Abyssal Awakening-Chapter 950: Web Of Lightning

Within a strange world, Ria slid back as her back crashed against the invisible walls of this realm.

Lightning crackled along her skin, her boots leaving marks against the ground that was quickly swallowed by ink.

"Tch!" Clicking her tongue, she slammed her fist into the ground as lightning rippled across the surface, scattering the wave of ink that burst out of the ground.

Astrelya wanted her to learn from Mara, to steal his techniques of utilizing his authority and powers.

But how can she focus on that when her life is about to be forfeit?

’The battle is a simple one my ass!’ Ria cursed, applying the properties of magnetism to her feet and ground.

Her figure flickered out of view, circling the Lord who was standing in the middle.

Mara narrowed his gaze. He thought the fight would be over much sooner.

But even with a boundary sealing off this space, her speed was proving to be an issue.

Not only that, but she has filled this entire space with nodes of electricity. Ones that she can travel through and swap places if necessary.

He was stronger but only if he could land a hit on her.

During the start of the fight, she was taken by surprise hence why his attacks almost landed.

But now, she was focused completely.

*BANG!!!

A streak of lightning shot towards him from behind as a waterfall of ink slammed down, blocking the strike.

She was fast but her attacks couldn’t break his defence.

A stalemate.

If that was the case...

Mara closed his eyes.

The ink across his body started to shift, coming alive almost.

"I’ve fought beasts who focus on speed. Old Lords who believe that they have the upper hand just because they can’t be toughed. Do you know what they all struggle with?" Mara asked, confusing Ria who was trying to find a way to breach his defence.

Clashing his hands together, Abyssal energy erupted from Mara’s body.

The boundary holding back the zone disappeared and Ria immediately took this chance to create some distance.

But that proved to be a mistake.

From the core of this new world, a myriad of mountains and valleys started to appear.

Countless twists and turns blocking the path to Mara.

And as this fortress of mountains was created, a giant ink like beast rested on the top, staring at Ria.

A giant ink dragon with crimson veins across its body.

Ria frowned.

But since they’ve created some distance...

Condensing her energy into a single node, lightning coursed through her body.

Afterimages manifested and several lightning circles appeared above the mountains.

She was going to shatter everything in one hit!

But...

Her energy refused to consolidate above her target.

Astrelya watched from afar.

Mara’s authority as the Lord of Ink was unique. Whatever he designated as his canvas receives new laws of his choosing. A second resonance that doesn’t allow for interaction outside of specific counters.

And this boundary of his has a natural barrier against ranged attacks.

Unless one can target this space in its entirety, they’ll have to adhere to his laws of combat.

Meaning...

Ria had to close the gap through the mountains if she wanted to reach Mara.

Naturally, Mara had to follow the same laws but this is where his application of power overcomes this gap.

By creating the ink dragon that rests upon the mountains, this entire domain becomes an extension of his body.

Range attacks are now classified as melee!

*RUMBLE!!!

Ria skated across the landscape as countless ink arms tried to grab her ankles. Twisting her body, she bend backwards, avoiding a claw strike while glaring at the dragon who was tracking her every movement.

Wherever she stepped briefly, its eyes would snap towards her.

Clenching her fist, lightning crackled but the moment Ria tried to project it forwards in order to teleport, it fizzled out.

"Tch!"

This couldn’t continue. She was running out of patience.

At this rate, the only way a victor can appear between them would be when one of them runs out of energy.

And as a Lord, it was clear that Mara has an advantage over her!

She had to play into game.

’I can’t project lightning out of my body or else it fizzles. I can’t reach my top speed either without this.’ Ria created a whip of lightning, clashing against the ink.

As long as the lightning is still connected to her body, it’ll maintain its form.

But at the same time, doing so meant that she’ll exhaust her energy much faster than usual.

’Think. Don’t stop thinking. What is the path to victory here...’ Ria took several deep breaths to calm her mind.

She knew what Astrelya wanted from her.

The ’easy’ way out of this predicament.

To invoke the Eclipse, to override this realm with Enris’s power.

