Chapter 91: White Star Radiance vs Ramorous
The sky was gray and heavy, choked with smoke from magical fires and scorched bark. What had once been a sacred stretch of forest near the Celebi Forest Kingdom now lay in ruin—massive gouges in the earth, shattered roots jutting like bones from the ground, and corpses of countless warriors from various races scattered like discarded dolls.
And through that graveyard charged a storm made flesh.
Ramorous.
Muscles tense beneath tight, dark skin, and jagged crimson Ki burst from his body in vicious pulses. His eyes were bloodshot with rage, and in his hands swung a massive chipped battle axe, glowing faintly with infernal inscriptions. Each of his footfalls cracked the earth.
The demon roared.
"RAAAGHH!! Daoist Blue Heavens Sword!! I'll gut you and shatter your precious bones!! It's time for you to pay!!"
Elton's eyes narrowed. He stood calmly in the middle of the shattered woodland path, the wind brushing his bloody tattered robes. Zoro stood to his left, blades already drawn. Behind them, Erica, Shayleaf, and Christy took defensive positions, watching as scattered enemies stalked the perimeter. But it was Ramorous who charged like a maddened war hound.
Elton didn't wait.
—White Star Speed Transformation!—
Lightning burst around him. His body became a streak of motion, moving faster than sound as his First Meridian activated. Dust and broken leaves scattered in a spiral.
—White Star Sword Aura Transformation—
With a sharp pulse of energy, Elton's Third Meridian flared. A blade-shaped aura wrapped around his form, especially concentrated around his weapon—the Blue Heavenly Star Destroyer. The sword hummed, the metal vibrating with sword intent so sharp it stung the skin of those nearby.
Zoro cracked his neck, dark Ki pouring from his body as his skin turned a molten copper hue.
He muttered, "Time to show this freak the might of Darkness Devils."
The moment before impact was a blur.
Ramorous swung his axe down in a brutal arc, laughing like a beast as his demonic Ki surged like wildfire. Elton sidestepped mid-air, vanishing for a second—then—
—First Bright Brilliance Sword: First Light Pierce!—
His blade extended with a blinding thrust of light, slamming into Ramorous's shoulder. The demon growled as Ki clashed and sparks flew, his momentum halting for only a second. But he barely received injury due to his mighty Ki, so he didn't slow.
Ramorous headbutted Elton straight in the chest, knocking him back with a loud crack.
"Brother Elly!" Shayleaf called out from the rear, panic in her voice.
But Zoro was already moving.
—One Sword Style: Black Shadow Collision Strike!—
He vanished in a streak of black. His katana slammed into Ramorous's side like a meteor. The demon grunted, stumbling—but twisted with unnatural flexibility and kicked Zoro in the ribs, sending him tumbling across the field, digging a trench in the mud.
Erica fired back.
—Fireball! Lightning Strike!—
Two spells collided against Ramorous's Ki shield. Flames burst along his side, lightning crackled over his skin—but he only screamed louder.
"ALL OF YOU—WORTHLESS!!"
Vine whips suddenly lashed toward him—Shayleaf's Nature Bind spell wrapping around his leg. Ramorous staggered—but before the spell could fully tighten, his axe swung down and severed the ground, forcing Shayleaf to cancel the cast.
Meanwhile, Christy blurred into view behind an oncoming demon—a long-armed creature with blades instead of fingers—and snapped its leg mid-motion with a spin kick, then drove a Ki beam into its back, vaporizing it.
She shouted, "Careful!"
Elton, now upright and breathing heavily, wiped the blood from his chin and raised his sword again.
"I'm just getting started."
He vanished again, lightning arcing across the field. Like a faint shadow, Zoro trailed behind him as they both simultaneously attacked.
Chiiiing!
Craashh!!
Poooom!!
Blow after blow, blade versus axe—each strike shook the ruined forest. The other demons dared not step close yet. This was a duel of monsters.
The battle raged like a living storm around the broken forest clearing. Wind howled through splintered trees, carrying the stench of death and sulfur. The skies trembled with the pressure of so many unleashed techniques from all around, and yet in the middle of it all, the eye of this particular storm remained—a demon laughing as if nothing could kill him.
Ramorous wasn't just enraged. He felt glee at the fact that he could finally dispose of this enemy who caught him off guard and dealt him much damage that day.
Both Elton's sword and Zoro's katanas clashed again with the massive axe as sparks erupted. The demon grinned wide, blood trailing from his cheek where First Light Pierce had found its mark earlier. Still, he swung with brutal rhythm, mixing axe strikes with close-range fists and savage kicks.
Elton skidded back, shoes tearing through mud. His Blue Heavenly Star Destroyer hissed with residual energy.
"Brother Zoro, behind you!" Christy's voice rang sharp.
Zoro barely ducked in time as a gaunt demon with four arms lunged from the shadows, two jagged daggers aimed for his neck.
"Too slow," Zoro muttered.
—Two Sword Style: Black Shadows Decapitation!—
He spun low, vanishing into a blur of motion. The four-armed demon collapsed a moment later—headless. Zoro burst from the shadows, exhaling sharply, sweat beading on his brow.
"He's adjusting," Zoro called. "He's starting to read your tempo."
Elton's eyes narrowed.
Then Ramorous slammed his fist into the earth.
—Demonic Ki Field: Bone-Crushing Domain!!—
A shockwave burst from the demon's core, black Ki erupting like a wicked flame across the battlefield. The ground cracked under their feet. Dead trees withered even further. Everyone was thrown back or off balance. The entire field had turned into his realm as his strength surged.
Erica cried out as she hit a broken log. Christy flipped midair and landed hard, barely evading a tail swipe from a beast-like demon. Shayleaf raised a barrier just in time as a flame-throwing ogre hurled a molten rock her way.
"Scatter!" Elton shouted, voice cutting through the roar.
But Ramorous was already in front of him again.
"Did you think you'd have time to talk?"
WHAM!
Elton's defense shattered as Ramorous's axe connected with his side. Elton grunted in pain, spinning midair, barely using Star Lightning Steps to recover.
Zoro dove in again.
—One Sword Style: Instant Cutting Death!—
His blade flickered—once, twice, twenty times in less than a breath.
Blood sprayed from Ramorous's side. Cuts appeared all across the demon's body. For a moment, it seemed like the attack had taken root—
But Ramorous only laughed, spitting blood and charging forward again.
"GOOD! YES! GIVE IT ALL YOU GOT, ANTS!"
Erica thrust her staff forward, her magic flaring brightly.
—Fire Missiles! Static Barrage!!—
Searing fireballs zipped past Elton and slammed into Ramorous's legs. Static bullets sparked across the field, pelting the demon from all directions. His steps slowed, his vision wavered—
—Binding Roots, grip him!—
Shayleaf chanted, casting her vines from the broken ground.
Ramorous's feet were entangled. He growled, struggling to lift the axe. Just for a breath—
"NOW!" shouted Christy.
Elton and Zoro struck together.
—Second Bright Brilliance Sword: Dazzling Horizon Cut!—
—Two Sword Style: Black Cutting End!—
Light and darkness. Sword aura clashed in unison. A radiant wave like a sunrise collided with twin dark slashes coated in killing intent.
BOOOM!!!!
The explosion rocked the forest floor, bringing more and more attention to such an intense battle from the surrounding warriors and cultivators. A crater split open where Ramorous once stood.