Earth's Greatest Magus

Chapter 1733 Guardians

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Cthulhu, a chaotic being born of wild magic and primordial energies. A force that struck fear into the hearts of all who encountered it.

Rumors, passed down through generations, whispered of the creature's malevolent presence. Wherever it went, the land bore its curse: once-verdant meadows shriveled, vibrant forests decayed into rotting husks, and pristine waters turned rank and putrid. The last historical record of this monstrous being was during a cataclysmic event—a dark period that threatened to envelop the realms in a shroud of perpetual night. After that, just as mysteriously as it had appeared, Cthulhu vanished, leaving behind only legends and fear.

Yet, unbeknownst to the world, the beast had not disappeared entirely. For millennia, it lay dormant, guarding the Khaos Gate. Now,  Cthulhu's power stirs from its long slumber.

Amidst a deadly duel, Ezzekiel, suddenly felt a burning sensation. His senses screamed one word: "Poison!" Even his fortified defenses, which had withstood countless magical onslaughts, were vulnerable to this venom. It wasn't just any poison—it was one that didn't merely damage his physical form. It seeped into his essence, shaking the very core of his being.

Witnessing Ezzekiel's momentary vulnerability, Emery, with a practiced fluidity, summoned the depths of his power. He crafted intricate root spells. Within moments, dozens of thorn-covered roots, pulsating with Khaos energy, lunged toward the reeling dark elf.

Ezzekiel's voice, tinged with pain and rage, echoed through the battlefield,

"You!! If that's how you want it! You'll have it" 

In a decisive move, the dark elf thrust his blade into the ground, creating an intricate arcane symbol. Raising both hands, he channeled a potent spell. Suddenly, Emery's relentless root assault came to an abrupt halt, stopped in their tracks by an unseen force. A gravitational aura surrounded Ezzekiel, growing in intensity with every passing moment. The very earth quivered, resonating with the building energy.

Emery's eyes darted, trying to comprehend the unfolding scenario. Turning to his mythical ally, Cthulhu, he urgently inquired, "What's he conjuring now?!"

<Khaos energy, now being channeled into a proper darkness spell. >

Ezzekiel's mysterious spell was an enigma, one that Emery had to unravel quickly. In rapid succession, he unleashed a barrage of long-range spells, hoping to breach the barrier and disrupt Ezzekiel's focus, only to be repelled with sparks and flares.

The very atmosphere became an unpredictable battlefield. Emery could feel the gravitational pull of the area behaving erratically, reminiscent of the unpredictable tides of a tempestuous sea. One moment, his feet felt anchored, as if heavy chains bound him to the ground; the next, a feather-like lightness threatened to lift him off his feet. The earth itself seemed restless, fissures opening and closing sporadically, making the terrain treacherous.

Realization struck Emery; staying was not an option. He swiftly pivoted, intending to put as much distance between himself and Ezzekiel, to regroup and strategize. But the dark elf, sensing Emery's intent, decided to expedite his plans. With a sharp exhalation, Ezzekiel released the energy he had been gathering. The horizon lit up as a massive shockwave rolled out, obliterating everything in its path.

Emery watched as his carefully crafted roots disintegrated into ethereal ash under the might of the blast. As the cataclysmic wave approached him, Emery, erected a protective barrier around himself, a shimmering dome of refractive energy. 

When the dust settled, Emery made a startling discovery. While his physical form was unscathed, something was horribly amiss. He attempted to channel his spirit force, the very essence that powered his spells but found it slipping through his fingers like water. The whole space around him was like a void that couldn't be touched by the weave of spirit energy.

"It's... it's Anti Magic!" Emery exclaimed, eyes wide with disbelief.

Ezzekiel's laughter, cold and mocking, drifted through the air, echoing the triumphant smirk on his face. Locking eyes with Emery, he taunted, "You have your poison and I have mine!"

Rather than immediately capitalizing on his advantage, the dark elf paused. The effects of Emery's poison still gnawed at his system, and he took a few deep breaths, seemingly relishing the moments of Emery's helplessness. With Emery's magic stifled, Ezzekiel was in no rush. He could afford to bask in the supremacy of the moment, confident in his looming victory.

