Lyrcial Nanoha: The Belkan War
Disclaimer: MSLN isn't mine, though everything in this story is and is pure speculation on my part about the past of the Wolkenritter.
Bold and Italics represent the speech or telepathy of the Devices. Also, I know that Belkan Devices speak German, but for the sake of the majority of people out there who do not know how to pernounce the German dialect, they will be in english after the initial German name of their powers.
Also, this is my spin on the Authurian Legend of the Lady in the Lake. None of this is actually recorded, but I thought it would be interesting.
Chapter 3: The Trial Pt. 1
The day of the trial saw Omega Opel waking before dawn's light on horseback traveling to the fabled lake where the King of Belka had been gifted Excalibur from the lady in the lake. Kneeling before the edge of the body of tranquil waters, he clasped his hands together in prayer.
"Sacred Lady of the Lake. I beseech thee to grant me audience. There are times approaching the near future where I fear for this nation. Be ye merciful and gracious to hold council with me."
Omega remained in his position for what seemed like hours repeated those words quietly. His horse, tethered to a tree closest to the waters so it could drink, shied away from the lake's edge when the waters suddenly rippled from the center of the body of water. A single arm portruded from the surface of the fog covered waters and gestured as a voice permeated through the air.
"Who art thou who calls upon me specifically during this early hour? I would here you and take council with you if I but knew your name."
"Omega of House Opel."
There was a stagnant pause and the arm retracted into the waters. Omega swallowed and watched the waters carefully, wondering if his name was the cause of this sudden change. When the waters directly in front of him suddenly parted to reveal a narrow staircase traveling toward the middle of the lake, he jumped back a few paces. Following the trail with his eyes, the stairs stopped at a sealed stone gateway. There was no building around it, only the gateway itself.
"Omega of House Opel. Please, do enter. There is much to discuss and you have little time to spare today do you not?"
Placing his hand over this heart, he checked his breathing. Not realizing that his breathing had become erratic at the sight before him. Calming himself a bit, he tentatively stepped down the stairs and made his way to the gate. As he came closer to the doorway, he could see a carved motif of a coat of arms and shield maiden's on either side of the display. Arriving just in front of the doors, the gateway opened inward. Stepping through the darkened opening he glanced left and right in amazement as he entered into a proverbial Garden of Eden. He honestly didn't know where he was, but he certainly didn't mind it.
Walking down the garden stone path, birds flew back and forth through the numerous fruit and nut trees. Other numerous animals lived among each other in harmony. Wolves with deer, and other carnivores with herbivores without fear. As he approached a circular clearing, his eyes landed on a beautiful, middle aged woman of silver hair and silver eyes that held no irises. The woman turned to face him with a patient smile.
"You appear to be someone with much on their mind and shoulders for one so young. What is so desperate that you would come to beseech me?"
Kneeling before her with his head kept low, Omega thought about his opening words a bit before beginning.
"I come before you with heartfelt concern for the Kingdom of Belka as a whole Lady of the Lake. After I retrieved the sword Levantine from Bloodbane, I saw ominous portents of the future. As the one who bestowed my King's Excalibur to him. I thought that you would be able to provide some enlightenment for my muddled mind."
The woman looked to the small furry creature she cradled in her lap before nodding once. Turning her attention back to him, she bid him to lift his face.
"I am surprised that you would not request assistance from the young King's advisers or his Knights of the Round."
"With due respect my lady, the portents I saw were of traitors and wicked aristocrats, though specific faces were never revealed to me. I can't trust anyone with my mind's thoughts when I've only just returned to the Kingdom's homeland."
Nodding at his words. The Lady of the Lake stood after shooing away the fluffy animal in her lap. The woman wore a long single piece gown that sparkled like a million stars at night. Motioning for him to follow her, Omega stood and shadowed her as she proceeded further into the garden. As they entered another clearing, she approached a seat with a small table in front of it. Taking a seat, she motioned for him to join her at the table. Walking to a chair and bringing it to the table, he took a seat opposite of her.
"Though I am not to meddle in the affair of the world directly, I can offer you the council and thoughts you desire to sort out."
"You have my thanks. The Queen is my main concern. She is a kind and nurturing, and I am afraid that those who would harm his Majesty would use her as the main form of attack." When he noticed that he was being closely listened to, he continued. "My late Father's dying wish was that I protect her through any means possible. He desired that I form a personal retinue of knight loyal to her alone, and no one else, not even the King."
