Clang~
The battle had been going on for about five minutes now. Unlike the previous two, this battle wasn't one sided. One creature was similar a werewolf, except its head resembled a crocodile. It's hands had vicious claws which easily tore through stone.
The other creature was a terrifying beast with a long neck. Its head was like a horse, however it had ears like a dog. It wielded two spikes as weapons, it furiously stabbed with these.
Each creature was bleeding heavily, their breathing was growing labored from their injuries. The long necked creature thrust the strange spike forward. The crocodile like creature used its claws to deflect the spike and immediately counter attacked, aiming for the neck.
The long necked creature made a horrifying sound and shot poison from its mouth. The crocodile dodged the poison, a good choice for the poison had easily begun tearing through the stone floor.
Travis could tell that they were holding back, even though they were significantly injured. It's as if they were trying to win while keeping their trump cards, no matter how close the match.
Flinnder also noticed this and calmly spoke, "Enough nonsense, I am tired of seeing this."
Fear struck through the two and they immediately turned even more violent. Tearing each other apart. The battle even more vicious than ever.
Flinnder sighed, "I truly thought I had some decent candidates. This is such a disappointment."
Why was Flinnder so poor at choosing candidates? Because this was his first ever attempt in the competition for the Duke position. He is the youngest Marquees of all time, he was granted the royal position after his father had passed. He inherited most of what he owned. Even though he was several thousands of years old, he was still immature in situations like these. He chose candidates that interested him, since he hadn't the slightest clue to find someone of decent potential. His father's main guard, Dimitrin, helped him with such situations. He had no idea what to expect, what to search for.
So he chose individuals who impressed him, even slightly. While he wasn't experienced in high intensity combat like Dimitrin, he was still skilled. He knew when someone improved or was strong, he just couldn't tell the fine lines. Like someone who could read high leveled books, but couldn't understand the meaning of the words.
The shadow could duplicate nearly infinitely! That's like having an army against a single opponent. That could be good right? An Abyssal Creature with monstrous strength that shocked even him. An individual who wielded a legendary sword, perfect! A confident and skilled Abyssal Creature who obtained humanoid form! Amazing!
He had the same ideas for the long necked and crocodile ones. What they showed him was impressive, but they dared extend a fight without using a single one.
Life is full of mistakes and learning. While Flinnder had more life experience than many, he still knew little about others.
There was one thing he knew he wanted to do though. That was to become a Duke, to fulfill his father's wish. To ascend the status of his family. Except his sister, that old scheming woman could be locked in a shed for all he cared.
Flinnder stopped spacing out, for a bloody crocodile stood over a dead long necked creature...
~ ~ ~
"You know I feel a little threatened with so many machines aiming for me.", Akiol joked.
Torch looked up from his workbench, "Oh? Oh! Sorry. . . haha."
With a wave of his hand Torch made all the machines power down. Akiol noticed something different about Torch. His once mismatched ramshackle armor was more refined and solid looking. He seemed bulkier because of it.
Akiol came over for the duel, he received a message that Torch was ready. However it seemed like he was doing something, so Akiol took a look around.
There was robots walking all over the place, delivering materials to other robots who were building various structures. As he walked Akiol made small talk, "Did the constructo bots sell well?"
"Oh they did magnificently, I made so much money I could have lived the rest of my life in luxury. However most of the gold was immediately used to purchase other materials.", Torch responded.
"Do you regret it?"
"Definitely not, I had no idea machines were this fun. Even though it isn't high tech kind of stuff, this steampunk-like construction is so cool."
Akiol nodded to himself and watched the robots scatter. As he walked he noticed something in particular, "You're repairing the mech?"
Torch stopped tinkering with a machine and sighed, "Trying to, whatever you did to it. . . It's so incredibly damaged. Many parts I have to manually replace, but don't have the levels or schematics to do so. However this thing is too powerful to let go. Eventually it will be back up and running."
"Speaking of running. . . any intruders?"
"Hehe, I scared em off with a few turrets. I definitely surpassed the defense of before... except the mech."
Akiol nodded, "Seems like you're enjoying yourself. You ready to test your combat abilities?"
Torch rubbed their hands excitedly, but it didn't sound very pleasant, "I am very ready. Follow me."
Akiol was led to a different room, one he was confident was never there before. The room looked similar to the workshop, except slightly smaller.
Torch began to explain, "I recently had expanded my workshop, but I left it empty for our duel. I will probably fill this space afterwards."
Akiol remarked, "Pretty large for a duel."
"I plan to use many machines. Their might be some damage. Even if you cannot fight it all, I will still test some."
"On me?!"
"No! I meant the walls, the room."
. . .
"You ready?", Torch asked.
Akiol dispelled his sword, "Yes!"
"Then we start. . . now!"
Torch tossed out three large squares, assumably from his inventory. The squares opened up slightly, showing a turret head for each one. The turrets fired, it was simple metal bullets.
Due to the massive force from the bullets, and the stillness of the room, Akiol had no issue predicting the trajectory. He could probably do it blind.
However Torch didn't know this, instead he saw Akiol easily dodge bullets. Who can dodge bullets?!
Torch pulled out two spheres and set them on the ground. Similarly, a turret head popped out of each one. This time they rolled while they fired. Becoming moving turrets.
This increased the difficulty of dodging, but it wasn't impossible for Akiol. Though he did make a comment, "Why so many turrets? Can't you make robots?"
Torch chuckled, "Yeah, they are expensive though. Either way your wish shall be granted!"
Torch placed a strangely shaped object. It then unfolded and showed a spear wielding robot, similar to the one Akiol fought when he first entered this place.
The spear robot chased down Akiol, attacking when it reached the right distance. Now Akiol had to dodge incoming bullets and fight a robot. To succeed all he had to do was change how he dodged.
He manipulated his body and became a changing form of slime, small opening appeared and the bullets passed right through.
The robot thrust its spear forward, but instead it was met with a punch. Bending its armor and breaking several key components in its body. Making it malfunction and shutdown.
Not even a few seconds later, the mobile turrets ran out of ammo. Meaning the boxed ones were soon to follow. Torch complimented, "You're quite skilled. I'm not sure if any of my party members could have survived all that."
Akiol accepted the compliment, "Thanks! Though I did break your robot."
Torch laughed, "I have many, but I won't be testing them further. Since it's clear they don't stand a chance."
Akiol continued to dodge the bullets, "Then the duel?"
Torch calmly responded, "I'll take you on myself."
Akiol was silent for a moment before asking, "If your body breaks and dies, what happens to you?"
"This is my combat body, if this breaks then I will be sent to my main one."
"If that one breaks?"
"I will be forced into a very weak body, it could barely fight against the beginning mobs."
The turrets ran out of ammo. Akiol whistled at the punishment, "Sounds harsh."
"It's a unique race and class, I wouldn't expect it to be cakewalk."
Akiol brandished his sword, "Here I come then!"
He dashed forward and swung towards Torch. In response Torch shot an electric web from their palm. When it hit Akiol electricity course through his body, it began hitting his core and his HP began to drop. Akiol attempted to absorb the net, to his surprise it worked.
Now freed Akiol sliced downwards towards Torch's outstretched hand. A strange noise was made and Torch's body was forced to the side and he dodged Akiol's blow.
Akiol was a little surprised but went to counterattack. Until he noticed a change below, from Torch's foot a set of small spheres rolled towards Akiol.
He only had a moment of confusion before they exploded. It was a set of tiny bombs! Torch had satisfaction in his heart, with this he could end the duel saying he won. Until he noticed a crimson blade pointed towards his neck from behind him.
Akiol smiled and said, "It's my win."