Estoff Wraith
I couldn't sleep a wink last night. My mind was consumed with worry for Amphere and Airelina, as they braved the dangers of the elimination round. Even as a seasoned Pentagram Knight, I know firsthand the immense challenge of surviving in the treacherous Ancient Forest, a chaotic battleground where every fighter is left to fend for themselves.
I resided in the opulent royal hall within the castle, accompanied by anxious nobles whose hopes rested on their wagers. Indeed, the Dragon Knight's Tournament served as a breeding ground for extensive gambling. A prominent board prominently displayed the names of participants and the staggering sums of money placed on their victory. Furthermore, positioned on the opposite side of the hall, multiple screens showcased the surveillance footage captured by satellite, providing an aerial perspective akin to that of a vigilant bird.
My attention was immediately drawn to the astonishing surge in Amphere Harrison's prize pot. Intrigued, I eagerly embarked on a quest to locate him amidst the vast expanse of the colossal monitor. "Where could Amphere be?" I pondered, my eyes scanning the screen in earnest. And there, finally, I found him—his presence illuminated on the display, marking his current whereabouts.
"How is that even possible?" I gasped in sheer disbelief, my eyes widening with shock.
My astonishment grew as I witnessed the spectacle unfolding before me. Amphere was mounted upon the central head of a colossal three-headed dragon, its body emanating a radiant shimmer caused by the immense reservoir of stored energy within. Its skin appeared almost ethereal, resembling colorless metal with a brilliant sheen akin to silver. What struck me further was its colossal size, measuring a staggering fifteen meters in length. The dragon boasted magnificent silver-toned wings, razor-sharp claws, and an extensive array of spiky protrusions adorning its formidable tail.
As the camera zoomed in, my heart skipped a beat. I could no longer deny the truth before me. Though resembling Amphere physically, his eyes told a different tale. They glowed with a crimson hue, reminiscent of a dragonoid's fierce gaze. The once familiar sclera had turned pitch-black, devoid of any semblance of humanity. An overwhelming sense of dread washed over me as I realized that this formidable and terrifying being was no longer the Amphere I knew.
The three-headed dragon unleashed a deafening roar that reverberated with such force that it created a colossal sonic boom. The sheer power of the soundwave sent nearby trees hurtling through the air, transforming the once lush forest into a desolate wasteland. The airborne dragons encircling the three-headed entity were forcefully expelled from the vicinity, unable to withstand the immense shockwave. In an instant, several dragons, grievously wounded by the overwhelming force of the roar, reverted back to their humanoid forms, their bodies unable to sustain the battle any longer.
The pot money associated with Amphere's name began to escalate at an astonishing rate of one hundred units per second. The counter on the display ticked rapidly, mirroring the growing anticipation and tension in the air. Succumbing to the excitement, I found myself compelled to place my own wagers on Amphere. A smile crept across my face as I contemplated the potential windfall, eagerly envisioning the substantial profits that awaited me. "Well done, Amphere," I chuckled, confident that his prowess would prove lucrative and bring me considerable winnings.
Overwhelmed by the sheer power of the three-headed dragon, Amphere stood in awe, completely stunned and amazed. Realizing that such might surpassed the bounds of this tournament, a sense of clarity washed over him. He reached for his chest, his hand trembling, and leaned in, whispering something inaudible, as if confiding in a secret only he knew.
"Canceling Vesryn Pulse."
A radiant white light enveloped the body of the three-headed entity as it ascended towards the heavens. From the heavens, three luminous rays descended to the ground, revealing the exhausted dragonoid forms of Airi and their comrades. To everyone's astonishment, these dragonoids appeared unharmed and revitalized, their energies seemingly replenished. The question lingered in the air, leaving us all bewildered: What exactly had Amphere done to bring about this miraculous transformation?
"W-What just happened?" Rudolf stammered, his curiosity driving him closer to Amphere. The president, too, approached in silence, intrigued by the extraordinary spectacle they had all witnessed.
"That was absolutely remarkable!" the president exclaimed, unable to contain their excitement, their admiration for Amphere evident in their words.
