Chapter 72: The Beginning and End of the greatest
Mori and the Tarnished standing in the quiet aftermath of their conversation with Melina. The stillness of the Grace surrounds them as they both take a moment to reflect on their next steps. Mori, arms crossed and eyes sharp, breaks the silence.
"Alright, we know we need those medallion halves to reach this... Altus Plateau," Mori says, his voice tinged with impatience. "But where are they? We can't just wander around aimlessly."
The Tarnished, still grounded in his stoic demeanor, replies, "Hm... you're right. We need a plan." He pauses, as if sifting through his thoughts, trying to remember something. "Didn't Melina mention something about a Roundtable? A place where I can get advice, directions... resources?"
Mori snaps his fingers as if struck by sudden inspiration. "Yeah! The Roundtable! Go there and ask someone where we can find those medallion pieces." Mori's tone shifts to exasperation, and he gestures toward the Tarnished. "So, GO TO THE DAMN ROUNDTABLE."
The Tarnished simply stares at him for a moment, then sighs. "Fine. Give me a couple of hours."
Mori raises an eyebrow, then waves his hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just don't take too long."
The Tarnished doesn't respond further. Instead, he closes his eyes, his body seemingly vanishing into thin air as he is transported to the Roundtable Hold, leaving Mori standing there, alone. Mori's eyes widen slightly as he watches the Tarnished disappear, his hands now resting on his hips.
"Huh," Mori mutters to himself. "Guess that's one way to leave. Now what the hell am I supposed to do for a couple of hours?"
He looks around the quiet, misty landscape of Liurnia and then up at the towering structure of Raya Lucaria, its intricate stonework and magical architecture glowing faintly against the sky. An idea forms in his head, and he chuckles to himself. Without hesitation, Mori floats into the air, his body rising effortlessly as he ascends toward the top of Raya Lucaria.
Once he reaches the summit, he hovers for a moment, taking in the breathtaking view of the Lands Between. The sky is vast and open, with clouds lazily drifting by. Below, the glistening lakes and sprawling forests of Liurnia stretch out like a living painting. From up here, the world looks both peaceful and wild.
Mori lands on the highest point of the academy's roof, his feet lightly touching down on the cold stone. He looks out at the endless horizon, a sense of calm washing over him. For a moment, the chaos of battle and the constant struggles of this world seem far away. He sits down, leaning against the large structure behind him, and closes his eyes, allowing himself to drift off to sleep.
Hours pass, and Mori remains undisturbed, resting in peaceful silence. The world around him moves on without him—birds fly by, the wind rustles through the trees, and the soft hum of magic emanates from the academy below. For once, Mori feels a strange sense of serenity.
But that peace is soon interrupted as Mori's eyes snap open. He can feel it—faint at first, but growing stronger. A familiar energy signature. The Tarnished has returned.
Mori rises to his feet, stretching lazily, his joints popping as he shakes off the drowsiness. "About time," he mutters to himself, brushing off the dust that had settled on his clothes.
In a flash, Mori takes to the air once again, flying down from the roof of Raya Lucaria and heading back to where he had left the Tarnished. He lands with a graceful thud, smirking as he sees the Tarnished standing there, waiting for him, holding a small piece of parchment in his hand.
"Well?" Mori asks, folding his arms. "What did you find out at that Roundtable of yours?"
The Tarnished holds up the parchment and replies, "I spoke with a few of the advisors there. They pointed me toward two locations where the medallion halves might be. One is to the north, in the region of Liurnia. The other… in the southern reaches of the Caelid Wastes."
Mori grins. "Caelid, huh? That's where this Radahn guy is hanging out, right?"
The Tarnished nods. "Yes, it's where the festival is held. But we don't need to head there just yet. We should focus on finding the halves of the medallion first."
Mori shrugs, clearly unfazed by the idea of fighting Radahn, but nods in agreement. "Alright, let's get moving then. The faster we get those medallion pieces, the faster we can hit this Altus Plateau and head to Leyndell."
The Tarnished and Mori turn their gaze toward the horizon, knowing that their next steps will take them deeper into the mysterious and dangerous lands of the north and south. Without further delay, the duo begins their journey once more, moving ever closer to their ultimate goal.
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The next chapter begins with the duo standing at the Grace, after talking to Melina about the medallions. Mori looks at the Tarnished, his arms crossed, his face showing mild impatience.
"So, two medallions, right? I'll go to Caelid and get one. You handle the one here in Liurnia," Mori says, glancing at the Tarnished with confidence.
The Tarnished nods in agreement. "The medallion in Liurnia is supposed to be in a place called Fort Haight. It shouldn't take long."
"Good. I'll meet you once I get my half. Try not to die while I'm gone," Mori adds with a smirk.
The Tarnished smirks back, saying, "I'll manage."
Without another word, the Tarnished vanishes into thin air, making his way toward Fort Haight. Mori watches him disappear, then shrugs, stretching his arms.
"Guess it's my turn now," Mori says, leaping into the sky, heading toward Caelid.
The flight is brief, just five minutes of soaring over the eerie, blood-red landscape of Caelid, with its twisted trees and infected land. As Mori approaches Fort Faroth, a massive structure nestled in the dead, rotting land, he notices something peculiar—a giant, white dragon resting near the fort, its size immense, even by dragon standards. A site of Grace flickers at the base of the stairs leading into the fort, glowing softly in the midst of the chaos.
Mori lands softly, taking in the view of the dragon, his eyes scanning over its near-dead appearance. The dragon's scales are dull, cracked, and ancient, and it seems to be struggling just to breathe.
"That thing is big... kinda cool that dragons are just out and about here rather than having to be summoned," Mori muses, rubbing his chin. "Wait… are dragons scarce here? This is the first one I've seen since I arrived, and it looks damn near dead." He shakes his head, refocusing on the task at hand. "Anyway, business first."
