Chapter 530 Wind vs Sensory Deprivation
In the boundless expanse of the void, the two surreal realms clashed with an intensity that defied the laws of reality. The kingdom of sensory deprivation, born from an obscure and malevolent portal, waged a relentless war against the tempestuous tempests and ethereal energies of the portal of wind. It was a power struggle that played out in a ceaseless cycle of conquest and loss, a cosmic battle that spanned the very fabric of space.
At the heart of this conflict was not us, but the portals themselves, each vying for dominance in this formless abyss. The portal of sensory deprivation, enigmatic and eerie, sought to extend its influence by encroaching upon the territory claimed by the portal of wind. Its swirling shadows and eerie mists reached out hungrily, attempting to smother the tempestuous winds and distort their very essence.
Conversely, the portal of wind, a vortex of elemental power, fought to maintain its dominion over the space it had carved out. The colossal tornados it summoned roared and thrashed against the encroaching darkness, tearing through the enshrouding mists and piercing the veil of sensory deprivation. The winds howled with fury, a symphony of defiance against the encroaching void.
As these two surreal realms clashed, space itself became a battleground, constantly shifting and warping in response to their cosmic struggle. Vast stretches of the void were alternately claimed and lost, as the boundaries of each realm expanded and contracted in an unending tug of war.
The very concept of perception was distorted and defied, as the sensory-deprived kingdom sought to smother the howling winds, and the wind portal resisted by tearing holes in the oppressive darkness. Reality itself seemed to warp and twist, creating a disorienting and nightmarish tableau of chaos.
"We're even," I smiled, but my Master didn't think the same. All he did was chuckle back before summoning a scythe out of mid-air.
...
The blade of the scythe stands elongated and gracefully curved, like a crescent moon, but with jagged and serrated edges that give it a menacing appearance. It's made of a dark, obsidian-like material that seems to absorb light rather than reflect it. Faint crimson veins run through the blade, pulsating as if with the life force of the underworld.
The handle is long and skeletal as if crafted from the bones of fallen creatures from the netherworld. It is wrapped in aged, tattered leather that seems to ooze a dark, sticky substance, hinting at its sinister nature. The leather is adorned with strange, runic symbols and etchings that seem to writhe and shift when gazed upon.
At the very top of the handle, just below the junction with the blade, there is a grotesque eye. This eye is large and bulbous, with a bloodshot sclera and a piercing, fiery red iris that seems to flicker with unholy flames. The eye radiates an eerie, malevolent glow that casts an unsettling light on the surroundings.
The eye is surrounded by gnarled, leathery eyelids that are permanently half-closed, giving it a sinister, hooded appearance. Long, twisted lashes frame the eye, making it look almost as if it could blink or squint in malevolent satisfaction.
Writhing from the base of the eye are sinuous, tentacle-like tendrils that snake their way down the handle, coiling and uncoiling in an unsettling manner. These tendrils seem to writhe with a life of their own as if they are extensions of some dark, eldritch entity trapped within the weapon. n//0Velb1n
Along the length of the handle, there are ancient, glowing runes etched into the bone-like surface. These runes emit a sickly green or eerie purplish light, illuminating the surroundings in an unnatural and unholy radiance. The runes seem to writhe and shift as if alive, hinting at the dark enchantments that empower the scythe.
The grip of the handle resembles the skeletal fingers of some otherworldly creature, cold and bony to the touch. It's wrapped in that same dark, oozing leather, which now appears to be stretched taut over the skeletal structure. The leather feels unnaturally cold and clammy, sending shivers down the spine of anyone who dares to hold the scythe.
When the scythe is swung or moved, faint, ghostly whispers emanate from it. These hushed voices are filled with anguish and torment as if the scythe has absorbed the suffering of countless souls. They create an eerie, haunting melody that echoes in the ears of those nearby, leaving an unsettling feeling of dread in their wake.
Unpredictable Shadows: In the presence of this scythe, shadows seem to behave strangely. They dance and flicker, sometimes taking on eerie, twisted shapes that seem to mirror the malevolence of the weapon. These shadowy distortions give the impression that the scythe is connected to some shadowy realm or dimension.
When wielded by its master, the demonic scythe radiates an oppressive aura of malevolence. The air around it grows colder, and the ground beneath seems to wither and blacken. The very atmosphere becomes charged with dark energy, instilling fear and despair in all who stand in its vicinity.
