I read over the now different awakened ability description. It certainly sounded strong; it sounded like a trump card.
But fear? Why not some other equally strong power? Of course, it had to be something to scare people away from me.
I turned to Fenrir, and he was still peacefully asleep.
Blood sense surged through the giant ruins. A map I couldn't actually see forming in my mind.
All clear; not a single living thing in sight.
My fingers twitched, debating if it was worth leaving my friend in such a state.
My brows knitted, then a scowl formed.
[Vamparic dagger] disappeared back into my soul sea.
I shook my head. My excitement had gotten the better of me.
I imagined this was what kids felt they got gifts from their parents.
But some things were always more important than others.
And Fenrir? He was more important than a mere awakened ability I had no idea how to use.
So instead of seeking a test subject, I sat down by my friend's side. Rubbing his side with slow, deliberate care.
Fenrir would heal, all nightmare creatures had a healing factor. But they still felt pain, at least the ones with some level of intelligence did.
Some were far too gone to feel such things. They were mindless beasts, their survival Instincts long forgotten.
Such things I put down without a second thought. And those were the ones I usually hunted. For food and or strength.
There was less guilt.
I didn't like killing the intelligent ones. They always seem to snap back to reality before their death. Their eyes begging me to spare them.
I did, once. I got saved by warp.
***
"Both long-range units will cover the front and back. Two close-range combatants on each side. Captain Zhiu will cover the back. And I myself will approach through the front."
My gaze shot around the table, making sure. That no one dared mess this up. This might as well be our last chance to catch the boy.
I couldn't let this opportunity slip from my grasp.
Then I scowled, my presence surging through the room. Making sure they heard my next words clearly
"You do not engage. If I start fighting, do not assist me."
Zhiu rose from his chair, a scowl on his own face.
My presence doubled.
"Does everyone understand?"
There was a pause before everyone nodded.
I noticed Zhiu's face fall into an emotionless facade. And I hoped, that he wouldn't do something drastic.
Then my voice boomed through the large room.
"We move now."
***
I stared at the ceiling, my eyes half-lit.
I had forgotten how soft Fenrir's fur was. It felt like the best bed I had leaned against.
I let out a yawn, barely clinging to consciousness.
I wish I had some coffee right about now. Even if I hated the taste.
There was a knock at the door. I ignored it.
Who would knock at my door at almost midnight?
There were a few seconds. Before there was another knock, slightly harsher.
I groaned, lazily pushing myself away from Fenrir.
I stumbled and dragged my feet to the door. Grumbling all the while.
I opened the door without thinking, my mind stuck between the dream realm and earth.
A strange feeling.
A feeling that vanished the same second I laid eyes upon the figure in front of me.
I stared, I stared hard. Blinking several times.
"Hell-"
I slammed the door shut, eyes wide.
I stepped back quickly. I expected a sword right through the door and straight at me.
Alas, nothing happened.
Then I remembered Fenrir.
My teeth gritted, fingers twitched.
I needed a distraction.
I couldn't warp long distances with Fenrir. He was larger, injured and it just took more focus.
Which I really, really didn't have right now.
"Uh!"
I tried everything.
"I'm a minor, you can't come in here!"
I slapped myself right as I said those words. I had already used that. And it was stupid. I'm sure it only worked the first time because Morgan didn't expect me to do anything.
There was a pause, then a knock.
"May I come in?"
I paused, staring at the door in disbelief.
"I just said no?"
I stated, which sounded more like a question.
"I merely wish to talk."
My fingers twitched again. Surely, my house wouldn't get obliterated. Surely, Fenrir would be fine.
"One second!"
Then I went towards Fenrir, placing him behind a couch, in a corner.
He would be safer there.
Then I walked to the door. Plastering a polite smile I really didn't feel.
I opened the door slowly, wary of a sneak attack. I really wished I would of summoned the dagger to sense out the area. But now it would be a provocation.
I nodded at Morgan politely.
She nodded back. I stepped outside, my eyes already scanning the soon-to-be battlefield.
It was strange that Morgan just didn't try to knock me out as soon as I opened the door like an idiot. But I wasn't complaining.
