Astral Flow

Chapter 63

An uncomfortable silence filled the void between Shade and Phantasia as neither one moved a single inch, though it was still clear they were in completely different leagues.

Phantasia seemed uninterested in the entire prospect of a fight, however the fact that he had survived glimpsing the infinite was intriguing.

Shade on the other hand was readying himself for any outcome, he was strong... but Phantasia was beyond strength, one wrong move and this life was over, she could easily destroy this entire city just by raising her hand.

None of his spells would work either, for her resistance was comparable to that of a divine entity.

This was one fight he knew he could not win.

Out of all the opponents he'd faced she was the one who'd always claimed his life.

All he could do now was hope for a desirable outcome, he had to buy enough time for them after all.

"What are you waiting for?!" Shade shouted, forcing a brave front as he readied his blade again. "Can't figure out what curse to use?!"

No response, only the strange melting and swirling face gazing back at him.

Then, in one fluid motion, she brings her hands together and sends one skyward while the other falls down to the earth.

Silver streaks follow her hands, magic the likes of which the world has not seen in eons being performed in this moment as reality distorts and life begins to appear where there had been none previously.

Flowers blooming all around them, grass growing taller than before, even the magic seems to purify and become easier to breathe.

Where Phantasia once stood was now a creature of similar height composed of smooth pale white flesh, bearing four arms and no face as well.

It was unmistakably a creature of chaos but it seemed different, more human than the rest.

Hesitation ran through Shade's being as he tried to figure out what he was seeing, he'd fought everything and everyone at least once before... or so he thought.

This cycle was showing he still didn't know enough, that deeper secrets lurked just out of reach.

And now for his arrogance he faced an unknown foe summoned by one of the biggest threats to existence itself.

Should he run? Let someone else gauge this threat? No, doing that would just further muddy this cycle.

If he wanted to stay on course he'd have to fight this himself.

He couldn't help but feel some ounce of fear though as he kept his gaze focused upon it, for not a single support spell could tell him anything.

It was as if this creature could block all magic within its radius-

"That's it..." Shade muttered as he drew his sword, a smirk forming on his face "That's what this is, I never knew something like you could exist in this world." Slowly he raised his blade, knowing this would be the ultimate test of his skill.

The faceless creature began its march over to him, each step clearing away more mana, purifying the land around it in an instant.

It wasn't blocking the mana, it was absorbing it, cleaning it, purifying the world around it with each step... meaning any and all magic directed at it would be useless.

No spell would work on this creature, all that he could do is fight with every last ounce of strength he had.

Quiet Shade takes in a breath and looks down at his blade. "Let's put you to the ultimate test, see if you're truly as good as she made you out to be..." steadily he looks back up, locking onto the faceless once more before dashing in, ready to strike quickly.