The woman smirked and crossed her arms across her chest. Looking at him through slit eyes, she suspected where he was going with this.
"Are you asking, in a rather round about method, the grant them blades and shields as I gave the young stripling King?"
"I was not to that point yet and that was not my original intention. The son of Merlin is trustworthy, and I've resolved to create their arms and armor with his assistance. I was going to ask if there were any way possible to cancel Excalibur's power should it ever turn against her Majesty."
Omega's inquiry made the mystical woman pause for a moment. She herself knew of the weapon's power quite well, yet his goal was intriguing.
"You desire a fail safe should Excalibur ever be stolen and turned against the Queen. Hmm. I can see where you are coming from."
Bowing his head a bit, he bowed in his seat grateful that she understood his intentions.
Astra Bedivere stood outside the Queen's chambers and knocked twice to request entrance. The light voice within answered.
"Enter."
Opening the doors, he entered to see the ladies in waiting finishing the last touch up on the Queen's ensemble for the day. The sight before him made him pause in his step.
"Ah, your Majesties. My apologies, I wasn't aware that both you and the King were here."
"Relax Bedivere. It's quite alright. Tell me, how are the preparations for the day's festivities coming along? Are you prepared to test Omega Opel?"
Astra clenched his jaw shut. He had wanted to tell this to the Queen first, but he relaxed, figuring this was probably better anyway.
"I am prepared, though I doubt this with be less of a test and more of an all out battle. All of that aside, it won't do us much good when no one knows where the man of the day is."
The two sovereigns of the kingdom turned to look at him in surprise.
"Ser Omega isn't here?" Approaching the Queen, he produced a sheaf of paper that he had found in the man's room. Glancing over the message written for her, she smiled softly. Folding the message again, she let a light laugh leave her lips.
"My dear?" The King looked to his wife curiously. She shook her head lightly and held up a hand to forestall his worry.
"It's alright. He's gone to see the Lady. He mentioned that it concerned the Kingdom and that he would be on time. We should continue with the day as normal." The men shrugged. If the Queen thought it was alright to proceed as normal, they didn't see anything against it. Excusing himself, Astra stepped out of the room. As he began walking down the halls to finish his own preparations, he turned down another corridor to see a small number of the other Knights of the Round talking amongst themselves.
"Good day everyone. What seems to be the problem?"
The cluster of knights turned to meet Astra. A woman with dark hair and violet tips stepped forward with a slightly perturbed expression.
"Everyone here is wondering just how genuine that boy from House Opel really is. How do we know that he didn't get lucky against Bloodbane?" Astra frowned in disappointment at his fellow Rounds.
"Is that how you all feel?" Nods went around the group. "That's a bit understandable, though I'm quite surprised and disappointed in the lot of you. Tigra, you especially. You are the example of the fact that the Knights of the Rounds need not be from the nobility. I thought you of all people would understand him. Omega has gone without the use of his title his whole life, he could have easily just left the country for good without anyone knowing and yet he kept the course and slew that infernal dragon without aide from others." Another of the Rounds stepped up.
"So you say Astra, and perhaps you are correct. However, he has returned and the King has reinstated him, not to mention offered him the chance to ascend to the title his son held. None of us have been granted that opportunity." Placing a hand to his face and sighed in exasperation, Astra understood his fellow peers' agitation, but this was getting ridiculous.
"Listen, all of you. I understand your misgivings about him. However, this is his test. I also think his Majesty gave him this opportunity not to give him the title, but for him to clear his family before the entire kingdom. The Opels were given the secret, or rather, suicidal task of hunting down that damned dragon and bringing back Levantine. My father Merlin never thought the sword could be retrieved, but believed that someone of the Opel Family would be the only one to stand a chance of doing so. Merlin knew the ancestors of Omega and I always heard him muttering under his breath that it was only a matter of time before one of them succeeded. Their line has a history that predates the King."
"Like that really matters?"
"It does matter Knights of the Round. I also find it rather disturbing that you lack faith in my decision. Does Astra alone truly deserve his title as a Round among the seven of you? I certainly hope this negative feeling does not include the other five Knights."
The group as a whole turned and bowed to their liege as he approached with his wife. Several attendants were exchanging glances at each other behind the two rulers. Gossiping and dissension among the Rounds was unheard of.
