Lᴏᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ: 𝘈𝘳𝘬𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘴𝘵, 𝘎𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵
Tɪᴍᴇ: 2:25𝘱𝘮 (3 𝘋𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘈𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘢'𝘴 𝘈𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭)
The winds in the forest had become momentarily stronger as the two silhouettes of Atala and the king stood there. Still as a statue and as calm as the steady waves of the sea.
Atala: (What should I do? Should I take the first move?)
She took a glance at the king who was standing fifty metres away from her. Standing calmly as the grass swayed along with his hair in his right due to the mountain winds. All of a sudden, he held his sword in his front with two hands. It's hilt faced downwards.
Ashburn: "Come."
Atala who knew naught of what to do launched herself with one foot and was able to leap 40metres in less than a second. After closing in the distance, she tightened her grip and executed a horizontal slash as the blade of her sword gave off a faint white light. Aiming at the king's shoulder.
Atala: (With my stats, I shouldn't worry about being hurt.)
Atala: "Wah?!-"
After doing the slash, the blade indeed hit it's target but. The moment the blade touched the king, the attack passed through him as if he was only a mist. Atalante who was in confusion felt something behind her with her enhanced senses. She turned her head to look and the king was there standing, his sword gleamed in a violent red. He suddenly thrusted his sword at her neck which Atala avoided by back stepping.
Atala: "That was clo- ack!"
What happened? The blade absolutely missed without a doubt. And yet Atala's neck where she was about to be struck was bleeding madly as thought a blade drilled itself there.
Atala: (H-How?)
Isabella: "F-Father! That's dangerous!"
Isabella who was watching anxiously in the distance shouted.
Ashburn: "[𝘋𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘚𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥], an energy sword that can only be summoned through the use of another sword. It ignores distance and durability once. Although it has quite a long cooldown before being used again."
Atala coughed blood as she crouched on the ground, supporting herself with only her sword. The glow in Ashburn's sword had already vanished.
Atala: (My neck stings...)
Ashburn who was giving a slight smile suddenly looked blankly at her.
Ashburn: "Excuse me? Stings?"
It seems Atala's prediction was right, the king can hear people's thoughts. After five tense seconds, Atala stood up. The cut in her neck all gone. Ashburn watched in bewilderment from the miracle unfolding in front of him.
Ashburn: "Did you use healing magic?"
Ashburn: (No, that can't be. If it was magic I would have sensed it.)
Atala who was now back on her feet, touched her neck to check the wound but felt nothing.
Atala: "I can't use healing magic."
Ashburn: "Then how did your wound suddenly disappear?"
Atala: "I regenerated."
There was silence and Ashburn was suddenly flooded with excitement.
Ashburn: "I see... Then let us continue, brave warrior."
Ashburn disappeared from his location and appeared in front of Atala. He launched a powerful blow from his sword's pommel which Atala blocked with the side-blade of her sword. They started exchanging attacks, slashing and parrying at high speeds in a fearsome exchange of attacks. Their swordplays was so perfect that it surpassed the abilities of human beings. Isabella couldn't even see their movements anymore and only watched as the sparks of light from the blades kept generating due to their speed that was faster than even light.
Then Ashburn stomped his left foot which caused the ground to break apart in an attempt to make Atala lose her balance. But she jumped to avoid it. Deeming her defenceless in mid air, the former Hero pointed his sword at Atala's direction and conjured seven fireballs the color of the rainbows and at the size of yarn from the sword's tip. The fireballs shot themselves to Atala's direction one by one like bullets.
Ashburn: "These are not your ordinary fireballs. They are able to chase their targets and explode in contac-"
The fireballs were suddenly engulfed in black and red flames before going 1 meter towards Atala and suddenly disappeared. She kicked the air above her and shot back to the ground where she landed smoothly.
Ashburn: "You never cease to amaze me. It seems the next Hero of Arkheist will not let us down."
Atala: "Does this mean I can be the Hero?"
Ashburn gave a satisfied smile and a second platinum sword appeared from his left hand.
Ashburn: "Yes. You will become the new hero, but can I ask you to continue this battle even further? It has been a while since I've fought someone so enjoyably."
