n

n

nAries felt threatened. As unbelievable as it seemed, the young boy was actually intimidating such a person of his standing.

n

"Don't... don't look down on me, you little brat!

" Aries yelled.

nA sudden wave of energy flowed through him, as his divine Power climaxed, reaching an unprecedented degree.

nThis was not the level he was at a few seconds ago.

nShamac felt the power filling the area, like countless unpleasant sensations squirming on his skin, he felt repulsed by the aura emanating from Aries.

n

"It looks like you've finally decided to get serious, uh?

" Shamac grinned.

n

"Don't be conceited. You're not worthy to witness my full power. I've only resolved to end this quickly!

" Aries responded.

nIn a flash, the white fog around them spat out more beasts. This time, they appeared more menacing than the previous set. Not only were they of greater quality, the divine energy in each of these beasts had increased nearly tenfold compared to the last.

n

"You're not joking around, eh?

"

nShamac observed their numbers as well. The white monsters were in their thousands now, and some were flying in the air where normal clones wouldn't be able to reach.

n

"You intend to overwhelm me with both quality and quantity, uh? Not bad, Mr. Constellation...

" He thought aloud.

nAries felt a surge of satisfaction, reveling in what seemed to be his counterattack and assured victory.

n

"Let's see how your knockoffs fare against these!

" Aries declared excitedly, snapping his fingers as he pointed at Shamac.

n>VWOOOOSH< The army immediately obeyed their creator and charged toward Shamac's small troop.

nThe ground shook as the army marched. Their sheer numbers and mass were enough to overwhelm most foes. Tho beasts who were flying dived at Shamac's clones, causing a great pressure in the winds.

n

"This is nothing... Charge!

" Shamac smiled, still stationary on his spot, covered in his shadow.

nThe exact duplicates of Shamac all let out confident grins as they dashed toward the thousands of monsters that crept upon them.

n>SWOOOOSH!<

nTheir speed caused swishing sounds to fill the air as they danced around with the dark blades they wielded, cutting down the enemies.

nAries was surprised that despite the increase in power and number of his white horde, they were still being overpowered.

n

"Tch!

"

nHis pride wouldn't let him exert more of his power, but the way things were going, the match appeared to be outside his control. If he didn't act fast, he was bound to lose with his forces.

n

"Don't get cocky yet, kid!

" Aries yelled.

nInstantly, more beasts appeared from the fog. The smoke didn't stop spitting out monsters as they kept coming out.

n'I'll just have to use my endless supply of minions to my advantage. No matter who he is, he can't maintain those clones for long. Sooner or later... I'm bound to win!' He thought in confidence.

nHowever, even as time passed, it didn't appear as though Shamac's clones grew tired. They were still functional, even after some of Aries' beasts bit through them and fatally injured them, they closed their wounds through the shadows making them up, and continued fighting.

nHowever, noticeable changes were being noticed by the Constellation as the fight dragged on.

n

"They're slower... they aren't as powerful as before... and my white army is comprised of nearly five thousand now. There won't be enough space within here for long. Sooner or later... they'll be forfeit!

" Aries spoke to himself, watching how the once nimble and exceedingly superior Shamacs now struggled against the white monsters he brought forth.

n'It won't be long now...'

nAries glanced in Shamac's direction and saw his expression being stoic and calm. While his usual confident grin had vanished, Shamac was still not displaying the expression of despair that Aries wanted.

nStill, he wasn't going to waste the opportunity to taunt the poor boy concerning his looming defeat.

n

"What's wrong, brat? Where did that smile of yours go? Not confident in your victory anymore?

"

nAs Aries sent his spiteful words to Shamac, the boy's eyes slowly went to him. The cheeky attitude the Apostle had vanished the moment he stared into the deep, dark, void that dwelled within Shamac's eyes.

n

"Oh? Isn't this a funny sight? Are you actually happy with yourself right now?

