On The Other Side: I Quit Being Human

Crack!

Layland's tail lashed at the ground, splitting it slightly open. It was impossible to see what kind of face Layland was making because of his mask, but it was easy to tell what face he was making from the way his crimson eyes stared at Stavros. Layland was excited. Clarity and madness were present in his eyes. It was hard to tell whether he was conscious or on autopilot.

Knowing he wouldn't be able to survive if he kept the status quo, Stavros utilized more Natural Essence despite knowing using more would only destroy his body. The will of the world made him ignore it. There was nothing more important than eliminating Layland. Layland's mere presence was destructive. The withering vegetations around him were proof of that.

Boom!

Stavros' Mana pressure raised, but it wasn't as fearsome as Layland's. Although one could tell the amount of Mana Stavros was exuding was roughly the same as the amount that Layland was exuding, one wouldn't hesitate to say Layland was the more terrifying person.

Stavros gritted his teeth when he looked into Layland's unamused eyes. The world's will didn't allow him to turn a blind eye to someone who thought lowly of Natural Essence. Swinging his spear to the side, he galloped at Layland. It was much to his shock that Layland suddenly appeared before him, kicking him in his horse chest.

For the first time after using [One with Nature], Stavros was sent flying. He couldn't process the happening well as he couldn't believe it happened. Though, he recovered quickly when he coughed up a mouthful of blood. Looking up as Natural Essence healed his chest; he held his spear horizontally with his hands to block Rexorem. Layland surprised him yet again as he disappeared without a trace.

Stavros' battle experience told him Layland was coming from below, so he listened to it. His experience didn't disappoint him as he did see Layland coming at him from below. Pointing his spear downwards, he was about to slam it into Layland when he noticed something peculiar. Everything had indeed happened quickly, but he didn't feel he was falling.

As he realized that, the scene around him changed. He immediately couldn't breathe and felt something tightly wrapped around his neck. By the time he knew it, Layland lifted him off the ground by his neck. The trees that they had cut down and mangled illuminated their surroundings because of their glowing sap. The golden light made it as if his defeat was something worth celebrating.

"I can't kill the current you," Layland said softly, voice an octave lower than his usual voice. "I won't get anything out of you. Quick, pathetic Centaur, use your all against me."

Stavros wanted to retort, but he soon realized he had lost his ability to speak. He settled with growling, but he immediately regretted doing it as he received a disdainful look from Layland. He couldn't stand it. It was not because Layland was looking down on the power of Natural Essence. It was because it reminded him that he had lost his mind.

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Alas, there was no going back. The tiny bit of consciousness that belonged to one of the Nine Mentors, Stavros, immediately disappeared. Layland could tell Stavros was risking it all, so he tightened his grip around Stavros' neck. He wanted to instil urgency in Stavros's mind. He aimed to reap the most out of the Centaur.

It worked splendidly as Stavros' Mana pressure drastically shot up. Layland was even forced to let go of his grip as the Mana surrounding Stavros corroded his armour. Distancing himself, he watched as Stavros' skin gradually crumbled. He needed to act quickly. Stavros' body was already on the brink of destruction. He wouldn't get anything if he let Stavros self-destruct.

Extending his hand to the side, Rexorem came out of their Bond Seal. The red light that used to fill its veins was replaced by blue light. It was exuding a Dragon Intent which alerted everyone in Amizanima for the umpteenth time since the war started. It made the Light Elf's side wonder just how many powerhouses decided to meddle in the affair.

As Stavros pointed his spear at him, Layland dashed at Stavros. The Mana Rexorem was exuding lowered the temperature drastically, leaving ice shards in Layland's wake. Layland swung Rexorem before he reached Stavros. Ice immediately covered the ground before engulfing Stavros and holding him in his place.

Layland activated [Death Blow] and applied it to Rexorem. He stabbed Rexorem into the ice trapping Stavros and executed the Skill. The ice was immediately blown into smithereens, freeing Stavros but also blasting him away. The said Centaur had a big hole in his stomach but didn't seem bothered by it. Stavros merely stared at Layland emptily as if he was simply existing.

