(CHAPTER 37) PUSHING PAST YOUR LIMITS

Neon stood before Keith, the treacherous demon who had caused so much chaos and pain. Determined to put an end to his reign, Neon tapped into the depths of his abilities, channeling the power bestowed upon him by Pain, the one who had guided him from beyond the grave.

As he focused his energy, Neon felt a surge of power coursing through his veins. It was as if Pain's essence intertwined with his own, amplifying his strength and resolve. With a deep breath, Neon unleashed Pain's ability, directing it towards Keith, the traitorous demon who had caused so much harm.

As the power surged, Neon's eyes widened in astonishment. He had thought that his aura would be that of a Demon, a fiery red, but instead, Keith's aura transformed into a fiery blue hue, flickering with an intensity that matched the infernal flames of the underworld.

Confusion swept over Neon's mind as he observed the fiery blue aura surrounding Keith. This unexpected twist raised more questions than answers. What could this unusual aura signify? Why was Keith emanating a fiery blue energy? All these questions enveloped Neons mind but now was not the time to think....now was time to fight!

In the heart of the desolate battlefield, Neon, Riyu, and Karla stood united against the formidable abomination. The air crackled with tension as they prepared to engage in a life-or-death struggle. Their combined powers, each unique and extraordinary, were their only hope against the overwhelming darkness that emanated from Keith.

"If we fight as a team, we will win! Let's defeat him...TOGETHER!" Riyu unleashed his fiery prowess, conjuring blazing infernos that danced and swirled around him. Flames erupted from his palms, transforming into fiery serpents that lunged at Keith, testing his resilience. The scorching heat intensified, creating an aura of pure, untamed power.

Karla harnessed her gravity manipulation abilities, causing gravitational fields to ripple and distort around her. She defied the laws of nature, effortlessly altering the trajectory of objects and controlling the very fabric of gravity. With precise precision, she created gravitational waves that collided with Keith, restraining his movements and disrupting his attacks.

Neon, bearing the weight of both demonic and angelic powers, stood as a beacon of celestial and infernal energy. His presence exuded an otherworldly aura as he embraced his dual nature. Calling upon his demonic heritage, he summoned a wickedly sharp death scythe, imbued with darkness and malevolence. Simultaneously, his angelic essence radiated a soothing light, providing a counterbalance to the darkness that surrounded them.

Together, the trio fought with unwavering resolve and synchrony. Their movements flowed seamlessly, complementing one another in a mesmerizing dance of power. Riyu's flames engulfed Keith, weakening his defenses, while Karla's gravitational manipulation disrupted his attacks, leaving him vulnerable to Neon's dual-powered strikes.

However, Keith's maniacal laughter echoed through the battlefield, shattering their momentary triumph, his words cutting through the air, "You puny weaklings are actually strong when you work together, but individually, you'll just be reduced into weaklings!" He roared belittling their individual prowess and challenging their unity. In a sinister display, Keith enveloped himself in a cloak of dark energy, shielding his body and enhancing his strength.
"Whats he doing now...?" Said Riyu frustratedly. Wrinkles could be seen between Neons eyebrows as he reassessed the situation, not letting his guard down for even a second.
Keith, with a wave of his hand, the dark energy surrounding him transformed into shadowy beasts, snarling and ready to strike.

Karla and Riyu exchanged determined glances, knowing they had to face the shadowy beasts head-on. With a nod, they separated from Neon, taking on the challenge individually. Karla's gravity manipulation intensified, while Riyu's flames burned brighter than ever.

Karla faced off against a towering shadowy beast. With precise control over gravity, she manipulated the gravitational forces around her, creating a powerful vortex that pulled at the creature. It struggled against the invisible bonds, its movements hindered by the gravitational force acting upon it. "How do you like that!" She said, praising her efforts and taunting at the beast.

Riyu, on the other hand, faced a swarm of shadowy beasts. Flames danced across his body, forming an impenetrable barrier. He summoned the power of fire, sending forth torrents of flames that engulfed his adversaries. The inferno raged, staggering the shadowy beasts movements.....

As the battle with Keith's shadowy beasts intensified, Riyu and Karla found themselves pushed to their absolute limits. The creatures grew stronger with each passing moment, testing their skills and endurance. However, their previous encounter with the upper-rank demon Mordred had unlocked hidden potentials within them, and now was the perfect time to unleash their newfound abilities.

