There was no judgment. None of the a.n.a.lysis that everyone did whenever they saw him, wondering whether he was someone with talent or someone useless. No ulterior motives at all – just an honest wish to see his friend.
His life changed in that moment, but right now… When he had appeared, those eyes had been filled with fear and even unwillingness due to the fact that she would be leaving behind so many things unfinished.
And for the first time, he had the power to change it.
"YOU! That Artefact… So you're that old fart's disciple? Well, you've completely wasted it- I'll kill you, and use that brat's woman as a hostage to escape! You wanted me to come get some? Well, I shall grant your wish, but you're not going to like it!"
By this time, all of Hero Northstar's dignity, and even sanity were gone.
Shrieking in this manner, she raised her hands. A second later, she once again began to transform into the same heavenly body that had wreaked havoc among all of the Heroes who were still searching for her at the moment.
Seeing this, Eloise could not help but scream, "Marcus, you have to stop for! She's really powerful in that form! We thought that she wouldn't be able to use it after destroying herself… But she's risking it all! Whatever your move is, do it now!"
Hearing her, Marcus nodded, but then…he didn't move.
Eloise had been expecting some sort of splendid attack based on the confident tone that he had taken before, but seeing him just stand there, she blinked with surprise and asked, "What are you waiting for?"
Meanwhile, Hero Northstar had had enough time to complete the transformation – once again, that core surrounded by all of those swirling blades came into being. Even though there were fewer than before, the inherent penetrating power that they contained was so palpable that it made those who were watching it shudder with fear.
In a flash, she moved forward, while worried looks came on both of their faces.
In just a moment more, it seemed like she would do exactly what she had promised – she would kill Marcus, and take them as hostages so that she could escape into the Endless Sea.
Even as she came closer and closer, Marcus did not move at all, which led the two of them to think that he might be in shock.
As they finally saw those concentric layers of blades come within an inch of his skin without him doing anything, which meant that he would surely be grated like a carrot at any moment now, they could not help but open their mouths and scream even though they knew that it would not help.
However, before they could do so, two things happened.
First, the Matron, who had been silent until now, opened her mouth and spoke in a low tone.
And second, as those blades touched his skin, it transformed into a brown, scraggly layer.
With a loud sound, Hero Northstar flew backward and crashed into the wall, causing dust to permeate the air.
"Oh, you blockhead… So you finally succeeded."
This was what the Matron said, and as both Eloise and Xuan stared on with utter disbelief, Marcus walked toward the Hero who had once again appeared.
Miraculously, her skin was the one that looked like it had been cut by blades all over. In fact, with further study, it became clear that the marks were from her own attacks, and seeing this, both of them were speechless.
When Northstar opened her mouth, though, they finally understood a bit regarding what was going on.
"The perfect defense, coupled with the ability to perfectly reflect attacks up to 2 levels above one's own power… Today is a day of surprises. I can't believe that someone on this continent succeeded in breaking through using that Oath by themselves… And here I was priding myself on being able to understand the Path given to me by the Church. Periods of strife… Really do result in miracles. But if you think I'm willing to let them kill me…you would be wrong!"
Uttering the last words in a screech, Hero Northstar jumped forward with her fist aloft, but once again, as soon as it made contact with Marcus's head, that same scraggly layered appeared, and she was the one who got hurt.
The fingers on her hand broke, and this, in itself, made it clear that that attack from before had really damaged her a lot.
Still unwilling, she formed the fastest attacks that she could, which were in the form of a small star just like her transformation. She threw them at his chest and legs, but that smile remained on his face. He simply kept walking forward, shrugging everything off, like a mountain that would stand unscathed no matter how much one might try to move it.
Desperation and frustration came together on Hero Northstar's face. She tried punching, kicking, and even using force to push his backward, but his steps were like the onslaught of an avalanche, sure and steady, while collecting so much power that it was impossible for anyone to stop it.
Soon, they were back at the corner of the cave which still had her imprint.
Finally, Marcus made for a movement, which was to raise his hand and catch Northstar by her neck. He slammed her against the wall and lifted her up while she struggled and continued to attack him, but still, there was no damage being done, whatsoever.
"Yes, it is your bad luck, Northstar- you were too sure in yourself, so you didn't even bother to think of the possibility that your attack would be used on you. You would have been defeated, anyway, even if you did know, but this way is just faster. Now… Sleep."
As he said the last word, he tightened his hand, and as the great Hero fell unconscious, Marcus deactivated the Artefact and turned it back into a sh.e.l.l, which was smaller than what it had been before.
At the same time, Daneel's cheerful voice resounded in the cavern.
"Well, that's that! Well done, everyone! I'm suddenly hungry! Eloise and Xuan, come join me! Elanev's chuckling, but that's the only reason I'm teleporting you here for! Yeap, deeefinitely the only one…oh, and bring along that evil b*tch, wouldn't want her waking up and disturbing the lovebi-err, I mean, friends! Yes! Come along, now!"
