Bergo hung in the middle of the sky, peering down at Sata Hi Boah, Galaad's furthest west island. Pre-Nobles stood across each other, eyes studying who they were going for.
While tension stiffened their limbs, Zeek and his Ferals watched from a distance. They placed bets on who they'd think would win.
Ether leaned over to Hylo. "Remember your previous fights. Study what you can from them and include your fixes into this fight. Good luck, and all love."
Hitirus, this time appearing as a pure male Zegus, broke through his pre-Nobles. He glared towards the opposing pre-Nobles, searching for Nestres.
"Where is your Heir?" Hitirus cried out.
Nestres stepped forth, greeting the tyrant. They locked eyes, exchanging looks of bitter distaste. Unlike their pre-Nobles, the Heirs did harbor hatred towards each other.
"So you're the one sending your pre-Nobles to harass me and my crew. First time I've seen you ready to fight out in the open," Nestres taunted.
Hitirus scoffed. "Yeah, well, you forget there is more to combat than just senseless fighting. I learned you, but you haven't even seen me."
Nestres fell silent. He knew what Hitirus said was true. There was strategy involved in fighting, and sending a scout is almost always the perfect way to develop one.
While the two traded mean stares, Ether prepared to rise above them. He knew his role to play and the card that would prove to ace all other arenas.
Hitirus marched towards Nestres, prompting the fight to begin. Nestres stomped on the sand, prompting large serrated rocks to erupt from beneath.
Ether jumped over everyone else, then the world went red. Sun-scorched glory painted Sata Hi Boah in to its most modest taste.
Bergo seemed to grow hotter overhead. Something noticed by every single Variant on Koroth. The light made the kindred moons on the opposite side of the world seem invisible.
Ghostly fragments of Pyroatic Weavers danced and screeched through the air before fading into obscurity. Ketra screamed and panicked after seeing them.
She retreated, letting the numbers run even.
Hylo and Fruzzy both slowed their pace, caught off guard by the sudden change. Fruzzy felt hot in her armor, almost boiling. While Hylo only built a small amount of sweat.
Ether's body became torched with golden flames as he barreled towards Nestres' position. He slammed his fist straight through the rocks, landing in front of the Heir.
Nestres flinched at the sudden appearance of his once-cherished trophy. In return, Ether lunged at him, driving a firm knee into his gut.
The impact elevated Nestres off the ground, only to receive another, stronger kick to the jaw shortly thereafter. His jaw wobbled, and the pain echoed throughout his entire skull.
Hitirus dashed through the opposing pre-Nobles and took aim at Nestres. He tackled the Heir, crashing together onto the sand.
In return, Nestres fought free. While Hitirus shot up to his feet, Nestres delivered a right-hook, striking Hitirus' chin. He quickly manifested his staff and swung it to Hitirus.
The metal drew blood upon clashing with Hitirus' cheek, but he didn't let the pain handle him. He reached for Nestres' wrist and held on tight. He began raining blows against Nestres' head, yet they barely even damaged him.
Nestres caught Hitirus' fist, then kicked the tyrant back. After liberating his hands, he pounced on him. Energy flowed through Nestres' veins, seemingly ready to drag Hitirus into the Sister Fields, but nothing happened.
"What's the matter?" Hitirus gave a bloody smile. "Can't drag me anywhere?"
Despite the awkward pause and unusual moment, Nestres began to unload strikes against the side of Hitirus' head. Digging the tyrant's skull deeper into the sand with each hit.
A sudden pulse of energy tossed Nestres off Hitirus. He tumbled away, collecting sand and shards of glass along the way.
When Nestres brought himself onto his knees, he realized what Hitirus embodied. Where the tyrant laid, a devilish creature replaced him.
Brown chitin exoskeleton protected his body, while three large fingers dawned his hands. Diamond-shaped lights glowed from his wrists and stomach, with a blank diamond on his chest.
"What the hell are you?!?" Nestres called out.
"I am Hitirus, Loyal to the Damned. The next King, the mistake that will remain engraved in the memory of thousands for years to come." Hitirus cried out.
The diamond on his chest glowed the same fiery yellow color as the one on his left hand. Nestres tried getting up in time to block the incoming attack, but Hitirus was way quicker than Nestres anticipated.
A fiery wave knocked pre-Nobles from both sides down. Rocking the island and heating the sand up further.
Hitirus dashed towards the down Heir, flames erupting out of newly formed cracks in his chitinous armor. The sand where he stepped went up in a raging inferno.
Nestres forced himself onto his feet and charged at Hitirus. He tackled the tyrant, but the touch felt like a swirling hellscape.
Rocks erupted out of the ground, tossing the duo into the air. Nestres kicked Hitirus higher, where Trez dashed right through him.
Ether tugged on the Sky Beast's wings, yanking it in the opposite direction. Ventelu grabbed onto Hitirus' ankle, then hurled him at Ether.
The two clashed, pushing them both off. Ether recovered and erupted back up to Trez with a furious blast. Leaving Hitirus to come back down to the ground.
Nestres traced sigils on his staff, causing the same sigils to form in the air. They glowed a bright blue as they circled one another.
And with a blinding blue explosion, a focused beam of paranormal energy careened through the open air. Consuming Hitirus until not even his shadow remained.
Every pre-Noble still standing covered their eyes, but even their arms and hands weren't enough to shield them from the brightness. They could even see their veins through their translucent skin.
When it ended, Nestres collapsed onto his knees. He gasped, feeling drained of all strength.
Sand compressed behind him, then a voice sparked to life. "Ready for round two?" Hitirus growled.