"Your Majesty!"
The King looked at the small group and shook his head in disappointment.
"I gave all of you similar tests for your positions just as I am giving him this one in order to prove himself not to me, but to the people of Belka. Too long have I gone without council from an Opel. They are a good family and I see that keeping his honor and request a secret was a mistake now. Though back then if the nation had known, I would have likely been ousted from the throne for such an order."
"Are you serious your Majesty?"
"I am Tigra Koho. You disappoint me the most. You are of common birth and yet I allowed you to prove your worth to the nation. Yet a man of noble standing and great humility has returned to his home that he has never been to his whole life and you would spurn him? Perhaps I've misjudged my knights." Tigra dropped to her knees and placed her face to the floor. Those witnessing the moment swallowed. Even the other Knights were stunned. Rarely did anyone those days abased themselves so.
"I've shamed myself. Forgive me." The King knelt and lifted her face to look at his.
"You will earn my trust again Tigra Koho. It will not be easy either. You will accompany Ser Bedivere in testing him this afternoon." She nodded silently as he rose to face the remainder of the Knights. "The original plan was for three of you to face him. However, I see that this negative aura around you concerned Ser Omega needs a harsh lesson in order to enlighten you all. Therefore, the seven of you will face him today. Astra, Tigra, Sebring, Chubasco, Barchetta, Biturbo, and Merak all at once."
The entire group around the King blanched, including the Queen. Placing a nervous hand on his shoulder, she looked at him in genuine concern and shock.
"Beloved? Has their words spurned you so? I acknowledge his strength, but over half of the Knights?" Her husband glanced at her with steeled eyes and she shuddered.
"I know of what I speak of. If anything, you have seen the proof of the power of the Omega's ancestors firsthand. You've seen it whenever we've been together during the night." The company they kept swallowed, blushed, or politely looked another direction as she turned beet red.
"Dear! I can't believe you just . . . wait, the scar that Avalon couldn't heal?!" Eyes swiftly returned to them at her words in shock.
"Yes, his Grandfather was helping me polish my swordsmanship with Excalibur using the very device we saw when Levantine played back his battle against Bloodbane. Merlin spoke to me telling me not to underestimate him and yet I did and it nearly cost me my life. Afterward, he spoke saying that he had not mastered the weapon, that a true master would be able to hide it within himself."
"Omega's device . . . by the gods."
"Yes, I firmly believe that he has far surpassed his ancestors though he may not realize it himself. You all would do well to face him at full strength. Do not and you will not only insult him, but me as well. You already have insulted me once with this. I will not tolerate it again."
The silence as he left with the Queen close behind him was stifling.
"Well young Omega. I must say that your hypothesis is sound and your mind is sharp. I shall assist you in your endeavor if you would promise me but one thing."
"If it is within my power I will do what I can."
The woman stood and took his hands in hers before kneeling on the floor before him.
"Watch over my son." Omega blinked.
"Son? You bore a child?" The woman nodded and gestured to a small locket around her neck. Removing it, she handed it to him. When he opened the small trinket and looked upon the picture, he gasped. "Lady of the Lake, you . . ."
She placed a finger over his lips to gently silence him. Standing and returning to her seat, she looked to him imploringly. Placing the small jewelry on the table between them, he nodded respectfully, vowing to uphold his promise.
"I will do my best. Should I tell him?"
"No, if his father has not informed him, then there is no need to. Just watch over him." Omega stood from his chair and placed a hand over his heart.
"I will my lady. My thanks for your assistance and time. I must be going else I be late."
She nodded as watched him leave. A single tear slid down her face as she picked up the locket and cradled it in the palm of her hand. Her lover was gone, and their son now flew on his own, never knowing that his mother was still alive, though she was cursed to never leave her lake prison.
"Take care, oh jewel of House Opel. Your power is your curse. Yet it is also your blessing. I pray that you find the balance on the knife's edge of this existence we call life. If times really are shifting to what you foresaw in the visions, then you must be strong and stand tall against all odds."
