In an empty street behind the gathering crowd. Jacara and Ul'lanna paced nervously encircling each other. He anxiously stroked his chin, as Ul'lanna bit her thumbnail. "This is not good." He repeated. "Not good at all." Ul'lanna repeated. The two of them continued to pace anxiously, repeating themselves in a loop. Jacara came to a stop, and Ul'lanna ran into his back, breaking her out of the loop. She backed away rubbing her nose. "Why'd you stop?" Her eyes lit open. "Did you think of something to stop this?" He looked at her confused snorting in derision. "What? Of course not." Jacara cautiously scanned the area, ensuring they were alone. "The only three people who can confirm, that Yamada stuffed Gwyneth like a roast pig every night." Ul'lanna frowned at his vulgar, yet accurate analogy. "That means, it doesn't matter who says it to be true. Unless it comes from us, he won't flip out." She said excitedly. "Exactly!"
The two of them let out a relieved breath. "Also, this is an exhibition match." Ul'lanna added. "Yes! It's only an exhibition match." "And you're grandparents are going to be watching." Jacara nodded relived, and excited. "My grandfather taught my father everything." "Precisely. So it doesn't even matter if they get hurt." Jacara and Ul'lanna chuckled together, walking out towards the crowd. "We were worried about nothing." Jacara said. "Absolutely nothing." She agreed smiling at him. The town square had been cleared into a makeshift coliseum. Stands made of raised earth, and an exquisite booth made for the three monarchs. Ul'lanna sat to Irina's right, Jacara her left, and Symtic sat next to him with Surce by his side. A crowd of at least five hundred had already gathered, with more still flooding in.
The clouds above them had darkened and started to clutter the sky. The calendar determined that the Storm was set to arrive in a few days. Earth mages lined the arena. Their gates pre-emptively etched into the ground beneath them. Jacara scanned the area, seeing Wind mages also standing at the ready, atop the tallest stand. The Monarch's guard were stationed in two pairs, at exit points. "The area is secure, Prince." Irina said. She sat with perfect posture in her seat, with one leg crossed over the other. Symtic and Surce took a swig of wine. "Shall we get on with this farce Irina?" Surce asked, rolling her eyes at Irina. Irina snapped her fingers, and two men carried in a large heavy chest. They strained carrying it towards Symtic and Surce, dropping it with a heavy thud. Surce didn't both to open the latch. Instead she branded it with a Curse gate. The latch rusted and snapped off, and she kicked it open in front of everyone to see. A chest filled to the brim with gold.
"There's my 100,000 gold coins. Now where is your collateral?" Irina asked with a sly smile. "Uh, what's happening?" Jacara asked. Symtic and Surce each took out a signet ring, each with their respective gate. "Just a friendly wager." Symtic said with a cocky smile. "But you're betting, your rings!" Jacara hissed. "What are you betting on?" "It's who, they're betting on." Ul'lanna said staring at the crowd, revving up. He trailed off, before snapping his attention to Irina. "You're betting on Yamada to win?" "Of course." Irina said with a grin. "You just met him! You don't even know how strong he is!" Jacara exclaimed. "Should listen to him Irina. Our grandson is wise." Surce said, ruffling his hair. "Ul'lanna, who would you place your wager on?" Irina asked. She hesitated to answer. She had seen how powerful Yamada is, but how could she give a proper answer without seeing Gwayn in action?
"Ha! Even the Elf is against the Forsaken One." Surce said, slapping her knee. "Wise choice girl." Symtic said raising his cup to her. "No faith in Yamada?" Irina pouted. Ul'lanna shook her head. "No Monarch Irina. I simply find it wrong to hustle the Monarch's of their jewellery." Irina broke out in a chortle, with Symtic and Surce shooting her a glare. "Care to wager then?" Symtic growled. Ul'lanna slid her katana into Irina's chest. Jacara stared wide eyed, watching it connect. "That's not enough collateral, my dear." Surce said swirling her cup. "I'll cover her cost." "With what?" Symtic chuckled. "I'll step down as Monarch." She said calmly. Jacara's jaw dropped, with Surce and Symtic reeling back in shock. The two of them sat forward. "Deal." "Auntie Iri, don't step down because you lost a gamble!" Jacara hissed. "That's what makes it exciting. Now take a breath, and sit down. It's about to start." She reassured, with a smile.
