Level Up Legacy

Nightmare clashed against the holy sword, its collision resounding through the chamber, accompanied by an otherworldly shriek that sent shivers down their spine. Surprisingly, the cry didn't come from the dagger itself; instead, it emanated from the very core of the weapon, making Arthur fear that it might be on the verge of shattering. Yet, as the blinding light subsided, he found himself amazed to see the blade gleaming brighter than ever.

Hidden behind his helmet, the holy warrior's voice carried a tinge of concern. "As I feared," he spoke, his words tinged with urgency. "A dagger capable of nullifying holy power should never exist within these tower walls. It is not a prize to be rewarded, for it defies the sacred contract with the gods."

Confused but determined, Arthur held the dagger firmly, feeling its power surge within him. The weapon grew stronger, and with each passing moment, he sensed his strength amplified. What bewildered him further was the sight of the dagger absorbing the very essence of the holy light.

"How peculiar," the holy warrior remarked, pushing Arthur away and creating a cautious distance between them. "I initially thought you to be nothing more than a slave to the demons. Yet, it appears you are something far more extraordinary. A weapon capable of absorbing holy powers should never... exist."

Silent and contemplative, Arthur lowered his hand, fixated on the mesmerizing blade of Nightmare. He had stumbled upon it within the tower, never suspecting its connection to holy energy, but now it was confirmed. The dagger continued to consume the essence of the holy weapon before him.

"You must be... eliminated!" declared the holy warrior abruptly, driving his sword into the ground. Arthur turned his gaze towards the warrior, sensing a shift in his demeanor. "I summon thee, angel of retribution!"

The holy warrior's cry echoed through the chamber, his sword erupting with a radiant burst of divine power. A majestic pillar of light shot skyward, accompanied by enchanting hymns that resonated with an otherworldly melody. Arthur narrowed his eyes, observing a peculiar glow within the luminous column. The celestial voices sang in a language unfamiliar to them both.

"Be wary of the angel's touch!" Seraphine's urgent voice broke through, catching Arthur's attention. He glanced back at the demon, still fending off attackers as she approached Vesper. "That creature does not belong in this realm!"

Arthur's brows furrowed as he turned his gaze back to the descending creature within the pillar. "That's a rather vague warning," he muttered, his curiosity piqued. "Despite encountering gods and demons, angels still remain beyond the realms of fantasy."

Something grand descended through the pillar of pure light, its giant wings unmistakable even before Arthur could fully perceive its form. "Kill him before it reaches the ground!" Seraphine's desperate plea reached his ears, yet he ignored it. He couldn't deny himself the chance to witness the angel's appearance—an itch that demanded to be scratched. "Don't just stand there!"

"There's no need," Arthur calmly responded to the demon's cries, his gaze fixed on the awe-inspiring spectacle. "I want to see what it truly looks like. I've never encountered an angel before."

The holy warrior shook his head in disbelief. "Fool!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with frustration. "No one has ever survived the wrath of the angel of retribution! Its divine powers are the bane of all evil!"

A frown etched deeper across Arthur's face as he locked eyes with the righteous knight. "Tell me, valiant knight," he challenged, his voice laced with defiance. "Do those who fight evil truly believe they are evil, or do they convince themselves they are eradicating evil? Can one who battles demons avoid becoming a demon themselves?"

The weight of his accusation hung heavily in the air, the implication clear to those who listened. Arthur questioned the holy warrior's righteousness, suggesting that his pursuit of demon eradication made him no different from the creatures he fought. However, the man responded with a scoff and a dismissive laugh.

"I care not what I become as long as I can vanquish demons!" the man retorted, his grip tightening around his sword. "You will soon discover the true nature of evil once you face a genuine angel!"

Arthur sighed inwardly, realizing the futility of attempting to change the warrior's perspective. Yet, he chose not to intervene in the summoning of the angel, opting instead to tighten his grip on Nightmare, his dagger, as he awaited its descent.

"Have no concern for me," Arthur assured the observing demon, casting her a confident smile. "I am the one whom angels should fear."