The grounds leading to the arena, were packed with people after the announcement two days ago of the Trial of Opel Omega to ascend to the title of Heavenly Knight. People from across the land murmured with excitement and mixed feelings over the return of House Opel. In the waiting area for the Knights of the Round, Sebring, Chubasco, Barchetta, Biturbo, and Merak prepared themselves for the trial. Tigra sat off to herself thinking over the King's words and the look in his eyes when he had admonished her. They had held a stern disappointment, but underneath it all, what had made her fall to her knees was the strong sense of sadness. Sadness that she had forgotten who she was and why she had ascended to the Rounds.
'I can't believe how I've fallen. Father and Mother would berate me harshly for my error. I can't make that mistake again. But now he faces seven of us. Is it even possible for him to fight like this?'
Astra concentrated on his Device Grimhrist. Thinking about unlocking the first limiter on the weapon, he decided that going full force as the King said when there were to be seven of them against only him was overdoing it. He also thought of the countless number of bystanders who would be witnessing the display.
'Having seven of us go all out against a single man in front of so many is too risky. Even the magical barricades protecting them from harm aren't that strong. What is his Majesty thinking?'
Sebring, a man of this late twenties, hefted his great sword Hrunting with a satisfied grin. He felt no problems going full force. His childhood friend Biturbo shared his sentiment with his spear Caladbolg. Merak fingered his daggers tentatively. He hadn't seen the King so infuriated internally. Though he had controlled his expressions, the man's eyes still burned in his mind. They were furious and ablaze in insulted anger. Part of him was amazed that the man hadn't expelled them then and there. Chubasco and his sister Barchetta talked among each other as he leaned on his war hammer as she polished her shield and sword.
"I'm starting to worry about this whole situation Barchetta." Looking up from her shield, she nodded in agreement.
"Me to brother. Going full force . . . it's overkill against a single man with the seven of us. I know that Sebring and Biturbo have been inching for a fight like this. Tigra's got to regain the trust of his Majesty, so I know she'll go all out once her initial hesitation fades. Merak seems more worried about our standing with the King as a group now that anything else. Astra's worrying about the people here more than Omega, though I'm sure that he's at the back of his mind."
"What about you sister?" The woman stopped polishing the shield. Looking up to the ceiling, she set aside her arms and leaned back, propping herself up on her elbows.
"I guess if he comes after me, I won't hold back, but I think only attacking him when he's focused on me should suffice. What of you brother?"
"The same here I guess. I think I'll go all out anyway though. I was part of the original three along with Tigra and Astra anyway."
The person who entered the room, made the group kneel as one. The Queen motioned for all of them to stand. As they did so, she sighed and took a seat on a nearby bench.
"Are you all prepared?" The group nodded as one. "Good. I will tell you now. From what my husband the King has told me, if you hold back against Omega, he will likely know it and be insulted. We have had the mages and staff reinforce the barriers yet again. They will hold back your powers from the crowds gathered today. The other five members of the Rounds have also voiced their concerns with your actions today. They will be watching as well. I wish you well." Standing, she left the room and the Knights chewed on that information. Sebring smirked.
"I feel sorry for him you know. This is overkill and you all know it. I don't mind being given permission to use full power though."
Astra and Tigra scowled at him, as did Chubasco and Barchetta. He was always a loose cannon. His power was sufficient, more than enough, but his thirst for battle was a bit extreme. Biturbo was the same way, though he did have a measure pride about him. They guessed that made him more tolerable in a sense, though his slightly lecherous streak left something else to be desired.
"You would be wise to curb your enthusiasm a bit. His Majesty told us to despite knowing it will be seven on one. What do you think he knows that we don't? This makes me more worried about us than this Omega fellow." Tigra nodded in agreement with Merak's comment.
Before anyone could say anything else though, a knight entered the room.
"It is time. Please follow me."
The group filed out of the waiting room and down the halls befor arriving at the entrance to the arena floor. The place was enormous, spanning two hundred meters long and one hundred wide for the arena floor alone. The seven Knights of the Round waited for their announcement with varying postures. Astra and Tigra were the only two to stand calmly by, though the reasons for their calm natures were different. Astra knew the man a bit from their discussions and he held nothing against him. Tigra took deep calming breaths, vowing to follow her liege's order to regain his broken trust.
In the royal box, the King stood as he waved to his subjects who were cheering madly. When the Queen appeared and joined him, the cries only grew in volume. Despite all the accolades, he knew a great number of them remained silent as well. He regarded them with humored eyes.
"Those who remain silent are more concerned with the importance of this event. They are the ones who realize the weight of this day. Much less who our subject is undergoing this trial."
