[Hellzone Grenade!]
A single gesture and all the blasts and discs came rushing back. They came from all directions, completely stupefying Atid.
But it wasn't over yet.
"[Super Explosive Wave!]"
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
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|DxD|
.
A massive lava-like barrier of energy spread across the entire waters and outwards. Its immense power and temperature caused the lake to outright combust. The instantaneous rise to beyond-plasmic temperatures wrought widespread destruction not just on the lake, but all around as well.
"Oh my. He's really doing it now."
Nandi commented idly. Ignoring the technique's destructive capabilities, it truly was an awe-inspiring sight. This massive energy barrier resembled the appearance of the Sun in all its glory.
It stretched across the entire lake and drowned in its core was Igor furiously supplying the explosive barrier with energy. He'd trapped Atid between a horde of ki blasts and energy discs along with his explosive wave. There was nowhere to run and he'd make sure this match ended in his victory.
"HAAAAAAAAA!!!"
GRUUUUUUUU!
The earth quaked as his power soared. Dozens of square-kilometres had become a death zone. Atid was still alive, still conscious. Something was helping him block the perilous effects of the attack, but Igor felt he'd soon get through that blockade…except for one thing stopping him.
[D-Damnit!]
A sudden headache bordering on the level of soul-tearing training assaulted him.
[Not…yet!]
He could bear it, he had to bear it. He went through too much to gain this advantage. He couldn't pass out, not until he gained a solid victory.
But the pain was slowly growing beyond his tolerance threshold. The side-effects were kicking in like a wrecking ball and his vision was increasingly growing hazy. Yet against his body's desires, he continued to extend the technique, to break through and achieve victory.
"Nngghhaaaaa!"
BOOOOOOOM!
The massive explosive wave towered above the trees like a giant dome. Three-hundred and sixty degrees of pure chaos-incarnate eroded everything in its path. The hardened ground was like paper before flame. Any traces of water swiftly evaporated until finally…Igor's explosive wave had grown so large that it ground against Nandi's barrier.
Krrrrrrr!
A loud grating sound resounded. Igor's dome stretched over a dozen kilometres into the sky and could no longer expand any further, yet he did not stop.
"Nngh!"
Deep within the core, he was suffering the repercussions of his stubbornness. Traces of blood slowly trickled out of his nose and ears. His eyes were bloodshot with veins covering them like spiderwebs.
Perhaps he'd forgotten this was supposed to be a spar. There was no need to go so far. Atid wasn't an enemy. A rival he was indeed, but not a target for elimination. His desire to win was commendable, but this was reality---his body could not withstand the burden anymore.
"Argh!"
The world suddenly turned black for Igor without warning. The rapid release of energy unknowingly brought the consequences of the meditation technique much sooner than estimated. This wasn't a minor headache like he hoped. This was something equivalent to a seizure…perhaps much worse. The sudden darkness robbed him of his ability to control ki. The result? His technique finally lost its power and slowly…he fell.
Whuuuuuuuuu…
Constant states between consciousness and unconsciousness assaulted him like a train. His face was locked in one of pain as nature energy diffused from his body. His Kaioken was gone, not that he would notice. Unfortunately, the buzzing in his head was the least of his worries.
Su!
Above him, Atid appeared. He was heavily injured with severe gaping wounds on his body. His armour had been crushed and a wing was broken. A ki blast had blasted open a part of his helmet, revealing a singular golden eye glowing with lethal intent.
"This is payback!"
Whether Igor was vulnerable or not, Atid was too vindictive to care. The numerous cuts from ki discs on his blade eroded whatever compassion he had left.
GU!
He landed a powerful knee into Igor's gut…a critical strike!
"Puargh!"
Igor hunched over in shock. Spittles of saliva flew out of his mouth. The painful sensation was more than enough to wrench him from his lucid state.
SUUUUU!
He was sent flying across the skies towards the hills in the distance. The wind was still hot from his earlier attack and he could feel it sear into his back. The familiar darkness covered his vision once more, but instinct forced him to wake up.
Su!
