December 21 4005 8:10 AM
Just moments before the duel between Marcus and Cain was set to commence, a figure sat on his designated seat, hidden from view by an invisibility spell. Derek, the mastermind behind the scenes, carefully made his way out of the arena. As he stood up and moved away from the seats, a captivating aura emanated from him, catching the attention of Liene.
Liene, an elf with heightened senses, could perceive auras and emotions with remarkable accuracy. Even though Derek was invisible, his nefarious intentions and the intense emotions he exuded were palpable to her. She glanced behind her, noticing a single empty seat amidst the occupied ones, devoid of any nearby figures. Suspicion filled her as she connected the dots, realizing that Derek was the source of the unsettling aura.
"What's wrong?" Claire inquired, noticing Liene's reaction.
Liene hesitated for a moment before dismissing her concerns. "Oh, it's probably just my imagination playing tricks on me," she replied, attempting to downplay the situation.
Claire's eyes widened, sensing that something was amiss. However, before she could further question Liene, Rose interjected.
"Shush, the duel is about to begin," Rose reminded them, diverting their attention back to the upcoming spectacle.
Liene, despite the lingering suspicion in her mind, chose to focus her attention on the duel between Marcus and Cain. Unbeknownst to her, Derek took advantage of her dismissal and stealthily made his way past the battling duo, as well as Isaac, who keenly sensed his ominous aura but chose to maintain a smile in response.
Passing through the arena, Derek reached a pair of foreboding black doors. Opening them slightly, he slipped into the mysterious room, entering a dimly lit hallway. As his invisibility gradually faded, he continued his path, guided by the faint glow of distant cages. Within those cages were monsters, captives under the watchful eyes of the Dark Fire Academy teachers, meant for training purposes.
Derek surveyed the scene, his malevolent grin widening as he spotted a particular cage housing a monstrous creature. It towered above the others, boasting six arms, a terrifying countenance, and piercing red eyes. A surge of anticipation coursed through him as he unleashed a magic spell, unlocking every cage in the vicinity, including the one housing the colossal beast.
"RAAAAA!!!" the monsters roared in unison, their pent-up rage unleashed upon their newfound freedom.
As the monster broke free from its cage, it assumed a commanding presence, leading the other liberated creatures towards the arena where the spectators and participants resided. The ground trembled slightly under their weight, causing a ripple of unease among those nearby.
Derek, standing near the now-opened cages, clenched his fists tightly, his face contorted with anger and resentment.
"You will pay, Light..." he seethed through gritted teeth, his voice laced with venomous determination.
As the duel between Marcus and Cain came to an end, with Marcus emerging victorious, the crowd in the arena still looked on in disbelief. However, their moment of triumph was short-lived as a deafening bang echoed through the air, momentarily unnoticed amidst the clamor of students from both the Celestial Sword and Dark Fire academies.
Light and Claire, more attuned to their surroundings, exchanged puzzled glances as they registered the sound.
"What was that?" Claire asked, her voice tinged with surprise.
Before they could process the noise, another resounding bang reverberated through the arena, capturing the attention of everyone present. The once bustling arena fell into an eerie silence as the crowd turned their gaze towards the source of the disturbance—the massive gray double doors.
The doors, previously intact, now bore a noticeable dent, evidence of an external force—BANG—BANG—BANG!
With each successive impact, the dent grew larger, instilling a sense of urgency and alarm among the onlookers. Anxiety gripped the students, their hands instinctively reaching for their weapons, while Light slowly reached for his sword, securely fastened in its scabbard.
The relentless assault continued, the doors groaning under the force, until finally, with an explosive crash, they shattered, leaving behind a void of silence that engulfed the arena—BAAANG!!!
Amidst the chaos, Light's reflexes kicked in, and he swiftly retrieved his sword, preparing to face the oncoming horde of monsters. With the skillful execution of -Savage Laceration-, he unleashed a barrage of swift and precise strikes, slashing through the enemy ranks with deadly accuracy. Each swing of his blade created a whirlwind of energy, tearing through flesh and bone.
As the battle raged on, Light's attention was momentarily drawn to Derek, who calmly made his way back to his seat. The sinister smile on Derek's face didn't go unnoticed by Light and Marcus.
Resolute in his decision, Light fought alongside his fellow students as he uses his art -Nova Strike- against a horde of monster, deflecting incoming attacks and expertly countering with his own. The arena became a battleground of chaos, with students from both the Celestial Sword and Darkfire academies employing various combat styles to hold back the relentless assault.
