-Two hours later-
Gloria descended from the snow-white clouds overhead. Her cyan eyes reflected the rage of storms she flew through in her earlier years while being mounted by other elites and warriors.
Beneath her were several Light Legion farmers.
Their loyalty to the Legion was enough to deem them warriors. With their war being to combat famine. Rows upon rows of lush trees and well-grown crops lined the fields they used for land.
"Here we are," Valentine announced.
Gloria came to a halt. She arched her body upwards in order to keep her passengers on her back, while she hovered in place.
Valentine shook his head, disappointed at something. "Unfortunately, there's a lowly elite here. Dominatsu, servant to Kas' daughter."
An elite decorated with lavish whites and luxurious golds walked across the dirt roads. Checking over the crates full of fruits. A large two-handed sword stretched from his shoulder to knee.
His unexplainable pride. Dominatsu's broad frame concluded in strange characters scribbled in black paint across his chest and shoulders. To most people, these were random characters.
But to those that knew Philious, the native language for Thawed, these characters carried meaning.
"So what's the plan?" Valentine turned to face Ether.
"Well... he does look like a big guy. Maybe a little too much for us. B - but it's fine - it's fine. Hmm..." Ether thought out loud. "The Light Legion supports the concept of strength equals the right..."
Valentine lifted an eyebrow, interested in what his student's mind could draft up. His heart skipped a beat as he watched an idea hatch inside his mind.
"I think I should challenge him head on and do a dangerous gambit," Ether sighed. "As a former Light Legion member, I have the right to prove my worth through all specific odds."
"Well said," Valentine approved.
Like a lightning strike, Gloria descended from the clouds. Her black fury reflected the rage that filled Ether's usually soft heart.
Dirt and dust blinded everyone. Instinctively, Valentine took advantage. A crimson aura highlighted his body, which caused crimson clouds to elevate alongside the dust.
In mere moments. The entire radius was under their command. Once dust has settled, Valentine was the first to jump off.
"Greetings, Dominatsu. And to everyone else," Valentine tauntingly lifted one hand up. "You are all at my mercy. Any protest against our commands will be met with an explosion of gore."
Ether quickly followed behind. "Uh... yeah - yeah. So listen up!"
Dominatsu stepped forward, challenging their authority. "Aren't you that rogue warrior? Kas has put up a fair deal for your head. So you listen to me and lie down while I prepare your execution."
"You'll swallow your blood first," Ether barked back. "In the Legion's core principles. I have the right to prove my survivability through specific odds."
Impressed, Dominatsu listened closer. "Big words, eh? I like that. Tell me your odds."
Ether took out his weapon. "A fair fight between you and me. If I fall, the heads of my companions are at stake. But if you're defeated, all your men will bow to me."
Dominatsu chuckled, one hand reached over his shoulder for the hilt of his weapon. "May the odds be in your favor."
His weapon came down like a boulder about to crush the earth below. Its speed was unrivaled. Adrenaline and fear motivated Ether to raise his unsheathed weapon first.
They clashed. Making a sharp dinging sound as the whole world stopped. Like a hidden shock wave, the air got stiffer.
Ether was the first to make the next move. He slid beneath the heavy blade. Now directly below Dominatsu, he attempted to thrust the tip of his weapon into Dominatsu's helmet.
But his opponent was quicker than he expected. Instead of standing by, he caught the blade and tore it out of Ether's hands. He laughed as he carelessly tossed the sword aside.
Shocked, Ether remained there. His eyes and mouth wide open. Giving Dominatsu the opportunity to strike back. Instead of using his weapon, he grabbed the smaller Zesher by the chest's armor. Then viciously slammed him on the ground.
Dirt escaped from under his path. Instantly, his stomach and face began to ache. The pain was enough to make Ether second guess his decisions.
Not satisfied with the amount of fun he received, Dominatsu stepped back. "Get up. I'm not done with you, not yet."
Understanding this was overconfidence showing its ugly head. Ether struggled back on his feet. All surrounding warriors watched, secretly applauding his bravery.
The second Ether got back to his weapon, Dominatsu struck again. This time he delivered a powerful knee straight to his stomach. Followed by a devastating hit with his sword's hilt to the back of Ether's feeble head.
He collapsed, motionless. Jakery screamed in terror as Valentine watched. One lost hope, the other kept his head down.
"As his odds state. You two belong to me, now. On your knees, closed eyes, and straight backs. I want your necks to be an easy shot," Dominatsu taunted.
Jakery's silent weeping evolved into all out crying. Without a moment's hesitation, Valentine pushed him forward towards the impending executioner.
Upon seeing him, Dominatsu drove his forearm up his chin. Young Jakery screamed in pain and horror, wishing for something to save him. His cries were not in vain.
They reached a distant monster, a beast vicious enough to manhandle the situation. Before Dominatsu could get closer, ear-splitting screams caught everyone's attention.
From the mold of old, a beast designed with overprotective instincts in mind rose. It pounced on Dominatsu's back, weapon in hand. Before driving it into the thick armor.
Feeling the rage, he didn't hold back. Dominatsu violently swung around, causing the beast to go flying off his back.
"Now this - this is what I want. Come here!" he taunted.
Pure hatred came together to build a swift motion. It slid past Dominatsu, towards his legs. There, it unleashed a bone-shattering strike directed towards the knee.
Out of balance, Dominatsu tried to flail his arms around to strike back the ruthless attacker. Only to miss and get punished even more. Dominatsu felt the beast climb up his back until it was over his shoulders.
There, the beast began striking his head. Punch after punch, Dominatsu felt the ruthless blows connect harder and harder. Until his white helmet bent.
Ceasing the opportunity, the beast reached to the middle of the eyes. A section that was colored in gold, while also being the region where it was the most dent. Once it got a firm grip, it tore the helmet off.
Dominatsu watched from the inside as the barrier protecting his face from the world was cast away. In response, he reached up and grabbed the beast. Wanting to end it quick, he slammed it down again.
One foot stomped down to crush his skull. But wasn't fast enough. The beast grasped a nearby sword and slashed a cut across his face.
Warm blood oozed out, painting his face in a murderous red. As a follow-up, the beast threw away the sword before grabbing Dominatsu's head, then jumping up.
Using a powerful knee, the beast managed to daze the elite. But the conflict was not over. Not yet. What was next was the execution.
The beast dashed towards Jakery, grabbing onto him and bringing the young Zesher closer to Dominatsu. Then the beast charged towards the weapon it dropped.
"A clean one to the head," it spoke in a raspy voice.
Jakery watched in horror as it handed him a silver sword. He closed his eyes, feeling the creature wrap his fingers around the sword.
Once it was secure. Jakery felt the beast guiding his arms up. Then it stepped back.
"Bring it down with all your strength."
On command, Jakery did. With a thump and a body hitting the dirt path. The conflict was over. Jakery quickly turned around to confront what caused him to do this.
"What the hell??" he screamed.