The Gods' Decree 196 Like A Leaf In The Wind

?Heaven's art - Gravity?

Around his being something peculiar unfolded as all the crumbled rubble started to float of their own volition. 

This startled the grand elder who knew for a fact this was not due to the activation of the earth element.

Her curiosity became even more piqued when she saw the previous Warhammer that had caused Taf to struggle became like a feather in his hand.

His iron sheen visibly disappeared as he called out once more,

?Elemental Art(Fire)Embodiment?

His body combusted into a searing heat. The heat was so intense a tree nearby combusted into flames. Soon the black charcoal Warhammer became shrouded in red torrent sparks.

"My turn!"

This was the last thing the grand elder heard before Taf went on a rampage. The ground was blasted to bits as he tore through the terrain scorching it with each step.

Wack! 

He smashed his enflamed Warhammer at the grand elder's body who didn't even think to dodge. once more Taf saw that illuminated golden finger aiming to counter.

Contrary to the last experience, This time there was a smile on Taf's face as he uttered in his mind,

?Gravity - Smash?

For the first interval in the battle, there was a change in the expression of the grand elder. She now found that her body felt as though it was cemented to the ground.

It was as though she had no control within a 100-meter radius of Taf.

BOOOOM!

Her qi was finally ignited to the full extent of one within mid-level of the lord realm. Yet she found it was too late as the Warhammer blasted through her qi sending her spiraling through the air.

'It seems you held back significantly in the prior battle with Dar."

The grand elder having finally found her bearing stated. Her body was one of a Martial King so she wasn't hurt whatsoever. It was evident if she was an actual mid-level lord this might have unfolded differently.

?Gravity -Pull?

Taf had no intention of talking giving up this prime opportunity to truly get the upper hand in this battle. Once more he called forth upon his art.

The grand elder then found that contrary to her previous situation her body was being pulled within the path of Taf who blasted from the ground with his hammer in a batting stance.

'Gravity domain?'

She finally saw what truly was unfolding. This was quite the domain yet being one with far too much experience, slight signs were in the application of the domain that Taf was not experienced using.

His methods were far too juvenile for someone with her years of experience.

He was only fifteen so it was quite understandable that though Taf was blessed with talent what he lacked was the multiple years of experience that are necessary to understand an art.

This currently was his undoing when engaged in battle with someone who has experienced innumerable baptisms of fire.

Old Perth's eyes were then closed as her previously ignited qi mellowed and even the illuminated golden finger was no more. The only thing to indicate the use of actual qi was a gold transparent glow that shrouded her body.

Taf became startled as no matter how he willed it her body no longer rapidly descended and became inconsistent. He could no longer plot her trajectory.

'What did she do?'

He questioned in his mind. So far his gravity had no equal when he fought. This was usually the point in the battle where he gained full control. Why was it not working? How is she countering the effect of his gravity?

Taf sought to see through the tactics of the grand elder as he once more activated his gravity but this time its opposite force.

?Gravity -Push?

Visibly before Taf eyes, he saw the grand elder once more ascending but she was like a leaf in the wind blowing.

'd.a.m.n it! she somehow has an art in place that alleviated all ma.s.s within her body, which then made her weightless. Thus my technique though still having an effect is quite minimal. I no longer have control of the direction.'

Taf lamented realizing she was no different than a leaf in the wind. Yes, her movements were out of his sphere of control. It then became unpredictable thus making him lose all previous impetuous gained in the battle.

His gravity was unstoppable when applied to most things, yet there was one important ingredient needed for guaranteed success and that was this object needed weight or ma.s.s of some kind.

"I could do this all day child. The breeze in quite delightful up her."

The grand teased with her hand placed behind her head as though she was on a puffy white cloud enjoying its calming ride drifting in the star-filled skies.

'There must be a counter to this, calm, calm down.'

He took a deep breath of air before taking a moment to exhale as he sought to see through the scenario.

'If i had the element of air this would have been a detrimental mistake on her part, unfortunately, I don't. I'm sure she saw through this in our previous exchange."

This was a pain for Taf as air is the perfect elemental compliment for his gravity. Even if the grand elder became weightless with air on his side he still would have had the upper hand.

'She gained a superb advantage with this weightless technique but what did she lose?'

Taf questioned himself as he observed the floating grand elder above. Soon a realization dawned on him as he started to smirk,

?Elemental art (Darkness) Quintessence of the shadows?

He uttered internally and within an instant disappeared from the ground to the intrigue of the grand elder who looked down below.

'What is he plotting?'

She thought becoming more alert to her surroundings.

Puff!

A black fog appeared within the skies above the floated Old Perth who still remained weightless in counter of his gravity that was in full effect.

?Elemental Art (Fire)Breath of life?

Taf called forth from the black fog as torrent flames immersed from above. It bathed the sky red with no foreseeable escape for the grand elder.

With her Martial king's body, there should be no problem in taking the full attack of Taf's strength. Yet the grand elders hurriedly moved to avoid the flames which was quite peculiar.

She smiled in Taf direction as the flames consumed her body which would roast any normal person. Taf didn't seem particularly worried as only a sigh could be heard from him before he uttered,

"It odd having such a technique used by my opponents. I guess now I finally know what it feels like."

Puff!

The corpse of the grand enter oddly became a white puff of smoke leaving Taf's flames burning itself out of existence. Behind his back, he felt a dagger inches away from severing his spine.

"You saw the weakness in my technique. By alleviating my weight though your gravity lost its effect so too did I lose something equally important, my invulnerability. I knew eventually you would see through this and you did not disappoint."

The grand elder spoke as she removed the dagger claiming victory. Taf then responded dejectedly,

"...and yet still I lost as you were already two moves ahead. I couldn't even force you to use one element in offense."

To his response, Old Perth chuckled as she made her way to the ground before saying,

"It's a part of life child that we lose some battles. I'm sure you will use this as the catalyst to grow. I have shown you some weak points within your arts, how will you improve them?"

Her words echoed in Taf ears as the two within moments were once more seating around the coffee table. Soon Taf stood up as he made his way to the exit. Before leaving he turned around saying with confidence in his voice,

"Thank you, I won't challenge you once more until I am absolutely certain in my victory."

Seeing the determination in his eyes the grand elder heated her tea that was now cold before uttering,

"I look forward to the day."

To be continued

Unedited Version