Chapter 8:A Fight in the Darkness [4]

Although I really wanted to attack his completely unprotected body, changing directions mid-air would be impossible.

Staring at the three layers of mana surrounding his arms, my intended target, I sighed before weakening my grip on the ruby karambit.

I couldn't break through that...right now.

Just as I reached the apex of my jump where the "hero" was right below me, I simply dropped my dagger, allowing it to free fall through the air.

As I began descending, landing behind the "hero," my ruby karambit directly met his three layers of mana protection.

When the two forces of nature met, time seemed to freeze as the "hero" and karambit stayed perfectly still while touching.

The karambit was the first to give as the "hero" slowly lifted it upward until it was finally flung into the air, unable to defeat his mana protection.

Making a perfect arc in the air, the ruby dagger flew off to the side, slowly descending into the void of darkness, following after the "hero's" light-blue sword and my obsidian sword.

However, moments later, the three layers of mana protection surrounding the "hero's" two arms seemed to shatter like glass as they began to flicker like a broken light bulb before eventually disappearing.

At that moment, I finally landed on the ground, a couple of feet behind the "hero," who was still recovering.

There was no mana around his body anymore.

Just like me, he seemed to be out.

Taking the opportunity, I sprinted at the hero with my arm outstretched; however, my footsteps echoed throughout the silent cathedral, alerting the "hero."

As I threw my fist forward, the "hero" immediately assumed a defensive stance.

Bringing his arms together vertically so that his fists were facing the ceiling and his elbows were facing the floor, the "hero" tanked my punch.

Falling backward under the pressure of my fist, the "hero" immediately dropped his arms and rapidly kicked his left leg forward.

With the right side of my head already heavily damaged and bleeding, if his kick connected, I would likely be knocked unconscious.

Thus, just as the "hero's" left leg was about to hit the right side of my head, I placed my right arm vertically in front of my ear and then gripped onto my right shoulder with my left hand to support it.

As the "hero's" leg met my hand, centimeters from my head, his leg bounced off, knocking him off balance.

Not hesitating, I immediately released my left hand and drove it forward at the chest of the off-balance "hero."

Tanking my punch once again, the "hero" fell backward, clutching his chest and barely managing to stay off the ground.

Seeing the panting "hero," I immediately sprinted forward; however, to my surprise, the "hero" also jumped toward me.

Unable to stop running, I watched as the "hero" practically landed in my arms.

Immediately, the "hero" wrapped his arms around my body before attempting to push us both off the carpet and into the void.

He was desperate.

But so was I.

Glancing behind the "hero" at the massive cross, I felt myself rapidly being sucked in, like a piece of trash being vacuumed from the ground.

Shaking my entire body, I attempted to throw the "hero" off me, but even after our entire fight, his grip was still unwavering.

Raising my head, I bashed downward at the "hero's" head, ignoring the searing pain coursing through my brain.

Then, I did it again.

And again.

At some point, my entire head just went limp...I couldn't feel anything.

Simultaneously, the "hero," unable to dodge my head bashes, simply...smiled and made eye contact with me.

His light-blue eyes met my blood-red eyes.

I couldn't even imagine what the "hero" was feeling right now.

While he fought me, millions of his comrades were watching from the stars, each waiting to see the goal they had died for to be fulfilled.

If the "hero" lost to me right now, he would be letting the entire human empire down.

Raising my head, which was bleeding profusely from all sides, I returned the "hero's" smile and walked forward.

The hero's blonde hair was now stained blood red and his previously clean face was covered with scars and wounds.

However...he seemed happier now than when I had first seen him. And his eyes were sparkling a lighter blue than I had ever seen.

And, through his eyes, I could see my own face.

The entire right side of my face was covered in blood, and my hair was more red than brown at this point.

That probably explained why I couldn't see out of my right eye.

"Good night."

With those last words, I tilted my head and smiled.

Mustering the last of my strength, I grabbed the "hero's" legs and finally managed to shake him off my body.

Holding him in my hands, I could see a small tear leak out of the "hero's" right eye.

He and his army had failed.

Not that I had any right to, but I still spoke.

"You'll be waiting for my death, won't you?"

"I'll see you then."

"We'll have a rematch."

Shakingly waving my hands, I laid the hero down on the royal red carpet.

In the original book, the hero's body had never been found, even after an extensive search of the cathedral.

However, this time, it would be found.

His sister...no, the world had to see what all he had done for them.

Such a colorful masterpiece had to be put on display for everyone to see.

Dragging the hero behind me, I walked past the throne and stood in front of the massive cross, not daring to look at the reflection it displayed.

As my consciousness began to fade, I placed the hero on top of my throne before raising my fist.

Making eye contact with me but not speaking, the hero tilted his head and opened his mouth.

Although no noise came out, I could read his lips.

"I'll wait for you."

Putting the hero's back against my throne, I raised my fist and delivered one last blow to his chest, ensuring his death.