She rocketed forward, a blur crashing down like a meteor. It was the fundamental of the Royal Bushin style that magic had the power to throw an opponent off their feet with its overwhelming strength and force an opening where none should exist.
With that in mind to maximise ones own force and create an impossible situation where the other side could only tremble was the fundamental that everything rested on. A stationary opponent clashing against a moving one would be blown away. All attacks should be strong and sweeping because the distance increased, because the time you had to reset your stance was longer and so there was no room for counters.
In the wake of overwhelming force her opponent stepped aside, the distance between them expanding even as she threw herself into a spin to prepare to blast off again.
Alpha herself swung for a counter even as a meter had opened up between them. The distance beyond anything that could reach as she stood safe her blade free even if not raised.
In one breath the strange sword in Alpha's hand flowed, the meter between them becoming nothing as it slammed heavily into her shoulder. "One."
Iris grit her teeth in response. One death from the first exchange, if the blade had been undulled it would have split her in two and everything would be over. Even as the strange blade reformed in her opponents hand, she considered it.
It was an impressive trick at least, the kind of one use thing that no real knight would ever expect and gave no second chances. But the fact that it could flow meant that her blade was weaker than a normal one, so it was only a trick and all she needed to do was to break it.
Iris locked eyes with her opponent. "Can I go again."
Alpha merely returned to her stance. "As many times as you need to understand the difference."
Iris charged even as she poured everything into her sword, to close the gap in reach in one step and force a clash.
Magic spilled out until it her blade glowed, beyond its limits as its form began to break down as she swung. Yet for that single moment it was stronger than anything as it crashed down against her opponent.
She felt her blade break arm already going for the second she kept in case. Coming loose into her hand as she felt her magic flow into the new blade.
And Alpha was already there her own blade crashing through her guard while it was still being drawn, a faint smile on her face as she stepped back. "Two."
A second death. She grit her teeth even as she took another stance looking for an opening.
That sword was truly unfair, an artifact that could break her own sword and had such a powerful offensive trick was easily the highest grade that could be found. She breathed in and calmed herself recentring her stance. It wasn't like it was the only such legendary weapon in the world, and real skill would still win out in the end. Her eyes reaching for an opening.
Alpha smiled back. "If you're not coming then I shall go first this time." The tip of her opponents blade began to shine, five droplets of power forming on the edge of the blade as her opponent stepped back and swung. Five bullets of magic racing forwards in the blink of an eye even as her own sword rose on instinct. The blade shattering as the first bullet tore it from her hands even as the other four veered away at the last moment.
The actual blade extending into the gap and crashing down on her shoulder at the end. She bit back a violent retort, even as she knew she needed to land at least one blow to erase the shame of it. "You could have used them to rip through me again, so that's three then."
Alpha nodded her head. "Three deaths it is and you haven't landed a single blow. Now you have no weapon but we can provide more if you still wish to continue."
She looked down at the blade in her own hand, compared to the artifact in her opponents. "Can I have a blade like yours." Or are you afraid to fight me without such an advantage.
Alpha tilted her head and nodded. "As long as you are capable of handling it you can have this sword of course. This blade isn't anything special. I can always make another whenever I want to." Alpha offered her the sword without a second thought.
Iris took it because there was no need for traps. Her opponent had proven already that if she wanted to kill her it would be too easy. The sword felt strange not truly of steel as she held it and then as Alpha took her hand away it melted free of her grasp.
A black puddle forming on the ground between them as the weapon collapsed, a smile from her opponent as she watched. "You need more control if you're going to force it to keep form, like this." In front of her Alpha twisted her hand, the cloak around her shifting to become another blade… She looked at it again the entire ensemble wrapped around her opponent. Every inch of it made of the same substance that her blade was formed of, every inch able to become as hard as that blade and parry at a moments notice.
Even if one of her attacks had swung through, the cloak itself would parry and she'd be right back where she started. Alpha found something in her gaze because she turned away. "If you'd like an easier opponent, I've brought one as well."
She pulsed her magic letting the flames manifest around her. "I'm only strong enough to match the third strongest member of your organisation?"
Alpha smirked at her in response. "I am the third strongest, at best in truth. There are two members who I have never once been able to beat and a few others I have not fought. Five five six here though shows talent like you do and may even enter the ten strongest at some point."
