---------------------------------
Best of the Best Round 2
---------------------------------
And so the Freeport Best of the Best Tournament continued.
"FIGHTERS ENTER FOR THE TEST OF MIGHT!"
* The entrants in the test of might enter the Freeport Arena in singles. Each one showing to the crowd their skills and proficiency. A warrior from Halas, who just barely made it to the second round, because his opponent in the first round was another warrior, had an interesting, if not comical demonstration.
2 workers bring out large stacks of sun baked bricks. They piled the bricks into a stack of 15. Shouting into the audience, he got them into a big stir. And then with a powerful chop he straight through the bricks or at least that was his intention. He go as far as the 4th brick...from the top and then ran screaming and hollering for a cleric as he had broken every bone in his hand.
The next two were truly impressive. The next entrant was one of the Kaladim Mining Guild 628, the royal scouts/rogues/thieves, whatever you would wish to call them. He picked a lady from out of the arena crowd and placed her against the arena wall. Then he had some of Freeport's guards bring out a table, on which was an assortment of throwing knives. He then had them guard the knives. With a shout to the crowd to get them in an uproar, he amazing slipped by the guards got the knives, and threw them expertly around the lady making a perfect outline. The Crowd roared with approval for him. I must admit I did too, it was impressive.
The next one was another of the Ashen Order. Reyia Swiftwind, one of the guilds elite. First she repeated the brick-breaking demo that the warrior had tried to do. Only this time shattering 23 bricks without a flinch, then she showed off some of the guild's most famous techniques. Most notably the Ianuki, ground shatter technique and Ar's favorite by the way, the Flying Dragon Fist, a technique that cause the monk to unleash a powerful flying uppercut, which in her case sent her a breathtaking 25 feet into the air.
Then it was my turn. I entered the arena and moved to the center. I was still thinking of what I was going to do.
/So great Master Raziel, what are you going to do to show your might?/
I haven't a clue.
/You better hurry and think of something. The crowd is getting rowdy/
"DO SOMETHING! QUIT STANDING THERE!"
I know.
/O no. Not that. That hasn't been used in hundreds of years. Why do you think the council banned it?/
I've said it before and I'll say it again to you Reyas since when have I listened to the Council?
/Cazic spare me.../
Raziel motions the audience to silence down and move up higher into the arena seating. He assumes an erect posture. He stands still for a moment; the crowd gets noisy again. But not for long, they quite down again as strings of mana begin to flow through the air and collect around Raziel. It takes a few moments for him to ready, but the mana strings awe the crowd.
/O lord...here it comes.../
Suddenly Raziel's stance shifts.
"RAAAAAAAAGGGGGIIING STORRRM!!!"
The ground rattles and the air around Raziel whips around violently. And a huge shockwave races through the Arena. A few moments later the dust settles and people can see clearly. The Arena floor has been whipped around violently and Raziel aside from being a bit dusty is unharmed. The crowd roars with approval and a few shout for an encore. *
/Well that was...messy to say the least. Do you realize how bad that would have been had you done it correctly?/
Yes.
/and your ok with that?/
Aside from causing everyone laundry duty, yep.
/I wonder about you sometimes......./
------------------------------------------
The tournament continued on to the next round, which included weapons. This was a brief and occasionally bloody round.
The poor warrior was first; he faced the Dwarf from the 628. It was quick. Two pokes from a dagger and a swift kick and down he went. Well, he tried. It could have been worse, he could have faced Reyia or me...or anyone else. Poor guy. Why do they let such unskilled people into the Arena? I guess I'll never know.
It continued on and around the middle of the rounds, it was my turn. I seem to have a certain magnetism to the Ashen Order. Because I faced Reyia.
"THE THIRD FIGHT IS A ARMED MATCH!" "THE FIRST FIGHTER, FROM FREEPORTS OWN, THE ASHEN ORDER. REYIA SWIFTWIND!"
*
Reyia entered doing flips causing the crowd to roar. She showed off a few moves getting herself warmed up. She signified her readiness by using the Flying Dragon Fist again. Breaking her previous record by a foot.