"I did not find him in the opposing waiting area. Where is he?"
"He will arrive. Whatever his business was earlier, he will be here."
Looking back out to the throngs of Belkans, he held out a hand for silence. The multitudes steadily died down as they waited his words.
"Citizens of Belka! Today is a day of great import to the whole nation. A man has sacrificed a great deal, and as a result, our late Heavenly Knight's sword Levantine has been recovered from the dreaded demon dragon Bloodbane!" Taking the sword in hand, he raised it above his head for all to see. The crowds rippled with muddled conversations and shock. "This has been his family's charge from me for many years. Now, he was returned. People of Belka today he will be proving himself against seven of your Knights of the Round. May I present: Sebring, Barchetta, Biturbo, Chubasco, Merak, Tigra, and Astra."
As the seven Knights entered when the doors swung open, the crowds buzzed with heated conversations. Seven Knights of the Round was unheard of. Many began to believe that they would each take him on one-on-one. But even then, to fight seven was daunting. Down below, Sebring smirked.
"Can't blame them for this kind of reaction. Even the common folk know this is crazy. No offense Tigra." The woman bit her lip for what she really wanted to say.
"None taken." 'Jerk'
The attendant at the opposing gates cringed his hands nervously.
"Ser Omega isn't here yet. What do I do when his Majesty announces him?"
The sound of hurried footsteps reached his ears and he turned in time to see the man in question rush around the corner. He wore a long cloak of deep violet with gold trim with a hood that held a silver chain that dangled in an arc off the front.
"My apologies for the tardy arrival. I'm here." The attendant sighed and nodded toward the doors. Omega stood before the doors and took a calming breath. He could hear the crowd outside. He had expected this, but experiencing it was quite different. Cracking his knuckles, he focused on his magical center. "Father, Mother, it is time to formally return to the kingdom."
The King announced his name and the crowd's abruptly went silent as a whole. Swallowing, he nodded at the attendant and entered the arena floor. The light from the sun was bright and he was thankful for the hood. He never imagined the arena being so large and spacious. Looking before him, he frowned when he saw seven individuals lined up across from him. Part of him suspected something had occurred to prompt this change while he was gone this morning.
'Seven of them. I might venture that the other four were disgruntled at the trial's announcement and wanted to throw down the gauntlet.'
Looking up between the gap in the chain and the edge of the hood, he saw an brief apologetic look from the Queen before she returned to her stoic gaze. Smirking, he realized what had likely happened while he was gone.
"His Majesty probably heard talking among them and wasn't pleased and is pitting them against me to prove my worth to them. Heh, alright then your Majesty, I'll play along."
Reaching up, he pulled back his hood and exposed his face to the sun. There was immediate consternation among members of the crowd along with five of the seven Knights.
"He's so young! You're telling us this is the man who slew Bloodbane?!"
Sebring and Biturbo looked back and up toward the King, who nodded and they turned back in shock. In the distance, Omega removed the cloak to reveal a white ensemble highlighted by deep royal purples and embellished in gold. The Knights and most of the older people in the crowds recognized it as the formal dress of House Opel in all its glory.
"Knight Armor, Call to Arms!"
Legion: "Vorbereitung der Sortie. (Prepare to Sortie.)"
The man exploded in a twister of magical force that made the seven brace themselves as the audience pushed back into their seats and thousands of eyes grew wide. There was a brief flash of light that resembled a coat of arms before the magical typhoon lifted to reveal Omega in his armor. Similar in color to his uniform, he wore a light breastplate with silver greaves and gauntlets. An outer long coat underneath the breastplate trailed down to his mid shin and he wore a headband of white. Yet, despite the armor, he had no visible weapon on his person.
Biturbo stepped forward and pointed his spear at the man.
"No weapon? Do you mock us?"
Omega looked up toward the royal box.
"Your Majesty, has this trial begun?" The single, sharp nod he received told him the answer. Lifting a hand up, he waved at the Knights, motioning them to come at him. "Very well then. Come! Feel the power that has been absent from Belka for generations!"
Before Astra could stop them, Sebring and Biturbo simultaneously charged with spear and great sword. The speed with which they closed on Omega awed the crowd as Astra and the others hung back to see just how Omega would react. It was clear to the rest of them that Omega had clearly taunted them into performing a reckless charging attack. Biturbo thrust as he closed in. Knowing he was slightly ahead of Sebring, if he missed, then his fellow Knight would immediately attack.