Melee fighters engaged the monsters head-on, their swords clashing with the creatures' claws and fangs. At a distance, archers and magic users took strategic positions, launching a barrage of arrows and spells to thin the ranks of the encroaching horde. Despite the apparent lack of coordination and teamwork, the students' collective efforts had a surprising effect, disrupting the monsters' advance.
However, in the midst of the ongoing skirmish, Light found himself momentarily vulnerable. Unbeknownst to him, a monstrous rhinoceros-like creature had crept up from behind. With a thunderous charge, it rammed Light with its sharp horn, driving him forcefully into a nearby wall. The impact sent shockwaves of pain through his body, leaving him momentarily stunned.
Grimacing through the pain, Light managed to intercept the horn with his sword, preventing it from piercing his flesh. However, the force behind the attack was enough to dislodge his grip, causing his sword to fly out of his hand and clatter to the ground. "Shit," he exclaimed, his voice laced with frustration and pain.
As the monstrous rhinoceros continued its relentless assault, relentlessly charging at Light, he skillfully evaded its thunderous attacks with nimble footwork. Amidst the chaos, Light's attention was momentarily caught by a glimpse of Derek, a wicked grin adorning his face, as he rose from his seat and made a deliberate exit from the room. A sense of unease washed over Light, sensing the malevolence behind Derek's actions.
Before Light could fully process the implications, the rampaging monster prepared to strike him once again, its immense strength and ferocity on full display. Bracing himself for the impact, Light focused his gaze on the charging behemoth, readying himself to dodge the impending attack.
Just as the monster lunged towards him, a sudden intervention disrupted its trajectory. Claire, emerging from a distance, swiftly took aim with her bow, channeling her energy into a singularly focused arrow. With unparalleled precision, she released the arrow, imbued with her art, -Precision Strike-. The projectile struck the monster with unerring accuracy, knocking it back several feet and leaving it momentarily stunned.
Light stood in awe, his surprise evident on his face, as he watched the monster stagger and shake its head violently, attempting to regain its composure after the unexpected blow. In that brief moment of respite, Claire swiftly closed the distance between them, concern etched across her features.
"Light, are you okay?" Claire asked, her voice laced with genuine worry.
With an emotionless look in his face even after taking massive hit, Light replied, "Yeah, I'm fine."
The monstrous creature, having regained its senses, fixated its gaze on Light and Claire with a renewed determination. It lunged forward, charging at them with incredible speed. Reacting swiftly, Light and Claire skillfully evaded the oncoming attack, dodging in opposite directions. Light's maneuver led him to land near his discarded sword, conveniently within reach.
Meanwhile, Claire found herself in a perilous position, the monster closing in on her rapidly. Sensing the imminent danger, Light swiftly positioned himself in front of her, bracing himself with his sword. As the monster's sharp horn neared Claire, Light intercepted the attack, his sword clashing against the formidable creature's relentless assault. With a forceful push, Light managed to momentarily stagger the monster, creating a brief reprieve for them both.
In the midst of the tense situation, Light couldn't resist a touch of sarcasm. "Hey, don't die on me," he quipped, his expression void of emotion.
Claire, not amused by his jesting tone, retorted, "Come on, Light, this is no time for your sarcasm."
Realizing the urgency of the situation, Light's demeanor shifted, his voice now filled with sincerity. "Well then, I guess I have to end this quickly."
Empowered by their unwavering determination, Light and Claire readied themselves for the decisive moment. Light positioned his sword behind him, gripping it firmly before raising it high, his arms poised for action. In one fluid motion, he unleashed a torrent of consecutive slashes upon the monstrous creature, utilizing his art -Savage Laceration- to devastating effect. Each strike landed with precision, carving deep wounds into the creature's body. The monster, overwhelmed by the onslaught, crashed to the ground with a resounding thud, its menacing presence diminished.
Seizing the opportunity, Claire sprang into action, her bow held firmly in her hands. She leaped into the air, her movements graceful and swift. With impeccable accuracy, she unleashed a flurry of strikes upon the fallen creature, utilizing her art -Swiftshot Precision-. Each arrow found its mark, striking the monster repeatedly with pinpoint accuracy. The combined force of Light's savage slashes and Claire's swift shots delivered a devastating blow to the monster, weakening it further.