Mori strides toward Fort Faroth, determined. As he enters the decrepit fortress, he's immediately swarmed by a group of shrieking, grotesque bats. They screech as they dive toward him, claws bared.
"Ugh, annoying," Mori mutters before casually raising his hand and unleashing a powerful blast of Ki, obliterating the bats in an instant. They're reduced to ashes, and the room is left eerily quiet. "Problem solved."
Looking around, Mori spots a ladder leading upward. He smirks at the idea of climbing it but simply floats up instead, reaching the top in a matter of seconds. Once at the top, he notices a small chest tucked away near the edge of the fort. He approaches it, opens the chest, and inside, just as expected, is one half of the Dectus medallion.
"Nice," Mori says, pocketing the medallion half. He then floats back down to the fort's entrance, satisfied with how easy the task was.
But as Mori lands in front of Fort Faroth once more, his attention shifts back to the giant dragon, which is now stirring slightly, letting out a deep, guttural groan. Mori raises an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Wonder if the Tarnished got his half yet," he mutters to himself before his gaze settles back on the dragon. "Well, I've got some time... Let's see what your deal is, dragon."
Mori approaches the giant dragon cautiously, sensing its immense power despite its weakened state. As he nears, the dragon lets out a massive roar, so loud that it shakes the very ground beneath him. Mori winces, covering his ears.
"Now why would you do that?" Mori asks, glaring at the dragon. The creature continues to roar, ignoring his presence. The constant noise starts to get on Mori's nerves, so he raises his hand, unleashing a strong wave of Ki that radiates across the entire area. The shockwave instantly silences the dragon, freezing the smaller dragons nearby in place as well.
The massive dragon finally turns its gaze toward Mori, locking eyes with him. Mori smirks. "There, now we can talk. I wonder if you can understand me."
The dragon lets out a low, rumbling noise, almost like a whimper. Mori's eyebrow arches. "Make a small noise if you can understand me."
The dragon whimpers again, softer this time. Mori smiles. "Good. So, why are you just laying here like this? And why do you look half-dead?"
The dragon begins to let out a series of noises, trying to communicate, but Mori holds up a hand, stopping it. "Wait. I need to figure out how to actually understand you."
He thinks for a moment, then remembers a particular skill he picked up long ago—his Dovahkiin Ki, which allows him to speak and understand the language of dragons. Mori activates the Ki, a soft glow enveloping him, and nods at the dragon. "Okay, try now."
The dragon speaks again, this time in a language Mori can understand. "I am Greyoll, the mother of all dragons."
Mori is taken aback by the title. "Mother of all dragons? Damn. But you sound sick, Greyoll. What's wrong?"
Greyoll lets out a long, weary breath. "I am dying... infected by the Scarlet Rot. I was caught in the battle between two demigods in the south. Radahn and Malenia. The disease spread through me, leaving me like this."
Mori's eyes narrow in thought. "Scarlet Rot again, huh? I keep hearing about this thing." He steps closer to Greyoll's massive snout. "Is there no cure for it?"
"To my knowledge... no," Greyoll replies, her voice heavy with despair.
"Hmm," Mori hums, thinking. "Mind if I take a closer look? I want to feel this Scarlet Rot for myself."
Greyoll nods slowly, allowing Mori to approach. He places his hand on her snout, closing his eyes and letting his Ki flow through her, searching for the foreign presence within her. As he probes deeper, he feels it—something dark and unnatural, entwined with her soul. Mori reaches out to it, but the moment he touches it, a shock runs through his body, forcing him to step back.
Mori stumbles, eyes wide with surprise. "What... the hell was that?"
Greyoll watches him carefully. "You felt it, didn't you? The presence of the Outer God of Scarlet Rot."
"Outer God?" Mori asks, intrigued.
"Yes," Greyoll explains. "This world is plagued by the influence of Outer Gods—beings that cannot come here themselves, so they use avatars. Malenia, the demigod who fought Radahn, is the avatar of the Scarlet Rot."
Mori's eyes light up with excitement. "So, Malenia's an avatar of an Outer God, huh? That makes things interesting. If she's that strong, how powerful was Radahn to fight her to a standstill?"
He grins, his excitement growing at the prospect of fighting both demigods. "Alright then, let me give this another shot. I'm gonna get that Scarlet Rot out of you."
Greyoll nods, watching as Mori places his hand on her snout again. This time, Mori focuses harder, pushing his Ki deeper into her, wrapping it around the Scarlet Rot. With a surge of energy, Mori crushes the invasive presence, dispelling it from Greyoll's body.
Greyoll lets out a deep, relieved sigh. "It's... gone."
Mori steps back, wiping his brow. "Told you I'd get it out. You're all good now, Greyoll."
The giant dragon slowly rises, her strength returning. "You have my gratitude...Mori."
Mori smirks. "Yeah, yeah. Just stay healthy, alright?" With that, he flies back into the sky, ready to reunite with the Tarnished.
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The chapter opens with Mori soaring through the blood-red skies of Caelid, scanning the scarlet wasteland below. Suddenly, a deafening, guttural roar echoes across the land, shaking the very air. Mori halts mid-flight, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"That's gotta be Radahn," he mutters before turning and diving back down to Greyoll, who is slowly testing the newfound strength in her massive limbs. He lands beside her, curious.
"Did you hear that roar?" Mori asks, glancing up at the sky.
Greyoll's ancient eyes shift toward him, and she rumbles, "That was likely Radahn. He often roars into the heavens—lost, mindless, ever since the Scarlet Rot consumed him."
Mori nods thoughtfully. "So he's strong, even now... Where exactly is he?"
"Head south," Greyoll says, her voice low and heavy with age. "You'll find him in the Wailing Dunes, where the rot festers most."
