As Stark and Sora faced the towering horror of Eternal Regret and the relentless Father Hugo, an icy wind gusted through the courtyard.
The courtyard was vast but closed in by stone walls and towering iron gates, a cage that had become their last stand.
With Eternal Regret blocking any escape and Hugo advancing behind them, retreat was no longer an option.
"Stay close," Stark spoke to Sora.
She nodded, her eyes narrowed, looking back and forth between the two enemies.
Father Hugo, though walking at relatively slow speed, was now already visible to them, still marching.
And on the other hand, Eternal Regret loomed over them, its translucent form shifting, the faces of anguished children trapped within the creature's body shifting in silent screams.
Stark steadied himself, knowing full well that whatever he did next had to count.
With a flick of his hand, he conjured his [Crimson Spears], launching three toward Eternal Regret's core, hoping they would hit something substantial in the nebulous mass of shadows and souls.
The spears shot forward, piercing the creature's form, but instead of any satisfying impact, they seemed to dissolve within it, each face in Eternal Regret's body twisting into brief expressions of even deeper sorrow before the spears vanished.
"No good," Stark muttered, frustration building.
This wasn't like Father Hugo—there was nothing solid to strike.
"Perception!"
...
[Name: Eternal Regret]
[Level: 600]
[HP: 1]
[Strength: ???]
[Stamina: ???]
[Speed: ???]
[Defense: ???]
[Skills: Release...]
...
"Huh?" Stark was confused, and he actually stopped doing whatever he was doing because of this.
He couldn't see the stats?
And what about its health points, why were they at one?
Only one skill as well?
...
[Skill: Release]
[Description: Release all of your regrets and destroy anyone who tries to stop you.]
...
"Stark!" Sora's voice was sharp with warning as she glanced over his shoulder.
"Huh?" he snapped back to reality and looked behind.
Father Hugo had drawn close, his lips curling into that sadistic smile as he whispered, "There is no escape."
Without hesitation, Stark lunged to his right, avoiding the priest's outstretched hand.
He activated [Invincible Dodge].
[Perfect Dodge!]
He let the world slow for a split second as he slipped out of the way, but just as he did, Eternal Regret let out a horrific wail.
The ground trembled, and Stark staggered as his dodge window ended, thrown off balance by the force of the cry.
"Sora!" he called, looking at her.
She nodded, eyes flashing with determination as she gripped her [Vine Blade], her literal newest skill.
0!
It didn't receive damage.
But...
"Alright."
At least now he had a way to momentarily stun it.
Father Hugo on the other hand shook off the energy with overwhelming easy, a simple swing of his arm cutting it off.
Wielding Cross!
Stark needed to keep trying, though.
SMASH!
He summoned his giant cross, hovering above him, and then swung it like a baseball bat toward Father Hugo.
"Fool."
But the old man grabbed it with his bare hands, took it away from Stark, and threw it.
"...Dude."
That guy had quite literally every solution to his skills.
He wanted to use [Heaven's Wrath] at this point, but he was sure Hugo would avoid it with no problems.
"So you think a little trick will save you?" Hugo taunted, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. "Only the faithful will find salvation."
Stark tensed as the priest lunged forward, swinging his arm in a brutal arc.
Sora tried to intercept, her [Vine Blade] flashing as she aimed for his side, but Hugo's hand snaked out, grabbing her by the wrist and twisting it painfully.
"This useless child is only causing us trouble, getting rid of her will make it all easier."
"Sora!" Stark shouted, but Hugo tossed her aside as if she were nothing.
Stark gritted his teeth, fury bubbling up inside him.
He couldn't waste any more time; Hugo had to be stopped.
He clenched his fists, summoning all the power he had left.
His aura took over his entire body, covering it entirely, only leaving his eyes visible with a visible white aura.
With a burst of speed, Stark lunged forward, his fist crashing into Hugo's chest with enough force to crack the air.
The impact reverberated through the courtyard, sending the priest skidding backward.
-47,839!
"DIE. YOU. FUCKING. HERETIC."
But Hugo simply laughed, straightening with a sickening crack. "Is that all, child?" he taunted, wiping a thin line of blood from his lip.
Stark growled in frustration, the energy draining from him. He was running out of time and options.
Hugo took a step forward, raising his hand, dark energy swirling around his fingers.
"Sora... find cover!" Stark shouted, throwing up his six arms as a wave of darkness exploded from Hugo's palm, engulfing the courtyard in shadow.
The air grew cold as ice, and the shadows seemed to press in on them, cutting off all light.
Stark blinked, his vision adjusting to the darkness, trying to find Sora.
But all he could see was Hugo's eyes glowing faintly, piercing through the black.
His heart pounded, each beat echoing in his ears as he struggled to steady his breath.
He wouldn't give Hugo the satisfaction of showing fear.
A low chuckle rumbled from the darkness. "Lost, are we?" Hugo's voice slithered through the shadows, taunting him.
[Test of Faith]
[Task #19: Survive Father Hugo's "Test of Faith."]
"God damn it..."