Chapter 21: In the court of the king

Winter had worked his way into the council through his own hard work, he had known Clover and Cass when the three of them were still members of the royal adventurers and worked there way up the ranks together, although Clover was the first of the three to become council members with Cass being last, and then he and Clover were able to become royal commanders. Winter was confident in his strength, that was before he was pitted against this man-no, this thing was beyond human and abyssal, to contest two council members like its nothing is no simple feat.

A strange question lingered on my mind, and out of curiosity I asked, “ Your name,” I call out, strangely it hesitates for a slight moment causing it to block Clovers attack instead, and in this Clover was able to deal a strike directly at its helm, an ice spike piercing through the metal of the helmet but missing the abyssal, in piercing the front of the helmet she was able to duck out of it. Normally those turned by Onyx would have their bodies morphed if they weren’t strong enough while those who could withstand it simply gained power and their tone of skin shifted to a blackish-blue shade, and yet shes human, her crimson eyes analyzing us both for movement, her black hair flowing down as it had been tucked away in her helmet.

“ My name,” she speaks, her voice hoarse, as if speaking for the first time in months, “ is Astra, champion of Onyx,” she speaks. I knew it, there was no way Onyx wouldn’t have a champion guarding his chambers, and her strength backed up this claim, according to Caelus the champion he fought was strong, and the two he had fought during the world raid five years ago were champions of the first king, were on similar levels of strength as Astra, perhaps Astra was stronger than those two, although it seemed my skills had dulled ever so slightly. “ For a champion of Onyx you sure look human, doesn’t the power of the abyss corrupt non-abyssals? “ Clover asks, keeping her guard up, as was Astra, “ The power of the king only distorts those who are unable to withstand the power, my affinity allowed me to remain human,” She says, “ enough with this, once im done with you two I’ll kill the others that escaped, none shall disturb the king,” Astra says calmly breaking into a lunge as she continues her attack, Clover is able to block most of them, the sharp sword piercing her armor only leaving cuts behind, my interference allowed for Clover to rest. Winter had somewhat of a good understanding of Astras attacks, he was able to defend with more accuracy than before but he would remain on the defense until he can find an opening. Eventually it would go back to being a two on one with the two remaining on defense with no opening in sight, they’d have to make one. Clover would attempt to apply pressure by using a series of ice attacks on top of my own attacks, I would act as bait to get Astra to focus on me, to get her to think Clover was out only for her to freeze the blade itself mid swing, clover also had a good mastery over her power allowing her to tap into a stronger source, the ice she used to freeze the blade was significantly stronger than normal, with this we were able to create an opening long enough to get one good hit in, cutting through her chest armor a small cut is left, but that was all, Astra was able to break the ice using sheer strength she staggers back, something was wrong. She touches the the wound that ran diagonally along her chest, “ I always knew my connection to the kings power was weakened because of it, perhaps I’ll use it to end you, Winter of the Council,” Astra proclaims, looking from her blood covered hand to me, even though my name was never stated once throughout the course of this battle which wasn’t important, her gaze suddenly intensified sending a shiver down Winters spine forcing him to take a step back unconsciously, he was all too familiar with this, in fact it wasn’t too long ago when he felt it. When Caelus declared he would defeat Onyx Winter had felt this exact way, Astra had an affinity to darkness and her mastery over it was strong, and ironically this chaotic power is what kept her human. The two of my companions had great mastery over their respective affinities, but so did I, although I haven’t used it in awhile, it would seem necessary to do so if I wished to walk out of here alive.

