Chapter 203: Invierno

Stolas and the two twin constellations would unleash a barrage against the newly made Juboko clones, with the stars burning such creatures out as they landed their kicks and hooks, with one even grabbing ahold of a charred remains and ripping its arm off so that it can be used as a weapon. Stolas himself would get himself as close as possible, allowing the Yokai's to be met with the heat of the attack, as well as further damage from Zodiac Man, slowly but surely lighting the self-made forest on fire. He would even use Aquarius to the Yokai's eyes in order to blind it with its radiance, in order to take the advantage and deliver a three piece, two punches at the chest, aiming where the lungs would be, then a chop motion to the jaw, knocking it clean off, and letting the wound serve as a transportation to ignite the rest of the body. The Yokai was getting more and more frustrated at how he's treating this with lightheartedness. It recognized quickly that if it wants to make the Stellar Magician focus, it's going to have to push them enough with his Final Gambit. To use it now, however, would be too early. It needs to do when Stolas' Zodiac Man is removed, if only for a moment.

The plan was put into motion, with Juboko trying to splash some blood all over the stars, having it be burned up and made into smoke in the process. When doing this, it would also utilize the leaves, having them snap off and infect it with small splinters, making them act as a projectile to try and strike at where he splashed such blood-like sap, thinking that through such blindness, it would also be enough to put out the stars and get in for a clean slash. Stolas would counteract it with another constellation, already understanding its plan. With a snap of his fingers, the Man would create a constellation at the direction of the leaves, assuming it was coming in the same area as the blood smoke bomb was caused. A constellation of a Serpent, which when it opens its mouth, would consume the cluster whole: Ophiuchus. "That's all you got?!" He'd yell proudly, attempting to trigger the monster to swing in physically. Such a trigger seemed to work, with him being face to face with a fist coming down to break his beak and knock him out. He'd have Ophiuchus curve its body to catch the arm and twist it, preventing the attack from connecting altogether, before lunging forward to do a headbutt, the stars in Zodiac Man already recuperating and blasting down the tree-like beast with its fire.

It was yet another clone.

Stolas would set up Aquarius once more and synched it with his stellar armor to make it gain a radius, a barrier to keep away the other clones while he searches across the burning land to see who is the real Juboko.

KRASH!!!

The lands split almost immediately, with the Spriggan beast reaching out with its mouth agape, trying to bite off the man's head. Stolas can only give a devilish smile when he saw who was coming close. "There you are! Why are you hiding down here for?" He'd taunt, moving his hands to grab ahold of the monster's jaw, pushing it back so that he can open his own mouth and make a constellation to fire it down on Juboko's mouth: Sagittarius. Usually done with his talon-like fingers, Stolas would have to improvise by making his beak act like a cannon, firing shot after shot to blast down his opposition, explosion upon explosion to wear down the natural threat before his eyes. As he was firing, watching the bark slowly disintegrate, the monster was keeping its ground by grabbing ahold of Stolas' arms, screeching like a banshee in pure pain with what was going on, its nerves being touched every second the heat entered its body. As such heat ignited the beast, however, Stolas would hold a grimace upon his face, trying to break free from his grip, realizing its plan. Despite suffering, he can tell the beast was being gleeful, since such bark was being left behind on his feathers, hiding them deep enough under his skin so that it can survive through it. The Man would successfully kick the Yokai off, but it was too late, for the monster started to utilize its magic once more, despite being a mere charcoal construct that remained left.

"Pri.....Ma.....Ve.....Ra..."

SHIKK!!!

The Branches invaded on his body, stabbing into his vitals, growing through his bloodstream, being sucked away like nothing. Stolas would fall to the ground by such pain and entanglement, feeling his body being more rigid. The stars that made up Zodiac Man began to slowly dissipate, being mere dust in the smoky wind. Juboko can't help but cackle at the sad state, slowly approaching him with its clones closing around the area. Their arms shaped into weapons, sharpened as much as it can, in an effort to skewer the bird alive. "Now....To pay your tithes.....Sorcerer. For each and every one of us....A Tenth shall be spent. For my Kin, For my forests....and for my brothers you erased with your malice.....Your plasma shall be their fertilizer..." The monster spoke, getting closer and closer to the Man without any fear left. His opposition is weakened. It can go for the kill and focus on swarming Solomon next. Just as it got face to face with him again, however, it noticed something. Something wicked. Something disturbing.

Stolas is still smiling.

FWOOOOOOSH!!!

A huge bonfire made on the body, pushing back the clones and knocking back Juboko itself. It stared in shock at how the Stellar Sorcerer managed to get back up, the rigid, creaking sounds of bone being non-existent. It recognized quickly what he did the moment it saw the holes made through such branches emit that smoke.

He lit his own inner body ablaze to burn away the roots, risking his life for such a suicidal survival trick. Yet, he stands, smiling, knowing full well his death was nigh, before pulling the rug underneath the Spriggan. "I'm paying.....when I feel like it. You are not going to extort me like this, Walnut Tree." He was mocking the monster. He's staring it down like a rabid animal, ready to feast on its newly captured prey.

He was enjoying this near death scenario.