Mortality (2)

A blast of wind exploded from Sedori as the blades began to whirl around him faster than the eye could follow. As he walked towards Akuro it looked like a blur surrounded him and gusts of wind obliterated the earth and cutting deep into the ground, carving into the stone.

Sedori dashed at Akuro, his fists flying for Akuro's face while he would thrust and slash with his swords every chance he had. No matter how fast he attacked, nothing could hit Akuro, everything he did missed. He could land a single hit.

The Akuro stomped his foot to the ground, sending a shockwave through the ground that knocked Sedori off balance. Akuro then ran at him, grabbed his head and pulled down, bashing Sedori's face into his knee, the sound of Sedori's skull being smashed in echoing through the air.

"You cannot defeat me. Stop trying." Akuro growled. "Your presence here changes nothing."

Then the ground began to tremble violently as a massive explosion went off in the distance, an immense shockwave rushing towards them at a violent pace. Moving as quick as possible, Sedori used his shields to protect Inari and Darius just as the shockwave struck them. Layers of earth were torn up, rock, dust and rubble flew through the air.

Amidst the storm of stone, Akuro clasped Sedori's throat and attempted to lift him up, but a blade zinged through the air and severed his arm.

"What.?" Akuro asked in shock. Then he realized he could not see the blades anymore, meaning he could not manipulate them with his powers.

Suddenly Akuro's body became riddled with deep gashes and limbs began to be severed. He'd heal, but then he'd be shredded again, over and over this repeated as Sedori's fist then crashed into Akuro's cheek, knocking him back.

"Blades of sealing," Sedori roared at that moment, the area then illuminating with turquoise light as small swords stacked together into two larger blades. "Gates of Xinoll, Demonic Seal!"

The two massive blades crashed into Akuro, one impaling his chest while the other severed his head. And there Akuro's body was held, pinned to the ground by the sealing blades.

As the shockwave passed, the dust began to lower while rocks and rubble gently drifted to the ground, the gravity distortions causing them to fall slower.

"Heh. Man, it doesn't seem to me like you know what the hell you are even doing, Akuro." Sedori said, confidence exuding from him now.

Then black aura began to encroach over the blades, their light beginning to fade out.

"Wait.. what.?"

Akuro sprung back to his feet, the blades falling away to the ground.

"It's pointless." Akuro growled. "I do not understand why you try."

Suddenly, that sense of confidence failed Sedori as he faltered. He never imagined he would falter, not ever, not once in his life.

"Tch!" He grit his teeth. "That's it."

Now each of his four hands held a blade in them and he dashed at Akuro. What ensued was a fast paced exchange of blows, Sedori swinging the swords at impossible speeds, almost as though he were dancing, and Akuro would deftly dodge or deflect each blow.

"I'm done with this little game." Akuro said in a bored expression, then snapped his fingers, and as soon as he did everything around Sedori went black. Then he got the sense that he was falling. He spun, wind rushing past his ears, and as he turned he realized Akuro had somehow transferred him into the atmosphere. Now he was streaming downwards from the sky, and soon he'd burn to cinders and crash to the earth below.

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Akuro could feel only one thing: cold. Bitter, bitter cold. He was alone and he felt numb, he couldn't think straight, he was drowning in emptiness. He had no clue, nor care, about what was occurring in the real world. He was drifting, lost, and alone. And he didn't mind. He was at peace, but he only wished this cold would go away.

He could faintly hear what he imagined were the voices of Mato and Brimgarn.. but he didn't care. The voices came and went like a vivid dream, they weren't real to him. In his mind he was just a simple kid who had a lovely sister and lived nothing more than video games and anime. He was still just and innocent kid.. dealt a bad hand.

"Akuro.." he could hear a voice, a familiar voice, call out his name. He knew this voice.. so why couldn't he place a name?

"Akuro.."

He began to stir.

On the outside, the Akuro who was fighting suddenly froze as the real one began to stir, regaining control.

"It's okay. Sleep Akuro," the voice came, then the image of a woman, arms extended, came to his mind. Warmth overwhelmed him as the arms wrapped about him, holding him tightly. "Sleep.. let it all go.." the voice said. That's when he realized who it was.

"Hope...?" He asked softly.

"Yes. I have you now." Void said. "You are safe.. so sleep.. just let it all go, Akuro."

The Akuro in the real world then became relaxed once more, but now he seemed even more focused and cold. He seemed stronger. He had more of an edge to him, a gleam in his eyes, like he ruled the world, like he could do anything.

Meanwhile the real Akuro drifted into an eternal slumber.