Stavros abruptly stopped his launch with Mana. He stood mightily with his spear on his side, still not showing any intention to attack. An ice spike emerged out of the ground, piercing him right in his chest. Despite so, he remained unfazed. Layland, kicked the ground, causing it to rise 60 feet into the air. He arrived before Stavros faster even before one could blink.

Boom!

Whoosh!

Rexorem's blade was slammed into Stavros' stomach. Layland didn't throw Stavros away this time. Instead, he pushed Stavros with him. Rexorem was already half-embedded into Stavros' body. It wouldn't be long until Stavros was bisected. Layland wasn't very pleased by the lack of resistance, but he didn't complain. He wasn't the type to look the gift horse in the mouth.

It was when Rexorem was about to severe Stavros' human body that Stavros moved. He grabbed Layland's neck, throwing Layland away effortlessly. The action took Layland by surprise, but he was by no means displeased. His mask even grinned as he did.

Stavros' body crumbled even faster than before as he raised his spear and prepared to throw it at Layland. It was the attack that Layland had been waiting for. He wouldn't block it, of course. He didn't want to sustain unnecessary injuries. As the spear was thrown, he dashed in its course and knocked it off course.

Boom!

He barely succeeded but did it nonetheless. The spear hit the ground, carving a dent in it. He kept dashing at Stavros and Stavros did too. As he received a Power-up, Rexorem clashed with Stavros' short sword. The short sword immediately shattered upon contact but did its job splendidly. It lessened the impact of the clash, allowing Stavros to hold Rexorem back with his Magic Barrier.

Despite remaining unharmed, Stavros still got thrown away by Layland. Layland then used it as a chance to retrieve Stavros' spear. Stavros didn't look bothered in the slightest. As he stopped his launch, he merely stared at Layland as if saying it was time for him to die. Layland frowned underneath his mask. He didn't like where this was going.

The Natural Essence that was filling his body was close to dissolving him. Stavros wouldn't do anything to Layland if he let it happen. Much to Layland's displeasure, the said Centaur was still logical enough to realize it. Therefore, Stavros decided to end it all. He was planning to take Layland down with him.

Layland didn't plan to run away. He wanted to make his Origin consider him as the one who killed Stavros. It was impossible given the development, but he had something in mind to try. Creating hundreds of thousands of cherry blossom petals with [Senbonzakura], he created a sphere around Stavros with them.

Willing them to revolve around Stavros, he forced the air out of the room inside the sphere. He reinforced each of the cherry blossoms with his Demonic Essence, causing the invisible sphere to turn black. Covering it with Mana Barrier next, he took a distance and prepared his defensive measure. Stavros remained silent during all of this.

"May this world survive if I fail to kill you with this!"

Layland scoffed at Stavros' remark. He was amused that Stavros tried his best to regain his consciousness just to say that. Though, he didn't laugh at what was about to come. He understood how fearsome an attack produced by Natural Essence was. He might be in his True Form, but he would still sustain fatal injuries.

"I have been holding on well. I will let the Demonic Essence take over," Layland muttered before closing his eyes.

Then, Stavros detonated himself.

....

BOOM!

Haletha stopped in her tracks as the explosion occurred. The loudness didn't shock her but the amount of Demonic Essence and concentrated Natural Essence did. They weighed down on her. Ignoring the previous clash of the contradicting Energies was taxing enough. The explosion made her want to kiss the ground until it ended.

Everyone in Amizanima felt the same. Regardless of their race, they opted to postpone the fight and focused on withstanding the pressure put on their souls. It was ludicrous to think the clash between two people would produce such a disaster. Both sides felt winning because of the power exerted by their aces but also felt losing at the same time.

Given the magnitude of the clash, it wasn't uncommon for both sides to perish. The Light Elf's side was sure of Stavros' demise meanwhile the Dark Elf's side had high hopes that Layland would survive. The feat Layland managed to achieve had always boggled their minds. They sincerely hoped this time would be no different.

When the explosion ended, the two overwhelming presences disappeared. It was normal to happen after a huge clash, so everyone waited with bated breath. No one moved even though the neck of the person before them was within their blade's reach. They kept waiting before eventually shaking their heads in disappointment after ten seconds of inactivity.

As the Dark Elf mourned for Layland, Eliseus who was in the frontline smirked. A few seconds after, Layland's presence returned at full force, stronger than ever.