Kapitel 11: Chapter - 10

--------------

Chapter - 10: The power of the fire sword

--------------

"And all this your power, hero?" Otakemaru taunted in a tone that dripped with boredom, his actions punctuated by calculated strikes with his weapon, intentionally provoking Berserker to unleash his full might.

"⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️" Berserker responded with a ferocious roar, his frenzy evident as he hurtled towards Otakemaru with blinding speed. His crimson eyes blazed with an untamed fire as he closed the distance, his colossal weapon descending with a force that left its mark upon the surroundings.

In response, Otakemaru gracefully contorted his body, a symphony of sparks of electricity dancing around him as his form seemed to transform.

Daitoren, embodying the essence of flames, surged forth in a fiery display. The small, darting sparks of electricity cascaded from Otakemaru's body as he effortlessly wielded his sword with finesse.

*BOOM*

The cataclysmic impact of the clash reverberated, a resounding testament to the collision of their immense powers. Otakemaru's visage remained cold and composed, an embodiment of chilling resolve. As the aftermath of the impact settled, the two figures remained locked in a tense standoff, a scene that had undoubtedly caught everyone present by surprise.

In a swift motion, Otakemaru roared, a sound that echoed with defiance and strength. He propelled Berserker away, creating a temporary distance before initiating a powerful swing. The arc of his blade carved through the air, unleashing a torrent of flames in its wake.

Berserker's own roar resounded in answer. His weapon swung with astonishing might, intercepting the fiery onslaught with a fierce parry. The clash of their opposing forces created a radiant spectacle, yet beneath the surface, it was a test of shear strength.

As Berserker's axe descended once more, Otakemaru held his ground. The blade he wielded emanated an intense heat, a silent testament to its potency. With unyielding determination, he interlocked his weapon with the descending force of Berserker's axe, the clash reverberating with a volatile energy that held the audience in awe.

*CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!*

A symphony of impact and destruction unfolded as Otakemaru and Berserker engaged in a deadly dance with their formidable weapons.

The expression on Berserker's face was one of pure fury, his thunderous roars harmonizing with the force of his strikes. In stark contrast, a twisted smile played on Otakemaru's lips, his eyes gleaming with excitement and anticipation.

Among the spectators, even Saber's countenance mirrored surprise. The scene before them was beyond expectations. This monstrous figure, with its calculated movements and unhinged grin, wasn't merely equaling Berserker's strength—it seemed to tower above him in strength.

"See, I told you my Demon King is the strongest," Manaka affirmed, her gaze fixed in awe upon Otakemaru's display of power.

"D-Don't count him out just yet! Berserker isn't giving his all!" Illya retorted to Manaka's declaration, her determination unyielding. She turned her attention to Berserker, who was locked in combat with Otakemaru. "Berserker! Show them your true strength!" Illya's shout resonated, a plea to push her Servant beyond his limits and avoid defeat.

In response, Berserker emitted a primal roar reminiscent of a lion's mighty howl. Fueled by his Master's call, he intensified his assault, striking with greater ferocity and unparalleled force.

His weapon cleaved through the air with newfound determination, clashing with Otakemaru's defenses. This time, the impact exerted more pressure, gradually pushing Otakemaru back.

Sensing his opponent's increase in power, Otakemaru's smile widened, showing a mixture of excitement and frenzy. The intensification of the battle only increased his satisfaction, reflecting the excitement he derived from facing a formidable foe.

Berserker lowered his weapon, and with a casual grace, Otakemaru sidestepped the turbulent gale stirred by the giant's earth-shattering strike. The storm of force he unleashed was but a gentle breeze compared to the tempests he had tamed in his storied past.

He swung Daitoren towards Berserker's cranium, yet the giant deftly retracted his head, evading the impending impact. In a fluid motion, Berserker lunged forward, his axe cleaving through the air towards Otakemaru.

The Oni King, however, leapt with the dexterity of a warrior who had overcome thousands of battlefields, effortlessly avoiding the colossal weapon's deadly arc.

"Show me your true strength... Otherwise, you'll perish and turn to ashes" Otakemaru declared with a gaze so terrifying it could fray the resolve of even the most valiant of heroes.

With a surge of power, he pushed aside Berserker's weapon, the force unyielding as if he were shoving aside a mere twig. Swift as the wind, he then raised his sword aloft, a whirlwind of flames spiraling around him, before descending upon the giant.

*SLASH!*

The onlookers stood aghast as a fountain of crimson erupted from the gaping wound rent across Berserker's chest, a testament to the brutality of Otakemaru's assault.

And then, in a stunning twist, the spectators witnessed Otakemaru's sword blazing with a conflagration so intense it consumed not only blood but even flesh. As expected, the Berserker's body was drenched in a gruesome tableau of blood and searing burns, his form a testament to the relentless onslaught unleashed by Otakemaru.

The battlefield was a canvas of violence and fire, and it was clear to all that the tide of the battle had shifted dramatically. It was Otakemaru who now stood as the victor in this deadly dance.

Yet, the giant remained unyielding. He was impervious to pain and driven only by an insatiable fury. With a roar that echoed the depths of madness, he swung his weapon in a desperate bid to swat Otakemaru away like an insect.

But the Oni King evaded each strike with an almost disdainful ease, his lithe movements a testament to his mastery of combat.

As Berserker lowered his massive sword-axe, Otakemaru steeled himself, his gaze unwavering. With unshakable focus, he brought Daitoren down upon the flat side of the axe blade with a resounding clash.

