Chapter 155: The Spar (2)
Arthur’s frustration burned like a fire in his chest as he steadied himself on the platform. The crowd’s excited murmurs faded into background noise as he focused entirely on his opponent. Aziel stood across from him, electricity still dancing across his skin in crackling arcs, that familiar cocky grin plastered on his face.
’Not this time,’ Arthur thought grimly, his shadow armor pulsing with dark energy as he prepared his counterattack.
Without warning, Arthur launched himself forward, his shadow-enhanced speed carrying him across the platform in a blur of motion. His blade came down in a vertical slash aimed at Aziel’s shoulder, the shadow-wrapped steel singing through the air with deadly precision.
But Aziel’s reflexes were equally impressive. He twisted his body sideways, the black blade passing mere inches from his chest, close enough that he could feel the cold emanating from Arthur’s weapon. In the same fluid motion, Aziel brought his spear up in an upward thrust, aiming for Arthur’s exposed ribs.
Arthur saw the counterattack coming and pivoted on his heel, using his momentum to spin away from the spear point. His shadow armor absorbed the glancing blow that would have otherwise torn through his side, the dark energy dissipating the electrical charge that sparked on contact.
The two fighters separated, circling each other like predators as the crowd pressed closer to the platform. Spectators were pointing and whispering in amazement at the display of power they were witnessing.
"Their speed is incredible!"
"I can barely follow their movements!"
"Is that really a darkness ability? I’ve never heard of that!"
Aziel made the next move, his spear crackling with concentrated lightning as he thrust it forward in a series of rapid strikes. Each attack left trails of blue-white energy in the air, creating a dazzling light show that had the crowd gasping in appreciation. Arthur parried desperately, his sword meeting the spear in a symphony of ringing metal and crackling electricity.
The clash of their weapons sent sparks flying in all directions, some electrical, others born from the grinding of steel against steel. Arthur could feel the numbing sensation of electricity trying to creep up his blade with each impact, but his shadow armor was doing its job, absorbing and neutralizing much of the electrical energy before it could reach his body.