*
*
"HER OPPONENT ALL THE WAY FROM ODUS. THE AMAZING RAZIEL EOM'BRN!"
I entered the arena. Circled the Arena for show. Shouted out to the crowd, got them riled up.
/Aren't you the showmen?/
This is fun.
*
*
Then Reyia and I faced off. I drew my sword and readied myself for the gong. The gong sang out and I was about to attack when Reyia did something I wasn't expecting. She backed up, twirled her Bo and slammed it into the ground letting it stand straight up. I followed suit and placed my blade in the ground. And assumed a defensive stance. We circled each other for 2 rotations. Then she sprang at me using a flying tiger strike. I dodged out of the way. She then used a blitzkrieg of punches and kicks. Which I tried to block but she was really fast and she slipped through and clipped me on the shoulders and stomach. I reeled giving her an inch, and then she took advantage and took a mile. She opened with the symbol of the Ashen Order the flying Kick and slammed me into the wall. She then restarted the assault of punches and kicks which drove me further into
the wall. I wonder how thick are the Arena walls? Well I almost found out, but she stopped just short of sending me through, by deviating to her signature move, the Flying Dragon Fist. This sent us both into the air.
In midair, she switched techniques to continue assaulting me in midair, but this time I caught her fist. And then planted the back of my hand across her head a few times. About this time, our upward momentum faded and we began to go back down. All the way down we traded blows, neither of us gaining an advantage over the other. Then we crashed to the arena floor. The wind pretty much knocked out of both of us.
"5!......6!..."
"Get up Reyia! Get up!" shouted someone from the crowd.
"Come on Raziel!" someone, shouted for me.
"8!......9!...." Then they cheered, we were both up.
We locked each other again. We assumed our stances again. I attacked this time. I planted one fist in her sternum, causing her too lose her air again. Then I used a round kick to the side of her head, which sent her flying, she handsprings and then backflipped to her staff, picking it up in mid flip. She whirled it around, and resumed her assault. I dodged her swings and then catapulted myself over her, grabbing my sword in the air like she did and faced her.
The crowd was pretty quiet at the moment. They were awestruck, this had been the longest and so far one of the most entertaining matches yet.
We charged again her Bo rattling off my sword again and again. But her Bo was made of wood and if you pit wood against metal, guess who will win. Her Bo shattered, startling her. I did like she did earlier and took a mile. I planted a swift kick to her stomach, then my fist to her chin. Then in a bit of extravagance, I jumped into the air grasping her head with my feet, and rolled forward. Catapulting her into the arena wall. I then charged forward and used a flying kick, and I found out how thick the walls are. Not very. She cracked through it and crashed to the other side.
"9!!....10!!! THE WINNER!!! RAZIEL EOM'BRN!"
I raised my fist into the air. "ALL RIGHT!"
"RAZIEL!!" Arorua cheered loudly again.
--------------------------------------------
Well that was my last fight of the day. So I retired to my room at the inn. Which, was the first in a series of bad events.
"Mister Raziel?"
"Yes? Come in?"
It was the son of the Inn owner.
"I saw your fight against Reyia. WOW. It as soo cool. I never thought anyone could beat her!"
"Thanks."
"Umm......gee....Mom said I was supposed to tell you sumpthin......o YEAH! Your fight will be starting soon you need to get to the arena."
"Alright."
The kid shuffled to the door.
"Hey. Take this." I handed him the Sash that Reyia had given me for besting her.
"WOW Thanks Mister!"
He adorned himself with the sash and mimicked a few of Reyia's moves. Then left. I headed out side also. Wondering where Arorua was.
----------------------------------
I entered the holding area underneath the Arena. I sat down and waited for a while and waited my turn.
Then a voice came from behind me.
"You are like a pebble in my shoe, you are always causing me pain and anguish."
That voice. It couldn't be...
/Mathasar/
"What are you doing here." I turned to him; he had a new form. A barbarian male. The warrior who lost earlier. Damn it! Why hadn't I been able to see through his illusion like before?
"You should know by know. The work of our lord Inorrouk."
"The last time you tried you failed. Quite miserably in fact."
