The ground beneath dream split open as the guardian's blade crashed down again. Shards of light erupted upward like glass rain, scattering through the ruined hall. The shockwave alone sent him staggering back- his vision flickering from the sheer pressure.
Dream gritted his teeth, one knee hitting the cracked floor. His breath came shallow, but his gaze didn't waver. Dream gritted his teeth, one knee hitting the cracked floor. His breath came shallow, but his gaze didn't weaver.
Every swing form that figure felt like it could crush a mountain -- yet dream refused to yield.
" This ...is madness" he said in frustration
The guardian raised his sword again, each movement cracking his already broken frame.
" Madness" he repeated, his tone almost mournful "is protecting the dead from the living. But some one must remember the dead and their sacrifice... and I will even if the memory kills me"
Dream darted forward, tired of going on the defensive. The guardian was stronger no doubt, but it has countless scars and cracks. It wasn't at full strength, it seem to be holding into a thread of life.
Their weapond collided again, broken shards flying in all directions. Dream's bones screamed.
The guardian swung its massive blade horizontally. Dream ducked under it, sliding across the cracked floor. He spun, his sword flashing upward, cutting across one of the faint golden cracks glowing on the guardian's side.
A deep sound reverberated, lik crystal under too much strain. A thin fracture spread up the guardian's arm, leaking golden light.
"Not bad for a mortal" he said, before delivering a powerful kick to dream. He was sent flying barely catching his footing. The tower shook violently -- massive cracks spreading up it's black walls.
[-300 HP]
Blood dropped from his chin, his breathing uneven. He looked up at the guardian, who now looked...older, weaker. The light inside his body flickered.
"You're dying" dream said quietly, as he struggled to get up.
" This realm is" the guardian replied. " And I am it's heart. If I fade, perhaps it will rest"
The next swing came slower- not from mercy, but exhaustion. Dream caught the motion, reading the guardians pattern now. The blade came down, he side stepped and twisted, slicing through another fracture near the being's back.
This time the guardian roared. The sound shaking the entire town. His blade crashed down again, missing by inches, shattering the ground where dream had stood.
"You fight well" he thundered, voice echoing through the ruins."But every strike brings this world closer to ruin"
Dream's gaze hardened. "Then maybe that's what it needs, to break completely before it can heal"
"...That statement... it sounds like him..." The guardian murmured.
Dream froze. "Hmm?"
But before he could ask, the guardian attacked again.. slower, heavier. Dream blocked, sparks flying. The clash ringing through the air.
Between their blows, the guardian spoke again, his tone deep and distant.
" This realm ... it wasn't meant to be a lower world. It was once a pure creation -- a cradle for new gods. But after a that loud bang, everything changed. It must have been caused by the great war, but it stirred something in the very core of this realm that made it ,to devour itself"
Dream's sword trembled slightly as he deflected another swing. Bones shaking from the impact, his gold- ranked sword already worn-out. "...great...great war?, loud bang?.."
" If I die, and this core is taken. Then it will only ever continue to devour and who knows what it would be used for if it ever gets to those evil gods"
Dream slashed again- this time cutting deep into one of the guardian's shoulder cracks. Golden energy spilled like molten years. He staggered back, breathing hard. "Then let me take it. Let me carry that burden"
" You do understand what that means, right.... This realms curse will follow you, would you really want that?, to live with a curse?"
Wiping blood from his lips, he said "I already live in one, and it's not so bad, so why not another"
Silence. Only the sound of the crumbling world filled the air.
" Your a fool"
The guardian said " ...but perhaps fool might be who I need right now" he lunged once more, this time not to kill but to test.
Their blades met one final time, and the impact shattered the ball entirely. The ground beneath them gave way, and both fell- descending into the heart of the tower, where a colossal crystal floated like a dying sun.
They landed hard, surrounded by floating shards glowing faintly red.
Dream groaned, pushing himself up. The guardian kneeled before ethe crystal, it's reflection flickering in his fractured form as he spoke. "This ...is the heart you seek" the guardian said quietly " the core of the shattered realm"
Dream approached slowly, his sword lowered. "Can I take it now before it destroys everything?"
The guardian looked at him-- and for the first time, there was no anger in his eyes. Only sorrow.
" No. You cannot take it by force. It must chose"
" It must chose?... Fine, let it chose" Dream said firmly
The guardian smiled faintly, a soundless crack running across his face.
" You ... you remind me of someone. He spoke like that too. Defiant and so quick to carry the burdens of words he didn't ask to rule"
"Who?" Dream asked
" The emperor.... The emperor of the void"