Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1699 1699: Blood Plan

Fights frequently wrapped up when both combatants unleashed a mighty strike at the same moment.

A fitting end to the clash emerged logically, as the fight had dragged on for a while with the two warriors evenly matched in power.

Should the initial warrior channel every last bit of his power into one ultimate blow, the opponent had no choice but to counter it. Ignoring it was out of the question.

Even when the opponent held the advantage, if that desperate strike from the first could end him, a matching retaliation became essential to dodge demise.

Of course, a vast power gap would eliminate any need for such climactic exchanges. Yet then, the bout would have concluded swiftly right away. It never would have reached this desperate phase.

So, as Sarka stirred awake and lifted her gaze, she grasped the scene instantly. The Dark Knight with his crimson energy and Adam shrouded in darkness came into view.

Positioned across from each other in the arena, a mere blink later their bodies shuddered before smashing together at the heart of the sword field.

'Agh?' Sarka stared in shock while Adam's darkness ripped apart the Dark Knight's field. 'Is he winning?'

Indeed, victory tilted precisely that way.

The Dark Path proved far stronger than either Adam or the Dark Knight anticipated. Even the Silver Weaver felt a hidden awe at the raw force pulsing from its essence.

Adam's original White Path sought to surge toward a far-off target, obliterating all barriers along the way.

Similarity defined the Dark Path. As twin facets of one skill, the Dark Energy infused differences beyond mere destructive output.

Rather than striking a location, it fixated on annihilating the chosen foe. The Dark Knight's demise and utter triumph marked that exact objective for the Dark Path.

Thus, victory demanded the Dark Knight match it with equal defense or offense.

Though his blade and crimson energy formed a mighty arsenal, they fell short.

Then… an event unfolded that Sarka never could have foreseen.

Rather than fleeing, evading, or blasting Adam with his aura to claim triumph and evade doom, the Dark Knight gaped his jaws and chomped straight into Adam's neck.

THRUST!

His fangs plunged deeply into Adam's throat, yet it quickly dawned that slaughter via this savage bite wasn't the aim. Something else drove him.

Adam's eyes bulged in utter shock.

Such a move might come from Sarka or an Alexia type, but the Dark Knight hardly seemed the sort to stoop to it, not even staring down death!

"RGGHHH!!! What the hell are you doing?!" Adam bellowed in agony, delivering his ultimate lunge.

Darkness surged like a tidal wave against the Dark Knight, demolishing his barrier and loosing the Dark Path's complete fury on him.

Energy blades rained down, carving a dozen gaping wounds across the Dark Knight's torso. Agonizing fire streaked over his features, yet his bite only locked firmer.

BLAST!

The dark path's force flung the Dark Knight away, making him crash repeatedly into the earth until halting beside a massive sword.

"Gha… Gha… Gha…"

Gasping raggedly, Adam dropped to one knee.

"Shit," he swore, clutching his neck. His icy fingers met scorching blood gushing fiercely from the wound.

What brought a grin to Adam was the Dark Knight's far graver state.

'His aura,' Adam observed, eyeing the crimson blaze rising from the Dark Knight. 'It's fading. Has he hit his breaking point at last?'

Tap.

Adam detected a presence.

Whirling back, he found the Silver Weaver's palm resting on his shoulder.

'We pulled it off. No clue what that berserk final move meant, but it failed to secure his win or spare his life.'

The Silver Weaver squinted, fixing his gaze on the Dark Knight.

'Those injuries are fatal for a fighter of his caliber. No recovery possible now.

"GHA!"

All at once, the Dark Knight hacked up a chunk of Adam's neck flesh, which dropped into his grasp.

A grim smile twisted his lips as he clutched the sword to his chest and eyed Adam for the final moment.

Adam stood prepared to witness the Dark Knight's closing seconds, honoring his rival's end.

'Any instant now…' He mused. 'Any instant, the spark will die in his gaze, ending it all.'

Whooooooosh!

In a flash, the Dark Knight whipped his left arm while his cape billowed. Thick shadows cloaked his hand once more in ebony layers, revealing all three crimson eyes upon it.

Their gazes whipped wildly left and right before locking still.

"What the…?" Adam muttered, realizing the red eyes weren't aimed at him, but squarely at the Dark Knight.

In moments, a beam of dark light burst from the three eyes, swallowing the Dark Knight whole.

Shock surged into Adam's eyes as he grasped what his foe intended to unleash.

"Hah."

A chuckle escaped the Dark Knight.

"Good luck, Adam."

Right then, the beam of light consumed the Dark Knight completely.

He disappeared from the battlefield entirely, cape, sword, and a chunk of Adam's flesh vanishing alongside him.

Adam and Sarka traded stunned glances, blinking in total disbelief. Speechless, they couldn't fathom the Dark Knight surviving even his desperate flight.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

The instant the Dark Knight bolted from the battlefield, a massive rumble echoed from afar, spinning Adam around.

The Frenzied Shard pulsed its power outward wildly, desperate for a new protector against Adam.

A heavy sigh escaped Adam as he forced himself upright from the ground.

"Either way, it's just you and me here now, right?"