With the sound of a trumpet, the crowd settled down. The announcer wore bright a bright vibrant outfit, with a feathered cap. "Ladies and gentlemen. It is with great pleasure, that I introduce the shining beacon and pride of the Silver City! The Captain of the Monarch's guard! PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER FOR GWAYN-" He froze in place, seeing Irina glare at him. She tapped her finger impatiently on her arm rest. The Announcer shrunk. Gwayn entered into the arena, Ram-dao by his side, pristine armour, with the crowd letting out a thunderous cheer. He took a knee in front of the Monarchs, bowing his head. The Announcer nervously met Irina's gaze. She nodded. He cleared his throat and the trumpet blew once more. "And for his opponent. The horror that once walked the world. THE FORSAKEN KNIGHT!" The crowd shuddered.
Yamada entered in with a scowl, his armour already summoned, except for his helmet, and Harbinger in hand. He let it drag through the ground, scraping over the cobblestone. Irina smirked at the sight. Gwayn had clearly plucked a nerve, he should not have. Yamada approached the Monarchs. He planted Harbinger into the ground in front of him. "Can we start this already?" He growled. Gwayn snarled at Yamada's disrespect. Irina stood up. "I would like to make one announcement, before we begin." Jacara and Ul'lanna shared a terrified glance. "Gwayn, could you please rise and remove your helmet." Ul'lanna and Jacara tensed, and held their arm rests tightly. Their hearts begun to beat like a war drum in their chests. Gwayn rose, and removed his helmet. He shook his luscious locks of platinum blonde hair free. Ul'lanna and every other woman gawked at the sight. His strong jaw line, sharp features, and piercing lilac eyes.
Jacara watched on with envy, as Ul'lanna melted at the sight of Gwayn. "Is it too late to change my bet?" She asked. "You better win Yamada!" Jacara called out. "Break more of his armour off!" Ul'lanna called out. Women from the crowd cheered in agreement, their sarang's glaring at them. Yamada glanced over, cocking his head at Gwayn. "You look like Gwyneth." He blurted out. Jacara slapped his forehead. "This is duel between two great and powerful knights. Yamada Ken, the Serpent Knight, and the Winged Viper, Gwayn Lockhart." "Huh, Gwyneth has the same family name. Are you two related?" Yamada asked, scanning Gwayn up and down. Jacara sagged and slumped in his chair letting out a groan, burying his face into his hands. Gwayn shook his head at him confused. "And before we begin, I must say one thing." The crowd was silent, excited to hear the announcement. "Prince Cagim, and my new associate have confirmed the rumours to be true." "NO, WE DIDN'T!" They shouted, reaching out to stop Irina. "Gwyneth has committed a taboo act, and slept with her student, the Forsaken Knight." "WHAT!?" Everyone shouted. Jacara and Ul'lanna froze in place. It was too late stop it.
"WHY WOULD YOU TELL HER THAT!?" Yamada shouted from below. The two of them winced, looking away. Murmurs and whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire. "YOU!" Gwayn bellowed. He raised his weapon towards Yamada, helmet under his arm. "I am honour bound to kill you for defiling my sister!" He hissed. Yamada ripped Harbinger out of the ground. "Don't make it worse. Don't make it worse." Jacara pleaded to himself. Yamada raised Harbinger towards Gwayn. "Lower your weapon, creature. You have no honour, or the right to consider yourself a knight!" Gwayn barked, clamping down his helmet. Yamada smirked at him, which filled Jacara with pure dread. "Wrong! I had the honour of letting my Wyrm sleep in Gwyneth's cave every night!"
The crowd fell dead silent, with only three sounds permeating the area. The stunned and shocked breathing of everyone, who heard Yamada. The sound of Jacara groaning. And lastly the joyous cackling of Irina, clutching her stomach. Yamada summoned his helmet, letting the salet close down. Saira watched on from the tallest stand, anxious with shot nerves. Gwayn hadn't been contested for his position in two decades. How far could pure strength take Yamada? Gwayn leapt in with a quick slash. Saira winced looking away, hearing metal clash with metal. Yamada was blown back from the force, sliding back. "What's wrong Forsaken one!?" Gwayn roared. "Is that sword just for show?" Yamada planted his sabatons down. He inspected Harbinger still trembling in his grip. "Forgive me, Gwyneth." He whispered solemnly. Ul'lanna perked up with fear.
