The Exalt [Cultivation Fantasy]

The wall behind him was converted into a mound of ashes as Erden drove his sword into it, mimicking the ferocious charge of his beastly form. Demon ducked and swerved around, kicking off the ground with magnetic repulsion to gain some distance away. Stamping his hand on the floor, he invoked another spell, and platinum swords shot out from the ground, circling his real body. Erden melted the swords with a swipe of a burning sword, not a single molten drop reaching him. Dodging another piercing lunge, Demon was aware the beast had the advantage since this Duality clone contained a meager half of his power.

The beast truly intended to destroy him. Each swing of the sword blazed with hostility, the intent to leave him into nothing but ash. While he considered that he was merely a Duality clone, Demon felt the consequences of losing here would strike deeper than he knew. Once more, the burning sword thrust as the flames swept his real body across the hall instantly. There was no spell behind it since the beast lacked the means to use them, but the sheer force overwhelmed his platinum shields, forcing him to keep running.

'Where is Restel?' He thought as he fired several platinum spheres, magnetic force bouncing them off each other. They reached blinding speeds, a faint blur noting their path but unseen to most. In response, Erden rose his fires and expanded them, the flames swaying to the movements of the spheres, easily detectable now. Receiving multiple direct slashes, the spheres broke apart and scattered, piercing holes deep into the concrete. He lacked the strength to defeat Erden, the Duality showing its limits in potency.

Reaching his destination, Demon stomped, raising a section of the floor and kicking it toward Erden. The chunk of rubble reddened, smoldering black smoke before crumbling apart into molten rain. He wanted to keep retreating. However, this location was nearest the entrance to the vault, the fastest getaway for Avila and her confidants. His Duality wasn't in the best condition either. Erden had cut off the supply of Ein, and he judged his limits were nearing. Feeling the lull of his real body calling him back, Demon resisted and clung to the dwindling Duality clone.

Before he could confront Erden, the doors opened, and Avila and another rushed out. His chance had arrived. Backing away, he brushed his back against Avila's shoulder, their shadows overlapping. Seeing his shadow becoming a shade darker, Demon met Avila's gaze and waved her off to run away, an action clear and visible to the stuck onlookers unable to escape Ignyres's flaming maze. Her face fell, and she gnashed her teeth in frustration at what he had done but was pulled away by her companion, evading the guards who came close. What that, it was settled. The people would think they were involved.

A bright, blinding light showered on him, the intense heat stifling his body and slowing his movements. Erden had taken advantage of his brief interaction with Avila and swung down from above, the flame burning the brightest it had ever done today. Smoke hissed from his robes as embers riddled them with holes like ravenous moths devouring the cloth. The shadows under their feet stretched and intersected, and he saw Restel leave to join Erden.

'We won.' Demon declared as the sword drove into the crown of his head. Flames sprouted from the cracks, swirling around him until they erupted with all of Erden's might. A pillar of roaring fire reached the night sky, crossing the moon and engulfing Demon. Burning away, Demon felt no pain, but he twitched at Oscar's lifeless soul, still resting in the inner world. Why won't he wake up? What will it take?

As the blue core pulsed a soft light and droned a simple note, Demon sat beside Oscar, glancing over the unresponsive figure. Ignyres joined him but spat out embers in his direction, seemingly unwilling to converse. Erden handled the aftermath of the battle, still in control for now, as Demon tried to tug back the link to his body, finding it impossible for the time being. Oscar's will was strong, somehow still reaching him despite the current circumstances.

"Idiot. Wake up if you're going to be this stubborn." Demon gave up for now. He suspected it would take time for him to retake control. For now, he had no problems with Erden taking charge since the damage had been done, his reputation increased, and the auction treasures rested in his possession. With this and the continuous supply of money from the Lunate Continent, nothing could prevent his group from rising.

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…….

Hours later, Avila smashed the table in the warehouse, cracking it in half. Her hair and eyes had returned to their true colors. Removing her eyemask, she cursed while kicking the remains, crunching them into splinters and pebbles. It had been a long time since she suffered such a devastating loss. Breathing heavily, she gulped an entire jug of water, unable to quench her parched throat.