"Thanks," Mori says with a grin. "I'll come visit again. Doesn't matter where you go—I can just teleport right to you."
Greyoll watches him with silent curiosity as he takes off, wondering at the strange being she has crossed paths with.
As Mori flies southward, the winds grow harsh and wild. Another roar rips through the sky, and a powerful gust pushes Mori back, forcing him to steady himself mid-air. His excitement only grows as he presses on, eager for the impending battle.
After a few minutes, Mori reaches the Wailing Dunes. Below him sprawls a desolate battlefield, stained by Scarlet Rot, with twisted remains of ancient battles scattered across the land. And in the center of it all, a massive figure—the demigod Radahn.
Radahn is a monstrous figure, clad in battered armor that has seen countless wars, his body towering over the wasteland. His face is a contorted mask of fury and pain, his eyes burning red beneath his helmet, and his massive form is perched atop a comically small horse. The image is both imposing and tragic. He wanders aimlessly through the scarlet-streaked land, like a beast long removed from its senses.
Mori watches from above, his eyes glinting with anticipation. "Even with that disease eating away at him, he's this strong?" he whispers to himself, feeling Radahn's chaotic energy. "I wonder how much stronger he'd be at full strength."
With that, Mori locks in on Radahn's energy signature and teleports away, appearing beside the Tarnished, who is resting at a nearby Site of Grace.
"No time to explain," Mori says quickly, startling the Tarnished. "I've found a fight, and I'm pretty excited about it. Wanna come?"
The Tarnished, still blinking in surprise, shrugs. "Sure, I suppose."
Without another word, Mori grabs the Tarnished by the shoulder and teleports them both into the sky above the Wailing Dunes, hovering over Radahn's wandering form.
Mori holds the Tarnished aloft by his shoulder, pointing down at the massive figure below. "See that? That's Radahn. Pretty strong, huh?"
The Tarnished, trying to shake off the discomfort of being held mid-air, nods. "Yeah, he feels strong… but don't you think you should let me go?"
Mori chuckles and descends, landing a short distance away, out of Radahn's sight. He sets the Tarnished down and stretches, his excitement palpable.
"I've been thinking," Mori begins, still watching Radahn from a distance. "That isn't even his full power. The Scarlet Rot is messing with him, making him little more than a beast. Imagine how strong he'd be without it."
The Tarnished tilts his head. "So, what's your plan? Are we going to fight him?"
Mori grins wildly. "We? No, no, I'm fighting him. You just sit back and enjoy the show. I want to see if he really deserves the title of Starscourge." His laughter is full of excitement as he turns and begins walking toward Radahn.
The Tarnished shakes his head, but says nothing, deciding to let Mori handle this on his own.
As Mori approaches Radahn, the massive demigod lets out a thunderous roar, his wild eyes locking onto Mori. Mori smirks, summoning a wave of Ki that surges out from his hand, momentarily paralyzing Radahn.
"Dang, he's strong," Mori mutters, feeling the weight of the demigod's resistance even while frozen. "I've only got a few seconds."
With quick precision, Mori places his hand on Radahn's chest and sends his Ki deep into the demigod's body, searching for the source of the rot. It's deeply entrenched, far more than what he'd felt in Greyoll. But Mori's determination doesn't waver. With a sharp burst of power, he grabs hold of the rot and crushes it, expelling it from Radahn's soul.
The moment Mori pulls back, Radahn's body jerks violently. The paralysis breaks, and the demigod collapses to his knees, clutching his head. His scream echoes across the wasteland as his body shakes with newfound energy, the rot no longer clouding his mind.
Mori steps back, a grin spreading across his face as he feels Radahn's power returning to its full potential. His Ki flares wildly, and Mori's eyes sparkle with excitement.
Radahn rises, unsteady at first, but soon standing tall. His massive frame, now unburdened by the rot, towers over Mori. His burning eyes lock onto the smaller figure before him.
Mori whistles, impressed by the sheer presence of the demigod. "Now that's more like it."
Radahn grunts, taking a step forward. "You... cured me. Who are you? How did you do it?"
Mori, still grinning, shrugs. "Beat me, and I'll tell you."
Radahn's eyes narrow, his massive fists clenching. "So be it."
Without warning, Radahn throws a punch with the force of a comet, slamming into Mori and sending him flying across the battlefield. Before Mori can even recover, Radahn is already upon him, moving with shocking speed for his size. He slams Mori into the ground, causing a crater to form beneath them.
Mori coughs up blood, but instead of fear, he laughs. "He's fast… and strong… This is gonna be fun."
Radahn steps back, confused by Mori's reaction. But Mori stands, wiping the blood from his mouth and grinning.
"Alright, Radahn! You're strong, and that's great! Let's see just how strong you really are!" Mori's laughter echoes across the wasteland, and the chapter ends with the two titans standing face-to-face, ready for battle.
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The chapter opens with the Tarnished standing a safe distance from the battle, far enough to avoid the chaos, but close enough to witness the sheer scale of the fight. His eyes are fixed on Radahn, who looms like a force of nature, his strength overwhelming even from this distance.
The Tarnished's thoughts race as he watches Radahn in action. 'If Mori wasn't here… I would've had to fight that by myself?' His mind reels at the idea. 'No, if Mori wasn't here, Radahn would've never gotten this strength back…'
His thoughts are suddenly interrupted by the appearance of a familiar figure beside him. He turns, startled, to find Melina standing there, her expression filled with urgency and concern.
"How is Radahn restored? What's happening?" she demands, her voice carrying a note of fear he hadn't heard before.
The Tarnished, surprised by her unease, simply replies, "Mori."
Melina's eyes widen in confusion. "Mori? What do you mean?"
