Lloyd bit down on his lower lip as he saw the pain in Laura's eyes. He knew she was trying to stay strong, for his sake.
He slowly nodded. "Alright. Be careful."
As he sat back down, Max spoke up. "Don't worry, Sir. Nothing bad will happen to Laura."
Feeling the resolve in Max's words, Lloyd felt somewhat relieved.
Meanwhile, in the arena, Laura clenched and unclenched her fists to push out the fear in her heart. She had to fight, that was a given but how could she fight if she couldn't even make a move?
Her heart was resolved but her body was telling a different story. It was understandable though.
When faced with absolute power, the basic instinct would be to run in the opposite direction yet Laura wanted to overturn that instinct.
She wanted to charge at danger with no plan whatsoever. It's not like she could plan anyway, Steel's metal webs were rendered completely useless in Ifrit's domain.
"You do realize that if we do this, we are going to get burned… literally." Steel said.
Laura replied. "I know."
"And you still want to do it?"
"Do we have a choice?"
"…good point."
Just as both parties prepared to attack, Cedric's voice was heard. "How long are you going to stay seated, Max?... I didn't know you liked your women toasted… literally."
Laura stopped in her tracks as she went wide-eyed. She glanced at Cedric to find him staring in Max's direction with a dangerous feel about him.
Max on the other hand had a confused expression. "Woman?"
Cedric tilted his head. "Yes, woman. Isn't she your lover?" he pointed at Laura.
Laura was taken aback and Max put up a brow.
"So this bastard targeted me because he thought that I am Max's girl and he couldn't bare to see me hurt?" Laura didn't know whether to blush or curse Cedric out.
She knew that Cedric drew some connection between the both of them, but her initial thought was the connection between Lloyd and Lara which would make it difficult for Max to sit still and allow Laura to get hurt.
But this… this was just outrageous, no?
"So because Max saved me once, you think we like each other or something?"
Cedric did not bother to respond as he prepared to strike. "If you do not come down here to challenge me. Then forgive me for what I am about to do."
Max narrowed his eyes but remained silent. Inwardly he was hoping, pleading for Cedric not to cross that line but alas… it seemed as though his prayers fell on deaf ears.
Cedric took a step forward and sent Scorpion tail toward Laura.
Putting aside Cedric's misguided notions, she couldn't just wait for the attack to connect.
She tried to connect metal wires to her swords to defend but the heat of the domain had gotten to a level where Steel's webs couldn't form properly any longer.
"Damn it!" Laura pulled out one of the swords and the weapon scalded her on contact. She grimaced but still held the blade in combat position.
Steel moved as well. Since his webs were of no use, his fur was the next best thing.
Puchi
"Ugh… so hot." Steel felt like his blood was on fire as Scorpion tail pierced his arm. The tip of the weapon was blocked by Laura, leaving her without injury for now.
Steel was about to comment when a tugging force pulled at him. The next moment he was off his feet and was sent flying, crashing into the ground with a mini crater forming underneath.
"Steel!" Laura called out.
Cedric snorted. "Stupid monkey."
Pulling out Scorpion tail from Steel's arm, he attacked again. "Second time's a charm."
As she saw the weapon zip toward her, Laura held the sword tightly and the burn marks on her palms intensified. "Max, if you are going to act, you'd better do so now!"
"Hah, and here I was hoping you'd be able to handle things."
Bam
A brown stick, the length of an average male, fell from the sky and perfectly nailed Scorpion tail to the ground.
Following after, Max landed deftly on the tip of the stick with a smile. "At your service."
Laura pouted. "Why did you take so long?"
"…I don't know," Max said with a difficult expression. There seemed to be something tugging at his heart… something that he could not share.
Laura noticed this and did not press further. "It's fine. I guess you saved me once again."
As both teenagers were acting all cozy in the arena, a certain individual watched them from a particular position in the audience.
"Papa." A little girl mouthed while pointing at Max.
The old man she sat on nodded satisfactorily as he grabbed her arm and pulled it back. "Mn, I know. He has his difficulties. Maybe he is the right choice after all."
The little girl looked at the man with clear eyes and the latter flashed a smile as he playfully twisted her nose. "Everything will be over soon."
The little girl nodded in response before returning her attention to Max.
Down in the arena…
"You seem to forget that this is my match brother," Cedric said, cutting short the happy reunion of Max and Laura.
Max sighed heavily as he dropped down from his staff and turned to face Cedric. "Don't go too far, Cedric. We both know what you are doing here and no, I do not want to fight you."
Cedric chuckled. "But I want to fight you."
"I might kill you."
Cedric burst out laughing. "You might kill me?... Well, I WILL kill you." A second later and his jolly attitude was gone, replaced by a cold glint that struck a parallel with the scorching heat permeating the arena.
At that moment, the temperature in the arena seemed to shoot up several degrees causing Laura to scream as she felt her skin peeling off from the excess heat, despite using Magic to coat her skin.
Taking a look back, Max immediately grew incensed. "Stop this!"
"Make me, Max. Come and stop me!" Cedric roared as his fighting spirit soared.