[i][b]Aserathia, Abaddon and Strength[/i][/b]

Rock and snow flew wildly in all directions upon Strength’s downward punch into the top of the mountain. Adrian jumped back and covered his face as the debris of rock flew around him. Adrian’s black boots crunched as he landed in the snow and huffed, his white breath floated upwards and body violently shook.

“Guess I know why they call you Strength.”

Strength scoffed at this. “For supposedly the brightest of Adramelech’s children, you seem completely oblivious to the larger picture.”

“Larger picture? What’d you mean?”

“If memory serves me, little Sumner, you have an opponent who specializes in ice,” said Strength as he removed his left fist from the crater he created and stood to his full seven foot frame. “At this rate, she’d have your head.”

Adrian’s eyes widened at this, “What? How do you know of Khione?”

“Your father has Eyes everywhere.”

Adrian scoffed at this, “He doesn’t contact me for four years, but he’s watching me? For how long?”

“There isn’t much information your father tells me, but I’d guess for those four years.”

Adrian slowly flexed his stiff and numbing fingers around the grip of the broadsword. [i]“Damn. I can’t take this much longer,”[/i] he thought. “But he tells you enough that you know about Khione and her abilities.”

"Look at you, little Sumner, proving your intelligence. Bravo," he said flatly, before turning his back to him. "You can concede now before I do any real damage. You’re quick, quick enough to evade my blows, but there’s no escaping winter’s cold grasp. Return when you are better equipped,” permitting the dual to end. Adrian's grip around the handle of the sword tightened as his brows furrowed on Strength's retreating back.

"Don't turn your back on me, you son of a bitch," he lunged for Strength, his feet leaving the ground as he flew toward him with his broadsword pointed at his back. Strength shifted his body to the right, as Adrian sped past him, and he grabbed Adrian by the torso, the palm of his hand landing firmly landing on Adrian's back as his large fingers wrapped around his torso. 

"It wounds and angers you to try so hard yet not receive my, or anyone's, recognition, doesn't it?"

"Can you blame me?" he said angrily as he futilely squirmed in Strength's grasp. "You insult me by turning your back to me. My own fucking father and mother don't so much as congratulate me on reaching the number one spot or for working my ass off to get there. Is it so much to ask for a little fuckin' respect?"

Strength laughed, prompting Adrian's anger to grow hotter against the cold, but Strength released his grip around him. Adrian flopped to the ground and he attempted to lift himself up, but to no avail as his feeble arms gave out from under him.

"Be glad I didn't do any serious damage. I'll actually use this sword next time. You better come ready that time as well. However, clothing won't be all you need." 

"The hell are you talking about?"

"Do you know how your father amassed such a massive following in this realm? How he made the humans of this world bow to him and proclaim him as their god?"

"By collecting power and killing anyone who got in his way?"

"Yes, and he faced fearsome foes in the process, but he didn't do it alone. He had help."

Adrian stared up at him before the meaning behind his words finally sunk in. "Fuck off. I can do th-"

Before Adrian could finish his sentence, Strength said, "Dispersus!" and the gladius that was once in his hand disappeared in a blue shimmer of light. He then said, "Arcesso gladio: Porta consectetur!" and the broken, withered sword Adrian previously possessed appeared in his hand. He swung the sword and it ripped the air open. "Sorry to send you away from home again so soon, little Sumner." The spiraling vortex expanded as Strength threw Adrian and the sword into it.