After cleaning up the scraps of clothing and putting on a new set of pajamas, Adam went to bed. As he fell into a deep sleep, he heard a familiar voice.
"After my victory, I was stabbed. A rat, I called him, had ambushed me during my hour." [???]
("This voice…") [Adam]
The foul stench of blood filled his nostrils, and a sharp pain came from behind. The sound of explosions, steel clashing, and screams filled his ears. Adam tried to move, but could not, which then allowed him to immediately realize what was happening.
("Oh no, not again.") [Adam]
His eyes opened to a bloody battlefield. Bodies lined the floor, men fought while armed to the teeth, and savage beasts prowled about.
"Askyros!" [???]
Adam's vision turned to a nearby hill, where a familiar figure stood.
("Ryse? Where did we leave off again?") [Adam]
He recalled being trapped within Askyros' body, which helped with calming himself down.
"I'm fine, Ryse. Just focus on yourself." [Askyros]
Askyros spoke with a confident tone, but Ryse still held an expression of worry.
"Now, back to business…" [Askyros]
Turning to his back, Askyros yanked out a dagger, causing his own blood to spill.
("Damn, that hurts! I forgot he does this!") [Adam]
Seeing as blood was pouring out of the wound, Askyros held a hand over it.
"...Effice ut statur, Freeze." [Askyros]
A cold wind blew over the wound, causing it to freeze over.
("What? When did he have ice magic- oh, never mind.") [Adam]
Recalling the "duel", Adam remembered Askyros arose victorious over Kafma. Applying theory over the duel they called a "Monomachia", Askyros would now be able to use earth and ice magic.
"I'm surprised. It hasn't been long since you've defeated Kafma, and now you're able to utilize the ice magic he just stole." [???]
A voice was heard in front of Askyros, but there was mysteriously no one there.
"Show yourself before I make you." [Askyros]
"Are you threatening me? How intimidating." [???]
Smoke billowed on the ground before Askyros, allowing a dark figure to show from within.
"I am Coredant televide. Servant of the Sovereign of Greed. Pleased to meet you." [Coredant]
"..." [Askyros]
The smoke dissipated to reveal a person of seemingly average build, but the armor he wore didn't seem so simple. A mixture of gold and white shone from his armor, applied with the crest of a dragon. The man smiled mischievously with unkempt hair that somewhat covered his eyes, all while he spun a curved knife around his fingers.
"Mind I ask if you were the one who stabbed me?" [Askyros]
"Oh?" [Coredant]
The man had a surprised expression for a moment, but then returned it back to a smile.
"No, that wasn't me." [Coredant]
A flash of light appeared at his hand, and the knife vanished from between his fingers.
"Is that so?" [Askyros]
Reacting quickly, Askyros grabbed the air. Right after, he released his grip and allowed a knife to fall from it.
"Oho?" [Coredant]
"...Hmph." [Askyros]
The situation was a bit strange. Even though it was a battlefield, little to no soldiers interrupted the two's chatter. In fact, it seemed they were actively avoiding them.
"You're interesting. Really interesting~. I can see why that buffoon Kafma took a liking to you." [Coredant]
"..." [Askyros]
"Not much of a talker, are you?" [Coredant]
Askyros ignored Coredant's words, deeming it as worthless banter.
"Are you going to fight, or not?" [Askyros]
"Hm… That's a good question…" [Coredant]
A few more flashes of light appeared from Coredant's hands, but Askyros caught the knives swiftly.
"I will ask you one last time. Are you going to fight?" [Askyros]
"..." [Coredant]
Smiling with an evil thought in mind, the small movements of his hands were noticed by Askyros.
"...So be it." [Askyros]
Askyros threw the knives he caught back at Coredant, knocking a concealed dagger from his opponent's hand.
"Urgh…!" [Coredant]
Coredant flinched in pain. The recoil and shock behind the strike made his hand numb, and a few hidden daggers fell out of his sleeve.
"Haha… What monstrous strength." [Coredant]
It was then that Askyros was beginning to move. He approached Coredant with clenched fists, all while keeping the pain of his frozen wound from mind.
"Wait. Before we start, I have something to ask of you." [Coredant]
Raising a hand, Coredant proposed an idea.
"Make it quick." [Askyros]
"I would like to request just one thing. Just one thing~." [Coredant]
The man smiled slyly, hoping Askyros would listen.
"..." [Askyros]
"I challenge you to a monomachia." [Coredant]