"Try this! Himmel Piercer!"
Caladbolg: "Himmel Piercer. (Sky Piercer)."
The spear sprouted a pair of wings and accelerated as he rushed the white and violet knight. Omega's eyes sharpened as he raised his hand up in a fighting stance. Biturbo's eyes widened in shock.
'Bare handed? Has he lost his mind?!'
" Schirmherrschaftsverteidiger!"
Legion: "Schirmherrschaftsverteidiger. (Aegis Defender)"
The man's fist shined with lightly glowing runes. Just moments before the spear came into reach, Omega came down on the spear with his right fist, forcing the tip to ram into the ground, sending shockwaves through the earth and ripping a fissure several meters long behind him. Before he could recover, Omega came up with a fiercesome left uppercut followed by a right flip kick that sent the man through the air back in the direction he charged from. The spear remained in the ground as Biturbo flew past Sebring.
"Lucky counter boy! Strike him hard! Terra Zerquetschen!"
Hrunting: "Jawohl. Terra Zerquetschen. (Terra Crush)"
Sending the sword through the ground, spires of earth shot up in a rushing strike toward him. Holding his hands before him in a shielding nature, Omega dug his heels into the earth to brace himself. The strike battered the shield of magical force before kicking up enough earth and dust to block everyone's view for several moments. Sebring retrieved Biturbo's Device and tossed it back to the knight who was recovering from the blows he took.
"Heh, that's how you're supposed to strike. Hey buddy, here's your weapon, that was pretty embarrassing."
"Oh be quiet . . . Sebring, behind you!"
The larger man turned with his guard up to see Omega in the middle of several broken earthen spires. His barrier remained active and his person was uninjured, though he was dusted and coughed from the kicked up debris.
"He's unharmed? Wait, is he a defensive type?"
Omega stepped out of the rubble and patted himself off from all the dust he could.
"Impressive, though a bit reckless from both of you. That technique is destructive, but too wanton. It wastes too much energy and can harm those who aren't involved in your battles. Your names?"
"Cocky aren't ya? The name's Sebring and the one you beaned with your foot is Biturbo. Don't worry about the others, you'll have your hands full with the two of us."
"Such bold words from the first two to strike. Don't you know that the first to strike are normally the first to fall?"
Sebring grit his teeth and lunged with a downward strike. Omega narrowed his gaze as he lowered his stance and held his hand back and to his right side as if grasping a sword. Sebring brought the sword down in a massive swing. The crowd gasped.
"Go down!" Omega smirked.
"You first Ser Sebring."
Omega swung upward, meeting the blade with empty air until the Knight of the Round collided with a hard edged object. A crater formed underneath his feet from the impact of the strike. The two men struggled to prevail against each other in a match of strength. Sebring followed the weapon in Omega's hands and whistled, clearly impressed. They were locked in a battle of great swords. Where he had gotten it, he didn't know but he felt exhilarated. The crowd recovered from their shock and roared in excitement. The King smirked as the Queen sighed in relief. For a while, she feared that the people would riot.
Astra nodded, impressed as well. Clearly, Omega meant to enjoy this battle, regardless of his opponents. Drawing Grimhrist, he waited, biding his time. He knew that somewhere out there were other weapons for the man to call upon, so he decided patience was the best option for him at the moment. Tigra stood her ground as she readied her bow and arrows. It was unbelievable, she could tell just from the armor on him that his magical aptitude was remarkable. Merak and the twins stood to either side in shock. None of them had been able to take one of Sebring's blows head on, yet Omega stood in a deadlock. Merak fingered his daggers idly.
"If his defenses are strong enough to repel Sebring then why am I here? My daggers won't do squat to him. The best I could hope to do his confuse him with my speed. Then again, the moment he realizes that I'm just a diversion who can't really threaten him, he'll just ignore me."
"Then make it count the first time."
"You really don't mince your words do you Tigra?" The members of the Rounds smirked as a whole.
The two locked combatants broke the deadlock by forcing each other back before launching into a successive string of strikes, blocks, and counters. Each move flowed freely between exchanges and the magical force could be felt by the whole arena as the men swung with everything they had. The King smiled widely in excitement.
