Requiem Of A Failed Hero

Raith's unconventional approach had certainly thrown the monster off balance. It struggled within the fiery inferno and Raith's incessant assault.

As Raith pressed the attack, desperation painted the monster's eyes–flames continuously danced around it with each of Raith's attacks making it hard for the monster to defend itself effectively.

It was a risky maneuver, but Raith was determined to keep the advantage he had gained. He continued to strike at the monster, slashing with his dual swords, aiming for its exposed and vulnerable areas. The monster's defensive efforts were in disarray as the flames surrounded it.

[Keep it up, Raith!]

Omnisavant's voice echoed in his mind, filled with encouragement.

[You've managed to disrupt its pattern, and now it's struggling to adapt. Don't give it a chance to regain control!]

Raith nodded, his focus unwavering. His muscles ached, and sweat trickled down his forehead, but he couldn't afford to falter now. The monster's defenses were crumbling under the onslaught of fire and steel.

The monster unleashed a wild, sweeping strike in an attempt to clear the flames around it. Raith narrowly evaded the attack, spinning gracefully to the side as he continued his assault.

He recognized that this was a critical moment. The monster was struggling, but it was far from defeated. It could still regain control of the battle if Raith let up.

So, he pressed his advantage, striking at the monster with a ferocity he had never felt before. Flames swirled around him, and his dual swords moved as extensions of his very being. Each strike was precise, aimed to cripple the monster further.

The monster however suddenly wore a deep frown, he gnashed his teeth and suddenly darted vertically into the sky, suspended in the air. The golden dots on the monster's back began to radiate into a larger circle that grew out into glowing hands, four of them.

"Holy shit!"

[This is what I feared]

Two hands were already so much to deal with, now he had to deal with six?! It was already hard enough to keep the bastard creature cornered.

'My victory is dwindling'

[Fear not, do your best in this round. I will make an accurate analysis now that it has revealed its trump card]

'And what if it has another trump card'

[What would you like to be written on your gravestone]

'Fuck you'

Raith braced himself as the monster landed in front of him. Now with a heavenly aura, it walked towards Raith, the ground caving in with every step it took.

'Heavy'

The atmosphere vibrated with intense pressure, Raith almost could not breathe under it.

It was a daunting challenge but Raith clenched his hands more tightly to both his weapons, he stood with a stone-born determination, resisting the amount of pressure that fell on him, even his neck suffered, aching as though he had carried a massive burden for a long time.

The monster was now dangerously close, and its six hands gave it a nightmarish appearance. But Raith was not intimidated. He had faced insurmountable odds before, and each time, he had come out stronger... through death though.

The difference now was that he couldn't afford to die. Not once!

'Hell, I will seize my victory by force'

As the monster raised one of its glowing hands to strike, Raith moved with lightning speed, blocking the powerful blow with both of his swords. The impact sent shockwaves through his body, but he held his ground.

[Now, find an opening in its defenses!]

With Omnisavant's guidance, Raith analyzed the monster's movements using god's eyes, looking for a weakness. The creature's six hands may have given it greater offensive capabilities, but it also created vulnerabilities.

Raith aimed his strikes with precision, seeking an opportunity to penetrate the monster's guard.

The battle quickly became a brutal test of endurance and skill. With each clash of swords against the monster's multiple limbs, the very earth quivered beneath them. The pressure was immense, but Raith was determined to overcome it, a new kind of fire burned in his intense, focused gaze.

They continued in this sequence for a few more minutes, battering each other but none of their attacks slipped through. The monster gritted its teeth, it was amazing and unexpected that Raith was able to stand his ground with his six limbs but he knew that his opponent must be going through hell for that to be made possible.

What he did not expect however was this:

Raith's eyes went out of focus, his eyeballs disappeared and he entered it.

The state of samadhi.

It never should have been possible but his body was used to it. He had the body constitution of the undefeated commander king after all. Those were one of the few things the abyss could not take away from him.

As Raith entered a state of unparalleled concentration, something reoccurred to him.

The prerequisite for being able to unlock sword intent was an optimal state of focus, there was a reason why Bal asked him to repeat the same strike time after time, it was to familiarize himself with the sword, and merge his limb with it through the numbing pain he felt. The thin line difference that existed at that point where his hands clenched the pommel of his sword had to disappear.

Raith never realized this until now, Sword intent was more naturally occurring. It takes master swordsmen years of rigorous training and self-discovery. It goes beyond mere technique, embodying the connection between the practitioner, their weapon, and the world around them. It is a fusion of skill, mindset, and purpose that allows the swordsman to transcend their limits and unleash incredible power.

That means if one was ever going to realize it, there needed to be a point of utter tiredness. One that Raith was currently in.

'Why am I fighting?'

Tiredness sank deep into his veins and Raith in an absent state of mind began to waver, what was his reason for going thus far? Why did he have to fight an abomination that could kill him, for what? What does he need to prove so badly?

The abyss was gone, he needn't do anything for another. He could leave a secluded life, collecting treasures with minimal risk.

And yet.

Why do you risk so much Raith?

What are you fighting for?

Raith's determination began to waver, everything he had ever built began to crumble as he realized, he had never had a purpose to begin with.

"No... you had one... but you forgot"