Finally, we both stood outside. A single meter between us.
The air was tense, yet there were no provocations.
I cocked my head to the side, confidence returning as my mind cleared.
The polite facade vanished. My shoulders sagged, my smile dropping into something more real.
I leaned on my right leg.
Morgan's own shoulders sagged, but nothing else about her posture changed.
I raised a brow, waiting for her to start speaking.
"I'm sure you know why I'm here."
I nodded, and Morgan nodded back.
"We can talk more about that deal. Perhaps no death threats?"
I nodded twice, my head bobbing like a child I actually was.
My hair swayed in the breeze. It had gotten longer. And paler, strange.
Morgan pulled out a chair from God knows where, sitting down. She offered me one as well.
I took it without a second thought. I doubted this was a trap. And either way, no trap could hold me.
Morgan inhaled, exhaling slowly.
"About your question about the government. I can't tell you much. I only found out that everything." She emphasized the last word heavily.
"Is redacted."
My smile remained, but my mind already started working.
Thoughts and ideas formed, only to be scraped in the same instance.
'Redacted? What the hell have I fallen into?'
On the outside, my expression didn't change.
I merely cocked my head to the side again.
"And what do you want in return?" I paused taking a breath
"In reason of course."
Morgan's fingers twitched. And I already knew what she would say.
Her eyes gleamed, sharper.
"A duel. I will hold back of course. You are a mere sleeper after all."
I almost laughed in the spot. They actually thought me a sleeper still.
I didn't correct her, it would be my advantage.
I just silently stood up.
[Assassin's wear] enveloped me fully. The [Twilight bow] also manifesting, a single arrow on the majestic string.
Morgan stood up as well. Her armor and skin gleamed, reflecting the little sunlight that was left.
Her knees bent, stance widening.
I shot my arrow into the sky the same moment Morgan moved.
I didn't warp. Instead, I augmented both myself and the arrow. Barely keeping up with Morgan's insane speed and agility.
Finally, the [Vamparic dagger] fully formed in my grasp. In time to block a jab from Morgan.
Metal against metal screeched, sparks flying violently.
My eyes widened, confusion and shock mixing into interest.
I stepped backwards, a high kick flying over my head.
I immediately dropped to the ground, my right foot extending into a sweep.
Morgan jumped upwards gracefully, her form spinning mid air once, before a heel kick dropped where I was a moment ago.
I threw my dagger, and Morgan dodged it with ease.
She lunged, using an advantage she didn't have.
A smile grew on my lips. Adrenaline starting to fuel me.
The dagger warped right behind Morgan, and she herself barely ducked it from instinct.
I let out a laugh as she jumped backwards, releasing a cloud of steam.
The dagger returned to my palm, pointing right at Morgan.
She was different. She didn't teleport, didn't use brute power. Didn't use elemental attacks. She used her own body as a weapon. Her skills were honed through years of training. Her aspect making the skill a true threat.
I blinked, and Morgan was in front of me.
This time I did warp, more from instinct than lack of reaction speed.
She didn't pause, didn't relent. She lunged forward again.
I barely blocked her strikes, my arms almost buckling from the force.
Then I saw it, the aggressiveness.
I dodged a blow, it brushing against my cloak.
My dagger flashed, straight to her right thigh.
Already fueled by soul essence.
Morgan merely sidestepped, shooting a knee straight into my gut.
I coughed violently, dropping to the ground.
Runes flickered at the side. Showing Kinetic had been charged.
I grinned. I spat out saliva that was tinged red. Warping straight into Morgan.
We fell to the ground, fighting for dominance.
I dropped my dagger. Sending a kinetic-charged uppercut straight into Morgan's chin.
Her head snapped upwards, a terrible crack ringing out through the area.
The next moment I received an elbow to my nose.
My head smashed into the ground, forming a small crater.
I still grinned, even as blood poured out of my nose like a river.
This was fun, so much fun!
I cackled, then surged upwards.
I reinforced my body with soul essence, the augmentation itself focusing on my arm and shoulder.
My strength doubled, no tripled.
I slammed my fist against Morgan's chest, a slight wind explosion ringing out.