She nodded at his request and smiled happily as she took a battle stance. Afterwards, the king's swords was wrapped in flames that changed it's colors each second. He prepared himself with his own unique battle stance; which was his right leg pulled backwards and his swords crossed like a scissor in a vertical position.
Ashburn: "Start!"
Both figures disappeared and reappeared 20 feet above the ground at the center of the battle field. There was a loud clang and a spark of light from the clash of Azathoth's daughter and the previous Hero that should have reduced a whole town to debris if it ever hit one but instead split in two the clouds from behind each of them. Then both pulled back at the same time from that attack. Ashburn was standing on what looked like a solid air platform below his feet using his [𝘈𝘪𝘳 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨] while Atala grew eagle wings from her back with [𝘝𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘭 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺] to fly. Both in an airborne state.
Atala: "[𝘏𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘉𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘴]"
The surroundings began to brighten in red light as a hundred million marbles which was condensed hellfire formed from nothing behind Atala.
Her opponent, instead of running away remained standing and his second sword equipped in his right hand suddenly emitted white light that emanated and brightened the surroundings. The two different colors of light were in equal territories. The marbles of hellfire shot themselves at Ashburn but in the blink of an eye disappeared as thought it was candle fire that has been blown away the moment he had raised the sword and executed one vertical swing.
Perhaps he was too focused on deflecting the bullets that he didn't notice Atala behind him. The moment he was about to be struck by her sword, Atala was hit with a gale of wind and was pushed back to miss her target. She was then hit on the left side of her body with Ashburn's turning kick causing her to be pushed back spinning with great force. Her bones was unmistakable broken and twisted by that one kick but she immediately leaped back for another attack after regenerating and repairing the damage.
Ashburn: "[𝘋𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘚𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥]!"
His sword equipped in his right hand once again emanated a bright violent red light which he swung towards nothing(His left side to be precise). Atala's arm was cut off.
Ashburn: "Unfortunately, this is my win."
He was about to make his sword vanish but to his surprise, Atala wasn't bleeding. Her injury instead of dripping blood was burning in dark crimson flames.
Atala: "No. It's mine."
He suddenly felt something touch his neck. It was without a doubt Atala who was behind him. But who was the one he cut down? He knew of this after seeing that fake Atala burst into hellfire. From his realization of losing before he knew it, he was overjoyed and hid it with a satisfied smile as he closed his eyes. Memories from the past, he remembered the day he was made the Hero in his young age of sixteen and beaten countless strong monsters and opponents. It was very rare for him to lose.
Ashburn: "It's indeed your win, Hero Atalante Okamura."
It was that day that Atala became the new Hero of Arkheist. After finishing their battle, they went back to the Royal Domain where Atala was shown his very own room in the castle. Though Isabella insisted on sleeping with her in Isabella's room which she said was lonely and too quiet.
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Lᴏᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ: 𝘈𝘳𝘬𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘴𝘵, 𝘙𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘭 𝘋𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘐𝘴𝘢𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢'𝘴 𝘙𝘰𝘰𝘮
Tɪᴍᴇ: 6:30𝘱𝘮 (3 𝘋𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘈𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘢'𝘴 𝘈𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭)
Isabella: "Can you try this on, Atala?"
In the third princess' room, Isabella started choosing suits of armor for Atala who was standing while watching her nervously. Rummaging a pile of armor from the kingdom's treasures located in the castle. Normally, people with high durability such as her don't need any unless it is something that has higher durability than them. But Isabella was giving her mithril armor which she could easily bend.
Atala: "N-No thanks, Isabella-sama. I want an ordinary knight uniform."
Isabella: "Why? A hero should need more style and flashiness."
Atala: "Being a hero is not about the looks but with the deeds, Isabella-sama. Plus it could be a good way to make enemies let their guard down."
The princess' face brightened up and thought of Atala as a very wise person.
Isabella: "Ohh! You make a point! Stay here!"
The princess came back with a blue Arkheist knight uniform. It's color was primarily blue with some black finishes and silver accessories, a blue cape was included which had the kingdom's symbol(Two phoenix heads facing each other). Atala after receiving it, wore the uniform.
Isabella: "It suits you!"
Atala: "Really? I'm happy to hear that."
