Tyris flew through the sky with the ease of someone who had done it thousands of times.
Her long blond hair formed a streak behind her.
The air that would have whipped at her face relentlessly flowing gently around her, increasing her already tremendous speed even further.
Her sharp amber eyes saw every detail of the sky and ground around her, counting enemies and allies alike.
She huffed out a breath, steam leaving her mouth only to be quickly blasted away.
In a mere moment, the avian nightmare creature following her was struck down by a brilliant gold thunderbolt, nothing but ash remaining of it.
She didn't look back, she had a far more important matter after all.
She could feel it, the fight.
Not to mention, the large boulders and ice shards flying through the air, and even above the clouds a few times.
Needless to say, the battle was as intense as she expected, it being felt, heard and sometimes even seen throughout nearly half of the entire continent.
As well as the literal stars falling from the skies, impacting one of the Titans.
Although no one knew which, nor the cause of them.
But she knew, even without confirmation, Sky Tide knew.
Even in her current location, still far away. She could feel the wind being torn apart as the arrows fell from the upper atmosphere.
And she knew that each was aimed at Lythos, the giant chunks of rock being blown into the sky from each impact.
As well as them staying far in the sky, almost as if being suspended.
Deliberately being kept from Lythos reach no doubt.
It was the boy, fighting together with the Winter Beast.
And he was definitely being effective.
In the raging winds around her, a soft and barely audible whisper left her lips.
"Just what is his aspect?"
***
Morgan had a pretty good day. Her squad would say the same too.
The self imposed mission was easy today, or rather. Perfectly suited for their little squad.
A slightly tired but pleased smile adorned her usually composed face.
The extermination was easy enough of the gate, Morgan and Dex fighting in the front, Chloe providing long ranged support.
And Rel kept the archer alive by killing anything that got around the two vanguards.
All of them now being Masters made the task far easier than it would have been prior.
Especially with Dex's new ability of granting allies his useful hardened skin.
As well as Rel's hexes confusing the enemies from behind.
The squad, once known for being led by the powerful princess Morgan.
Was now also known as one of the most powerful cohorts fighting in Antarctica.
Which of course, helped with the mundane morale.
Especially with those with the capability of investing anything Spell related. Be it memories or soul shards.
Although Morgan wouldn't ever admit, she does desire to be placed higher on the fan made rankings than she currently was.
Above her being the shadow cohort, as well as Jet herself.
Even if no really important information was told about her.
But people knew of her and her abilities. And they had no doubt that she was going ballistic on the creatures invading the frozen continent.
And they are right.
Jet's need to refuel her soul core led her to some more dangerous places than Morgan.
And the shadow cohort had begun rising since the start.
Their numerous exploits are something to write about.
Not to mention the public's love for the one they called "The devil of Antarctica."
Then there was of course, Saint Tyris as the most favorite.
Her battles are countless by now, each kill greater than the previous one.
So Morgan and her squad was placed at number four.
She wouldn't ever admit it to anyone, but she loved the countless unknown people cheering for her.
Sure she can be cold and elusive, not caring for the mundane as they wield no power.
But her falling out of her father's favor, as well as deliberately going against his orders, lessened the tremendous weight she had on her shoulders.
She could let loose now. Kill every abomination in sight.
And save people who are truly innocent.
Hopefully finish her long mission perhaps.
The smile morphed into a slight smirk.
Morgan had no doubt now. With her squad used to their new abilities and greater physical might. That she could trap the elusive boy.
She stood up slowly, her armor clinking softly.
"We move out now."
Just as she finished speaking, a large sound. Nothing like she's ever heard before sounded out throughout what seemed to be the entire continent.
The slight smirk died an ugly death.
The frown quickly changed into a slight grin, as the other Titan roared back, although it was quieter.
***
Nephis, Effie and Cassie stood upon the docs they just arrived at, taking in the view.
Well, except Cassie, who was intently staring at each individual, checking for anything special.
They were here on orders, ones that greatly annoyed Effie.
Because they weren't here to do good. Not to save lives.
No, they were here to bring back Nephi's treacherous "sister".
One that had apparently lost it and was now hiding in Antarctica.
No one believed it, alas, orders are to be followed.
So here they were, on Antartica, seeking to stop a person from saving lives.
The thought disgusted Effie, and she made sure to voice their opinions on the matter to Nephis.
To which Nephis only nodded.
"Damn its cold as fuck here!"
Effie bellowed, stretching wildly.
"I'm starving, so imma go check out some stores."
Before anyone could stop her she bolted away, only a white streak visible as she barreled through the crowd.
Cassie sighed heavily, a small smile appearing on her pale face.
"Food would be nice."
She said after a moment.
Nephis nodded, her eyes locked onto something out of view.
Then she slowly started following Effie's path of destruction.
***
Arrow after arrow fell from the sky, slamming into Lytho's limbs, large chunks of rock blasting away from its gigantic form.
