Melty watched in quiet shock as Lady Iwatani's words echoed in her head.
"My son has just challenged his father for the throne to save the lives of your bastard husband and daughter."
She found herself missing Draak's hand now as she desperately tried to grip something to ease this crushing sensation in her chest. Because of her family, another one was being torn apart, only this time she didn't have the luxury of hearing about it alone. Now she was witnessing it, first hand. It was then she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. She looked up in slight surprise to find Lady Iwatani there with a soothing grip.
"I'm so sorry."
Melty didn't even realize she had spoken until the Lady knelt to her level and enveloped her in a warm hug. There was a sudden booming roar that seemed to echo all around them, making her jump and grip Lady Iwatani closer. She cooed and patted her back softly.
"Be at peace, it is only Draak. The tradition of Takeshi and Naofumi's people must be upheld if this is to be recognized by the world."
Melty looked up into Lady Iwatani's face with confusion.
"What do you mean?"
She smiled and stroked her hair a few times before standing up.
"Allow me to explain it to you all, it will take time for them to arrive."
Melty made to ask who would be arriving but was stopped by her mother with a gentle shake from her head. Lady Iwatani gracefully walked to her seat and sat with an audible 'thump.'
"The Sun Touched or Dragons, as they are called in the common tongue, are much more than an honor-bound race. They also thrive on competition, the last vestige of their savagery. After the time of the First Emperor of their people, Roku, a war erupted the likes of which our world has never seen since. The full power of the Sun Touched was used to such horrifying effect during this short and bloody time. Entire continents of vibrant greens and seas of blue were laid to ruin in the aftermath of this conflict and made barren. Even to this day, they remain abandoned and uninhabitable by any being. They remain as a monument to the sins of those with great power, the shame of every Sun Touched."
The others gathered shivered at the small picture painted by Lady Iwatani. Destruction of a small island could be understood in times of upheaval, but to lay waste to entire continents and seas? What was the full measure of a Dragon's power?
"In the wake of one such frightful display that nearly destroyed the last refuge of the other races that resided in the world, there was a collective conference among the elders of the Sun Touched. A pact was crafted that henceforward the Sun Touched would cease their Warlike ways. What was once a whole world, had become fractured. In the time of Roku, all lived together in harmony. After he and his Keeper passed, many didn't recognize his child as an heir and so began the Great War. After it was concluded, many had been left with grievous scars both visible and invisible making it difficult to live amongst those they had been fighting against. So they gathered into separate groups residing in what came to be called the Oasis Cities. Sometime after this, a young Sun Touched emerged from the Eastern City called Japan. His name was Tadashi."
Raphtalia's ears perked up at that and looked down at Emperor Iwatani. She turned and saw Lady Iwatani chuckling at her surprised look.
"Yes Raphtalia. Tadashi would one day become the Emperor, Takeshi Iwatani. But that's getting ahead of the story, isn't it?"
Raphtalia blushed as she resumed listening.
"Tadashi was something of an Archivist, and as he learned more of his world's past he grew increasingly concerned with how the races were beginning to once again walk down dark paths. Seeing this impending doom, he challenged not one but all four of the Oasis Cities' Councilors to an all on one duel. All of the most powerful Councilors in history up to that point in time, against one rebel Archivist. The undertaking was arduous and lengthy but in the end, he emerged victorious over them all. This became known to us as the Dynasty War. But he challenged them in such a way that it abided by their most ancient of traditions and satisfied the honor of all concerned. What's more the way he challenged them led to no breach of the original pact made by the Sun Touched elders all those years ago when our lands were once green and there were seas instead of deserts. With his guidance, the Oasis Cities went forward and have been continuing to grow to this day into what we once were. And thus the Archivist Tadashi was renamed Takeshi, 'The Fierce Warrior.' "
Lady Iwatani sat back in her chair and steepled her fingers as she looked to the horizon. Eventually, the Queen spoke up.
"What does this have to do with now though if I may ask?"
Lady Iwatani's eyes grew hard as she refocused on the two combatants in the ring.
"The manner Takeshi challenged the Councilors was by reciting the poem Naofumi just spoke. Now, begins the Rite of Passage that all Emperors must undertake according to the old ways. First is the Test of Will, the reigning Emperor will strike his challenger at full power while the challenger remains in his weakest form. If the challenger survives, the challenge is acknowledged as legitimate and from there the two combatants will take a short break to negotiate terms and limits on their abilities, that is the Second part. After that, the Third and Final Part commences. The duel. Both parties will use anything they possess within the realm of the limits set forth to either incapacitate or k-... Destroy their opponent."
Raphtalia was on her feet in an instant.
"You can't be serious? Master Naofumi can't fight without me or Draak by his side, we need to be with him.
She made to move but was halted by a firm tug on her skirt she looked down to find Draak, feet firmly planted and his head bowed down.
"We can't interfere Big Sister. If we were to do so, Da would lose and be killed by the Emperor. That's if he even survives the Test of Will."
Raphtalia was about to argue when the steady flapping of wings became heard by all. Lady Iwatani looked up and spoke with a soft tone of resignation.
"They are here."
One by one massive Dragons of every shape, size, and color descended from the heavens above, landing on the roof of the arena. What was most surprising was when one appeared to dive right at the Royal box without so much as a hint of slowing down. Melty shut her eyes and hugged the first thing she could grab onto. She wasn't normally one to be fearful but having a several-ton flying, firebreather barreling toward you did not do well for her courage at that moment. She kept her eyes closed until an old, grandfatherly voice spoke.
