Information Towards the End

  ?Blade’s words seemed to only make Bara more eager. Even for Blade was this getting tedious. Sidestepping him, Blade tripped Bara, before moving to decapitate. Yet as his blade swung, Bara countered him.

  This was dragging on, and Blade would prefer leaving for Aisha, yet he could not completely ignore his opponent without taking unwanted risks.

  His mind began wondering what the best action in this situation would be, yet seeing a bird made him shift his focus. One of Aisha’s familiars, probably checking on him to see if everything was okay, flying safely above them both.

  ?(Blade, telepathically). “Severance, can you take care of this guy? I’ll meet up with Aisha.”

  ?(Severance, telepathically). “Leaving me to take care of your pests, master? What a tragic use of me, but if that’s what you wish.”

  Materializing in front of him as she kicked the man into a building.

  ?“Try not to kill him. He might prove to have information we could use.”

  Blade asked as he ran over to the bird and went to meet with Aisha.

  ?The man clutched at his face, trying to stop the bleeding that ran from his nose. A cut from the most immaculate of blades, all from a singular kick. Even so his face gave away to no surprise, as he licked the blood running across his lips.

  ?“Unsuprising a authority holder would leave their dirty work to another. But do tell me, what’s your name?”

  An outstretched hand to prove his curiosity, yet the gleam in his eyes showed no signs of mercy

  ?Severance did not know to smile or hold a serene mask as she observed his face. Choosing to simply respond with a graceful bow, she said.

  ?“You’re not qualified to know my name. Just know I’m the personification of Blade’s Absolute Authority.”

  A moment of silence passed between them, before his next words cracked the mask of serenity present on her face.

  ?“Are you telling me that Absolute Authorities give you a free woman?”

  The crack was formed of nothing but surprise. Not because it particularly pained or hit her in any way, but more a sense of her logic collapsing at the sheer stupidity in front of her. Yet not even her crack could stop the man from reaching his conclusion.

  ?“Now I see. I had come to expect some decency, but leaving a woman to deal with your problems…. I guess the [Twin Stars] truly are the only exceptions.”

  Severance was unsure if she should be responding or if keeping silent, the words giving her a pause as she felt hidden meaning behind them. So when she heard his next words, even she could no longer believe it.

  “Why don’t you join me? Become my authority, and we can rid the world of those who should never have gotten them.”

  ?“... you do know that’s not how it works?”

  The serene smile was gone, yet not a drop of anger spilled through, as she tried making sense of his logic. Even if she did join him, would it make little difference. ?She was by all means an exception. Normal authorities would have nobody but the holder or Origin themself.

  ?Every other Absolute Authority either became a part of the person, in case of Authority holders, or simply managed to make a body, in the case of Origins. It was a fact even someone as simple minded as this man should know. Severance might be the personification of the Authority, but she was nothing more than a part of Blade. Even this body was just made by siphoning his mora and using her weapon form as a catalyst.

  Still, it was only a feeling, but she found it hard to believe someone known as the [Authority Hunter], wouldn't know such a basic fact. Even Severance was unsure of why she was humoring this, but maybe it was because he reminded her of Blade, in the aspect that they were both clueless.

  “This must have been how Indra and Iris viewed master… Well, at least his personality was better.”

  Her thoughts slipped through as a whisper. Too low to be made out in words, but high enough to where even an idiot could realize she was talking.

  ?“I see. Know I respect your loyalty. What I am unable to respect is the one it's pointed at.”

  ?With the words, Bara no longer waited as he appeared in front of Severance in a flash. Moments later the surrounding collapsed in a mix of slashes and craters.

  “Tell me, for what reason do you reject beings such as master?”

  Catching his fist between her legs, Severance flipped, sending him away. Recovering and getting up, Bara brushed off himself before answering.

  “Because authority holders are nothing more than stuck up bastards unable to resonate with the common folk.”

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  A simple fact to those who wielded authorities. A power that only came with gifts yet left you inapplicable to many common problems. An easy downside to forgo and forget to many, but to those forgotten, it might be the biggest curse.

  ?“I bear half my master’s power. Yet the difference between us remains large. Tell me what you know and I won’t do anything more.”

  She did not know why, but to Severance there were similarities between Bara and Blade. Similarities that made her tolerate his presence.

  ?“You are right, our powers remain distant. Though not by much. And yet you only hold half your master’s powers?...”

  The quiet that followed was a short one, even as it gave way to a lot of contemplation. Bare finally spoke his answer.

  “I would rather choke than do so. I feel confident I can defeat you, and if I die by your master’s hand then so be it. I would rather die as myself than rot in emptiness"

  The words made Severance’s eyes widen. Only for a moment, and far too short for anyone to see. Yet the words resonated with her. To die feeling hollow, to have your ideals and dreams removed. That had been Blade’s life. So maybe it was that antithesis that pushed her to respond.

  ?”… I truly underestimated you. You wish to fight master do you not? Tell me what you know, and since I’m curious, your story too. I wish to know”

  “I guess you’re wondering where my hatred comes from?”

  He pushed a hand to his head.

  “Tell me first, how did you cut me? I know of no such martial arts.”

