บท 351: Arise O’ Phoenix
Wrock stumbled forward as Grimwald freed his fist.
As he clutched his wound Wrock demanded, "What did you do?!"
Grimwald laughed, "There is a reason why I follow Perina. Although she consumes the Skills of her victims, she cannot use them. Despite this these Skills still reside inside her, feeding her strength."
Pushing Wrock to the ground Grimwald gloated, "I was granted a gift, a gift by the heavens! I am able to copy any Skill I come across, as long as I can touch the one who owns it."
Wrock heaved and coughed a lot of blood. He kept an eye at his dropping HP as he spoke, "So you can take advantage of Perina's one flaw."
"Precisely! She is a walking Arsenal of every Skill you can imagine! Moreover—thanks to you—I have obtained the most powerful one yet!"
Grimwald clenched his fist, the blue aura surrounding him glowing brighter. Wrock was all too familiar with this, it was none other than [Endless Fighting Spirit]. His own Berserk Skill he created.
As his body failed to stay strong, Wrock managed to continue speaking, "So in the end you aren't as loyal as I thought. You're using her, I wonder how she feels about this."
"Oh she's aware! That is why I am her most trusted underling. Unwavering loyalty is suspicious. However someone who makes it clear that they're using you. . ."
Wrock finished, "Is more trustworthy."
"Somewhat, but you get the idea."
Grimwald crouched down, "Again, I must thank you. Once I ascend to Third Star myself I shall maintain this Skill for the rest of my life. Such a powerful ability. It makes me realize how you were able to fight me back then. How did you even obtain this?"
Wrock's HP was teetering towards zero. Yet he replied, "Obtain? Not quite, I made that."
"A man of your talents would have been superb to work with. A shame you die here."
Wrock's HP dropped to zero. Grimwald watched him die and dusted off his clothes, "Now then-"
Wooosh~!
Wrock's body was set aflame. Azure fire covering every inch of his body. Despite their radiating heat, Wrock's body did not burn. Instead it healed at a visible rate.
Grimwald faintly grinned, "So you have a final card."
Wrock stood up, the azure flames extinguishing. He found that his clothes were also repaired thanks to the flame, making him grateful.
Grimwald extended his hands outwards, "Truly impressive! But you can't beat me at my current level."
Wrock rolled his shoulder, the effects of [Adrenaline] have reached a new height. Thanks to the devastating blow Grimwald delivered, he obtained a new level of Stats.
However this still wasn't enough!
Wrock loosened his body, "You're waiting for the effect of [Endless Fighting Spirit] to increase aren't you?"
"Naturally, ever moment I grow a bit stronger."
"I had hoped to save this for Perina. My apologies, I vastly underestimated you."
"Oh? You think you can challenge my newly obtained strength?"
"You're speaking with the very person who created that Skill. Yet there's one thing I didn't mention."
"Would you be so kind to inform me?"
"That Skill, was merely a mimic of the real thing."
Whooom~
A wave of heat blasted Grimwald. He raised his arms to guard from any sudden attacks, but instead he saw a light blue Phoenix spread its wings.
At the center of Wrock's brow, a flame ignited. It rapidly spread across Wrock's face, leaving behind traces of a blue, glowing energy.
The energy left behind created an image, of a Phoenix spreading its wings. At his forehead the head of the Phoenix lie, its face staring directly ahead. Two wings spread across Wrock's cheeks. The top part lying underneath his eyes. The feathers were of plain view on his cheeks. The tail feathers formed on his chin. Together it gave a rough image of a Phoenix, although its body was missing.
This was the ultimate form of Spirit taught by Wrock's clan. By fully embracing the gift granted by the great Phoenix, one is granted tremendous power. Thus a title was given to it, known as {Arising of the Phoenix}.
However, the true form of the Arising of the Phoenix was out of Wrock's grasp. The amount of Spirit needed to perform it was absurd, and beyond his current capabilities. So Wrock made a slight adjustment to the name.
{Arising of the Phoenix: Pseudo Form}
Despite it being only the Pseudo form, the power Wrock was granted was in no way small!
Lifting his hands into a battle stance Wrock asked, "Ready for round two?"
