Boom---!
Boom---!
Thunderous roar echoes far beyond the gloomy cloud, lighting and current started dancing as the torrent of water continues dripping violently. Shaking the foundation of trees.
Artemis and her familia at the same time, find some shelter to not be caught in this quagmire. The goddess herself witnessing this scene thanks for being an adept archer, now has an eye like eagle, seeing the unfolding event far and above the horizon.
Above the sky successively, are Agwin and Kanda, dancing, clashing sword creaking and screeching.
"Nyahahaa! You're better than I thought!" Kanda pulled an exhilarating remark towards Agwin, who clicked his tongue. Amaze and excited yet exasperated!
'This Sword Qi is shit!' realizing it after his and Kanda's sword keep on colliding since when. The latter's didn't even break thanks to the sword qi he mentioned, making the latter's sword in firmed and more durable. "You! How far is your cultivation went!?" so Agwin cry, parying Kanda's sudden momentum.
Agwin is too focus on lashing his enemy out and always neglecting his ability as a cultivator, not using skills related to any other than [Flight] and [Qi Reinforcement] so he didn't expect that his adversary is this strong. He just thought that the difference is only their falna!
"Thought so, you're a cultivator! Nyahahaha, but oi Agwin. I really am interested in you. No joke" After lunging and blocked by Agwin. Kanda retreated back and sheathed his sword.
Noticing Kanda's hostility subsided, Agwin exhaled deeply "What is that purpose, then? And why not answering my question?"
Kanda seated with crosses hand and think for a while before the reply. "For a cultivator, I must say you're higher than I am but proficiency alone? you're no match against me. It was also thanks to this world's 'rule' why we didn't perceive each other's level other than falna, isn't it?"
"...."
"I see, you didn't know, of course I doubt thinking you knew...I reckon only us three is your first enemy in this world as cultivator" Kanda is kind of surprised but shakes his head. Thinking being ignorant sometimes is a bliss.
"...."
"Jeeez, you're ignorant" With hands in his waist this time "You see, once we receive falna, its impossible to sense other's cultivation level unless you're adept of perceiving others or you fight them head-on. Also, what I did right now is a test to know your level so that we can shakes each other's hand later. I want us to fight side by side later" With grin, Kanda explained.
"What do you---?" Agwin sweated. Shake hands? Fight side by side later? Don't tell me? So thought by Agwin. Just that remark alone made him uneasy whilst made Agwin frown and thought. 'This world, really is a fuck up one!' realizing he isn't the only aberrant in this world.
"Nyahahaha, relax! I don't want us to kill each other here. For starters, my goal is only Artemis alone. But because you're persistent for backing her up, I decided to back out for now"
"Back out...for now?" Agwin frowned yet again.
"Indeed I have. We'll proceed with the plan B, knowing there's this you, but if ever Artemis wanders out of your sight, I'll snatch her away from you so make sure to increase your level. Next time, I won't go easy on you! Nyahahahaha"
"Hah!? Wait! Why did you need her in the first place!?"
Agwin stopped Kanda's departing gait but the latter didn't stop and only replied "Antares...so make sure to stop it...nyahahahaha-----" whilst his laugh echoed in the horizon until he vanished from Agwin's sight.
Agwin then slowly descended where torrent of rainfall dripped within his unkempt raven hair and worn out body.
Seeing Artemis and their newly created tent far from their battlefield. He flew near them and talk with the goddess.
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Antares?!
After talking, Artemis clearly shown a distress reaction after hearing the word from Agwin's mouth.
Although she is the eyewitness what was happening during the battle, she didn't hear their conversation, so hearing Agwin, she hold her both elbow, trembling which could clearly be seen by the man.
Agwin at the same time takes a look at the goddess familia members, seated or unconscious due to the sudden attack of Kanda from before.
There's this only two girls who lend their ear from the current conversation. One has crimson short hair while the other has blue ocean short hair but has perky short ears, which suggests that she's a half-elf just like Eina. They were Rethusa and Lante successively---is what they introduced.
That aside. Agwin is still looking at the goddess who still trembling with closed eyes, twitching as if she doesn't want to open her mouth, bitting her lower lips.
