Ashes of Gods: Return of the Blade Emperor - 2 Crescent Domination

The nine dragons stood majestically before the Black Moon players. The blonde priest, Truth, materialized a grey orb. The object pulsated, generating a wave of disturbance that rippled through the mighty dragons. It had no effect.

“Truth, don’t waste orbs. That’s a sixth tier magic spell, we can’t counter it. Wait until it’s completed, and then we shall direct fire at it. There is no way he can one-shot the boss from 5% using that spell. He can’t do it. Don’t worry.”

“Alright, Leo. It’s Crescent’s loss for being foolish,” the purple-haired Fate responded.

While Black Moon’s members were discussing the matter, Crescent took further action, summoning a purple staff. He started chanting, and as he did, multiple dark magic circles generated one after another until six had assembled. They flew towards the World Serpent. They completed yet another six-headed star.

Leo, noticing the nature of the dark spell, was shocked, then galvanized into action. Clouds gathered when he raised his sword high up in the sky. Thunder rumbled, then a bolt appeared to strike down towards aloft Crescent. He was unaffected in every way.

A spheric shield shimmered around Crescent. It had no cracks, despite the colossal power of Leo’s golden lightning.

“Dammit!” Leo cursed, before issuing commands. “All, take him down at any cost!”

Quickly, Vez and Fate began chanting, but their reactions were too slow. A very light blue ball of flame, shining a thousand times brighter than the most luminous stars, appeared before the World Serpent. Space folded, and the boss’ figure was disfigured. As though it were a black hole, the blue star sucked in the World Serpent.

The nine dragons that gathered around the boss stood impassively, unaffected by the immense gravity field generated by the star. The star imploded gradually, having reached the end of its brief life. While that occurred, all the dragons dove towards the World Serpent. The myriad of colors from another explosion blinded onlookers. Uttering a final cry, the World Serpent became a million specks, all rainbow-colored.

Black Moon’s members stared intensely, shock and awe evident on their faces, at the dead boss. They hadn’t thought it possible, but 5% of its lifespan was terminated by one person’s spells.

Fate’s perverted expression made Leo shudder. He shook his head vigorously before chastising, “Fate, this is no time for you to go insane!” He activated telepathic communication. “Shesmu, we need assistance. When are you showing?!”

Shesmu’s response came quick. “Don’t worry. I’ll be there in a second. We were just preparing a little something.”

Having heard Shesmu’s confident words, the members of Black Moon calmed, reassured that not all was yet lost. Realizing just how powerful Crescent had become was extremely demoralizing. However, their belief in their leader helped them remember the fight was not over. It alleviated their worries simply because of their belief in him. Crescent stood aloof in the sky, looking down on the Black Moon members with his cold, dark eyes. He raised his right arm high, calling forth a black flame that flew from the palm of his hand. The black flame enlarged until it overshadowed the sun itself.

“Everyone, run!” Leo shouted, recognizing the threat this attack posed.

All players immediately dispersed, moving in all different directions per evacuation procedures. The

ball of flame continued to grow, and it wasn’t long before this behemoth of a spell dwarfed every spell that had been used since.

Crescent’s cold eyes trailed Black Moon as they fled upon his attack. The dark energy emanating from him gave him an aura of dark eldritch majesty. His hand drew an arc towards his fleeing enemies, as he did, the ball of flame followed the path drawn.

Leo was aware of the moment the fireball launched, looking back at it. He ceased to move. Its speed was mind-boggling. He couldn’t outrace it, nor could anyone else. An object of such size shouldn’t achieve such terrifying velocity, yet tangible evidence that he was mistaken was presented to him.

He felt an urge to run again, but before he could move a step, he halted again. He glanced at his map. His teammates had run far, but it would not be far enough. Considering the apparent power of this spell Crescent had employed, Leo determined what the radius of its shockwave might’ve been like. His teammates wouldn’t be able to escape the impact.