" Shamac's intimidating voice sounded, causing pressure to surround the area.

nAries felt bloodlust. Like a thousand needles piercing his body, the murderous aura filling the air nearly made Aries vomit in disgust, or perhaps fear.

n

"You, a Constellation, is satisfied with a battle dragged on for this long? Aren't you ashamed for taking so long and still not being able to finish me off as you said?

"

nThose words of Shamac pierced Aries' pride. He couldn't believe a mongrel such as the kid standing a small distance from him could utter those words.

nOf course, he could kill him if he so desired. In fact, Aries had been holding back this far since his pride wouldn't allow him to use his full strength.

nBut, to think Shamac would spit on that act of mercy and take it as his full power... Aries wasn't going to accept that.

n

"You little...

" He growled.

n

"Sigh, that's enough of that. As much as I would like to continue this and see where it leads, I'll have to cancel, unfortunately...

" Shamac gave a repressed mumble.

nHis lips curled down in frustration, and a somewhat dissatisfied expression took over, like he was being forced to do something.

n

"Return...

"

nInstantly, his shadow clones turned back to their original dark state and went back to their creator. Fusing with the plenty black shadows surrounding Shamac, they vanished without a trace.

n

"Oh? Looks like you've finally given up! No need to put on a front of bravado! You just can't withstand any more, can you?! Then... accept your fate and be devoured!

" Aries smiled in satisfaction as his eyes widened in anticipation.

nHe watched as the thousands of monsters, both on land and in the air, charged toward the lone boy who stood still.

nShamac gave an underwhelming sigh and focused on the horde approaching him at a rapid rate.

n

"Swallow all... DarkHold!

"

nImmediately, a wide spread of darkness appeared, coming from Shamac's little body, and filled the entire area. Before any time passed, the pure darkness had already filled the entire ground, creating a swamp of blackness.

nBeing wary of the suspicious, black matter coming from his enemy, Aries quickly erected a barrier made with pure Divine Energy to defend himself. Due to this interference, none of the shadows reached him.

nHowever, the same couldn't be said for his countless projections.

nThe monsters stopped dead on their tracks, unable to move. The reason for this was due to the shadows beneath them. The shadows began sucking the monsters into them, drawing the pure white foes within the murky depths of an endless blackness that filled the ground.

nThe monsters in the air seemingly felt a moment of satisfaction, assuming they were exempted from the horror that befell the ones on the ground. Unfortunately for them, that was not the case.

nDark hands made of the same shadow structures emerged from the ground, grabbing every monster in the air. They struggled to break free, but in an instant, the white flying monsters became paralyzed as well.

nThe corruption of darkness seeped into their pure selves until they were all buried within the dark shadows, unable to offer much resistance.

nAnd just like that, all of Aries troops which he boasted of, vanished without a trace.

n

"Now then...

" Shamac muttered, turning his attention to the dumbfounded Constellation who hid behind his divine protection.

n

"I-impossible... Just like that?!

" Aries muttered, stuttering in his speech.

nHe couldn't believe his eyes. All his projections were swallowed by Shamac's shadows! Even though they were not made with his full power, a great deal had gone into making them, and they were also in their thousands. To be able to make short work of them in an instant... that was inconceivable!

nGlancing in Shamac's direction, Aries wondered what kind of face the youth made after performing such a feat.

nSuddenly, a much greater aura filled the air, far more bloodlust than before, and the ominous feel could make one run mad. However, Aries was protected against such conditions.

nHe still couldn't understand what was going on, however, he wasn't weak enough to give in without resistance.

n

"Hehehehehe... Hehehehe... Hehehehe...

" A voice filled the air.

nAries recognized it. It was Shamac's voice!

nHowever, something was different about the tone this time. It sounded more wicked, more obsessive... more depraved.

n

"Look at you, Mr. Constellation. Why are you making such a look? Did you think you were the only one holding back?

" Shamac asked, slowly bringing his hands from within his pockets as he grinned sadistically.

nThe expression on his face was demonic, having twisted eyes and curled up lips which displayed his sets of white teeth that gave off a maddening laugh.

n

"What.... what are you?!

" Aries asked, now genuinely feeling threatened.

n