As the dullahan prepared for the deadly spell collisions, Julius breathed in relief upon seeing Adam safe. The shadows covering his big brother terrorised him, causing him to think the worst happened. Fortunately, he proved resourceful enough to free himself without the help of his trusted blade.
However, his relief was cut short, replaced by curiosity and excitement. It was the first time he witnessed such a spectacle. Awe covered his features, and his hair bristled as his big brother opened his mouth.
Eight violent explosions rocked the passage with terrifying sounds and heat, the blast propelling the two spearheads like rays.
The canyon briefly fell silent. However, the mana techniques' ravages were already visible.
In shock, Julius gazed at the massive hole in the five-layered dark shield of their adversary, searching for his carcass. After all, how could he survive such an attack? Unfortunately, he failed to spot him before all the sounds erupted almost simultaneously, deafening him.
As he covered his ears, he saw Adam hurl his vibrating constructs around the destroyed shields and scream, "He is still alive!"
Reading on his lips, he narrowed his eyes, piercing the cloud of dust until he saw the mutilated figure of the dullahan. With half his torso gone, he had trouble believing the guardian didn't die. Yet, Nova's description of this dangerous species of ghost resurfaced in his mind.
"He is really immortal!?" He exclaimed, his pupils enlarging in shock. How were they supposed to defeat him? As his mind raced, he remembered a detail in the Banshee's words. The mysterious "L" had defeated but spared him. 'So, it means he can die, but we need to figure out how,' he thought, hope swelling in his heart as his big brother's mana technique collided with their unmoving adversary.
However, under his shocked gaze, the dullahan's black armor squirmed and reformed, closing any gaps in seconds.
"Shit. I failed..." Adam muttered, a burning sensation coursing through his ethereal body as if his veins were on fire. 'I abused my magic circuits by discharging so much mana at once,' he analysed with a bitter smile. Julius was his last chance, and he hoped he noticed something during his attack.
"Did you see him try to protect a part of his body?" He asked urgently, his usual glowing eyes dim. If their enemy had a weak spot, he was sure he tried to protect it during his last strike.
Alas, the boy broke his expectations with a shake of his head before saying, "I didn't notice anything special."
"Listen well, Julius. I want you to stay behind and scrutinise his every move. The moment you see him try to protect himself, inform me," he said solemnly, gripping his dark bastard sword between his hands. Then, he added, "Keep the blade for now and don't try to object. You can't die, understand?"
Julius' eyes reddened upon hearing his big brother's words. Losing his voice, he nodded, determination burning in his eyes. 'I'll find his weak spot in a flash and inform you,' he thought, placing his full focus on the guardian's body.
Simultaneously, the dullahan's lips curled into a smirk under his helmet. "Time to die, gnats," he said, gripping his long sword as the metallic clinking of his boots echoed in the surroundings.
Despite his exhausted dark energy, he knew he would win. After all, he only relied on spells and curses because the duo stood several meters away. But in truth? He had never been a mage.
With each deliberate step, his smirk broadened as Adam's inaction confirmed his suspicions. He was out of mana and couldn't hurl those terrifying spears at him again.
Opposite him, Adam grimaced, expecting to suffer in a melee fight against a tier-four ghost. With a deep breath, he encouraged himself. 'Don't think negatively. You only need to buy time,' he repeated inwardly, despite his quivering lips and trembling hands, until he remembered his friend's words.
"I'll surmount my fears with my own strength!" He suddenly roared like a lion, drawing courage from Misha's advice.
Then, he lunged at the dullahan, his dark Blade of Adaptation squirming like a living being, and transformed into a crystalline dark spear mid-distance.
After closing in, he drew his right arm back, gathering all the strength his ethereal body could muster before propelling it towards the lazily approaching foe.
"Humph. That's why magic is useless. Once you are out of mana, even a regular tier-three beast can kill you," the guardian said, giggling at the laughable strike. In his eyes, and with his speed, he could counterattack and end Adam a few times before the fool could even react.
With a disdainful snort, he swung his great sword, parrying the spearhead with an upward slash before stepping forward to bridge the distance.
However, his eyes widened as the spear suddenly squirmed and disappeared, replaced by a short Morgenstern. 'Not bad, you won't have to retrieve your weapon after shortening its size,' he thought, interested in Adam's morphing blade. He would gladly claim it once this farce was over. After all, it was a waste to see such a fine weapon in an amateur's hands.
Upon reaching this thought, he took a familiar battle stance and raised his sword above his head.
"Big bro! He can use my martial technique!" Julius yelled, alarms ringing in his mind and disbelief covering his features. How did the secluded guardian learn the Qingming Sutra's techniques?
As questions and worry filled his mind, Adam's eyes narrowed. Despite being so close, his adversary forsakes all defences to use this move, unbothered by potential counterattacks. 'I can't attack before finding his weakness!' he screamed inwardly, understanding the evil ghost's devious strategy.
Why should he bother to dodge or parry when he could take the hits without suffering from the consequences?
Faced with the dangerous situation and knowing he would have no chance to dodge at such a close distance, he emptied his mind and closed his eyes.