The new hero looked glorious and gallant in her new clothes. None of the two noticed the Okamura Insignia(silver eagle wing with "Okamura" in black writing below it) has mysteriously appeared and stuck itself below the neck of her uniform.
Everyday Atala would wander around the castle and asked the servants to teach her how to cook and clean, they first suggested her not doing so as it was as their job but they ended up giving up and taught her how to cook and clean in the castle which she mastered in three days. And in only three days, all the people and knights included in the Royal Domain were in friendly terms with her.
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Lᴏᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ: 𝘈𝘳𝘬𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘴𝘵, 𝘙𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘭 𝘋𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘨'𝘴 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦
Tɪᴍᴇ: 12:53𝘱𝘮 (8 𝘋𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘈𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭).
In the present time, the attack continues. Atala was still deflecting bullets while waiting for reinforcements. Finally after a while, a whole company of the kingdom's finest Arkheist Knights came from the castle's entrance. All equipped with light armor and silver swords. Alms and the other knight was with him.
However they were met in something unfortunate. Beside the entrance of the office were atleast twenty soldiers. Three was equipped with a panzerfaust each, seventeen were only holding german military rifles which was mostly MP5 and G36. However, there was one irregularity. A young man in his teens with long white hair that went down to his hips(tied in a ponytail) and malicious blue eyes wearing a shiny golden full-body armor stood behind the sarcia soldiers. After seeing the newcomers, his face twisted into a wide grin, showing his sharklike sharp teeth.
"You've finally come! I've been waiting here for 10 minutes you know, and I hate waiting!"
Knight: "It's that previous Hero of Sarcia. everyone, brace yourselves!"
"Hah? That's quite rude you know? I have a name you know? Why not call me by name, you know my name don't you? Well then, let me introduce myself to you if not."
He said all this in a toned voice and afterwards closed his eyes and cleared his throat.
Hyperion: "Hyperion Sarcia, son of Gundo Sarcia and the previous Hero. Who you commonfolks call the [𝘛𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘱 𝘏𝘢𝘭𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘳]."
The Arkheist knights were overwhelmed with this one man's aura. In this world, showing ones' aura causes fear depending on the owner's power as it shows the power they possess. In some cases, some die if their heart is too weak. The glow of his aura was bright green and swayed like spiral flames around his body.
He was holding in his left hand what looked like an orichalcum halberd with small vines on it's hilt that gripped his hand tightly together with the weapon.
Hyperion: "Fire!"
The sarcian soldiers readied their guns and fired at the Arkheistian knights.
"[𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯]!
Dust scattered as they hit the knights or maybe something else. When the dust cleared up, there was a yellowish glass-like barrier standing on their front and a girl in a blue robe was holding out her hands.
Arkheist Knight: "Archers, fire!"
The knights using long-ranged weaponry crouched and aimed their crossbows at the enemies. They released arrows that travelled at the speed of sound at the enemies. However, they were easily cut apart by none other than Hyperion with quick decisive swings of his halberd that looked more like a dance than an attack.
Hyperion: "So you were able to withstand that attack with magic? Quite splendid. As expected of a magic knight. Now let's see you defend against this."
The sarcian knights that were holding panzerfausts pointed their RPGs at the Arkheist knights that prepared another barrier, but this time a large one conjured by ten mages. Hyperion clicked his tongue in annoyance because of this.
Hyperion: "The beauty of your bodies being blown apart. Ah yes, it's wonderful to imagine. Men, unleash hell!"
Three missiles that explodes in contact were fired at the Arkheistian knights, which they defended against with their mage's barriers. Their barrier's durability was only enough to stop 70% of the damage and then shattered like glass. Causing the remaining to hit the mages who were in the frontlines. They were sent flying by the three rounds of rockets, some had been hit by flying bits of shrapnel and had their bodies gravely injured. Some shrilly screamed in pain and some only had painful expressions on their faces.
Hyperion: "Hm, Good enough. Good enough. Next round!"
The Sarcian Soldiers had smiles on their faces as they watched the Arkheist mages suffering in pain and quickly prepared for another attack with their second round of Panzerfaust.
Armored Knight: "Defend our injured comrades, heavy infantry, block the attacks!"
