Conclusion (2)

As the storm raged high above, increasing in intensity with every passing moment. The once domineering wyvern let out a weak roar as it struggled to evade the countless lightning bolts which thundered from the tenebrous clouds.

Galvanized by the sight of the monster showing a moment of weakness, Kang showed a bloodthirsty smile as he dived into action.

Raising his hand upward, he commanded lightning to rain down on his figure.

Controlling the destructive element with his mental energy, Kang began conjuring a menacing spear of rampant lighting as the electricity snaking across his body increased many-fold.

CRACKLE-! CRACKLE-!

As the lightning buzzed and hummed, the spear was finally complete. Hoisting the spear in the air, Kang closed his eyes as he used all the remaining latent power stored in his body to fuel this next strike.

Inhaling a deep breath which sent waves of pain through his body, a pillar of colossal lightning formed over his figure as his eyes snapped open.

Releasing a mighty shout, Kang pierced forward with the lightning spear, generating an overwhelming amount force of power which caused nature to come to a standstill.

The winds ceased howling, and the droplets of rain stopped falling. Gazing from afar inside the outpost, protected by the formation, the remaining soldiers forgot to breathe in awe.

As they witnessed the fight from the beginning, they rooted for the lightning-adorned figure with all their hearts praying for his victory.

Releasing a flashing purple light, Kang's conjured spear travelled with great speed, preparing to impose judgment on the flying wyvern.

PUCHI-!

Piercing the adamantine skin of the Wyvern with incomparable ease, the spear embedded itself into the horrifying abomination charring its insides black.

THUD-!

As the impaled body of the Wyvern fell to the ground, the lightning which surrounded Kang crackled weakly as he fell to his knees in exhaustion.

Panting heavily, he tried to suppress the burning pain he felt. It was an indescribable pain that caused him to groan weakly. To Kang, it felt like countless flaming needles drilled themselves into his very being.

Struggling to raise his head to ensure the Wyvern was dead once and for all, Kang trembled as the pain increased with each passing second.

'I… need… to… make… sure… it's… dead.'

Continuing in his attempts to move his aching body, he bit his lips. Alas, before he had the chance to try anymore, he heard an intimidating voice whisper in his ears.

"It's okay. Leave everything to me now. You have tried your hardest to ensure the safety of your squad members and fellow humans, even at the cost of your own life. Your time to rest has come."

Trembling even more after hearing the deep voice which contained hints of authority deep within, Kang's resistance faded as he slumped weakly to the ground.

When he activated the Forbidden Art, he knew exactly what price he would pay to gain access to such power. Yet, he would still do it again if the situation repeated itself. That was just the type of person he was.

The type which placed others in front of themselves.

Raising his head, Kang weakly raised his head to find out the source of the voice. Making eye contact with the individual, his eyes widened as he tried to speak.

Unfortunately, the backlash of using such destructive power was just too great, as a torrent of blood spluttered from his mouth. A testament to the damage to his body received.

"Shhh! Don't think too hard. Your job is done now. You can rest peacefully with your squad leader in the afterlife."

Glaring with all his might, Kang struggled with the pain, gathering all the energy he could as his voice croaked out two words for the final time.

"Fuck… you!"

As the last vestiges of life in Kang's body, he made sure he let that hateful and despicable person knew how he felt.

THUD-!

Falling to the ground, his lifeless body made a resounding thud which echoed in the silence of the battlefield as he departed the realm of the living.

***

Faced with Kang's hateful glare, Commander Vanderson smirked widely as he waited until the fellow opposite him paid the price for activating such an art.

Retrieving Kang's storage ring, he failed to remove the wide grin which bloomed on his face.

Binding the storage ring with his blood, he rummaged through its contents until he found what he was searching for.

'Aha. There it is!'

Taking the scroll, which had the instructions on how to activate the forbidden art which Kang just used on it, Commander Vanderson placed it in his storage ring.

Moving his gaze to the sizzling abomination which had slumped powerlessly to the ground, he began walking towards it with a calm gait.

Stopping in front of the Wyvern's face, he looked intently into its narrow slits as he chuckled to himself.

"Look who won in the end, you disgusting abomination."

The wyvern, who was on its legs of life, felt enraged like never before as it attempted to bite the despicable human in front of it.

Alas, before it could even move its body, a fist covered in a blood-red hue smashed right in the middle of its face.

PUCHI-!

Punching out with all his strength, Vanderson saw his fist collide with the monstrous creature as blood splattered outward with great force due to the strength packed behind the strike.

Wiping the blood which ended up on his face, he turned around and started walking in the direction where he came from.

As the deceased corpse of the colossal wyvern slumped to the ground, Commander Vanderson walked for a few moments before stopping beside a charred figure.

Gazing at this figure, an array of complicated emotions swirled deep within his eyes. Closing his eyes, he whispered.

"The Wyvern has been defeated and your squad mate Kang has paid the required price and succumbed to the backlash. It's all over. You can rest well knowing that everyone did not die today, old friend."

Looking down, Commander Vanderson saw the charred figure slowly open his eyes. Deep within those pupils was a mixture of sadness and relief. Groaning slightly, the charred figure moved a little as a few words croaked from his throat.

"I… see… thank… god… Vanderson… I'm… sorry… for… everything."

Slumping to the ground, Otto's charred figure stopped moving as he lay there. With his spirit finally entering the land of eternal rest.

A tiny tear trickled down Vanderson's face as his pained voice echoed slightly in the wind.

"Me too. I'm sorry."

Heaving a tired sigh, he opened his eyes, showing a frosty expression as he gazed upward, discovering that a small stream of twilight which managed to pierce the tenebrous clouds, bringing a semblance of warmth to this apocalyptic hell.