- Sword of Hisou's Power Level: 10/100
- Borogove's Power Level: 1 x 3 Concepts = 3.
- Concepts Gained in this post: 3 x 2 x 3 = 18.
- Concepts Added in this post: 3 + 4 = 7
- Weapons Created in this post: 2 Concepts worth.
- End Concept Power Level: 12.
- Current Rate of Charging: 3 Concepts per turn.
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The Archer's satisfaction only grew as he analyzed his current situation. The scarlet mist flowing from a nearby branch of the forest, rising up from within his adversary and into the air, then gathering around the sword in his hand, had not shifted in the point from which it emanated, and, better still, had begun to intensify. Streaming into his thoughts from the spiritual energy that had been copied and gathered by the blade's power came the knowledge of his opponent's temperament, and a vague feeling of his powers. Yes, Borogove could perceive the familiar concept of eight elements from within this man's heart, but there were several things off about it. It seemed that whatever conceptual elements he had ties to were somewhat different from the elements of alchemy that the Archer held a connection to. At any rate, if his power was based around elemental control, that was both an advantage and an issue to Borogove. On the one hand, it meant that, if he powered up sufficiently, or if he used the Sword of Hisou's ability to control the weather, he could defend himself from the enemy's attacks directly, something he hadn't been easily able to do against the vastly stronger Goliath and his titanic powers. But, on the other hand, it meant that if his enemy could overpower him, he would hold that same advantage. In short, this fight would likely be decided solely by the strength of the combatants, unless one of them broke out a trump card the other had no knowledge of and no control over. For the Archer, this purpose would have to fall upon the Sword of Hisou. However, he could vaguely perceive something abnormal, a power beyond conventional magic, emanating from his enemy's very being. So, they were evenly matched in that regard, huh? He'd have to play it safe, or else he might fall prey to this unknown threat.
At any rate, it had become clear that the first order of business was to consolidate his energy as quickly as possible, a plan that also seemed to have occurred to his enemy, as the unknown target had yet to move. Normally, this task of empowering him would fall upon the concept
Muramasa, the demonic sword that triplicated the Archer's power. However, in this situation, effectively utilizing that ability would be impossible. As the Sword of Hisou was, quite clearly, a holy weapon, that concept would be instantly rejected by it. But, on the other hand, perhaps that wasn't a bad thing? The enigmatic scarlet mist, the purpose and function of which he had only just discerned, seemed to have much the same effect as the cursed blade the Archer usually favored. From the single concept worth of power he'd just imbued the weapon with, already he could feel at least three concepts returned to his control. So, this sword tripled power even without the influence of
Muramasa? How useful. And, better still, it was a holy weapon, which meant that another, similar power that Borogove held would be oh-so-easy to utilize.
"Concept:
Masamune." With this quiet declaration, Borogove surged the three concepts of power he now held, condensing them into a single ability: the identity of a peerlessly crafted holy sword, the light to balance out the darkness of
Muramasa. While the demonic blade focused solely on power, tripling the energy it was imbued with at the price of either the user's blood or his sanity, its holy counterpart took the opposite approach, maximizing control over the power placed within it, and vastly increasing the efficiency of the energy it was given. Thus, when the Archer deployed this concept, it allowed him to function normally on 1/3rd the power he usually needed, therefore giving him the power to create weapons and concepts three times faster than he usually could. The scarlet mist around the sword emitted a vermillion-streaked white light as this ability became an intrinsic part of the weapon's identity, permanently enhancing its nature. But, it did not stop at the concept's normal function.
The Sword of Hisou, as Borogove had already realized, was a Holy Sword. Therefore, it would have been simple to just add the additional element of Muramasa's efficiency to the already-existing concept, barely expending any power at all. But the Archer wasn't content with just the usual level of efficiency. No, he wanted to go above and beyond his normal limits, breaking through them and attaining a level of unprecedented power. And so, instead of simply enhancing the already existing concept, he chose to create a completely new one, then combine it with the first, effectively doubling the powers of the Holy Sword concept the blade already held. With this power, he could operate 6 times more efficiently than he usually could. But that wasn't all. With the enhancement of the blade's scarlet mist to triple his base energy capacity, he could, in effect, work 18 times faster than his basic level.
Perfect. With this blade, he wouldn't have to waste time struggling to match his opponent's power. Right from the very start, he'd be able to fight on equal terms with his enemy. Even with the trump card that foe held, whatever it might have been, he'd have his own already prepared to match it. But, at the same time, he couldn't risk deploying the Sword of Hisou recklessly. That would give his opponent time to understand, and to counter the weapon. But if the Archer held it in reserve until the time in which it was needed, he would be able to attack suddenly and without warning, utilizing a blade his opponent wouldn't be prepared to deal with.
