If there is one thing that makes the Archangels a very unique bunch, it would definitely be their quirkiness. Each one of them was different from normal people in one way or another. That's why people feared them and saw them as a threat even at the level of Virtues.
They were a borderline insane and psychotic bunch who could do unexpected things at unexpected times. However, in this group of misfits, Arthur stands out like a sore thumb.
His appearance, demeanor, character, and everything about him looked so… underwhelming compared to the others. He was by far the most sane-looking Archangel, however, considering how the others were simply crazy, the fact that he was the only one who didn't look the role was unnerving.
As far as the others knew, Arthur was an average kid from an average family who only discovered his abilities when he was around 12, and then because of Divinity's offer to his family -which was money-based- he joined as an ascender.
One way or another, he ended up rising quickly in power because of his smart brain and good talent which ended up putting him where he was. If the people he interacts with were asked about him, they would sing his praises for his kindness, heroic spirit, and good nature. Well, everyone except the other Archangels themselves.
They all hated him, equally and nobody knew why.
"If you try to fuck with me again, I will cut your head off." Lola threatened before she quickly spun around, only to see V had appeared behind her, ready to deliver a sneak attack.
But, Lola's body suddenly sizzled with lightning. Her eyes turned a clearer shade of blue as she manifested a lightning ball in her hand.
*BANG*
V's punch connected with the lightning ball in a mesmerizing show of light. The lightning ball dispersed everywhere.
"Sneak attacks don't work on me, old man," Lola said as she charged her arms before she punched back at V.
*BOOOM*
The latter could only cross his arms and tank the hit. At the same time, Arthur moved at top speed toward the other Executioner.
Q shot a few bullets at him that the latter shockingly deflected with his blade as if it were nothing. Then, when he was close enough, Arthur's expression suddenly changed from calm and collected to a disturbing grin for a split second.
Q's eyes blinked in shock as he was about to dodge. However, because of what he saw, his reaction was a little bit slower than he intended it to be which gave Arthur a glaring opening he could use to deliver a lethal strike.
The options were countless, the head, the arms, the shoulders, or even a simple stab to the heart, he could do any of them.
'I'm dead!!'
However, shockingly enough for Q, the handsome Archangel didn't do any of that. Instead, he swung his sword horizontally, aiming for Q's neck which was the furthest part away from Arthur and by far the worst choice possible for attack.
*Swish*
A second passed and Q found himself dodging the looming blade by a hair's breadth. Jumping back, he exhaled a long breath with a difficult expression. His arm touched his neck as he glared at Arthur.
"Why?" He asked coldly.
On the other side, Arthur's expression returned to its normalcy as he tilted his head in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
"Why didn't you kill me?" Q asked with a serious frown. He was certain that Arthur noticed those openings and he was also certain that the handsome Archangel could've easily killed him. Yet, he didn't, and that made Q even more perturbed. Something was off… Very off about his enemy.
"Ugh, I'm sorry, I thought I could strike your neck. I guess I was wrong." Arthur chuckled awkwardly as he scratched the back of his head.
However, that answer only further solidified Q's suspicion.
Clenching his teeth, Q picked up his gun and aimed it at Arthur.
"Don't you fucking dare toy with me, bastard!!"
Staring at Q, Arthur's eyes changed for a split second as he murmured in response. "Let's settle this."
***
At the same time, far away from the conference room. The fight between Kai and Grey was raging like never before. A whole section of the castle had been pulverized as if it never existed and countless pillars that held the castle from collapsing were disintegrated completely.
Amidst this destruction, two silhouettes moved at inhuman speed as they clashed violently. Each clash would send ripples of energy everywhere, destroying every nook and cranny of the area.
Grey's face looked deadly serious as he fought using all his power. Even after using his new techniques, he wasn't able to overwhelm Kai at all. In fact, he was getting completely beaten up, one-sidedly.
'His fists are like fucking tons of rock condensed into punches.' He cursed as he guarded against an attack that sent him flying. The attack made his bones shudder and his muscles spasm.
Kai then vanished and appeared beside him like a horrifying ghost before he kicked him mid-air, sending him stumbling away.
Looking at Grey from afar, Kai's cold expression subtly frowned.
'He's technique is annoying. It ignores all my defenses and strikes my internal organs directly. Where did he come upon that?' He thought to himself. 'Well, it doesn't matter anymore.'
With each time they clash, Grey would find an opportunity to strike Kai with his technique. Granted, Kai can easily heal internal injuries in seconds. However, that didn't spare him from the hellish pain that comes with each attack. It was akin to someone taking his insides and blending them in a blender.
"Fuuh…" Exhaling a small breath, Kai spoke. "You can't beat me. Give up and don't prolong this useless fight."
Approaching Grey who was struggling to stand up, Kai kicked him in the face, sending him flying away.
"We both know that you can't beat me. You never did and you never will."
"Shut up…"
"Seeking revenge? For what? For your foolish thought that you could kill me? Or maybe for those words you said to me 5 years ago?" Approaching Grey again, Kai punched him in the face, breaking a few of his teeth.
"You're too delusional, Grey and I despise delusional people more than anything else."
"I said shut up!!!" Grey yelled as he rose up and tried to attack Kai.
But, before he could do anything, Kai had already delivered another attack aimed at his neck.
"BLURGH!!" Feeling himself suffocating, Grey fell down, heaving powerfully. His eyes widened with rage, pain, and madness.
"Training won't work and hatred won't work either. You can't kill me with those things alone. I know that more than anyone else." Kai explained before he lifted Grey by the neck.
"Now, before I kill you. I want to know, what is it that you want from Eva? What does she have in her main talent? Tell me."
Grey struggled slightly before he grabbed Kai's arms. "Fuck… You!!" He yelled wickedly.
"Internal force: Second Technique; Rippling Devotion!!" Immediately, a huge ripple of Origin energy spread from Grey's arms toward Kai's body. The latter instantly threw Grey away violently before he channeled his Origin.
His eyes turned colder as he felt extreme pain fill his entire body. It was even worse than the pain he felt from the previous attacks… far worse.
'Annoying…' He cursed inwardly.
From the other side, The man stood up.
"Now! Do it!!" Grey yelled suddenly.
Instantly, Kai felt things starting to move around him. The black shadow walls were shifting.