To M1-Astray: I don't know what you're talking about, "mobile suit" but I would prefer adding a little technology to my RO stories just like the synards from "Final Light". Don't stop reviewing. Only the two of you have ever read my fic without stopping until this chapter.

Chapter 9: Lord Knight

Part IV: Meteor's Path

"The star crumbs and elunium that were used to reinforce your right arm are magically fused as well as bonded with your spinal column. You are normal as before but your arm might feel tougher and most oridecon blades cannot penetrate it. Your hand, however, is completely flesh and bones and will not perform like your arm will. Although there is a new way you could use it. Since the elunium pipes that serve as your bones were magically healed and fused to your wrist, your fingers will have every recoil returned back to the elunium tubes, providing more safety and at the same time more dangerous abilities, like the ones you use in swords. Use it well, Lord Knight."

'And I thought my sword was too heavy before…'

Necron glared at his right arm. It has been two months since Salendriel accidentally cut it off in his Lord Knight duel. The dismembered limb was burnt except the hand and most of it was now metal. The dark-haired lord knight hadn't completely gotten used to his unusually heavy and dangerous limb. What even made him feel awkward was his gauntlet that he was made to wear. It stretched from his right hand all the way to his elbow which was normal skin and bones. The fingertips on the metallic gloves were sharpened to look like claws as what Professor Zamarfin suggested.

'Was this your idea of a weapon? You're not a pure psychopath but this is just…intimidating.'

"I think it looks good on you."

The lord knight whipped around, his elunium-covered arm ready for a Bowling Bash. Necron smiled when he found that it was only Kathris that entered his room.

The red-haired huntress waved a hand.

"Sorry to bother you, Lord Knight, but your presence is required in the arena."

Necron lowered his arm and strapped his zweihander across his back.

"Who was it this time, Kathris?"

"Another one of your knights who's about to duel with Salendriel. I think he's the son of a professor."

The huntress took a step closer to the lord knight. Necron was hardly recognizable in his new armor.

"Will you be fighting again?"

Necron shook his head.

"I'm just giving instructions to those who need them the most although I'm looking forward to testing this contraption in combat."

His right arm heated up and an orb of fire appeared in his gauntleted hand. After seeing the startled look on Kathris' face, Necron made the heat dissipate. He had just learned how to execute a Magnum Break with his arm.

The huntress stared dreamily into the lord knight then gave him a bone-crushing hug. Necron gasped for air for a moment then placed his arm around her. He hoped he wouldn't accidentally crush her.

"Why don't you try being a sniper?"

"No…no, really. I'm not good enough yet."

………………………………………

"Best of luck to you, Arkyhm. May you be bathed in Light."

A green-haired knight bowed proudly to Necron and grinned.

"Thanks for your support, Lord Knight. But I don't think I could do the same as you did."

The knight called Arkyhm Zamarfin was the son of Aedilus. Both of them were inspired by Necron's duel with Salendriel and how he managed to survive the best Lord Knight.

"Just keep yourself in one piece all the time. It was…nice of your father to give me a new…limb that I lost."

Arkyhm turned and made his way into the arena entrance with his lance ready. From where he was standing, Necron knew that the knight was trembling. He knew why, of course. The green-haired knight watched many of his friends try to take the test. One of them nearly died after being flung to the air again while the others were simply subdued.

The lord knight turned to the huntress that was waiting behind him.

"Let's go, Kathris."

Necron waved his hand at the knight who waved back at him before entering the arena.

……………………………………

"What was that?"

Kael scanned his surroundings. It was dusk on Mt. Mjolnir. The trees were still being swayed by the wind as dusk slowly dawned on the mountain range. Something just flew past him that looked like a small bag of zenny.

"Must have been…What the!"

A battle axe closed in on him. The raydric-knight slid to the side then drew his new two-handed sword.

Kael caught a glimpse of the attacker before the axe was swung again but badly missed. It was a merchant wearing a cloak and hood.

'Is he from Alberta? Why so hostile all of a sudden?'

The raydric-knight positioned for a counterattack. To his surprise, the merchant just waved his axe about without watching.

Kael grunted then slammed his sword on the flat of the merchant's axe, hoping to disarm him. The axe, however, didn't change its maneuver and fell on the raydric-knight's chest. Kael expected the edge to tear through his breastplate but the axe didn't. Stupidly enough, the merchant withdrew the axe without driving it deeper.

'Some battle experience…'

The raydric-knight swung his sword down then sideward. Flames exploded from the blade with every swing. It was a move imitated from Necron. The merchant staggered backward, away from the arc of flames.

"This isn't a bandit?"

Kael stared at the merchant. It was a girl's voice. The raydric-knight leapt out of his flaming arc then pointed his sword at her throat.

"Bandit? Just who in the hells are you?"

The merchant removed her hood, revealing long blue hair reaching her upper back. She didn't have much choice but to tell this knight. The sword's tip was just an inch from her neck.

"F-Farina. You can call me Farina."

The merchant called Farina lowered her weapon. Kael sheathed his two-handed sword.

"Look, it was just a mistake, I assure you. My party was attacked by bandits. Everyone told me to escape before the bandits saw me. I thought you were one of them."

Kael raised an eyebrow before turning back to Glastheim's direction.

"A passing group of merchants from Alberta was ambushed by bandits. That sounds reasonable…"

"We're from Alberta, alright? At least, not me. No need to be so snide…"

The raydric-knight stopped then turned back to the merchant. For some reason, she wasn't bringing a cart with her.

"No wonder you're not much of a threat even with a weapon. So…what brings you here when you're heavily armed?"

Farina strapped her axe to her back.

"Look, I've just cheated death from you and…oh my."

The merchant stared at Kael's armor from the greaves to the heavy full plate.

"A raydric…"

Kael nodded.

"Look, if you wanted to come to Glastheim, you might as well tag along. A girl like you would easily be picked off by those bandits or the warring kobolds…"

Farina pouted and followed Kael who was walking towards the magnificent city below Mt. Mjolnir.