Leo faced it, the colossal black ball of power surging towards him. His black hair fluttered in the wind, and his green eyes shined with a piercing light. His eyes shut and he chanted.

A golden light shined beneath Leo’s feet. Five magical circles rotated, resonating with high speed before converging into a single enormous one. Leo’s body was clad in a golden aura. A large shield manifested itself, strapping onto his arm. He plunged it deep into the earth. Etched on the facing side of the shield was a lion’s face.

The golden aura emanating from Leo completely focused on his shield, imbuing it a blinding intensity. The particles of light emanating from it became denser and denser. They flew out to the sky and a torrent of light pierced the heavens. Golden lightning formed and thunder rumbled throughout the skies.

“Stay where you are!” Leo’s order was firm. “This is our last stand.”

Having heard Leo’s telepathic order, all Black Moon’s members froze in their tracks, turning around to look in the direction where Leo’s call had originated. Their gazes were solemn.

The golden pillar reached out in the skies to the point where it was visible to them all. From the top of it, they could see particles of light flying in an arc towards them, and then beyond. A golden thread remained in their wake. Billions of particles flew, making the top of the golden pillar resemble the form of a radiant dome.

The clash was high. Everyone held their breaths. The world was sucked into an oxymoronic silence, only white noise serving as the background. The ball of black flame reached the dazzling dome—only, there was no clash. The fire of doom passed through the golden dome as though it was air. It continued on its trajectory towards the members of Black Moon. By this point, there was no retreat.

Silence. A moonless night embraced the world. That serene and soothing darkness was ever-present. Such as one where you’d crawl into in the face of danger, searching for safety. A blast of fire illuminated the world, accompanied by a chilling sharp cry. The golden flames converged, and from the mesh, a dragon soared.

Like dawn after a long night, the cleared dragon burned the sky incandescently with a flap of its golden wings. The darkness disintegrated, only to reveal the members of Black Moon, unharmed. They examined themselves, inspecting their statuses to see if anything had been inflicted on them. They found nothing, and their HP was also full. They looked around, expecting to see the large boulders nearby crumbling, or gray clouds of dust billowing, but to their surprise, they instead saw the green adorning the forest.

It remained intact. Birds chirped, animals ran, and the trees continued exhaling oxygen into the atmosphere. The black fireball had done nothing that was obvious, it was as though it were an illusion. But an illusion it was not, and every player present knew exactly that.

A blade of grass danced with the wind. From its tip, a golden orb emerged. Every blade did as well. A torrent of golden lights emerged from the earth. No matter where your eyes searched, a flow of golden light rose. Trees, shrubs, grass and even animals emitted a soothing holy light that converged into a massive airborne stream.

Fate looked around her, taking in the magical scene in front of them, before focusing on herself. From her right arm, particles of light emitted. Then, her whole body glowed golden. The other Black Moon members experienced the same phenomena. Their light rose to merge with the stream. It moved to one location all could see: the light pillar.

Crescent examined the golden pillar with his glacial eyes. His expression was aloof, and he seemed immovable. Despite that sense you’d get by looking at his face, his expression broke into a smile.

“You really know how to put on a show, Leo.”

Within the golden pillar, Leo was gritting his teeth. Thousands upon thousands of damage ticks gnawed at his HP bar. This light was as soothing as a summer breeze for his teammates, but for him, it was more scorching than Hell’s fire. His tanned skin, filled to the brim with vitality and vigor, turned dry. Patches of Leo’s skin peeled off and burned to ashes by the golden flames.

While the golden orbs continued to converge on the light pillar, Fate turned to her comrades, taking charge. “Everyone! Snap out of it! Crescent isn’t just gonna stand there and let us watch this spectacle. Now we need to buy time until the leader comes! Disperse!”

No words were said as everyone followed Fate’s command. Crescent’s power was great so they didn’t have time to idly chatter. They dispersed, all three in different directions, not willing to waste a single moment of their reprieve.