With each arrow that fell, another was teleported to the sky.
An endless loop forming.
Huffing and gasping, I barely managed to keep standing.
How long was this fight going to last?! Days?!
It's been an hour by now, maybe two!
And while I had tremendous amounts of energy, it sure takes a lot to teleport arrows that high up!
All the while, giant ice and rock attacks impacted all of the battlefield.
Briefly closing my eyes I touched on how many things I had suspended above the clouds.
Sixty. Eighteen arrows. And the rest being parts of Lytho's body.
At this rate, I'm barely gonna last another hour.
With a sigh, I let go of the building sized rocks, not before willing them to be launched further away though.
No, they weren't just rocks that Lythos used to form its body.
They were actually a part of it.
I could tell from the soul essence imbued within the rock.
Even if doing so is risky.
I would need my energy, I will have company if Sunny is to be believed.
Hopefully, Tyris won't make it on time.
With my breath caught and my focus regained, I released all the arrows.
They would take around two to three minutes to fall down, hopefully Lythos wouldn't move from where he stood.
Because the last twenty arrows sure sucked when they only hit the ground around it.
Although it did make a beautiful diversion for Coldy to strike.
And I'm sure, his attacks are far more devastating than my own.
Yes, I named the Corrupted Titan "Coldy", because referring to it as the "Winter Beast" got really boring really quickly.
Sight returned to me as I fueled the [Vamparic dagger] once more.
And the world had changed.
In the brief few minutes I had taken a break, the already devastated landscape was destroyed even further.
My eyes narrowed at the sight of slight puddles forming on the lower surfaces, ones that quickly froze over from the absolute presence of Coldy.
Suddenly, the realization struck me.
We are sinking.
At once, Mirage appeared by my side, applying a dozen hexes upon me, before I teleported him into the sky, out of Lytho's admittedly impressive reach.
Lytho's step wavered ever so slightly, but it was enough.
It had slowed, barely so. But it would have to be enough.
It needed to be enough.
Coldy roared, and an ice wall so tall I couldn't see the top of it rose from the ground, blocking our direct view of Lythos.
"Time!"
I yelled over the roaring winds and snow, focusing my energy in case of an emergency.
My fellow Titan stopped moving, rising up a few more just as tall walls of ice around us, incasing us in a hexagon.
Mirage reappeared next to me, obviously winded, his caws low and long.
Just as he finished casting hexes upon me, I forced him back into my soul.
I wouldn't risk losing him.
Clapping my hands together, I inwardly prayed this would work.
Dumping three full cores worth of soul essence from my remaining four, I activated my trump card.
Before I could even blink, the space that occupied Lytho's gigantic torso stopped.
Coughing out a gasp of relief as well as a tinge of blood, I smirked slightly.
"Solidification successful."
Lythos roared, my eardrums nearly popping from the loudness of it.
It was as if a thousand creatures roared in perfect unison, the sound echoing throughout the entirety of Antarctica.
The ice walls around us shattered from the sound alone, but Coldy didn't back down.
Instead, he lunged forwards with the speed unseen before!
A large spear-like projectile formed above the stuck Lythos.
It barely had time to move its free head up before the ice attack slammed right into it!
Instead of piercing through like I expected, nor it shattering.
It instead stuck itself onto its face.
I stared at the picture in my mind of the moment, disbelieving.
That was until the image refreshed, and half of Lytho's head was now covered in ice.
My eyes widened with awe, as another few similar projectiles formed, slamming into Lytho's body, purposefully avoiding the torso.
I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
Coldy was overpowering Lytho's own will on its own body.
It shouldn't even be possible!
It went against all the principles of using your will onto your surroundings!
In a mere minute, all four limbs as well as the head of Lythos was covered in a deep layer of ice.
And then, what seemed to be a million glasses shattering could be heard.
My technique had finally been overcome.
My already wide eyes must've widened even further, as I realized what had happened.
Lythos had used all its focus onto what it saw as the bigger threat, my ability.
Which allowed Coldy to overpower it!
A smile grew on my face slowly, quickly growing into a grin.
Now, it all made sense!
Before I could start thinking of the possibilities, the ice around Lytho's head began cracking.
Coldy growled lowly, both of his now slightly shattered hands rising in front.
A cold mist so potent I couldn't see through it with the dagger blasted outwards, incasing the stone giants form!
And then, the sky grew brighter.
The already present grin on my face twisted into a vicious and perhaps a slightly deranged one, as the arrows finally arrived.
One after the other, each arrow impacted Lytho's head, shattering it further and further and further!
The ice mist was blasted away by the sheer wind produced, the cracked dome around me nearly shattering as it tanked another onslaught of soul essence imbued rock and ice.
And then, after the last arrow had streaked through the sky straight into the Titan.
Lythos, slightly smaller but still giant form, started crumbling.
It didn't fall, not really.
