A Struggle for Life and Death

In the air above Ra village -

"What is the meaning of this Black Cross?" A well built white haired man bellowed.

The other man had a black long sword in one hand. Sneered as he pulled out a white short sword. "Why are you so upset old man Emerald? You should've known this was going to happen. Publicly announcing that you are searching for the Mystic Eye. Of course the Holy One would send people to investigate."

"So, now you're a lackey for that false prophet and his cult! I see your worth is up to this much." Emerald chided.

"Whoa there old man, harsh words, harsh words indeed. tsk!" Black Cross shook his head. "I see that you are totally contemptible tsk, tsk. Teaching a blasphemous bastard with no morals such as yourself some respect is this ones righteous duty."

"Ha... Righteous duty hahaha, don't make me laugh. Your cult has stalked and pursued me. Pushed me to the brink of death and now have backed me into a corner. If you deem yourself worthy. Come then Black Cross!" Emerald raised his hand gesturing for Black Cross to advance. His aura began to emit a tremendous golden earthly power.

Everyone in the village Feel this power and heard the subsequent conversation. There minds began to tremble because they just heard something incredible.

"Did I just hear correctly? Did I just hear them say the legendary names of Exalted Emerald and Exalted Black Cross?" Someone asked.

"Not only that but you can see them for yourself. Look!" Someone pointed to the sky.

The crowd gazed in the direction of where the surviving villager was pointing in awe and reverence. One of the elders answered the question on everyone's mind. "An Exalted is an existence of Legend especially within a small, rural, backwater country village like this one. When embarking on the path of the martial way. A warrior who ranks between the levels of one through six are considered basic martial artist. Upon reaching level six a warrior will plateau in power reaching a barrier. When a warrior is able to make a breakthrough this barrier they will enter into a level seven Warrior. At this level you are able to use their own energy externally. This energy could be visibly seen with the naked eye. A warrior with very little elemental energy will have an outward display in a spherical shape. This is what seventh level Warrior Krom's defense appeared as. The sphere will usually be the color of one of the four elements. In most cases the element you favor will be the dominant color of your aura. In some cases there is said to be a rare multi colored aura. Level eight and nine Warriors control higher levels of element force. Mastering element force allows one to step into the legendary status of becoming an Exalted One."

Boom, Boom, BOOM! Explosions rang out from all over the village. Energy was flying in all directions as the two parties in the sky fought for their lives. The collateral damage was catastrophic for the village and the surrounding area. Emerald raised his hands dramatically and six 100 foot long earth veins sprouted from the ground. Utterly, shocking the remaining people of Ra village. The powerful the aura these veins possessed inspired awe and reverence but mostly fear. At the same time Black Cross released his two swords. They were floating midair for a moment before circling Black Cross. His aura was terrifying to behold it had an inky black color and radiated death. He was a user of the more obscure Dark element. There is also it counterpart the Light element. Which is just as rare. The air around these two blades shifted and their forms changed into a 300 foot long black scorpion and a 150 foot long white desert beetle. The auras of these swords now beast emanated a profound since of rot and decay.

Emerald saw these creatures and sneered. "I see your cult still practices those vile techniques."

Black Cross smiled. "The techniques of the Eternal Night Ascension are ancient and pure. The Holy One has bestowed upon his followers an ancient and pure teachings. What can you say about your Light of the Crow Church?" Keeping his tone quite light and amiable.

The sight of the six large earth veins and two shockingly large floating creatures was too much for some of the remaining villagers to handle. Many of them fled in terror into the nearby forest the encompassed the village and surrounding mountain base.

"Earth Veins are a level eight earth elemental skill. I can't believe I'm seeing this." An female elder screamed in excitement.

"What about the White Beetle and Black Scorpion. Those are level nine Void monsters!" Another elder retorted.

Once both parties brought out there trump cards. The fight turned from amazing to frightening. The earth veins twisted and spread out constantly. Attempting to bind and restrain Black Cross and his two Void monsters. While those two Void monsters were ruthlessly ripping, slashing and clawing at the earthly veins. As they fought tooth and nail to get to Emerald. All the while both Emerald and Black Cross constantly released waves of energy at each other. The spectators below had no real clue what was happening or the level of danger they were actually in. To them what they were seeing was all mystical and magical and very dangerous.

As things continued with the fight in the sky. These two were clearly matching each other tit for tat. Neither giving way to the other. The villagers watching could see that this was going to be a battle of attrition. Suddenly a red flash shot across the sky hitting Emerald solidly in the back. Blind siding him. The impact caused Emerald to lose balance and stagger forward. While at the same time he coughed up a huge mouthful of blood. He wasn't knocked very far because of his natural strong defense anyone else would have been sent flying. Yet the impact was so tremendous that he couldn't help but to cough up blood. Turning abruptly on the spot he found himself looking at a curvaceous and fiery woman in a tight fitting red leather armor outfit. Her well developed torso was also draped in a crimson red skirt that left little to the imagination. The top was cropped at the waist and fastened loosely with string.

Emerald's eyes bulged as he shouted. "YOU!" The world seemed to shake in unison with his rage.

Zekith was unconscious on floor in the circular room of the Fortunes Affinity device. Blood was slowly pooling around his body. Saturating his clothing with a deep red hue. The metallic smell of blood permeated the chamber. It soon seeped down to his pants where the ring was located. Once blood touched the rings surface it actually absorbed some. Where it once again began to shine. But this time it was even more bright compared to before. A deep reverberating and droning roar echoed from him. He was still unconscious during this whole process. His face was turning a ghastly shade of gray as more blood seeped out from his head. There was so much blood at this point that his life was now in question.

Aunt Pol was still looking at the scrying bowl that showed the battle between Exalted Emerald and Exalted Black Cross. When she saw the crimson robed female jump into the fight. She clicked her tongue in irritation. Finally taking her eyes off of the battle between the Exalted Ones to check on her nephew. What she saw horrified her. She had lost track of how many times this trail had caused her to almost die and she not even taking the test. Her face paled as she notice the state of the boy on the floor. "ZEKITH!" She screamed. What aunt Pol couldn't see was that something amazing was happening to the ring he had in his pocket. The ring was still glowing but now it was emitting a green vapor. It was also drinking more blood as if to supply itself with power. Suddenly blood was sucked rapidly into the ring. In a sudden burst of energy the green vapor completely covering Zekith's body. It looked like he was wrapped in a green cocoon. It look like the vapor was going to solidify when it seeped into his pores. Distributing its energy throughout his body quickly revitalizing his essence. Moments later his eyes snapped open.