The impact sent a tremor through the battlefield, causing even the most stalwart observers to feel a chill down their spines. Berserker stumbled under the force of the blow, a split second that Otakemaru seized upon. Around Daitoren, a swirling vortex of flames emerged, growing in intensity with each passing moment, as if the very essence of inferno had converged upon the blade.

Otakemaru's voice was a low murmur, almost like an incantation, as he uttered, "Kagayaki, azayakana asa no yoake." And then, with a thunderous roar that seemed to shake the heavens themselves, he thrust the blazing sword toward the Berserker's body.

*BOOOM!

The collision was akin to a detonation of a hydrogen bomb, the very air quivering with the force of the impact. The sword of flame, a burning lighthouse in the abyss, pierced through the Berserker's form with devastating precision.

As the blade cleaved through flesh and bone, it obliterated the giant's head and hands, a symphony of destruction that sent cascades of blood and flesh evaporating into nothingness.

The surrounding landscape suffered a similar fate, the once verdant terrain transforming into a desolate wasteland under the influence of the flame sword's destructive power.

In an instant, a blazing conflagration engulfed the colossal Berserker, an all-consuming inferno that left no room for resistance. As the crimson flames danced and consumed his body, the giant was left defenseless against Otakemaru's overwhelming might.

With a single thrust of the flame-engulfed sword, Berserker was propelled backwards, his massive form tumbling through the air before crashing into the ground. In his wake, only the skeletal remnants of his once- existence remained.

Otakemaru's expression remained unchanged as he observed the aftermath of his devastating strike. The victory was his, but he couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment.

While Berserker had proven to be a opponent quite strong, the lack of technique and the absence of coherent strategy had left Otakemaru yearning for a more challenging engagement.

He mused that perhaps, if Berserker had regained his sanity, the outcome might have been different—a battle both harder and more fulfilling.

In the end, his long years of dispatching mindless monstrosities had conditioned Otakemaru for swift, efficient victories. This skirmish was no different.

[Interlude]

"He defeated Berserker..." Rin murmured, her astonishment evident in her voice. The final attack had carried an immense danger, a condensed torrent of Mana that seemed to defy the laws of reality. It was as if a colossal hurricane of magical energy had been compressed into those flames, a sun's worth of brilliance igniting in the heart of this tainted world.

'Berserker is defeated... and by him. This man... he's the most dangerous presence here. He could even eliminate Berserker... He wields the strength of Mad Enhancement, yet maintains his sanity. I doubt I stand a chance against him...' Saber's thoughts spiraled into a gloomy abyss as she observed Otakemaru's leisurely retreat, his steps measured and unhurried, as though he were strolling through a garden rather than the aftermath of a battle that should have been a fight for life and death.

This man, this creature of overwhelming might, had surpassed mere strength. He emanated an aura of regality, a presence that resonated with the essence of a king—a monarch whose dominion extended beyond physical prowess alone.

'This man, or rather this monster, possesses unmatched power...' Saber's realization dawned upon her with a weighty gravity. She chastised herself for underestimating him, for failing to take the threat seriously from the outset.

Her body tensed involuntarily as he drew nearer, his approach accompanied by a faint smile that revealed his sharp fangs. The sight sent an icy shiver down her spine, as if she were facing not a mere human, but a dragon cloaked in human guise.

"It appears your servant has outperformed himself, Illyasviel," Manaka remarked with a sly smile, her tone dripping with mischief. "My servant has clearly demonstrated his superiority," she continued, her gaze locked onto Otakemaru with an entranced and unsettling expression.

Illya, upon hearing Manaka's words, clenched her teeth in frustration. She shot a glare in Manaka's direction and pointed her finger childishly. "Don't think you've won!" she retorted, her voice defiant. "You've only taken two lives from Berserker! He still has ten more!" she added smugly, surprising everyone with her audacity.

"Wait, you mean we have to defeat that thing twelve times?" Rin let out a cute sound. Just vanquishing it once was an incredibly daunting task. The thought of doing so twelve times over was a nightmarish proposition she refused to entertain.

Illya, who had been so focused on her newfound rivalry with Manaka, finally realized that both Rin and her brother were still present. A blush crept onto her face as she realized she had strayed from her original goal. 'Damn it! I was supposed to target Saber, not Avenger! Ugh, now my entire plan has been thrown into disarray!'

Meanwhile, Otakemaru, who had drawn closer to Saber, blinked as he sensed that Berserker's aura still lingered. It indicated that the giant was still alive.

'Perhaps I underestimated him too much? Can I even utilize my second sword against him? Show me the full extent of your power, hero, and I shall do my best to crush you,' he contemplated, a hint of curiosity seeping into his thoughts.

Otakemaru stared intently at the billowing smoke that had arisen from his attack, his expression a mix of confusion and intense intrigue. It was as if he had stumbled upon something that piqued his interest, something that promised a departure from the usual battles.

As if his Master knew what he was thinking, he heard her voice echo in his mind, her words cutting through his contemplation. "Otakemaru, you must take that man's life ten times. He seems to have a total of twelve lives, and your recent attack claimed two of them...."

Upon hearing her words, Otakemaru blinked, a mixture of surprise and realization playing across his features. 'An immortal, huh?' he mused inwardly, a strange and eerie grin tugging at the corners of his lips. His tail, too, began to twitch with a sense of anticipation, betraying his growing amusement.

-------------

A/N: I hope you are enjoying the story!

If you have any suggestions or concerns you can ask as usual.

Tell me what you think of the story with lots of comments to let me know what you think and what you would like to see or even some improvements I could make.

----------