Their coordinated assault had a profound impact, causing the monster to writhe in agony, its strength waning. Light and Claire stood side by side, their focus unwavering, as they continued their relentless assault. Their teamwork and synchronization were a sight to behold, as they complemented each other's skills flawlessly, exploiting every opportunity to strike.
As the battle raged on, Light and Claire fought with unwavering resolve, their determination unyielding. They knew that victory was within their grasp, and they would not falter until the monstrous threat before them was vanquished.
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit hallway, Derek retreated from the chaotic arena with a slow, deliberate pace. His hands rested casually on his back, a menacing smirk playing on his face. The image of Light being rammed by the monster and the resulting chaos brought a twisted satisfaction to Derek.
However, his sense of contentment was abruptly shattered when a scorching fireball erupted from behind him. Reacting swiftly, Derek gracefully evaded the attack by leaning slightly to his left, effortlessly dodging the searing flames. With a newfound seriousness etched on his face, he spun around to face his assailant.
Summoning his magical prowess, Derek conjured a slightly transparent sword in his hand. The blade radiated an enchanting aura, its power palpable. In an instant, a mysterious figure, wielding a scythe, launched a swift strike towards Derek. However, Derek intercepted the attack with his enchanted sword, parrying the blow and pushing his opponent back, colliding with another hidden assailant.
Unfazed by the encounter, Derek sneered menacingly at the approaching figures. Marcus and Cain emerged from the shadows, their weapons at the ready, and a guarded stance assumed. Their presence irritated Derek, particularly Marcus, who had previously bested him and caused him great embarrassment. Marcus regarded Derek with a taunting expression, pointing his scythe in his direction, while Cain mirrored the same sarcastic demeanor.
Marcus couldn't resist taunting Derek as their battle unfolded. With a satirical grin, he commented, "Seems weird that you're walking away from the arena where all the action is happening."
He glanced at Cain, who mirrored his sarcastic expression, further infuriating Derek. Marcus continued, maintaining his mocking tone, "You think that's weird?"
Cain chimed in, playing along, "Definitely weird..."
Their banter fueled Derek's rage, intensifying his determination to defeat them both. The tension in the air crackled as the three adversaries engaged in a high-stakes confrontation.
Derek's voice dripped with anger as he demanded, "So, what do you two want?"
Marcus, radiating confidence, smirked in response. "Oh, we don't want anything from you... We just want to beat you up."
Cain chimed in, his smile matching Marcus's confidence. Their poised demeanor stood in stark contrast to Derek's enraged expression, but they maintained their façade.
"I'd like to see you try," Derek spat back, his eyes now blazing a fiery crimson. Flames began to flicker around his hand, tightly clutching his sword.
With a calm tone, Marcus countered, "Last time we fought... I defeated you... same with Light, I can do it again, you know."
The rage in Derek's bright blue eyes transformed them into a blazing cherry red. Flames began to materialize in one of his hands, while his other hand tightly gripped the enchanted sword. Roaring in fury, Derek charged at Marcus, slashing at him with his sword. Marcus deftly blocked the attack with the blade of his scythe, effortlessly repelling Derek's assault. The clash continued as their blades collided repeatedly, the clash of metal filling the air.
Taking advantage of the diversion, Derek swiftly pointed his free hand towards Cain, a white, ethereal light emanating from his palm. Confusion clouded Cain's expression as he recognized the incantation Derek chanted, realizing it was a forbidden magic spell.
"A forbidden magic?" Cain questioned, his bewilderment evident.
Before Cain could fully process the situation, Derek unleashed a beam of white energy towards him. Reacting with remarkable speed, Cain conjured his spell -Luminous Aura-, intercepting Derek's attack. The collision resulted in a massive explosion, sending both combatants flying backward. Seizing the opportunity, Marcus leaped into the air, utilizing his art -Grim Reaper-, and rained down a flurry of scythe strikes upon Derek. However, Derek swiftly defended himself, expertly blocking Marcus's onslaught with his enchanted sword.
Cornered in the narrow confines of the hallway, Marcus and Cain continued their relentless assault, unleashing their respective arts upon Derek. Marcus's scythe slashed at him with a relentless ferocity, aided by his stellar art -Abyssal Veil-. Meanwhile, Cain bombarded Derek with an array of spells -Volcanic Eruption-, Electrifying Surge-, Radiant Beam-, and Scorching Ember-. Yet, Derek proved resilient, effectively blocking both magical and physical attacks with his forbidden barrier spell and enchanted blade. The clash of powers reverberated through the hallway, each combatant pushing their limits to gain the upper hand.