“COME TO ME CHAMPIONS OF EARTH, WE END THIS NOW,” Boomed Onyx as we reached what seemed to be his quarters. Onyx was up to end this fight here and now, I made sure I was ready before facing him, I had given the ring to Cass since it would’ve been wasted on me, not having light energy and all, oh well. Onyx was behind another set of doors that opened on their own. There he stood, at the back of the grand open chamber, there were no walls making the planet NEST visible, Im able to see him better now with this room being brighter, he was tall, maroon platings lined his body except for his left side, it was a bright pink in color, different from rest of his body, but it turns out it was part of his skin, small gaps underneath reveal a layer of skin, the thick plating was like a built in armor, he was staring at me with his dark red eyes, as if I would drop dead if he stared hard enough, he shifted his focus to Cass. His jagged sword now unsheathed, it looked as if it had seen thousands of battles prior and he had no time to fix it, or he chose not to, and this one would be its last. “ Its been awhile since we last fought, although that one was able to put up more of a fight than you,” Onyx says pointing his blade from me to Cass, “ have you come for revenge, commander,” Onyx continues, “ oh right, its councilman now, although I outrank you this time,” Onyx continues his taunts, but we remained at a standoff as we both stood waiting for the other to make a move, which would be Cass firing another condensed void blast at Onyx to lunging forward at him with incredible speed that Onyx was barely able to block. I plan to preserve my power by wielding a regular sword instead of the spear since drawing out its most would require most of my energy, we exchange blows as Onyx is able to hold up surprisingly well against us two. I was able to strike back more efficiently thanks to the experience I gained against Agrai and the agent but I didn’t have enough strength, and against someone like Onyx it seemed like I gained nothing over the course of those few weeks. Onyx’s heavy blade shatters mine and he kicks me back, he returned his focus onto Cass as if he was trying to settle an old grudge. The two were going at it, they were almost on par but it seemed Onyx had the slight edge over Cass, “I wont make the same mistake as last time, you die today!” Cass yells manifesting the veridiant only this time there was a pauldron, the faint light coming from the arm was more noticeable now which was worrying, it would be bad if Cass lost it right now, his strength had increased as his swings became faster than before, Onyx seemed more than thrilled at this as he too ramped up his power. In turn I materialize the spear, the low shift of the spearhead taking shape I lunge into battle instead of spectating, and if what Winter said was true then Cass wouldn’t last very long before the voided whatever it was he said tries to take control, Im able to intercept a strike from Onyx by swinging the spear and having it clash against the jagged steel slightly staggering Onyx allowing for Cass to leave a small cut in his armor plating skin thing. Onyx seemed he to have had enough forcing the both of us to back up after emitting a similar type of shield around the gates, It pushed us back to the door, unable to stand properly I find myself kneeling, Onyx seemed to have found this amusing. I was able to regain my breath and steady my footing, but I can’t afford to hold back now, I draw on that dark power as it trickles down from my arm and into the spear, Onyx is confused at the sight of this as if I’m not supposed to have it. I can feel my body get light as this power take hold, I charge at Onyx catching him off guard and pushing him back in one strike, “Finally! You are truly worthy of fighting the King of the Abyss!” Onyx booms, “I will shatter what little hope your kingdom has by killing you here!” he yells. I manage to imbed the spear with more power, the spearhead glowing a dark red. The spear gave me more of an edge due to its lightweight nature, slamming the spear into his side, unfortunately Onyx was able to force the entire strike into his blade forcing the jagged metal to absorb the force of my strike, and on cue, Cass on the other side had his swing in motion, a sickening crack echoes the chamber, having taken advantage of his weaker left side Onyx’s left arm plate skin, cracks and breaks off, it broke through the plating and the bone, and it seems in an attempt to block it his left arm was severed. Onyx staggers back away from us, the azure blade had dug itself deep into Onyx’s left side, sticking out of his chest, like he was being drained his skin began to turn gray, the shift converged onto where the sword lay, “ to think the both of you were holding back until now, it seems only fair that I too stop holding back,” Onyx says, suddenly ripping the space behind him with his attached arm, falling back into it along with Cass’ weapon, leaving only his broken armor and severed arm both which start to wither away, and a strange tear in his absence. weird, " Guardian, Cass, don't let Onyx get away, he has warped himself to a place known as the ascended plane, he plans on becoming stronger,” Eren says, “you must go into the tear, it leads to the ascended plane, you don’t have a moment to lose!” Said Eren, we follow her orders, stepping closer to the tear in space it suddenly breaks open and wraps around us, and everything around us changes into a new vast area.