Requiem Online: Synergy

Chapter Nineteen: Samael's Anger

With the events of the Hunter still fresh in his mind, Johnathan knew that if he challenged the Hunter again, he would certainly die. Johnathan would die and the Hunter would succeed at his goal. This tidbit was evident to everyone around him, but it was evident to Samael most of all.

Samael had been studying Johnathan since he joined the Raven Hawks. Examining his strength, speed, and leadership skills, Samael wanted to become strong like him. Samael wanted to challenge Johnathan since the very moment he joined as a chance to redeem himself, but Johnathan was far too strong for him, or at least he was.

"Enough of this! I am tired of sitting around waiting to recover while the Hunter is out there doing God knows what!" Samael raised his voice in anger.

"Calm down, Samael! All this anger isn't helping matters."

"Bear is right, mate. All this hoopla about what the Hunter may or may not be doing, isn't going to help us any." Zayne said.

"No, it won't, but the weakness on Johnathan's part will definitely bring us down!"

"My weakness?! If I remember correctly, I am the only one that was brave enough to charge the Hunter. You were just sitting there, while I charged him!"

"Brave?! More like stupid! He could've killed you just as easily as I could kill a fly. Rushing him without knowing his power was reckless and could've gotten all of us killed. You want to lead us? Then lead by example or I will!"

"Are you challenging me for leadership, Samael? I've beaten you before, and I will do it again."

"You know what? Yeah, I am challenging you. As a member of the Zodiac Warriors, I declare my right to challenge!"

"I accept your challenge. First one to lose 99% of their health loses, do you agree?"

"Fine, I agree."

"Samael, Johnathan. You don't need to do this, tempers are high, but this is pointless. What's done is done, the past is only a memory." Minerva said, trying to call the fight off.

"We have declared the challenge, there is no backing down in the Zodiac Warriors. If he wants to be leader, he will have to beat me for the position." Johnathan said, pulling out Mars in the process.

The remaining members all gathered on the wall of the cavern to watch the fantastic spectacle that was about to take place.

In their previous fight Johnathan defeated Samael with one move, but this Samael was different. He was more focused, more alert than ever, he was stronger. The man in front of Johnathan was not the same Samael he had fought all those months ago.

As customary, the two crossed their swords in a warriors promise to go all-out. Both fighters jumped back to get their distance before lunging at each other at the same time. Their swords connected with each other with a metallic scream launching sparks as they impacted. They pushed back into each other with all their power, but neither gave an inch.

They jumped back again to regain their distance. Again, they lunged and again, they collided. Johnathan planned to use his Flames as a burst of power to get the upper hand, but Samael saw it coming and kicked Johnathan away before he got the chance to. Johnathan rushed Samael with a vicious cacophony of swings and slashes, but Samael maneuvered out of harm's way of each attempted strike. Johnathan swung Mars again, but this time Samael deflected it and counterattacked, cutting Johnathan's shoulder. Samael attacked again, cutting the shoulder once more.

Being kicked back with vicious force, Johnathan dropped Mars.

"It's over Johnathan. Concede so we can end this already!"

"No! If you want to win this, you're going to have do it with your own sword. I'm not going to surrender to you or to anyone else! I am the Demon of Mellion! I am the leader of the Zodiac Warriors! I AM JOHNATHAN KING AND I DO NOT CONCEDE TO ANYONE!"

An aura of red mist began to surround Johnathan. As the aura grew in power, it began to create sparks. These sparks ignited the mist, covering Johnathan's body in a veil of fire. As the fire covered his body, features that resemble a dragon began to emerge. His teeth sharpened to a point, the flames formed horns on top of his head, claws of fire grew from his fingertips. Soon, he resembled a humanoid version of the very dragon he killed to get his Draconian Flame ability.

Johnathan held out his hand and Mars gravitated towards him with a sharp ching. Mars, now covered in the new Flames, began to change shape. The blade and handle of the sword began to grow. As the handle grew longer, the blade began to curve. The broadsword had turned into a scythe, complete with a fiery tip.

"What is this? How are you doing that?!" Yelled Samael.

Johnathan didn't respond with words, instead he responded with a vicious yell. He lunged towards Samael, who prepared to defend himself. Johnathan's stats had nearly tripled, resulting in a monstrous speed that Samael couldn't keep up with. Before Samael knew what happened, Johnathan kicked him into the wall. Continuing his crazed assault, Johnathan dropped his weapon and began to beat Samael into the wall with his bare hands. Samael's chest plate was destroyed and his bare chest was now exposed. Johnathan grabbed Samael by his arm and slung him into the wall on the other side of the cavern. With a lightning quick movement, Johnathan reached Samael at his moment of impact. Johnathan grabbed Samael's head and began to headbutt him relentlessly until Samael was a bloody heap on the cavern floor.

"Johnathan, it's over you won, now calm down before you kill him!" Bear yelled, but his words fell on deaf ears.

Johnathan retrieved the scythe and prepared to deliver the final blow. He looked at Samael, who was wearing a mask of blood. His limp body was posed in a seated position, almost as if he was relaxing against the cavern wall. The peaceful look on his face as he accepted his fate, brought back memories of Elaina, who had the same look on her face as she died in Johnathan's arms.

With the memories snapping Johnathan back to reality, the flames began to dissipate and both he and Mars returned to normal. Exhausted, Johnathan collapsed. Though victorious, Johnathan had lost who he was over his pride.