  ?“I guess it truly is astounding, is it not? My whole body is practically a weapon, a blade to be exact. A sword would have cut you with such a close miss, why wouldn’t I?”

  ?Her words were said with a calm rhythm, making even Bara smile.

  “My father was sick. A curse of my own weakness. All I could do was rob, pillage… Anything to alleviate his worries. Yet when I finally managed to get the money, the one who could help him refused”

  Seeing his hand tighten, Severance was surprised by his control, letting him continue.

  “All because I looked like I came from the slums, that BITCH wouldn’t help! My father… my father had to bleed out because of her.”

  The words sent the dust flying, his outburst causing small winds from his stirring mora.

  “My mother, unable to handle it anymore comitted suicide shortly after. Forced to bleed out alone, afraid. If I was stronger I could have brought help, if I was stronger I could have gotten to mom in time… and if it wasn’t for you authority holders… I would maybe be able to see them smile… one last time.”

  A tale that did not particularly move Severance, yet it did reinforce her stance.

  “Tell me what you know so far. I'll give you the last fight you want.”

  ?Bara stared at her, calming himself before telling her what he knew as they walked.

  ?Meanwhile, on the other side of the town, Blade and Aisha had been talking. Originally, Aisha had only sent the bird to expedite their search, yet one of them had happened to pass by as Blade had been fighting. It then notified Aisha about the fight, and she stationed it there to look over Blade just in case.

  ?Since it had not put her in any momentary danger, Blade had decided to only pat her softly and explained the situation. By the time they were done, Severance was already on her way back with Bara right with her.

  ?“Done on your part then?”

  Blade asked as she landed beside them, though his eyes were focused on Bara.

  ?“Yes, I am done.”

  ?She said, crouching down and caressing Aisha to better her mood. It seemed to help, even as it left Aisha a bit reddened,

  ?“Master, I ask that you fight Bara with all you have.”

  ?Blade’s eyes widened momentarily, before steading as he nodded. Jumping back, Severance transformed back into the blade, as Blade watched the runes plaster the chains around his arm.

  Bara took up a similar position, getting into stance. Aisha had understood the sentiment and stepped back giving them the necessary room.

  It did not take long, as with a twitch of movement they began. They clashed once before Blade’s sword was at his neck, only to be blocked as Bara caught his sword.

  Still Blade managed to push back, leaping away from Bara, as he thought about his next attack.

  Launching forward Blade made a simple slash, only to be sidestepped as Bara sought to punch a hole through his face. Twisting quickly, Blade fell backwards, but not before flipping the grip on his sword as he deflected Bara’s attack back onto himself.

  Feeling his back hit the ground, Blade did not waste a moment. Opening portals around them as weapons shot forward, decimating Bara until he could no longer block them.

  By the time the hailing stopped, Bara was without a chunk of his chest, and his arms and muscles mass severely lessened. Even so he managed to let out a chuckle, as he dragged his body along the ground. Seeing Blade get up in front of him.

  “Tell me. What will you use your authority for?”

  “I’ll be selfish with it. I’ll use it to get answers on what I want, and protect everyone.”

  The chuckle sustained even with Blade’s answer.

  “Be selfish then, and kill me just as selfishly.”

  A nod was the only confirmation given to those words, before Blade decapitated Bara’s head, letting a smile sustain as his head met the ground.

  “Seems only Origins disintegrate…"

  Blade said, as he buried the body. Leaving a lasting blade in the ground. Though not an original, it would sustain as long as his will persisted.

  When the burial was over, he turned to Aisha as Severance materialized.

  ?“Seems the games are coming to an end. The Overseer has decided to end it all with an Arena Battle for all to watch. Seems the news that she managed to kill both Indra and Iris has spread, and because of it nobody truly wishes to continue. That’s why the format has changed. Raiden will be the opponent in the Arena, where whoever wishes to can try to challenge her. Defeating her would mean the same as winning the event it seems, thus granting the wish.”

  ?Severance explained it lightly. The new format was simple and straightforward, yet the conditions were suddenly harder. In an Arena, who knew what type of advantage the terrain could give? And with everyone watching, there were too many variables, but they had no choice. If they wanted to get to Raiden, and eventually the Overseer, it would require them traveling to the Arena.

  ?Blade held a hand to his face, frustration evident. Things were getting even more complicated. He had hoped it would be possible to learn more about the Overseer before he acted, and be able to take them out separately. But not only was he now forced to go to an Arena to fight Raiden, but who knows what would happen afterwards? Would the Overseer even give them the reward? Would she be able to see that he was human? How strong was she even?

  ?There was also the matter of strength. Did he have a chance against Raiden? Despite the strength he now held, he felt the doubt growing. The humiliation and unmatched power he had felt still lingered with him even now. They had speculated that the Overseer was weaker than the current Raiden, yet in the end, it was nothing more than speculation. And even if that turned out true, how much weaker? And would she still be stronger than him?

  ?In the end, what calmed him was Aisha’s hand taking his. It made him momentarily stop before a smile washed over him. This wasn’t just about him anymore. He needed to remember that he couldn’t throw away his life, he was fighting for more. And the idea, it was a calming one.