The sharp rods bringing with divine power kept attacking Ana's shields, causing sparks to fly around and shingling sounds to echo across the room.

"You won't be able to hold out for long

" Gratiana grinned in her short distance.

"Is that what you think?

" Ana smiled

Immediately, her body glowed and a set of white and gold armor covered her. The apparel glistened as it nearly blinded Gratiana, causing her to squint her eyes at the sight.

"I don't need to stay in a single spot!

" Ana said.

She removed the shield in front of her, leaving the covering she made for herself as she rapidly moved to Gratiana.

"Fool

"

Gratiana controlled all the holy rods to attack Ana, who now seemed defenseless, save for the armor she had on.

However, the cluster of shields she had erected quickly appeared above her, protecting her moving body from the aerial assault.

"W-What?!

" Gratiana uttered in surprise.

Ana had used the shields as a canopy, blocking anything from descending on her, while continuing her march to attack.

"Aaaaaaaahhhhhh

" Ana yelled, thrusting her sword to Gratiana.

The flustered Grand Apostle glared at Ana as the sword neared her.

Suddenly, a dark blade appeared, parrying Ana's blade. The weapon shattered right before her eyes, making Gratiana grin satisfactorily.

Ana quickly leaped backward, avoiding the dark blade that destroyed her sword.

"Smart move. If you had come any further, you would have died… It seems you still have some semblance of intelligence, mongrel

" Gratiana spoke.

Ana breathed heavily, realizing once again how despairing Gratiana's auto defense was. However, she knew there had to be a loophole, a trick to Gratiana's power.

"Just a little more…

" Ana muttered.

"What's the matter? Where did your confidence from earlier go?

" Gratiana asked.

"Shut up!

" Ana said, glaring at her previous mentor.

This insulting statement made Gratiana frown, sending her rods to strike Ana, but her shields blocked them from reaching.

"I didn't want to resort to this… But you've forced my hand indeed…

" Gratiana mumbled.

Suddenly, white sparks appeared all around Ana, surrounding her.

"I can't use Realm Of Limbo to absorb you since you are aware of its workings and can easily counter it. But, you're still inferior to me when it comes to the number of objects you can summon from the Realm. From what I've seen, you can only bring forth hundreds at most… Pathetic indeed.

" Gratiana smiled.

"I just have to silence you with overwhelming force. However, those pesky shields of yours are in the way. Therefore… I'll be using my highest grade weapons to finish you off. Be grateful, and despair in your powerlessness!

"

From the bright sparks came swords, spears, arrows, and many other weapons of immense beauty and power. They all had shiny surfaces with inscriptions written on them. Spread across the vast space above her, Ana witnessed the immeasurable wave of weapons that pointed at her.

"Those swords…

" Ana muttered, observing the many blades which remained above her.

"So you recognize them. I used one of them as an example the other time. I clearly recall you all gawking at that single sword. Now then, how will you handle thousands of its kind… All of these weapons have received immense blessings, soaked in Divine Energy, and possess phenomenal power. Let's see how you-

"

As Gratiana was still gloating, Ana's head fell, and her pursed mouth began to release sounds, pent-up sounds she tried to contain.

"Kekekekeke

" A chuckling sound was heard.

This made Gratiana halt her speech, wondering where such an amused tone emanated from.

"Kuahahahahahahaha

" Ana suddenly burst out laughing.

This flustered Gratiana. She couldn't comprehend Ana's sudden outburst. There she was, surrounded by numerous blades, depicting the overwhelming disadvantage she was in. Yet why? Why was she looking so amused?

"Has she finally gone mad?

" Gratiana asked herself.

Ana knew she was in trouble. She was outmatched by far, and her arsenal was not as much as Gratiana's. However, she felt relieved.

"This is it? Your Trump Card… How disappointing!

" Ana burst out laughing.

If it was only this much, then there was no problem. Her current arsenal was not enough. But… She just had to bring out more!

"What nonsense are you spouting?

" Gratiana responded.

There was no way Ana could win against such odds… Or so she thought.

"I'll probably lose IT after this… But that doesn't matter now… As long as I win!

" Ana muttered.

"Release All Treasures… Realm Of Limbo

"

Immediately, all of the treasures entrusted to her by her master came forth. They numbered in hundreds, nearly a thousand. Each varied in size and shape as they appeared.

"Is that all? That isn't anywhere close to-

" Gratiana smiled.

Before she completed her sentence, even more Treasures came charging forth.

One thousand.

Two thousand.

Three thousand.

Sacred Grade Treasures of Hexarion kept coming out, exceeding the expectations of Gratiana.

"Five Thousand… This is my limit…

" Ana heaved heavily.

However… It was done!

"In both quality and quantity… I have you outmatched… This is MY trump card! Now then… Why don't you continue your gloating?