With a determined focus, Riyu summoned his holographic supporter. (holographic supporters were simply guides on how one would use their new powers and new skills.) The hologram guided him towards his new skill, "Combustion Inducement." It was a power that allowed him to increase the kinetic energy of atoms, causing the beasts to combust and explode upon contact. Additionally, Riyu discovered that he could use this power to ignite anything he touched.

Eager to turn the tide of the battle, Riyu unleashed the full potential of his newfound ability. With a mere touch, the shadowy beasts were set ablaze, their forms consumed by intense flames. The explosions echoed across the battlefield, scattering ash and debris in their wake. "Woooaahh, this skill is really powerful." He said excitedly, however, he suddenly dropped to one knee. "Damn...haha....I guess it comes with a drawback though." He said as he started to wheeze and pant.

You see, this powerful skill came at a great cost. The strain of utilizing "Combustion Inducement" drained Riyu's vitality at an alarming rate. Each activation cost him a significant portion of his life force, exacting a toll he had not anticipated. With a vitality extraction of 3,000, Riyu's total life force stood at a mere 5,000. ( When an individual uses their ability, instead of the cost being mana or magic, the use of powers drains the user's own life force or vitality. Each time they employ their abilities, it takes a toll on their health and longevity. This cost can range from minor fatigue to significant physical deterioration.)

As the flames subsided, Riyu's energy plummeted, leaving him heavily fatigued and unable to continue fighting. He collapsed to the ground, his body weakened and unresponsive. Karla, realizing Riyu's state, wore a concerned look across her face.

"Riyu!" Karla exclaimed, her voice filled with worry. She wanted to rush to his side immediately, however she was heavily occupied with the beast that Keith had conjured. "DAMMMIT" Karla's heart clenched as she witnessed Riyu lying helpless, his life force depleted and his body weakened. A surge of frustration coursed through her, fueled by her desperate need to assist her friend. However, she found herself locked in a fierce battle with a powerful enemy, leaving her torn between her duty and her loyalty.

Determined to buy herself some time, Karla focused her energy on her gravity manipulation abilities. She drew upon the depths of her strength, channeling it into a devastating attack that would momentarily halt her opponent and grant her the opportunity to aid Riyu.

With a forceful motion, Karla thrust her hands forward, unleashing a concentrated burst of gravitational energy. The air crackled with intensity as a localized gravitational singularity formed before her, swirling with immense power. It exerted a tremendous force that twisted the very fabric of reality, causing her adversary to momentarily falter.

Seizing the opportunity, Karla swiftly disengaged from her opponent and rushed to Riyu's side.

She knelt beside him, offering a supportive hand. "You pushed yourself too hard. Rest now, and we'll finish this together."

Riyu, barely able to muster a response, managed a weak smile. "Don't worry about me, Karla. You... you have your own power. Show Keith what you're capable of."

Gathering her resolve, Karla rose to her feet, a fiery determination burning within her eyes. She knew she had to carry on the fight, for both Riyu and herself. Drawing upon her holographic supporter, she scanned through her arsenal of skills until she found the one she had been waiting to try.

With a surge of energy, Karla materialized her supporter, who guided her towards her newly discovered ability, "Gravitational Singularity." This power allowed her to create a localized gravitational anomaly, collapsing the space around her enemies and trapping them in an inescapable vortex of crushing force.

Focusing her thoughts, Karla unleashed her newfound skill upon the shadowy beast which had now fully recovered from her previous attack. The air warped and distorted as a powerful gravitational field manifested, ensnaring the creature in its grasp. It struggled against the overwhelming force, It's form compressed and crushed under the intense pressure.

the shadowy beast succumbed to the gravitational singularity, the beasts existence reduced to mere fragments as it was crushed into oblivion. The battlefield fell into an eerie silence, the threat of Keith's minion vanquished.

Karla, her body trembling from the exertion, turned her attention back to Riyu. Determined to see him recover, she used her gravity manipulation to lift him gently and carried him to a safer spot, away from the remnants of the battle. "You did well, Riyu," Karla whispered, her voice filled with gratitude. "Rest now. We'll regroup and face Keith together once you've recovered."

Riyu, his breathing labored, managed a faint nod before succumbing to exhaustion. "I guess we're both down for the count." She said turning to face Neon who was facing Keith head on. "Its all up to you now Neon...."

