"Feisty one, aren't you?" The self-acclaimed chaos roared in anger as Leo managed to evade another attack. Even he himself couldn't believe that the Huntran was still alive and kicking. "I remember breaking a few bones at least". Chaos muttered.
"Well I for one has had enough of this".
"Think". Leo's lips curled up in a deep frown, no matter how he looked at this battle, there just wasn't any way fathomable for him to win this fight. Which left one option.
An option that he was glad to take.
CRACK
Leo's bleeding eye picked up a vague afterimage, barreling towards him with malevolent intent. Parrying any of Chaos's attacks as he had learnt through earlier failures was useless and so Leo instead leapt into the air, spinning wildly and launching a desperate attack that could hopefully buy him some time to leave this accursed tomb.
Chaos's mana signature towered below him for a brief second, disappearing almost instantly without any trace whatsoever. Leo ultimately expected that, nevertheless he lashed out; tearing the remaining rows of shelves with two bright blue slashes.
Kicking off a falling shelf gave Leo added momentum; his legs straining from the impact but still holding on for a lightning fast bolt.
"Going somewhere? The question pierced the assassin's very soul.
"sh*T" Leo burst forward heading towards the now unguarded tunnel. His instincts screamed against this move; something innate warning him that Chaos wasn't just going to stand there.
Once again, his instincts were right.
And chaos managed to stop Leo in his track, sending the assassin skipping through rubble like a stone thrown across a pond. Not wasting any time, the sinister apparition dived into the rising dust cloud; four tendrils of chaos mana ready to cleave Leo into ghastly bits.
PULCH
Two furry forearms blocked the tendrils, absorbing their mana and preventing further damage. "Interesting". Chaos couldn't remember the last time an intruder had put up such a fight.
"What's your name, Huntran?
Leo stared hatefully at the empty space where Chaos' signature had been. If there is one thing he hated more than being outclassed in a fight it was being underestimated.
TO make matters worse it seemed Chaos had good reason to underestimate him. He was too strong, far stronger than any opponent Leo had ever faced.
Which was kind of annoying, Leo thought, imagining the utter calamity the world would face if more people learnt how to create such sentient works of mana.
"Sentient? The word snagged his attention and soon enough a dastardly plan had formed in his mind.
"I am Leo Fang". He replied with all the confidence he could muster.
There was a silence.
And then a sinister laugh; one that cancelled all of Leo's notions that the fiend couldn't get any scarier.
"You're from the Night". Chaos appeared once more in the azure eye. "That explains a lot". He added with another round of laughter that would brought have out tears if he had an eye.
"I'm guessing your stupid master managed to reveal that too". Leo smirked.
"What was that! Rage poured out of Chaos like a never-ending flood.
"YOU Dare insult the greatest mage to ever walk the realms".
"Here it comes". Leo gritted his teeth, steeling himself for pain like no other.
CRACK
The attack was so sudden and powerful that Leo couldn't even afford to scream. Endless throes of chaos mana assaulted his very being; strengthening to snuff the very life out of him.
"Mana poisoning". Leo grinned, even as four ghastly claws tore at his chest, painting the ground beneath him red and only failing to kill him because of his thick fur.
"Did your beloved husband teach you that as well? He jibed.
PULCH
Leo doubled over, wincing as his azure eye revealed two cracked ribs. But he knew that Chaos was only just getting started.
"Before you die boy". Chao's face twisted into an unreadable expression. "I will make sure you learn how to respect your betters".
"Oh please, I've bled through worse sermons". Leo spat at what his eye revealed to be Chaos's face. He couldn't help but laugh as the little traces of azure dripped down the black surface almost as if it was some kind of canvas.
"Almost artistic". Leo chuckled, wondering how he could afford to laugh in such a situation.
Unfortunately, Chaos it seemed wasn't so pleased with Leo's 'work'.
"if you had just kept your filthy mouth shut". Numerous tendrils of malevolent mana wrapped round Leo's leg; sinking in like vicious teeth each trying to taint the pristine azure mana beneath.
"Your death would have been quick! A mighty roar shook the entire catacombs. NO amount of training or pain tolerance could've prepared Leo for what came next.
*AHHH! Leo's maw opened wide in a bestial scream of pain.
Staring down, only made the pain grow ten times worse.
Leo's leg, knee downwards was bent in what appeared to be a jagged 'V'. Crawling forward, he inched for the tunnel; ignoring the towering mana behind him.
"Pathetic". Leo left out a pained cough, watching with absolute fear as dark tendrils materialized into eight inky black hands that lifted him from the ground effortlessly.
"Kill me and get it over with". He stared into Chaos' murderous gaze, refusing to back down despite his shaking arms.
"You hide it well, Huntran". Chaos' mana became more concentrated; swirling violently to form a muscular Humanoid beast.
"But I know what fear looks like". He added, his form further adding insult to Leo's wounds.
"You do?" Leo coughed out another round of blood.
"Why yes". Slowly the inky hands brought Leo closer until even he could smell the vast amount of rot and death emanating from Chaos.
"Can I ask you one last question? Leo struggled frantically against the unmovable bonds holding him.
"Sure". Chaos replied, the inky hands sprouting from him growing bigger as they brought Leo ever closer to a giant never-ending maw.
"Have you ever felt fear? Leo's head dropped down in defeat.
"Of course, not". Came the reply.
"Good". Leo slipped into the dark oblivion.
"I guess that means I shall be the first to make you feel such". The assassin's voice echoed one last time before being swallowed completely by the vast darkness.
"Finally,". Chaos roared with utmost joy.
"With the Huntran's mana, I can finally escape this wretched prison". His mana suddenly became less concentrated, assuming its earlier incorporeal form. "Do not fear master, I shall continue your unfinished work".
"For a sentient piece of mana!
A mocking voice resounded within Chaos. One that he didn't like and at the same time knew far too well.
Hearing it brought a whole new emotion to light, the kind that he had never thought possible for the likes of him.
"I didn't forget my promise". The assassin's voice cut into Chaos resolve like a powerful blade.
"NO! Chaos roared, suddenly turning tail and heading straight for Elhyr's still open sarcophagus. Slowly the black smoke signifying his mana began to wane, growing ever smaller like a dying flame with every passing second.
The sarcophagus now seemed so close.
So close that Chaos already began diving forward, ready to return to his late master's embrace.
"I am coming master". His voice suddenly became less sinister and in a poof.
Chaos, guardian of the elven catacombs was gone.
And in his place, a naked man with ebony skin, laid on the floor right before the sarcophagus; coughing out vast amounts of blood as he tried to relinquish death's bloody hold.
A closer look would reveal dark swirling patterns running from dark toes to his stunning midnight blue hair. The patterns of these markings continuously changing; fighting desperately against an unseen azure glow.
Both battling for supremacy.
The question that remained however was...
Who was going to win?