(In the skies of Nemo, Yu Day’s POV)
Against the combined attacks of Su Pei and Viper, Yu Day found himself hard pressed to defend, as the duo worked in perfect sync with one another to drive him back.
*CLANG*
*SLASHHH*
*BOOOOM*
For a while, Yu Day managed to hold his own, his relentless attacks enough to keep the two Cult Monarchs at bay, yet it soon became abundantly clear to him that he was no longer in control of the rhythm of the fight.
Instead, it was Su Pei who anchored the fight with his steady, immovable defence, while Viper made the most of his partners blocks to place those precise counters, his each strike searching for the smallest slip in Yu Day’s defence.
"Esteemed Lord Yu Day," Viper said between exchanges, his tone sarcastic, as his lips turned into an arrogant grin behind his mask.
"Do you know the speciality of the Neo Basilisk poison?
I’m sure you do....
But if you don’t, let me educate you....
If untreated, it saps the stamina of its victim, choking the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, and worse, it clogs the mana circuits, so they can no longer flood with power.
The more you strain, the faster it spreads. So tell me... how long can you keep this intensity up?
Because very soon, you’ll feel your endless stamina starting to bottom out."
Viper teased, as Yu Day’s eyes flared with anger.
"Shut up, scoundrel, don’t try to play petty mind games with me.
I’ve survived much worse than this measly poison—"
He roared as he unleashed [Violet Dragon Cleave], his blade screaming with condensed force, as the arc of the attack tore through the skies toward both Su Pei and Viper.
*CLANGK*
*CRACKKK*
[Iron Bastian Guard]
Blocking the move before it could hit Viper, Su Pei stepped in to defend, as he widened his stance and held his ground like a champion.
*KABOOM*
The impact shook the air like thunder, the force dispersing against Yu Day’s guard, leaving the Monarch’s chest open just long enough for Viper to slip in with a counter.
*SLASHHH*
*SPATTER*
Blood sprayed in the air once more as a gash opened across Yu Day’s ribs.
He stumbled back, his breathing suddenly labored, his chest heaving far more than such a meagre wound should demand.
’Why... why is my breath this short?And my arms... feeling so heavy?’
He wondered, as alarm bells began blaring in his head.
Normal Neo Basilisk poison could not possibly affect a monarch like him this severely in such a short time span.
Which meant that his opponent had most likely lied to him.
What coursed in his veins currently was not Neo Basilisk Poison, but something much worse.
Something that could take his life within the next few minutes if left untreated, as the realisation completely crumpled his will to continue fighting.
"W-what did you really inject me with?"
He asked, his voice raspy, as Viper’s eyes glowed with menace.
"Oh? So you can tell already that it isn’t Basilisk poison?
Impressive.... You’re better trained than most young lords, I’ll give you that much...." Viper replied, as he and Su Pei kept pressing on, their attacks faster and more relentless than ever before.
’I can’t hold on like this .... I must run, or I’ll die—’ Yu Day realized, as each swing he made now dragged at his muscles, his condition worsening rapidly.
"You’re slowing," Viper whispered coldly, his blades weaving in a deadly rhythm, "the ancient swamp frog poison is already digging into your marrow."
*CLANG*
*SLASHHH*
*BOOM*
Su Pei’s guard hammered down another strike, and Viper answered instantly, carving another wound across Yu Day’s shoulder.
His defenses wavered, his once-relentless storm of strikes breaking apart into ragged bursts as his eyes widened in genuine shock.
’Ancient Swamp Frog Poison? That’s the most lethal poison in the universe....’
He realized, as gritting his teeth, he made up his mind to run.
"You dirty Evil Cult bastards...!"
He snarled, before pulling a small crystalline teleportation token from his robes which was his fail safe should things go wrong here today.
*CRACK*
*FLASHHH*
Before Su Pei or Dupravel could stop him, Yu Day crushed the token and disappeared from Nemo in a flash of light, as he retreated decisively like a cowardly dog much to the frustration of Viper and Su Pei.
—--------
(Aboard an emergency evacuation ship, just outside the atmosphere of planet Nemo)
*THUD*
*GASP*
Yu Day appeared upon the deck of the emergency retreat vessel, his body staggering as he clutched his ribs, blood trailing from his cheek and shoulder, as his breathing remained harsh and uneven.
The teleportation token had delivered him safely to the failsafe retreat vessel, but it had not dulled the poison burning through his veins.
His face was still pale and his chest was still heaving like a bellows.
"Healers... bring the healers, I have been poisoned," he rasped, his voice low yet commanding, each syllable heavy with authority.
Immediately, attendants scrambled, rushing to fetch the clan’s physicians, but Yu Day’s gaze did not soften. His eyes shifted to the captain of the ship, who stood frozen in alarm.
"Turn the ship," Yu Day continued coldly. "Retreat at once. I cannot risk staying out here too long while being nearly incapacitated."
The captain’s lips parted in protest, his voice hesitant, almost pleading. "But sir... the men, they are still fighting below. They might need you—"
*SWOOSH*
*SLASHHH*
Blood sprayed across the deck as Yu Day flicked his finger, a razor-thin arc of energy slicing the top half of the captain’s ear clean off.
The man collapsed to his knees with a scream, clutching his face as crimson streamed between his fingers.
"Are you deaf?" Yu Day snarled, his eyes narrowing into venomous slits. "Did you not hear what I said?"
He stumbled closer, towering above the writhing captain, his voice a growl that carried more weight than any blade.
"My life is worth more than that of those mortals. Their purpose is to bleed in my stead, and they have done so. The first priority now is to keep me alive. So... fucking retreat!"
The command echoed across the chamber, silencing every murmur, freezing every hesitant soldier in place.
No one dared argue, no one dared breathe too loud.
The crew immediately scrambled to obey, hands flying over controls as the ship began to veer away from Nemo’s atmosphere.
Yu Day leaned heavily against the bulkhead, his breath ragged, his wounds still bleeding freely, but his eyes smoldered with pride.
He refused to admit defeat, not even now.
For to him, survival was not cowardice—it was inevitability.
And so, as the emergency ship turned away, leaving behind the tens of millions of Yu Clan soldiers still locked in battle on Nemo, Yu Day closed his eyes and whispered bitterly to himself.
"They will die for me, as they rightfully should."
"I can happily report to the clan that I tried my best to claim Nemo, but that it was simply impossible.....
That even me retreating alive is a miracle—"
He mused, as he already began to plan a heroic spin of his cowardly deeds on the planet.