MTLNOVEL Chapter 127: A clash that shakes the world
—WOOM!
A massive column of violet fire blasts into the sky from the peak of a towering mountain in Iceland's frozen heart, like a volcanic eruption.
The surrounding peaks are wiped away, an entire mountain range reduced to molten rubble.
In the middle of this burning wasteland, Akashi and Cassian stand a hundred meters apart, facing each other.
A shroud of pure black smoke coils around Cassian's body—so dark it reflects no light at all. True shadows.
«Blood Word lv.4: Deathorns!»
The ground beneath Cassian shatters for dozens of meters in every direction. Hundreds of razor-sharp spikes erupt from below, converging on him from all sides.
Not a single one pierces through.
The constant dark mist around him stops them cold, as if they've struck an indestructible black fabric—warping under the impact, but never breaking.
Cassian suddenly spreads his arms wide, and the shadows flood outward, coating the land as far as the eye can see.
Everywhere Akashi looks, the world is gone—replaced by an endless mantle of absolute black.
He leaps high into the air, dozens of meters up, arm extended toward Cassian.
«Blood Word lv.5: Destray!»
It's a vastly stronger version of Blood Word lv.1, Burst.
A colossal fuchsia beam erupts from his hand, widening into a cone that grows broader with every meter—so destructive it disintegrates even the air itself.
In an instant, it's too wide to dodge, even at the limit of speed, swallowing Cassian whole and detonating in a cataclysmic blast.
The inverted cone of energy bores deep into the earth, and from the enormous crater, magma wells up from hundreds of kilometers below.
The entire island shudders under the force—earthquakes and tsunamis erupt across Iceland.
Yet Cassian still stands, cloaked in his impenetrable darkness.
Even so, the toll is clear—surviving that attack has drained a massive amount of his energy.
«Now I see why you betrayed me…» Cassian mutters nervously. «I never imagined the Eye of the Fallen-One could grant such power. At this point, I can't even blame you—if I were you, I'd have done anything to take it for myself.»
Akashi shakes his head.
«The Eye of the Fallen-One isn't the goal. It's only the means—the only way to kill someone who can manipulate Nyratalir's shadow magic. My betrayal was planned five years ago. I was just waiting for the right moment,» Akashi replies, voice cold and flat.
«So… you're an infiltrator, am I right? Did the Vampire King send you? Don't tell me… you really killed your family to join the Cult of the Primordial Shadow, committing countless crimes under my orders just to get the chance to eliminate me? I'll admit, I've never seen anyone as dutiful as you. If you'd put that dedication into serving the Cult, we'd already have captured the two hybrids.»
«Sacrificing my father and mother was a small price compared to the countless lives that will be saved by your death.»
«So your family are just numbers to you… Cold, calculating, no hesitation in giving up what you hold most dear for a slim chance at completing your mission. And now, you even hold divine power, granted by the strongest dark emissary to ever exist. Akashi Chihane… you really are the perfect war machine. I won't deny I'll feel a bit of regret killing you!»
Cassian raises his arms skyward.
From the boundless mantle of shadows covering everything, thousands of long, clawed hands rise all around Akashi, crashing down on him.
Claws slash from every direction—there's no way for Akashi to dodge or block them all. The shadow mantle covers the entire island, and at every corner those arms emerge to strike.
They shred him again and again, his body breaking apart into a cloud of fuchsia energy. After nearly a minute, the assault stops, and the particles making up Akashi's body—like tiny rose petals—converge to a single point, restoring him instantly.
But like Cassian earlier, he hasn't escaped unscathed.
Both have launched one true attack and defended against one, yet they already seem drained from the short but intense clash.
At such levels of power, immense energy is needed just to block blows capable of leveling entire nations.
Cassian spent a massive amount to withstand the Blood Word lv.5, Destray, and Akashi just as much to remain intangible for over a minute.
Their attempts to end the fight with a single strike have failed, and repeating such an attack would be too dangerous—both know it well.
Blood drips from Akashi's palm, hardening into his signature dagger.
Then… he vanishes before Cassian's eyes, charging at blinding speed.
He thrusts, but the shadow veil intervenes in time, sliding between them before the strike lands.
The moment Cassian's gaze finds him, Akashi vanishes again—this time attacking from above.
But once more, the shadows shield the old sorcerer.
They aren't controlled by Cassian; they move on their own, as if alive.
Given his age and slower reflexes, Cassian couldn't command them with such perfect timing if they weren't acting independently.
Finally, Akashi reappears, just a few steps away—almost face to face.
«You almost make me feel sorry for you, Cassian,» Akashi says darkly, shaking his head with disdain. «You're nothing more than a mediocre mage who happened to be born into one of the twelve families chosen by Nyratalir's daughters. Without the protection you're abusing—the shadows granted by the daughter of Nyratalir that dwells in your Rithzargul—you'd be nothing. It's no wonder you're a gnat compared to the other eleven high priests of the cult.»
«Pretty hypocritical, coming from someone who's keeping up with me only thanks to stolen power!» Cassian growls.
«If my Eye bothers you, we can fight without using borrowed powers—you without the shadows from Nyratalir's daughter, me without the Eye. But something tells me you won't agree. In that case, the gap between us would become unbridgeable,» Akashi smirks.
«Insolent brat! I… I won't let anyone insult my strength, not anymore! Akashi… this outrage will not go unpunished, I swear it! Until now, I've only been toying with you! But from this moment, I'll fight for real! I'll make you crawl at my feet, I swear it!»