Seraphine gazed at the unfolding events with a mixture of unease and caution. Arthur couldn't help but wonder what had shifted her perspective on killing a god. Something had clearly changed within her.
Vesper, now convinced by Watchman's presence, wore a triumphant grin. It was understandable that his confidence had soared with the support of a time-manipulating deity. The first act of the god was to reverse time for the half-giant, erasing his wounds and restoring his strength.
"This is troubling," Sarohan voiced his concern, his white fur bristling. "Not only has Vesper recovered, but he has gained the favor of a god. Could it be that a god has truly descended to confront a demon?"
"No," Arthur replied, his unease growing as he kept his eyes on Watchman. "This is the guest we have been anticipating. However, we never anticipated that he would possess such formidable power. It might be wise for you and your clan to flee."
"We waigas never turn our backs on a benefactor," Sarohan declared, drawing his sword. "According to the Thousand Arms, those who save us become our masters, and it is our duty to aid them until our freedom is restored."
"You owe me nothing," Arthur sighed, turning his attention back to Watchman. "But it would serve me well if you are aware of the identity of that man."
"I have only heard legends of the Keepers of Time," Watchman responded. "These legends speak of an army tasked with reshaping the world according to the gods' desires. They possess the ability to rewrite history, and even a single Keeper should not be underestimated."
"Rewriters of history," Arthur muttered, his brow furrowed. If the gods wielded such power, could anyone hope to stand against them? Even if Arthur managed to defeat this god here, would another simply come and rewind the events, erasing his victory from existence?
"Remind me, what is your name?" Arthur inquired, his uncertainty hanging between the possibility of a forgotten introduction or a name never received.
"I am Sarohan, leader of the waigas clan from Ventlehiem," Sarohan replied with a respectful bow. "Until our debts are repaid, our lives shall be devoted to you."
Though Arthur contemplated turning Sarohan away once more, time had become a scarce commodity. The Watchman, his attention fixated upon them, chuckled to himself while observing the seconds tick away on his pocket watch. Seraphine remained motionless, her countenance an enigma to Arthur.
"Listen carefully, my valiant soldier! To maintain fairness, I grant you a slight advantage," the Watchman proclaimed. "For every three seconds that elapse, you shall gain three seconds of frozen time!"
Vesper's jubilant roar filled the air as he donned the ethereal armor, relishing the opportunity to execute divine judgment upon these sinners. "That is more than sufficient, almighty god! Let your justice be delivered through me!"
"Tick, tock!" Watchman's voice echoed, accompanied by the weight of his pocket watch descending upon its button. Vesper charged forward, aiming to reach Seraphine, who understood the importance of maintaining distance until the three seconds had lapsed.
As she leaped backward, Arthur bore witness to a familiar sight. The world drained of color, but this time, there was a discernible alteration. Vesper had joined Watchman in traversing this grayscale realm, while all others remained frozen in place. The warlord raced relentlessly toward the demon, under the watchful eye of the god perched upon his head.
"Unleash an awe-inspiring spectacle for the gods, Vesper!" Watchman bellowed; his arms outstretched. The colossal figure soared through the frozen domain, ascending towards Seraphine, suspended midair in her immobility. Arthur observed the unfolding scene, his own body rendered motionless.
With a mighty blow, the giant's fist struck Seraphine, yet she displayed no sign of moving. Descending to the ground, Vesper wore a perplexed expression, his expectations unmet.
"Do not despair," Watchman reassured, applying pressure once more to his pocket watch, allowing time to resume its flow. Seraphine was flung through the air, the force of the attack launching her backward. She soared like a broken kite before colliding with a colossal tree, toppling it to the ground.
As life surged back into the world, beads of sweat traced a path down Arthur's face. It was not fear that dampened his brow, but the mental strain of his immobility. Trapped within his own body, he remained conscious but paralyzed. However, Seraphine's condition proved far more dire.
The protective crimson mist that enveloped her had failed to shield her from the assault that transpired during the frozen interval. Emerging from the dusty aftermath, her form bore the wounds of battle, blood trickling from a gash upon her head.
"Watchman," the demon called out, seemingly unaffected by her injuries. Her scarlet eyes blazed with an intensity as if infused with blood itself. Hatred coursed through her gaze as she locked her glare upon the divine entity. "Do you remember who I am?"
