Near the shores of Seyil, close to the docks on the northern side.
Galkan's fiery-red hair was saturated with sea-water, droplets of the same liquid trickled down his face and chubby body. He need not keep himself afloat as the water wasn't that deep.
Still, the ground sunk his feet if he stood there for far too long.
That was if he stood there for long amounts of time..
Galkan, however, looked as if he were an afterimage. One moment he was standing under the water, and another he was upon a dark-skinned man with no clothing on.
Using his bulky arms, he pulled back and sent out an overwhelming blow to the dark man's face.
A loud metal ringing echoed in the shores of Seyil.
"You're really durable! I commend you!", Galkan affirmed the man's resilience, smiling and laughing at the same time.
But the man did not care and immediately rushed towards Galkan, the sea water enhancing his chiseled features.
His dark body seemed like metal itself, looking like it reflected the light of the sun and were enhanced with flowing blood.
In response, Galkan sprinted towards the dark man! He ducked and grabbed him by the leg. Then, he pulled out his bulky arms and spun him around like a toy!
He flung the man in the air, shooting him out towards the deeper part of the sea. Before he even touched the surface of the water though, Galkan swam at full tilt with a crazed look on his face.
In a few seconds, he met with the dark man's impact on the surface of the water. Utilizing his lower advantage, Galkan threw a brawny upper cut on the man's back which pushed Galkan down underwater.
Now several feet underwater, Galkan looked up at the filtering light - a distinct black spot blocking the orange light.
Night was arriving fast and all the light would be seeped out from the streets. Galkan had a bad feeling about this so he was determined to finish the battle quickly.
The water around Galkan seemed to increase in temperature, air bubbles escaping from within his body.
Then, the dark man fell, splashing a torrent of sea water a few feet upwards.
Galkan wasted no time.
He squatted down and used the ground beneath him as a propellant.
In a second, he shot up like a torpedo making its way to a target.
Within a few meters away from the dark man, he pulled his arm back and casted a strike that had insurmountable amounts of power - one that seemed to be stronger than his prior blows!
Naturally, the dark man tried to block, yet it was to no avail. Even with his shielded posture of two arms merging with one another, the impact is too strong to block.
His body was alright, sure, but the shockwave that came after the strike damaged his insides.
He flew up in the air once more.
Without giving him time to recuperate, Galkan followed upwards. The crazed fat man sent out another strike, this time with his left fist.
The dark man was sent flying ashore at rapid speeds, he fell down and the sand beneath him exploded!
A 2-meter deep hole formed with the dark man's impact, yet pain never introduced itself to him.
Above that very hole, Galkan appeared, his hands holding his fists as his body exuded a frenzied ambience.
"You ready?", he looked at the dark man, who was sprawled all over the hole as sand began to fall upon him.
The dark man's muscle twitched and that was enough for Galkan to judge his response.
"Good."
Moving the muscles on his legs, Galkan urged to move but was stopped by a sudden occurrence in the far distance.
His head shifted above, staring at a severe jagged lightning that ascended to the skies.
Galkan's eyes dimmed.
"Curses! Ah.."
He looked at the dark man with a disappointed gaze, "I won't be able to enjoy this any further.. I'm going all out."
With that, smoke poured out of Galkan's body, the air around him seemed to get hotter and if one were to take a closer look, it would seem that his body glowed red.
Yet this was no hurdle for the dark man, he swiftly stood up from the hole and leaped towards Galkan, utilizing his fists to strike him in the neck.
However, Galkan caught the dark man's fist and held it with the tightest grip.
Normally, this wouldn't have any effect on the dark man's body but unexpectedly, he began to wince out in pain.
His fist began to melt like metal, the heat emanating from Galkan's hand was enough to subdue the alloyed man's sturdy fist!
One would be happy after winning a tough fight, but Galkan?
His face looked filled with sorrow.
"How utterly disappointing.."
He pushed the dark man back to the hole and started sending out punches one after another. The hole dug deeper and deeper, charring the walls and melting the dark man's body.
For once in this battle, the dark man's jaw shattered and cracked open.
*
Sparks ignite after blades clash upon each other - one belonging to a bright white blade that emanates a glowing light, while the other dyed in red blood and looking akin to an executioner's dagger.
The former is portrayed with two cylindrical curvatures near the hilt of the dagger, while its main edge and tip pointed to the end, looking as sharp as a needle. The hilt itself seemed proper, almost as if belonging to a noble.
