I'm BACK!Hi guys, it's been some time. Thank you for everything you wrote.
I will post what I managed to write before the accident. Just so you know, I'm writing this with my left arm only and it's god damn annoying. So as long as I have this Panzerfaust they call "bandages" on my right arm I'm pretty much useless. That sucks, but at least I live, huh?
Anyway, I'm glad to see someone out there care. Speaking of which… WHAT THE HELL IS THAT REVIEW! This site is for reading stories, not recruiting believers! I am very tolerant, I literally do not care if you believe in God, Allah, Zeus, Buddha and I don't even know what else there is. However I go really angry when somebody is making me believe. Yes… I am an atheist. I do not believe in any deity. So if anyone wants to write something similar… do it somewhere else.
OK, glad I have that off my system. Now… let's enjoy the story, OK.
Tense. That is the only word this situation could be described as. Alex and Bane, master wizard against king swordsman. Bane was strong, big and heavy, Alex on the other hand was thin and fast. I bet you're thinking 'Alex has magic, he can just blast him off to the dark side of the Moon.' Well, you're wrong.
Code of honor of such fights dictated him not to use his magic. Sure, if this was real battle, Alex's Prometheus's Fire would burn Bane beyond ashes. This however was a challenge of honor and as such, only swords can answer it.
Oritel and Marion were standing by young queen of Solaria and her daughter. King of Domino kept on holding tilt of his sword very firmly, making sure he can intervene at any moment. Of course he couldn't allow Elemental Wizard to be killed in his palace. Even if he had to wage war with Solaria for this, it is still better than wrath of Elementals.
Marion too was ready to lend a hand, keeping her hands free so she could cast a spell very quickly.
Stella was holding her little daughter tightly, protecting her with her body. Little girl herself seemed very scared and concerned. Her long blonde hair were wrapped around her mother's arms. Her bright green eyes were focusing on the boy his daddy just challenged. She too didn't know what to think. Nobody had ever stood up to her daddy and had such determination in his eyes. She maybe was young, but knew full well that her father was a warrior, a swordsman.
Bloom was standing right next to her 'friend'. She actually was not afraid for her cousin. She too was taught how to handle swords. She still remembered how their grandfather was teaching two of them various techniques of fighting. Of course she didn't have any idea he was teaching Alex to be his successor as a Draken of fire. But about that later.
Young redhead fairy was sure Bane would try something dirty once Alex starts winning. Years of fighting villains taught her that much. None of them was playing fair.
Nick, Nerina and Daphne weren't sure what to think. Nick of course hoped Alex has enough skill to defeat Bane, but was afraid Solaria would retaliate. Queen Stella was pretty much just a background character in all the governing and if Alex wins and banishes her husband… Dragon knows what she would do.
Nerina, as the youngest one, of course cheered for the Draken. She heard legends of Elemental Wizards, heroes, who could use both magic and martial arts combined in perfect harmony. They were like Spiderman or Superman for us. Heroes she admired.
Daphne on the other hand hoped Draken would not survive. As future queen, she dealt with Bane few times and knew how he would react. Stella though… she was another story. She didn't rule the land, she didn't have any experiences leading kingdom such as Solaria. Dragon knows what would happen to Solaria economy.
Alex and Bane were slowly walking around in a circle. Their swords pointing at each other, tips of blades touching. They just kept on putting one leg over the other, slowly moving left, observing their opponent closely. Even a slightest movement could finally break the silence. Even a twitch of eyebrow could indicate strike. Tension was huge and everyone knew it could break out any moment.
Then finally… it happened. It was just a little whimper of worried princess of Solaria. Just a childish shriek that made Bane finally break the silence and move. He moved his left leg in, closer to Alex and quickly extended his arms to attack. Alex however saw the attack coming and quickly jumped right. Using the momentum he gained that way, he swung his blade over Bane's huge sword and went straight for his torso.
King just barely managed to withdraw his sword and dodge the attack. He realized that Alex was really fast, way faster than he was. Without stopping, Bane swung his blade again, striking the young Draken. Wizard of fire quickly raised his sword to block it.
That was a mistake. Although he did manage to escape death, he finally realized just how powerful Bane's blows were. He fought him before, in previous timeline, but this was something else. Bane had many more years to practice and build up muscles. Alex blocked the blade, but was sent tens of meters away. Force was so huge his blade flew off into the roof and he himself hit the wall so hard there was a crack.