Atid appeared right above Igor with a giant warhammer in both arms, ready to smash bones and knock him down. The veins in his revealed arm bulged as evidence of his strong grip.
"Ha!"
BOOOOOM!
A sound no less than a clap of thunder exploded. Igor, in his addled state of mind, managed to block with his arms, but his loss of the Kaioken and nature energy starved him of the strength needed to endure such a powerful strike.
*SNAP!*
SUUUU!
His arms broke like twigs and caved into his chest before he was sent crashing to the ground below.
BOOOOOOOM!
Dust clouded the vicinity the moment Igor smashed into the ground. The impact was so large that a crater formed. Fine glass particles mixed with the crushed rock in the air, blanketing Igor from view.
The blonde's current state was unknown. The dense remnant energy from his barrier attack made it hard for Atid to sense him, especially when he lost all his power. What he did to his rival could be considered cruel, but only he knew how close he was to actually dying.
Energy discs and ki blasts assaulted him from behind while a powerful explosive barrier came from below and covered all avenues of escape. The discs cut through his armour and the wave burnt his body.
His crimson thunder armour, a tapestry of his excellence and evolution for speed was no different than rags. He'd barely survived through the skin of his teeth and had to sacrifice numerous shields and pills to pull through.
Regardless of his feelings, Igor managed to pull a fast one on him. He didn't expect the blonde would have such an insidious gamble. He could respect the strategy behind it.
"[ASCEND!]"
"No more tricks, brother. It's my victory now."
His words were said as a matter-of-fact rather than confidence. There was no grin nor arrogance on his face as one might suspect after he said such a statement. He was sure Igor had lost most of his fighting capacity, but that didn't mean he'd lose his caution.
Vwong
His warhammer was magically switched for a long spear. One pierce, that was all it'd take to secure victo…ry?
"?!?!"
His instincts suddenly went haywire. Atid swiftly channelled lightning into his spear and positioned it defensively in front of his chest. In the massive dust cloud below, there was a bright red glow. Atid could feel Igor's power skyrocketing once more, something that should be impossible considering his current state.
"Tch! This tenacious idiot!"
How did he still have energy to transform? After releasing so many powerful attacks in succession, that last one should've drained him into a husk.
"[ASCEND!]"
Atid quickly swallowed a pill. His reserves steadily recovered as most of his injuries disappeared. He wasn't in tip-top condition, but even if Igor were to go into his Berserk Demigod State, he was confident he could win…except, that red luminescence was fading away to a golden glow…a very, very familiar brightness.
[Partner! Go all out!]
[Right!]
There was no time for hesitation. If Igor was going to use that transformation, then he needed all the strength he could muster.
"[ASCEND! ASCEND! ASCEND! ASCEND! HYPERDRIVE!]"
BOOOM!
A bright golden light covered Atid as his strength soared to great margins. His figure was blurry, but the sound of rapidly crackling electricity made itself heard.
ChiChiChiChiChiChichiChiChiChiChiChiChi
Hyperdrive, an evolution of the Juggernaut Drive he earned in a dangerous fight against Igor. The sleek armour from the Crimson Thunder Drive faded away to reveal chiselled muscles. Red armour covered his entire left arm and part of his chest. Tiny and barely imperceptible golden stripes spread across his body, all while golden lightning roared around him like dense armour.
"[ASCEND! ASCEND! ASCEND!]"
Two massive dragon wings protruded out his back, each tip ending with a claw. His transformation was quick and seamless, just in time to witness the very transformation that once haunted his dreams.
GRUUUUUUU!
A giant golden pillar of energy blew away the dust like smoke before the wind, revealing a still form. Long golden hair straightened into spikes from the influx of energy, and golden pupils that radiated pride---Igor oozed with power, power in the realm of High-Supreme Class.
Ignored were his headache and his injuries. The massive amount of nature energy acted like anaesthesia and significantly dulled his discomfort.
His pants were worn and torn, but that didn't wane his authority. The diamond mark on his forehead had spread into a small tribal tattoo, a remnant of his fusion with the avatar of Trihexa.
