The Broken Halo

The Supreme Archfiend tightened his grip around the axe. Blood covered his mouth and nose, but his eyes remained fixed on Akaza. The mockery in them had disappeared, replaced by caution and anger.

Dark silver light flowed through the weapon again. It covered the blade and shaft until the entire axe looked as if it had been carved from one piece of dark metal.

Akaza stopped rotating his wrists.

The Supreme Archfiend moved first. He swung horizontally, but Akaza did not enter the space between the blade and the demon’s hands like before.

The metal chaos around the axe had become denser, and the edge stretched farther than it should have.

Akaza leaned backward, and the blade passed over his chest. Before the swing ended, the Supreme Archfiend twisted his waist and dragged the axe back in the opposite direction.

Akaza lowered his body.

Clang!

The edge passed above his head and struck the red barrier, causing it to ripple. The axe rose again immediately and came down toward Akaza’s skull.

Akaza moved to the side.

BANG!

The blade split the stage, and dark silver light entered the cracks. Thin metal spikes erupted around the axe, and one pierced the side of Akaza’s boot before he could move completely.

”Tch.” Akaza looked at the wound and clicked his tongue.

The shallow wound delayed him long enough for the Supreme Archfiend to tear the axe free and swing at his ribs. Akaza raised both arms and coated them with his demonic energy, but the flat side of the axe crashed into his guard and sent him sliding several steps away.

The Supreme Archfiend was controlling the distance now, preventing Akaza from entering the range where his fists became dangerous.

Blood ran from Akaza’s forearm, but his expression remained indifferent.

The Supreme Archfiend hated that expression.

”I’ll cut that look off your face.”

He charged, and the axe moved three times in quick succession. The first strike went for Akaza’s neck, the second for his stomach, and the third swept toward his legs.

Akaza avoided the first two by a narrow distance. When the third came, he planted one foot on the flat side of the axe.

Step

The Supreme Archfiend’s eyes widened.

Akaza stepped upward with the weapon beneath his foot and drove his knee into the demon’s face.

CRACK!

More blood burst from his broken nose. The demon staggered, but he refused to release the axe. He forced it upward and threw Akaza away, then swung before Akaza’s feet properly touched the floor.

A wide silver arc tore across the stage.

Chiiiii

Akaza crossed his arms as a dark light spread over his tattoos.

BOOM!

The arc struck him and pushed him backward, his boots carving two lines into the stone. Fresh cuts opened across both forearms where the metal chaos tore through his reinforcement.

But with a mere thought, Akaza expelled the demon’s demonic energy and metal chaos from his body.

The Supreme Archfiend breathed heavily, but Akaza was already moving again.

Akaza rushed forward at full speed. The Supreme Archfiend swung downward, but Akaza shifted to the left, and the axe struck the stage.

Before the demon could pull it out, Akaza stepped on the broad blade.

The Supreme Archfiend roared and tried to lift the weapon, but demonic energy surged through Akaza’s legs. The axe did not move.

Akaza punched.

The demon released one hand from the shaft and raised his forearm to block.

BAM!

His forearm cracked.

Akaza’s second punch struck the same place and broke it completely. The Supreme Archfiend screamed, but his other hand remained around the axe.

Dark silver light exploded from the blade, and several metal spikes burst outward. One pierced Akaza’s calf while another sliced across his thigh.

Akaza’s expression changed slightly, but he did not retreat. He jumped off the blade and landed inside the demon’s reach before the axe could be pulled back.

The lower end of the shaft came toward his temple.

However... Akaza caught it beneath his arm.

His reinforced fist struck the Supreme Archfiend’s ribs.

BANG!

Bones broke.

A second punch landed in the same place, forcing blood from the demon’s mouth, while the third struck his chest and shattered the rough metal layer protecting it.

BOOM!

The Supreme Archfiend flew backward while dragging the axe with him. He crashed against the barrier and dropped to one knee.

One arm hung uselessly beside him. His chest had caved in slightly, and every breath brought more blood from his mouth.

But he still held the axe and never let go of it.

Akaza walked toward him.

The Supreme Archfiend forced himself to stand and raised the weapon with one hand, though the movement made his entire body tremble. He poured the rest of his demonic energy into the axe.

The dark silver light became painfully bright. The broad blade narrowed and stretched, turning into a long, heavy edge made for one final strike.

”AAA ARRRRGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!”

The Supreme Archfiend swung and screamed.

Akaza stepped toward it.

Gasps sounded outside the barrier as the blade passed beside Akaza’s neck. It cut through the cloth on his shoulder and opened another shallow wound, but Akaza was already inside the swing.

He struck the demon’s wrist.

CRACK!

The second arm broke, and the axe slipped from the Supreme Archfiend’s fingers.

Before he could fall, Akaza caught the front of his clothes and pulled him closer.

His fist struck the demon’s stomach, then his ribs, then his chest.

Each blow landed before the demon could recover from the last.

The final punch struck beneath his jaw.

An uppercut!

BANG!

The Supreme Archfiend’s feet left the ground. His body struck the red barrier, fell face-first onto the stage, and stopped moving.

Akaza stood above him, breathing steadily despite the blood running down his arms and leg.

The official waited and did not announce anything yet.

The Supreme Archfiend’s fingers twitched near the axe, but both arms were broken. He could not reach it or stand.

After several seconds, his body became still and the official decided to speak after seeing that Akaza had no intention of killing the demon and that the demon coul no longer fight.

”Stage Two. Winner, Akaza.”

The red barrier disappeared, but the compound remained silent for a moment.

The Supreme Archfiend had entered with an axe, metal affinity, and the advantage of range. He had wounded Akaza several times, but Akaza still broke him apart using only his fists, demonic energy, and martial skill.

Some demons stared at the cuts on Akaza’s body. Others looked at his opponent’s broken arms, sunken chest, and blood-covered face.

The difference was obvious.

Akaza had been injured.

The Supreme Archfiend had been destroyed.

Korran Veyl watched Akaza with narrowed eyes.

Akaza had accepted shallow injuries whenever it allowed him to close the distance, then attacked the same weak points until the demon’s bones and defenses gave away.

But what he could not understand was why Akaza chose not to use his ability.

Korran was certain that Akaza had a unique ability since he had no elemental affinity.

Meanwhile, Ammor’s expression darkened further, while Virella swallowed and looked away from the broken Supreme Archfiend.

When Akaza returned, Sonya tilted her head toward him.

”Good job, tattoo boy.”

Akaza glanced at her.

”Tattoo boy?”

Sonya folded her arms and nodded with a satisfied smile.

”Of course. You did not embarrass this Honourable, tattoo boy.”

Akaza’s lips could not help but twitch, but he decided to remain silent.

He would deal with her later.

Behind them, the guards carried the unconscious Supreme Archfiend away. His axe was taken separately, while the dark red runes drank the blood and repaired the shattered stage.

The next set of tokens began to glow.