"It is of no import. The Dread King was doomed to fail, unlike the others I could have cared less if he succeeded or not. I got what I wanted."
"I don't suppose you will tell me?"
"Of course, I will. My freedom."
"Ah. So your are nothing but a strumpet for the Dark elves?"
He growled at me.
"You should watch your tongue. It might cost you dearly."
He smiled. It was my turn to lose my temper. "Mathasar...."
"If you want the wench back come to the Shrine in the West Commons."
"MATHASAR!"
He cackled at me. That broke the last straw. I charged him; he caught me and threw me against the wall. He slashed me across the chest and picked me above his head and threw me through the wall out into the arena. He stepped out and began to shift to his other form. He swelled to 9 feet and grew wings and talons. He was one of the Dark elves Experiments, he was
massive. The crowd in the arena panicked and began to scream and holler as they tried to leave the Arena. The Guards tried to swarm in to help.
"So much for the great savior of Faydwer. AHAHAAHA. You're nothing in comparison to me. Now that my bonds have been broken, there is nothing that can stop me."
He leaned over and picked me up by the head and lifted me up into the air. "And my first task shall be to enjoy your mate. I must say you picked well." He licked his lips. "I shall enjoy taking her and then slowly carving her into bits."
"You will not harm a hair on her head!" I struck out planting my foot in his gut. Causing him just enough pain to let me go. I dropped to the ground and kicked his knees causing him to crash to the ground. I grabbed him by the shoulders. He screamed in pain as his blood began to boil and his skin began to crisp. He swatted me with his large hand
knocking me away.
He flinched slightly. "Gahh. You cause me much pain. But your wench will feel a thousand fold of what I feel." He leapt into the air and headed of into the distance.
The guards swarmed to me.
"Are you all right?" They kept shouting to me, but I didn't hear them.
"MATHASAR!!!!!" I roared into the air, and then in a brief explosion of power the guards were knocked away. And a raven streaked from the Arena into the air.
-------------------------------------
/Raziel/
Shut up
/Damn it Raziel listen to me!/
WHAT!
/You don't to hear this, but. If you want to save her..../
I know! I know!
/Mathasar is an unbonded cacodemon. Their power is far beyond anything you have faced so far. Granted the Dread King at his full strength makes them look like chew toys, but you never saw him at his full strength. /
It doesn't matter now.
/But you do realize what it will mean if you../
If I want to save her, then I have no choice.
/She probably wont...../
I know but I rather her hate me and be alive, then love me and dead.
--------------------------------------------
Mathasar had assumed a weaker form again, that off a dark elf. He moved over to Arorua who was lying across the shrine. He bent over and examined her. She flinched when he touched her. He laughed "This will only be the beginning wench.."
"Lay another hand on her Mathasar....."
He turned round to face Raziel at the edge of the shrine.
"Raziel.." She smiled weakly at him, it was obvious that Mathasar had drugged her. "ahh so you made it. You always seem to know how to spoil my fun Raziel. I was just about to show her a few things that all good wenches should know." He smiled evilly.
"Mathasar. You are a fool."
"O am I?"
"There should be 3 things that even an idiot like you should know."
"And what's that?"
"1. Never touch another man's mead. 2. Never touch another man's food."
"And number three?"
"And above all else. Never..ever....mess with a Hell Knight's woman!"
A bolt of lightning leapt from the heavens and struck Raziel with a blinding flash and flames leapt about the ancient shrine. Arorua and Mathasar blinked trying to see through the daze that accompanies a flash of light. And they saw a figure in Jet-Black armor and wielding a blade shimmering with power.
"Raziel...no... cant..be...." Arorua went unconscious.
"So, the mighty Templar, is wolf in sheep's clothing. Hah! You and I are quite alike."
"I am nothing like you." Raziel raised his sword pointing it towards Mathasar "Now this ends.." Raziel faded away. "Yes it does" Mathasar shifted to his demonic form and faded away.
High above, in the sky. Mathasar went at each other with an unnatural ferocity. Parrying slashes and stabs with blinding speed. Fading in and out of sight across the skyline. But the aerial battle lasted briefly. With amazing speed Raziel slipped under Mathasar's guard and cut him straight across the belly. Mathasar roared in anguish. He roared once again as a downward slice severed his left arm and his left wing. He lost his control and plummeted to the ground. The landed back at the temple. Mathasar smashing into several pillars and ricocheting of the wall.