The Tarnished offers no further explanation, leaving Melina both confused and surprised by his unusually direct answer.
The scene shifts to an unknown area, where a figure with long red hair, Melania, sits in a chair, her singular arm resting on the armrest. She turns her head slightly, her sharp gaze narrowing.
"Radahn…" she whispers, a flicker of recognition crossing her face.
The perspective shifts again, this time to a massive serpent-like creature resting in lava, its body coiled around itself. The figure, Rykard, stirs restlessly, sweat forming on his skin.
"Family… back…" Rykard hisses, his voice low and disturbed.
Once more, the scene changes. This time, the camera moves to the grand library of Raya Lucaria, where Rennala sits holding the amber egg in her hands. Her face, normally composed, reflects a mix of surprise and confusion as she looks toward the distant Caelid.
"My son has returned…" she whispers to herself, her grip tightening on the egg.
The view shifts again, this time to Ranni, sitting in a dimly lit room within her tower. A sudden shock runs through her, causing her to nearly lose her balance. She rises abruptly, her normally calm demeanor shaken.
"Brother… has returned? But how?" Ranni questions aloud before hurrying out of her tower, moving with purpose and determination.
The camera pans once more, this time to the foot of the massive Elden Tree. A figure stands at its base, watching the sacred tree with a knowing expression. Slowly, they turn to face Caelid, their eyes narrowed with interest.
"The brat has recovered from the rot…" the figure, Morgott, mutters with disdain, his attention now fixed on the distant conflict.
The scene shifts back to the Wailing Dunes, where the massive clash is about to unfold. On one side, the Tarnished and Melina watch, a safe distance away from the battleground. On another side, Ranni arrives, her eyes wide with disbelief as she beholds her brother, Radahn, now fully restored. She moves closer but is halted by a sudden and powerful gust of wind, a force too strong to push through.
Meanwhile, high above on a cliff, Morgott stands, observing the scene from a distance. His gaze is sharp as he assesses the situation, trying to comprehend the unknown figure facing Radahn. He, too, feels the strong wind buffet him as the immense power builds between the two combatants.
The focus finally returns to the heart of the battlefield, where Mori and Radahn stand opposite each other, the air between them crackling with energy. Both begin to unleash their power, and the ground beneath them quakes as their energy collides. The sheer force of their presence creates a massive crater beneath their feet, and without a word, the two rush toward each other.
Their fists meet in a thunderous clash, the impact sending shockwaves through the land. Both men smirk at the challenge before launching into a series of rapid punches, each strike landing with explosive force. The crater beneath them deepens with every blow.
Mori dodges one of Radahn's punches and leaps into the air, delivering a powerful kick to Radahn's stomach, sending the demigod hurtling into the sky. Mori watches with a grin as Radahn, seemingly unfazed, begins to float, controlling his descent with gravity magic. He recovers mid-air and smirks back at Mori.
Radahn descends, landing heavily on the opposite side of the crater. Mori jumps out of the pit, landing effortlessly across from him. The two lock eyes, and Mori breaks the silence.
"My friend over there is watching," Mori says, pointing toward the distant Tarnished, "so I've gotta show off a little, hahaha."
Radahn's eyes narrow, but he nods. "You're strong. What's your name?"
Mori grins, his eyes flashing with mischief. "Kinda rude not to introduce yourself first, isn't it?"
Radahn frowns, but responds. "I am Starscourge Radahn, the strongest demigod!"
Mori laughs, the sound full of excitement. "Ranni mentioned you might be the Starscourge, but hearing you say it just makes my blood boil even more. My name is Starscourge Mori."
Radahn's face darkens, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "You dare claim my title, boy?" he growls, drawing his twin swords and rushing at Mori.
Radahn swings his swords downward with crushing force, but Mori blocks the strike, still grinning. He pushes the blades aside and retaliates with an uppercut, which Radahn blocks with his arm. Radahn quickly counters, using his gravity magic to hurl massive chunks of rock at Mori.
Mori deflects the boulders with ease, but Radahn doesn't let up. He charges, swinging his swords low, aiming for Mori's side. Mori notices just in time, reinforcing his body with Ki to block the blow, but the sheer force of the strike sends him flying across the wasteland.
Radahn follows up with a powerful kick, launching Mori into the sky before leaping up and slamming him back down to the ground. Mori crashes into the earth with a thunderous impact, the force of the blow forming another massive crater beneath him.
Radahn's body ignites with fire as he uses his gravity magic to make himself even heavier, plummeting toward Mori's fallen form like a meteor. He crashes down with devastating force, the ground beneath them erupting in flames and debris.
As the dust begins to settle, Radahn stands and backs away, breathing heavily. Mori's body lies still in the center of the crater, seemingly unconscious.
The Chapter ends (Would've been a good Cliff hanger huh hah)
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The next chapter begins with Radahn trudging away from Mori's seemingly defeated body, his massive form casting a long shadow over the wasteland. The ground beneath him trembles with each step, and the weight of his swords drags across the earth, carving deep grooves in the dirt. His expression is hard, yet there's a flicker of respect behind his stoic gaze—Mori had proven formidable. But then, just as he begins to turn his back fully on the downed figure, a sound stops him in his tracks.
Laughter.
Low, quiet at first, but unmistakable—Mori's laughter, carrying on the wind. Radahn's grip on his swords tightens as the unsettling sound fills the air, growing louder by the second. The laughter soon erupts into a maniacal crescendo, echoing across the Lands Between, sending shivers down the spines of those watching from afar. Radahn turns slowly, eyes narrowing as he spots Mori's body still lying in the crater, arm draped lazily over his eyes, but the laugh continuing unabated.