Yamada took Harbinger with both hands and charged in. It dragged by his right side. Even with his frightening speed. It was a telegraphed attack. Gwayn dashed in, using his Ram-dao to cover his cross. Ul'lanna knew that manoeuvre all too well. He would cross his arms, using his weapon to absorb the blow, and enter into an advantageous bind. Gwayn smirked under his helmet. 'I win.' "GET AWAY!" Jacara shouted. Harbinger connected with the Ram-dao. Gwayn retched, and his sides contorted, as he folded from the shock. Yamada sent him tumbling in across the arena. Ul'lanna was stunned. Yamada completely overpowered Gwayn, and Jacara saw it coming. Gwayn rolled onto his knees, coughing and gagging out blood. He clutched his side, that bled profusely, from the deformed Ram-dao and cuirass.
'Broken...no shattered rib cage. Potentially punctured lung. Compound fractures along the left arm.' Symtic analyzed. He glared down at Yamada, who marched towards Gwayn. He scoffed, and spat. 'Disgusting fucking Islander.' Symtic clapped his hands and branded Gwayn, with a Blessing. Irina did nothing to stop it. Gwayn's bones snapped into place, and his breathing returned to normal. Yamada glared up to Symtic. The only thing visible through his visor were two dark slits. "Don't you dare, look at me like that Islander." He barked. Gwayn quickly strapped his helmet back on. His body had healed, but his mind was still reeling from the attack. What kind of monstrous strength does this boy have? Yamada entered into the wrath stance, a perfect mimicry of Gwyneth. Gwayn sucked on his teeth. 'You really went and took this monster under your wing sis? I guess, I don't have to hold back either.'
Yamada watched as Gwayn stood up cracking his neck. His weapon and armour snapped back into shape. Orichalcum. Yamada took a defensive stance, Harbinger raised across his chest. Gwayn split his Ram-dao down the middle, into two exact copies. Yamada took a step back. He had never seen someone split Orichalcum like that. With a thinner Ram-dao in each hand. Gwayn stood tall with his arms open. "Your freakish strength, will only take you so far." "Gwyneth's teachings, will take me where I need to go." "Don't say her name!" Gwayn roared. He dashed in, swing a barrage of attacks. Each swing lead into the next. Yamada was pushed back with the onslaught. With a grunt, Yamada deflected a high swing, and made Gwayn retreat with a sweeping slash.
Yamada's grips were sore, and loose. The barrage left Harbinger trembling in his hands. Gwayn inspected the edge of Yamada's weapon. Not a single dent, warp, chip, or scuff on it.
'That sword is a problem. I need to disarm him.' Gwayn thought, looking to the sky. "It's time to end this Forsaken one." He said resting one Ram-dao over his shoulder. Yamada said nothing. "What? Too scared to respond?" Jacara clasped his hands together, praying repeatedly. "Don't mention Gwyneth. Don't mention Gwyneth. Don't mention-" "Gwyneth preferred me quiet, when I fucked her." "DAMN IT YAMADA!" Jacara shouted, with Irina cackling beside him. "I assumed you would be the same." Gwayn charged in with a roar. Yamada fell back into a defensive situation, being barraged with an onslaught of strikes. "STOP BRINGING UP HIS SISTER! IT'S NOT A GOOD TACTIC!" "Take a good look at them, Prince. And tell me if you think that's true."
Jacara stopped, watching Gwayn continued to press the attack. However with each strike, Yamada was no longer being pushed back. "He's tiring him out?" Irina smirked, and glanced over to Symtic, breaking a sweat. "Not just him." Jacara and Ul'lanna looked over to Symtic, and back to Gwayn. The Blessing brand still present on his armour. "Grandfather, remove the brand. This isn't a fair fight." "Sit down and shut up." He snapped. His words struck Jacara like lightning. "Gwayn is fighting a monster. And you don't ask monsters to fight, a fair fight. You kill them." Symtic, growled taking a sip. Jacara quickly reached for his pouch, when Irina placed a hand on his shoulder. "Yamada, will be okay." Jacara lowered his hand, watching on as Gwayn retreated away, his breathing ragged. Yamada stood calm and collected, taking the wrath stance. "Stop toying with your food Gwayn! Finish him!" Surce ordered.
