Ansel's heart pounded fiercely as he seized the moment. He managed to plunge Viorenving deep into Fayfiend's back. The creature let out a guttural growl, its massive form shuddering with discomfort as the sharp blade pierced its thick, resilient hide.
Fayfiend's eyes flashed with fury and pain, the sudden intrusion clearly unwelcome. It struggled violently, trying to wrench the sword free from its body. Its powerful muscles flex in desperate attempts to dislodge the weapon.
But Ansel was quick and cunning. He knew that Fayfiend's focus on freeing itself from Viorenving was an opportunity he couldn't waste. Drawing swiftly, Ansel nocked three shimmering arrows forged from the water crystal.
The arrows gleamed with an ethereal blue light, their tips sharp and cold, piercing and freezing. With practiced precision, he loosed them in rapid succession, aiming directly at the writhing creature.
The three crystal arrows streaked through the air, cutting a sharp contrast against the darkened battlefield. Fayfiend's eyes narrowed as it tracked the incoming projectiles. Yet, despite the apparent threat, the creature made no move to dodge or shatter the arrows.
It was as if the fayfiend knew, with absolute certainty, that these arrows would not harm him, yet they melted soon inside the fayfiend's body. The sword embedded in his back was a far more potent source of pain and injury than any of the crystal's frozen shards could ever be.
Ansel understood this too. The water crystal arrows were not meant to kill or seriously wound Fayfiend. They were a distraction, a way to complicate the creature's movements and keep it off balance.
While he focused on the real objective driving Viorenving deeper into Fayfiend's flesh. The crystal arrows were a tactical tool, meant to buy him precious seconds and create openings.
The water crystal, after all, was merely frozen water, an element too fragile to penetrate the impenetrable flesh of an Immortal like Fayfiend. It was not harmful or deadly poison.
It was a distraction.
The sword, however, was a different matter entirely. It was forged with ancient crystal and imbued with power that could pierce even the toughest defenses. The pain it inflicted was raw and undeniable.
Ansel's determination did not waver. He pressed forward relentlessly. He approached Fayfiend. From the back, he pressed deep Viorenving again and again into Fayfiend's back.
Each strike was met with resistance, but also with growing signs of strain from the creature. Finally, the blade broke through the last barrier of Fayfiend's defenses and pierced deep into its body.
For a brief moment, he felt something wrong. The fayfied allowed him to approach. He knew the fayfied could fling him away, like before.
However, this time was different. The fayfiend stayed still, didn't fight back, nor against.
For a moment, the battlefield fell silent except for the ragged breaths of the combatants. Fayfiend's expression twisted in agony, the sword's presence a searing reminder of its vulnerability.
With a sudden, violent motion, Fayfiend yanked Viorenving forward, tearing the sword free from its back. He threw the sword away. While Ansel was still holding on to it.
Ansel was bounced to the ground. The crack of the bones was not severe. The thick coat was enough to secure his body. Literally, it would not be the same if he wore thin clothes. His body was definitely filled with injury. The crack of bones also became severe.
What happened to him was the cost for hs reckless. But it was fine. Though he got what he expected.
Slowly, inexorably, the hole expanded, consuming the creature's flesh and bone. The once-mighty Immortal began to crumble, its form disintegrating into dust that swirled in the air like a dark mist.
It was the miracle that he didn't dare to imagine. A joke when a fake exorcist dared to fight the merely demon.
However, Ansel remained still and lay on the ground. He was too weak to move, and even to breathe.
Deep down, he hoped it was his ending. It made him pleased for real. When he was lying down and stranded alone. When no one came to save him.
Thus he didn't have to worry about anything. Especially his fate to kill Heka. Now, his vision will never happen.
In his unconscious, he was also curious if the portal was still opening. And there, there was Andrew who was waiting for him.
At the same moment, Rhea leapt to him. She approached him and gave him soul delivery. Then, she flew and merged back to viorenving.
Inside Viorenving, the Rhea was safe. A sacred sanctuary where her essence remained protected and she regained her power. This unique bond was the key to their strength against the Immortal.
Unlike ordinary weapons, Viorenving was not just steel and magic. It was a vessel containing Rhea's soul, a Guardian Spirit whose power could truly harm an Immortal's impervious body.
The body of an Immortal was notoriously resilient. No matter how fierce the attack, even the most dangerous weapons forged by humans could barely leave a lasting mark.
Wounds inflicted on an Immortal would close almost instantly, as if time itself healed their flesh. This made them nearly invincible in battle, a nightmare for any warrior who dared to challenge them.
But the presence of a Guardian Spirit changed everything. When a weapon housed such a spirit, it became more than a mere tool. It became a conduit of immense power. Half of the Guardian Spirit's strength and essence resided within the weapon. Amplifying its ability to pierce through the defenses of even the most formidable foes.
This was why Viorenving, with Rhea's soul intertwined within it, was capable of inflicting real damage on Fayfiend.
Ansel regained his consciousness. He knew what had just happened. He was dying already. But Rhea saved him. She gave him soul delivery. Without it, he had died already.
And then, he approached Viorenving. His footsteps steady but filled with reverence. The sword lay on the ground.
Its blade was still gleaming faintly with the residual magic of the battle. He picked it up gently, running his fingers along the hilt and blade to ensure it was unharmed. The sword was intact, its power undiminished.
"Rhea, thank you because you are not hurt. And thank you for saving me." Ansel said softly. His relief was washing over his voice. His eyes reflected a mixture of gratitude and concern.
The thought of losing Rhea, even in spirit form, had weighed heavily on him throughout the fight. Now, knowing she was safe inside Viorenving brought him a deep sense of comfort.