Morgan flew, literally flew straight into a building. Crashing straight through the front door.
My eyes gleamed. I stood up fully, letting out a laugh once again.
Morgan flew straight back at me. Skill forgotten.
My grin widened.
I warped to the side of her, my arm already mid-swing.
My fist collided with the back of her head, slamming her into the ground.
The ground groaned, then shattered.
I jumped backwards, barely avoiding a leg sweep.
"Come on, Morgan! You are holding back too much!"
I laughed out, joy surging through my very being.
Morgan spat out blood, wiping her face.
Then she absolutely blurred. I couldn't even track her.
My eyes widened, a fist already buried in my stomach. Then I flew.
I slammed into a building, then thought it. Finally, I collided into a pile of rubble.
My head spun, stomach churning. I almost threw up on the spot.
I spread augmentation through the entirety of my body, realizing my own foolishness. I exchanged defense for power.
My mind straightened, and I rose up from the rubble.
Kinetic was overflowing with raw power, my entire body glowing.
Instead of focusing on my arms, I sent it to my legs.
I warped right beside Morgan, a kick already slamming into the back of her neck.
I grinned through bloodied teeth. Only for it to vanish.
I stared at the arm holding my leg in place with pure shock.
Then I grinned again, my dagger warped right in my arm, already thrusting towards her stomach.
Morgan let me go immediately, jumping backwards.
Then, like an alarm, I realized something.
My Dagger vanished. I had been satisfied, and injured. Badly.
I merely pointed a finger upwards, Morgan instinctively looking up.
All she saw was a star. Then she realized it wasn't a star, it was the arrow.
But this one was different, far superior to the previous ones.
Her neck snapped to me, eyes wide.
I extended my single arm, as if welcoming the arrow.
"I win. You cannot survive this."
I stated. I had no doubt Morgan was tough, durable, and strong now. But this was strong enough to wipe any master from the face of the planet.
Morgan raised her hands, "You win."
The arrow remained in the sky. And finally, I decided to sense out the area.
The blood red dagger manifested in my palm, already being fed soul essence.
My view expanded, counting the people watching.
There was Morgan and her squad. Four. Then there were three unknowns beside them. Now, where was the fourth?
My blood froze.
My head snapped back to the house, a person inside of it.
I warped, appearing right behind the man, dagger pressed against his throat.
"Let him go" I ordered.
The blade at Fenrir's neck slowly retracted.
I could see the man's sweat, the raw, unfiltered fear coursing through him.
Then I saw his scowl deepen. Eyes narrow.
I knew the signs, I knew what he would do before he even did it.
I jumped backwards, evading a kick.
But instead of targeting me, the man slashed towards Fenrir.
I warped my friend away, into the basement.
Rage coursed through my veins. This scum, this false hero. This cowardly person dared to attempt to strike my friend?!
I activated fear. He would be my testing subject.
Instead of anything manifesting. The man collapsed.
Then I myself felt it.
The raw, terrifying presence released from my form. It drowned everything in it.
The man gasped, eyes wide, his terror-stricken face sickening.
"Please! King of swords! I beg of you-"
He didn't finish his sentence. His eyes rolled backwards, foam rising through his mouth. Blood dripping from his nose.
Blood sense immediately lost sight of him.
He was dead.
I thought I would feel terror. Guilt, fear. Disgust at myself.
I didint. Perhaps I hadn't killed before, but I have long been used to seeing people dead in alleyways, streets, even.
And I myself have slain hundreds of creatures.
This was just a different kind of creature.
The door blasted open, Morgan rushing in.
She stopped, her eyes wide watching the ascendant's corpse.
Her fingers twitched, I noticed.
She scanned the room, her eyes finally landing on me.
She didn't blur, didn't surge with unstoppable speed. She walked, laying a hand against my shoulder.
Then her voice boomed through the entire area
"You will say every detail, in the court of swo-"
I vanished.
I appeared by Fenrir's side, apologizing to him softly.
Then I fueled warp as much as it could take, warping through half of the ruined city.
To the first home in these ruins.
Thanks for reading!
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