And so, condensing his power once again, the archer charged another concept into the Sword of Hisou. Almost instantly, the blade set to work, and, within a few moments, it had been tripled, then hextupled in efficiency. When the power returned to him, he had a truly staggering 18 concepts left to work with. This would be the reserve of energy he would draw from to last him while he gauged the enemy's combat style, and discovered how to counter it. With it, and whatever power he managed to deploy during the battle itself, he'd be more than ready to deal with his enemy's attacks, no matter how versatile they were. Reasoning thus, he withdrew his power into himself, and dismissed the scarlet-bladed sword in his hand, allowing it to vanish into the golden ripples from whence it had come. At once, the scarlet mist now beginning to fill the air dissipated, dispersing into the heavens. At the next moment, however, something unusual happened. The previously clear sky clouded over and, tainted by the temperament within the scarlet mist, abruptly changed. A mighty wind picked up, blowing fiercely down upon the thick woods, and carrying with it a sudden torrent of snow. In an instant, the day went from total clarity to a frightfully howling blizzard.
So... This is the weather-controlling power of the Sword of Hisou? Or, more accurately, this snowstorm is the form of my opponent's temperament. Troublesome. Thinking these thoughts, the archer set about creating himself a weapon. Deploying a full six concepts for the job, he created a favorite bow of his, a broad, yet compact armament mounted in a gauntlet on his wrist. (Bow pictured in Borogove's second photo.) Made from an unknown substance that was metallic and hard, yet flexible and limber, the black weapon was capable of folding up and contracting to form a small yet durable arm bracer, or expanding to form a full-sized longbow. Folding it out, the Archer tested the string while at the same time setting about his work. Within a few moments, the bow flashed a faint shade of gold, and the work was done.
One concept for the bow itself, another for the arrow. The remaining four can go to... let's see, I'll need efficiency to continue creating ammunition. Masamune, then. As for the other, these winds might very well prove troublesome for shooting in. I'll cancel that out and increase the shot's power in one fell swoop. Air concept, then. Now, for the arrow... The Archer thought to himself. Setting aside the nature of the completed bow for the time being, he used his last concept to create a final weapon. A black shape took form within the Archer's free hand, forming the handle and blade of a long-bladed broadsword. In the next instant, however, this silhouette shifted and warped, collapsing upon itself and twisting outward, going from a flat edge to a spiraling, serrated drill-shape that was much more compact, and, because of this, much more condensed in its power than the original sword.
The hilt abruptly split to form a notch to fit the string of the bow, and, smiling contentedly, the Archer swiftly knocked the projectile to the unfolded weapon on his wrist, keeping the string taunt, yet not drawing it back. The falling snow whirled around him as the air abruptly began to twist and collapse, then expanded outward rapidly, creating a shockwave at the exact instant that Borogove, bracing himself, leaped upward, kicking up a deluge of white as he rose rapidly into the air, landing in the branches of a tree before repeating the jump. Following the trail of power left by the scarlet mist, he swiftly closed in on his target, already prepared for battle.
Stopping his motion within the high boughs over a small corridor made by the trees, he let his eyes dart keenly about, and, a moment later, he located the target he sought. The sword-arrow gleamed maliciously as he raised the bow, taking aim and drawing back the string. Satisfied with his aim, he held his breath, and then released the shot. With a powerful twang, the string snapped back, and, hissing as it flew, the air gathering around it and propelling it like a rocket straight towards the target's back, the sword rushed towards its intended victim, spinning so quickly that its protruding spikes created a literal tornado of displaced air in its wake, whirling its lethal point with enough energy to have bored clear through steel with ease. He was several dozen yards away, but the projectile, propelled by the air around that, would clear that distance almost instantly. Although he doubted that the surprise attack would do much damage to his clearly prepared target, it would nevertheless do exactly as it was intended to. It would give his preoccupied enemy almost no time to dodge, even if he noticed the shot before it was fired. He would likely, thus, be forced to defend himself, which would in turn mean that Borogove could appraise his foe's powers, and almost immediately act to counter them. And, if everything went as planned, the sword might just break in the attack, giving him a little something else to work with, when the time was right...
"The Apocalypse is basically just a tutorial." - Sicon112.
"Due to the ambiguity of this wording, I am unable to determine whether or not I am the leader of the X-Men!"
"UNIVERSE-BREAKING EPILEPSY RAVE!" - AMimsyBorogove