"They're just wailing on each other like barbarians on the surface, but underneath it all they're analyzing each other's sword strokes and trying to gain an upper hand."
"Who do you think is superior Darling?" He glanced at the Queen from the corner of his eye and smirked.
"In terms of great sword technique, Sebring is superior. The Opels are known to be jacks of all trades and masters of nothing. He won't win this exchange with the great sword. He's bring out something else entirely. Just keep watching."
The crowd stopped wailing and cheering after thirty seconds as the two knights actually picked up their paces and kept on the offensive, neither man hesitating in the slightest.
"How long are they going to keep going?!"
"Have they even breathed once?"
"This is how the House of Opel fights?"
"Keep quiet or you'll miss it!"
Sebring was grinning from ear to ear as they clashed with nothing held back. Omega's face was calm and analyzing as he trades blow for blow. A small smirk was his only other expression. The ground around them was scarred from wild swings and the integrity of the earth between them was steadily giving out. It looked like a rampaging pack of boars had rutted the earth with their tusks at their feet.
'I thought he was a pasty noble, but he really can take the heat and give it out. I just might like this kid.'
Sebring raised his sword to cleave in a straight down slash when he noticed that Omega was doing the same. Thinking that he was trying to attempt another massive blade lock, his eyes widened a fraction when he saw the weapon that Omega was holding vanish from his grip. Already on a full strength downswing, he gasped when Omega stepped into the strike, bringing his hands down as well as if he still held his sword.
"His hands are switched!"
The man's right hand smashed down on the pommel of the great sword Sebring held. The heavy blade slipped from Sebring's left hand and the downward momentum made him lean forward, breaking his balance. He could only watch as Omega's following left cupped the pommel and pulled the pommel upward, spinning the sword completely away from Sebring's remaining hand. Omega's right hand gripped the handle just underneath the cross guard before the blade bit into the ground. Bringing his foot forward to catch himself, Sebring froze as Omega swung upward.
The crowds sat in hushed silence as the dust settled again and Omega stood with a defenseless Sebring hovering over him. Hrunting was in Omega's hands and was about to leave its cleaving slash through the ground and into its master, yet didn't move any further. Sebring swallowed as Omega eyed the man with set resolve.
"House Opel Dark Succession Technique, Night of the New Moon. You know how it would have been if this was a fight to the death right? Ser Sebring?"
'My momentum would have made up for the lack of power behind his upward swing and my own sword would have cleaved me clean in half. What a technique. There couldn't have been any hesitation or my strike would've have landed solid. What a man. Is this why His Majesty was so confident in his abilities?'
Falling to one knee in front of the man, he bowed his head with a satisfied grin.
"Yes. I do Ser Omega. I fought you with nothing held back, yet my mindset was the fall of me. I acknowledge your power and strength. Well done."
Omega released his hold on Hrunting and sighed heavily. Wiping his forehead, he smiled widely.
"Good. Quite frankly, I can't lift that blade without momentum. I don't know how you do it Ser Sebring. That's impressive all on its own. Thank you for the match."
Omega extended his hand and Sebring stared at it a moment with a slack jaw.
'This guy . . .'
"I want a rematch sometime you hear? You've got them to fight now. Good luck." The two shook hands firmly, a new friendship forged. The crowd recovered from it shock and awe and rancorous cheers exploded from the stands. Stepping past Sebring, who took his sword in hand and walked off to the sidelines to watch the next match up, Omega twirled his hands above his head as a spear appeared. Spinning it about, he set himself in a neutral horse stance, with the pole arm in an equal grip in both hands as he faced Biturbo, who stood with his own Device.
"Ser Biturbo. Everything you have if you would."
The man set himself in an aggressive stance.
"Guess it's my turn. Geez what happened to everyone fighting him at once? But you know, I might just enjoy this."
The crowds roared with anticipation. Up in the royal box, the other five Knights watched with held tongues. One of the group huffed.
"Sebring had that coming. At least Biturbo should be a bit more cautious now."
"Don't be so sure. This could still be interesting though."
"Guess we'll find out won't we Diablo?"
"Indeed Espada. Indeed we will."
All of the Knights of the Round are named after cars, keeping in the tradition of the Lyrical Nanoha series. Can you name their companies?
The trials have begun. What will Astra have in store for Omega when the time comes? How with he fair against Biturbo and Caldebolg? R&R guys.