Krrr…
The rubble beneath his sandals shifted as he turned his heel. He didn't bother looking at Atid. He didn't need to. Everything in this region was within his perception.
Su Su Su Su Su Su SU! SU! SU! SU! SU! SU! SU! SU!
The golden aura around him steadily surged with intensity. The very air around him seemed heavy with the pressure of his might alone.
*Crack…crack…CRACK!*
The ground fractured as his power threatened to soar. He was motionless, seemingly vulnerable like a statue, yet the dangerous killing intent around him threatened annihilation to anyone or anything that drew near…like Atid's recklessly thrown spear.
*BANG!*
Igor didn't move or even gesture. The spear could barely get within ten metres before an unseen telekinetic force stopped it. Atid couldn't re-summon his spear in time before countless black tentacles liquefied it.
The tendrils wrapped around the spear like vines, corroding everything into nothingness. No matter what materials it was made from, it could not resist the erosion of tainted nature energy.
*GLARE!*
Golden eyes locked onto Atid with unhidden ferocity. Igor's killing intent was demonstrated visibly and it slightly unnerved the young god.
"..."
This was just a spar…right? Why did it seem like Igor actually wanted to kill him?
.
|DxD|
.
What began as a spar was truly threatening to become a life or death battle. Cards were pulled out and powerful transformations were assumed. The air itself seemed tense with the stench of battle.
Atid hovered in the skies with creased brows, but that did nothing to diminish the aura of might and dominance he exerted. Golden lightning crackled around him, his eyes focused and ready for anything. His battle armour was gone, leaving him with only pants and plated shin guards. Two spears crackling with lightning were held offensively. He was determined to show his rival he wasn't weak like last time.
Igor had both feet on the ground. All signs of scars had faded from his torso. His pants were terribly torn, but it did not wane his majesty. Long golden hair extended towards his thighs like the spikes of a porcupine. His arms and posture were relaxed, a complete contrast to the golden aura around him lashing out like flames.
His eyes however, that deep golden gaze was calm…unnaturally so. Perhaps it was the nature energy calming him down, yet that didn't mean his desire to return that slight was gone. That pain of having his bones crushed---he'd return it in full.
Whu…
Igor moved like the silent wind. One moment he was on the ground and the next, he was nose-to-nose with Atid.
"?!--"
*Grab!*
Whu…
BOOOOOM!
Another massive crater formed the moment Igor slammed Atid into the ground. His hand remained around his rival's neck. Atid could do nothing to resist. His eyes were bloodshot and his limbs refused to obey him. The veins in his neck and jaw bulged with a distinct black colour.
"?!?!"
This was corrosive energy, the same energy that forced him to cut off his arm during their battle three years ago. It seemed Igor could now control tainted nature energy on command. Still, this wasn't the end…and Igor knew it too.
[You won't escape this time.]
The 'Atid' beneath him slowly crumbled to dust and behind him, he could feel a spear flying straight for his back. It was fast, impressively fast.
*Puchi!*
.
|DxD|
.
A few moments prior…
.
Atid was not like Igor. He had high reserves of energy, but they paled compared to Igor's monstrous reserves. He couldn't release destructive attacks consecutively like his rival. He didn't have the leeway of forming massive spheres of destruction.
What he did have was versatility, something Igor didn't have. Divine energy and mana lacked the restraints of ki, allowing him to utilise many techniques including ones of deception.
The 'Atid' Igor grabbed was a puppet created through a mix of mana and divine energy. It wouldn't fool his rival for long, especially with his stupid perception, but it could at least buy him some time to unleash a powerful attack.
*Puchi!*
His spear struck accurately into Igor's back and punctured all the way through his heart. Blood poured out and Atid was convinced he'd won…almost.
"?!?!"
Instinct prompted him to sidestep, and he was right in doing so.
*Puchi!*
"Mnngh!"
A sharp black tentacle pierced through his wing instead of his neck. Atid immediately flew away, temporarily ignoring the feeling of corruption spreading through his membrane. Igor's completely instantaneous movement technique was giving him far more trouble than anticipated.
