The ride was silent and cold. Oscar held onto the reins of ice, while Isalda held onto him, and Bastle held onto her.
After a few seconds, Oscar felt that he needed to break the silence.
"I get that you're worried Isalda, but you need to be rational. Jisvo's strong-"
"You're not understanding! Who knows who he's put up against!? And to add to that… it was a sneak attack, so we were unprepared. How many soldiers do you think died? How many enemies do you think he's left to fight? This isn't about strength anymore. I have to save him."
Black strands covered her eyes, flowing all about.
Bastle stared at the back of her head from behind. He heard the shaky fervor in her voice. The way her hands rose up and down, moving in passion.
Yet, he wondered one thing.
— What type of expression is she making right now? A sad one? An angry one? Maybe one lacking any emotion.
He analyzed the strands of her hair.
— For some reason, she feels strangely similar to me. Perhaps… she enjoys… what is that?
Bastle's eyes locked onto a flaming rock heading toward the ice dragon.
Fwsh!
It narrowly missed.
Oscar maneuvered in such a way that he avoided the strike.
"Everyone good?" He yelled. Even so high up in the sky, yelling and screaming could be heard. The sound of AHMC cannons, swords clashing.
Smoke rose into the air.
The entire island was in a constant conflict. Worse than anything. There was no time for any breaks.
Crackle!
Thunder was heard from a distance. Dark clouds started to roll in, from seemingly nowhere. Isalda's eyes lit up.
"Oscar! He'll be there! Follow the lightning!"
Oscar nodded.
The dragon quickly changed directions.
Originally, they had headed from the shore, believing that Jisvo would not have moved too far from that location.
Now they had a more accurate method of pinpointing.
Arrows shot past as they flew overhead.
Bastle took in the scenery, his eyes remaining open. It was surprising they had not gone dry.
— I've seen war…. This is a battlefield.
. .
"Woah… you got a power up. Am I supposed to be more intimidated?" Jisvo smirked.
The two stood in the muddy water, staring at each other.
Both of them abandoned their weapons.
Antoine Unahar revealed a new appearance. Bright blue eyes, with his formerly grey hair shifting to a snowy white.
His synchronization had finally settled in. And a blank stare was all he showed.
Jisvo's expression was a lot more playful.
"You're going to die. Shouldn't you take this more seriously?" Antoine asked
"Since you're all powered up, don't you think it's-"
Being dazed, low on mana, and injured, Jisvo had not realized that Antoine was right in front of him.
Psh!
Antoine threw a right hook, striking Jisvo on the cheek.
The strike caused his neck to twist 180 degrees.
With the opposite hand, Antoine punched again. This time, the strike caused his head to return to where it was.
— Did he get… faster?!
Antoine finished with a strike to the gut.
"Keuk!-"
Blood escaped his lips. The force of the strike sent him back.
As soon as he looked up, Antoine was again in front of him.
This time, he prepared a kick, winding back.
Fwsh!
Jisvo ducked, charging forward.
Crash!
They fell into the sand, Jisvo gaining an advantage. He struck Antoine, elbowing him in the forehead.
Antoine squirmed desperately.
The enhancement of his strength allowed him to push Jisvo off.
[Spirit Cast: Triple Wind Claw]
He swiped an open palm at Jisvo.
"Ack!-"
Three claw marks came forward at him, all of them landing.
His shirt was sliced up, along with his skin.
Fwsh!
With a heavy arm, he threw him into the clouds, jumping after him.
Splsh!
Jisvo flew into the clouds. He seemed unbothered by his situation. In fact, looking past the numerous bruises that covered his face, there was a smirk.
With the control of wind mana, Antoine reached Jisvo pretty fast.
Crackle!
"You're pretty dumb. Antoine."
Jisvo grinned.
"Leading me straight into the place where I would dominate. You really aren't that good of a general, huh?"
[Cast: Thunder Daimon: God]
His hands were clasped together.
Instead of descending, Jisvo remained floating.
"I don't think I've ever used this technique. Forcing me to use this, I guess you're pretty good."
Six drums manifested around him, with wooden connecting the drums a ring shape.
His face grew aggressive and devilish.
"Hehehe… the highest peak an Aeloan can reach. This is it."
His arms stretched out.
Antoine stared at him blankly.
— He thinks because he grew a few drums, he'll win?
[Cast: Wind Dash]
Still floating, Antoine zipped toward Jisvo.
Bang!
Jisvo slammed at a drum with a balled fist. A dull sound, yet loud.
[Cast: Lightning]
Crackle!
A horizontal strike of lightning, the width of a human, struck Antoine.
The loud booming of thunder followed, sounding similar to the drum he had banged on.
Antoine fell, while Jisvo descended gracefully.
His armor was shattered and charred.
— That strength… is incomparable to anything he hit me with!
[Cast: Jet Black Drive]
Jisvo came crashing down like a bolt of lightning, sparks of yellow and black electricity surging from his body.
Bsh!
The bottom of his heel connected with Antoine's chest, digging him further into the ground.
The soil around them cracked.
"From now on, I'll show you. The true power of an Aeloan master. This is my turf!"