one another sending all of the centrifugal force that was being built up by the constant thrashing of Charlemagne's whip blade flying in reverse. The air around the whip blade howled as the blade flung up and retracted. Which caused a reverberation to be sent through Charlemagne. Which resulted in an explosion concentrated at the point where the force initially originated.
A bright flash of light illuminated the dark marketplace. Which sent Charlemagne to flying right out of Malachi's hand. "Son of a bi...." Malachi yelled out in pain. The shock and terror appeared evident on his face as he looked at his hand. The explosion blew off the 4 fingers that was wrapped around Charlemagne's hilt.