Chapter 84: Hold true

Chapter 84: Hold true

Chance called on his Essence and it flowed to his will. He lowered his stance and let it fill his mind and body. A gentle smile crossed over his face and he swayed with the wind. Seleth lowered back to all fours.

For an instant, all was still.

The dirt beneath Chances feet exploded as he blurred forward, his urumi whistling through the air beside him. Seleths tail whipped out and Chance vaulted over it, hitting the ground in a roll and rising to his feet with a spin.

His urumi scraped along Seleths scales with a clean, ringing note. He vaulted backward, avoiding the crocodiles huge claws as the arced through the air where hed been standing. Golden mist swirled around Seleth, trying to push its way into the monster, but it couldnt find any purchase.This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.

Its aura was too strong. Chance idly made note of that, recognizing that it meant Seleth was likely stronger than he was. That didnt matter. A laugh slipped from his lips and he staggered toward Seleth, allowing the thrill of the fight to consume him completely.

He leapt and spun around it like a mosquito, his urumi singing its ringing song every time it connected with the monsters scales. Each time, the blows rang off harmlessly. Seleths attacks were equally as ineffective on Chance.

It was completely unable to land a single blow on him. He danced beneath its legs and bounced off its limbs, laughing all the while. Even if it could have likely crushed him with a single blow, it couldnt keep him in one spot for long enough to ever land it.

Chance sent Essence into his urumi, setting it alight with golden mist just before another blow slammed into Seleths back. To his surprise, instead of cutting into the scales, it rang off with a resounding crack.

Seleths tail whipped out for Chance and he sprung over it, landing in a handstand and launching himself to safety before Seleths jaws slammed shut in the air behind him. Its aura was incredible. Even with his Essence infusing the urumi, Chance couldnt damage it.

Essence pumped through Chances veins and rose up into his forehead, opening his third eye. Hundreds of Karmic strands materialized in the air around Seleth, lighting the crocodile up in their golden hue.

Chance flicked the urumi and it carved through a thick Karmic thread that depicted a tall, hairless monkey with bulging muscles and bloodshot eyes. Hed never seen a monster like it before, but it looked strong.

Energy flooded into him, reinforcing every aspect of his body. Seleth took the brief instant that he stood still to lunge and flick his tail at Chance. Instinctively, Chance swayed to the side and swung his arm to block it.

A shockwave rippled across the grass as their bodies clashed. Seleths tail slammed to a stop and Chance staggered back, shaking his hand. Seleths eyes widened, then he inclined his head slightly in respect.

Chance returned the gesture and they dashed at each other once more. The thunder of their strikes shook the grassy field as their battle intensified and each struggled to gain an advantage over the other.

***

Jade was greeted by a thunderous crash as she took form beside the wooden wall. She dropped into a fighting stance, preparing to block an attack that never came. A second crash echoed out and she lowered her hands with a curse. The fight already started.

She ran over to a group of ill equipped militia that stood gathered around the gate of the shoddy wooden wall, all trying to squint through the cracks.

Whats going on? How bad are things? Jade called. Im a Shikari from Gleam. I received your distress call and have come to help.

The men spun toward her, their eyes alight with both hope and fear. An elderly soldier emerged from their ranks.

Thank the gods, he said. We might be saved after all. Please, help us. Weve got a Rank Two cultivator already fighting to keep the monster back, but I dont know if he can defeat it on his own. He forbade us from aiding because he feared for our lives, but a Shikari would be able to handle themselves. Please assist him.

Jade blinked in surprise.

A Rank Two is putting the lives of mortals ahead of his own against a monster strong enough to fight like this? Completely on his own? Incredible. If my team had half that courage

That did nothing to undo the crippling blow that the apparition had dealt. Jade pushed herself to her feet, unable to contain the awe welling up in her chest.

He was holding back. All that time, the cultivator was holding back?

The cultivator walked up to the crocodile and raised his sword.

Yes! Finish it!

He stopped walking. Jade stared at him, baffled.

Well fought, Seleth, he said, inclining his head with the same amount of respect that Jade would have shown a teacher. Sorry. I couldnt beat you any other way.

The monster let out a rattling hiss. A fatal blow, dealt to me by one who I slaid years ago. How is this possible?

Unsolved Karma, the cultivator replied. All things must be accounted for in the end. I just paid this particular debt out a little earlier than the others.

I see. The monsters body rippled with a mixture of pain and amusement. I am defeated. Well fought.

Are you sure about this? the cultivator asked. You could leave. There arent any absolutes in this world. Ive learned that much. Maybe we could find a different way for you to cultivate.

Perhaps, but not for me, Seleth said, pushing itself back to its feet. Its tongue ran along its scaled lips. Will you hold true to your promise?

The cultivator nodded. I will.

Then come, Chance.

It charged, letting out an earsplitting roar. The cultivator met it, golden mist swirling around his body. He waited until right before Seleth was upon him, then drunkenly stumbled to the side.

Jaws crashed shut, just barely missing him, and he vaulted onto the monsters back. His sword flashed in the glowing light pouring off him and, for an instant, the world stood still. Then he plunged it into the open wound.

Seleth crashed to the ground, skidding several feet through the grass before sliding to a stop, the light in his eyes gone. The cultivator pulled his blade free, staring at the blood covering it as it dripped onto the beasts scales.

He knelt, reaching into the monster, and pulled its pumping heart out with a grunt. Jades eyes widened in shock as he raised the organ to his lips and bit into it, tearing a large chunk off and swallowing it.

Jade scrambled to her feet, her eyes wide in horror, but the cultivator didnt die. He wiped his lips, grimacing, then slid to the ground. He walked up to Seleths head and gently closed the monsters eyes with the back of his hand.

I hope you find what you were looking for, the cultivator said, so softly that Jade could barely hear his words.

He finally turned, looking at her for the first time. At the same instant, Jades mind finally caught up to the conversation that the cultivator had had with the monster.

Segmented whip sword. Golden mist and Karma magic. His name is Chance. This is the cultivator that murdered the other Shikari. Oh, shit.

Im dead.