The Dawn of the New World

The explosions woke up all the stunned Orcs, sending them running for the only exit. As expected Hao Xuan ignored them completely and focused only on Arthur's bulking silhouette.

Arthur attacked again and pushed Hao Xuan to the other side so they could safely escape. Earth-shaking blasts of Qi and unrestrained physical prowess flew overhead as Malina and Leona were among the last few to leave the hall and the territory of the Chaos Law.

The abilities of all the squad leaders returned almost instantaneously while the others could at least stand on their own without relying on each other. Joining the remaining Orcs on the viewing platform they directed their full attention towards the battle between Hao Xuan and Arthur.

The changes in Arthur's physique were more obvious than anything else and was the first question on everyone's mind..

"What happened to him?" Malina was the first one to inquire.

Having spent too much energy summoning the spirit Olav had to hold onto the railing for support. He wiped the sweat from his forehead before speaking in a weak voice.

"It's a new curse I came up with, possession by a malevolent spirit and physical integration. It is supposed to increase a person's strength tenfold, if not more."

Gamil's brow knitted in a tight furrow, "Supposed to?"

Olav nodded embarrassedly, unable to meet his gaze.

"I have never used it on a person before."

"What happened to the creatures you did use it on?"

"They...became twisted...after some time. In both mind and body. The spirit took over and by the end, they were more monstrous than anything else."

"!!!"

"Then why did you-"

"He told me to! And Arthur knew the risks. He was always there whenever I conducted the experiments."

With this new information in hand, they could see more clearly what was happening to Arthur. He was slowly getting bigger and the changes were getting even more pronounced. His shirt had ripped off and the muscles along his back were twisting and turning into strange vortex-like shapes, oozing blood and puss non-stop.

There wasn't a hint of elegance within his movements and each punch and lunging strike looked more beastly than the last. Snarling and sniveling trying to rip Hao Xuan to shreds, he had already lost control.

"Is...there no way to stop it?" Malina inquired with a heavy heart, already aware of the answer deep down. If there was something that could be done Olav would already be on it.

Olav shook his head once, "Arthur is the only one that can do anything anymore. He has to fight back and regain control of his body. But at this stage its...unlikely to happen."

The battle downstairs had changed from an equivalent exchange to one where Hao Xuan was just fending off attacks while Arthur maddly swung his mountainous fists left and right.

He was almost double Hao Xuan's body size now and resembled a raging bull more than an Orc. The physical alterations continued to grow and at this speed in less than 10 minutes no one would be able to tell he was ever an Orc.

With every wide swing sparks flew and streaks of red flame erupted from Arthur's fists. At first Hao Xuan met him head on and but was slowly pushed back until all he could do was dodge each and every single one of them until, unknowingly, his back had come up against the wall and there was finally no more room TO dodge.

Arthur did not let this chance go to waste and before Hao Xuan could escape, a barrage of neverending steel bars landing on his body.

*BOOOM*

*BOOOOOM*

*BOOOOOOOM*

Each one louder and more deadly than before. Even with hundreds of protective glyphs, barriers and energy shields present around the hall it still shook like the roof was about to collapse. And some parts in fact did.

The corner Hao Xuan was backed into had turned into nothing but rubble. Arthur had punched several holes into the sidewalls and a small section of the roof collapsed on them.

Arthur pulled back and glared at the pile of rubble for any sign of life but there were none. He had been victorious.

*GROOOOWL~*

He growled like the beast that he had become and slammed his fists against the ground in maddened fury, hell-bent on bringing the whole structure down on top of him.

The Orcs watched on, horrified at the spectacle. Arthur was still getting bigger and Hao Xuan was nowhere to be seen.

Malina took out her wand and cast a few spells that failed to calm Arthur down. She then tried a few various spells meant to restrain him but he was way too powerful now, having already stepped out of the range of the Spirit Realm.

"What....do we do now?"

The answer was quite obvious even if no one was willing to say it out loud. If Arthur could not be stopped and surely he could not be contained in this current state then there was only one option left. Kill him.

"I will...do it. It is my fault anyway," Olav stepped forward. Reaching into the robe he pulled out a small dagger.

"Oh great spirit father, lend me your aid in vanquishing this evil spirit back to the land it came from."

He raised the dagger over his left hand intending to cut it off completely but caught movement from the corner of his eye.

"Hmm?"

The chunks of rock and stone were slowly pushed aside as a dainty, dust-covered figure revealed itself. It was Hao Xuan but he looked completely normal now, albeit slightly more worn out.