With Riyu safely moved to a secure location, Karla was more attentive on the ongoing battle between Neon and Keith. Exhaustion threatened to overwhelm her, but seeing her friend out of immediate danger renewed her determination.

Karla locked eyes with Neon, conveying a silent message of assurance and trust. Her nod, subtle yet powerful, signaled that they were secure for the moment and that Neon could now devote his full attention to Keith.

Neon, who had been locked in a fierce clash with Keith, witnessed Karla's gesture. A surge of relief washed over him, knowing that his friends were safe. The weight of worry lifted from his shoulders, allowing him to focus all his energy and abilities on confronting the powerful demon before him.

With newfound determination, Neon unleashed a flurry of attacks, weaving a complex tapestry of light and darkness. He called upon his angelic and demonic powers, merging them seamlessly in a dazzling display of strength and agility.

Keith, no longer able to revel in his taunts and laughter, met Neon's onslaught with ferocity and desperation. Dark energy crackled and clashed with Neon's radiant aura as they engaged in a battle of epic proportions. Each strike was imbued with intense power, shaking the ground beneath them.

Neon's determination and unwavering resolve resonated throughout the battlefield, driving him forward. He had been forged by the trials and tribulations they had faced together, and his connection with Riyu and Karla fueled his every move.

As the clash continued, Neon's attacks grew more precise and potent. He unleashed a devastating combination of celestial and infernal energies, overwhelming Keith's defenses and pushing him further onto the back foot.

With a final, resounding strike, Neon's scythe cleaved through Keith's defenses, leaving the demon vulnerable and defeated. The once-proud Keith, now weakened and broken, fell to his knees before Neon's imposing figure.

Breathing heavily, Neon stood tall, his chest rising and falling with exertion. He locked eyes with Keith, a mix of compassion and resolve in his gaze.

"You underestimated the power of unity," Neon declared, his voice carrying the weight of their collective strength. "We may be individuals, but when we fight together, we become an unstoppable force."

As Neon spoke those words of unity and power, expecting a shift in Keith's demeanor, he was met with a reaction far beyond what he had anticipated. Keith's laughter intensified, growing more sinister and disturbing with each passing moment. It echoed through the battlefield, filling the air with an eerie chill.

Suddenly, Keith's laughter transformed into an ear-piercing roar, reverberating through the surroundings. His body convulsed violently, distorting and contorting in grotesque ways. The very air seemed to ripple with dark energy as his transformation took hold. "Unity, you say? How naive," Keith hissed, his words laced with an air of superiority. "Your precious bond means nothing before my power. I will shatter your team's fragile unity in a mere second, reducing it to mere ashes."

A surge of malevolent energy crackled around Keith as he raised his arms, summoning forth dark tendrils that snaked through the air, seeking to disrupt the harmony between Neon, Karla, and Riyu. The very fabric of their connection seemed to tremble under his influence.

"You see, your unity is built upon trust, camaraderie, and shared experiences," Keith continued, a twisted grin spreading across his distorted face. "But I am the embodiment of chaos and discord. With a single stroke, I shall unravel the threads that bind you, tearing your team apart."

As Keith's dark tendrils closed in, threatening to sever the bond that held the trio together, Neon's resolve wavered for a brief moment as he witnessed the horrifying change in Keith. His body grew even more in size, dwarfing everything around him. Muscles bulged and twisted, veins pulsated with raw power, and his demonic aura surged with an overwhelming intensity.

The unleashed might of Keith's transformation shook the ground beneath them. Neon could feel the weight of the immense power emanating from Keith, threatening to crush his spirit. Doubt flickered in Neon's eyes, his own strength momentarily eclipsed by the sheer magnitude of his opponent's transformation.

But as the echoes of Keith's roar subsided, Neon's determination resurfaced. He tightened his grip on his scythe, his knuckles turning white. The bond between him, Karla, and Riyu was inseparable, and he refused to let this moment of uncertainty break it.

With renewed conviction, Neon met Keith's twisted gaze, his voice resonating with unwavering determination. "Even in the face of overwhelming power, we stand as a team, united in purpose and unyielding in our resolve. We will face whatever challenges come our way, together."

"Neon...." Karla whispered to herself in admiration of Neons words and the weight it carried.

Keith's contorted face twisted into a malevolent grin. "Let's see how long your so called unity can withstand my true power!" he sneered, his voice now imbued with a deep, resonating resonance....