While Black Moon’s members scattered, Crescent stood where he remained above in the sky, the same place he had slain the World’s Serpent. He wasn’t paying the fleeing players any heed, instead, his focus directed solely upon the pillar of light. The contrast between the dark aura oozing out of his body and the golden light gave the scene a surrealistic element.

The light eventually died, as the ashes scattered quickly. Crescent watched as the wind carried off the remains of Leo before they could no longer be seen. His void eyes lingered on that spot where Leo had passed, standing gallantly for a couple of seconds. His piercing gaze restored as he decided to act again. His focus shifted on the remaining Black Moon players.

At that moment, Fate and her teammates felt his gaze penetrating them from behind. They all halted, looking back, stunned by the ferocity of his gaze. It shook their foundations. Crescent didn’t move, raising his arm high again. That same orb of darkness converged in his palm. It grew in size, again and again, until it dwarfed everyone and everything in sight. Once again it was a giant ball of madness ready to consume all life.

The ball then compacted. At a rapid, uneven and discontinued pace, it kept growing smaller and smaller. By the end, the ball was barely half the size of its wielder, though it was still black. A void, such darkness could never exist in this fair world.

Fate was fearful for the first time. Terror consumed her as she witnessed the birth of a new worse monstrosity. It was as if reality had ripped open above Crescent. The universe itself seemed unable to accept his power. Primal fear oozed from her. It filled her, giving her goosebumps. Had she feathers, they’d be ruffled.

“What are you guys doing?!” Fate demanded, attempting to take command. “D—Disperse!”

“No,” a counter-command was issued quickly along the telepathic channel. “Stay where you are.”

Fate was surprised. “Leader?”

“Vez,” Shesmu continued. “Prep a mass TP spell! Everyone, gather towards him!”

“Roger that!” Everyone responded simultaneously.

The team sprang into action. Vez chanted at a high speed when a dark purple magical circle appeared below him. The circle continued to grow until it reached the diameter of a small room. By then, Fate had already caught up to him, waiting for the rest of the members to converge on them.

Seeing that Vez was intensely focused, Fate refrained from disturbing him. Her attention was drawn back towards the elephant in the room—Crescent. She was shocked by what her eyes landed on. The void ball was still floating in the air, suspended above his hands. The orb had reduced to no larger than a tennis ball. Even so, it had a menacing aura far larger than its real size. This flame grew bigger and bigger, and so did the fear that grasped Fate’s heart.

Another ball of void was born beside the other, making it one per hand. The two radiated that same incredible power. The tension in the air announced loudly that they were ready to be launched, and they did as Crescent flicked both of his indexes. Upon that signal, the orbs vanished.

Fate’s instincts screamed. After filling the air with menace, those horrible orbs had simply disappeared. Her eyes darted in every direction. She spotted them as she knew she would, because they would not simply dissolve. They vanished the moment her eyes locked upon them, only to appear yet again, now hundreds of meters closer to Fate and Vez’s position. She screamed a command. “Everyone! Get your ass over here and fast! We don’t have time left!”

“Give me ten seconds,” responded Truth.

“We don’t have that!” Fate yelled. “Crescent is gonna demolish us! Rev, where are you?!”

Rev’s response came instantly. “Behind you.”

Fate looked behind her in time to see Rev wading out of her shadow as if it were a pool. She was already used to Rev’s penchant for dramatic appearances. Thus, she didn’t react, except to chew him out. “Oh, goddamnit! Get serious and while you’re at it, go get Truth here! We need to escape!”

“Roger,” He simply responded, diving back into her shadow. Watching Rev disappear as dramatically as he appeared, Fate sighed and stomped her foot. “Damnit, that’s why he’s single. He’s so creepy! Does he live in my shadow?!”