Irina sneered at the Monarchs. "Scared to lose are we?" The two of them shot her a glare. Gwayn swapped his grips, letting blades fall to the ground, and grabbed the ringed pommel. He split the blades once more. Tossing those two into the air, they begun to spin and hover in the air beside Gwayn. Yamada swapped his stance, back to a defensive one. Gwayn lurched forward, and then let out a visceral roar. The back of his cuirass melted, exposing his large scaled back, and reformed over his chest. Two feathery wings shot out from between his shoulder blades. Gwayn beat his wings and took a Ram-dao in each hand. He raised one arm to Yamada. One of the swirling ram-daos launched towards Yamada. He deflected the attack, and the weapon returned to hover beside Gwayn. "That's a neat trick." Yamada said.
Gwayn took off into the sky, his Ram-dao copies following him. Yamada watched as Gwayn encircled him like a vulture. He stopped above Yamada, casting a shadow down on him. The sky behind him becoming darker and darker, as the Storm encroached. The spinning ram-daos begun to rain down. As Yamada deflected each of them, they would return to Gwayn's side. Yamada began to falter to the volume, of the bombardment, the Ram-daos, shaving pieces of his armour off. Everyone cheered on as Yamada's armour, started to crack and fracture. Ul'lanna clenched the seats on her arm rest. Irina noticing the wisps of smoke rising from her smouldering seat. 'Why isn't he attacking? He's stronger than him. So why won't he attack?' Ul'lanna thought. 'He can't win like this. He can't...unless, he's afraid of-' Ul'lanna leapt out of her seat. "FIGHT BACK YAMADA!" Ul'lanna screamed. She garnered everyone's attention. "GWYNETH, SENT YOU HERE TO BE SAFE. NOT TO DIE!" Irina smiled at Ul'lanna's outburst.
"HE WON'T DIE! THEY WON'T LET HIM! NOW FIGHT BACK!" She screamed, her voice becoming hoarse. Gwayn sucked on his teeth, glaring down at her. "Insolent Elf." He and the Monarchs muttered. 'It doesn't matter. The boy can't do anything to me from this position.' Gwayn's eyes nearly popped out of its skull, as he watched Yamada's cape transform into a giant set leathery wings. "Tsk, learn your place monster!" Gwayn shouted, hurling down a Ram-dao. Yamada took a step to the side, snatching the weapon by its edge. It stopped with a deafening ping, as it snapped on his gauntlet. The cheering crowd went silent, and shrunk down. Yamada beat his wings, and knelt down. Gwayn immediately flew out of the way, as Yamada shot into the sky faster than a bullet. He felt the rush of air that followed behind him. Yamada hovered above the arena, casting a menacing shadow. A Forsaken Knight, glaring down at them.
"KILL HIM GWAYN!" Surce shrieked. The broken copy on the ground reformed and launched at Yamada. Ul'lanna scanned the area frantically. "If you're trying to find the Wind gate for Yamada. You won't be able to." Irina said. Ul'lanna snapped back to Irina. "He's making a connection to the Orichalchum to mould it. There has to be a Wind gate." "That's because he's borrowing the gate from the other Wind mages." Jacara said. " He said, gritting his teeth. Jacara boiled with anger. Yamada was a Forsaken Knight, but that didn't mean he should be fighting such an unfair battle. He balled up his fists, looking back to his grandparents. How they relished in Yamada struggling to fight Gwayn in the sky. He was stiff in the air, flying in straight angles. Gwayn was clearly superior in the sky. Yamada's height was inconsistent with each wing beat, drooping and ascending. The weight of his Deiridium threw him off.
Ul'lanna marched over to her katana, when she was quickly branded by Surce, with a Curse. She froze in place, being glared at by Surce. "And, what do you think you're doing little Elf?" She snarled. "This is far from a fair fight. So I'm making this even." She said proudly, reaching for her weapon. Ul'lanna's breastplate rusted in an instant. She quickly summoned a small Fire gate, and burnt the straps off, leaping away from the breastplate. It fell to the ground, shattering into hundreds of rusted shards. Surce created another Curse brand, ready to brand Ul'lanna again. Jacara marched over, and took the katana. "What are you doing? You're helping this Elf whore?" Symtic snapped. Jacara turned around with a ferocious glare. "Shut up." He growled. The two of them reeled in their seats. "We're ending this farce. Be ready to heal your precious champion." He tossed Ul'lanna her weapon. Irina watched on with a proud smile, gazing up to see Yamada holding his own in the air.
