Atticus hovered above a crater of impossible scale, not a single hair out of place.
The wills of the slain viscounts had hardened into brilliant armor around him, each plate radiating a pressure so heavy the air itself trembled.
"I–impossible…"
rek's voice quivered as his eyes t Atticus' burning gaze.
"H–how… how did you do th—?"
"Endless Blade."
Atticus' katana left the sheath before rek could finish, the blade blurring as it spun around him at impossible speed.
Gasps rippled across the battlefield as countless slashes materialized in the sky, so many that they smothered the heavens and drenched the land in shadow. But no one felt the terror more than rek.
Atticus lowered his arm, and the slashes tore forward.
"I won't lose!"
rek roared, unleashing a tidal wave of will that folded into a protective do. The barrage struck into it, explosions hamring the do and twisting rek's face with pain. Atticus burst through like lightning, the wills of the dead spiraling around his katana as he brought it down with rciless force. rek's eyes flared blood red as he threw his own wills forward to et the strike. The collision detonated like a cataclysm, swallowing the sky and razing the earth. rek was sent hurtling back in a blaze, but not of his power. His own will flickered weakly around him as Atticus' will ravaged his body. His clothes burned away, flesh sizzled, and his bloodshot eyes shook from the agony.
He skipped across the torn earth before slamming into a cliffside with devastating force. Deep fractures tore through the rock in every direction before the entire formation gave way, crumbling into an avalanche of broken stone and dust. Atticus gently landed as rek collapsed to his knees, coughing a mouthful of blood. His arms trembled violently as he fought against the burning pain.
"Y–you… you… what are you…" rek forced out, each word breaking between choking gasps.
But Atticus didn't answer. He simply walked toward him, steam drifting from his body in soft, deadly wisps.
"After the humiliation I suffered at your hands, I wanted you dead. But I admit… you defeated ," rek rasped. "But you killed an army of Redflas in the process. Do you really think you'll survive what cos after?"
Step. Step.
Atticus remained silent. rek suddenly laughed, releasing a puff of black smoke. "I lost…" he muttered, laughter rising hysterically, like he couldn't believe his own words. He glared up at Atticus with burning hatred.
"But next ti will be different. Ascend!" A blinding light erupted around him, but Atticus was already gone.
He appeared behind rek in a flash, the only sign of his movent the steamy heat left in his wake and the thin line stretching across rek's neck.
"Y–you're not s–supposed to do that!" rek's voice cracked. His eyes widened as he turned to the sky. "Great Verge! He's breaking the rules!" But no one answered. Not a sound. Not even a tremor.
"N–no… no way…" He turned toward Atticus just as he calmly sheathed his katana. A spurt of blood burst from rek's neck as his head slipped free, rolling across the earth.
"So you were right… you are the last person I saw…" Atticus watched silently as the light faded from rek's eyes. Only when the churning will settled into him did he quietly exhale.
'I'll deal with it later.'
He swept his gaze across the battlefield, confirming no new dangers lurked nearby.
"You can co out now."
His soul felt as though it split as Noctis erged, staring at him with large, worried eyes.
"Kuu~"
He appeared by Atticus' arm, gently licking it.
'He knows I'm injured.'
The battle with rek had torn several muscles. They were healing fast, but that didn't stop Noctis from fussing over him, ears drooping in concern.
Atticus smiled softly and brushed a hand through the little guy's fur.
"You did good."
"Kuu~"
Noctis nuzzled against his palm, earning a quiet chuckle before Atticus lifted him up.
"I'll be fine."
"Kuu!"
Noctis narrowed his eyes skeptically.
"I promise."
Only then did Noctis relent, and imdiately lunged forward to lick Atticus' face enthusiastically.
"Okay, okay, that's enough." He picked him up and set him atop his head.
"Kuu~"
Noctis let out a sulky sound, then flopped down dramatically. Atticus chuckled.
'Cute.'
His gaze shifted back to rek's remains.
'He's right.'
There was truth in rek's warning. If it hadn't been official before, it was now, the entire Redfla faction would be coming for him. A full blown war.
Anorah's earlier warning echoed in his mind.
'A blade or a shield.'
He had just made himself an even greater enemy. Any threat to him was a threat to the people he loved.
'I have to choose, huh?'
But Atticus knew the truth now.
'It's too late to choose.'
He exhaled.
His family ant too much to abandon. Choosing them over his goal wouldn't erase his enemies. They were already coming.
'I have to be both.'
As he had told Magnus, there was no other option. If he wanted his loved ones safe, he had to reach the top.
'A shield and a blade. I'll be both.'
"You look like crap."
Atticus turned, and blinked in surprise at the radiant man standing there, glowing in golden light.
"You dare have so much fun without , bond! I expected better!"
"Ozeroth."
Atticus didn't know when the laughter escaped him.
Ozeroth blinked, confused, scanning the area as if searching for the joke.
"What!? What's funny!? Why are you laughing!?"
Even Noctis let out a series of snorts on top of Atticus' head.
"Bond!"
Atticus wiped a tear from his eye and shook his head at him.
"Really… you show up now? Your timing is as prideful as you are."
Ozeroth's expression darkened as Atticus burst into another round of laughter, the sound echoing across the silent, scorched battlefield.
A/N: Thank you all for your patience. It truly ans a great deal to . As I announced on the server, unless there are unforeseen circumstances, I plan on releasing three chapters daily for a few days. Thank you for all your support. Cheers.
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