'What is this…?!'
Rey's blurry vision sharpened momentarily as he felt the malevolent energy radiating from Ater.
His heart skipped a beat as the blot of blackness expanded, twisting and writhing as though it were alive. It was blacker than black, with a dreadful, incredibly disgusting and terrifying power writhing inside.
Then…
Ater's voice rang out, calm yet commanding.
"[Hollow Technique #8: Horror Specter]."
The blot exploded outward, and from it emerged a being so dreadful that even Rey, who had faced countless horrors, felt an instinctive chill run down his spine.
The Horror Specter was massive, standing nearly ten feet tall, its body a shifting amalgamation of shadow and bone. Its glowing red eyes pierced the darkness, and its long, clawed fingers dripped with black, viscous energy.
The creature exuded malice and raw power, its very presence distorting the air around it. A low, guttural growl escaped its mouth as it stood beside Ater, awaiting his command.
Rey's eyes widened in disbelief.
"What… what is that thing?" he rasped, his voice barely audible.
Ater glanced at Rey, his grin widening.
"This, Master, is my insurance policy. The Horror Specter. It's a being I prepared for emergencies. Far stronger than most would dare imagine. Just sit back and recover. I'll handle this."
Rey shuddered.
The Horror Specter was unlike anything he'd ever encountered. Its aura was oppressive, and he couldn't fathom how Ater had the ability to summon such a monstrosity.
'What is Ater? How does he have this kind of power? And do I really… control him?' Rey couldn't help but think.
Seraph's expression shifted to one of shock and anger.
"You… you summoned a Horror Specter?!" she shrieked, her voice tinged with disbelief. "How?! No, in the first place how can you use Chaos Art? That power… it's forbidden! No mortal should have access to it!"
Ater tilted his head, feigning innocence.
"Forbidden, you say? Oh, little one, you should know by now that rules mean very little to me." He waved a hand dismissively. "But enough chatter. You seem eager to fight. Let's see how well you fare against my friend here."
With a single command, Ater sent the Horror Specter forward.
~WHOOOOSH!!!~
The creature moved with terrifying speed, closing the gap between itself and Seraph in an instant.
Its clawed hand lashed out, the air screaming as it tore through space.
Seraph reacted quickly, summoning a radiant light staff from thin air.
She blocked the attack, the clash of energies producing a deafening shockwave.
~BOOOOOOOOOM!!!~
The ground beneath them cracked and shattered, and the sky seemed to ripple from the force of their collision.
Seraph gritted her teeth as she pushed back against the Horror Specter.
"You're an abomination, and so is this creature you've summoned!" she shouted, her voice filled with righteous fury.
Ater watched from a distance, his arms crossed and a smug grin on his face. "Abomination or not, it seems to be giving you quite a bit of trouble."
The Horror Specter unleashed a flurry of attacks, its claws moving like a blur as it tried to overwhelm Seraph. She countered with precise strikes from her light staff, her movements graceful yet desperate.
"You think this will stop me?" she yelled, her golden wings glowing brighter as she summoned a barrier of pure light.
The Horror Specter slammed into it, but cracks began to form almost immediately as its dark energy ate away at the barrier.
Ater chuckled.
"No, I don't think this will stop you. I'm merely testing you. Observing."
Seraph's eyes darted to Ater, her frustration evident. "Testing me?! You arrogant—"
She didn't finish her sentence as the Horror Specter broke through her barrier, forcing her to leap backward. With a roar, she retaliated, sending a massive wave of golden energy toward the creature.
The wave hit the Horror Specter dead-on, causing it to stagger, but it quickly recovered, its malevolent aura intensifying.
It let out a bone-chilling roar and charged at her again.
Rey watched the battle unfold, his mind racing.
The sight before him felt very similar to his fight with Dagon, except the Horror Specter was far stronger than the mindless entity he fought back then.
"This is insane…" Rey muttered. "Ater… what are you? How can you summon something like that?"
Ater didn't respond.
His attention remained on the fight, his grin never faltering.
As Seraph clashed with the Horror Specter, Ater couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement.
"This is only the beginning," he whispered to himself. "Let's see what else you're hiding, little one."
~BOOOOOOOOOOOMMM!!!~
The battle raged on as Seraph and the Horror Specter clashed with overwhelming power, their attacks leveling what little remained of the ruined cities around them.
The ground quaked beneath their destructive might, massive shockwaves rippling outwards as every exchange of energy turned into a spectacle of devastation.
The Horror Specter was relentless, its form evolving with every attack it absorbed.
It fed on the energy Seraph unleashed, its shadowy body growing larger, its movements faster, and its strikes heavier. Its once-terrifying visage became monstrous, dark wings erupting from its back as it tore through the air with unbridled fury.
Seraph grit her teeth as she dodged and countered its relentless assault.
Her light staff glowed brighter, emitting golden arcs of energy that slashed through the creature's form, but it merely regenerated, its aura growing more oppressive with every second.
"You just keep getting stronger, don't you?" Seraph spat, her voice carrying a mixture of frustration and determination.
"Fine. Let's see if you can withstand this!"
Raising her free hand, she summoned orbs of brilliant light that spiraled around her. With a single motion, she hurled them at the Horror Specter. The orbs exploded on impact, creating blinding flashes of radiance that temporarily obscured the battlefield.
But as the light faded, the Horror Specter emerged, its form now larger and more menacing.
"ROOOOAAAARRRR!!!" It roared, the sound echoing like a primal scream of hatred, and lunged at Seraph with a speed that defied its massive size.
Seraph soared into the sky, the creature giving chase with its newly-formed wings.
~VWUUUSH!~
The heavens trembled as the battle continued above the ruined continent, their attacks lighting up the sky like celestial fireworks.
It didn't seem like the vile creature of chaos was stopping anytime soon.