While Fate rambled on, the orbs of darkness refused to wait for her complaints to end. They were barely a hundred meters away from the teleportation circle, yet Black Moon still had no answer. Fate felt her heart stop its steady beating when a blurry, greenish shadow appeared in the corner of her vision. “Leader?!” she exclaimed.

He appeared, a dark green aura surrounding him, dressed in a black cloak, leaping from branch to branch amidst the trees of the forest, and through the flower-scented air. Black hair floated in the air, brown skin dully reflected the sun, but his hazel eyes reflected it brilliantly, conveying confidence and charm. His lips were pressed into a thin line, his hand firmly gripping the hilt of his sword. He kicked up into the air, the force of his motion generating shockwaves.

After revealing his presence to Fate for just a moment, he surged towards the ebony orbs, faster than the eye could see. He reached them instantly, using iaijutsu to cleave a ball in twain. He then stood mid-air, resheathing his sword. His cloak fluttered in the air. The disrupted energy erupted into a black explosion tinged with purple. The forest had burst in black flames. Animals wailed in pain as the trees sighed silently as they expired.

Foiled somewhat, Crescent wasn’t defeated. The second ball remained in play and was lurching towards Vez’ teleportation circle. Midway towards its target, it changed course to eliminate Shesmu. This ebony monstrosity had grown immensely, disintegrating everything in its path. Trees, stone, animals, everything it touched… simply ceased to be.

Despite this apparent menace, Shesmu was motionless, awaiting it. Like Crescent’s own, his eyes were cold, filled with disinterest. He raised his hand, and slowly swiped it horizontally as it reached him. He caught the rampaging dark spell. Upon its capture, there was no impact and no clash of tribulation. It seemed as though he was a child catching a goliath baseball. It gently rested against his hand, as though it snuggled it. Shesmu closed his palm, and in doing so, the ball ceased to exist. There was no fanfare or fallout to accompany its expiration.

Shesmu kept staring at his palm, finding the minute hairs and imperfections upon it more interesting than Crescent—or his works.

Having witnessed this casual dismissal of his second massive orb which had caused Leo to sacrifice his own life to counter it for the sake of his companions… simply confounded Crescent. “How?!” was all he could utter in response.

Shesmu slowly raised his head and made eye contact with Crescent, despite the distance between their positions.

Crescent joined his mind telepathically with Shesmu. “I could understand,” Crescent answered that silent gaze. “that you could cleave apart my spell. What I can’t fathom is how you could have managed the second. No, considering how much energy went into creating that ball, even I’d have trouble were I in your place, simply attempting to mitigate it! To simply catch it and fondle one of my strongest spells like that! How could you?!”

Shesmu listened to Crescent’s dismayed words. In the end, he could only sigh.

“Your berserk spell is about to run out. Are you giving up on the match?”

Crescent gritted his teeth. In response to the challenge, he summoned six further dark magic circles, which generated this time a purple orb before him. It looked as though he might launch it in a last feeble attack on Shesmu, but instead he seized it, cramming it into his mouth.

He bared his teeth and gnashed them even harder as the black aura enveloped him. Its pulsing became spastic and chaotic. It grew upwards, towering high above, becoming a dark pillar connecting the sky to the earth.

“When I ask questions!” A massive wave washed throughout the field menacingly. “You best answer!” With those words delivered, the world became monochromatic. Multiple white orbs appeared around Crescent one after the other, each imbued with as much energy the ones he’d spawned.

“You’ve greatly underestimated me. Perish in this domain I’ve created. All shall! The end of this farce has arrived!”

The orbs Crescent freshly summoned disappeared, to appear right before Shesmu as a challenge, and a finishing move. An immense explosion engulfed him, generating shockwaves which disrupted even the fabric of space and time. The rest of the Black Moon members braced themselves for the impact, understanding this would be an end to the fight yet they stood firm.

Crescent then looked at them next, and summoned yet another orb, adequate enough to end them as well, to put an end to the battle. He reached back behind him and savagely cast it, to finish them off in a single stroke. The ensuing explosion engulfed all.