Oritel was just about to draw out his sword, but Bloom gently grabbed his hand and shook her head. Oritel was kinda shocked. The look his daughter gave him was something he has never seen in her. She never tried to defy him, never tried to stop him in something. He smirked and let go of his blade "You know Bane will kill him." He whispered
"He will not." Bloom whispered back and looked back at his cousin. He was just getting up from the ground "Penonym style cannot be defeated."
Alex, who just got up from ground, was just standing by the wall, as if admitting defeat and just waiting for final blow. Bane of course, too sure of his strength, charged forward, preparing to slash upwards. That was the moment it all happened. Alex used style of his family.
He focused on the pain of the wounds he received just now. Bloom smirked as she noticed his eyes turned from bright blue to dark red. That was Penonym Style. Magic was flowing through their veins and by focusing it all into the pain, they could sharpen their senses. In fact, if his eyes turned red like this, it meant the spar was decided.
Alex very quickly jumped up and using Bane's head as a platform, he jumped even higher to get his sword back. Of course force of that jump sent Bane down face first. Young Draken grabbed his blade and using the momentum, he pulled it out of ceiling and fell back down. Now that made everyone just stare in awe.
Nerina was like a fangirl in front row of a concert. Her eyes were sparkling like newborn star. Hands clutched to fists before her chest. Her mouth open, screaming "That was awesome!"
As Alex landed again, he assumed his stance. His eyes were still bloody red and full of calm. Bane on the other hand was now enraged "You bastard!" he swung his huge blade at Draken, but Alex just easily pivoted right, dodging the attack.
Bloom smirked as she whispered "Too slow."
Using the momentum, Alex smashed tilt of his sword into Bane's belly. King of Solaria froze for a split second. His breath left the body and blood rushed up into his mouth.
Complete silence maybe lasted just few seconds, but it felt like hours. Then sharp sound of metal echoed through the chamber as Bane's huge blade fell down. Without his breath, he had no strength to fight any longer. He fell down on his knees and holding his belly he managed to speak "How…"
Alex slowly turned towards him, revealing his eyes were bright blue again "You fight for nothing else than power. Look at your family." Bane raised his head to look at Stella and his daughter. Girl was clearly unsure how to feel. On one hand she was glad her daddy wouldn't be causing trouble and beat her and mommy anymore, but he was still her daddy that just got beaten.
Then there was Stella, who was actually full of hope for the first time in years. She was finally close to getting rid of that man forever.
To everyone's surprise, Bane laughed. He was laughing like a maniac "So… you think you beat me. I know weaknesses of the likes of you."
At that point Bane quickly fired forward like a lighting. He didn't even take his blade, he just jumped and ran straight forward. Alex, not expecting this move, couldn't stop him. Bane's eyes were full of madness. He never lost a fight and now he was driven beyond crazy.
He was aiming right for his daughter. It was very clear he didn't want to do anything good. Luckily, there was someone, who expected such stupid thing. As Bane was reaching for girl's little body, he suddenly felt sharp pain. His eyes rolled up upon the impact.
It was Bloom, she swiftly moved before Solaria Queen and performed a perfect uppercut. Young fire fairy smashed the king right into his jaw, sending him flying upwards. As the movement ended, she was just standing there, right fist aiming for the ceiling, while left arm was by her belly.
Bane hit the ground with quite a gush and this time he didn't stand back up. He was knocked out.
There was complete silence again. Nobody believed what just happened. Everyone knew what Bloom was being taught her whole life and this move was not it. She moved so swiftly and elegantly, yet strongly. That punch was so powerful it sent that huge and heavy man in the air.
"I see you still have the moves." Alex laughed, stepping closer to unconscious King of Solaria.
Bloom relaxed her muscles and returned back to casual stance "Yeah. Although I could use some training."
"What was that!?" Daphne yelled at her little sister "What was that move? That was nothing Master Abra taught us."
Bloom glanced at Alex, asking for advice. Draken just shrugged "Well… I think we should tell them. They would find out sooner or later. But not now." He turned back to unconscious king. He crouched down and grabbed the crown from his head. As he stepped before startled queen, he kneeled down and raised the crown on his palms before her "Your majesty, I think this belongs to you. It is now up to you to find the right bearer."
