With a burst of incredible speed, Ashton rushed forward, weaving through Invincible Blade's desperate attacks. Closing the distance in a heartbeat, Ashton's sword flashed, severing both of Invincible Blade's hands.
Invincible Blade screamed, a raw, agonizing sound of terror and pain.
"Say your prayers," Ashton said, his sword now pointed directly at Invincible Blade's throat.
"You motherf—" Invincible Blade began, his words cut short as Ashton's blade sliced across his mouth.
Invincible Blade's screams intensified, a muffled, horrific sound.
"I hate insults," Ashton said, his voice cold. "I might have ended this quickly, but insulting me was a mistake. Now, you will tell everyone in hell who the better torturer truly is." Ashton's eyes gleamed with a cruel satisfaction as he subjected Invincible Blade to a series of unimaginable tortures.
~The Battle Between Hazel and Doom~
"Well, it looks like this battle is over," Hazel said, his gaze sweeping over the fallen figures.
"What do you mean?" Doom replied, a hint of amusement in his tone.
"All your teammates are dead, except for one who is currently experiencing a state of… torment. But we both know he's as good as gone," Hazel said, his voice devoid of any emotion for the defeated.
Hahahahahahahaha! A long, echoing laugh boomed from Doom.
"Do you really think I came here relying on them to win this battle? If that was your assumption, you are sorely mistaken," Doom said, his eyes glinting with an unsettling light.
Hazel frowned, a sense of unease creeping over him. Suddenly, a familiar, oppressive aura filled the air.
"Be careful, Hazel. That is the aura of a god," Grim's voice echoed in Hazel's mind, a stark warning.
Hazel tensed, every sense on high alert. A swirling red cloud enveloped Doom, and then the transformation began. Doom's appearance shifted dramatically, becoming otherworldly.
Doom now wore garments that seemed to shimmer with an unearthly energy, and he hovered effortlessly in the sky. "Surprised?" he asked, a sinister smile spreading across his face.
"Have you ever killed a god before?" Doom's question hung heavy in the air. "Where do you think I got the name 'Doom' from? I slaughtered five gods and ascended to godhood. The remaining deities call me the Doom of existence."
"The system also recognizes me as a god," Doom continued, a chilling pride in his voice. "And I was granted the title of Sovereign of Chaos."
"Hazel, you have to run!" Frayja urged, her voice filled with desperation.
"I can't," Hazel said, his jaw tight. "Everyone here will die if I do."
"Now," Doom said, his eyes fixated on Hazel with cruel anticipation, "I would very much like to see you suffer."
Hazel launched a swift attack, hoping to catch Doom off guard. But Doom effortlessly dodged his strikes, barely needing to move.
Then, Doom materialized beside Hazel in the blink of an eye. "I can see your attacks from a mile away," he said, a cruel smile twisting his lips, just before delivering a devastating blow to Hazel's neck.
Hazel's neck snapped with a sickening crack, and
he was sent hurtling through the air, smashing through the walls of nearby buildings. Luckily, his rapid healing abilities kicked in, allowing him to survive the critical hit.
Hahahaha! A menacing laugh echoed from Doom.
"Hazel, I know how you can beat him," Grim said urgently.
"How?" Hazel replied, his voice strained with pain.
"The only way is to—" Grim began.
"How would that even help?" Hazel interrupted, disbelief in his voice.
"There is no way in hell I'm trying that!" Hazel exclaimed, his eyes wide with apprehension.
"Well, if you don't try it, that is exactly what will happen anyway," Grim retorted grimly.
Hazel pushed himself up from the rubble and began to run, putting distance between himself and Doom.
"Running won't do you any good," Doom said casually, appearing directly in front of Hazel and slamming him back down to the ground.
Hazel coughed up blood, the impact jarring his already injured body.
Doom then grabbed Hazel by the hair, lifting his head. "Now, show me that helplessness. Show me that fear. I want to see it on your face!" Doom sneered, anticipating a look of utter despair.
But Hazel's face was etched only with desperation and fierce determination. This angered Doom, and he rained down more brutal blows, trying to force a sorrowful expression from Hazel.
Finally, growing tired of Hazel's resilience, Doom hauled him up by the hair once more. "This is far too boring. You simply couldn't give me the thrill I was seeking, the expression I desired. Well, now you die."
"Hazel!" Alexa's desperate scream pierced the air as she and Darwin, Oscar, and Mia appeared on the scene.
"NO! Run! Run!" Hazel screamed out to them, his voice raw with fear for their safety.
"Oh, I see," Doom said, a cruel understanding dawning in his eyes. He threw Hazel to the ground. "Since beating you won't grant me the taste of true sorrow and hopelessness, I might as well break your little team."
Hazel heard this and a primal fury surged through him. He summoned his scythe and leaped towards Doom, who was still levitating. He aimed a desperate strike, but Doom casually grabbed him by the neck as soon as he got close.
"Yes! Yesss! Yessss! This… this is the expression I have been craving! Give me more! I want more!" Doom said, his voice laced with manic glee.
"Don't you dare touch a single hair on their body!" Hazel choked out, his throat constricted by Doom's grip.