That answer was worse. She peered up as another black cloaked member stepped forth from the shadows. The Saintess Victoria a well-known prodigy with the sword talked about in the same circles as herself, who had gone missing months ago.
At least it was someone she'd known was qualified and not another unknown. Unfortunately she had another sword just like the one Alpha possessed so they had at least ten such weapons in their employ. "The whole greatest ten of your swordsman each have such an artifact?"
The venomous smile Victoria gave back unsettled her so different from when they'd last met. "We have hundreds if not thousands of them so they're not anything special. Our Lord will bestow one upon you too if you would only see the truth and accept that you need his help to free your country."
Mundane Mann took his place among the stands, a commanding presence even as he knew he had enough time before his match. Had chosen his timing to step out and cause a scene with Rose entirely for that fact.
In the corner Chi was finishing up a conversation with Annerose, probably getting her autograph given she was a fangirl and as his eyes wavered over the crowds he felt with his magic for any familiar foes.
Gaunt was supposed to be here somewhere watching over things and yet he couldn't see him amidst the crowd. The old man hadn't returned once yet either and as the crowd thinned he hadn't spotted him, he tapped his fingers wondering if he was really missing out.
Was there a second secret underground tournament as well that he needed to find a way to infiltrate? But he figured at least Gaunt would try and invite him if that was the case.
He winced as the next two combatants stepped out. "I guess this one's going to be a massacre."
"Even if the unbeaten legend is dishonourable, I don't think you have to worry about him killing children." Annerose spoke as she walked up in her own ignorance.
Cid wasn't worried about that in the slightest because the child walking up to fight him was Fenrir, who even Alpha had declared as a terrifying opponent. "That child is going to murder him in cold blood."
Annerose looked puzzled, but that was even better. Every doubt now meant she would believe in him more once she was done.
The brat in golden armour sauntered up to him without a care, once he'd looked into him. The Unbeaten Legend was a title that he thought might be worthy of adding to the annals of his victims. Only to find disappointment when he'd looked further at the snivelling wreck who held it.
Someone who ran from a fight could never be considered a worthy opponent, so he settled calmly back into his stance without a care in the world. "I'm glad I managed to look weak enough you didn't piss yourself and run away."
The boy scoffed pretentiously even as he drew his sword and preened before the crowd. "I do not run away I merely choose my battles with care."
To think you could be a coward and still feel shame. "Don't worry I also never end up fighting people stronger than me too. Although I guess my reason's a bit different than yours is." For he had no equals he could run from.
Two eyes fixed on him as though trying to assess if he could back it up. But greater men had tried and failed to see through him. Still the boy rallied what little courage he possessed. "It seems some people are too young to have seen the world. I know myself and learn of my enemy that this Golden Dragon will only know victory in battle."
He really was much too young to be saying those words, ah the arrogance of youth could last but a moment before it was crushed by the truth of reality. "Then I shall be grateful for this chance to extend my horizons, it will be my first defeat in a long time."
The flag came down.
He stepped forward as the battle began, the blunt blade in his hand flashing as it slammed into the knee of his opponent a trace of magic floating through and shattering the man's knee. The counter passed so slowly in front of his face he almost yawned. His next strike cracked against armour, the magic pouring forth in a torrent as he shattered the boys ribcage even through it.
The scream came and he was ready, killing intent pouring out until the child choked on his own vomit as he worked his way forward. The left arm, the second leg and finally his right shoulder each leaving a trace of his magic behind as the boy toppled backwards.
A flicker and it exploded outwards tearing flesh away beneath the surface of the boys armour. Blood poured free from every wound he'd inflicted, even as the rictus of fear on the boys face hung in front of him. "I choose when men die, not you."
That was the kind of ruthlessness that Gaunt would look for. Even as the kid grinned at the corpse and turned to wave at him, a trace of killing intent crossing the arena between them.
He felt the flow of magic himself watching it and understood. He knew where he'd placed it before but a complete body transformation even more extensive than his own into Mundane Mann. "That old man really doesn't know how to contain his bloodlust does he?"
Next to him Annerose was looking unsettled as the corpse was carted off the field. "Old man?"
"You can't see through it? A technique that makes his body appear younger is quite possible with magic, it allows one to become truly ageless." What had Gaunt called his accomplice the first time they'd met. "The Midgar Devil, Fenrir. But even if he frightens you that is okay for you won't get the chance to face him. I will crush you long before that time comes to pass."