"

Gratiana's face slowly became darkened with fear, a slight foreboding enveloped her. She wasn't expecting anything like this. Her folded arms dropped as her body throbbed, shaking in the presence of Ana's overwhelming power.

"Looks like we'll both be using all we have!

" Ana grinned.

"W-Wait-

" Gratiana protested.

Before she could continue, Ana released her Treasures, firing them at Gratiana and all the weapons f onslaught she summoned.

>Cling<

>Clang<

>Cling<

Sounds and sparks filled the area as the weapons of Ana and Gratiana danced above and around them. Ana called a sword to her hand among the multitude of weapons she had and charged at Gratiana who was still flustered by the surprise Ana wrought.

Within a moment, Ana closed the distance and raised her sword to slash her.

Once again, Gratiana's guardian sword appeared and deflected Ana's sword. However…

"Attack!

" Ana commanded.

Dozens of swords appeared behind Gratiana, charging at her with near light speed.

The sword which defended Gratiana moved behind her to deflect Ana's treasures. As it swung to shatter them, multiple aerial blasts from canons stationed above Gratiana fired at her.

With blades behind her and beams of energy above her, the single protective blade had to pick one.

"Tch, you brat!

" Gratiana thought to herself, glaring at Ana.

Gratiana quickly summoned several protective layers of shields above.

>Zrrrrrrrr<

Vibrations caused by the impact of the blast and her shields buzzed, making Gratiana wince as a result of the pressure.

>Krakkkkkkakakkakak<

Her shields shattered and broke apart, layer after layer, the powerful blast broke through them consecutively.

As the swords of Ana's summons were being deflected by the dark blade, and Gratiana's focus was on the danger above her, Ana summoned her deflected sword, making it appear on her hand immediately.

"N-No

" Gratiana's thought screamed as she powerlessly watched Ana charge toward her with her sword.

She had used up all viable means of defense. She was wide open, vulnerable to any strike.

Gratiana had to admit… She underestimated her foe. It was her loss.

But, she wasn't going to be the one going down! Because…

"Sofia… Now!

" Gratiana's thoughts rang.

Suddenly, a white force field appeared around Gratiana, shimmering as it protected the woman from the strike of Ana's sword and the blast above her.

"H-How-?!

" Ana let out in surprise.

This was… The work of Sofia, Gratiana's disciple!

The Dark blade finally deflected the swords Ana summoned and lunged at Ana with inconceivable speed.

>Squish<

Immediately, her two hands were sliced off by Gratiana's sword, causing blood to gush out of her hands.

"W-Wha-?!

" Ana muttered.

Her body flailed backward, watching her two hands descend as they neared the ground wirelessly, blood oozing from their respective vessels.

Gratiana's scared expression quickly changed into a pleased one, mockingly looking at Ana as she suffered in pain while she remained protected in her haven of light.

As Ana's body moved backward, she felt the sting of pain coursing through her. Losing both her limbs was not something she expected. She had thought she would finish Gratiana off with that last move, but she was wrong.

Descending into the pits of despondency, her body felt sore all over and the backlash of opening up her Realm so suddenly was beginning to hit her. Any moment now and she would lose control of her body.

However… Ana was not done yet.

"Rahhhhhhhhh

" She yelled out, opening her mouth widely.

Immediately, an ominous dark blade swung across the room, dashing toward Ana's mouth. Immediately the blade nearest her, she grabbed it with her mouth, tightly clenching it with her teeth. She glared at Gratiana and regained her balance, desperately sprinting forward once again.

"Tch, pesky bitch!

" Gratiana grumbled.

"She won't be able to pierce the barrier anyway, but just in case…

" Gratiana's thoughts went.

Her dark sword lunged toward Ana to finish her off. Immediately, clusters of shields appeared before the blade, surrounding it with their bright golden color. The black blade was entrapped in the cluster of protection made by Ana in an instant.

"Once you've experienced it a few times, the trajectory and speed become predictable!

" Ana's thoughts rang as she kept lunging forward.

Tilting her head backward, she started her sword to clash with the white barrier surrounding Gratiana.

"T-That won't work!

" Gratiana screamed in panic.

Ana ignored her voice and used the distorted blade to slice through the barrier, shattering it that very instant.

"N-No…!

" Gratiana exclaimed in shock.

Giving her no time to think, Ana propelled herself further, blade on her mouth, and used the sharp end to pierce through Gratiana's neck, slicing her throat as it appeared on the other side of her skull.

"Guorghhhh

" Gratiana made voices of agony and screeched in anguish.

"Talia is not the only one with a 'Void' Aspect Treasure!

" Ana gleamed with satisfaction as she watched Gratiana croak, struggling to breathe in vain.

Both women fell, drowned in their blood. As they crashed on the opposite end of each other, one was already dead.

"Looks like I won… Lord Hexarion

" Ana smiled in satisfaction.