In a mountain region, a great distance from the Adventurers City or any form of civilization, space began to distort.

>SHUUUUU<

A blue portal warbled as it grew wider. Slowly, a figure appeared from within it. Having the appearance of a child, he emerged from the tear in space.

"This should be far enough...

" He mumbled, looking around him to confirm his safety.

Heaving a sigh of relief, he fully came out of the portal, closing it the instant he landed on the ground.

Jared, former Hero of Lamar, had now deserted his City.

"H-He's going to come for me sooner or later... I have to-

"

Before he could complete his sentence, a sharp light appeared before him, beaming from the sky.

"Keukk

" He groaned as he braced himself from the massive gust of find that enveloped the area as a result of the sudden light.

"You're smarter than I gave you credit for, Jared

" A voice appeared from the light which had already begun to dissipate.

"Y-You... You're-

" Jared's eyes widened as he saw the silhouette slowly advance, recognizing the man who appeared.

The one who led him to his humiliating defeat, one who severely inflicted trauma upon him.

"R-Rio?!

" Jared exclaimed.

My Turn

"Wrong, that's not who I am

" I answered.

The Rio everyone will come to know is currently in Lamar.

The light ceased, revealing my full form clearly, as well as Ruth, Shamac, and Wrath behind me.

The sudden appearance of the four of us made Jared take a few steps back in apprehension.

He appeared confused by my words. Since he only knows me as Rio, it's strange for him that I deny that name.

"So, while your city was being destroyed, you used the chaos to escape. How cold of you, Jared. Is that truly an action worthy of a 'Hero'?

" I asked with a smirk, enjoying myself.

"What did you want?

"

Jared interrupted my question as he glared at the sudden company he had. Well, it seems he would rather go straight to the point. Me too!

"I let you live the last time, but this is the end, kid

" I replied.

Even though he was frightened of me, he still made a defiant glare. I suppose no one would like to die.

"I'm sorry to inform you, but I don't have any intention of dying today. Even though I can't beat you... I-

"

A smile formed on my face and I burst into an amused laugh.

"You're quite the joker, Jared. To think you had a say in the matter. Almost amusing enough to spare you, since your ability is interesting...

" I spoke, still chuckling under my breath.

But, I can't show him any mercy.

"... It's nothing personal

"

Realizing nothing could be done to convince me, Jared resorted to the only means available to him.

Struggle!

"Blank Canvas

" He mumbled underneath his breath.

Instantly, we were transported to his pseudo world, one which he ruled as the invincible one.

I looked around the empty expanse and noticed it was only Jared and me that were present.

"Smart move. You prevented the others from entering

" I said to the boy floating some distance from me.

"Only those I allow are given access to this place. I don't think I'll be able to do anything if I have to fight all four of you at once

" Jared responded with a nervous smile, preparing for what would appear to be his final battle.

"Interesting logic, but still futile. Just I will be enough to finish this quickly...

" I mumbled.

"You sure about that? Last time you seemed pretty exhausted after ending things. And this time, I don't plan on making the same mistakes again. I won't underestimate you!

" Jared glared, releasing the abundant Aspects within him as they swirled about, forming a massive torrent around him.

What a stupid guy. He's already underestimating me though.

I stretched forth my hand and immediately a large sickle appeared.

It glowed with a dark and eerie aura, tainting the all-white surrounding with its dark color. I saw the look on Jared's face as he observed the weapon I summoned.

Grabbing the dark object instantly, I felt the power well up within it, my 'Reaper's Scythe', and smiled.

"Any last words, Hero? I'll grant you that much at least

"

He clenched his fists in an enraged fashion and screamed, projecting millions of weapons around us.

"That's no good. You should know by now that-

" I said while shaking my head.

He can't beat me with quantity.

Jared let out a smile, still summoning more of his highly powerful weapons.

One of them could pass as a Sacred Grade Relic, and they numbered in tens of millions, even reaching hundreds at this point.

"He's gotten stronger

" I muttered

Suddenly, the entirety of 'Blank Canvas' began to tremble as the multitude of energy converged, all combining to form a single blade.

The golden sword immediately flew to Jared's hand as he grasped it tightly.

His eyes darted to me in a determined manner, refusing to back down at this point.

"It seems you really want to live that badly

" I smiled as I watched him.

I also consider it a waste killing him, but it has to be done. After all, my prize lies beyond this defective kid's shell.

Watching this magnificent display of power makes me wonder though.

"If this is the power of a mere failure, how great will the successful ones be?

"

I can feel a slight tingle of excitement just thinking about it. Now then, it's about time to end this.

"I've poured all my power into this blade. It's stronger than your last weapon!

" Jared said, slightly wincing as the overwhelming power surged through him.

The devastating force and pressure it emitted made the world around us tremble in its presence.

He's right. My 'Cleaver' of that time is weaker than the blade he has on him. That means he currently possesses a Divine Grade Treasure. Perhaps I'll take it for observation after I'm done with him.

As the both of us watched each other from our distance, each wielding world-destroying weapons, we made our moves simultaneously.

>BOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!<

The entire space shook and cracked apart upon the impact of both weapons as his sword chinked at my Scythe.

However, it was all a futile struggle.

>Cling< >Clang< >Clang<

Our arms danced as they parried the move of the other in a flash

>Skreeeeee<

The sharp edges of our weapons clashed, sending sparks of utter destruction flying around, causing little booms around.

Jared strained himself to keep out with the power and speed I exhibited while flinging my weapon half-heartedly to gauge the genuine strength of his Treasure.

"Not bad

" I smiled.

After exchanging several blows, all encapsulated in a single moment, I swung my weapon using a little more strength than usual, sending Jared's body flying away as a result.

"Keukk!!!

" He groaned feeling pain all over him.

I don't want to drag this out anymore. Doing so will ruin the Treasure he has on him, and I can't have that.

I guess it's time to wrap things up.

"Unleash Properties: Reaper

"

Immediately, my Scythe responded to the command I gave it. Usually, my weapons are in a stable state, and ROOT determines how much power is released by them. But, since it is no longer present, I'll have to do so manually.

>ZUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!<

My Treasure roared ominously, covering my vicinity in darkness. Well, not necessarily darkness. This is just nothingness.

One of the few Divine Grade Treasures I possess with my Aspect as its core quality.

"Being an end to everything as they return to a time before the beginning

"

I raised this ominous weapon as the void spread across the room. Preparing a strike, I paused for some moments and watched Jared to see how he would respond.

His bulging eyes showed fear and despair as he watched the end of everything draw closer.

"No! Not yet!

" He yelled.

Realizing that if he didn't make his stand now, he would become swallowed by the advancing aura and get destroyed, Jared also raised his sword.

The golden weapon radiated brightly, causing more rumblings around us.

On my side was nothing but darkness, while on his side remained the white environment of Blank Canvas. With both weapons raised, our respective sides became more prominent with the aura we emitted.

"Die!!!

" Jared yelled, bringing his sword down as he sent a massive force of golden light to me.

The incoming attack tore through the darkness that was approaching him as they made their way to me in an instant.

I was right! Wrath would be no match for Jared in his weakened state. Even with his full power, unless he used his Treasure, he wouldn't win.

A Hero is truly scary... But not to me.

I brought down the single hand I used to hold up the Reaper's Scythe, sending an endless wave of nothingness to the incoming attack.

>Vwoooom<

The void swallowed Jared's attack, as well as everything else in Blank Canvas, all in a single moment.

"Return

" I mumbled

In that instant, everything the wave of nothingness swallowed returned to the Scythe I held.

Jared, his weapon, Blank Canvas.... Everything became mine.