Stella slowly put her daughter down and just watched the Draken. She didn't know what to say. She was so happy her nightmare finally ended. Her husband was defeated and promise he made before Drakens must be fulfilled. He was no longer going to beat her, no longer command her… she was free, for the first time in years she was free.
She didn't care about the crown, she just went down to her knees and hugged Alex, letting tears run out of her eyes "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Alex was a little startled by this at first, but he eventually dropped the crown and hugged her back. She must have really had it hard. Alex felt long and narrow stripes on her back as well as round and big bruises. So he was really gentle when touching her back. Stella however didn't care, she just cried and cried. She was just too happy.
Her daughter was still conflicted, but seeing her mommy so happy calmed her. That was when she turned towards the redhead fire fairy and came up to her. Bloom smiled at her, she just loved children, but couldn't get the thought that this was Stella's own daughter out of her head. It was just so strange and yet right. She couldn't explain it. All she could say was that she loved this child.
Girl put her hands together and bowed down "Thank you, Princess Bloom. Thank you for saving me."
'At least she understands that much.' Thought Bloom, not sure how to response. She just followed her instincts and bowed as well. She let her left leg shift backwards, while putting right hand to her belly and torso lean forward "Pleasure is all mine, your highness. But I did not do much. I think it's Draken Penonym you should thank."
"Kara." Stella exclaimed extending hands to her daughter. Girl turned and just ran into her mother's embrace. They both just laughed together, hugging each other tightly.
Alex smiled and stood back up. That was when Bane started regaining consciousness "You bastards." He said almost out of breath. Those two words scared Stella and Kara, but were immediately calmed as royal couple of Domino stepped before them together with Dana. Bane was shaking as he stood up and turned to the Draken of fire "You bastards, you think you can beat me like that. I am King Bane of Solaria. I will send armies that will crush Domino, burn it into dust. Not even that Dragon's Flame will protect you."
"No." Bloom replied with quite a vigor. She stepped by Alex's side and gave Bane a very bad and cold look. It was the same look she would give to Icy upon her defeat "You are no longer King. Before Royal family of Domino, before two of four Drakens of Elemental Wizards, before your wife and daughter, you yourself agreed to terms. You are no longer King of Solaria. You are just a common folk without any penny. You have no property. Admit defeat and at least keep your honor."
"Honor." He laughed audibly "You and your honor. There is no honor in fight. There is only violence and power."
"THAT IS ENOUGH!" Everyone's eardrums almost exploded as Oritel lost his temper. The look on his face was deadly. Very deadly "GUARDS! Take this scumbag out of here. I don't want him anywhere near this city!"
"How dare you!" Bane yelled back just before dozen of spearmen rushed in and surrounded him "You cannot do that! I am King of Solaria! I am the KING!"
"GET HIM OUT!" Marion yelled just as loud as her husband.
"One more scream like that and my ears will bleed." Alex whispered to Bloom.
Bane kept on screaming and yelling as guards were dragging him out of room and palace. He was so desperate for power he gained and just refused to believe he lost it in mere seconds.
"Well… at least that is out of the way." Oritel sighed in relief "I must admit, Draken, when you came accepted his challenge I was really worried."
"Well…" Alex blushed and started rubbing back of his head "I couldn't leave Queen Stella and Princess Kara under tyranny of that man."
"But she doesn't have any experience." Daphne snapped back at him. Her look was obviously full of disagree. She seriously thought leaving Bane in rule of Solaria would be better.
"She's right." Stella admitted hanging her head down with sadness "I do not have any idea how to rule my kingdom. Bane was doing everything. I was just his slave in my own house."
"Then you will need help." Bloom stepped up to her and put a hand on her shoulder. Her smile gave queen new hope "I will go with you. I know how to lead."
"What!?" Daphne yelled "Since when!? And since when are you so nice to everyone!?"
"Quiet Daphne!" Marion snapped at her and then turned back to Alex "Draken Penonym, you owe us an explanation. Bloom is suddenly changed and she knows you. You should start explaining and now!"
"Well…" both Bloom and Alex rubbed back of their heads "That is complicated. But all right… we owe you that much."
Guys, this one will be the last one for some time. At least until my arm is healed up. Sorry, but my left arm is useless on its own. But I will try to write at least small chapters, OK? I'm not sure if I'll have enough patience to write chapter like this one. Oh well… SEE YA!