Grimwald smiled cockily, "Ha! Let's see how well you can fare!"
Wrock leapt forward, a trail of blue flames following behind him. Initiating combat Wrock kicked with his heel, a pair of blue talons forming at his foot.
{Spirit of the Phoenix: Talon}!
The blow hit Grimwald's arm, for they managed to guard the attack. Reacting quickly Grimwald grabbed Wrock's leg and slammed him towards the ground. A pair of wings sprouted from Wrock's back, made of a blue flame. His descent towards the ground was stopped short. He then rotated mid air and sent Grimwald towards the ground instead.
{Spirit of the Phoenix: Wheel of Reincarnation}!
Grimwald grunted as he was slammed. The floor cracked and shattered from the impact, sending him down a floor. Despite this he still held onto Wrock, forcing him down with.
The wings extinguished, and Wrock instead chose to fall with. As the two descended Grimwald turned his body and threw Wrock.
As Wrock was thrown he swiped the air, blue flames following behind his palm. The flames rapidly formed into a small bird and shot towards Grimwald.
{Spirit of the Phoenix: Gliding Across the Valley}!
Flipping in the air Wrock landed on his feet. Looking up he saw Grimwald heading straight for him!
[Taoist Trail Opened Gates: Descent of the Mountain]!
Wrock moved fluidly, retracting his fist and gathering a large amount of Spirit into it. His legs moved him to the side, dodging Grimwald's attack by a hair. He then threw his fist forward, making solid contact with Grimwald's jaw.
BOOOM-!!
An explosion of blue flames formed and Grimwald was sent flying back. He flipped multiple times in the air before managing to right himself. Despite this he still slammed into the wall, causing it to collapse.
The dust that just arose was blasted away. Grimwald held his jaw—clearly dislocated—and forced it back into position. His face and chest showed clear signs of burn, proof that Wrock's attack did quite the amount of damage.
Not wanting Grimwald to recover, Wrock dashed forward. Throwing a fist Wrock planned to follow up with a powerful blow!
Grimwald caught Wrock's blow effortlessly, "Thirty seconds have passed."
Raising his other arm Grimwald punched Wrock's face. With a jerk of his head Wrock managed to get away with only a scratch—or so he thought.
He grimaced as Grimwald kneed his ribs, he felt a few crack under the powerful blow. He quickly gathered Spirit at his hand, setting it aflame. This made Grimwald let go, for the flame was too risky to hold.
The sudden advancement in Grimwald's strength was a surprise. If it weren't for the fact that Wrock was still adjusting to the newly acquired fused form of {Hyperfocused Battle Intensity} and his Innate Skill, he would've been able to react better.
Wrock narrowed his eyes, the rate at which he was burning Spirit was alarming. If he kept this pace he would be helpless against Perina. Therefor he would end it here! Dashing around Grimwald Wrock attempted to attack from the side. This was noticed and thwarted by a punch from Grimwald. Dodging the punch barely Wrock delivered a swift kick to the back of Grimwald's knee. He then followed up with another two kicks, forcing Grimwald to guard.
Turning around Wrock used {Spirit of the Phoenix: Wheel of Reincarnation}. His foot landing on Grimwald's stomach. He then spun again, this time in the opposite direction. Using {Spirit of the Phoenix: Wheel of Reincarnation} again, he swept Grimwald off his feet.
As Grimwald fell back Wrock gathered Spirit at his fist. He threw the punch forward, hitting Grimwald right as they hit the ground.
Grimwald coughed, "You're getting overconfident!"
Wrock jumped upwards and clapped his hands forward. A volley of blue feathers descended and exploded on Grimwald. He then shouted, "It's the end Grimwald!"
He descended with his foot forward. A blue Phoenix forming around him, a talon outstretched matching with Wrock's foot.
{Spirit of the Phoenix: Descent Upon Prey}!
"I don't think so!"
The aura around Grimwald skyrocketed and Wrock's attack was caught. Wrock felt an enormous strength hold onto him, and his heart skipped a beat.
Such power could only be granted through [Final Fight]!
Wrock could only see a glimpse of the fist heading towards his face. As it made contact he steeled his heart.
