Book 6: Chapter 12

Book 6: Chapter 12

The Maze

Aria narrows her eyes at the sight of Valla entering her berserker mode. Then she quickly begins to summon one miniature kraken after another while quickly making her retreat. Because she knows from previous battles with Valla that the entire battle at this point depends on this.

On whether or not she can survive Vallas attacks in her berserker mode.

Since Aria cant leave any damage on Valla while shes in that form, the only thing she can do is flee and hope the miniature krakens buy her enough time for Vallas skill to run out.

Fortunately for Aria, her own transformation skill lasts for far longer than Vallas. Something they both know already.

Which is no doubt why Valla immediately ignores the miniature krakens trying to slow her down to chase after Aria instead of bothering to attack them or even block their attacks. And since Vallas transformation doesnt allow her to take any damage, the black veins across her skin flashing every single time damage would be received, Valla manages to slowly close the distance between them. Despite the size difference between the two. And despite Aria being physically stronger and faster than her.

Simply by ignoring the limits of a human body and pushing herself far more than her body would normally be able to take.

But Aria continues pushing as well, healing every wound she takes from the ranged attacks sent her way by Valla. Even when entire tentacles of hers are cut off.

Because she needs to win this. Scarlet is watching after all.

And Aria will not let her down.

So Aria continues pushing, taking one hit after another. Blocking one every now and then with her own blades and walls made of water. And regenerating all the way.

Eventually Valla seems to begin cracking. The black veins slowly turning into cracks running across her body.

She has grown sick of it all.

And she puts all of those emotions of anger, loneliness, and hatred into one last skill, yanking her fist back and sending it flying straight at the tentacles Aria is using to block. Her last defense.

Right when her hit is about to land though, she feels her mana completely depleting, leaving her just under the amount of power she had calculated needing to defeat Aria in one blow. Then her strike lands, sending a powerful wave of black death flames scattered all around the maze corridor, burning several of the other competitors and the demons alike in the process.

At some point she hears a message ringing out that one of the other competitors defeated the Captain. But she ignores that as she grits her teeth, waiting for the death flames to fade away. Having dropped to her knees, unable to remain standing with her remaining strength.

And when the flames do finally fade, Valla feels herself almost begin crying.

But she holds herself back.

Because she would never make a fool of herself in front of all of these people.

Aria, who is now revealed amidst the slowly dissipating death flames, finishes regenerating in her human form in front of Valla. With a brand new set of clothes on, her previous outfit no doubt having been destroyed in the blast.

Then Aria puts one of her hands in her pocket and walks up to Valla while stretching the other out towards Vallas head.

A few seconds pass with no sounds other than her footsteps and the sizzling walls, floor, and ceiling of the maze. Until Aria stops right in front of her and says with a faint smile, That was fun. Lets do it again soon.

Vallas mind blanks out at that statement, and she begins to wonder something. To wonder if her competitive hatred of Aria is all one sided.

She doesnt get to ask though as Aria sends an arc of water out that makes everything in Vallas vision go dark.

The last thing Valla manages to see is Aria raising the fist she had pocketed before into the air with a smile on her face.