The sky was still a crimson sea, as if the veins of the universe had been torn open, its life force spilling onto the Earth. Amidst the dust clouds of destruction, Aziel tried to shake off the shock of the strange energy burst from his hands. The purplish light instantly turning the cosmic creature's tough hide to dust was an illogical event for him. This was not something an ordinary human could do. He looked at his trembling palms; he still felt that burning, that tingling sensation. This was an internal, controllable power. Mana… The ancient whisper echoing in his mind had now become a reality.
Aziel looked at the desperate crowd around him. Their eyes held only traces of fear and panic. However, a few people, who had witnessed his annihilation of the colossal creature, now had a glimmer of hope in their gaze. These looks settled on his shoulders like a heavy burden. He was no longer just Aziel; he was the last hope of the survivors, perhaps even of humanity.
With a mixture of fear and curiosity, he brought his fingertips together again. He focused on that new, unfamiliar sensation in his mind. The purplish light shimmered again, this time more controlled, more serene. A small sphere formed, and Aziel felt the warmth emanating from it as he held it in his palm. This could be a destructive force, but it could also be a protective shield. The ability of infinite transformation… He was only just beginning to grasp what this meant. Could he transform mana into any form? Into an object, an energy barrier, or perhaps even his own body? This thought alone strained his mind.
He took a deep breath. The rise of the ancient lineage and mana within him was elevating his body and mind to a new level. His muscles felt tighter than ever before, his reflexes sharpened with lightning speed. He could hear the faintest whisper from among the ruins, and his eyes could discern movements even in the dimmest corners. These new senses allowed him to perceive order within the chaos.
Just then, another explosion echoed. This time, it came from the top of a massive skyscraper nearby. His eyes quickly darted to that point. On the skyscraper's summit, a dark and elegant figure appeared. This was very different from the cumbersome cosmic creatures he had seen before. It had two large, dark wings, covered in scales that glittered like starlight. Its eyes were filled with a cosmic coldness, as if containing all the ice of the universe. This being was Nyxar, the first hunter sent by the Divine Sovereigns to find Aziel.
Nyxar glided down from the skyscraper's peak towards Aziel. Its movements were filled with a deadly grace. From its belt, it drew a mana-glowing sword, etched with ancient symbols. The blade seemed to be carved from the darkness of night, each shimmer equivalent to the death of a star. Nyxar's lips parted, and its voice, echoing over the roar of the surrounding destruction, resonated: "Your existence tears the fabric, mortal. You are a flaw in the divine order."
When Aziel met Nyxar's gaze, he felt a moment of hesitation despite the surging power within him. The power of this being was unlike anything he had encountered before. Nyxar was not an ordinary monster, but a being woven from mana itself. Aziel understood, with a whisper from his blood's legacy: Nyxar was a Mana Guardian, one of the Divine Sovereigns' most loyal enforcers.
"I am not the one tearing the fabric," Aziel retorted, his voice resonating with surprising determination. "Your blind order has corrupted this universe. I am merely awakening!"
Nyxar's eyes narrowed. "Blasphemy. Your existence is a threat. And all threats must be eliminated." It swung its sword. Mana formed a purplish aura around the blade, and Nyxar lunged at Aziel with incredible speed. Its movements were so swift that even Aziel's newly awakened senses could barely follow.
Aziel instinctively raised his right hand and focused on the mana in his mind. A purplish shield appeared around his body. When Nyxar's sword struck Aziel's mana shield, the shockwave from the impact shattered the surrounding debris. The shield trembled for a moment but repelled Nyxar's blow. Aziel felt a sharp pain in his arm; the shield hadn't held perfectly. But at least it had absorbed the blow.
"Surprising," Nyxar said, an expression appearing on its face for the first time—a slight astonishment. "A mortal able to withstand a Mana Guardian's blow. Your blood is indeed as powerful as rumored."
Aziel took a step back despite the pain. Creating the shield had consumed more energy than he had anticipated. But this was just the beginning of infinite transformation. He should be able to use mana not just as a sphere or a shield, but as something more. His mind began to delve into the depths of ancient memories. The blood pact, the noble lineage… How had they used this power?
