Nimin’s Fury

Grimwald halted midair, mana swirling around him.

He threw his hands forward, "Very well!"

Mana formed points and shot forward, moving like bullets. As they moved forward they began to explode. Grimwald frowned, 'Their mana control is greater than mine?! Then why are they still First Star?'

Akiol and Wrock took the initiative! They both knew that their current strength was on a timer, and finishing this as soon as possible was their only choice!

Throwing Stars Akiol took the lead, several afterimages following behind him. Grimwald caught the sword, its edges cutting his fingers. Right as he was about the throw it aside he noticed a rope of mana at its handle.

Akiol pulled the rope with great force, launching himself closer to Grimwald! This could only be done due to Grimwald's tight grip on the sword! Realizing what was occurring he tossed aside the sword, 'To use mana in such a versatile way! Who are these two?!'

Stars returned to Akiol's hand via mana, once he gripped the sword he swung swiftly. Grimwald reacted to the swing and blocked it with the back of his hand. He felt a stinging pain as the sword managed to cut him, 'This sword too, it simply ignores my defenses!'

Wrock appeared above Akiol and delivered a flying kick. His foot slamming into Grimwald's face. The blow made him close his eyes just for a moment-!

He felt a gash form across his stomach, though lacking in depth. Additionally a powerful knee strike hit his chin and sent him into the air!

Grimwald flipped and landed, touching his face he found it simultaneously hot and cold.

"You've disappointed me this time Grimwald."

A voice rang out.

Kneeling immediately Grimwald apologized, "My sincere apologies Miss! I did not wish to kill your next step!"

"Well I suppose I could give you that much, now that I'm here we can get a move on things."

Akiol and Wrock felt themselves shackled by an unknown force, no matter how hard they struggled they could not free themselves.

A wry smile formed on Akiol's lips, "So you're Perina."

"It's Miss Perina to you. Though I'm not familiar with you. Someone of your strength wouldn't have escaped my gaze, and yet."

"Perhaps your gaze isn't as good as you thought."

"Tsk, got a tongue on you? It's a shame you won't be part of my path, for I'm saving the best for last."

Perina grabbed Wrock's chin, "It would be best if you disabled these abilities Wrock, it would make the experience a lot less painful."

Wrock grinned, "You mean more difficult for you?"

"No, it makes it easier actually."

Wrock felt his entire being pulsate, his body began to tremble violently. Akiol watched a strange energy start to leave Wrock's body. Gritting his teeth he doubled his efforts to escape.

'Stars! Can you still move?' -Akiol

'That's impossible for me! But Givale might be able to!' -Stars

'Givale, I'm going to need you to hit that lady with the biggest move you can muster. Can you do that for me?'

'I wanted to do that anyway!' -Givale

Givale suddenly popped into existence next to Akiol. A bow made of mana already in her palm. Quickly drawing an arrow made of her special element. Without blinking she fired the arrow.

Grimwald frowned and moved forward at an incredible speed. Mana swirled around his palm as he hit the shaft of the arrow, sending it off course.

The arrow hit the ground and exploded, erasing a large chunk of the ground.

Grimwald frowned at the sight, such damage wasn't something a First Star should be capable of.

Perina was also momentarily distracted by the damage, her restrictive force loosening for just a moment!

Tick~

Time slowed to a stop, and the world turned still. Moving quickly Akiol grabbed both Givale and Wrock and bolted.

He had tested the limits of the watch before, and he became quite clear on its capabilities. The time stop would last for only two seconds!

Tock~

Akiol's movements stopped dead in his tracks. Perina walked up to him, "Think you could get away? That little watch of yours, it's so entertaining."

Looping her finger around the chain she pulled the watch free from Akiol's neck, "An object so in touch with the concept of time. A brilliant gift if I do say so."

She then touched Givale's face, "This little one holds quite a bit of power herself. Truly I must scold my network, how could they miss so many talents?"

Wrock was out cold, most likely a side effect from Perina's ability. Givale was also unable to move. His watch was taken, and Stars wasn't able to do anything.

He couldn't do anything. He was helpless to what was going to occur.

Perina grabbed Wrock and pulled him free from Akiol's grasp, "Now then, to continue where we left off."

Akiol was helpless, no matter how hard he struggled he couldn't break free. He watched as Perina absorbed the energy from Wrock. He couldn't even manipulate his body.

"PERINA!!"

A yellow light gleamed from above. Akiol could just barely see from the edges of his vision. But the light came from a spear, held by a blonde player.

They shouted, "I won't let you take another!"

~ ~ ~

A few moments ago…

Nimin gripped Glint, "I can't just stand around."

'You can't fight Perina.'

"I know that, I'm well aware. . . But-!"

Nimin bit his lip, "I've decided."

'I will follow you no matter what. You're my wielder after all~'

"Thanks Glint."

The Wyvern took to the skies and dashed forward. Nimin scoured the lands looking for Akiol's whereabouts.

A large explosion of color caught his eye, a perfectly spherical crater was created. Turning the Wyvern he flew towards that direction.

He then saw a pugilist being absorbed. Fury overtook him as he remembered his old Guildmates. Leaping off the Wyvern he fell towards Perina.

He was well aware that he was heading straight towards death! Despite that-!

"PERINA!!"

Golden Glint was glowing brightly, Nimin's eyes burned with determination! He could see the path, it told him to flee the other way. The best choice he could make was running as far as possible!

"I won't let you take another!"

So what if it was?! Nimin was well aware of that already! He was tired of following the best path for everything, it never aligned with what he wanted! So he'll just make his own path! To create an outcome he wants! The sound of glass shattering could be heard.

Nimin was spammed with a bunch of system notifications, but he ignored them. Focusing purely on stopping Perina.

Perina suddenly let go of Wrock, "No. . . No! You aren't supposed to-!"

Golden Glint began to glow even brighter. Nimin's grip tightened as he shouted, "You're tyranny ends here! [Fallen Star]!"

Grimwald jumped forward, "You First Stars have grown quite arrogant!"

Perina frowned, "Damn! You fool! He's no longer First Star!"

Unable to digest what Perina said, Grimwald was hit by Nimin's attack. A brilliant large pillar of golden light appeared.

It quickly faded, revealing a heavily injured Grimwald, and a furious Nimin.

Perina snarled, "You weren't supposed to go beyond First Star! I was supposed to absorb you before then! You were supposed to be my final step beyond!"

Nimin pointed his spear, "Screw that, I make my own path."

Pinching the bridge of her nose Perina calmed herself, "It's fine, I can find someone else to be my final step. But you're dead wrong if you think you can stop me as a fresh Second Star!"

"I'll certainly try!"