"The Midgar Devil?" He grinned as she recognised the term and let a smile come to his face even as she continued on. "To name yourself after that monster from six hundred years ago."
"He is the original having drunk the blood of demons and obtained immortality." Who cared if it was true or not it made a good story. He had already walked down that path quite a distance. "With just a little effort living a mere six hundred years is child's play, see the world and you'll meet those who are old enough to remember the founding of Midgar itself."
"But that is not enough to let him stain my kingdom now I have set my sights on him. For even a demon can only be prey before me." He set off towards the arena letting himself stand a bit taller the glimpse of a more regal bearing to his frame.
Her voice called after him. "Have you also drunk the blood of demons then?"
"A demon?" He looked back over his shoulder as though to ponder her words for a moment. The tension hanging between them as she seemed almost hesitant. It was a good moment so he'd heighten the tension even more. "I have no need for the blood a demon to grant me immortality the mark I bear is more than enough."
"The mark you bear?" For a moment she was confused, and then it came. The light of dawning understanding on her face even as he let the dragon motif on the hilt of his sword show. "You are." The words catching in her throat even as he let a grin answer it for her.
He covered it again sure he'd played his part well. "A demon dares walk the streets so openly so how could I not return."
Then it was time to set off for his own match. The other swordsman coming out onto the field as he took his own place on the battleground.
The two of them stood across from one another, his own languid stance as he rested a mockery of an actual fighting style. The man across from him was regal, with red hair reaching to his shoulders and perfectly polished armour standing proud against the world. He would probably look down upon him and go all in for his attack and then he would have the perfect opportunity to crush him in a single swing.
"Mordred the Transcendent." The man inclined his head gently in acknowledgement as their eyes met. "I have heard much about you Mundane Mann and your skills supposedly equal to any of the greatest of swordsmen in this world. Show it to me that I might see what causes them to speak so highly of you."
Well, there went that plan, but still he had plenty to work with. "Do you think you are capable of it?"
Across from him the man swung a lazy arc, an empty left hand unable to reach him. But his fingers were in a solid grip and of course the line of the sword was aimed towards him as he leaned to the side and felt its presence pass him by. An invisible sword then. Some kind of magic that let it extend perhaps not infinitely but enough that he was always within reach.
He grinned even as a featherlight trace of magic washed over the scenery between them. Because even if it could not be seen it had to have a presence to cut him, and with the next gesture he felt it swing even as he evaded it effortlessly.
Mordred grinned, "So it is true and you truly have eyes to see it truly you are a worthy opponent I suppose I will have to take things seriously for once."
The blades carved into his senses multiplied and the battle began anew.
The crowd watched in dismay. On one side of the arena stood a knight bold and proud as he casually waved an empty hand this way and that. On the other stood the dark horse of the tournament who at least had a sword on his waist but hadn't yet seen the need to draw it. Only shuffling from the left to the right.
All the while both of them were spoke without end.
"To think you were even capable of such a feat, I acknowledge you as a true opponent on this battlefield." Mordred declared even as he wiggled the one hand absently in midair at a faster pace.
"To rely on only a single trick and still dare to call yourself transcendent. No matter how peerless it is the summit still stands beyond you." Mundane Mann danced on his feet twisting this way and that for no reason at all.
The knight frowned but regained his composure. "I assure you I have only begun to show the true depths of power at my disposal, for you see I am not left-handed." His right hand came up and then he began waving it casually instead of his left.
Across from him, Mundane Mann began shuffling around the arena slightly faster, his movements becoming ever more erratic as he danced around madly. "Now if only you learned to work on your footwork you could become as good as I am." He drew his own sword letting it hang in the air for a moment.
Mordred responded his footwork coming alive as he too began dancing around the arena, every step carrying him further backward as the two of them continued on in their own little world. The greatest dance off of the century continuing onwards as a mockery to swordsmanship itself at every turn.
Mordred swung an empty hand at the air and glared as though his gaze could kill. Mundane Mann swung his sword at nothing and mocked the other relentlessly. All the while the crowd stood in abject horror watching the two of them fight. The two blurring until even the sight of them vanished and still neither one came even close to touching the other.
"I concede." Mordred stopped in place and bowed to his opponent. "Even if I leave this tournament in defeat know that I go without any regrets. Having had the chance to face such a swordsman has been the highest of honours and I will endeavour to improve myself in preparation for our next clash."