"I... I don't know," Amphere replied, his voice trembling, matching the quivering of his hands. Unbeknownst to him, his eyes continued to emit a crimson glow, refusing to revert back to their normal state. "I believe the power of that creature was simply too overwhelming, so I made the decision to cancel my Vesryn Pulse," he explained, his voice filled with a mix of uncertainty and determination.
Emerging from the debris caused by the divine creature's rampage, a group of resilient knights rose to their feet. Despite their visibly exhausted states, their unwavering determination to endure until the bitter end was evident in their fiery gazes. Gritting their teeth with an air of ferocity, their collective focus converged on Amphere, emanating an intent to kill that hung palpably in the air.
As Airelina and the other two dragonoids joined forces with their fellow knights, preparing for a fierce defense, Rudolf and Reina readied their swords, bracing for the imminent clash. However, just as tension reached its peak, Amphere gently tapped their shoulders, prompting a momentary pause in their battle-ready stance.
"I'll handle this. I want to test something…"
"Will you be okay?" Airelina worriedly asked. "There are ten of them, and you're outnumbered! Totally!"
"...If any of them manages to land a hit on me, please come to my aid," Amphere smiled softly, his voice filled with unwavering trust. With those words, he let go of his two photon swords, relinquishing his primary weapons and leaving himself momentarily defenseless.
"You're totally..." Airelina pouted in exasperation, unable to fathom Amphere's audacity. With his body straightened and unwavering determination, he began to stride confidently toward the enemy knights. It was clear that he intended to face them all, unarmed. Airelina couldn't help but question, "Is this fool seriously planning to take on all ten knights without any weapons?"
The ten knights hesitantly took a step back, their swords trembling as they pointed them towards the composed figure of Amphere. Despite the fear emanating from his crimson eyes, they were resolved not to yield. Each knight grappled with the internal struggle between their deep-seated fear and their unwavering commitment to honor and duty. Running away from a lone adversary would tarnish their knightly reputation, and so, with determination etched on their faces, they chose to stand their ground and face Amphere head-on.
"Hrrraaaaaah!" One of the knights unleashed a battle cry and charged forward, igniting the spark that set the others in motion. With unwavering resolve, the ten knights closed in, forming a united front against the crimson-eyed warrior. The battlefield was set for a clash of titanic proportions—a ten versus one confrontation that would test the limits of skill, strength, and determination.
As the first knight launched a thrusting attack, Amphere swiftly sidestepped to evade the blade's trajectory. In a display of agility and precision, he seized the enemy's wrist, swiftly overpowering him and forcefully driving him to the ground. The impact shattered the knight's Shield Plate, rendering it utterly defenseless. Another adversary swiftly swung a sharp sword, but Amphere deftly evaded the strike by bending backward with remarkable flexibility. In a fluid motion, he retaliated with a swift and well-placed kick to the assailant's face, effectively incapacitating him.
With three enemy knights closing in from different directions, Amphere's crimson pupils darted rapidly, scanning the battlefield. Time seemed to slow down for him, enabling him to anticipate and perceive the incoming attacks from every angle. With remarkable agility, he leaped into the air, gracefully evading the enemy's sword strikes. In a display of sheer strength and precision, he swiftly maneuvered, utilizing his hands and feet to swiftly incapacitate the three adversaries. The force of his counterattack was so potent that it drove their heads forcefully into the ground, leaving behind a small crater as a testament to the impact.
The battle unfolded as a one-sided affair, with Amphere effortlessly dispatching his enemies using his unparalleled mastery of unarmed combat. A mysterious power boost seemed to enhance his abilities, granting him an even greater advantage. One by one, the enemy knights saw their Shield Plates deplete rapidly: 20%, 12%, 3%, until finally reaching 0%. All ten adversaries had been utterly defeated, their defenses shattered by Amphere's relentless onslaught.
As the sun began to emerge from beneath the horizon, a resounding buzzer reverberated through the air, signaling an important event. Simultaneously, a booming announcement echoed from the speakers embedded within the knights' Shield Plates. The message carried an air of authority, demanding the attention of all who could hear it.
