As Liu Qing took his fourth step, no thunderclap rang in his ears as he had expected, nor did any memories surface. Before him stood only Arceus, staring straight at him. With a roar, Arceus blazed with sacred radiance and charged at him.
"Arceus, legend says you were the first life born from chaos, and that you created the world. Whether that legend is true or not, I respect you!" Liu Qing calmly watched Arceus charge. Without the slightest fear, he moved forward to meet the attack and shouted, "But respect doesn't mean fear. I'm not afraid of you!"
At these words, Arceus seemed provoked into anger. With another roar, Arceus continued charging furiously toward Liu Qing. Liu Qing did not so much as blink. Under the crushing pressure, even his bones seemed to crack, but he refused to give up and struggled to lift his foot for another step forward.
Closer, closer. Liu Qing felt as though every bone in his body had been crushed into countless fragments. His head swam, and only his final conviction remained. As Arceus came within arm's reach, he roared and threw himself forward.
Yet, to Liu Qing's surprise, the impact he had expected never came. The instant Arceus's body touched his, it seemed to turn into an illusion and passed straight through him. Liu Qing then realized he could no longer move. A moment later, his vision went black. He could see nothing and sense nothing.
That sensation seemed to last only an instant, yet also an eternity. After an unknown span of time, Liu Qing faintly heard battle cries, screams, furious shouts, and the clang of clashing weapons...
The sounds seemed to come from the edge of the sky, drawing closer and closer. Suddenly, light filled Liu Qing's vision. Yet the first