Mundane Mann stopped in place as well. "You have realised your limits and thus your chance to break free of them. in the future you will surely achieve greatness."
"I will endeavour to live up to your expectations." With a flourish of his cape he strode confidently back towards the pits beneath the arena head held high with pride. Even as Mundane Mann turned and sauntered off in the other direction a light hearted pace without doubt.
The crowd sat perplexed, neither of them had swung a single blow in the entire exchange. Could it even be called a battle of swordsmanship? Hadn't the two of them just been mocking the very precepts of this event. All eyes turned to the VIP box awaiting an answer.
Inside of it similarly all eyes had turned to the War Goddess themselves. One single question hanging in the air. "Does that really count as swordsmanship?"
Beatrix the War Goddess considered the question from her seat. "Truly an exquisite battle they say that two grandmasters can have an entire fight just by locking eyes and this is the closest those of you here will likely ever see. It is a shame that the future matches will only pale in comparison to it."
So that too now counted as a type of swordsmanship.
His plan to slowly work his way up to dominate the competition was kind of lost right now, but that was fine. He'd just traded one scene for another equally valid moment.
Even if he'd blown his cover before the ending it just meant that now his name was on the lips of everyone watching as the dark horse of the tournament. Yes he could still run this hype train all the way to the end until it was time for the final unveiling.
Where they would admire his resolution before realising at the end he had been the true king all along.
But all that could wait for a moment as he stepped off into the darkness, his form flickering away as he was wrapped within the shadows once more. Until he arrived at a small box within the seating of the arena separated from the rest where Mordred had disappeared to. Because Mordred's magic felt like the blast that had annihilated Perv so he'd finally managed to find Gaunt again.
Two seats were filled so naturally he appeared in the third empty one as mysteriously as ever. "Gaunt I see you have such wonderful seats for this little show. Truly being on team evil has such perks to it."
The wizened old man looked startled for a moment his hand reaching out for a blade placed too far away before he composed himself. "I take it you are here for a chat rather than to kill me."
He steepled his fingers in a proper thinking pose, letting the moment hang before his judgement. "Your daughter remains elsewhere, and it wouldn't be suitably dramatic if I killed you without her present now would it."
Lutheran smiled at that. "Then I shall have a toast to her absence, although it is Mordred that prepared out accoutrements, I'm sure he won't mind will you Mordred."
Mordred held his own glass with refinement. "Yes a toast for I once thought Lutheran would never be able to have a family, no one knows quite how to turn heartwarming into horror quite like Gaunt."
With a gesture a servant handed him a glass and the three of them raised them.
"And a thank you to Perv Asshat for donating the supplies to us all." He grinned beneath his mask as Mordred winced even as Gaunt kept his calm. "It was a pretty good standard plot but corrupting the vizier just ends up being obvious if you do it too much."
Mordred rallied himself with aplomb, "tragic that he doesn't have the cunning to better hide himself I admit. I had such high hopes for him when he first became my protégé and yet he was only a disappointment."
He nodded because pulling the strings of a nation was a difficult game. "He relied too much on the power of mortals and was unprepared for the game ahead. A pity that he fell at such an early stage but only natural for he lacked the strength to hold on to what he dared claim."
Mordred heaved a sigh. "Long ago I gave him the chance to acquire true power, to speak to the demons themselves and learn to bind them to his cause. Yet the man is satiated with but the barest hint of power and instead decided to devote himself to skirt chasing instead."
He understood they had been childhood friends until Perv had taken an interest in girls and left the roleplaying life behind.
It was a tragedy because they were built different. Free of the constraints of reality to play whatever games they could come up with, the elite few. "Not everyone has the commitment to walk this path to the end, to grow up and speak to demons takes a conviction beyond normal men. We are the chosen few to truly know our place in this world so it's only natural that normal people cannot comprehend us."
He had felt similarly sad when his girls had grown up and decided to leave the roleplaying behind as well. Some people truly did feel that being a part of reality was more important than enjoying their own games. Gaunt broke their contemplation as he spoke. "There's no use in contemplating the failures of the dead, although you should be careful the owner of that seat won't take kindly when she returns."