"That bastard….he played us." Avila slammed the jug on a crate and wiped her lips.

"Calm down, Avila. From what I heard, despite eyewitnesses reporting he was cut and burned into ashes, the Marshal Exalts present found no evidence of his death. We have a chance for revenge in the future. For now, let's celebrate escaping that place." Serit seemed to know her thoughts and pulled out another jug of water, her habit of drinking water endlessly when stressed all too familiar to him. He had also reverted the elixir changes, his slicked-back hair now chestnut brown with slight streaks of blonde at the roots and his eyes reflecting a light blue shine.

"The elder will want to meet us tomorrow. We can't show up without anything!" Avila swiped the jug from Serit's hands, thanked him shortly, and chugged down the contents. A different taste burned her tongue, the sweet aroma of grapes causing her nose to twitch. Surprised, she gazed into the empty jug and creaked her head in a creepy manner that matched the cold rage chilling her heart. "Wine?"

"Ah! Damn! Sorry, I gave you the wrong jug." Serit laughed weakly, stepping away from her slow steps that echoed clearly in the empty warehouse.

Suddenly, a round black object fell between them, attracting their gazes, a cursory glance showing it was a space pocket. Attached to the space pocket was a letter, not even folded or rolled. Avila frowned, and as she read the letter, her frown deepened, but soon shock stunned her face. It couldn't be, but it was. She picked up the space pocket and looked inside to find half of the treasures they saw and wanted to steal from the auction.

'Sorry for the inconvenience. Next time, we can talk about Avril if we ever meet.' Reading the last line, Avila smiled and burned away the letter. She turned to Serit, knowing he would understand. He nodded and gestured over his lips, letting her know he understood. They would not tell the elder about the mishap and say this was all there was. Grateful, she kissed Serit and mused at his loving gaze, drawn in by those light blue pupils. "Tomorrow, do you want to tour the port?"

"It would be my honor!" Serit bowed and took her hand. But first, we have to get past the elder."

…….

It took Demon a day to recover control over his body, and the moment he did, he entered a stalemate with Erden, both unwilling to back down as they stared at each other in hate and indifference. He had just found out that Erden gave half of the treasures they plundered to Avila and the Defiants, an act that offered no benefits. He wished he could tear the beast in two, but the Blood Transmutation left him no choice but to endure. Sighing, he backed down and entered meditation, ignoring Ingyres's complaints and scolding.

A knock sounded from the door, and Demon exhaled a hot breath. "Enter."

Helen stepped inside and covered her nose, clearly not enjoying the stench of blood and sweat in a luxurious room. "I wanted to thank you for rushing in and stopping the massacre. Lady Sophia and the others commend our efforts and have given us several rewards." She didn't know about his Duality, and he intended to have it stay like that. The greatest advantage was the lack of intel the enemy had on him.

"What rewards?" He asked. Erden's actions may have been against the original plan, but it all turned out for the better, more perfect than he could have foreseen. By involving themselves and saving lives, they earned the respect of the nobles of Belnicce Port, connections they would need to expand their operations outside the Lunate Continent. Rising to his feet, Demon received several space pockets from Helen, the contents of which matched their current needs.

Inside it, lightning crackled, earth rumbled, metal hummed, water pulsed, fire roared, and darkness squirmed in numerous vials. Other sources of elemental Ein, wrapped in seals, rested in a corner. Nodding, Demon approved of the rewards and said to Helen, "Well done. That and the auction treasures will be enough for several years. Sell what we can in other cities."

'Bastard.' Erden grumbled behind him. He seemed not to enjoy his actions benefiting Demon.

Outside, Auren and Restel bowed deeply to him, and Demon stood before Restel, her quivering figure diminishing to a frightened still. "You have done well, both of you. I believed you would have trouble, Restel, but you have fulfilled your task."

"S-sorry for causing you doubt!" Restel said.

"What's our next move, my Lord?" Auren raised his head, eyes glittering in wonder.

What else was there? Demon pondered. Nothing else remained for them in this port. Now, he could return and train in earnest.

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