Standing there with an anxious expression, Nakros waved at Jukhan.
"Hey…? How are you- Woah!" [Nakros]
Jukhan threw a multitude of lightning coated punches, which Nakros barely avoided.
"|Shift|!" [Nakros]
Clapping his hands together, water covered Nakros and I. It formed a dome over us, only lowering after a moment passed.
("Huh?") [Solace]
I quickly realized we were in a new location seeing as we were surrounded by greenery.
"Where is this?" [Solace]
"We're in Foxtail Valley at the moment. Here, let me treat you." [Nakros]
He casted a healing spell on me, allowing my wounds to close faster than when the knight helped me.
"Wait, did you leave the knights back there?! They'll die!" [Solace]
Nakros shook his head.
"No, they won't. You and I are his targets. Jukhan will probably arrive here soon." [Nakros]
Just as he said that, I heard thundering in the distance.
"Is that him?" [Solace]
Nakros nodded.
"He was known as the Martial Berserker back then. Rumors say that his senses dwarfs that of a fenrir." [Nakros]
"So… he's like a dog?" [Solace]
Nakros chuckled.
"Very funny." [Nakros]
The light on me dimmed, signaling the end of my treatment. Nakros then grabbed my shoulders and locked eyes with me.
"Junior disciple. I need you to run and never look back. No matter what you hear or see, never look back." [Nakros]
"Hold on, you're going to fight him alone?!" [Solace]
"I won't die. I'll stall for time before escaping too." [Nakros]
I wished to stay by Nakros' side, but my will wavered when looking at Nakros' determined face.
"...Alright." [Solace]
I then turned and went into a full sprint.
"NAKROS!!" [Jukhan]
His voice boomed behind me as I heard what sounded like thunderclaps. Explosions occurred behind me, but I never turned to look.
"Come at me!" [Nakros]
A shockwave pushed me from behind, lifting me off the ground. I found myself somersaulting through the air, allowing me to find glimpses of Nakros and Jukhan battling.
"|Two Thousand Folds|!" [Jukhan]
"|Bold Unity|!" [Nakros]
I witnessed an uncountable number of fists appear from Jukhan, but I also saw a colossal sword descend from the sky.
("What am I watching…?") [Solace]
I was blown away further the moment the two skills connected.
("Jesus!") [Solace]
I tore through a tree or three upon landing. Thanks to my |Temperance|, I didn't feel a thing.
"Urgh…" [Solace]
I shrugged off the bark, leaves, and dirt before catching a breather.
("I should be far enough now, right?") [Solace]
The distance I flew was most definitely not small. If I had to guess, it was probably a few miles. However, I quickly realized this wasn't far enough after hearing a deafening roar.
("Agh! My ears!") [Solace]
A moment later, I saw a massive creature dragging Jukhan through the ground right past me.
("IS THAT A DRAGON?!") [Solace]
What I saw was the spitting image of eastern dragons. A colossal monster with a snakelike body, capable of flying. It had blue scales and white hair on its face, along with rows of teeth bigger than I was. The one thing that stuck out most was the coral-like horns on its head, or Jukhan flailing about in-between its teeth.
"GRAHH!!!" [Jukhan]
He appeared to be struggling to get out of its jaws. I saw Jukhan's face go red as he forcefully pried the dragon's mouth open.
"|Rooted Physique|!" [Jukhan]
Jukhan grabbed the dragon's snout and grounded himself. He then let out a loud grunt before tossing the dragon around like a ragdoll.
("Oh… OH SHIT!!") [Solace]
The dragon's shadow loomed over me as it plummeted towards me.
""Er… Uh… |Explosion Arts|!" [Solace]
Sticking my hands out, I spammed |Explosion Arts| to propel myself out of the area.
("That was close…!") [Solace]
Is what I thought before the shockwave of the dragon hitting the ground blew debris into my face.
"Ngh…! Damn you, Jukhan!" [Dragon]
("Huh?") [Solace]
I was pretty surprised when I heard the dragon speak.
("Wait, this voice… Nakros?!") [Solace]
I knew Nakros was of another race considering that he had horns, but I never suspected that he could transform into a dragon.
"Becoming bigger doesn't make you stronger." [Jukhan]
Nakros lifted himself into the air, allowing trees and dirt to fall off his body. He then reared back his head and conjured up a blue ball of energy within his jaws.
"|Azure Lord's Wrath|!" [Nakros]
A blue beam was fired at Jukhan, who raised his arms to endure it.
"|Esteemed Aura|!" [Jukhan]
Flexing his body, the beam split apart and dispersed. I watched the destruction that took place between the two. The landscape of a forest valley seemed to start turning into a deforestation project as collateral.
"|Fluid Binding|!" [Nakros]
Rope shaped water shot out of the ground and tied Jukhan down to his knees. Nakros then reared back while inhaling deeply.
"You…!" [Jukhan]
As if he had realized what Nakros was about to do, he also took a deep breath.
("What? What's happening?!") [Solace]
The two then roared at the top of their lungs. It was so loud that I could've sworn I saw the soundwaves colliding.
("Oh, I don't feel so good.") [Solace]
My legs then buckled under the pressure. What pressure? I honestly have no clue.
"Warning: The spirit |Solace| is now in a disoriented state." [Spirit Guide]
Jukhan then tore off his bindings.
"|Violet Spark|!" [Jukhan]
Punching the ground, purple sparks flashed around his body. Within an instant, the sparks turned into spikes that seemed to pierce and pin Nakros into the air.
"|Overrule|!" [Nakros]
He appeared to have casted a spell, but nothing happened.
"|One Hundred Thousand Brilliant Lights|." [Jukhan]
An innumerable flashes cut at Nakros, causing blood and scales to fly about. By the end of it, Nakros was limp.
"Ngh…!" [Nakros]
He tried his best to move. Unfortunately, Nakros was incapable of fighting against the purple spikes that pinned him.
"You've lost." [Jukhan]
"Not… yet…!" [Nakros]
He squirmed as much as he could, but to no avail.
"|Divine Blade Dhetrym|." [Jukhan]
A blue energy enveloped Jukhan's hand as he approached Nakros. It was a bit hard to see since they both remained in the air. However, I knew that Nakros may die if I didn't do anything.
"|Explosion Arts|!" [Solace]
I summoned an explosion below, allowing me to charge at Jukhan.
"Hm?" [Jukhan]
Seeing me flying at him, Jukhan raised an arm in reflex.
"|Piercing Blow|!" [Solace]
I struck his arm, allowing the skill to go through.
"Urgh!" [Jukhan]
He flinched at the blow, causing the purple spikes to vanish. This then made Nakros try to chomp on him.
"Silence!" [Jukhan]
Slamming his fist down on Nakros' snout, he hit the ground.
"Uh oh." [Solace]
I tried to back away, but Jukhan grabbed me by the throat.
"Urk!" [Solace]
I tried punching him and kicking him, even using |Lightning Enchant| and |Flame Enchant|. Sadly, it didn't work.
"Young whelp… I'm impressed that you had the courage to attack me with your measly strength." [Jukhan]
Trying to speak out of his vice lock on my neck, I strained my voice.
"Do you want to know why?" [Solace]
Jukhan raised a brow.
"And why is that?" [Jukhan]
"It's a skill called |Ligma|." [Solace]
Jukhan went silent for a moment.
"|Ligma|...?" [Jukhan]