Chapter 182: The Escape, Part 4

"....Tch. Yet again, you people show me exactly why I held such hate within: You somehow find a way to keep going, despite it all. Even if it's run by hopes and dreams, you still chase after it and use it as your motivation. It's time to wake up, Priest." Malak would hold a scowl in seeing such a majestic form before him, swaying his cloak to the side, showcasing his sheathed sword. He'd arm himself, the cool blade shimmering with the setting sun, taking on the Chudan no Kamae style, staring down at the Pastor with his hint of anger always present. He wasn't a fool in trying to step in and taking the first swing. From what he overheard of the child, the man plays passively until attacks come to him, after which, he would react with any of his Chakra's to fend it off. He came to another answer that, for each arm he wielded, it would possess one of said Chakra's, effectively making him a Swiss Army Knife of stances. There was only one way to prove such a theory was correct, and, much to his behest, he'd take that chance almost instantly.

He'd utilize his magic without warning and charged in, ready to have his legs bend himself back in order to evade any strike he is willing to throw, raising his weapon to try and slash across his body. His original expectation was for the Pastor to move out the way and take a swing, most likely with one of his underarms in order to sneak in a hit, followed by a hook on his upper arm and striking like a tidal wave with his barrage. What he didn't expect, however, was for Manipura to challenge that, approaching the King in the same manner and having two of his arms try to grab at his wrist. Malak would be forced to curve himself in order to evade such a grasp, yet the Pastor matched it with a solid punch across his face, having his lower arms try and grab him once more and pull him up, delivering his string without mercy: An uppercut at the jaw, a hook at his temple, a knee to his abdomen, a gut punch towards his ribcage, a palm strike at his nose, and even utilizing the arm of Vishuddha to penetrate into his body, acupuncture that pierces in his body, a barrage of pokes that slowly had him spill more and more blood. He'd grit his teeth at every instance he'd unleash such moves, the roots being quick to react in order to hinder his movements, yet he still kept going.

"DAMNIT!! WHAT EVEN IS THIS!?" he'd think to himself, coughing up some blood, trying to regain his breath as he was pushed back, his face warped into a menacing scowl. "Calm down....Calm....Down. Your Anger is what got you murdered the first time. Relax yourself and THINK! Each arm is his specific chakra he wants to use. If I want to get closer, I must make sure the ones he's using doesn't try to cripple me. Easier said than done...." He'd take a deep breath and gripped his sword's hilt, charging in once more, with another strategy in mind. He'd time himself in each step to use his magic and curve his body prematurely, resulting in him spinning clockwise towards his lower body. He'd shift his stance so that his sword's blade is facing up, his feet planted firmly in the ground, taking aim for the shoulder blades. His plan was simple, yet brutal: To cut off the very arms that served as his weapon. Manipura would be patient, timing his own body so that, when the blade began to rise, he would have one of his arms catch the very blade, Resting underneath it. Malak merely grinned as such an opportunity was given. "Gotcha...." He'd utter, before pumping as much of his magic as possible, such a spiral being formed and ripping apart one of such arms: Svadhisthana. The Pastor would push himself off by having one of his legs kick the King at his stomach, knocking the wind out of him and stunning him, somewhat preserving his limb.

The King braced for impact, as the Pastor let out another assault. He'd utilize the four main chakra's to his advantage; Vishuddha piercing at his leftmost side of his neck, Anahata striking at his chest, prolonging the stun further, Manipura enveloping his body with a thin veil, cutting off any oxygen he would need, and Agya in doing a chop towards his face, hitting his eyes as a result, blinding the King temporarily. He would back himself away and stumble, struggling to regain his sight, yet Manipura kept pushing on, a barrage of punches to his body in order to try and weaken him further, yet the more he moved, the more he can feel those roots invading into his system, growing across his bones and restricting his movement. His body was not responding properly, yet he still kept going.

SHIKK!! SHIKK!!

Amidst his strikes, his body runs into the biggest hurdle so far. His body slumps over to the side, catching himself before he hit himself on the ground, gasping for air. He'd try to heal himself with Anahata, but it somehow doesn't seem to work. He recognized quickly what was happening, checking his chest to see veins bulbously sticking out, spreading across his center.

The Roots invaded his heart.

He could feel his body being more and more numb by the second, his hands shaking and giving way, unable to use his original arms anymore. The Knight merely got up and wiped the blood coming out of his mouth, smiling to himself in seeing such a state. "You're even a worse shape than I thought. Think its best for everyone if you just lie down. Relax yourself. After all.....you're not gonna live much longer." As he'd approach the pastor, sword in hand, preparing to take his head, Manipura would simply laugh, his eyes shining. One of the symbols was disappearing, glowing brighter and brighter by the second.

"I will get my peace.....By any means necessary..."