"How can this be... I can not be beaten like this.."
"Your kind can never best one who has walked the flames of Fear."
"I can! And I will!!" He charged again but met Raziel's blade through his midsection. He coughed up blood and slid back off it. He stumbled around. Making a last move. He dashed over to Arorua and picked her up by her head.
"Call back the armor!"
"Why should I listen to the rants of the dead."
"I am far from dead! You and this wench are the dead ones" ** "Now, one last time! Retract the armor.." His form swelled to a greater size. Lifting Arorua off the altar and into the air. "or I'll tear her apart! HAHAHAHAHA"
"You never learn." Raziel faded away. Arorua crashed to the ground. Mathasar moved his last as he fell backwards, his head ripping off Raziel's sword. He lay there on the ground still, but he was just barely alive. Raziel knelt beside him and looked him into the eyes.
"How...How can I lose.....I ..am...."
"Concern yourself not with how you lost...but how your soul will suffer the agony of eternity as my own."
"No..Please! No!"
Raziel's eyes went white and he grasped Mathasar by the neck. Energy crackled and sparked and Mathasar screamed in agony. Then it was over. All that was left of Mathasar was a smoking husk.
Raziel stood up. Enjoying the sensation of the newfound power flowing through him. Then the euphoria stopped and he turned to check on Arorua. He met a small bolt of mana, it bounced harmlessly away. But it still stopped him.
"GET AWAY FROM ME!!"
"Arorua...I.."
'Your just as filthy as he is! I trusted you; I gave myself to you, I..I..'
"Arorua I never meant to...." Another bolt hit him.
"GO AWAY!! If I ever see you again, I'll...I'll... KILL YOU!!!"
"I'm sorry" Raziel faded away, a raven took his place and flew off into the distance.
Arorua curled up and cried.
-------------------------------------------
End Chapter 15
-------------------------------------------
Â
Best of the Best Round 2
---------------------------------
And so the Freeport Best of the Best Tournament continued.
"FIGHTERS ENTER FOR THE TEST OF MIGHT!"
* The entrants in the test of might enter the Freeport Arena in singles. Each one showing to the crowd their skills and proficiency. A warrior from Halas, who just barely made it to the second round, because his opponent in the first round was another warrior, had an interesting, if not comical demonstration.
2 workers bring out large stacks of sun baked bricks. They piled the bricks into a stack of 15. Shouting into the audience, he got them into a big stir. And then with a powerful chop he straight through the bricks or at least that was his intention. He go as far as the 4th brick...from the top and then ran screaming and hollering for a cleric as he had broken every bone in his hand.
The next two were truly impressive. The next entrant was one of the Kaladim Mining Guild 628, the royal scouts/rogues/thieves, whatever you would wish to call them. He picked a lady from out of the arena crowd and placed her against the arena wall. Then he had some of Freeport's guards bring out a table, on which was an assortment of throwing knives. He then had them guard the knives. With a shout to the crowd to get them in an uproar, he amazing slipped by the guards got the knives, and threw them expertly around the lady making a perfect outline. The Crowd roared with approval for him. I must admit I did too, it was impressive.
The next one was another of the Ashen Order. Reyia Swiftwind, one of the guilds elite. First she repeated the brick-breaking demo that the warrior had tried to do. Only this time shattering 23 bricks without a flinch, then she showed off some of the guild's most famous techniques. Most notably the Ianuki, ground shatter technique and Ar's favorite by the way, the Flying Dragon Fist, a technique that cause the monk to unleash a powerful flying uppercut, which in her case sent her a breathtaking 25 feet into the air.
Then it was my turn. I entered the arena and moved to the center. I was still thinking of what I was going to do.
/So great Master Raziel, what are you going to do to show your might?/
I haven't a clue.
/You better hurry and think of something. The crowd is getting rowdy/
"DO SOMETHING! QUIT STANDING THERE!"
I know.
