Chapter 150: Danse Macabre, Part 6

Without any hesitation, they continued. They both wielded their respective weapon and charged forward, their body slowly starting to give in. The Hat Man would be patient and allow Harvard to strike first, with the boy aiming his sword directly to his arms and hands, an attempt to disarm and wound the wrist that connected one another. Publiq reacted by parrying the strike and do a riposte, maneuvering the boy's blade away and leave him wide open for an attack. In his quick thinking, Harvard would have the extra appendage swoop in and take the strike in his stead, the blood leaking furiously as it delve deep within its flesh. He'd then have the extra arm grapple the edge, allowing him to get closer and lunge for another strike.

SHIKK!!

A Direct hit to the Hat Man's chest, cutting it down and pushing the man off, howls of pain being heard from his opposition, as he'd try to get close for another strike. The Hat Man reacted accordingly by spawning more tendrils, now adorned with Apep's mouth to try and bite into the child, hoping to inject its venom once more. The boy fought back in the form of Flames, rocketing him high up while scorching the new creations. The Hat Man remained steady as the Card Magician free fell and took aim for his shoulder next, ready to chop off his arm. To the boy's surprise, despite having the advantage, Publiq took just as much action instantly.

KER-CLANG!!

The Hat Man maneuvered his arm to have his blade connect with Harvard's, the swords clashing proudly, scraping metal off of one another, before A. N. Noh kicked the child directly into the barrier, the great wall of fire being used to harm the boy. He'd luckily have the appendage take the crash head-on, though he would be forced to roll over on the ground to put out such fire licking across his body. Smoke was beginning to be present, lowering their oxygen intake more and more, leaving the two to have lower chances of survival. The more they keep this up, the more likely they're going to die together in this barrier. That was when an idea hit the boy. To die together...

He had no time to waste. He'd set up a spell as he'd charge forward once more, only this time being more careless with his movements, even yelling at the top of his lungs to grab his attention and throwing himself forward to set up a clean slice through his chest. Publiq would recognize this and would once again try to evade, once again somehow knowing where the boy was despite being blind. He was careful as he'd do one clean swipe, taking aim directly at the boy's head, ready to slice it in two. The clashing and clattering of steel came once more, sparks flying as the two dueled amidst the burning wasteland made by their hands, with both of them being on par, before the Hat Man took his advantage. Another Riposte, another wide opening, all to slice at the child.

SHIKK!!

A Clean hit, with his head cut apart like a melon. Despite such an effort to be made...The Hat Man felt unsure. Something was off with such an attack. Something was clearly off. He'd try to prepare once more, until..

SHIKK!!

"Gotcha...." A voice came, a voice that Publiq recognized. It was a trap. He could feel something warm dripping down his throat, knowing full well what it was.

Blood.

Harvard casted a spell to create a copy of himself and had him go on to take the hit. He'd time his movements just enough to where once the copy was deployed, the movement didn't change in direction and momentum. He realized that the Hat Man was using the very environment to allow him to "see", feeling the winds blowing and hearing the sounds of dirt crushing under his feet. By being blind, the rest of his senses became heightened, and as such, it allowed him to react to things automatically, as if it was a sixth sense. Despite such a boon, it also became a burden, as Harvard used his trickery to exploit that very gift given to him. After he slashed at the clone, it was only a quick slice across his throat to finish the battle, with the boy standing proudly after such a scheme. He could see Publiq already attempting a last ditch effort by using Memory Magic to patch up his wound, yet Harvard was quick in making another lethal strike, a second slash across his throat, followed by a stab right to his heart, which would immediately give him the answer. The Hat Man simply laughed to himself weakly as he realized his end has come. "To die Blind...to Die alone.....what a sad thought. What a Depressing thought, even....I wonder what emotions I will exhibit." He'd pause himself, clutching at the wound, before looking at where he would think the child was. "Little one.....if I ever somehow survive.....Please tell me how I sound.....when I draw my final breath. Please....?" He'd ask, creating a multitude of weapons to get the last word in, opening his wound further to try and blind the child with his own blood.

Harvard simply closed his eyes as the blood came in, sword in hand. "You're one crazy guy, Mister.....It's been fun facing you though...." He'd answer, a smile on his face. "Alright....I will. I'll also make sure to remember you....Publiq." As he'd finish, the Hat Man laughed once more.

"What a marvelous set of words, young one.....Foolish....yet Marvelous." As he'd said his last words, the boy made quick work in slashing wildly at the man, streaks upon streaks of red, dicing him until he's merely in ribbons, finally finishing the enemy once and for all. Once such an act was done, the barrier finally broke itself, with the group watching on as they'd see Harvard victorious, before fainting in the burnt ash of the crops.

He is unconscious....yet he remains alive.