His eyes swept over the surrounding destruction. Metal shards, concrete blocks, cables lying on the ground… Infinite transformation… Aziel focused his mana and extended his hand. A metal rod on the ground began to change shape before his eyes. First, it elongated, then sharpened, its surface beginning to glow. Mana was reshaping the metal, transforming it into a lighter, stronger, sharper form. In seconds, a glowing, mana-infused staff, resembling a sword, appeared in Aziel's hand. This was not merely a weapon, but the embodiment of his will.
Nyxar's eyes widened. "Impossible! Such pure transformation of mana… You are an exception. And exceptions must be eliminated!"
Nyxar attacked again, this time with faster, more furious energy. Its sword left trails of purple light in the air. Aziel countered with his newly acquired staff. The clang of their clashes echoed through the ruined city. Each blow sent shockwaves through Aziel's body, but the staff, being made of mana itself, absorbed and reflected the impacts. Aziel's movements were fluid and powerful, as if this martial art had been bestowed upon him at birth. The ancient warrior's legacy in his blood had awakened.
For a moment, a new image flashed in Aziel's mind: one of his ancestors, using the same movements, impaling a cosmic being with a mana-infused spear. This memory inspired him. Aziel awaited Nyxar's next move. Nyxar circled Aziel, seeking a weak point. As it swung its sword again, Aziel moved abruptly, ducking, and swung his staff towards Nyxar's left wing.
When the mana staff struck Nyxar's wing, there was an explosion. Nyxar recoiled with a cry of pain, particles of purple light scattering from its wing. It clutched its sword tighter. "This mortal… He cannot go this far!"
Aziel was tired but determined. He had to win this battle. This would determine the fate of not just himself, but all of humanity. Nyxar's injured wing gave him an advantage. Aziel transferred all his mana into his staff. The staff began to glow with a dazzling purple light. His infinite transformation ability transformed the staff into a larger, more destructive form. The staff turned into a spear, and then into a sharp, mana-laden javelin.
"Retreat!" Aziel roared, his voice now imbued not just with superhuman power, but with divine authority. "Your order does not prevail here!"
Aziel hurled the javelin with all his might at Nyxar. The javelin tore through the air, leaving a purple trail behind it. Nyxar's eyes widened in surprise. It had not expected this power to evolve so rapidly. It raised its sword, but it was not enough against the javelin's speed and power. The javelin struck Nyxar in the chest.
With a cosmic explosion, Nyxar's body disintegrated. Particles of purple light scattered, then slowly vanished into a cloud of dust. Nyxar was gone. The Divine Sovereigns' first hunter had been defeated in the first step of the Cosmic Rebirth.
Aziel sank to his knees, breathing heavily. His mana was almost depleted. His body trembled, but this time not from fear, but from a mix of triumph and exhaustion. The people around, having witnessed the battle from afar, held their breaths. Now, with Aziel's victory, a faint applause began, then grew, turning into a cheer rising amidst despair.
However, this victory also created a ripple. In the ancient hall of the Divine Sovereigns, Eon was taut on his throne. Nyxar's mana signature had suddenly disappeared. This was unacceptable. Another Mana Guardian, obliterated by a mortal.
"Nyxar is gone," Terra said, her voice filled with astonishment.
Umbra grumbled. "It seems this mortal is more dangerous than we thought. His infinite transformation ability is evolving with every passing moment."
Eon's eyes gleamed even brighter. "This is just the beginning. This mortal does not understand the limitations we have set. But he will learn. We will teach him what cosmic order truly is."
Eon raised his hand. On the galactic map, the planet where Aziel's mana signature was located glowed red. "Send a new hunter. Stronger. More ruthless. And show him that this 'Lord of Mana' cannot defy the laws of the universe."
As Aziel rose from his knees, he looked at the ruined city. There was weariness in his eyes, but also a new determination. He knew this war was not over. In fact, he felt it had only just begun. The ancient whispers from his blood's legacy still told him that much remained to be discovered. The wisdom of ancient vampires, the power of celestial gods… All of it slumbered within him. Aziel was determined to shatter the divine laws of the universe and usher in a new era. This was only the first step of his Cosmic Rebirth journey.