/O no. Not that. That hasn't been used in hundreds of years. Why do you think the council banned it?/
I've said it before and I'll say it again to you Reyas since when have I listened to the Council?
/Cazic spare me.../
Raziel motions the audience to silence down and move up higher into the arena seating. He assumes an erect posture. He stands still for a moment; the crowd gets noisy again. But not for long, they quite down again as strings of mana begin to flow through the air and collect around Raziel. It takes a few moments for him to ready, but the mana strings awe the crowd.
/O lord...here it comes.../
Suddenly Raziel's stance shifts.
"RAAAAAAAAGGGGGIIING STORRRM!!!"
The ground rattles and the air around Raziel whips around violently. And a huge shockwave races through the Arena. A few moments later the dust settles and people can see clearly. The Arena floor has been whipped around violently and Raziel aside from being a bit dusty is unharmed. The crowd roars with approval and a few shout for an encore. *
/Well that was...messy to say the least. Do you realize how bad that would have been had you done it correctly?/
Yes.
/and your ok with that?/
Aside from causing everyone laundry duty, yep.
/I wonder about you sometimes......./
------------------------------------------
The tournament continued on to the next round, which included weapons. This was a brief and occasionally bloody round.
The poor warrior was first; he faced the Dwarf from the 628. It was quick. Two pokes from a dagger and a swift kick and down he went. Well, he tried. It could have been worse, he could have faced Reyia or me...or anyone else. Poor guy. Why do they let such unskilled people into the Arena? I guess I'll never know.
It continued on and around the middle of the rounds, it was my turn. I seem to have a certain magnetism to the Ashen Order. Because I faced Reyia.
"THE THIRD FIGHT IS A ARMED MATCH!" "THE FIRST FIGHTER, FROM FREEPORTS OWN, THE ASHEN ORDER. REYIA SWIFTWIND!"
*
Reyia entered doing flips causing the crowd to roar. She showed off a few moves getting herself warmed up. She signified her readiness by using the Flying Dragon Fist again. Breaking her previous record by a foot.
*
*
"HER OPPONENT ALL THE WAY FROM ODUS. THE AMAZING RAZIEL EOM'BRN!"
I entered the arena. Circled the Arena for show. Shouted out to the crowd, got them riled up.
/Aren't you the showmen?/
This is fun.
*
*
Then Reyia and I faced off. I drew my sword and readied myself for the gong. The gong sang out and I was about to attack when Reyia did something I wasn't expecting. She backed up, twirled her Bo and slammed it into the ground letting it stand straight up. I followed suit and placed my blade in the ground. And assumed a defensive stance. We circled each other for 2 rotations. Then she sprang at me using a flying tiger strike. I dodged out of the way. She then used a blitzkrieg of punches and kicks. Which I tried to block but she was really fast and she slipped through and clipped me on the shoulders and stomach. I reeled giving her an inch, and then she took advantage and took a mile. She opened with the symbol of the Ashen Order the flying Kick and slammed me into the wall. She then restarted the assault of punches and kicks which drove me further into
the wall. I wonder how thick are the Arena walls? Well I almost found out, but she stopped just short of sending me through, by deviating to her signature move, the Flying Dragon Fist. This sent us both into the air.
In midair, she switched techniques to continue assaulting me in midair, but this time I caught her fist. And then planted the back of my hand across her head a few times. About this time, our upward momentum faded and we began to go back down. All the way down we traded blows, neither of us gaining an advantage over the other. Then we crashed to the arena floor. The wind pretty much knocked out of both of us.
"5!......6!..."
"Get up Reyia! Get up!" shouted someone from the crowd.
"Come on Raziel!" someone, shouted for me.
"8!......9!...." Then they cheered, we were both up.
We locked each other again. We assumed our stances again. I attacked this time. I planted one fist in her sternum, causing her too lose her air again. Then I used a round kick to the side of her head, which sent her flying, she handsprings and then backflipped to her staff, picking it up in mid flip. She whirled it around, and resumed her assault. I dodged her swings and then catapulted myself over her, grabbing my sword in the air like she did and faced her.
