Chapter 51

Ezra POV

Sensing the flow of cosmic energy, I predicted that the attack was coming from behind me. Reinforcing my body with cosmic energy, I pivoted and caught the raging fist with my forearms. The strike sent me sliding backward.

"Your reflexes are as good as the legends say, even with you drained of cosmic energy. But I fear that alone will not save you in this battle," Kael said with a smirk. It had been a while since I had fought against someone of his caliber. The potency of an opponent at the Empyrean stage was nothing to scoff at. Knowing I didn't have much cosmic energy left, I had to use it sparingly—and I was sure my opponent knew that as well. That was why he seemed so confident in challenging me, despite being a stage lower.

"Everything alright there, Ezra? You seemed a little worried just now," the hulking man taunted as he took a large, explosive step toward me.

Following the flow of his cosmic energy, I prepared a counterattack, but the punch I thought was coming toward me was a feint. Instead of aiming for my midsection, Kael drove his fist straight into the ground, sending debris from the astral realm flying and obscuring my vision.

Damn, this man might be smarter than I thought. I dodged the large chunks of rock hurled in my direction, but just as I evaded the last boulder, a powerful force struck me from behind, sending me flying and crashing into the crystalline mountain structure.

"Come on, Ezra, you're starting to let me down. I haven't even used my ability yet. Don't tell me you've lost a step after all these years of hiding," Kael said as he slowly approached me.

He was right—I was being too passive. I didn't want to waste any cosmic energy without knowing what he was truly capable of.

I formed a mace made of solar energy as I pulled myself out of the rubble. "Don't bite off more than you can chew, big guy," I said before vanishing from my position.

When I reappeared at his side, Kael didn't seem bothered at all. Still, I pressed forward and went for a sweep of his legs. My kick caused a slight buckle in his stance, but not enough for the effect I wanted. Immediately, I dashed upward and swung my solar mace with immense force toward his left shoulder, hoping to render that arm useless.

But my attack did no such thing.

The only sign of my strike was a small dent in his armor.

Shocked, I immediately retreated to create distance.

"Wondering why that didn't do much damage despite you being a stage stronger than me?" Kael asked, tilting his head as if speaking to a child. "You're not the first Astral Knight I've faced, Ezra, and you won't be the last I kill. Have you ever heard of the Constellation of the Great Pyroclasm?"

"Not familiar," I responded.

As soon as I spoke, a rune on his arm began to glow, molten energy seeming to seep through his skin. Then, in one swift motion, Kael thrusted his fist into the ground. The impact generated several explosive aftershocks, sending ripples toward me. The attack resembled a miniature earthquake, and I swiftly dodged to the left—only to be met with a barrage of earth waves rushing my way.

With no other choice, I channeled solar energy into my legs and flew into the air to evade the attack.

"You see, Ezra, the Great Pyroclasm constellation is known for creating warriors of immense valor and power. Only Starbound who possess an undying will—strong enough to withstand the eruption of a volcano—can obtain the right to connect with it. In return, they are granted the power to become a living, breathing calamity."

With a smirk, Kael slowly raised his left arm, and another rune began to glow in tandem.

Before I could react, a massive eruption of molten lava shot toward me.

The lava didn't harm or faze me much, but it completely obstructed my vision. Drenched in the geyser of molten rock, I transformed my mace into a fan and blew the lava away. But as soon as my vision cleared, I realized Kael was no longer in sight.

How can a man that's eight feet tall disappear so fast? I thought as I tried to locate his cosmic energy signature.

"Looking for me?"

His voice came from beneath.

Before I could react, he grabbed my ankle and yanked me downward, sending me hurtling toward the devastated landscape.

Did the lava conceal his signature? This might be troublesome.

I immediately rolled to my feet, narrowly dodging his oncoming knee drop as he leaped down from the geyser. Wasting no time, I took an explosive step forward and summoned my solar mace once again. Infusing more cosmic energy into my attack, I swung with all my might, striking Kael in the abdomen with enough force to rupture a mountain.

Kael wasn't fast enough to dodge the attack, but as my strike landed, I realized—he might not have needed to.

His body slid several feet back, but he simply chuckled as he got up.

That should have put a hole through his armor—and his chest. What is this man made of?

"It's clicking now, isn't it, Ezra?" Kael smirked. "I'm not your average Empyrean-stage Starbound. The reason I've defeated several Astral Knights in the past is because of my soul armor." He said as he pounded his chest.

"This heavy black jagged armor isn't just for show. I forged it in the belly of a volcano. I reinforced celestium with molten magma to create a new obsidian metal that's highly resistant to physical damage and extreme temperatures. When infused with my cosmic energy, it's practically indestructible. Needless to say, you're gonna have to generate a hell of a lot more force to get through this bad boy."

"So this is what a general of Lux Tenebris is capable of," I thought to myself, shaking my head in annoyance.

"You know, I see it now, I see the resemblance now." Kael suddenly said, laughing uncontrollably.

"See what?" I shot back, preparing to launch another assault.

"Your brother had the same expression on his face when he learned this exact fact about my armor when I faced him as well."