"There are Wind mages around the perimeter." Jacara said. "They'll have dust floating around them." Ul'lanna took off weapon in hand. "You would defy us Jacara?" Symtic asked. "For an Islander and Elf no less." Surce remarked. "This is wrong. You have to see that." Jacara pleaded. "All I see, is my grandson, siding with a monster, and hole made to make children." Symtic said taking a swig of his wine. "You want to help them, you'll get nothing from us." He said slamming his cup down. "Be smarter than your father. Don't make the same mistake he did." "And what mistake, would that be?" Irina asked coyly. "Loving a whore? Was that his mistake?" Jacara asked. "His 'Love' for that whore, brought ruin to several kingdoms. Everyone has suffered because of your father's actions. If you need further proof of his mistake. Look to that thing in the sky." Surce said.
Yamada crashed into the ground, his wings reverting back into a cape. His armour cracked and exposed in several places. He forced himself up to his feet. Gwayn hovered above him, with two spinning blades by his side, and one in each hand. "You are beaten monster. Kneel, and I'll kill you with dignity." Yamada responded by planting Harbinger into the ground. Yamada poured out more Arcane energy, repairing his armour. "Use this Yamada!" Jacara tossed out a tarot card towards Yamada. He dodged the card, letting fly past him. "I don't need your help." He growled. "What!? He's cheating!" Jacara yelled out annoyed. "I know! I'm going to enjoy winning." Yamada said, cracking his neck. Jacara felt a shiver run down his spine. He quickly sat back down, sucking in his lips. "Not going to help him anymore?" Irina asked. "Even after that defiant little act?" He shook his head. "Nope, I've been on the receiving end of that. Gwyneth is losing a brother today."
Gwayn took off into the sky once more. Yamada stood on the ground, looking up at him. Ul'lanna was ushered back to her seat, by several guards. She angrily shrugged them off, being forced to sit down. "Did you manage to take out, any of the Wind mages, my dear?" Irina asked. "No." Ul'lanna pouted, crossing her arms. "Did the Earth Mages bound you?" Jacara asked. "I don't want to talk about it. Let's just watch Yamada win." Yamada dismissed his armour, confusing everyone watching. Two spinning Ram-daos flew towards Yamada. He rocked out of the way, dodging each one. 'Losing the armour to move faster. That won't help unless, you can match me up in the sky.' Yamada summoned only his wings. He cracked a smile at Gwayn. He leapt into the air, barely missing his attack. Gwayn spun around with a cocky smile, before feeling a heavy chain wrap around his throat.
He reached to rip the chain off. Yamada pulled with all his might, flying higher into the air. The chain went taught, crushing Gwayn's bevor. 'That chain was Orichalcum?' Were Gwayn's last conscious thought, as he was whipped violently through the air. He clutched chain, trying to mould it. Yamada's overwhelming Arcane energy flowed through the chain. Yamada came to a screeching halt, letting the momentum swing Gwayn through the air. He whipped and the chain tightened, shattering Gwayn's bevor. Yamada swooped towards the ground, laughing with pure glee. Feeling the rush of wind past his face. He stopped, releasing the chain and hurling Gwayn into the ground. He crashed into the ground with a metallic crunch, creating a geyser of debris and dirt. As the cloud settled, Gwayn crawled out of the ditch gasping for air. His armour and body mangled by the impact. Blood gushed out of the cracks.
Yamada landed behind Gwayn. He planted one foot between his deformed wings, grabbing them by the roots. With a visceral roar, that made everyone cower in fear. Yamada ripped the wings off, in a bloody display. Symtic quickly branded Gwayn, with a Blessing, as he gurgled on his own blood. Yamada tossed aside the wings, panning to the crowd huffing and puffing. Glaring at all of them with his draconic amber eyes. "I win!" He shouted, marching over to Harbinger. He slung it over his shoulder, staring down Symtic and Surce. Gwayn choked out a glob of blood, and his injuries quickly started to disappear. He sat up, his vision blurred, and his breathing ragged. Yamada took a knee in front of him snarling at him like a ferocious beast. The message was primal and clear. 'Never bare your fangs at me. You are weaker.'