"We heard the calling on the winds and we have come to bear witness and pay homage to the champion of this contest."
Melty blinked and took a small look at the source of the voice. Her eyes opened wide in surprise at the man standing in front of her. He had snow-white hair with small whit horns poking out of his scalp, greyish-blue eyes that peeked out from a half-asleep stare, but the way he held himself ramrod straight with his arms tucked neatly behind his back alluded to him being far more than just a simple sleepy old man.
He was dressed plainly in a white tunic that appeared to cover his main robes nicely and had no visible weapons on him. Even so, the aura he gave was one of a ferocious beast that had grown bored and decided to walk among men.
It was then she realized a tapping sensation on her upper arm
"Mel-... Mel-... Melly... Can't... Breathe...!"
She then looked at where her arms had latched onto when the Dragon had dived and quickly let go of Draak's neck. The young Dragon nearly fell forward as he gave an almighty heave, followed by three more.
As Melty fretted over Draak, Lady Iwatani stood and greeted the Elder Dragon.
"Be welcomed and be seated with us as equals, O Elder One."
The Dragon nodded to her as the Queen gave an order for another chair to be brought forth.
"I thank you for your welcome. You are not one of our people, are you?"
Lady Iwatani shook her head as another chair was placed in the Royal box.
"I am not, but am Keeper and Mate to the one being challenged, as well as the Mother of the Challenger."
He looked down at the duo and gave a sad sigh, before turning and bowing to her.
"I see, I am sorry my Lady."
Lady Iwatani smiled and returned the bow before sitting down, the elder sitting down beside her.
After recovering enough air in his lungs, Draak walked upfront and spoke loud enough for all to hear.
"Behold, in this gathering of Sun Touched and Humans, the reigning Emperor has been challenged and all are here to witness this contest. With this said, may the Test of Will begin."
Naofumi focused and shifted to his human form, while he shifted his shield to its Mirror Form.
"Naofumi, I beg you."
He blinked and looked up as his Father stared straight back at him.
"Please son, I beg you from the bottom of my heart, please reconsider this course you have set for yourself."
Steeling his resolve and taking a deep breath, Naofumi stared back into his Father's eyes.
"Would you spare the two that have caused us this much grief? For you, they caused my disappearance. For me, they condemned and humiliated me at every turn. Would you truly let them live?"
His Father's stillness and tightened glare was all the answer he needed. Naofumi gave a small nod and raised his shield in front. The damned thing had been nothing more than an unwanted shackle that hampered his strength and power, but now it was time to put it to work for him. Thanks to the materials he fed it and the centuries of training he had from both on and off various battlefields he was prepared.
But even still he had to pause and think, there were countless ways this could end badly for him if his Father didn't act the way he predicted he would. All he could do was a gamble on the fact that the shield gave him a wider selection of skills and abilities to use in this fight and unbalance his Father enough to tip the scales in his favor.
'Please, Master Naofumi...'
He glanced up at the Royal box and saw Raphtalia clutching his Heart, he gave her a small smile and winked. His meaning was simple, 'Trust me.' Draak's voice soon cut through the air.
"Let the Test of Will begin!"
Naofumi raised his Mirror Shield as he saw his Father's body shift to the ultimate form of a Sun Touched; The Primal State. His scales faded away to be replaced by blackened clouds, and his eyes became a blinding white as raw lightning danced and crackled along his body. This was the result of finding one's Keeper, a power rooted in the very world and with limitless potential. A fine mesh of the innate powers from not just the Dragon, but the Keeper as well.
And Naofumi had to withstand the strongest attack in his weakest form.
Still, he gritted his teeth and shut his eyes while bracing the Mirror Shield as best he could. This was the first part of his theoretical strategy.
Takeshi quieted the storm of his mind and focused on the challenge, even as a small part of him pleaded for him to try and listen to his eldest. He tuned it out and focused harder on the challenge that was presented to him and felt his Dragon need to be victorious sharpen his lightning into its strongest form.
Even before meeting Rei, his lightning attacks were second to none. He had even perfected a new ability that was unique to him alone that he had called 'Chain-lightning.' When facing multiple foes, the lightning would hit its intended target, before branching or 'chaining' outwards and spreading to other targets in the vicinity.
But when against a singular opponent, the attack rebounded back toward the target and created a massive bolt that was several times more powerful than the strongest occurring thunderstorm.
He tried to silence his mind, but one errant thought slipped through still.
'He's my son...'
But too late, his maw was open wide and the Chain-lightning had met its mark. He brought up his paw as there was an unexpected flash, he could only assume it to be the rebound of the lightning as it doubled back.
He made to take a step forward, praying against hope that maybe, just maybe Naofumi had survived even if only barely. So long as he still had a heartbeat, Rei and Naofumi's Keeper could help restore him.
'Damned dust, let me see!'
With a flick of his talons, the dust in the arena blew away...
...to reveal Naofumi standing upright, hand still braced against his Mirror Shield. Eyes still screwed shut as though waiting for the strike to come.
Draak's voice shattered the crowd's stunned silence and jolted Naofumi enough to open his eyes.
"The Challenger has passed the Test of Will, the challenge he presents to the current Emperor is now recognized as legitimate."
