The Beginning of the End

The view before them was a nightmare made reality. Screams of despair and hopelessness echoes throughout the city, accompanied by bright flashes of light and sounds of destruction. Chaos caused by the rampaging of the corrupted Alicia.

Souma grabs Reiji's jacket, his fist clenched so tight that the jacket activated its self repair feature. "What have you done?"

The capital was alight, burning with purple fire. Civilians that had hid indoors now run amuck amongst the street, desperately fleeing the carnage. The horrendous vision reflected of the eyes of Reiji, as Souma raises him off the floor.

"Let go." He answers calmly, his hands prying Souma's fingers off his favorite jacket.

Vaelen's scaly hands press down on Souma's shoulders calming him. "Now's not the time for this. We need to help the civilians escape. Soon the corrupted will rise inside the city."

Reluctantly, Souma lets go as he joins the Gryphon party rushing into the city to help the civilians alongside the Knights of the empire.

Nraltia hesitates between Reiji and the others, unsure of what to do. Reiji simply nods at her, encouraging her to go help the others. With one last final glance, she runs off after the others.

"You could have told them." Alicia's voice echoes in his thoughts. "They would have understand."

"No. We agreed didn't we?" Reiji answers the translucent Alicia besides him. "That this is the only way I would agree to your plan."

With a look filled with sadness, Alicia nods before disappearing. "Very well."

Dashing off in a different direction, Reiji rushes towards the source of the chaos, heading in the direction of the destruction. Passing ruined buildings and destroyed houses, worse yet was the crushed bodies of civilians who failed to escape in time, their blood dying the streets of Celestoria blood red.

Gritting his teeth, Reiji speeds up, vowing to himself, following the directions given to him by Alicia.

Catching up to the rampaging corrupted Alicia, Reiji immediately launches into his attack.

Activating Blitz, he appears by her side, unleashing a Rending Strike into her sides. His black and white Ki flaring up around him, as he drives his fist into her ribs, creating a resounding crack.

Letting loose a barrage of strikes, he follows up with a Stunning Blow, the axe kick dropping down onto the Saintess shoulder. Flipping back from the recoil, he unleashes a charged Beast Fang, drilling the Ki blast into the Saintess body. 

A cloud of dust erupts, as Reiji slides back from the skills he unleashed. The Saintess doesn't even flinch, as her cold gaze turns towards him, a single wave of her hand dispersing the dust cloud.

"Tch. What a monster." Reiji grumbles.

"At least she's focused on you now." Alicia's voice rings in his thoughts. 

The corrupted saint charges towards him, forming a purple blade out of mana, she slices diagonally down towards him, faster than he thought possible.

"!" 

Unable to dodge or guard, Reiji unleashes an attack of his own, punching out with Ki covered fist, not having time to activate a skill.

His iron fist clash against the blade, a resounding clang as if metal against metal rings outs as the blows cancel each other. Reiji smirks confidantly as he narrowly escapes the surprise attack.

"Look out!" Alicia warns, but it's too late.

A series of light flashes, as the Saintess appears behind him, turning him into a fountain of blood, as multiple large cuts appear on his body.

Gritting his teeth, Reiji pirouettes, unleashing a barrage of Ki Bullets, trying to buy time as he activates his Ki Heal. The Saintess swings her blade, her legendary swordsmanship showing as she deflects and slices his Ki Bullets.

Swinging her other hand, a beam of molten energy shoots out at him, melting the streets and building around them. Roliing out of the way, he retalliates with an uppercut, enforced with Howling Storm, causing her face to fling upwards.

Flying backwards, to lessen the impact, she counters with a lightning fast reverse cut, creating a sharp arc of light, drawing another burst of blood from him.

"Ugh. She's an absolute monster." Reiji complains as he is sent rolling backwards.

"It may be corrupted, but that thing still has access to all of my skills. Just be glad we were able to seal away my magic abilities using the unsealing ritual." 

"Right." Wiping the blood from his Chin, Reiji bounces back to his feet, once again closing the distance with Blitz. Activating Rage, alongside his Ki Heal, Reiji unleashes a Rending Strike, followed by a Howling Storm, both skills easily blocked by the Saintess sword skills.

The two continue trading attacks, their barrage of skills brushing against one another. Deflecting and parrying each other, the resounding shockwave reducing the building's debris into rubble and ash.

Gritting his teeth, Reiji feints with Beast Fang, luring the Saintess to destroy it with a sword skill. Knocking the sword away with a Howling Storm, he unleashes his strongest skill into the Saintess, using Final Impact. 

The Saintess counters, pirouetting to the side, forming a sword in each hand, as she unleashes her own powerful skill, violet flames wrap around her swords, as she bisects through Reiji's skills. Shooting him into a nearby building, collapsing it on top of him, his trail of blood burnt away in the air by her violet flames.

"So this is what a true hero is capable of..." 

"...Reiji."

"It's fine. I'm still standing." He panted, thankful that he was communicating with Alicia telepathically, and not verbally.

"How much longer?"

"The connection is still forming, I'm not sure how long until it's ready."

"Guess I'll just have to tough it out..." Digging his way out, his battered body screams in protest, barely held together by his stubborness. Managing to stay alive only due to his Ki Heal and his unyielding spirit. "I'm not about to kick the bucket just yet..."

Slapping his cheeks, Reiji roars out his frustration, his extinguished aura flaring up again. Locking his eyes on his prey infront of him, Reiji grins through blood stained teeth. "Come on you monster, its time for round two."