Emery's heart raced. With his magic disabled, the gaping chasm between his raw power and Ezzekiel's formidable might was all too evident. The odds stacked against him were daunting.

Two thoughts flashed through his mind – one was to launch a desperate physical attack while Ezzekiel was momentarily weakened by the poison, and the other was to flee. After a split second of internal debate, the instinct for self-preservation prevailed.

"Cthulhu, We need to get out of here now! Can you create waypoints now?!"

Emery's thoughts raced ahead, considering the potential consequences. If Ezzekiel were to follow, Emery could choose any waypoints other than earth, as long as its on human alliance his chance to escape will increase significantly.

But Cthulhu's response was a weight around Emery's heart, as the voice echoed in his mind,

<Not possible, not without the need for you to open a portal>.

It felt as though Ezzekiel was eerily attuned to Emery's thoughts. With a sly chuckle, the dark elf slowly drew his blade from the ground, its metallic sheen reflecting Emery's apprehensive face. "You can't escape now," he taunted, his voice dripping with malicious glee.

With speed belying his size, the dark elf charged, blade cutting through the air with deadly intent. The ground seemed to tremble with each of his powerful strides.

Emery, sensing the impending danger, braced himself. Resolute determination etched on his face, he raised the high-tier item he possessed - the Nature staff.

BAMMM!!

Crafted from the heartwood of trees that had stood for 10,000 years, the Nature staff was a testament to the ageless might of nature. It had been a treasured gift from a venerable Vanyar elder and boasted of durability surpassing most tier 5 weapons. And yet, as the two forces collided, Emery's heart sank at the sight of a small chip marring its pristine surface.

Emery took a calculated risk. The brief moment of disengagement following their initial clash gave him just enough time to discreetly unsheathe another weapon. The [Shadow Edge], a tier 6 dagger, shimmered ominously in his grasp.

With a swift, fluid motion, Emery lunged at Ezzekiel.

The dagger found its mark, but only partially, as it was stopped midway by the sheer force of Ezzekiel's counterattack. With a fierce motion, the dark elf delivered a crushing elbow strike to Emery's side. The sound of the impact echoed loudly, 

"You just don't know when to quit, do you?" Ezzekiel sneered, the malice evident in his voice.

With defiance burning in his eyes, Emery spat back, "Never."

A dizzying dance of combat ensued. Emery, while physically outmatched, used his superior technique to fend off Ezzekiel's relentless onslaught. He deftly parried powerful blows, redirecting their momentum to provide openings for his escape or counterattacks. On the rare occasions when he found himself cornered, he'd hurl one of his myriad potions to create a diversion.

Yet, with every passing second, Emery's situation became more perilous. Each of Ezzekiel's strikes drained him, pushing him closer to his limits. Pain radiated from his battered body, his bones felt fractured, and his once-sturdy frame dripped with blood.

Desperation evident in his voice, he implored, "Cthulhu, is there nothing else we can do?"

Emery struggled to catch his breath as Cthulhu's chilling revelations washed over him. Each word echoing in his mind, deepening the chasm of despair.

The revelation was bitter: while they shared a common mastery over the elements of plant and water, the essence of Khaos could never be fully harnessed without his dark core. And without that, facing a champion armed with the overwhelming force of darkness would be highly more difficult.

As realization sank in, Emery's concentration wavered. This slight distraction proved costly. With a misstep, he was left exposed. A devastating blow from Ezzekiel shattered his Nature staff, the remnants scattering in the wind. Almost simultaneously, the cold steel of Ezzekiel's blade cleaved through Emery's defenses, ripping a gash across his chest. The sheer force of the strike sent him hurtling, his battered form crashing violently into the craggy face of a nearby mountain. The sickening sound of bones fracturing echoed eerily through the battlefield.

Though any other being would have succumbed to such a devastating attack, Emery clung to life, largely due to the Immortal bodies that were amplified by his [Undecaying flesh], he managed to remain conscious amidst the agonizing pain.

Ezzekiel loomed over him, his voice dripping with contempt. "This is the end for you, half-blood!"

Emery's vision was blurred, the deep crimson of his own blood mixing with the dust and sweat on his face. But in these dire moments, a spark of idea ignited within him.

"Cthulhu," he rasped every word a monumental effort. "If... my nature core... not good  enough...channel all..into my blood."