Mara's Deity

Ciro took on the 4 captains alone and Ael charged down the remaining forces of the Nyx Cartel.

The battle was balanced with no clear winner. The cartel had it's numbers while they have the power of martial arts.

"To think I'd see a scene like this again."

"Villages drawing all their strength even against the powerful enemy."

"Ciro will have his struggles since he's on a cliff, he'll need a floor to step on if he ever wants a chance. Let's see, if Ciro has the talent to fully master the art."

Ri-hyun said.

Ciro was on the verge of being pushed back to the edge of the cliff.

Breathing heavily, his exhaustion visible.

"Give up kid, there's nowhere to run. I'll end your suffering."

One captain launched forward to slash Ciro but before he could close the distance...

He pulled out pebbles from his pocket, disconnecting his energy from the knife he was using.

"I still have more to throw..."

He panted heavily.

Ciro threw the pebbles, one at each captain's hand.

"What is this supposed to be?"

The captains examined the perfectly normal pebbles.

Ri-hyun widened his eyes at the realization.

"Is he...?"

Ciro rapped his energy to the pebbles like wires connected to his body.

"Take this!"

True Heaven Flying Knife Art: Heavenly Burst

A high-risk, high output energy where one releases it's thunder qi to electrify oneself. Mostly used to stun the opponent or kill in a single successful attempt.

"ARGH!"

Ciro contorted in pain, connecting the electricity of his body to the pebbles held by the captains.

The captains were shocked and burnt internally, due to not having a physique that allows to contain thunder qi.

Ri-hyun leaped down from the tree and knocked Ciro out to stop the outburst of thunder qi from burning him.

Meanwhile, near the ground of the mountain where Ael and the hunters were slowly able to push the forces back.

Ael attempted to use the fiery energy he obtained from his training, causing his emotions to only focus on hatred.

Using burning rage as power, ignoring the intense heat that is burning his skin.

"M-monster!"

They shouted.

"Ael! Calm down please!"

The hunters shouted.

Ael's energy was completely blocking all external forces from influencing him, only the flame filled desire was consuming him.

Ri-hyun came down and saw Ael rampaging towards the remaining forces of the cartel.

"Lord Ri-hyun, Ael has completely gone berserk. Please stop him."

They pleaded.

"I guess it was far too early for them."

As Ri-hyun breathed, a powerful soul-crushing pressure made all of them kneel including Ael.

He walked towards him, each gentle steps caused Ael to calm down little by little.

"Ael, you've done enough. Leave it to me."

Ael smiled before he slowly fainted due to qi exhaustion.

"Take Ael and Ciro back and treat them. I'll take care of this remaining people."

"Yes Lord Ri-hyun!"

As he watched them run back, he looked back at the kneeling enemies on the floor.

"Kaiser is dead."

He didn't shout but his voice could be heard all the way to the village.

"Return from where you came and tell your leaders to never approach this mountains again. Deliver this message correctly because mercy doesn't come a second time."

Ri-hyun released the pressure and watched all of them run back to their carriages as they left.

"Now then, shouldn't you come out by now, your glare is piercing right through soul."

Ri-hyun turned his head at the highest mountain peak of the Mara High Mountains, where an antelope-lion hybrid, with spiraled obsidian horns, a muscular body covered in sleek bronze hued fur and a mane like windswept tall grass stood.

It's is dotted with mossy stone plates, and wildflowers often bloom in it's wake. A great fan-like tail, covered in grass-like quills, sweeps behind it like a banner.

An aggressive windstorm came and landslides started to fall.

Inside the village, they saw and understood,

"Kaelthar"

Emris, one of Ael's hunting brother said with fear in his voice.

"We must tell lord Ri-hyun to return!"

Remus, the second oldest after Ael.

All of the hunters agreed and decided to run after Ri-hyun but was stopped by a bolt of lightning in front of them.

One of the formsr beggars inside the village asked,

"Who is Kaelthar? And why are they afraid?"

Seth, Ael's uncle and one of the few remaining elders of the village answered.

"The deity of this mountains."

"And the sole reason why the kingdoms and the empires couldn't freely attack, thus making this mountains an untouched territory of neither of the nations."

Kaelthar leaped, his spiraled obsidian horns aimed to crush Ri-hyun's body to the ground.

Ri-hyun took a step back and crossed his arms, ready to block the blow of the heavy horns.

Myriad Forms Asura: Twelve Cosmic Sutras: 1st Forge

A single-layered shell made of Ri-hyun's energy covered his body and took Kaelthar's attack head on, only causing a medium-sized crack to the shell.

In a split second, Kaelthar took a step back, his movement causing sparks on the ground before charging in once again for another attack.

"This beast similar to the six divine beasts."

Myriad Forms Asura: Twelve Cosmic Sutras: 2nd Forge

Instead in the shape of a shell, he shaped into a glove and wore it, to withstand the impact without tearing his skin.

He caught both of his horns and used his strength to put him down.

"Listen to me! I didn't came here to cause chaos in the mountains!"

"Hear the answers from the villagers themselves and quell your anger."

"This reminds me when I fought that damn tortoise."

"Although this one feels slightly weaker, it's enough to cause problems for a few grandmasters."

"But I'm not a grandmaster, so calm down already!"

Ri-hyun, still holding on to the horns, swung Kaelthar to the wall of the mountain and accidently bashing it's head, knocking it out. The impact of the bash was strong to the point it shook the mountain and the village for a short duration.