The crowd was pretty quiet at the moment. They were awestruck, this had been the longest and so far one of the most entertaining matches yet.
We charged again her Bo rattling off my sword again and again. But her Bo was made of wood and if you pit wood against metal, guess who will win. Her Bo shattered, startling her. I did like she did earlier and took a mile. I planted a swift kick to her stomach, then my fist to her chin. Then in a bit of extravagance, I jumped into the air grasping her head with my feet, and rolled forward. Catapulting her into the arena wall. I then charged forward and used a flying kick, and I found out how thick the walls are. Not very. She cracked through it and crashed to the other side.
"9!!....10!!! THE WINNER!!! RAZIEL EOM'BRN!"
I raised my fist into the air. "ALL RIGHT!"
"RAZIEL!!" Arorua cheered loudly again.
--------------------------------------------
Well that was my last fight of the day. So I retired to my room at the inn. Which, was the first in a series of bad events.
"Mister Raziel?"
"Yes? Come in?"
It was the son of the Inn owner.
"I saw your fight against Reyia. WOW. It as soo cool. I never thought anyone could beat her!"
"Thanks."
"Umm......gee....Mom said I was supposed to tell you sumpthin......o YEAH! Your fight will be starting soon you need to get to the arena."
"Alright."
The kid shuffled to the door.
"Hey. Take this." I handed him the Sash that Reyia had given me for besting her.
"WOW Thanks Mister!"
He adorned himself with the sash and mimicked a few of Reyia's moves. Then left. I headed out side also. Wondering where Arorua was.
----------------------------------
I entered the holding area underneath the Arena. I sat down and waited for a while and waited my turn.
Then a voice came from behind me.
"You are like a pebble in my shoe, you are always causing me pain and anguish."
That voice. It couldn't be...
/Mathasar/
"What are you doing here." I turned to him; he had a new form. A barbarian male. The warrior who lost earlier. Damn it! Why hadn't I been able to see through his illusion like before?
"You should know by know. The work of our lord Inorrouk."
"The last time you tried you failed. Quite miserably in fact."
"It is of no import. The Dread King was doomed to fail, unlike the others I could have cared less if he succeeded or not. I got what I wanted."
"I don't suppose you will tell me?"
"Of course, I will. My freedom."
"Ah. So your are nothing but a strumpet for the Dark elves?"
He growled at me.
"You should watch your tongue. It might cost you dearly."
He smiled. It was my turn to lose my temper. "Mathasar...."
"If you want the wench back come to the Shrine in the West Commons."
"MATHASAR!"
He cackled at me. That broke the last straw. I charged him; he caught me and threw me against the wall. He slashed me across the chest and picked me above his head and threw me through the wall out into the arena. He stepped out and began to shift to his other form. He swelled to 9 feet and grew wings and talons. He was one of the Dark elves Experiments, he was
massive. The crowd in the arena panicked and began to scream and holler as they tried to leave the Arena. The Guards tried to swarm in to help.
"So much for the great savior of Faydwer. AHAHAAHA. You're nothing in comparison to me. Now that my bonds have been broken, there is nothing that can stop me."
He leaned over and picked me up by the head and lifted me up into the air. "And my first task shall be to enjoy your mate. I must say you picked well." He licked his lips. "I shall enjoy taking her and then slowly carving her into bits."
"You will not harm a hair on her head!" I struck out planting my foot in his gut. Causing him just enough pain to let me go. I dropped to the ground and kicked his knees causing him to crash to the ground. I grabbed him by the shoulders. He screamed in pain as his blood began to boil and his skin began to crisp. He swatted me with his large hand
knocking me away.
He flinched slightly. "Gahh. You cause me much pain. But your wench will feel a thousand fold of what I feel." He leapt into the air and headed of into the distance.
The guards swarmed to me.
"Are you all right?" They kept shouting to me, but I didn't hear them.
"MATHASAR!!!!!" I roared into the air, and then in a brief explosion of power the guards were knocked away. And a raven streaked from the Arena into the air.
-------------------------------------
/Raziel/
Shut up
/Damn it Raziel listen to me!/
WHAT!
/You don't to hear this, but. If you want to save her..../
I know! I know!