Grimwald's fist passed through air. Only flickering blue flames was left. He frowned and turned to the side, only to find himself in a strange place.
It was like he was on a pool of water. With an endless blue sky stretching farther than the eye could see. Looking around he soon spotted Wrock and dashed towards him.
His fist once again passed through, leaving only flickering flames.
Wrock reappeared at the side, "Give up Grimwald. This place was made for a situation like this."
Again the same situation occurred. Despite his overwhelming power Grimwald failed to hit Wrock!
Wrock's figure appeared again, "This is the Pool of Iterations. An ultimate ability of mine so to speak."
Grimwald destroyed Wrock again, and the situation repeated.
Wrock continued, "I follow the Phoenix. A symbol of rebirth. This Pool is a reflection of that, a showing of the lives that came before, and are soon to be."
Grimwald grit his teeth, "You're saying this why?"
"A habit of my clan, speaking of our abilities give our enemy a chance to adapt. Pushing us even further. Each blow I am supposed to receive is supposed to kill me. Thus ending an Iteration, and giving birth to a new one."
"So you're immortal?"
Wrock shook his head, "No, each time you hit me I die. The difference is; each death gives a new iteration of me."
"I don't understand!"
"Essentially I am reborn each time."
"That's. . ."
"Not fair? Not quite. The price I have to pay to use this is large, on top of the strict requirement. Additionally it has a time limit of thirty seconds. But that's long enough."
"There must be an end to this!"
Grimwald's figure buzzed as he rapidly destroyed Wrock again and again. Yet it was futile, he could never truly finish Wrock.
Soon, thirty seconds passed and Grimwald's heart thumped. His surroundings returned to normal and he spotted Wrock. He threw a punch forward, but something felt wrong.
Was he always this slow?
The punch landed on Wrock's face and did nothing. Grimwald went through a series of facial expressions, hardly expressing his shock.
Wrock watched him calmly, "I'm surprised you still stand. How does it feel? The backlash of [Final Fight]."
Grimwald shakily inspected his hands as his knees collapsed, "What is happening to me?"
"When you use [Final Fight] you've prepared yourself for your battle to be your last. In return it grants you strength you've never seen before. For the mere timer of thirty seconds."
The markings on Wrock's face slowly faded as he explained, "Once that time is up, you are to pay quite the price. You'll be weaker than you ever have before. You permanently lose part of your strength. And if you don't defeat your opponent—you die."
Shaking his head Wrock continued, "[Final Fight] isn't meant to be used for personal goals. Instead it's a selfless sacrifice to protect what you care about. For you to use it like this. . . The outcome was inevitable."
Grimwald slumped, "So it's over. Hahaha. . ."
"It is. You were a great adversary Grimwald. So I will give you this."
"Don't spare me! Just kill me already!"
"I don't plan on sparing you."
Grimwald looked up to see Wrock handing him an object. It looked like a lily, but made of a blue flame. Looking at it warily Grimwald asked, "What is it?"
"One of the few things that float on the surface of the Pool of Iterations. It will carry your soul to a better rebirth. An usher to a greater new life."
"What's the catch?"
"Catch? There isn't one. This is the greatest honor I could bestow upon my opponents. The only thing you have to do is accept it."
Grimwald grit his teeth and struggled to lift his hand. Wrock placed it onto his palm. Despite it being made of fire, it felt warm.
Looking at it closer Grimwald asked, "What makes you think I'll just let you do what you please with this?"
"Stubborn until the end eh? Well you can choose to decline, but it ends the same. Difference is; with this you have a chance of a more fortunate life."
A sigh escaped Grimwald, "What do I do with it?"
"The manner of accepting doesn't matter. As long as you accept it within your heart. I've seen people eat it, crush it, hold it close to their hearts. You choose what you want I suppose."
Grimwald closed his eyes and gently lowered his forehead onto the lily. He felt the warmth spread across his body, like a warm blanket in the cold. He felt at ease despite his inevitable end. He felt like a death like this wasn't that bad at all.
Wrock watched as Grimwald's body turned to ash. He murmured, "Perhaps in your next life you won't be forced into such circumstances."
Wrock then left the area, fully intending to heal and recover before confronting Perina.
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