S-ORIGINS | By ShadowNTS

(Era of War III) Blitz Duel.

An odd feeling succumbs the entire earth. Shivers shock each persons' body. Cero and Gerson both look towards their fellow partners, but they've disappeared. Cero pushes Gerson away and rushes to the spot where Antoinette was standing.

CRO: No! Antoinette!
GRS: Always tragic losing someone dear to you.
CRO: You shut it!

Cero turns around and zips across the battlefield. Gerson barely manages to block Ceros' strike, pushing him back a safe distance.

GRS: (His speed just now...)
CRO: How can you speak so easy without knowing the pain I'm going through?!

Cero continues to dash forwards and swing his katana ruthlessly. Gerson goes on the defensive and ducks under the swing, before tying a rope on his opponents' leg.

GRS: (Good thing I have my sickle and rope.)

Gerson pulls the rope and trips Cero, who falls onto the ground. He gets back up and stares into Gersons' eyes with the intent of revenge. He dashes forwards and thrusts his katana inwards. Gerson clashes his sickle with the edge of the katana and moves it out of the way, but Cero rotates the blade and swings it upwards, getting rid of the sickle and leaving an opening to attack. Gerson tries to block, but Cero with immense precision, thrusts his blade through Gersons' soul. To Ceros' surprise, Gerson grabs him by the throat and delivers a devastating punch to the jaw. Cero backs up.

CRO: It's over. Your soul has been striked through.
GRS: Don't be so hasty.
CRO: (What is this ominous feeling?!)
GRS: After all, you're dealing with monsterkinds' black sheep.

Realization kicks in. Ceros' eyes widen.

CRO: Black sheep?! So you're the rumored warrior command gave us info on.
GRS: That checks out.
CRO: Personally, I don't find you that scary. In the end, you possess no soul power!
GRS: Just come and see for yourself.

Among monsterkinds' various families, few stand out as powerful in their souls' capabilities. Such is the one Gerson came from, until he was shunned out and exiled for possessing no soul power. Descent is something taken very seriously in the world, and such, "curses" and "blessings" are born, with the example of Gerson. Except he refused to let the curse decide the life before him, and so he broke free. Now the world bears witness to the monster who left it all behind and his overwhelming power. Gerson leans forwards and vanishes from sight. Cero looks confused.

CRO: No technique was used... then that means, it's sheer speed?!

Gerson appears in the corner of Ceros' eye, and digs his sickle deep into his lower back. Cero shrieks in pain, but endures through it and grabs the rope, pulling Gerson closer in order to attack. He swings his katana, but to his surprise, Gerson grabs the edge with his bare hands and crushes it to pieces, before hitting Cero with a strong right hook. Cero is crashed against the cliffs' side. He pants as he barely musters up the strength to stand back up.

GRS: Earlier you said that I don't understand your pain. Listen up, a long time ago I was filled with the sharp sense of revenge. I slaughtered my family until none were left, because they threw me out like garbage. So answer me this, what was that girl to you?
CRO: *pant* My wife and daughter both died in labor, so when Antoinette stumbled upon my doorstep, after she was left by her family, I took her in. I treated her like the daughter I never had.

Gersons' gaze softens.

GRS: This war has taken too many lives already and it'll take more.
CRO: My only brother is at risk if this goes on any longer.
GRS: What's your name..?
CRO: Cero... Cero Lyst.
GRS: Nice to have met you, Cero.

Gerson thrusts Ceros' katana through his own soul, before dropping to the ground, lifeless. Cero looks down on the body before him.

CRO: We'll be meeting soon, Antoinette.

Cero sits down and leans on the side of the cliff, gently closing his eyes and taking one last breath. Both fierce warriors have fallen.

End of Chapter 3
"Blitz Duel"

[ Cero and Gerson have fallen. ]

-- Extra Soul Trivia! --
-- Did ya know? --
Cero got scared by Antoinette once because she accidentally existed twice at the same time.