He wasn't going to get a better cue than that was he, pulling the magically preserved arm free and tossing it over to Gaunt. "I doubt Surtr is in much room to object given what Azrael has done to her. I guess it's just three on three for the moment, Azrael, Mundane Mann and myself against you, Mordred and Fenrir. Truly we will make it a festival to remember."
Gaunt lifted his gaze from the severed arm. His shock carefully hidden as he considered it and nodded thinking to himself "It seems even Dollanar might decide to turn up."
He had no idea who Dollanar was, but hype was hype, and he knew it well. "To think even Dollanar is coming, truly all the titans are gathering in this place for the confrontation to come. But even so it won't match up to my trump card when it arrives. I have something quite special in play for the finish."
"Nyarlathotep perhaps?" Mordred looked out over the arena. "I hear you have some experience with summoning demons yourself and I might wish to compare notes."
"Something else on this occasion, though you'll enjoy it more as a surprise I think." He spun the glass of wine in his hand. "You wish to hear of Nyarlathotep?"
Mordred grinned. "I have managed to bind the power of a demon into my own form, the flames of Ragnarok themselves flow through my veins. So naturally I take an interest in anyone else who has consorted with them, are you not curious yourself?"
To speak of Nyarlathotep how he would describe him. "He would introduce himself as the one from beyond the outer gate, who had walked through worlds as yet unseen by all, and the first child of the unending chaos. Nyarlathotep would say that once long ago there was no magic in this world, but that he shattered the gates and gifted it to humanity. When he first spoke of his wonders I tried everything to replicate the tricks that were promised to me by him, but it was not until I had seen what lay beyond the gate that I was able to see the truth."
"There I caught a glimpse of all that was promised to me and a chance to seize a portion of its power for my own. Yet at the same time I saw a truth, that he was less of a man and more of a conglomeration of lies built upon one another as susceptible to change as anything else. When I confronted him on this, he merely laughed that I had ever believed a word he said. He had always been a demon made in the image of the darkness and everything we had done was for his own amusement. We fought and I crushed him and yet even at the moment of my victory he only laughed and smiled back as though that too was a part of the plan."
"Since then, he has appeared before me in many guises, a hundred forms he would take if he had the chance and yet all of them are like lies. For every word that comes out of his mouth is caught in his own delusions that he would see defeat and victory as much the same and every attempt to pin him down leads only to more falsehoods."
He steepled his hands in front of him gazing off into the distance. "Sometimes I wonder if he plans at all, for it seems more like a game to him than anything else, that he believes the whole world a stage and wishes only to make us all dance on his hand for his own amusement. Other times I wonder if that too was his plan, that he would let my familiarity for him hide a deeper plot just waiting to unfold."
Nyarlathotep was sitting in this very room as well but that wasn't quite dramatic enough.
Mordred furrowed his brow as he continued before nodding in understanding. Because the two of them were alike in their delusions. "It bears a significant resemblance to my own understanding, although I had not known they could take a fully human form. Ragnarok certainly has never done so. But Ragnarok and all his servants have shown me how to coalesce magic until it takes a form independent of oneself, that I might see anywhere in my kingdom and kill anyone who opposes me."
A flame took form on the man's hand even as it took the form of a little devil and turned to stare at them both. "The fools always believe we cannot take their tricks right up until the moment they realise we have bound them in their entirety. They lord their superiority even as they expose their ignorance so if you find a chance to meet him again I would pay quite heavily for a sample of his flesh. Perhaps I will be able to learn more of his true form by studying it."
He wondered if just donating some of his own blood was fine for it. If he knew just how Mordred was testing it he would just for the money but for now he would have to wait. "I shall endeavour to keep it in mind, but alas the gate he used to enter was destroyed in full, so I must wait until the stars align once more."
"As must we all." The forlorn voice of Mordred sounded wistful, like he truly believed. They were just as good at this roleplay thing as his girls were in the end. "I would offer you an invite to see my facilities one day except well Fenrir intends to sling your corpse over the ramparts tomorrow as a message to any future rebellions raising their heads."
He grinned because he was looking forward to that fight. But hype was hype so he gave his own cryptic statement as well. "Mundane Mann hasn't even begun to fight just yet, I think he will butcher your attack dog instead."
Their elite club was truly going to have a blast tomorrow with all the cool scenes they could do.
Alpha sat at the head of a meeting even as everything seemed to be spiralling out of control.
Beta had finished speaking as she checked over the reports. The fact that she thought Alexia had figured out she was Shadow Garden was bad, but not the worst thing that could happen.
