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The sun falls quicker than its time to rise.

Days are eclipsed into night.

It is such a cold demise.

Why not end in delight?

shadow_17705 Presents

Traveler of Light
Chapter 17: Serene Night, Part III

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Everything was completely drenched in rain. Rival's eyes were focused on the two members of the Final X - Saku and Zeto. Saku broke into laughter.

Saku: Ironic... Funny how darkness saves the light and... how evil saves-

Rival: Darkness is not associated with evil.

Saku continues.

Saku: Good and evil... Light and darkness... How can you not associate them?

Zeto: Enough...

Zeto threw his giant sword at Rival. Rival deflected the sword back to him. Zeto had then caught it. Rival dashed towards Zeto and sliced him up with his two swords. Afterwards, Zeto forcefully swung his sword at Rival. Rival dodged by doing a barrel roll, and in the process, having a few hairs cut off by the enormously large sword. Rival then jumped on top of a large tombstone. His hand then emitted a pitch black aura. Within seconds, he had fired a massive amount of dark spears. Both Saku and Zeto dodged the spears with ease.

Saku then rushed up to Rival and slashed his sword repeatedly at him. Rival tried to guard the millions of sword motions - vertical, horizontal, and diagonal - but had lost his step. Rival was caught off guard and got cut up instantly.

Saku: Chaos Oblivion!

Rival gets pummeled through the ground, forming another crater.

Rival: Ugh...

Saku jumped in the crater as Rival stumbled to get up.

Saku: What? No more fighting? Why? Things got a little more interesting.

Saku jabbed his fist into Rival's stomach. With a growl, Rival then smashed his fist into Saku's face. Saku stumbled backwards. Rival rushed up to him and attempted to kick his face. However Saku had done a back flip and avoided the oncoming kick to the face. Saku dashed towards Rival and grasps his neck. Even though he is a little shorter than Rival (Saku's height is the same as Lucero's), Saku lifted Rival's body up and then battered him into the ground. He forcefully threw various vigorous punches at Rival's increasingly strained body.

However, with such persistence, Rival clenched his hands into the mud the rain had formed. His aching bones were strained even further. Rival slowly got up, letting the heavy rain drown his face. It seemed useless to continue. He dragged his feet towards Saku. Rival had just noticed that Saku was laughing quietly. They then exchanged punches and kicks. After some time, Saku is caught off guard. He then falls on the ground.

Rival then reaches for his sword. With a smirk, Saku grabs a handful of dry dirt (found under a boulder that had shielded it from the rain) nearby and throws it at Rival's eyes. This temporarily blinds Rival. He growls at the agonizing sting. Saku picks up Shadesu's sword. He slashes horizontally at Rival's head. Without any sense, Rival ducked as he felt the sharp, fierce wind beating against his face. Saku's sword had sliced through air and the rain.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Lucero jumps in to defend Rival.

Lucero: Rival!

Rival: Lucero?

Within seconds, Rival could see.

Saku: Lucero... Back so soon?

Rival hands Lucero's sword back to its owner. Saku readies Shadesu's long sword. Soon, a white aura surrounded Lucero. A green aura surrounded Saku.

Saku: So... Will this end up like our last fight? Will it be absolutely dull? Or will it be entertaining?

The rain fell from the sky with complete, brute force. The rain pounded on the ground, tombstones, far away houses and buildings, and everyone that is outside in the middle of the storm. It was practically raining everywhere you will see.

Lucero and Saku both clashed their swords. The ringing sound of the sword impacts echoed throughout the air. Clash after clash, sharp sound after sound, it was apparent that Lucero and Saku were evenly matched. Soon, they locked their swords. They both forced their swords against the other. The swords were unable to move, grinding against each other. Sparks were flying in all directions. The sound of thunder rumbled throughout the air. The thunder grew louder as Lucero and Saku levitated in the air. The grinds of rage between the two swords continued. The ear-splitting sound of thunder grew as the swords had thrust against the other. The swords had then parted with a shrieking screech. Soon, lightning had exploded out of the rainy clouds and into the skies. The two blades continued to crash, but no blood had spilled. Lightning and thunder continued as Lucero and Saku brawled endlessly.

Saku: Chaos...

Lucero: Chaos...

Lucero and Saku: OBLIVION!

The two remnants had fired their Chaos Oblivions at each other at the same second. Half of the cemetery was demolished due to the power. Tombstones, rocks, dust, and rain were flying in several directions. Saku flew into the ground near Faith and Rival - who were seized by the members of the Final X, and Shadesu's grave. Lucero was flung into the side of a mountain. He then crashed down into the ground Saku slowly got up, laughing.

Saku: This.....This relieved... my boredom. I'm a little surprised, Lucero. If only it was a little longer...

Saku pulled out a Desert Eagle handgun. Lucero rushed at Saku, but he stopped when Saku pointed the gun at Faith's head. Saku chuckled.

Saku: I suppose you have some sort of weakness...

Lucero: Don't do it...

Saku: Of course I won't. I wouldn't do anything to harm Faith.

Lucero: Let her go!

Saku: Not yet, Lucero. I just want to use her in this little experiment...

Lucero: Experiment?

Saku: If we can't put an end to this...

He hands the gun to Faith.

Saku: ...she will.

Lucero: Faith?

Saku: This is how cruel irony can be...

Faith: This is insane. I'm not going to kill anyone.

Saku: Why not?

Faith: I love Lucero and I still consider you as a friend.

Saku: You're relationship with him will end sooner or later. Stop the sorrow now.

Lucero: Friend?! Saku was using us the whole time.

Saku: And soon Lucero would manipulate you as well... He doesn't love you.

Lucero: He was going to kill you if I hadn't shown up in time.

Saku: Lucero never confessed his love to you. You already doubt him.

Lucero: I would never leave you to die. You're my life, Faith!

Saku: Like he never said that to some other girl before. Don't trust him. You don't need him.

Lucero: Faith, no!

Faith: ......SHUT UP!!!

In an instant, the sound a gunshot pierced the air...

TO BE CONTINUED...