In the distance, the Tarnished, still observing with Melina from a safe distance, feels the tremors of Mori's laughter reach him. He glances at Melina, who looks equally bewildered. "He's... laughing?" Melina murmurs, unable to believe what she's hearing. The Tarnished's eyes remain fixed on the figure of Mori as the laughter rattles the very air around them, reverberating through the skies.
Radahn, meanwhile, readies himself once more, pulling his colossal swords back into a fighting stance, the weight of them seeming nothing compared to the intensity of the moment. 'What is this man made of?' he wonders, preparing for another round as he watches Mori, still laughing, his body beginning to move—floating—upward.
Mori, his laughter finally subsiding, removes his arm from his eyes and, without touching the ground, slowly ascends into the sky, as if gravity had ceased to bind him. His movements are casual, unhurried, but his energy radiates outward, felt by every living thing in the Lands Between. Even from a distance, all the spectators—Melina, the Tarnished, Ranni, Morgott—sense the shift in the air.
Ranni's gaze sharpens from where she watches on the horizon, her normally calm demeanor faltering for the first time in ages. "What... is he doing?" she whispers, her mystic senses barely able to comprehend the scale of the power Mori is harnessing. Morgott, perched high above on his cliff, narrows his eyes, sensing something more dangerous than he first imagined.
Mori, now hovering high above the battlefield in a reclined position, stretches his arm outward, palm facing the heavens as if reaching for the stars themselves. Radahn, standing below, watches this strange spectacle with growing confusion, unsure of what Mori's intentions are. The silence is thick, the tension palpable.
But then, something changes. Radahn's eyes widen as he senses it—a disturbance far above. The sky itself seems to ripple. He cranes his neck to look upward and then realizes the impossible: the stars are moving. No, not just moving—they're descending.
Radahn's heart pounds in his chest as he finally grasps what Mori is attempting. He's pulling the stars themselves closer, bending the very forces of the cosmos to his will. The air crackles with energy as a large, pulsating orb of Ki begins to materialize above Mori's hand, glowing with a fierce, celestial light.
Radahn's voice, for the first time, breaks the silence as he mutters in awe, "He... he's pulling down the stars…"
Mori, still hovering lazily in the sky, grins as the colossal ball of energy in his hand grows brighter and larger. He casually tosses it upward, and the ball shoots into the atmosphere, disappearing into the sky. For a brief moment, everything is still. But then Mori, now fully upright and with a deadly glint in his eye, raises both hands high above his head. His voice booms across the battlefield, carrying with it the weight of impending doom.
"StarStream!" Mori roars, the command echoing through the Lands Between like a divine decree.
The energy blast that Mori had sent into the heavens moments earlier begins to descend, even larger and more radiant than before, crackling with cosmic energy. It envelops Mori, whose body becomes the center of a whirling vortex of power, planets and stars appearing behind him, orbiting as if he's commanding the very universe.
The scene cuts rapidly between the various spectators. The Tarnished, far away, feels the ground rumble violently beneath his feet. His face turns pale as Mori's voice echoes in his ears. "Tarnished!" Mori shouts, "You'd better start running, because this whole area is about to be obliterated into nothingness!"
Panic sets in. The Tarnished grabs Melina by the wrist, yanking her away from the impending blast. "We have to go!" he yells, pulling her as fast as his legs can carry them. Behind them, the sky darkens as Mori's attack looms over the battlefield.
Radahn, standing his ground, refuses to flee. His pride, the pride of the Starscourge, won't allow it. Instead, he digs his heels into the earth, planting his feet like roots into the soil. He braces himself for the cosmic storm about to descend upon him, knowing full well that this may be his final stand.
In the distance, Ranni watches with disbelief etched across her face. "Surely... he's bluffing…" she murmurs to herself, but her voice wavers, uncertain. Morgott, too, stands rigid on the cliff, his eyes narrowing. Yet neither of them move, unwilling to believe the reality of Mori's overwhelming power.
Mori, sensing the Tarnished and Melina have made it far enough away, smirks as he feels the last flicker of life stubbornly refusing to flee. His grin widens. "Radahn!" he yells, his voice booming once again, "I really hope you're strong enough to survive what's coming, because I'm not finished with you yet! This move? I've only used it once before… and you're about to find out why!"
With that final warning, Mori thrusts both hands forward, unleashing his ultimate attack. The massive blast of Ki, swirling with the light of a thousand stars, hurtles toward Radahn, tearing through the air with unimaginable speed and force. The sheer size of the blast dwarfs everything around it, casting a shadow over the entire wasteland as it descends upon Radahn.
The blast collides with Radahn in an instant, his defenses shattering under the sheer force of the impact. He grits his teeth, roaring in defiance as the blast pushes him deeper into the earth. The ground beneath him cracks and shatters, splitting apart as the energy envelops him entirely.
A cataclysmic explosion follows, sending shockwaves across the land, the blast engulfing everything in its path. The ground quakes violently, the skies darken, and the entire wasteland is obliterated in a single, blinding flash of light.
For what feels like an eternity, there is nothing but silence. The smoke and dust hang thick in the air, obscuring everything. High above, Mori hovers patiently, waiting for the smoke to clear. His eyes gleam with anticipation as he gazes down at the devastation below.
Growing impatient, Mori waves a hand, sending a gust of Ki to blow the smoke away. As the haze dissipates, the full extent of the destruction is revealed—a colossal crater, miles wide, where the wasteland used to be. But as Mori scans the area, he frowns. There's no sign of Radahn.
"Radahn!" Mori shouts angrily, "Is this your end? Is this how you use your second chance at life? You lose to someone who wasn't even using their full power?"
The silence is deafening. Mori's frustration grows. He flies down toward the crater, landing at its edge as his anger boils over.
"You call yourself the Starscourge, yet you let a stranger take your title and defeat you? Maybe you never deserved the name!"