Anyone who touches the scythe without being its chosen wielder risks becoming cursed. The curse may manifest as nightmarish visions, a feeling of impending doom, or even physical afflictions. Breaking the curse is said to require a perilous journey into the abyss to confront the malevolent entity bound within the weapon.
Findir's measly curved daggers paled in strength compared to this man, and he was well aware of it. Plans and intricate ways to tackle this battle wove themselves through his brain until he arrives at a single conclusion.
"I guess I just have to be faster..." His smile slightly twitched before a drop of sweat slid down his brow and hung on the tip of his eyelash. "... faster, huh? Is that even possible?"
And soon, the fight began. Their movements were followed by their throne world's that slowly pressed into each other, attempting to claim as much space before attacking its opposing realm.
The Demon Lord swung his ominous scythe in wide arcs, its blade leaving trails of dark energy in its wake. Findir, recognizing the raw power of his opponent's weapon, opted for a nimble approach. He darted forward with graceful footwork, his daggers held close to his body.
Findir initiated the exchange with a rapid flurry of strikes, aiming for the Demon Lord's legs and feet, attempting to disarm him of his stability. The Demon Lord countered with sweeping motions of his scythe, creating a barrier of dark energy to deflect Findir's attacks. The clashing forces sent shockwaves through the environment, cracking the ground beneath them.
Findir continued to use his agility to his advantage, weaving in and out of the Demon Lord's reach. He exploited the scythe's slower speed and focused on evading, launching precise strikes whenever openings appeared. His dagger strikes were like quicksilver, targeting the Demon Lord's unguarded areas - wrists, joints, and throat.
The Demon Lord responded with calculated strikes, trying to predict Findir's movements. His scythe glowed with malevolent energy, but its sheer size and weight made it difficult to land a decisive blow on Findir, who seemed to glide effortlessly across the grassy floor.
As the battle raged on, the Demon Lord's relentless power began to take its toll on Findir's agility. A few glancing blows from the scythe left Findir with shallow but painful wounds. Knowing he needed to change tactics, Findir created distance between them and leaped onto a nearby pillar.
From his elevated position, Findir hurled one of his daggers at the Demon Lord, who deflected it with a swish of his scythe. As the Demon Lord focused on the airborne dagger, Findir seized the opportunity and lunged, delivering a quick and precise slash across the Demon Lord's arm.
Enraged and wounded, the Demon Lord unleashed a terrifying surge of dark energy, sending shockwaves throughout the forest. The ground quaked, and shadows seemed to come to life. He charged forward, swinging his scythe with unprecedented speed and force.
Findir, with only one dagger left, evaded and parried with all his might. He managed to dodge several deadly strikes, but the sheer power of the Demon Lord's onslaught was overwhelming. In a final desperate move, Findir somersaulted over the Demon Lord's head, landing behind him, and drove his remaining dagger into the Demon Lord's vulnerable back.
"What the hell?" Findir muttered, unable to believe his eyes.
It became evident that the Demon Lord was far from defeated as he quickly tore the knife out of his back and tossed it to the side. With a grim determination, he rose to his feet, his injuries slowly healing thanks to his dark powers. His scythe crackled with renewed energy, and his eye blazed with malevolence.
Findir knew he couldn't afford to let up. He circled the Demon Lord cautiously, looking for openings. The Demon Lord, now more focused and relentless, struck with a combination of rapid and powerful swings, making it challenging for Findir to get close.
Findir utilized his martial arts training to block, parry, and evade the scythe strikes. He moved gracefully, using the trees and the forest's terrain to his advantage, constantly changing his position to avoid being cornered.
With each passing moment, Findir's movements became more precise and fluid, adapting to the Demon Lord's relentless attacks. He used his remaining dagger to create openings by targeting the Demon Lord's hands and forearms, causing him to momentarily lose his grip on the scythe.
Seizing this opportunity, Findir moved in with a flurry of strikes, aiming at the Demon Lord's legs and torso. He struck with lightning speed, the curved dagger slicing through the air. The Demon Lord, wounded and disoriented, struggled to defend himself, but his scythe remained a formidable barrier.
Both combatants were visibly fatigued and wounded, but the arena echoed with the clash of steel against steel. The Demon Lord, realizing that Findir's agility and martial prowess posed a significant threat, unleashed a devastating shockwave of dark energy, sending Findir tumbling backward.
With his last ounce of strength, Findir regained his footing and charged forward, dagger poised for a decisive strike. The Demon Lord attempted to counter with a sweeping scythe strike, but Findir's agility allowed him to dart beneath the blade, closing the gap.
"Got you."