/Mathasar is an unbonded cacodemon. Their power is far beyond anything you have faced so far. Granted the Dread King at his full strength makes them look like chew toys, but you never saw him at his full strength. /
It doesn't matter now.
/But you do realize what it will mean if you../
If I want to save her, then I have no choice.
/She probably wont...../
I know but I rather her hate me and be alive, then love me and dead.
--------------------------------------------
Mathasar had assumed a weaker form again, that off a dark elf. He moved over to Arorua who was lying across the shrine. He bent over and examined her. She flinched when he touched her. He laughed "This will only be the beginning wench.."
"Lay another hand on her Mathasar....."
He turned round to face Raziel at the edge of the shrine.
"Raziel.." She smiled weakly at him, it was obvious that Mathasar had drugged her. "ahh so you made it. You always seem to know how to spoil my fun Raziel. I was just about to show her a few things that all good wenches should know." He smiled evilly.
"Mathasar. You are a fool."
"O am I?"
"There should be 3 things that even an idiot like you should know."
"And what's that?"
"1. Never touch another man's mead. 2. Never touch another man's food."
"And number three?"
"And above all else. Never..ever....mess with a Hell Knight's woman!"
A bolt of lightning leapt from the heavens and struck Raziel with a blinding flash and flames leapt about the ancient shrine. Arorua and Mathasar blinked trying to see through the daze that accompanies a flash of light. And they saw a figure in Jet-Black armor and wielding a blade shimmering with power.
"Raziel...no... cant..be...." Arorua went unconscious.
"So, the mighty Templar, is wolf in sheep's clothing. Hah! You and I are quite alike."
"I am nothing like you." Raziel raised his sword pointing it towards Mathasar "Now this ends.." Raziel faded away. "Yes it does" Mathasar shifted to his demonic form and faded away.
High above, in the sky. Mathasar went at each other with an unnatural ferocity. Parrying slashes and stabs with blinding speed. Fading in and out of sight across the skyline. But the aerial battle lasted briefly. With amazing speed Raziel slipped under Mathasar's guard and cut him straight across the belly. Mathasar roared in anguish. He roared once again as a downward slice severed his left arm and his left wing. He lost his control and plummeted to the ground. The landed back at the temple. Mathasar smashing into several pillars and ricocheting of the wall.
"How can this be... I can not be beaten like this.."
"Your kind can never best one who has walked the flames of Fear."
"I can! And I will!!" He charged again but met Raziel's blade through his midsection. He coughed up blood and slid back off it. He stumbled around. Making a last move. He dashed over to Arorua and picked her up by her head.
"Call back the armor!"
"Why should I listen to the rants of the dead."
"I am far from dead! You and this wench are the dead ones" ** "Now, one last time! Retract the armor.." His form swelled to a greater size. Lifting Arorua off the altar and into the air. "or I'll tear her apart! HAHAHAHAHA"
"You never learn." Raziel faded away. Arorua crashed to the ground. Mathasar moved his last as he fell backwards, his head ripping off Raziel's sword. He lay there on the ground still, but he was just barely alive. Raziel knelt beside him and looked him into the eyes.
"How...How can I lose.....I ..am...."
"Concern yourself not with how you lost...but how your soul will suffer the agony of eternity as my own."
"No..Please! No!"
Raziel's eyes went white and he grasped Mathasar by the neck. Energy crackled and sparked and Mathasar screamed in agony. Then it was over. All that was left of Mathasar was a smoking husk.
Raziel stood up. Enjoying the sensation of the newfound power flowing through him. Then the euphoria stopped and he turned to check on Arorua. He met a small bolt of mana, it bounced harmlessly away. But it still stopped him.
"GET AWAY FROM ME!!"
"Arorua...I.."
'Your just as filthy as he is! I trusted you; I gave myself to you, I..I..'
"Arorua I never meant to...." Another bolt hit him.
"GO AWAY!! If I ever see you again, I'll...I'll... KILL YOU!!!"
"I'm sorry" Raziel faded away, a raven took his place and flew off into the distance.
Arorua curled up and cried.
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End Chapter 15
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