[So you have tamed and enslaved a lightning Djinn? Impressive but not enough.] The guardian said, extending his hand to summon a blue blade.

The guardian slashed the air in front of him and he took a step back.

At first nothing happened. And then one second after the slash, the air heated up. The temperature raised markedly.

After two seconds, the wind picked up and pushed Armad back.

After three seconds, the air caught fire. A massive wall of fire appeared between the guardian and Armad. The bolt he'd launched earlier hit the fire wall and dissipated.

After four seconds, the wall of fire coalesced into a giant fire ball. The fire ball disappeared and when it reappeared next it was an inch away from his face.

From the time the guardian slashed his sword to the appearance of the fire ball only four seconds had passed. The guardian intended to finish him up with the first strike.

Spell activated.

Lightning Flash: attain the speed of lightning for a second.

Cost: 10

Limitations: one minute interval

+20 agility

NB: attributes effect will remain as long as the technique is active.

It was a costly spell but he'd no choice.

Armad disappeared from his position to appear several meters away, leaving a blue flash behind.

The fire ball crushed into the nearest tree, instantly turning it into ash. Its size reduced but it still continued to destroy four more trees before it disappeared.

Armad swallowed hard. It would have been him instead of those trees.

As if that wasn't enough, the guardian swung his blade again. This time a blueish flame came out of the tip of the sword. The flame formed a five-inches wide, circular wheel, which immediately expanded to a meter wide. It expanded again to a hundred meter wide. Before Armad could react, the wheel of fire was already five hundred meters wide, and it started rolling toward him.

Armad saw ashes dripping from behind the wheel. Is that...

Unable to believe it, he took a portion of the white soil and threw it throw the center of the wheel. What passed through wasn't a white soil, it was... a black ash.

The Blue Ashes of Hell... It was a very rare spell used by fire elementals. It was said to be a fire created from the deepest of hells. It turned everything around it to ashes, and then recreate it only to destroy it again. It wasn't a spell you use on a friendly match, it was a spell reserved for the biggest enemies.

Armad's heart pounded. Beads of sweat ran down his face. He didn't want to believe it. The problem with the Blue Ashes was they could be controlled remotely like a missile.

This meant he'd to use that...

You have activated a sword technique.

Preparing your sword...

Armad waited anxiously as the wheel rolled closer.

You have activated Dance of Uncertainty

Cost: 30

Limitations: 1hr interval

+50 agility

+60 dexterity

NB: attributes effect will remain as long as the technique is active.

His sword appeared in his hand but he waited for the ten seconds interval needed to reactivate Lightning Flash.

Lightning Flash activated: attain the speed of lightning for a second.

Cost: 10

Limitations: one minute interval

+20 agility

NB: attributes effect will remain as long as the technique is active.

He now had 70 points in agility which was the requirements. Time stopped momentarily as his figure blurred and disappeared. When he reappeared next, he was hundreds of meters high in the sky, outside the sphere of the blue fire. He disappeared again and reappeared behind the guardian.

"That was truly an amazing display." The guardian spoke with his mouth for the first time. "But you are exhausted."

Armad was gasping and barely standing. His sword blurred and disappeared. The remaining blue flash from the earlier Lightning Flash disappeared and he looked ordinary.

Warning: you have less than 5 life energy. You will collapse if you run out.

"I am exhausted." Armad said, gasping.

"And you are close. Is that a wise decision, young man?" The guardian raised his blade to slash Armad but his sword hand was numb. He looked at the hand in shock. The skin, muscles and bones of the arm were cleanly slashed. Blood splashed on the ground and the white soil turned red.

It's time. Armad smiled. His earlier attack had finally set in.

The guardian didn't scream, but his face was covered in shock. He was uncertain about what just happened.

"Two seconds." Armad said, "that's how long before your body reacts. You were cut so fast and clean that your system has failed to notice in time. Most victims die uncertain about what really killed them. You won't be able to use that hand for another year."

The guardian tied up his bleeding arm, and for the first time, he looked at Armad with respect. "I haven't seen such a beautiful Dance ever since I fought Áyúbu." He threw a small paper at Armad. "Take that, it has the necessary spells to open the door. Goodbye, young man." He turned around and walked away.

Armad frowned as he read the spells on the paper. It was obvious he first needed to find the door before he could even use them.

"Where is the door?"

The guardian didn't answer.

"I am talking to you..." His words stuck in his throat as the ground he was standing on suddenly disappeared and he was whisked away.