Watchman, perplexed, responded with a dismissive shake of his head, a cascade of question marks hovering above him. "Why would I remember an insignificant ant? I hold no recollection of any demon."
"You erased my people from existence, annihilated alongside your formidable army. History will forever remain oblivious to the blood demons due to your actions," Seraphine declared, her steps unsteady as she emerged from the dust cloud. "At that time, every blood demon swore an oath to exact vengeance upon the gods."
"Ah!" Watchman exclaimed, a note of surprise lacing his voice. "But how would I remember that which ceased to exist?" His lips curled into a thick grin, revealing his enjoyment in toying with Seraphine. Arthur sensed that Watchman held her memory close, hidden beneath his fa?ade. "It would be quite inconvenient if the other gods were to discover that a demon managed to escape eradication. You must be... eliminated."
With those words, the fleeting three seconds drew to a close, and Watchman pressed the pocket watch once more. The world surrendered its color, and Vesper charged forward, fists raised to strike the frozen Seraphine. The colossal ethereal fists descended, mercilessly pummeling her head.
Arthur's heart clenched as the crushing blows landed. Regardless of Seraphine's formidable power, she could not withstand a direct hit of such magnitude unscathed. As Watchman pressed the watch again, Seraphine was sent hurtling to the ground, her body crushed into the depths of a giant crater.
Boom!
The entire world quaked, jolting Arthur from his dazed state. He realized that once the three seconds elapsed, he would be the next target. Swiftly comprehending the urgency, he resolved to vanquish the god before that moment arrived. Nightmare materialized in his hand, emitting an otherworldly shriek that captured Watchman's attention. The god regarded Arthur with confusion, question marks swirling above his head.
"That weapon...?" Watchman muttered, his gaze fixed upon Nightmare, his surprise evident. "How can a god-slaying weapon manifest within a tower of such low level?"
1 second.
Arthur stomped upon the ground, propelling himself forward in a determined rush. He understood that evading a god of time was futile, setting his approach apart from Seraphine's desperate evasion. Emerging beneath the towering figure, lightning crackled to life, propelling him towards Watchman.
2 seconds.
As Arthur materialized beside Watchman, his blade found its mark with a resolute strike, aiming to sever the god's neck. The weapon sliced through flesh and bone, causing the divine head to detach from its body.
Two-point-nine seconds.
Relief washed over Arthur as time continued its steady flow, escaping the grasp of temporal suspension. However, his sense of relief proved short-lived, for as his feet were about to touch the ground, the world drained of color once more, mirroring the sudden pallor of his face.
This time, even Vesper remained frozen in the temporal stasis. Arthur's gaze fixed upon the disembodied head suspended in mid-air, witnessing its return to its rightful place atop Watchman's shoulders. The severed wound rewound, as if the grisly act had never occurred.
"That was a close call!" Watchman exclaimed, panic etched across his features as he clasped his head. "He truly caught me off guard with a godslayer blade! How did a human come into possession of such a weapon? We had eradicated them all! Thankfully, the me of ten thousand years ago had the foresight to rewind time the moment I lost my life. Thank you, past self!"
Watchman's gaze fixated upon Arthur, replacing surprise with curiosity. He descended, examining the human from every angle, his attention captured by the enigmatic Nightmare held firmly within Arthur's grasp. The god appeared too engrossed to notice that his allotted time had surpassed, causing the world to regain its vibrant hues.
Arthur seized the opportunity, moving with fluid precision as he swung his blade towards Watchman. The god, seemingly prepared this time, raised his hand, freezing time once more. Gone was the smile that had adorned his face, replaced by a palpable sense of apprehension as his eyes bore into Arthur's.
"This man struck as soon as time returned... Is his perception so keen as to discern my movements? He remains unfazed by my revival and sudden appearance beside him... Is he... aware?" Watchman pondered, his gaze fixed through the lenses, yet Arthur remained unable to move, locked in a state of calm.
Watchman shook his head, dismissing his own theory. "Our manipulation of time is flawless. This man possesses an extraordinary awareness of his surroundings. Regardless... he must be eliminated.
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