"Good morning, esteemed knights," the announcement echoed with a sense of authority. "At this moment, only sixty-four knights remain with their Shield Plates intact. With the completion of the Elimination Phase, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of you for successfully advancing to the next round of the Tournament!" The words carried a mix of triumph and anticipation, signaling the beginning of a new chapter in the fierce competition that lay ahead.
Amidst the clamor of excitement, a resounding ring reverberated through the air, serving as the long-awaited signal. Without hesitation, I swiftly made my way towards the counter, eager to claim my hard-earned prize money. The anticipation and joy filled my heart as thoughts of celebrating with Amphere and treating him to a drink crossed my mind. However, a lingering sense of unease and curiosity also surfaced, arising from his enigmatic and awe-inspiring mysterious power. Determined to satisfy my curiosity, I made a mental note to discuss it with Airelina later, hoping to unravel the secrets behind his remarkable abilities.
"You're still the same, Estoff..." The voice that pierced through the air was unmistakable, belonging to a man whom I harbored a deep-seated disdain for.
"General Kyle," I uttered his name with a hint of contempt, my gaze locking onto his form. The sight of his smirk only fueled my irritation further. To make matters worse, he was accompanied by his cherished dragonoid, Elumina, a constant reminder of his power and influence.
"I see you've trained that kid to be your lackey," General Kyle sneered, crossing his arms and lifting his chin in a display of arrogance. My frustration grew with each word that left his lips. "Tell me, are you planning to ruin his life just like you did with Zac?"
I took a deep breath, refusing to let his provocation get the better of me. With a stern expression, I locked eyes with General Kyle, channeling my inner composure.
"He will bring freedom to the dragonoids. Mark my words," I retorted with a scowl of wrath, my voice dripping with conviction. Despite my anger towards General Kyle, I held firm belief in Amphere's potential and his noble aspirations. The fire in my eyes conveyed my unwavering determination to support Amphere in his quest for justice and liberation.
My gaze shifted to Elumina, who averted her eyes, bowing down to conceal her true emotions. The familiar pattern of avoiding direct contact with me intensified my frustration. As I observed her, my anger surged further upon noticing the burnt mark on her left shoulder and the scratches marring the nape of her neck. The sight stirred a deep sense of rage within me, and I clenched my teeth, biting down on my lip until it teetered on the edge of drawing blood, desperately attempting to suppress the torrent of emotions threatening to overflow.
Turning my back on General Kyle and his infuriating smirk, I began to walk away, my every step fueled by a seething anger. The sight of his smug expression ignited an intense desire within me, a longing to enact vengeance upon him. Images of inflicting pain and torment on him flashed through my mind, consumed by an overwhelming urge for retribution. I vowed silently to never forgive him, harboring an unyielding resolve to make him pay for the suffering he had caused to Elumina since time immemorial.
As I walked away, a burning determination welled up within me, fueled by a deep sense of justice and the desire to free the dragonoids from their suffering. Without hesitation, I made a solemn oath to spare no effort in achieving their liberation, regardless of the sacrifices required. Even if it meant sacrificing innocent lives or dismantling the very foundations of the empire, I was prepared to go to any lengths to secure the freedom of my dragonoid brethren. The thought of taking the life of the princess herself, if necessary, did not waver my resolve. Every price, every sacrifice, would be willingly paid to ensure the ultimate goal of liberty for all dragonoids was achieved.
Elumina, I swear upon the very essence of my being, I pledge to forge a world untethered by chains, a world where your wings may unfurl and dance with unrestricted freedom. Every fiber of my being is devoted to this cause, and I shall spare no effort in dismantling the barriers that confine you. Together, we shall carve a path to liberation, weaving a tapestry of liberty where you and your kindred spirits can thrive. This oath, resonating in the core of my being, shall guide my every step until the symphony of your emancipation fills the air.
I swear, Elumina.
I promise to create a world of freedom for you… just as we vowed when we were kids.