Chapter 102: Ash Pit

SoulStealer stands in the middle of the sliver grey ash pit, even invisible the fresh scent of burnt wood thick in the air. His mind is racing imagining from which angle Styx will attack from. 'I know he is patient so he will probably slowly edge his way behind me. I can't allow his first strike to hit me. If he is anything like me that stun we be. That's possible but you have that skill it could turn the whole thing around. I don't want to use it yet this is just for fun and REVENGE. But isn't that a little too obvious wouldn't a liver shot be better? It is unexpected, it is a vital area and quite easy to hit from the side which is a difficult angle to attack from. NO! he doesn't seem like the type then type does he seem like? Is he waiting because he enjoys the tension and using it to confused and drain my concretion? What if you giving g him too much credit he could just be an afraid little kid.' 

His mind goes ever faster his eye darting about looking for a clue to the location of Styx. He makes scenarios where attacks by purposefully making a wrong quickly scratching that idea when he remembers how quickly Styx killed last time. Still, SoulStealaer is not the same as before he is getting a handle on his new ability. He is itching to go soon he will have to make moves whos ever concentration breaks first will be the loser. His mind becomes it hellish prison Soulstealers personality always makes him look for the worst possible out. He will prop himself up before going through a thousand scenarios where he fails. 

The seconds tick away as he is reaching his limit, hasn't got a single indicator as to the possible location of Styx. His hands grabbing his sunlight daggers tighter. He makes a false everyone on the battlefield doesn't who flinch first but there it is in the grey silver ash a footprint. 

Frey heart slow to a tick as soon the foot appeared she started preparing raging fires emblazoned shuriken. Frey tries to see if that is the silhouette of Styxs foot. It is a ridiculous thing when she remembers he is as lightfooted as her. As even as a lesser spirit he is almost as unseen as she is and she isn't even a stealth class.

Shadow swallows the action is about to begin, unlike everyone else he only now started focusing. His experience in other games is telling him is about to see something amazing. A sight rarely seen, a fight between two skilled killers. Though they are not evenly matched because SoulStealer is a better killer while Styx is the better gamer leaving them appearing to even on the battlefield. He focuses his senses on the action about to unfold. 

Eclipse smiles she has been shadowing Styx since they started playing together the man is a menace. His stealth is used as a decision to hide his real skill which is a ruthless killer instinct. It is why he is so deadly even when he is not really paying attention all his blows are at vital shots. The most impressive thing she has seen is his reflexes. f al the advantages he possesses his reflexes are godly. Some people are just blessed and Styx is not only blessed with good looks he is also touched by the divine in terms of talent. Given his company, he has the power to attract other powerful people.

The shaken ash blows away, a sharp slicing noise cuts through the air. Every hair on Soulstealer stands he can't rely on his eyesight to make it out of this one. Styx fades into existence his arm above the rest of his body. He is going straight for the neck not the liver and stun but a straight death shot. When his blades reach the neck of SoulStealer his body reacts instinctively having honed himself through real-life killing experience. He literally bends over backwards and swings from an impossible angle. His dagger travels together aimed at Styxs' heart and head.

SoulStealer looks like a scorpion striking with its claws a precise poison. Styx surprised yet prepared does the unthinkable. Instead of dodging, the daggers fly into his ribs. A cloud of blood sent into the air. Styx is skewer through his left lung and gut. The crystal white blades dripping blood, his eyes red with vengeance. SoulStealer shreds into a vicious grin. 

"Nooo!" Frey screams pushing herself to the limits dozen smouldering shuriken shoot straight at SoulStealer. Shadow eyes were wet from not blinking her mouth dry heart taut. Eclipse gasps forcing herself to not look away. 

SoulStealer smiles and says with bloody mouth voice crackling through Styx blade. As he speaks Styx can feel the vibrations from SoulStealers' voicebox. Even as it hurts he forces himself to speak, "You are dead boy, Dead!" SoulStealers' throat is then severed by Styx who pulls out his weapons. The exchange, in reality, would have resulted in both players dying but in Odyessy the various vital organs have their own rating of importance. The heart, head and spin are critical vitals. Followed by the neck, private parts and sensitive areas like the tendons. Unfortunately, SoulStealer had hit vitals people can live without like the lung, liver, kidney and spleen. Styx spinning and decapitated SoulStealers' head from his neck. An explosion of Shurikens dance in celebration as they descend onto the Ash pit. 

SoulStealer appears a few minutes in Pike. Walking through the rainbow coloured stained glass doorway. He looks around smearing with an unspoken rage, a hint of jealous delight. In real life, SoulStealer would have killed Styx if he pulled off that move. The human body would have reacted differently, even though SoulStealer is unsatisfied with the outcome. He has other responsibilities now. Goes to the local player bank found on the opposite side of the road to Merchant Association. Heading to the vault box that had been sent to him by Leo. He opens it up once he reads the item description SoulStealer nearly drops the time from shock. A black cog surrounded by a green crystal. The product is a dimensional movement crystal from the machine empire. Even more shocking is it is linked to Thousand Styles Miles. This will allow SoulStealer to met up with him in less than ten minutes. 

A few days later SKY Ocean Hunter and Esame'el sitting around a small open field on Red Iron Island. They are going over the footage of what Styx did.

SKY Ocean Hunter says, "Do you understand now?" Pointing at the Styx in the three-dimensional video. 

Esame'el says, " He just ran into the blades what special about that?" 

SKY Ocean Hunter, " He can turn off his death reflex, the preservation gene, that thing that when you hold your breath forces you to take a breath. That reflex is ingrained in everyone no matter the person when it comes down to it people want to live." His voice is almost a whisper like he is telling a secret for the ages. 

Esame'el says, "So what that is not something I want to do." 

SKY Ocean Hunter says, "You have to! All of us can do it. It's what makes us better, in the face of certain defeat we can pull out an extra card. This is the first step you must take to become the best in the solar system." 

Esame'el says, "Are you sure? It just looks crazy I know sometimes people." SKY Ocean Hunter lifts her up and says

SKY Ocean Hunter says, "You have to be a little crazy! To be so determined to win that you are willing to die a little. Having a strength of will so powerful that you counter your most ingrown gene sealed survival instinct. " 

Esame'el struggles free fixing her short black skirt and hair. She thinks about what he has said as the agent trusted to John by Raul, Esame'el has vowed to able to stand by their side. First on her list is closing the gap between them. This thing that SKY Ocean Hunter has been trying to explain to her is the necessity of perfect mental control. Many real martial teach control but to the extent that he is describing makes it sound more mythical than factual. Esame'el says, " Still is it really that special."

SKY Ocean Hunter says, "It really is, think about it. The ability I'm talking about has many broad applications combat has been just one of them. Learn to live with death at your neck, to succeed when his scythe has reaped your life. To achieve through death...life!" SKY Ocean Hunter would like to come out and say that in games were revival is possible death is a critical component to success. This method has always failed as players cheapen their own lives and never feel threatened. In essence you have to trick your mind into thinking Odyessy is really real then abuse the fact that you are in a game.