But Ria didn’t want that.

She thought back to all the times Alice has shown her combat smarts. The way she changes her approach and adapts her casting methods to fit the situation.

Ria narrowed her eyes.

*Crackle...

Lightning began to spread from her feet. Each step causing a web to expand that fizzled out the moment she stepped away.

However...

With each step, something started to change.

*Crackle...

A smirk appeared on Ria’s face.

She stopped her sprint as the Ink claw missed.

’10 meters. That’s how far I can expand this range. The rest is up to my own reactions huh?’

Lightning pulsed through her veins. Ria’s hair shifted to that of a gold and blue.

*BANG!!!

Ria disappeared.

A web of lightning streaks expanding in a 10 meter radius around her like a flower.

She teleported to the edge and the web followed her movements, maintaining their connection so that it didn’t fizzle out.

There was a brief pause between the teleports as she had to calculate the new coordinates.

But with each shift, she adapted to the sensation.

This feeling of flickering to the boundary of her lightning.

Her form continuously flickered through the realm, faster than the dragon could track.

Ink crashing down where her silhouette was moments ago.

’Keep refining. Don’t stop thinking.’ Ria turned into a blur, her entire body becoming the manifestation of lightning and beyond.

Her figure blurring into a single streak that rushed through the realm.

Astrelya crossed her eyes.

A smile disappearing from her face.

It was clear with this. Even with her life on the line, Ria will never use the power of the Eclipse.

Forcing her to accept the power of the Eclipse was impossible.

If so... then what must she do?

Astrelya tapped her fingers.

it’s clear that she’ll have to adjust her plans in order to achieve her goals.

As Astrelya made her choice, she could see the flash of light approaching the mountains.

No matter how Mara adjusted the mountains, Ria maintained her speed.

Each turn, each shift was done at such a tremendous pace it’s a wonder how Ria was keeping her body in tact.

But the secret lies in teleporting at the right angle.

The way she is facing, the way she shifts parts of her body into lightning.

Despite turning at harsh angles, Ria’s movement was technically done in a straight line!

She streaked across the ever shifting ink terrain, her lightning web carving a path through the labyrinth as Mara struggled to keep track.

He was trying attack her before but now he was stuck with defending himself!

Each teleport was also followed up with a straight against the landscape.

She was trying to dismantle his domain so that she could land a strike against him.

Mara’s gaze sharpened, if things are like this, he’ll have to adjust the laws he put into place.

But doing so also opens up the possibility of a long ranged attack from Ria.

His greatest advantage right now has been lost.

He exhaled slowly, the ink across his skin rippled.

Tattoos shifting in position as symbols were created along his ribs.

Since he could stop her speed, since he couldn’t prevent her from adapting to the laws.

He can only try to stall things out!

Slamming his fists together, a pulse of energy rippled out as Ria widened her eyes.

She noticed her finger tips slowly turning to ink. Her hair doing the same and her lightning being converted.

This was a timer.

If Mara can stall things out, if Mara could survive till the end, she’ll get converted to ink and subjected to the laws of his domain.

Whatever he wanted to do, she won’t be able to reject!

’A last resort.’ She narrowed her eyes.

The end of the fight was approaching and Ria grit her teeth.

"So you noticed." Mara folded his arms.

The world seemingly caving to his will as the heavens and earth inverted.

Ria didn’t answer.

She continued to accelerate.

If time wasn’t on her side then she has to end things as soon as possible.

The final strike.

###

Selen stood before the temple.

She could sense the storm of energy roaring above.

Miralith also had the frown on her face.

The King was not in a good mood.

Not onlyt that, but it felt like something else was merging with the King’s aura, a parasite even.

"Are you sure you want to talk to him?" Selen asked with a forced smile.

It felt like they’ll be struck down for just trying to approach the temple.

"A discussion must be had. I... Wish to speak to my old friend." Miralith sighed. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"Well you should definitely hope he’s open to discussion. Otherwise a few of us might return in bags." Caera joked despite the worry on their faces.

Without hesitation, she took the lead and approached the temple.