Chapter 212: The Red King

KRACC!!!

KLANNNG!!!

KER-KLASH!!

Blades being traded one after another, swords clashing and creating sparks, igniting the now dead landscape, using its burnt grass as further fuel. As the soldiers tried to storm forth, being held back by the trio, Harvard Helsing would make quick work of each and every one that stood in his path against the King. A Spell casted to create a sword, parrying and slashing at his opponents as he walked across them, finally meeting face to face with Malak, his eyes bolstering such pride and motivation. He wasted no time in trying to go for first blood, leaping off of a soldier's shoulders and aiming towards the King's chest, blade in hand to try and slash the man in half. Malak would draw his own sword and countered the Card Magician's strike with his own, a cocky smirk upon his face as he'd drag the blade downwards, trying to hit the newly grown Helsing across the shoulder and down his stomach. The Card Magician merely used his neck to catch the blade, sinking it deep towards his shoulder blade, but not too deep to give away any new tricks, having his free hand grab the King's arm and pull him closer in order to land a knee directly at his stomach, followed by a high kick to his jaw, pushing him off and forcing him to be disarmed.

Going further on the offense, the Card Magician would cast two spells, one as a blinding white light to stun Malak, and another of Gravity, slamming him into the ground and pinning him down so Helsing can deliver a flurry of blows onto him. Recognizing he was being targeted, he'd have his anatomy slightly shift, allowing him to bend forward and grab Harvard around his neck, dragging him down and turning around so that both would feel its potent pull. The two let loose on each other, the King using knees and his right arm to damage the Magician's body, whilst the Magician used his left and very jaw to bite and punch at his upper body. The spell would explode out amidst their scuffle in order to separate them, with Harvard having small chunks of Malak's skin, and Malak having his knuckles bloodied in the punches. "You've actually gotten stronger since we last met! Must've made sure my message was firm in your daft brain, eh?" The King mocked, preparing himself to lunge forward, twisting his leg to prepare his magic.

"Same goes for you, Jerk! Seems you also took some time to prepare!" Harvard retorted, laughing to himself as he got in the same position. As another blade clashed, it served as their trigger, both of them launching towards one another, spell in tow for both sides. With Malak, he used his Spiral Magic to curve his direction, so that once he lands on the ground again, he is capable of turning in any area he wishes, allowing him to reach towards his blind spot and strike at his neck with a chop across the Adam's Apple, aiming for a quick kill once more. Harvard, however, was anticipating this, planting a spell on his own body and preparing to throw a feint. Once he noticed that Malak got closer in order to ensure the lethal push, the Magician immediately sprang it, creating a seal around his body, causing the magic itself to be sucked in through his attack, watching as the energy was being sucked into its bind.

Malak realized what his intention was and pulled himself back, grabbing at his arm instead and utilizing brute force as a secondary measure, empowering his body through his Spiral Magic to twist the arm completely off. As he did this, however, he noticed something.

The Magician wasn't screaming or wincing in pain. Neither a Groan, nor a grunt. He simply looked at the King with a cheeky smile. Something was wrong.

RRRRRRRIP!!!

The arm was torn from its socket, the appendage tossed towards the army, having them stomp and slash all over it, making it unusable. The King, however, remained skeptical, as he prepared himself for whatever trickery Helsing was willing to accomplish. Despite the arm being ripped off, Harvard simply casted a spell to replace it, creating a metal appendage, as well as making it conductive, utilizing lightning and thunder to make his new arm. He cracked his knuckles as he prepares to attack once more. "Round 2?" he'd ask, to which Malak simply scoffed, non-verbally accepting his offer.

The Magician lunged forward, charged arm in tow, aiming towards Malak's body. The Red King would be shocked at his recklessness, being deep in thought as he'd try to dodge the Magician's attacks, utilizing his own guards to serve as body shields, while also trying to have them serve as his blindspot so Malak can get closer and land a blow on his back. "Something's wrong, I can feel it." He'd think to himself. "This runt.....I know he did something. He's caused a massive explosion across the caverns, a beacon that blinded almost every single one of my men. This has to be that explosion....but what exactly is it? So far all he's done was using his cards and allowing me to take his arm off. He's playing me like a fool. It's not even subtle at how his intentions are being. However, intentions alone are not enough. I need more.....So what if...." The King would wind up another punch, aiming for a second strike towards his back. Harvard was quick in his reaction by skewing his body slightly to the right, throwing himself amidst the pile of soldiers that served to be Malak's defense. He'd raise up the bodies to serve as a further blockade, keeping his focus on where he is going to come from next.

SHIKK!!!

The bait was taken, but, it was in vain. The King had a wide smirk as he pierced through the bodies, letting the blood splatter everywhere, aiming for the Card Magician's eyes, blinding him in the process. He'd take swift aim towards his chest, his energy wound up for another punch. His goal has never been more clear: He wants to know what Harvard has learned, so he can take advantage and copy that very technique for himself. The best part, for him, is that this was the perfect opportunity to achieve such a result.

SHIKK!!!