The rain still pattered heavily...
It has been some time now.
Zero lay on his back, eyes closed, body spread out like a canvas.
I was watching the fight since Galerius dragged Zero out of the city and almost killed him.
Galerius is exactly how I remember reading, he is truly worthy of the heroic deeds I read about and legendary background. And has shown himself to be strongest. I was planning on saving mana to escape if Zero died, which I was sure he would have at that time, but he kept being persistent, with plan after plan.
Even when he restored us after Galerius had blasted us, he didn't say a thing to us. He left us both in the dark about his plans.
Then during the final altercation, Yes i could have saved Zero mana by trying to keep myself upright but a part me wanted him to lose and was stubborn about him still fighting.
So I made it difficult, but then he called me a toy! And decided to invade my vessel with his mana threads and just couldn't stand it so I decided to fight with him—and even then he was trying to control me!
Augustus looked down at him.
Truly i have never read or heard anything like Zero before. I've read hundreds of stories and tales of various strong warriors and mages, but not once did I read about someone as brilliant and as tough as him. It's like he thinks on a completely different spectrum to me... or anyone else.
It's even more unbelievable that this is the first time I've seen him fight. The whole month we spent raiding those villages, he didn't lift one finger—he made me do all the work while he either sat and observed me fighting or wandered off, only coming back when the raid was concluded to resurrect the residents.
And he was able to learn Rhythm? I could see him understanding maybe the basic three, but he learned all the advanced versions that fast with no guidance?
And to add to it, he's supposed to be a mage... Mages and fighters have different body constitutions which they're born with. Fighters are naturally made for combat—mentally, physically, overall. Vice versa for a mage and their spells. But there are two main distinguishers: their bones, and their joints. A fighter's bones are thicker, denser, and their joints are slightly smaller—tighter, if you will—making them perfect for intense movement and taking damage. Meanwhile, a mage's bones are thin and hollow. But this allows them to absorb mana and keep reserves, along with casting spells more efficiently.
A mage's soul will always grow stronger while their body lags behind.
A fighter's body will always grow stronger while their soul lags behind.
But a battle mage... they're the best of both worlds. Each benefit is balanced almost perfectly, allowing them to complement each other. This by itself makes them prodigal.
Which explained why he's so tough.
Augustus looked at Zero's skinny body.
But the scary thing is... He hasn't even awakened it yet. Usually, you must train both body and soul to reach the optimum of their potential as a battle mage…
Augustus remembered Zero's final gale attack.
Along with learning gale, his affinity should be chaos, if he doesn't have an affinity mid tier in wind. How could he figure out how to master something he rightfully has no access to? Its impossible.
So much about him I just don't know.
This chaos child has shown: a mind that instantly understands, analyses, and improves anything. Perfect intuition and strategy in combat, along with natural mastery and raw aptitude.
Learns by watching. Grows by thinking. Perfects by once.
This chaos child is a true freak of nature!
Augustus' skull darkened as he looked down red in his sockets, fixed straight at Zero still fast asleep, would it not be better to end him now?
Thunder crackled in the clouds…
Not yet… patience. The moment will come. He thought to himself looking off to the distance the thunder had stopped, the clouds cleared up and rain turned lighter.
"If you're wondering how I survived the concussive gale blast..."
Augustus looked down, surprised to see Zero awake.
Zero was still lying down, looking up at the sky, a smile painting his face.
"After I switched with the clone and fired that beam of thunder, I cast a layered necrotic enhancement on my body strictly for defence, so I could take the blast. But it was so strong it tore through the entire enhancement."
Zero sat up.
"Thank chaos it only took my arm."
Augustus remained quiet.
"Welp!"
Zero stood up, then ripped what was left of his pants off.
"What are you doing?! Sir!"
Arcaeus neighed, startled.
"Give me a minute."
He spread his arms out as a cloak of shadows wrapped around him.
"That's better, but I need to find new clothes quickly... and durable ones at that!"
Even though both undead were skeletons, you could tell they were petrified with great disgust at Zero.
Zero looked at them, perplexed. "What, did you think you were the only one who could summon a shadow cloak?"
Augustus snapped out of it. "No—just— Never mind," he replied.
Zero raised his arms up again. "Okay, if you say so, fellow!"
"Now, where are you, my sweets?" He waved his hands around.
"There."
His staff flew toward one hand and his book flew toward his other from a distance.
He let them go as one attached to the waist of his cloak and the other to the back.
Zero crouched, drawing a little magic circle under him.
"All the dead have been resurrected. I've just kept them in a safe place that Galerius didn't expect. Hehe!"
"Where?" Augustus asked.
"Underground!"
"How did you get—?"
"Nuh-uh, not telling." Zero interrupted, swaying his finger.
"But—"
"Figure it out!" Zero yelled, standing up.
The magic circle was now fully formed as it slowly shone bright. "You've done this many times before. Don't get stumped now."
"But that's diff—"
Zero disappeared in the magic circle.
Augustus sighed. "Where underground?!" he yelled in annoyance.