Instead, large chunks began to fall off, turning into pebbles and then dust before ever reaching the ground.
The process took minutes, and I and Coldy waited, we wouldn't risk Lythos getting away.
Although the Titan's low intelligence most likely wouldn't be capable of setting up such an elaborate escape plan.
Finally, as the giant dust cloud was blown away from the low breeze, the ice dome shattered, [Spectral] being able to see what remained of the Titan.
Seven stars that were the soul shards laid on the ground, in a neat row.
"Beautiful."
Free of any corruption, I couldn't help but stare at them for a long moment.
Before they suddenly rose into the air, towards me and Coldy.
The soul shards traveled upwards and upwards, carried by a disk of ice.
Until they stopped right in front of me, not even a meter away.
"Thanks buddy…"
Was all that I could whisper, accepting the soul shards with slightly shaky hands.
These alone would fast forward my plans months, maybe even years.
Summoning the backpack memory, I gently placed them within.
I myself had no need of them, and sadly, my Nightmares didn't either.
And I would make sure not to give them up easily.
They would be my last resort, a bargaining chip for my family's or friends lives if needed.
My almost brilliant white hair was pushed forwards, as the weak breeze strengthened.
Ah, it seems like a storm is approaching, or was it just Coldy acting childish again?
Out of nowhere, the previous clouds that have been blasted away from my arrows surged back in, and yellow lighting began dancing within them.
"Oh shi-"
I didn't get to finish the sentence as what I could only guess was a thunderbolt slammed into my back, blasting me away further than even Lytho's place of death.
Barely capable of discerning right from left, I was forced to stop myself mid air, draining my already low soul essence even further.
Refreshing the dagger, I was just in time to see a far more massive thunderbolt and what seemed to be wind wrapped around it, slam into Coly from straight above, the ice beneath the Titan cracking as he held his ground.
A roar accompanied by ice and wind pushed back and dispersed the attack.
To reveal nothing.
Suddenly, before I could even realize it, a figure appeared behind me, grabbing me by the collar and slamming me into the ice below.
Mind swimming and gasping, I forced Nether to manifest behind me.
He was already blasting a wave of scorching flames that flew just barely above me.
Sadly, he was forced to return to my soul sea just as quickly as he had arrived, as a wave of lightning nearly made contact.
But his job was done.
Now having gotten my breath, and making sure to constantly refuel the dagger for the information I so desperately needed, I decided to just teleport back to Coldy.
Appearing on his head as usual, I was surprised as a barrier of ice manifested around me instantly
Barely in time to block another bolt of lightning.
The ice shook a little, but held firm until the attack vanished in yellow sparks.
So Tyris did manage to arrive on time, or she had been around here for a while, waiting for the perfect time to strike.
And the rumors are true, she truly is fast.
I could barely track her, although I am exhausted.
A frown appeared beneath the black mask covered with bits of ice from the previous slam, mind racing.
Although the tension eased after a few seconds.
It became clear why she targeted me and only stunned Coldy.
Because she couldn't take him down.
That was the only explanation.
Coldy wasn't truly injured, had more than half of his essence still remaining too.
She couldn't win.
She wanted me.
Fuck!
I barely teleported away, as abruptly, the ice dome shattered into a thousands small shards, Tyri's gloved hand already reaching for me.
What the hell is that raw power?!
My eyes widened in shock, as Tyris stood just a few meters away from me.
"Wh-"
"You're predictable."
Before I could teleport again, a fist slammed into my stomach.
Which sent me rocketing away and through a few ice covered rocks.
Droplets of blood began falling from my chin, as I managed to land on my feet.
I now realize that I may have been foolish.
The saying was indeed true.
The gap between each rank grew larger and larger.
The realization stung.
To know that the dragon princess had held back, even then.
It stung, hard.
But now is not the time to dwell on such things!
My focus sharpened, the dagger in my right palm glowing a brilliant crimson.
I couldn't see her moving, which meant I wasn't getting enough pictures.
I needed more.
Out of the two hundred pictures I used in those two seconds of waiting for an attack, I caught her only twice.
Another fist slammed into the side of my head.
But instead of sending me flying, it pushed me downwards.
Before I could meet the ice, it moved around my path, creating a passage.
Without any resistance, I was blasted into the hole, barely noticing it closing behind me as I fell deeper and deeper.
*
Sky Tide stared at the now hidden tunnel, a frown appearing on her face.
She had failed.
As soon as she saw the last few minutes of the battle, she knew she couldn't defeat the remaining Titan.
So she resorted to taking in Apex.
Alas, he was a bit faster than she expected.
Nor did she expect the Titan to help the boy out.
Her amber eyes turned towards the Titan.
An idea formed, dangerous yet rewarding.
The frown lessened, her lips forming a straight line.
It was time to fish as the people of the old world used to say.
Thanks for reading and support.
Send stones, review.
[Point out any mistakes, i'm hella tired while writing this].