Mori's taunts echo into the emptiness, and for a moment, it seems Radahn is truly gone. But then, a flicker—barely a whisper of energy—reaches Mori's senses. He smirks, turning back toward the crater.
Suddenly, a beam of light erupts from the center of the crater, and floating in its midst is Radahn, battered and bloody but alive. His armor is in ruins, his body scorched, but his eyes burn with fury and determination.
Mori grins wildly, his blood pumping with excitement. "Finally!" he shouts, "Now, this is a fight!"
Radahn, breathing heavily, lowers himself to the ground, his muscles tensed and ready. The two warriors lock eyes, and with a roar.
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The chapter begins with a deafening roar that reverberates through the wasteland. The moment Radahn and Mori charge at each other, the very air around them shudders from the force of their power. Their fists meet in the center of the ruined battlefield with a thunderous impact, sending out a shockwave so strong that the crater beneath them deepens further, cracks spidering out in every direction. The skies above swirl violently, and the remaining stars seem to flicker as if acknowledging the battle between these two titans.
Radahn's sheer size and strength are imposing, and each of his punches carries the weight of a meteor. But Mori matches him, his body nimble and fast, dodging and weaving with a smirk that only grows wider with each strike that comes his way. The sound of flesh meeting armor and bone echoes, their movements too fast for any normal eye to track. Yet every hit that connects rattles the earth, turning the battleground into an ever-growing wasteland.
Radahn swings his massive swords, the force of their arcs cleaving the air itself, aiming to bisect Mori in one devastating blow. Mori ducks under the blades with effortless grace, letting Radahn's swords dig into the ground behind him, creating long trenches in the dirt. Before Radahn can recover, Mori delivers a sharp knee to Radahn's stomach, the force of the blow sending the giant demigod skidding back, his boots gouging deep furrows in the earth.
Radahn grunts but doesn't fall. His eyes burn with determination, and his massive form radiates gravity magic. As he stands, he flicks his fingers, and the ground beneath Mori quakes as boulders and jagged shards of rock shoot up from the earth, hurtling toward him at blinding speed. Mori narrows his eyes, extending his arms to his sides as he creates a barrier of Ki that deflects the oncoming projectiles. The rocks shatter into dust before they can even touch him.
Radahn roars in frustration, gripping his twin swords with both hands and launching himself forward again, his feet barely touching the ground as he rockets toward Mori with the force of a falling star. This time, he swings both swords down in a powerful overhead strike, intending to crush Mori beneath their weight. But Mori, faster than Radahn anticipated, sidesteps the attack and spins on his heel, planting a fist into Radahn's ribcage with enough force to create another shockwave.
The demigod staggers back, but he refuses to yield. His eyes glow a fierce red, and suddenly, the very gravity around Mori intensifies. Mori feels the pressure bearing down on him, his body feeling a hundred times heavier in an instant. He grins, knowing exactly what Radahn is doing—trying to pin him to the ground with sheer gravitational force.
"Impressive," Mori chuckles, his voice strained but still filled with amusement. His feet sink slightly into the ground, but his aura flares in response, his body resisting the crushing weight with ease. "But you're going to need more than that to slow me down!"
With a burst of Ki, Mori shatters the gravity field around him, breaking free with ease. Radahn's eyes widen slightly, the demigod unaccustomed to anyone resisting his gravity magic so easily. Before he can react, Mori vanishes from his line of sight, moving at speeds that even Radahn struggles to track. In an instant, Mori reappears behind Radahn, his leg arcing through the air in a vicious roundhouse kick aimed at the back of Radahn's skull.
Radahn ducks just in time, the force of Mori's kick sending a powerful gust of wind ripping through the battlefield, uprooting massive chunks of rock. Radahn spins, using the momentum to swing his sword horizontally, aiming for Mori's torso. Mori jumps back, the blade missing him by mere inches, but Radahn doesn't stop—he follows up with another swing, then another, his swords a blur of steel as he drives Mori back with sheer ferocity.
For a moment, it seems like Radahn has the upper hand, pressing Mori with a relentless barrage of strikes. But Mori, ever the tactician, suddenly stops retreating and darts forward, ducking low and sliding under Radahn's guard. In the blink of an eye, Mori is inside Radahn's reach, his fists glowing with Ki. He unleashes a rapid series of punches, each one landing with precision on Radahn's unarmored midsection. The hits are fast and brutal, each one carrying the force of a cannon, and for the first time, Radahn lets out a grunt of pain.
Mori doesn't stop. He capitalizes on the opening, his fists moving in a blur as he pounds into Radahn's chest, ribs, and stomach. Each hit cracks the ground beneath them, the sheer force of Mori's punches reverberating through the air. Radahn tries to raise his swords to block, but Mori is too close, too fast. It's a barrage, unrelenting, and Radahn begins to stumble.
With one final, devastating punch, Mori sends Radahn flying backward, his massive form crashing into the ground with a thunderous boom that echoes for miles. Dust and debris are thrown into the air, obscuring Radahn's fallen form. Mori stands still for a moment, panting slightly, his muscles tense and ready for Radahn's next move.
Through the dust, Radahn's laughter can be heard, low and rumbling. Slowly, the demigod rises to his feet, his massive frame emerging from the cloud of debris. His body is bruised, and his armor is cracked, but the fire in his eyes burns hotter than ever.
"You truly are a warrior worthy of battle," Radahn rumbles, wiping a trail of blood from the corner of his mouth. His grip on his swords tightens, and with a surge of gravity magic, the twin blades glow with power. "But I haven't shown you everything I'm capable of yet."
Radahn slams his swords together, creating a shockwave of gravity magic that expands outward. Mori braces himself, planting his feet firmly in the ground as the wave washes over him, his body glowing with Ki as he resists the crushing force. But Radahn doesn't stop there—he raises both hands to the sky, summoning his true power.