In the midst of the relentless battle, Cain and Marcus clashed against Derek, their determination unwavering. Simultaneously, Light, Claire, Rose, and Liene valiantly fought off the rampaging monsters that threatened the arena.
With calculated precision, Light and Claire swiftly eliminated multiple monsters, their teamwork seamless. Rose and Liene provided backup from a distance, strategically positioned on the seats, their support bolstering the group's efforts.
Meanwhile, Marcus and Cain held their ground against Derek, exchanging blows with skill and resolve. The tide of the battle seemed to be turning in favor of the students, as their coordinated efforts and unwavering determination pushed back against their formidable adversary.
"Keep it up... At this rate, we can take care of this quickly," Claire said in relief.
"Alright! Now we're talking!" Rose exclaimed energetically.
Suddenly, the ground shook with thunderous footsteps as the colossal monster leading the horde barged into the arena. It swung its massive mace, knocking aside the students and fixing its gaze upon Light, Claire, Liene, and Rose.
"Shit..." Light muttered.
Herald looked at the monstrous creature in fear, while Ann remained somewhat calm but visibly surprised. Isaac, on the other hand, maintained a composed demeanor, a small smirk playing on his lips.
"Oh no..." Herald responded with a trembling voice.
"What is it, Herald?" Isaac asked calmly.
"I-I-It's A-Ar... Arterius the Minotaur!!! A-A level 50 m-monster," Herald stammered in fear.
"L-Level 50...?" Claire nervously echoed.
Arterius, the monster before them, resembled an airship in size. With its minotaur-like appearance, it boasted three horns, two on its sides and a larger one on its head. A massive thorny mace clutched in its left hand had been mercilessly used to bash away the students. Its four red eyes instilled terror and intimidation, casting an ominous presence.
"You locked this up?" Rose questioned.
"I-It was d-designed for special training purposes but was never used at all..." Herald stuttered in response.
"Well, less time talking, more time fighting, I guess..." Light remarked sarcastically.
With a leap, Light raised his sword and charged at the gargantuan minotaur, unleashing a flurry of slashes with his stellar art, -Nova Strike-. However, his attacks only seemed to enrage the monster, as it retaliated by striking him with its mace, sending him crashing through a nearby wall.
"Ack..." Light grunted in pain.
"Light!!" Claire screamed, her voice filled with concern.
Claire looked at Light with worry etched on her face and hurriedly rushed towards him, showing no hesitation. Meanwhile, from a distance, Liene observed Claire running towards Light with a hint of jealousy in her expression. Both Liene and Rose focused their efforts on fending off the monstrous minotaur.
"Are you okay, Light?" Claire asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.
"Yeah... I'm fine," Light replied, determination shining in his eyes.
Despite his injuries, Light tries his hardest stand up desperately, his expression sincere. Claire tried to intervene, attempting to dissuade him.
"Please, Light, Stop it," Claire pleaded, her face filled with concern.
Ignoring her pleas, Light ignored the pain and charged head-on towards the colossal minotaur, Arterius, wielding his sword with unwavering resolve.
In a sudden, blurry flashback, scenes of chaos unfolded before Light's eyes. The surroundings were engulfed in flames, with buildings burning, debris falling, and lifeless bodies scattered about, both young and old.
Amidst the turmoil, a black-haired boy and a gray-haired girl desperately tried to escape the devastation. They maneuvered through the chaos, dodging falling debris with sheer determination.
The fire raged on, spreading rapidly. Unfortunately, a large piece of debris came crashing down, separating the male and female companions. The flames swiftly engulfed the area surrounding the fallen debris.
"Karra!!!" the black-haired male yelled out in anguish.
"Light!!! un!!!" the female voice cried out, her voice filled with desperation.
"B-but I..." the boy hesitated, torn between staying and searching for his companion.
"Run!!! Please..." the female voice pleaded urgently.
With tears streaming down his face, all Light could do was obey her plea. He ran away from the engulfing fire, leaving behind the female, a painful memory of losing someone dear etched into his consciousness.
In the present moment, Light continued his relentless assault on the monster, slashing at its foot with his sword, while Isaac, Ann, Herald, and the other students fought against the remaining creatures.
Arterius locked eyes with Claire and Liene, raising its massive mace to strike them. Light swiftly intervened, blocking the attack with his sword.