If they had to retire Natsume from intelligence gathering that would leave them with only one reliable eye left open. Yet the cost to watch the entirety of Midgar at once might well be worth it in the end and Cid had approved it.
But it was just one piece of a larger plan that she was just barely beginning to glimpse. Yet it didn't make sense, they were pulling in the royal family into their orbit and yet Shadow had stood back and let them get discredited in the public eye which would make them less useful. Was it giving up an advantage for a greater one, or was the final piece still at a level she couldn't see it.
"The Black Rose are they likely to intervene against us?" They still hadn't found any records of their movements in the current day.
Beta shook her head. "Shadow himself said that their actions were to our benefit and that we should look into who moved against them in preparation for the time to strike."
That at least was a relief that Shadow could see it even if they couldn't.
Zeta Motioned to speak and she let her. "As you all know Cid took me to the Library of Alexandria while he was visiting and bid that we pay more attention to the works lost therein. One of those works that was easily found and highly preserved was the founding history of Midgar, but of course the version contained within was different from every version the Cult has allowed to continue and the Black Rose was mentioned within."
"The Black Rose was originally a portal above Orianna Kingdom that the Cult opened a thousand years ago, which was closed in the end when the Mist Dragon slew the Rounds responsible for it. It was contained in a book on the founding of Midgar itself, and it seems the Cult went to great lengths to supress the knowledge of it."
Of course that made sense. Name your organisation after something the Cult wants to supress knowledge about and even if they find a reference to you, they would destroy it without questioning the meaning behind it. "We will have to make a plan for if they reopen it going forward then. The fact that Cid directed you to such a book means the time must be close at hand."
Was it time to advance? But they had already committed troops across Midgar in preparation for the Crimson Order plan, and with Mitsugoshi pressing up against a number of rivals could they afford to spend the manpower elsewhere? Those both seemed like they would remain long term commitments so how could they prepare troops elsewhere at the same time?
Especially right now that headquarters was insecure. The Mist Dragon had left Alexandria about two days ago. It had turned to them and declared that it was time and vanished off into the sky. The fog still persisted throughout the forest and their base was still secure but its presence had long been the final defence and everyone was tense.
They'd been writing up plans for what to do in the case of the unthinkable and headquarters was lost. Even begun moving spare resources over to the Royal Capitol so that Shadow Garden itself would survive.
The doors to the meeting room slammed open and she turned to offer a rebuke, but fell silent.
Shadow had arrived.
Shadow took his place at the head of the table, taking a moment to let his eyes fall on each of them in turn. "For centuries Midgar has remained shackled to the power of the cult, their kings too afraid to stand up against the darkness that might consume their kingdom."
They all nodded in understanding for it was their sworn duty to change that one day.
"But the spirit remains unbroken, the will of its people stands as strong as the day it was formed. When the dragon returns to rule, they will rise up for they remember their oaths to it far more strongly than the words of a weak king."
"Tomorrow it will begin, you all know what to do." His gaze fell on each of them in turn, and then as quickly as he'd come he left.
She blinked in her own seat. Then down at the divisive reports she'd been struggling to put together for some time now. The shirts were to remind people of their oaths. The turbulence in the kingdom was to root out all the members of the cult in hiding for the dragons arrival. They had hooks in the Crimson Order to have them back the transition as the formal seat of power after the dragon ate the king.
Even things like Beta having her identity revealed was just a piece in the plan for Shadow, to give them a reliable face to act as an intermediary for ruling openly when the time came.
She calmed herself and moved on, they had plenty of troops available from Cid approving everyone to come over, combined with Mitsugoshi's normal staff. Even the act of not mentioning why the dragon was leaving had resulted in all Seven Shades being present at one place for this event right now. Yes it had always been his intention for them to take over the full seat of Midgars power and even her nervous questioning and second guesses had been incorporated into his plan.
She relaxed and set to work.
There were many ways Mundane Mann could play through his next fight. He could crush them with killing intent, humiliate them with overwhelming power. There would be a certain carthasis from wiping one of the strongest competitors from the field in a way that left no doubt.
Annerose was also Kai and several of his other backups hero. Someone they wanted to look up to and had even gone to get autographs from earlier. It wouldn't be fair to them if he didn't even give her a moment to shine.
