n

n

nJohn was panting hard, his left hand was burnt but other than that, he sustained no other damage. The pain in his hand felt way so real, that it was distracting. If it wasn't for master's training, he wouldn't have even been able to hold on to his dagger.

n

"Hoh... Not bad, to be able to cancel out my fire with water

" Said the other john

nThe moment john saw his shadow above him, he created a water shield to cancel out the dark flames, however he was still hit. That was because unlike regular flames, dark flames is harder to burnt out and last longer. John knew this because it was a move his master usually used.

nHis master had aptitude for fire and dark magic. So he got to see the move plenty of times, it was difficult to deal with because it was hard to put out the flame, but eventually john learnt how to.

nBut even knowing that, the difference in levels was obvious. John had been on the defensive this whole time and was struggling, so he thought about changing things up.

nJohn changed his stance into the offensive one, he took a deep breath as he emptied his mind.

nThe shadow's location moved once again, John turned to where he had sensed it and swung his dagger, Surprised, the shadow shadow stepped to the area above John and swung his dagger downwards

nJohn dodged it and at the same time, propelled a ice spike at him, however the shadow, shadow stepped again to dodge it. This time, the shadow was now keeping distance from john.

nMaster once told john 'You think too much when you fight, let your senses do the work'. Ever since then she has trained all of his senses.

n

"Verum Ignis

" Translation: True Ignis

nA pure blue flame was formed right in front of john, he propelled it at the shadow to test something

n

"Tenebris Aqua

" Translation: Dark Water

nA dark coloured liquid was formed in front of the shadow, and not only blocked but absorbed the fire, no steam was let out. The water then disappeared to nothing.

nJohn wanted to see, if the shadow could use any other element aside from dark, and after seeing it's recent move, John believes that it can use every dark version of every element.

nWith this, john realised how slim his chances were of winning. However, he didn't give up

n

"Come at me.

" Said john while concentrating as hard as he could

nWith a grin, the shadow with his appearance, teleported right in front of him. They were both using the same stance, therefore, their attack patterns would be the same. With this, they clashed.

n---------------------------------------------------

nThey all waited in silence, no sounds were coming from under the edge.

n

"John's master... have you done the trial before?

"

nMaster nodded

n

"What exactly happens?

" Ariel asked

nMaster was unsure whether or not to answer Ariel's question, but decided to as she had a right to know.

n

"The first trial tests john's faith. John must stay true to his purpose. And for the second trial... He must conquer himself... In other words, fight.

" Said master

n

"Fight... Himself? Was it hard when you fought yourself?

" Serena asked

n

"No, he were evenly matched, but back then I was a kid. I couldn't use magic, and was barely experienced with using a dagger, and so was my shadow.

"

n

"Then since john can use magic, and is very good at using it, doesn't that mean his shadow will also be just as strong? Won't that make it harder for john?!

" Asked Ariel visibly worried

nMaster nodded as she said

"But that means the power he'll gain will be bigger.

"

n

"But what if he fails...

" Asked Ariel as she started to tear up

nShe was about to sprint off the edge, ignoring, what master said, but serena stopped her.

n

"Serena!

" Ariel shouted

nWhen she saw, serena's expression, she realised that Serena was just as mad and worried as her, but was stopping herself, Seeing that, Ariel forced herself to wait a little longer...

n-----------------------------------------------------

n*Clang* *Clang* *Clang*

nThe sound of weapons hitting each other, resounded throughout the darkness. A light versus a shadow.

nWith irregular swings, following one after another, John would either block them, or avoid them, while attacking. No one was being pushed back, just as no one was being hit.

nJohn was constantly draining his energy, to keep up the rush, while the shadow looked perfectly fine, however, john's focus did not waver

nFor a moment, the shadow, left an opening near his torso, John instantly grabbed that opening and got a clean kick on the shadow. He reinforced his leg as much as he could, sending the Shadow flying back

nAs the shadow continued to roll back, it suddenly disappeared, John looked around then up but it wasn't there, he looked down, and it was rising from the ground right underneath him at a fast speed.

nAs john stepped back to avoid it, it disappeared again, and this time, John knew that it was behind him. Since his legs weren't touching the ground, John needed to use velox to propel himself away

nAs he turned, to face the shadow, and propel himself away, he was suddenly stabbed, right beside his abs, in the abdominal oblique.

nJohn tried to pull the dagger out of him, but it wouldn't budge

nThen with a grin, the shadow muttered,

"Tenebris Flammae

"

nFlames erupted through the blade, and passed through john's wound

n

"GAAHHH!

" John let out

nThe pain coming from the wound was unimaginable, his hand wouldn't stop trembling, and he couldn't talk. As he continued to grip the shadow's hand trying to pull it away from his wound, he looked at the shadow's face.

nIT had a wide grin formed on it, as it said

n

"Ah... Yes... That expression... That hate... The pain... The fear... It tastes so good...

"

nAs pain surged through his body and john's anger began to increase, he could hear a voice inside of him

nJohn, need help?

nHe could easily recognise the voice, even though he hadn't heard it in a long time, it was the voice of the person who saved him from the shadow mage. Hearing that voice, gave him strength, it showed him that he wasn't alone

n

"No, I'll be fine.

" Said John

nThe shadow confused, was about to end john with the next move, when all of the sudden, John said

n

"Magnum Sancti Lumine

" Translation: Big Holy light

n