𝙊𝙤𝙤𝙝!
Alms and the other Arkheistian armored knights were determined to defend against them this time with their large shields in order to protect the injured mages, though they knew theres a very high chance for them to die in the process as their pavise shields(Had the Arkheist symbol in it's center) made of wood and liden leather weren't even as large as the light barriers the mages cast. The shields were enchanted to be as hard as the barriers but the amount it can defend against is limited.
The time has come, the enemy sent out another three missiles at their direction. They may die but they were sure they have done their duty as true knights. 'Live by the sword, die by the sword.' as they say.
They closed their eyes as they gripped their shields tightly by the handle.
Clodwal: "[𝘋𝘦𝘶𝘴 𝘍𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘶𝘮]!"
There was a deafening explosion.
But the armored knights didn't feel anything hit their bodies, they opened their eyes and what they saw in front of them was a large sword floating in mid air. It looked as thought God was protecting them. The sword gave off a majestic feel, it's golden one-edged blade were angelic to the people present.
Clodwal: "Seems I made it in time..."
Alms: (Th-That voice.)
They looked from their right. Beside the door leading to the dungeons was a young man with slightly-curly black hair and golden-agate eyes wearing an adamantite full-body armor. They looked at him and some were relieved they were saved, some were still panicked, and most were in confusion.
Guard A: "Mr. Okamura?"
Clodwal: "I don't see value in saying my name unnecessarily..."
Clodwal slowly walked to their direction towards the golden sword that absorbed and devoured the explosion and damage the RPGs caused.
Clodwal: "Come, [𝘋𝘦𝘶𝘴 𝘍𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘶𝘮]..."
The sword suddenly flinched and shot right at Clodwal who caught it by the hilt with his right hand. He then turned to look at Hyperion and the Sarcian Knights.
Hyperion: "Who is this person? He just suddenly walked in."
Hyperion looked a little panicked as well. His gaze was now focused on Clodwal and his halberd was shaking in fear. Being in the presence of a God Artifact, even the weapons of the foe experience fear.
Hyperion: "Wh-What the? Why is my halberd shaking?"
Clodwal: "Are you the attackers?"
Hyperion: "Kill him! Kill them all!"
The sarcian soldiers hastily loaded their guns and rocket propelled grenade launchers and fired at the Arkheist Knights and Clodwal.
Clodwal: "Quite rude to ignore my question..."
Clodwal took one step forward.
The air suddenly sounded, a small part of the floor cracked where he stepped, all the bullets looked as thought it had already hit something hard, the missiles exploded before coming close to anyone. All of a sudden, white aura emanated from Clodwal's body and wrapped him with it. It swirled like a vortex as he approached the enemies step by step with the floor cracking each time. The tenth step he took, the injured mages were suddenly healed and their wounds disappeared. The twentieth step created ice javelins around the sarcian soldiers who cowered in fear. The thirtieth step, the oxygen started to dampen around them, making it hard to breath. He was now face to face with Hyperion.
Clodwal: "I don't see value in further resistance so I ask of you to peacefully give up..."
Hyperion: "L-Like hell we'll go down without a fight!"
Hyperion diverted his gaze from Clodwal and looked at his men. His heart was having a hard time beating due to Clodwal's intense aura.
They were all frozen in ice.
Hyperion: "What happened to you, idiots?!"
Clodwal: "They have no valuable reason to be called idiots, if there is one thing I consider idiotic... It's attacking the innocent unprepared of what awaits you... I for one see you as one of those idiots..."
Hyperion clicked his tongue and pulled back preparing for a thrust at Clodwal and commanded "Stop that value shit, you're annoying!" As he indeed thrust his halberd spike at Clodwal's chest.
The spike didn't so much as touch Clodwal. It couldn't go half an inch closer. Hyperion pushed it but it still won't move. In confusion, he attempted to kick Clodwal's chin with a hook kick which also didn't seem to so much as even move him.
Clodwal: "I'm not affected by normal attacks..."
Hyperion: "What the hell, that's cheating!"
Clodwal: "I'm not going to stop you from saying that, it does seem accurate enough..."
Hyperion: "[𝘗𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘌𝘯𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵]!
