Infinite Mana in the Apocalypse

Athena's POV

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I let out a deep breath after the brief first impact between me and this mysterious being that I had met once before in the First Realm of Hell. This being, Crixus, was an anomaly through and through, but the only thing that mattered to me was that we had gained yet another combatant to help bring about more order in this chaotic landscape.

I took the words of the Grandmaster in stride as this Crixus apparently held the same Noble Fate like me, this development being one of the things that sparked my interest as for too long I had been asking myself- what exactly did fate want from me? What Noble Fate was waiting for me at the end of all of this?

This being in front of me having a similar fate...I wanted to know more about him, and exactly what the influence he would have for the future!

"Yaa!"

My body moved across fluidly as I found myself closing my eyes, using my senses to more clearly observe the flow of mana, and the numerous lines of fate pulsating in my own body, and the body of this being in front of me.

CLANG!

Brilliance exploded out as the two hammers clashed again, making me realize this Crixus could freely match the pace of the battle as he seemed to be adapting to the first and second stages of the abilities of Fate's Guardian fairly easily.

This means...we can increase the difficulty!

Empyrean Guard! Empyrean Armament!

RUMBLE!

I cast the skills multiple times as two more celestial guardians wielding hammers full of strength appeared, only to turn into streams of light soon after as they attached onto my body, completing the lower half of my armor as the usual cooling helmet covered my head.

I made sure that the strength was still only being taken from 9,999 Fate Lines as I observed the reaction of this junior disciple. Would he be able to keep up?

My expanded senses observed a smile of confidence as Crixus waved his hands, two Empyrean Guards appearing as they quickly became streams of light that attached to his body, granting him a similar set of armor as mine.

You can still keep up? Good!

I felt a small smile appearing on my own lips as my love for battle was slowly bubbling forth, trying my best to contain it so that I wouldn't accidentally destroy this junior disciple in front of me.

He moved first this time as he seemed to be enjoying the feeling of strength that Empyrean Armament provided, my body evading to the side as the oppressive hammer smashed onto the area I was just standing on.

Good! Good!

My body moved automatically as clashes of light began to resound throughout the expanded room we were in, Crixus surprisingly keeping up with my movements as time passed.

CLANG! CLANG! BOOM!

A few craters were left behind as I could only see dark eyes locking onto my figure from the slits of the golden helmet that covered his head, his body moving towards me yet again as his movements gained a similar fluidity I had worked so hard to achieve over the years with ease.

His use of the innate strength of Fate Lines was seamless as with every clash, I could feel the strength he let off increase more and more!

I could feel essence palpating on my body as his attacks increased in speed, my eyes watching in slow motion as I bent back and watched the merciless swing of golden hammer barely pass through the tip of my helmet.

'Ahh Junior Brother, you shouldn't have done that!'

My closed eyes opened as a burst of golden light released from me and pushed back the being that was sticking around me tightly while throwing out attacks, a slight trembling running through my body as I realized I could no longer withhold the need for battle that had been brought forth by his stupendous attacks.

'Forgive me, Junior Brother, but I'll have to enjoy myself for a bit!'

RUMBLE!

Essence converged as yet another Empyrean Guard was summoned and quickly turned into a stream of liquid light that attached onto my body, the feeling of having gloriously fluttering wings appearing once more as my speed was increased yet again.

My eyes that were filled with a thirst for battle locked on to the figure that still seemed to be in top shape, a small smile appearing on my lips as I observed with stupefaction as yet another Empyrean Guard appeared next to him, turning into a stream of light as this Crixus gained a resonantly shining set of wings similar to mine!

'Junior Brother...aren't you adapting to these techniques too fast?'

The thought did not match my actions as my body was already moving by itself, turning into a streak of light towards the being that seemed to have no problem pulling out the power of abilities he was just introduced to with precision and grandeur I had not come across before.

BOOM!

The golden hammers clashed yet again as the impact smashed the figure of Crixus back, his armored body hitting the wall on the opposite side as I stopped briefly, wondering if I had gone overboard. My expectations were defied yet again as the only thing I observed was a streak of light shooting towards me, a peal of childish laughter ringing out.

'Haha, good!'

RUMBLE!

All reservations were let loose as it seemed this Crixus was capable enough to withstand my attacks, even if they were limited to only 9,999 Fate Lines.

My body began to feel the joy of battle as my figure shot through the skies to meet this mysterious being that could match my pace of battle with ease. Was he truly like me? Is this really a being with a Noble Fate waiting for him in the future?

BOOM!

The last clash actually pushed the both of us back as my questions weren't answered, but I knew I had found an interesting being to play with as essence coursed through my body and was released in a splendor of colors once more.

"Come, Junior Brother!"

A cry left my mouth as the thrilling battle continued, my focus tightly wrapped onto this rapidly adapting Crixus as I wanted to peer through his defenses and everything that surrounded him!