Back in the Eclipsed Forest, the three disciples stood together. Niosh had transformed into his cursed form, emitting a dark presence that pulsed with energy. Disciples Kion and Rin could feel the intense power radiating from him."
Niosh: "As I've told you both, I won't teach you how to break the barrier. You'll have to kill me."
Rin: "So be it."
Rin instantly moved behind Niosh, who swung his blades wildly. Rin blocked both blades with just two fingers, which were surrounded by a white aura.
Niosh continued attacking relentlessly at extreme speed, each strike being blocked with ease. He swung even harder, but Rin grabbed both blades with one hand.
"Now, Kion," Rin said.
Rin: "Damage reflection..."
A white aura emanated from Rin's body and enveloped Kion, who suddenly appeared above Niosh. Niosh's eyes widened in shock. "Crap, they've got me!"
Kion placed a finger on Niosh's forehead and whispered, "Damage release."
A massive white blast shot out of Kion's finger, sending Niosh flying across the forest at incredible speed. He crashed into mountains, skidded across lakes, and left a trail of destruction in his wake.
Kion appeared beside Rin, a whoosh of air accompanying his arrival.
"How far do you think he went, miles-wise?" Kion asked.
Rin pondered for a moment. "Hmm, if I had to guess, I'd say he's approximately 22 miles from here."
Kion whistled. "That was all his own power hitting him. Once I saw you blocking it, I knew you were going to save all that damage and hit him with his own strength."
Rin nodded. "Yes, having you at the ready makes things extremely easy. Once I transferred all the energy to you, it took all the weight off me."
Kion raised an eyebrow. "You think he's dead already?"
Rin shook his head. "Of course not. He's a disciple, cursed and anointed. While he has grown weaker over the last few years, he's definitely rusty."
Suddenly, the ground began to rumble as thousands of soldiers emerged, clad in purple-black ninja-style armor. They surrounded the disciples in a circle.
Kion: "Hmmm, seems his soldiers finally arrived. I'm counting around 1200."
Rin: "So it seems. Wonder. What took them so long?"
An armored soldier stepped forward. "Where is Master Niosh? We received word he was here."
Kion: "Yes, that long trail behind you can lead to his body. He's about 20 miles away now, probably rethinking life."
The soldiers looked at each other in shock.
SOLDIER YELLS SURRENDER NOW OR
Rin: "We know, we know, you'll kill us. Typical. I'll tell you this, soldier: leave us be as we converse with your leader. This is grown folk business. Go home to your family, if you have one."
The soldier refused, ordering all soldiers to get ready to attack the two disciples.
Rin: "You did try, but can't always avoid the inevitable."
Kion: "Okay, back to back, Rin."
Rin: "Indeed."
The soldiers charged. Kion and Rin stood back to back, lifted two fingers, and whispered in unison: "Halo release..."
In an instant, everyone froze for a second before realizing they were each missing a leg or arm. The soldiers yelled and screamed in agonizing pain.
Rin: "Hmmm, see? We avoided death. The halos cut off their legs or arms."
Kion: "Glad we didn't kill them."
The soldiers lay on the ground, writhing in pain. Rin said, "Okay, let's head to where Niosh is. They're all out of commission now."
One of the soldiers begged, "No, kill us, please! We have failed. We'd rather die than be left here with missing limbs."
Kyon replied, "We warned you. In all fairness..."
Rin suggested, "Let's head to Niosh."
Just then, Niosh appeared between the two disciples, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. With a swift roundhouse kick, he sent both Rin and Kyon flying into the nearby lake.
A soldier yelled, "Master Niosh, you're here! We're sorry we failed you."
Niosh replied, "It's okay, soldier. You tried."
With a sudden burst of dark energy, Niosh shouted, "Dark Halo!" Instantly, the heads of all the soldiers came off.
Niosh declared, "You all failed me. I don't want soldiers who are weak and disabled. I have thousands more."
Rin and Kyon slowly walked on the water's surface, returning to Niosh.
Rin observed, "So, you've learned the Halo technique, I see. Maybe you haven't gotten rusty after all."
Kyon added, "Hey, how was that 20-mile trip? By the way Killing your own men is diabolical."
Niosh retorted, "Don't worry about me and my tribe. Focus on our own fight."
Niosh removed his armor and drew his two blades. "Let's try something new: Twin Divide."
One blade transformed into a radiant white, while the other turned a deep, ominous black.
Rin observed, "What is this? An anointed blade and a cursed one? This is different."
Kyon exclaimed, "Okay, time to bring out the big guns!"
Kyon summoned his massive mace, while Rin conjured his tonfa. The two disciples charged at Niosh.
The scene shifted back to the Spirit Trials.
Kyll's blade approached Aza's neck, leaving everyone in a state of shock and fear. Sol bowed his head, whispering, "No, Aza..."
Just then, Aza's hammer lifted off the ground and struck Kyll in the ribs, causing him to gasp for air as he crashed into a wall. The hammer then flew towards Kyll, and just as it was about to hit him, he blocked it. However, the hammer exploded, sending Kyll flying towards the top barrier.
The onlookers were stunned. Genjo asked, "What just happened?"
Adon wondered, "Did she do that?"
Vojim observed, "It's as if the hammer moved on its own."
Rouke exclaimed, "Ark, that was you!"
Ark replied, "Yes, I had a little anointing in that hammer. That's all I could do for now."
Aza's vision blurred as she wondered what had just happened. She felt herself falling, but before her head hit the ground, Sol caught it, cradling it gently in his hands. Aza's eyes fluttered closed as she lost consciousness.
Sol gently laid Aza down and looked around, his eyes burning with determination. "Aza, you've inspired me to no longer hold back," he declared. "You've inspired me to do everything in my power to win. It's now time for me to trust fully in my anointing."
Zeyta stepped forward, standing behind Sol. "Me as well," Zeyta said. "Let's finish the job."
Chapter ends
Next Thursday we will be back.
"Due to contracting COVID, this chapter has been cut in half, and comments have been limited to the first 10. Unfortunately, I won't have the energy to provide feedback at this time. I appreciate your understanding and ask that you please keep my family in your prayers. God bless."