"Stand back. I can't both fight and protect all of you," Light urged.
"Light!" Claire's voice rang out in concern.
Liene, understanding Light's sincerity, held Claire back and cast a worried look her way. With a shake of her head, Liene prevented Claire from interfering.
"But... Light," Claire hesitated.
"He can take care of himself. We need to trust in him," Liene assured her.
Claire attempted to voice her concerns once more, but Liene interrupted, speaking firmly. "Claire, if you truly care about him, we must step back and let him do what he does best."
Reluctantly, Claire nodded and stepped back alongside Liene and Rose, joining forces with Isaac and the others to defeat the remaining monsters. As Light faced the colossal minotaur, Arterius, his emotionless thoughts surged through him. Gripping his sword tightly, he unleashed a barrage of powerful and precise strikes, utilizing his exceptional stellar arts to overcome the formidable beast.
With a swift and calculated movement, Light initiated his attack with a simple -Double Edge-, executing a lightning-fast dual strike that sliced through the air. The blades of his sword gleamed as they cut deep into Arterius' hide, drawing blood. The minotaur bellowed in pain, but Light pressed on, undeterred as his strikes intensified, each blow imbued with fiery energy that seared through Arterius' defenses. The minotaur staggered under the relentless onslaught, its monstrous form beginning to falter.
Not relenting for a moment, Light aimed for critical hits, utilizing his precision and timing with the stellar art -Critical Solidus-. His strikes targeted Arterius' vulnerable points, dealing severe damage and weakening the beast further. The monstrous creature howled in agony as its strength waned.
Sensing an opportunity, Light unleashed the full force of his power with -Nova Strike-. In a dazzling display of speed and finesse, he struck with unmatched ferocity with multiple slashes towards the minotaur dealt fatal harm at the monster. Each strike echoed with the power of a falling star, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Arterius stumbled, its massive frame trembling under the relentless assault.
Finally, with a final surge of energy, Light executed the ultimate technique, -Fulmination Wallop-, Lightning crackled around him as he unleashed a devastating blow that shattered Arterius' defenses. The minotaur roared in pain and collapsed to the ground, defeated by Light's unparalleled skill and determination.
As the dust settled, Light stood victorious, his body covered in sweat and scratches, but his spirit unwavering. The arena fell silent as the echoes of battle faded away. Light took a moment to catch his breath, his chest heaving with exertion. Claire, her concern etched across her face, hurried over to him after she with Liene and Rose had also emerged victorious from their own battles against remaining monster.
Liene watched from a distance, her expression a mixture of emotions. Jealousy still lingered in her eyes as her emotion doesn't go unnoticed by Rose. From an even farther distance, Isaac, Ann, and Herald observed the scene, their gazes filled with understanding.
"They make a formidable team," Herald remarked, his voice filled with admiration.
Ann nodded in agreement. "Indeed, but they've also faced their fair share of struggles."
Isaac chimed in, a small smile playing on his lips. "But I have faith that they will find a way to overcome them, together. Their bond is strong, and that's what will see them through."
Their victory was short-lived as a sudden loud bang echoed through the arena, startling Liene and the others. Confusion filled the air as they hurriedly made their way towards the source of the noise. Their hearts sank as they saw the walls riddled with holes, the aftermath of powerful fireballs.
"Oh no..." Liene exclaimed, her voice filled with dread.
Without hesitation, Liene, and Rose rushed to the scene, their worry mounting. Their eyes widened in shock as they found Marcus and Cain lying unconscious on the ground, their bodies battered and bruised.
"Liene, tend to Marcus," Light instructed, his voice laced with urgency. Liene immediately rushed to Marcus's side, assessing his injuries and providing what aid she could.
Light knelt down next to Cain, a mix of concern and anger etched on his face. He checked Cain's neck for a pulse, to find that he was still alive. The weight of the situation pressed upon him as he realized that whoever had attacked their friends was a threat to all of them, including Claire, Liene, and Rose.
Gazing at Cain's unconscious form, Light's thoughts raced. He knew that Derek, the one responsible for this brutal attack, would not stop until he had taken them all down. The realization filled Light with a fierce determination to protect those he cared about.
"Claire, Rose, stay on guard," Light said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.
Claire and Rose nodded in agreement, their expressions a mix of concern and depuration. As they prepared for the imminent confrontation, Light had one thought on his mind, the person who did this to Marcus and Cain
"Derek..." thoughts Light...