"Blasphemy!" interjected the holy warrior, pulling his sword from the ground and pointing it directly at Arthur. "Such disregard for the gods will never go unpunished! May the divine grant me the strength to purge the evil before me!"

"Those who rely on borrowed strength can never truly be strong," Arthur responded calmly, lowering his dagger, its dark liquid dripping onto the ground. "We fight our own battles, not those of the gods. When you are defeated, no deity will come to your rescue."

"Tell that to the angel who came to my aid," the holy warrior countered, reassuming his battle stance. Arthur smiled, lifting his head to gaze at the fantastical creature descending gracefully, her wings spread wide. The crowd gasped collectively, captivated by her unparalleled beauty—translucent white skin, hair like the golden sun, and a silver helmet concealing her eyes. It was everything they had imagined, and yet, it brought only disappointment to Arthur.

"I expected something truly extraordinary... Even a giant ball with wings would have been more intriguing than this," he murmured, his disappointment palpable. "I suppose the gods lack the creativity to craft something worthy of my attention."

Silence engulfed the crowd, stunned by the audacity of the man who dared to break it. Arthur's disappointment seemed boundless as he shook his head in disbelief. Each time he looked at the angel, his disappointment deepened as if he had expected something more remarkable.

"You dare to belittle an angel?" the warrior seethed with rage, his voice trembling. "I will show you that beneath its ethereal beauty lies boundless strength, capable of eradicating all evil from this world!"

"Just spare me your words and let's get on with the fight, old man," Arthur retorted, his disinterest evident to all. "I already regret entertaining the thought of facing you. I had hoped for a more thrilling challenge."

"Kill him, angel of retribution!" the warrior bellowed, consumed by fury as he directed his sword towards Arthur. The angel reached out into empty air, materializing a sword from the very light she descended upon, her wings propelling her forward with astonishing speed.

Arthur's gaze remained fixed on the vanishing figure of the angel, anticipating the mounting pressure that approached him. He acknowledged the strength of the celestial being, yet he knew it was a challenge he could easily handle outside the confines of the tower. However, his current limitations forced him to rely on the power of the black lightning and his newfound weapon.

"Unleash your shriek once more, Nightmare!" Arthur commanded, raising his weapon. Though he had no concrete reason to believe that his dagger possessed untapped potential, he had an instinctual feeling that it had yet to reveal its true might to the world.

In response to his command, amidst the celestial hymns resonating from above, Nightmare let out another defiant shriek. Its cry echoed through the air, a proclamation of rebellion against the holy creature before them, as black lightning crackled and merged with the weapon.

"As I suspected, Nightmare," Arthur murmured, his gaze fixated on the pulsating dagger. While he cherished its presence, he couldn't help but wonder why fate had placed it in his hands. "You are the only weapon befitting my powers."

Nightmare seemed to concur, emitting another ear-piercing shriek that sent the onlookers staggering backward. At that moment, the angel closed in on Arthur, her grace and radiance captivating the masses. Yet, to Arthur, she was nothing more than a puppet.

"A soulless entity devoid of desires... Not something worthy of my admiration," Arthur declared as his dagger collided with the holy light, igniting a resounding explosion of mana that rippled through the surrounding forest.

Their clash sent shockwaves through the crowd, toppling ten thousand soldiers in its wake. The angel emanated an aura of divinity, seeking to overwhelm Arthur and his dagger, and for a moment, it succeeded.

Arthur was forced back, his feet skidding across the ground. His frown deepened as he realized his limited capabilities in confronting a celestial being head-on. The sole reason he still stood was Nightmare and its lightning.

"Devour it as well, Nightmare!" Arthur shouted, summoning all his strength as the dagger's cry grew louder. The air crackled with energy as the black weapon voraciously consumed the holy energy, fortifying Arthur in the process.

The once-crushing pressure began to wane, and Arthur found himself pushing the angel back. Nightmare harnessed her own powers, channeling them to amplify Arthur's abilities, prompting a smirk to curl upon his lips. "As I said, angels should fear me."