Suddenly, the blades and spike of the halberd started glowing red. It pushed itself forcefully inside Clodwal. Passing through his adamantite armor then his flesh, going straight through his lungs and out of the other side. Clodwal was unfazed from his chest being holed.
Hyperion: "Ahahahaha! Not so tough now are you? You scared me for a second there, hahaha!"
He continued with his uncertain laughter. Clodwal glared at him which caused him to stop.
Hyperion: "What are you looking at? Just die already."
Clodwal: "I don't see value in doing that..."
Clodwal held a part of the halberd's hilt with his left hand and slowly removed the spike that was inside his body. Hyperion tried to push it back but felt that his strength was naught compared to this man.
After completely removing the halberd out of his body, Clodwal's wound regenerated fast enough for noone to even notice it.
Hyperion: "What the hell are you?!"
He shouted while pulling the halberd out of Clodwal's grasp with all his might. The Arkheist knights started cheering and mocking Hyperion who looked furiously at them and Clodwal.
Hyperion: "Fuck! Fuck! Let go you bastard!"
The doors of the king's office creaked opened, and a black haired girl in a knight outfit came out. Her sword was sheathed in it's scabbard and her cape seem to have been torn off.
Atala: "Jeez, you guys were taking so long so I decided to finish those guys myse-"
What Atala saw was the Arkheist knights below the stairs laughing at Hyperion as he battled to struggle against another black haired person.
Clodwal dispersed his aura and stopped his glare at Hyperion and turned to look at Atala, his sister. They both stared at each other for some time and Clodwal somehow loosened his grip on Hyperion's halberd.
Seeing this opportunity, Hyperion snatched his halberd back out of Clodwal's hand and shouted "[𝘛𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯]!".
He disappeared in the blink of an eye along with his weapon.
Atala: "He escaped!"
Clodwal: "Apologies..."
Atala: "N-No, nevermind that."
Atala disappeared and reappeared in front of Clodwal in the blink of an eye. She gave him a warm hug which Clodwal returned as she was his precious sister and he had no reason to avoid it.
Atala: "We've finally met, sweetie~"
Clodwal: "Y-Yeah..."
Atala: "U-Um, it's a little weird since we're now real siblings."
Clodwal: "Yes..."
Their reunion was interrupted by Isabella who came running down the stairs. After a few steps down, she fell face flat on the floor while panting after reaching them.
Isabella: "Wh-What happened?"
She talked in a muffled voice.
Atala: "Bella-sama, I'd like you to meet my older brother."
Dumbstruck and did not expect to meet one of Atala's relatives, Isabella raised her head. Her face was a bit red because of the fall from earlier.
Isabella: "Y-You have an older brother?!"
She looked at Atala then to Clodwal's direction.
Atala: "Yes."
Clodwal: "Clodwal Okamura of the Okamura Household... It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, your highness..."
Clodwal bowed in a sort of noble manner by placing his right hand against his chest and bending his body a little.
Isabella: "It's an honor to meet you too, Clodwal-san. What might you be doing here?"
Atala: "Yeah brother, what are you doing here in the castle?"
Clodwal: "To see you."
Atala somehow blushed a little and held her cheeks but she tried to hide it will all her might by looking away. Isabella felt that something was really wrong and smiled awkwardly. As Atala turned her head, she saw the sarcian soldiers covered in ice.
Atala: "Did you do this, sweetie?"
Clodwal: "I did..."
Isabella: (S-Sweetie? What?)
Alms and his friend climbed up the stairs to meet them, their armor sounding as they climbed up.
Clodwal: "Oh, it's you two..."
Guard A: "Mr. Okamura, thank you for saving us."
Clodwal: "Don't sweat it..."
The knights from below them kneeled at Clodwal. Isabella and Atala was a little surprised from their sudden gratitude which they knew naught of and thought Clodwal did something.
Alms: "We owe you our lives, we might have died if it wasn't for you."
Clodwal: "..."
As Clodwal was a little too flustered by now and almost blushed which would ruin his role-play, he shut his mouth and quietly accepted their gratitude. He felt that if he spoke, he would stutter and Azathoth would squeeze his soul like a rubber ducky which would be nothing but painful.