After having expended so much energy, Crescent was near to collapse. His breath came and went sharply and rapidly. His eyes glazed and dulled with exhaustion. He calmed his breathing with difficulty, looking at the massive dissipating cloud of dust that was all that remained of the field before him. Despite the apparent destruction of all, he knew he hadn’t ended the fight yet.

Shesmu walked unscathed into the clearing by Crescent from the chaotic dust filling the air, blocking all sight. His steps were measured and deliberate as he air-walked. His eyes darted to the direction of his teammates. A gust of wind dispersed all the dust to reveal them, as uninjured as he. They quickly gathered to Vez’s position before altogether teleported. After they vanished, a tall man wearing a robe walked to the fore. His sharp eyes met Shesmu’s.

“Cain,” Shesmu muttered. His eyes darted back to Crescent.

“It seems that you’re suffering under a severe misunderstanding, Crescent,” Shesmu announced raising his sword. “You seem to believe that because you’ve managed to achieve a Tier-VI mastery level of magic, we’re somehow equal. I’ll cure you of that delusion now.” He slashed the air before him, slowly. It seemed as though it was just a feint.

With that seemingly feeble half-hearted stroke, reality itself rent.

The monochromatic domain Crescent had created shattered into black shards. Color leached back into the world as those shards fell to earth, vanishing. Crescent watched with dismay as his domain ceased to be. The black aura which surrounded his body sickened and thinned, his eyes returned to their original blue coloration.

Crescent staggered, losing a meter of elevation, before he marshaled his strength, stopping mid-air. Doing so required great effort. His hand lifted to conjure a purple magic circle, but before it could fully take form, it shattered. Willpower meant nothing in the face of his exhaustion. He stared at his shaking hand and let out a self-deprecating laugh. He then looked at Shesmu, locking eyes with him. He closed his own, silently surrendering.

Knowing his opponent defeated, Shesmu flickered towards Crescent to finish him with a single thrust. He didn’t resist, his blade pierced Crescent’s body, through his heart. Blood welled from the wound, spraying with steady pulses around the blade from front and rear. It showered down to the ground, nourishing the forest he’d damaged. Crescent coughed up blood, spattering Shesmu’s face with it. His body then slowly turned to naught but particles.

While Crescent’s body still clung to Shesmu’s, a dark frame appeared behind the latter. It was yet another Crescent. His body was filled to the brim with his dark energy, his pupils still blood-red. He opened a potion bottle to drink from it. He pointed his finger towards Shesmu’s back. An orb of energy no bigger than a pebble was conjured on the spot. Lightning wreathed around it. The amount of energy perceived within it eclipsed any single spell he’d used. He continued pouring yet more mana into the orb. Then—a blade pierced through his back.

Crescent’s sight faded again, unable to catch sight of his assailant. He no longer saw Shesmu before him. It had to have been him, yet again. He was outplayed. He crooked his neck towards one side where he knew he’d find Shesmu. He was right where he’d expected, a sword going through your back is probably a very good indicator that your attacker is there. Once again, his blade was stabbed through his heart.

“I must pay you a compliment, Crescent. That cracked magical circle trick was nice. You almost fooled me. I could believe you truly had run out of tricks.”

Crescent feigned shock at the grudging compliment before allowing himself to crack a smile. He had to ask something and hoped for an answer, this time around. “How did you notice?”

Shesmu looked at him with those same disinterested eyes before his face’s own composure broke as he smiled. “Consider these words as advice from your senior. The farther you thread into the sixth tier, the more attuned with the elements you become. Of course, spacetime is no exception to that rule.”

Receiving an answer was everything Crescent needed. A smile filled his face. He closed his eyes contented with how things had transpired. He became a thousand particles, which fluttered in the wind as they dissolved, raining down to the earth below as rainbow-hued light.