The stars above flicker, and then, with a deafening roar, they begin to fall.
Massive meteors, pulled from the heavens by Radahn's gravity magic, hurtle toward the battlefield. Each one is the size of a mountain, burning with cosmic fire as they streak through the sky. Mori looks up, his eyes narrowing in challenge.
"Is that all you've got?" Mori smirks, flexing his arms as his Ki flares even brighter. "I'll show you how to handle the stars."
As the first meteor descends, Mori leaps into the air, meeting it head-on. With a single punch, he shatters the meteor into countless fragments, the fiery debris scattering across the wasteland. Radahn watches, impressed, but undeterred. More meteors follow, and Mori moves like a blur, weaving between them and destroying each one with a punch or kick, his body a whirlwind of energy.
The ground shakes as the last meteor explodes, sending a shockwave that levels what little remains of the wasteland. Mori lands gracefully in the midst of the destruction, his eyes locked on Radahn. The demigod smiles grimly.
"Now... it's my turn," Mori says, clenching his fists as his Ki flares to even greater heights. His muscles ripple with power, and the very air around him seems to crackle with energy. "Get ready, Radahn. This is going to hurt."
With a burst of speed, Mori charges at Radahn, his body leaving afterimages as he moves. Radahn readies himself, swords raised, but Mori is too fast. He closes the distance in an instant, delivering a powerful uppercut that lifts Radahn off his feet and sends him flying into the sky. Mori follows, his body a blur of motion as he delivers punch after punch, each one sending shockwaves through the atmosphere.
Radahn tries to fight back, swinging his swords wildly, but Mori is relentless, his fists moving faster than Radahn can react. The sky itself seems to tremble as the two warriors clash, their battle becoming a spectacle of pure, destructive power.
Finally, with a devastating roundhouse kick, Mori sends Radahn crashing back to the ground, his massive form hitting the earth with enough force to create another massive crater. Mori hovers in the air above, his chest heaving as he looks down at Radahn, who lies motionless in the center of the crater.
For a moment, it seems like the fight is over. But then Radahn stirs, slowly pushing himself to his feet once more. His body is battered, his armor shattered, but the fire in his eyes hasn't dimmed.
"Not bad," Radahn grunts, blood dripping from his mouth. He wipes it away with the back of his hand, then looks up at Mori with a grin. "But I'm not done yet."
Mori smirks, cracking his knuckles. "Good. Neither am I."
With that, the two warriors charge at each other once more, their battle far from over.
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The next chapter begins with the battlefield in eerie silence, dust still hanging in the air, and the ground shattered from the earlier exchanges. Radahn stands tall at the center of the crater, his body heaving as he catches his breath. His armor is torn to pieces, his once-mighty form bruised and bloodied, but the fire in his eyes only burns brighter. Mori floats just above the ground, a smirk playing on his lips as he wipes some blood from the corner of his mouth. His energy radiates in waves, each pulse causing the very air around them to hum with power.
Radahn straightens up, wiping his face with the back of his massive hand. "You've pushed me farther than anyone else has," he growls, his deep voice reverberating across the wasteland. He grips his swords tighter, and as he plants his feet firmly on the ground, a massive surge of gravity magic bursts from him. The stars in the sky shift and dim as if bowing to his will.
"I've been holding back," Radahn admits, his voice low and filled with an almost primal intensity. "But now... now, you'll see my true strength."
Mori watches him, arms crossed, amused but with a hint of respect in his gaze. "Oh? So you've been playing with me this whole time? Well then, let's see what you've got, Radahn," Mori says, his voice dripping with excitement. His own aura starts to flare, flickers of light and energy crackling around him like electricity.
Radahn roars, the very ground trembling beneath his feet as his power erupts outward. His body begins to glow, his muscles swelling with the force of his gravity magic. He draws the stars closer to the battlefield once again, the very heavens shifting as cosmic power flows through him. His entire being seems to grow larger, and his twin swords now radiate with an overwhelming, oppressive energy.
Mori, still smirking, begins to charge his own energy. His body glows with golden Ki, each breath causing the ground beneath him to crack further. He raises his arms, pulling in the energy around him, his aura becoming brighter and more intense. The air begins to distort as his power rises, and he clenches his fists, feeling the raw strength surge through him.
"I'll go all out as well," Mori lies with a grin, knowing full well he's only charging to 50% of his full power. But the sheer energy radiating from him is enough to convince Radahn otherwise.
The ground beneath them quakes violently as both warriors stand at the pinnacle of their strength. Radahn's aura swirls with the power of the stars, while Mori's Ki crackles like a storm ready to burst. Their eyes lock, both of them knowing that this will be the final, decisive exchange.
In an instant, they both move.
The clash is nothing short of apocalyptic. Mori and Radahn charge at each other, their fists meeting with the force of planets colliding. Each blow sends shockwaves across the land, leveling what little remained of the wasteland. The stars above flicker and tremble, pulled closer by Radahn's gravity magic, while Mori's Ki ignites the very air, turning the battlefield into a maelstrom of energy.
Radahn swings his colossal swords in wide arcs, each swing powerful enough to cleave mountains in half. Mori dodges, his movements a blur of speed as he counters with rapid punches and kicks, each one hitting like a hammer. They go blow for blow, their strikes shaking the ground and sending debris flying in every direction.
Radahn roars, raising both swords high above his head, channeling his gravity magic into them. He swings downward with all his might, aiming to crush Mori beneath the weight of the stars themselves. Mori, grinning with exhilaration, crosses his arms to block, his Ki flaring as he meets the attack head-on. The impact creates a massive crater, dust and debris exploding outward.
