[VOID CENTRAL ARMY]
The Alliance defense formation had shifted to a diagonal line with the left flank falling back, the center unchanged, and the right flank standing its ground.
Swords, spears, and arrows met shields in a thundering roar. Fire, ice, lightning and light magic filled the void as explosions and eruptions illuminated the space around them. Magic met magic in a molten mesh of mana.
The battle turned into a spectacle of color as powers collide on the field. It felt like fighting inside a thunderstorm with bright lights and deafening sounds filling the Void.
The Monarchs, Rulers, and Alliance Generals were effective in their lead. They dispatched quick and precise orders as they maneuvered their forces to meet the Empire's onslaught. Outnumbered, the Alliance soldiers were emboldened by high morale provided by their commanders fighting by their side.
Jinwoo easily defeated and killed the two Itarim who dared to challenge him. However, in doing so Jinwoo failed to notice an important detail taking place across the battlefield.
"My liege, the left flank continues to be under pressure…should I redeploy some of our forces to aid them?" Beru asked.
"No…the Empire is not trying to flank us." Jinwoo answered cooly as he resumed command of his army.
He continued, "this attack…it's a smoke screen…they are trying to misdirect our formation and outmaneuver us."
As he said those words, Jinwoo felt a powerful and familiar aura. He looked across the enemy's frontline and his gaze locked onto a familiar figure.
Ra.
Ra's gaze quickly swept over the battlefield…scanning for someone or something.
The two locked eyes for a moment.
Ra smirked at Jinwoo and said too softly to be heard…but clear enough to be understood, "until next time."
Ra faded away into the Void along with his army. Only a remnant continued to attack the Alliance's forces.
[NORTH EMPIRE – RA'S CASTLE – THRONE ROOM]
Siri launched a violent assault on Suho and Thalia simultaneously. The sound of their swords clashing rang loud like thunder strikes.
The Itarim swung his sword at Thalia with his left hand. Thalia quickly blocked the strike, but Siri followed up by using his right hand to punch Thalia in the face knocking her back.
As Thalia flew backwards, Siri unleashed a series of sword slashes which appeared to cut the air. Thalia recovered her footing but immediately felt "invisible swords" slashing at her shoulders and arms. She felt blood trickling down her body and arms. Looking down, she noticed countless small slashes on her body.
Siri managed to push Suho back against a pillar…then he performed a series of sword strikes that appeared to cut the air. A moment later, Thalia noticed that Suho was bleeding from cuts on his arms and legs. In addition, the pillar where Suho was pushed against also had similar cuts and slashes.
The injuries to both fighters were minor and were easily healed by Thalia.
["We blocked those attacks…yet he managed to cut us…I think it's a special skill or his Authority."] Thalia said to Suho.
["Yes, I think so too."] Suho replied.
The two remained quite thinking for a moment, replaying the last attacks.
["I have an idea, attack from a distance using Astra and buy me some time…there is something I want to see"] Suho said.
Thalia ran opposite to Suho and launched an avalanche of Astra beams. In response, Siri unleashed a barrage of sword strike that cut down all the Astra beams with ease. Meanwhile, Suho powered up and unleashed.
DRAGON'S BREATH
A potent lava-filled breath capable of burning even the strongest metal.
Undeterred, Siri did not bother to dodge or evade the oncoming fire attack. Rather, he confidently grabbed his sword with both hands and delivered a powerful sword strike aimed at the Dragon's Breath.
The lava-breath and invisible sword strike collide in mid-air. Suho and Thalia watched as the sword strike "erased" the Dragon's Breath.
["Did you see that? He didn't "block" the attack…rather he cut through it."] Suho said as he analyzed the situation carefully.
Having fought on the frontlines with his father, Suho knew the extent of his power and his skills…and he knew that Dragon's Breath was not an attack that could be countered easily. This confirmed his suspicion.
["It's his Authority…he cut my attack with his Authority."] Suho concluded.
["There is more happening. I saw the whole thing. Siri's sword strike managed to tear space…that made it appear as if he "cut" the Dragon's Breath. In reality, it's the space between that was severed."] Thalia replied.
Siri unleashed a torrent of sword strikes…each strike cutting through space inflicting minor cuts on Thalia and Suho even from a great distance. The two rushed to close the gap between them and their opponent while dodging the invisible air strikes.
A savage melee clash ensued with all three fighters attacking, dodging, and parrying. The battle quickly turned into a one-sided match with Siri dominating. Thalia and Suho were fighting with a big disadvantage…not only did they have to worry about the physical sword, they also had to dodge or evade the invisible sword strikes that followed.
["Suho…I have an idea…but it's risky"] Thalia said as she explained her bold idea.
Thalia jumped far back and shouted "CREATION"!
She proceeded to create an enormous Dragon Bone Shield that completely covered her body. The shield provided cover while she powered up and launched countless Astra attacks.
Siri laughed as he shouted, "foolish girl! That won't stop me!"
With both hands on his sword, the Itarim delivered an ultra-powerful sword slash…the invisible power of the strike rang loud as it "cut" through Thalia's shield like a hot knife though butter.
Immediately after, Thalia's body collapsed to the ground completely severed in half. The body quickly faded and dissolved into nothing.
Suho screamed "NOOO!"
He launched himself with all his strength in blind rage towards Siri and unleashed:
TRUE MUTALATION
Suho's blades cut through the air at dazzling speed. The Itarim countered every single strike…still Suho relentlessly pressed his attack delivering thousands…perhaps millions of strikes in rapid succession.
Siri laughed uncontrollably with glee as he counted every attack.
He shouted, "it's useless…I am the Sword Itarim…you can't defeat me! I will kill you like I killed your little girlfriend!"
Just then, Siri's eyes grew wide. He looked down and to his horror he saw a cutlass pierced straight through his "heart".
He turned his head back in disbelief.
"I killed you…how…how are you alive?" The Itarim said as blood poured out of his mouth and chest.
"Your Authority is impressive and can cut through anything…but it can't cut through my Domain. You see my domain is not part of this reality...that means your sword can't cut through it." Thalia said to the dying Itarim.
"So you created a shield as a diversion while you hid in your domain…my sword strike cut down a hollow replica you created…is that it?" The Itarim said in a weakened voice.
"Yes, you were so confident in your victory that you failed to see reality." Thalia replied.
"Your victory defeated you." Suho said coldly as he unleashed:
TRUE MUTILATION
A moment later Siri vanished into nothing
"Let's go save you father." Suho said.
[…]
The two quickly reached the prison. It felt incredibly big…perhaps it was augmented by the fact that the prison was empty except for one lone prisoner lying on the ground.
"Father! Father! It's me!!! I'm here! I'm here!" Thalia shouted in desperation as she picked his head up off the ground. Nestling it on her lap.
Vidar opened his eyes but struggled to focus them. The exertion of seeing was too great for someone in a weakened state. He collected his strength to speak.
"Thalia? Is that really you?" He asked in a low voice.
"It's me…I'm here…I'm really here! I came to save you." Thalia whispered as tears ran down her face.
"I knew you would come…the other prisoners vanished into nothing long ago, but I held on. I willed myself to hang on just to see you." Vadar said as he smiled weakly.
RE-CREATION!
RE-CREATION!
RE-CREATION!
"Why is my power not working?" Thalia said angrily.
"It's too late for that…my core is beyond repair…I'm only here by a thread." Vidar said as his remaining lifeforce quickly diminished.
"Tell your mother that I love her." He said as he struggled to clear his throat.
"Thalia…you are and always will be my goddess. I love you."
With those words Vidar faded away.
As Thalia broke down in ceaseless tears, Suho held her close.