"[ASCEND! ASCEND! ASCEND! ASCEND! TRANSFER!]"
A dozen metres was opened between them. A quick glance at the ground revealed the Igor he struck was an afterimage, but it still had signs of life. Did Igor leave a sliver of his lifeforce to fool him? Perhaps, but now wasn't the time to contemplate.
"[TRANSFER!]"
Atid's throat bulged with bright green flames, fully ready to spew them out. He'd douse the area in flames and blank the vicinity in in a sensory field with his energy signature. Containing his rival was an absolute priori--
"Now now, no need for such drastic actions. I believe this much shall suffice."
Nandi mysteriously appeared between the boys like he was always there. He had that enigmatic smile as always, making one unable to see through him.
A single swirl of his staff and the flames in Atid's throat vanished along with his injuries, making the boy's eyes widen in shock.
"What the…?"
"I've prepared some refreshments for you. Perhaps you might enjoy them?"
"..."
.
|DxD|
.
Moments prior…
.
Back in the house, Parvati knew the boys were fighting. She'd been aware ever since they began and observed them through her senses.
It was supposed to be a spar, but the way they aimed for crippling blows at each other made her worry. Trying to stab someone in the brain completely violated the norms of a spar. If it were not for their respective recovery capabilities, she might've never agreed to this at all.
Sigh…
She took a seat on her chair and gazed out the window with eyes filled with concern. Her senses were still focused on the boys, especially Igor. She still felt he was too young for what Nandi and her husband were teaching him, especially the meditation technique.
[He's not ready to use it in combat.]
She could feel it even now. Igor had long since surpassed the threshold. His proficiency was still too low to use it in combat. The only reason he could continue fighting was due to nature energy numbing the pain, but even that had its limits.
But what could she do? She couldn't exactly trap him in the house, could she? She didn't wish to see him guarding against her.
[I wish I could strangle Nandi. He got little Igor into this mess.]
Her little blonde wasn't her son. She didn't give birth to him, but three years was far more than enough to make her see him as her own flesh and blood. He integrated into their family very well, even making her stone-faced husband smile with pride every once in a while.
His presence filled the void left behind by her two sons and made this house into a home once more. To see him push himself to the brink like this…it left a bitterness in her chest.
BOOOOM!
"..."
*Craaaaack*
The armrest on her chair cracked under the strength of her grip. It wasn't out of anger, but out of fear. She could feel Igor's brain was under duress from the technique's side-effects.
"Igor…"
She covered her hand with her mouth, desperately curbing the instinct to rush in and stop everything. She knew he wouldn't appreciate it if she interfered in his fight. But…she could feel his brain dissolving cell by cell. His body was trying to heal but it wasn't keeping up.
[Please stop…]
Parvati knew her words would go unheard. Even if he did, that stubborn pride of his wouldn't allow him to quit, especially in a bout with his rival.
She forced herself to remain seated, even when she intimately felt his brain begin to dissolve cell by cell. Nandi was there. He wouldn't let it go too far.
[He won't.]
But as the seconds grew longer, as Igor transformed into his Origin Demigod State, her belief in Nandi waned. Igor seemed calm, but he absolutely couldn't handle another minute of combat. Any longer and he'd be using his lifespan just to keep his body from collapsing.
At this level, it wouldn't be mere months or years. It'd be decades, perhaps centuries every minute would be consumed. His body needed rest. He needed to recover, not continue engaging in this meaningless battle!
{Enough, Nandi! End this fight now!}
Parvati stood up, fully ready to rush forward if Nandi didn't listen. Could he not sense Igor's state? He needed urgent care.
{Yes, yes. Understood, Lady Parvati.}
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AN
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Momma Parvati put a stop on Igor's stupidity, which I actually agree with. It doesn't matter if he can make decades of lifespan in the time it takes to shit. There's no need to burn it in a spar.
Otherwise, thanks for reading. I did my best to find and remove typos. If you find any, tell me in the comments.