Agwin finds this cute, yet pity as he clearly saw her frustration, anxiety and fear.
Why? What is this Antares? He try to skim his memory but no such thing has recorded. While thinking so, Artemis open her trembling lips "Antares is..."
Even Rethusa and Lante is eager to know what that is. The latter even joke about "Is that edible?" which the former chopped her thin head.
Knowing Artemis hasn't yet to open her eye as he don't want to pry an information by force, he turned his back and flew away.
He doesn't have the map as of this moment but he clearly remember where it was and started to investigate the area which is easy because he's currently using is his [Perception].
Even though he's quite worried about Ryu, if Kanda's remark is reliable, then Artemis is the most prioritize right now whose vulnerable just looking at her weak members, whereas, if piece it together, the most safest at the moment is the current party of his, because the Amentiu guy is injured and Kanda is retreated opposite of them.
Shaking that thought---because he's still guilty from Ryu's abduction, he didn't stop to scout the area.
Looking at his back, "Kami-sama..." Rethusa embraced her frightened goddess which followed by Lante. This two is the oldest member of Artemis Familia so without even talking, Artemis hug the two which started to cry in silent. Afraid that others hears her wail.
"We're here Kami-sama...we won't let you die, if ever, let's die together instead!" Lante close her eyes. She knew they were powerless but if it were to lessen the burden of her goddess or be it only her the one who remained, it doesn't matter. Their goddess safety is the utmost priority!
"Rethusa, Lante" Fear still lingers and embodied within her muscles, Artemis eye this time shows determination while hugging the two! Who knows what's behind her thought.
●○●○●○
Elsewhere...
Kanda who seemed sweated and the boy besides him, Amentiu, kneed in one and in front of them is a man, seated comfortably like a King in his throne carved out of stone. He is none other but their god. Osiris.
Wearing pschent and has mummified body who could be seen is only one part of the orange color cat-like eye, green colored skin is visible from his expose cheek and saw-like teeth as if smiling from that wide sly of his, he then spoken. "I see, so Khenti did die huh. Too bad"
Amentiu at the same time raise his head "God-sama! Our enemy is too strong! But I'm sure Kanda-san can kill him!" with confident, he stated.
But Kanda interjected "Oi oi you kidding me eh, Amentiu? Lookie here! Did you see this sweat and scratches? I fought him but he's in a whole different level! Good thing we can't kill each other. It'll be a tough fight!" pointing his battered clothes, looking at Amentiu whilst the latter open his jaw with the remarks of "N-no way!?"
"Yes way! That dude is too strong! I retreated through ploy so he think we're even! Good thing he didn't follow me or one of us will die there while one will be cripple forever!" In panic, Kanda lowers his head and plead "Osiris-sama, lets lie low for now. To think there's another variable other than that man! If we fought this time, we might lose! But, fret not! I'll kill him the next time we meet!"
With long sigh and exhausted, Osiris spoken after a minute of pause "If that what is my 'Horus' suggested, I'll obey"
"Thank you God-sama, good thing we have our plan B! Also, please don't call me with such alias like how Khenti or Amentiu accepted theirs, I'd rather prefer my current name"
"As for your alias, it is me to decide...Now then my Amentiu and Horus" Osiris then stands up and flick his hand and ordered with ragged voice "Let's proceed with plan B with haste! Don't initiate with any of the Orario dogs until we can surely win! We'll destroy them next time and avenge Khenti!" as he simultaneously dismissed their meeting.
Originally, this meeting should be their 'goal' and next course of action but because of the certain variable, it turned out to be shorter than normal.
"No way!? K-Khenti! Khenti's death! He's death means nothing!?" Amentiu gritted his teeth whilst Kanda shake his shoulder with slight grip:
"In my opinion, I'd rather Khenti live than you are. According to that man, because of your lust why you triggered his wrath and it was only Khenti who dies. So be glad you still alive until this point. Right now, increase that ember of yours through rage and wrath. We'll need that later. Of course don't forget to farm your falna!" With sneer, Kanda exited and hummed, leaving Amentiu behind.