But Mori doesn't stop. He powers through the attack, pushing Radahn back with a burst of energy before launching himself forward with a flurry of punches. Each strike lands with devastating precision, cracking Radahn's armor and sending tremors through the demigod's massive frame. Radahn retaliates with a brutal headbutt, knocking Mori back several feet, but Mori recovers instantly, landing on his feet with a smirk.
"Not bad, Radahn," Mori says, wiping blood from his lip. "But you're going to have to try harder than that if you want to win."
Radahn grins through the pain, his teeth bared in a savage smile. "Don't worry. I've got plenty more where that came from."
They charge at each other once again, their fists colliding in mid-air. The ground beneath them gives way, collapsing into a massive crater as the sheer force of their blows tears the earth apart. Radahn swings his swords in wide, devastating arcs, while Mori counters with brutal, precise strikes. It's a battle of endurance, of raw strength and skill, neither willing to give an inch.
The fight becomes a blur of motion, with each exchange more violent than the last. Their attacks send shockwaves across the battlefield, leveling what little remained of the landscape. The sky above grows dark, the stars flickering as if afraid to watch the carnage below.
Then, in one final, earth-shattering clash, Mori and Radahn meet in the center of the battlefield. Radahn swings his swords with all his remaining strength, while Mori throws a punch with the full force of his Ki behind it. Their attacks collide with a deafening explosion of energy, the shockwave ripping through the air and creating a massive burst of light that blinds everyone watching.
For a moment, everything is still. Then, slowly, the light fades.
Mori and Radahn stand on opposite sides of the battlefield, their backs to each other. Neither moves. The world around them is silent, as if holding its breath. Suddenly the sound of laughter can be heard coming from both sides.
Then, with a heavy thud, Radahn drops to one knee. His swords slip from his grasp, embedding themselves in the ground. His massive frame trembles, and he lets out a ragged breath. Mori turns, his face calm but his eyes sharp, watching as Radahn struggles to stay upright.
"You fought well, Radahn," Mori says, his voice steady but filled with respect. He glances down at Radahn's chest, where a gaping hole now exists, the result of Mori's final strike. "You really are the strongest... but even the strongest can fall."
Radahn's head lowers, his body shaking from the exertion of the battle. Blood drips from the wound in his chest, pooling on the ground beneath him. He grits his teeth, forcing himself to look up at Mori one last time.
"Good... fight..." Radahn mutters, his voice weak but filled with pride. He collapses fully, his massive form falling to the ground with a resounding crash.
Mori stands there, watching as Radahn's body lies motionless in the center of the battlefield. For a moment, there is silence. Then, Mori smiles, a mixture of admiration and satisfaction in his expression.
"You were the best fight i've had Radahn." Mori turns and begins to walk away, his body glowing with the lingering remnants of his Ki. The battlefield is silent, save for the faint sound of the wind blowing through the wasteland.
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The next chapter begins with the battlefield quiet, the dust settling after the fierce battle between Mori and Radahn. The vast crater created by their clash remains as a scar on the land, a testament to the power that had been unleashed. Mori, his body glowing faintly with residual energy, walks toward the Tarnished and Melina, who stand a safe distance away, having watched the final moments of the fight in awe.
The Tarnished, still processing everything, tightens his grip on his weapon as Mori approaches, unsure of what to expect from the warrior who had just defeated Radahn. Melina, standing beside him, watches Mori with an unreadable expression, her eyes cautious yet curious.
Just as Mori reaches them and opens his mouth to say something, his expression suddenly freezes. His body tenses as if sensing something beyond the battlefield. He feels a tug—an invisible force pulling at him. The air around him seems to shift, and for a brief moment, Mori's eyes glaze over as if he's focusing on something distant, something not of this world.
The Tarnished and Melina exchange confused glances, both unsure of what is happening. Mori, still frozen in place, stares at them, a strange look crossing his face. Then, slowly, a smile spreads across his lips, a grin filled with amusement and something else—acceptance.
"I've had fun," Mori says, his voice calm but laced with a wild edge. "And this place gave me a good fight... not gonna lie. Hahahaha!" His laughter echoes in the quiet wasteland, a sound that only adds to the confusion of the duo standing before him.
The Tarnished opens his mouth to speak, but before he can get a word out, Mori reaches into his clothes and pulls out something shiny—a half of a medallion. With a swift motion, Mori tosses the right half of the medallion toward the Tarnished, who catches it instinctively, his eyes widening as he looks at the object in his hand.
Before either the Tarnished or Melina can ask what Mori is doing, the tug Mori felt intensifies. It pulls at him harder now, yanking him upward as if some unseen force is dragging him toward the sky. Mori chuckles, shaking his head slightly. This being the second time he's experienced something like this, he doesn't resist. Instead, he lets the tug take him, his body rising into the air as if carried by an invisible current.
"Mori!" the Tarnished calls out, stepping forward, but it's too late. Mori is already ascending rapidly, his body lifting higher and higher into the sky. Melina watches silently, her face calm, though her eyes are wide with curiosity.
Mori's body accelerates, the force pulling him upward with increasing speed. The world below becomes a blur, and soon he's above the clouds, above the atmosphere, floating in the cold vastness of space. He can feel the tug pulling him toward something—something far beyond this world.
The stars around him blur, and before he can even comprehend what's happening, he's pulled into a wormhole. The swirling mass of cosmic energy engulfs him, and Mori's body is tossed like a leaf in a storm. The intense gravitational forces tear at him, his vision blurring as the wormhole stretches his senses to their limits.
Mori tries to focus, but the overwhelming sensation is too much, even for him. His consciousness begins to fade as the wormhole drags him deeper into its depths. The last thing he sees before everything goes black is the swirling vortex of colors and stars collapsing around him, pulling him into the unknown.
And then, everything goes dark.
Mori is unconscious, lost somewhere between worlds, the wormhole carrying him toward whatever fate awaits him on the other side.