Chapter 99:
Title:The Final Gambit
The battlefield was a maelstrom of destruction, the air thick with the oppressive weight of Headless's Shen. Even wounded, his aura pulsed with a terrifying intensity, the energy swirling around him like a storm. The gaping wound in his chest began to mend, the flesh knitting itself together at an unnatural speed. But the cost was steep—half of his remaining Shen energy was consumed in the process and healed up his wound.
Headless's voice echoed across the battlefield, cold and commanding. "Shen Transformation: Cursed Head."
From his headless form, a human head emerged, rising grotesquely from his neck. It was the first time Headless had revealed his true face, and it was a sight to behold. His eyes snapped open, glowing with an eerie, otherworldly white. A surge of power erupted from his body, a shockwave that sent debris flying in all directions.
**BOOOOOOM!!!**
Rajesh chuckled, his voice tinged with both amusement and grim determination. "So, you're finally ready to finish this off," he said, rising to his feet. He turned to the team, his expression serious. "This is his final form. He's been fighting blind, relying solely on his sensory abilities. Now that he can see us, he's going for the kill. Be careful."
As if on cue, Headless swung his hand forward, a casual motion that belied the devastating power behind it. Rajesh reacted instantly, grabbing Sakamoto and leaping backward just in time to avoid the attack. Jayesh, with his incredible speed, managed to distance himself as well. But Dinesh wasn't so lucky.
**SLASH!!!**
The invisible force struck Dinesh, cleaving him in two. Blood splattered across the ground, the gruesome sight sending a chill through the air. Dinesh's body crumpled, lifeless, as the battlefield fell silent for a brief moment.
Sakamoto's eyes widened in shock as his vitals in his body hits its limit . "He… he one-shot him," he muttered, his voice trembling.
Rajesh's expression darkened. "I told you. He's not holding back anymore especially now that he can see very well."
Jayesh's face twisted in rage, his fists clenching as he stared at Dinesh's lifeless body. Without a word, he blitzed forward, his speed a blur as he closed the distance to Headless. But Headless was ready.
"I can see you," Headless muttered, his voice calm and mocking. He sidestepped Jayesh's attack with ease, grabbing the man's head and slamming him into the ground.
**CRUNCH!!!**
Jayesh's body was used like a ragdoll, his head smashing into the ground repeatedly before Headless hurled him into a stone wall. The impact sent cracks spiderwebbing through the structure, dust and debris raining down as Jayesh slumped to the ground, unconscious.
Headless turned his attention to Rajesh and Sakamoto, his steps deliberate and menacing. "Sakamoto," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "You've been a thorn in my side for too long. I'm done chasing you. Now, I'll kill you after all your body isn't needed just your power"
Rajesh stepped forward, his body igniting with flames as he prepared to activate his Phoenix mode. But before he could, Sakamoto's eyes closed, and an invisible force pinned Rajesh to the ground. It was Sakamoto's shadow clone, unseen but undeniably present.
"It's my fight now, Rajesh," Sakamoto said, his voice firm. He walked forward, his body vanishing in an instant.
**WHOOSH!!!**
Sakamoto reappeared behind Headless, his hand partially transformed into his Most Dark form, a massive axe materializing in his grip. With a swift, powerful swing, the axe connected with Headless's neck.
**CRACK!!!**
The ground beneath them shattered from the force of the blow, but Headless remained standing. He turned, his expression one of mild surprise. "An instantaneous ability," he mused, his voice calm. "Impressive. If you had the strength, I might have been finished. But you don't."
Headless lunged forward, his hand reaching for Sakamoto. But Sakamoto vanished again, reappearing beside Rajesh. Headless chuckled, his golden eyes narrowing. "Very bad for you," he said. "Since you lack the strength,there will be no entertainment for me I'll just have to end this now."
**BOOM!!!**
Headless blitzed forward, his target clear it was Sakamoto, But at the last moment upon reaching him, he changed course, aiming straight for Rajesh, who was still pinned down by Sakamoto's shadow clone. Just as Headless was about to grab him, Rajesh vanished, reappearing in Sakamoto's shadow plain.
"Incredible," Rajesh muttered, his voice filled with awe seeing the beauty of the Shadow Plain . "The shadow plain… its possibilities are endless." He said.
Headless turned to Sakamoto, his expression dark. "So, you saved the only one who could fight me on equal footing," he said. "Very well."
He swung his hand again, the same invisible force that had killed Dinesh. Sakamoto knew the attack was coming and instantly swapped places with a shadow, vanishing just as the force struck.
**KABOOM!!!**
The ground where Sakamoto had stood was obliterated, the force of the attack scattering debris in all directions. Sakamoto reappeared at another position, his breathing heavy. Headless repeated the attack, and again, Sakamoto swapped places with a shadow.
**WHOOSH! KABOOM! WHOOSH! KABOOM!**
The cycle continued, Headless's attacks growing more furious as Sakamoto danced between shadows, his movements becoming slower with each swap. Headless smirked, his golden eyes gleaming with triumph. "I've figured you out," he said. "The more you use that technique, the slower you become. You don't have enough Shen to keep this up."
Sakamoto's body trembled, his energy waning. Headless blitzed forward, his hand closing around Sakamoto's throat.
**CRACK!!!**
Sakamoto struggled to breathe as Headless pinned him to the ground, using him like a battering ram to scatter the terrain. He smashed Sakamoto left and right, the force of each impact sending shockwaves through the battlefield.
**BOOM! CRASH! BOOM!**
Finally, Headless leaped into the air, hurling Sakamoto to the ground with devastating force.
**KABOOOOOM!!!**
Sakamoto's body crashed into the earth, his back slamming against the ground with a sickening crunch. His vision blurred, his body going limp as he lost consciousness. But before his eyes closed completely, a faint smile crossed his lips. He was glad Rajesh was safe. He hadn't dragged him further into this mess.
As Sakamoto's eyes closed, his fingers twitched, a faint snap echoing through the air.
**SNAP.**
Something stirred within him, a power long dormant awakening , something ancient,the birth of a race. The last thing anyone heard was a voice, deep and resonant, filling the battlefield with an unshakable authority:
"Touch not My anointed, and do no harm to My S-A-C-R-E-D."
--
End Chapter.