Chapter 36: Ch 35 - The Catalyst
Liam stood still for a moment, the battlefield crackling with residual energy. He turned his head slightly, a smirk playing on his lips as Geto struggled to his knees, his body trembling from exhaustion. The eerie silence was broken only by the faint hum of cursed energy and the distant cries of dissipating spirits.
"Geto, I expected more from you," Liam said, his voice carrying an edge of mockery. "You parade yourself as a revolutionary, but you're barely keeping up. Did I overestimate you, or are you just holding back?"
Geto clenched his fists, his pride refusing to let him bow.
"You're arrogant," He spat, coughing as he forced himself upright. "But even you have limits. Let's find them."
With a roar, Geto raised both hands, channeling an immense amount of cursed energy into the air. The atmosphere shifted, becoming oppressive and heavy. The ground cracked beneath him as a massive cursed spirit materialized, larger and more grotesque than anything he'd summoned before. The beast resembled a monstrous centipede with jagged, razor-sharp legs and a body that glowed with malevolent energy.
Liam's grin widened. "Finally, a real challenge."
The cursed centipede charged forward, its legs slicing through the earth like butter. Liam stood his ground, his Sharingan spinning faster as he analyzed its movements. The centipede lunged, its maw wide open to swallow him whole.
In a flash, Liam activated Kamui, phasing through the creature's attack. He reappeared above it, flipping gracefully in mid-air.
"Nice try," He muttered, summoning the owl-like shikigami. "Let's clip its wings, shall we?"
The owl swooped down with incredible speed, its talons glowing with cursed energy. It struck the centipede's back, creating a massive explosion that shook the battlefield. The centipede shrieked in agony, writhing and snapping its mandibles.
Geto wasn't idle. While Liam engaged the beast, he summoned a swarm of smaller cursed spirits, sending them to attack from all sides. They darted toward Liam like a black cloud, their screeches filling the air.
Liam smirked and raised his hands. With a sharp motion, he froze the swarm in mid-air. The spirits wriggled and shrieked, struggling against his invisible grip.
"You really need to stop sending cannon fodder," Liam said, clenching his fist.
The spirits imploded simultaneously, a wave of cursed energy dispersing harmlessly. Liam landed lightly on the ground, his eyes locking onto Geto. "You're predictable."
Geto growled, frustration etched across his face. "Don't mock me!"
He poured more energy into the centipede, its wounds closing as it grew even larger. Its body shimmered with a dark aura, and its legs glowed red-hot, cutting through the terrain as it charged again.
This time, Liam didn't dodge. He coated his entire body in advanced Haki, the dark sheen covering him like armor. The centipede struck, its legs slamming into him with enough force to create a crater. Dust and debris flew into the air, obscuring the battlefield.
For a moment, there was silence. Then Liam's voice rang out, calm and unshaken. "Is that it?"
The dust cleared, revealing Liam standing tall, completely unharmed. He grabbed one of the centipede's legs with his bare hand, stopping its attack cold. With a burst of strength, he swung the massive creature overhead and slammed it into the ground. The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward, splitting the earth.
Geto's jaw dropped. "How…?"
"You really don't get it, do you?" Liam said, his tone almost pitying. "I'm not just strong—I'm the strongest!" His Sharingan gleamed as he summoned the divine dogs, who leaped onto the downed centipede, tearing into it with feral ferocity. The creature screeched one final time before disintegrating into cursed energy.
Geto staggered backward, his composure crumbling. "What are you? How can someone wield so much Cursed energy? And those eyes... it doesn't make sense!"
Liam chuckled darkly. "Oh, Suguru, you're still trying to make sense of me? I'm an anomaly, a force that can't be defined by your limited understanding. But if it makes you feel better, keep thinking I'm just a sorcerer like you."
Geto wasn't done. With a desperate cry, he unleashed his most powerful technique, summoning a cursed spirit barrier that encompassed the entire area. Inside, the world warped, the ground turning into a dark, undulating mass, and the air filled with oppressive cursed energy.
Liam looked around, mildly impressed. "A Domain Expansion? About time. Let's see how this holds up."
Within the domain, cursed spirits emerged from the shadows, their forms twisted and grotesque. They moved in unison, their red eyes locked onto Liam. The barrier pulsed with energy, amplifying their strength.
Liam smirked. "This might actually be fun."
The spirits attacked in a coordinated wave, their claws and fangs aimed at him.
Liam activated his Mangekyou Sharingan's full power, slowing his perception of time. To an observer, he was a blur of motion, dodging and countering with impossible precision. Each strike of his fists and feet shattered a spirit into fragments of cursed energy.
The divine dogs joined the fray, tearing through the horde with ease. The owl soared above, unleashing devastating shockwaves that destabilized the domain.
Geto poured more energy into maintaining the barrier, sweat dripping down his face. "Why… won't you… fall?!"
Liam laughed, the sound echoing ominously. "You think this is enough to trap me? Let me show you what a real technique looks like."
He raised his hand, and the energy around him shifted.
"Kamui: Dimensional Collapse!"
With a twist of his wrist, the domain began to distort, the walls folding in on themselves. The cursed spirits howled in fear as they were sucked into a vortex, their forms disintegrating. Geto's eyes widened in horror as his strongest technique was unraveled before him.
"No!" Geto screamed as the domain shattered, leaving him kneeling on the ground, completely drained.
Liam stepped forward, his presence towering over Geto.
"You put up a good fight, I'll give you that," He said, his voice calm yet dripping with dominance. "But this is where it ends."
Geto looked up, his expression a mixture of fear and defiance. "If you kill me, you'll regret it."
Liam raised an eyebrow. "Kill you? Oh no, Geto. You're far more useful alive. You'll serve as a reminder to anyone else who thinks they can stand in my way."
Geto gritted his teeth. "You think you've won? This isn't over…"
Liam smirked. "It is for now. Take the loss gracefully."
He turned away, his shikigami vanishing into the ether. "Consider this a warning. The elders, their rules… they're nothing but parasites, sacrificing the young to maintain their power."
"You!..." Geto looked horrified when he heard that.
"And what?" Geto growled, his breathing labored. "You think you can change the system alone?"
Liam's eyes sparkled with a sharp light. "I don't think. I know. The Jujutsu Society is a disease, and I'll be its cure. Mark my words, Geto. I'll bring them to their knees."
With that, Liam's form began to shimmer, the Kamui vortex enveloping him.
Geto staggered to his feet, his face a mix of fury and disbelief.
"This isn't over!" Geto snarled.
Liam gave him one last look, his voice calm but resolute. "For you, maybe. But for them? It's just the beginning."
And with that, Liam vanished, leaving Geto alone in the ruined hall.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
Thank you for being a part of this journey. May these stories bring excitement and inspiration to your life, and I look forward to bringing you many more adventures!
If you've enjoyed my stories and want to help keep this adventure going strong, consider joining my Patreon! For as little as $2, you'll unlock extra chapters, exclusive art, and tons of perks.
🔮 Myth Guild 🦉
Patreon: patreon.com/Myth_Valley