But there were other scenes he could play as the exemplar, as the only one who could be King. So even as he sauntered out to the field he kept his gaze straight fixed on her, letting the almost listless gaze previously held fade into a quiet confidence. "To be a knight is not about how you stand against those weaker than you, but how you stand in the face of adversity. Today I shall test your worth."
She was biting her lip and focusing on his sword, but she still had the courage to hold her ground. Good it would mean he could have her give a good showing in front of her fans. Previously he'd always let the opponent make the first move, but now that he'd already blown his cover against Mordred it was time to try out a bunch of new tricks.
The moment Mordred's magic had left his hand it had maintained form, and in imitation he left behind a flash of power within the ground as he moved on. Each flourish of the blade hiding behind a trap even as he let himself be lead across the battleground just slow enough that she could parry.
Until the whole arena was a minefield and he let himself stand back up looking back at her across the distance. "You've managed to survive quite well, but I guess its time to take things seriously for once don't you think?"
Annerose grit her teeth and set her feet, eyes focused only on his sword even as he grinned. The attack wouldn't come from him though as he reached out.
To her left the first blade exploded a crashing blast of magic that tore a path of devastation across the distance. Even as she swung to block it, he let the second rampage out. She rolled with the blow letting it wash over her as she was flung and pulling herself to her feet the moment she landed.
He was already there letting his own momentum send her crashing backwards again onto the third blast a single moment as she spun in an attempt to recover, even as he saw resignation on her face. They both knew it would not be enough, still she was resolute to raise her sword once more.
She would be a good knight.
The last ten all exploded at once, a cacophony of violence directed in towards his opponent that would tear everything in its path to shreds. In the next he stepped forward into the space beside her his sword carving out even more power as he tore his own assault asunder. One last flourish at the end tearing her sword from her hand in her broken stance.
The empty blade coming to rest above her as he looked down on his fallen foe with a smile on his face. Even as he let out a whisper only to her. "You were strong, to withstand such an assault from me for even a moment is beyond many knights. With time and training you can become even stronger, perhaps even enough one day to protect things on your own."
"Today this kingdom is still mine to save."
He sheathed his blade as he walked off confident he'd sent her further down the path. The technique was still imperfect because the blasts were mostly blunt force rather than the overwhelming cutting power that e would want from them. Still it had been a good start on a new technique just to find the place to use it.
AN: This chapter is late, these things happen and all you can do is work through it. Deadlines I set for myself can make a lovely whooshing sound as they go past.
Next chapter should be the climax of this arc, with an intended epilogue for this arc after it.
Hopefully the next chapter will go faster because I want to write that one more than I wanted to write this one. I have a clearer image of all the scenes in it as well so that is a plus.
This one feels slightly disjointed, and I even took out one scene right near the end of writing. But I have got something out and that's much better than another day of staring at it in my free time.
Anisomeone: Iris vs Alpha is too unbalanced, one of them has trained with Shadow and a dragon and the other has not. Still hope I did it at least some justice to what you wanted. Well I have planned some real Shadow Garden fights next chapter in the climax so they will get to do lots there.
YuukiAsuna-chan: May you go on to find many other stories well suited to you. This one in particular is suited to my preferences above everything else. I like to posit that I write Xanatos Speed Chess and Magnificent Bastards and I might well fail at points and just create things that are confusing. But it makes it more fun for me than writing people as idiots and succeeding.
Things I can do: write out brief description of organisations in play and characters affiliated with them as a character sheet at the end of one chapter or another.
Answer questions as they come.
Touch up scenes that are unclear.
Insert other suggestions here.
Things I cannot do: Decide to write something without Cid making up new roles and creating new organisations that are likely to eventually get eaten by Shadow Garden.
That's what EIS is. I'm really not sure what you were expecting if you don't want it. I'm fine with hearing that some segments are unclear and suggestions that some scenes fell flat. I can then clarify them or do some minor reworks, although I will always prioritise writing forward.
I am a niche amateur writer writing fanfic I have no delusions of being infallible. I can write scenes that are bad because I failed to get across my intentions, quite easily in fact.
Still having many factions, people misinterpreting each other's motives and Cid continuing to be Cid are all intentional choices. It comes with the territory both of Cid wanting to be an eminence in shadow pulling the strings of the world, and fighting an evil organisation that manipulates from the darkness.
I will still try for my complicated gambits because I enjoy it in the end.