Even with its size, it looked durable and could even pierce through metal itself!
Reid carefully traversed the broken cobble path and made his way around battered houses to escape the unknown assailant.
He ran with pace matching that of a horse, casually deflecting the bloodied dagger when it struck.
If it did impact his bright sword, few droplets of blood would fall to the floor and his clothing. Reid did everything to shake this off, he even removed his dashing white cloak as it eventually filled with spots of blood.
He felt that if he were to be soaked in a pool of blood, everything would shift under the assassin's control.
He had to stay vigilant.
So, he did his best to avoid it, yet his speed was moderately outmatched.
Uttering curses under his breath, he turned around to scan the figure of the assassin.
"Damnation! If only I were stronger!"
The assassin's red drapes fluttered along with the hush winds of the docks, its black blindfold seemed particularly alluring, seemingly hiding something behind its dark splendor.
Reid felt weak.
His knees trembled, his heart pounded like hell, his vision became hazy, and his body encapsulated fear.
He gritted his teeth seeing no way to win the battle before him.
Then, Reid was suddenly basked in a pulsating yellow light.
He felt warmth cover his entire body, it was as if he were covered in a hot blanket on a cold serene night.
He shifted his eyes to the side and saw Jones' distinct figure atop one of the brick roofs - his arms were extended forward.
His fatigue instantly vanished, Reid felt energy burst through his veins.
Yet, victory is still far from being achieved.
Reid had only recently ascended to a mid-level Acumen - Bringer - his body wasn't yet accustomed to the changes brought upon by ascension. In actuality, he had only been a low-level Acumen - Seeker - a few weeks ago, so he was not used to being that agile yet.
Moreover, his ability to touch Zeal itself is still a foreign concept. His Zeal had only evolved and could not be utilized that freely, he needed at least months of experience before he could master it whole!
The only thing that he can rely on now is his agile feet, Zeal-seeking eyes, and Jones' remarkable boosts.
With that, he stopped in his tracks and faced the assassin behind him. He held his long-sword with two hands and prepared his resolve.
Yet!
Reid suddenly faced towards the distance, far beyond the town square and onto a circular red dome!
A sudden bolt of green lightning exploded, moving instantly towards the sky and the dome.
He grinned, realizing that hope had returned.
He held his long sword with a firm grip, the doubt within himself had dwindled.
Then, he focused on the red assassin in front of him, his eyes filled with unwavering determination - they glowed a luminous white light.
Reid noticed the assassin's Soul.
It shook and fluctuated, screaming out to leave the very body that it was bound to.
Reid breathed in, calming his nerves and trusting in his efforts. Then, he lowered his body and disregarded his defensive stance.
He carried his longsword parallel to his head and pointed it towards the assassin.
With no words exchanged, the two of them jumped from the ground and met each other's blades!
Blood and sparks precipitated on the ground, loud clanging intensified near the docks.
*
Atop a roof, dozens of meters away from the docks.
Jones watched Reid as he carefully traversed the cobble pavement and houses. Looking as if he were weakened, Jones brought his arms out and casted a boosting spell towards him.
Pale yellow light fluctuated and headed to Reid's body. The effects were instant as Reid no longer felt the fatigue that he felt before.
Alternatively, he showed lesser signs of fear and faced the red assassin head on.
With Cetas' sudden disappearance, Jones attempted to go after him. However, Elishia convinced him to stay and aid Reid in case of an unfortunate occurrence. In his stead, Elishia jumped down from the roof and chased after Cetas.
Before she went out though, Jones already casted a protective spell on her. So that if she ran into any sort of trouble, she would be able to handle herself to some extent.
With that, Jones focused on the fight between Reid and the assassin.
As Reid was about to face his foe directly, a loud thunderclap exploded behind Jones.
He knew that this is where Cetas and Elishia headed so naturally, he was worried.
Turning back, his eyes filled with a radiant green sparkle - reflecting the large green light arising towards the clouds!
His hands shook, and his heart leapt in excitement, joy, and hope.
Opening his mouth, he uttered words out of expression of his bliss.
"So she arrives.. at last."
As the lightning dissipated, a figure covered in green sparks and light green aura floated above a threatening red dome.
Her golden hair swayed, the winds gathered around her, and she held a gun with a cannon-sized barrel.
Then, dark clouds formed above her as the winds turned into piercing gales. She raised her gun to the skies, green sparks shattering all around her.