Set drew his rapier, the blade's light reflecting the morning sun. He looked fixedly at Relon and said: "Prepare yourself. I'm going all out this time."
Relon, firmly grasping his Wavebringer spear, responded with determination: "I've been ready since the first moment."
Set attacked like lightning, his rapier cutting through the air with astounding speed. Relon managed to dodge, but with great difficulty. He tried to find an opening to counterattack, but Set's rapidity was overwhelming. Set delivered consecutive blows, forcing Relon to defend constantly.
Ionna, observing from outside, saw Set landing powerful blows on Relon. Sometimes Relon barely dodged with difficulty, other times his Leviathan armor blocked the strike. She thought Set was not as powerful as she had imagined before, seeing that Relon managed to stand his ground.
When Set paused his attacks, Relon was still standing before him. However, unlike what Ionna thought, Relon had received several of Set's strikes. Set smiled and congratulated Relon: "You have a very powerful artifact in Leviathan. It truly saved you from being killed."
Relon, who had received numerous cuts on his arms, legs and face, also smiled. "The Leviathan armor is truly an artifact of great power. However, it grows even more powerful when it absorbs an Aquarion's mana." Relon paused, his eyes fixed on Set. "History says it was forged by the gods specifically for my ancestor, Morin, the last hero. And its strength amplifies the stronger the Aquarion who bears it."
Hearing this, Ionna grew admiring of Set. She had only seen the blows that did not land on Relon, but Relon was bleeding. This meant Set had attacked much more than she could see. She also grew impressed by Leviathan's strength and thought this could be why Alexandria so wanted to sit on Nannu's throne.
Relon, despite his wounds, maintained his firm posture. He knew the battle was far from over, but his determination did not waver. The Leviathan armor shone with a powerful aura, reflecting the young king's mana.
Set, realizing Relon would not yield easily, prepared for a new attack. "I see you are tougher than I imagined, Relon. But do not underestimate my power."
Relon raised his spear, ready for the next confrontation. "I do not underestimate you, warlord. And I do not underestimate the Aquarion's strength. I will fight to the end to protect my people."
With these words, both combatants prepared for the next offensive. The tension in the battlefield rose as all spectators felt the intensity of the confrontation.
Set advanced against Relon once more, his movements swift and precise. Relon could barely dodge the attacks, his body already showing signs of fatigue and wounds. Alexandria laughed loudly, her voice echoing across the battlefield. She believed Set would kill Relon.
Arthan, observing the fight, was tense. He could not bear to see his king wounded in such a way, but could do nothing, as Relon himself had ordered him not to interfere.
Relon tried to counter Set but to no avail. Clearly, Set was far more skilled. Even with the aid of two legendary artifacts, Relon could not injure Set. The battle grew tenser as Set landed blows growing ever more critical.
Relon, even badly wounded, did not lose his determination. He rose and positioned himself again to defend against Set's onslaughts. Finally, Set said he would end that fight with the next blow, realizing Relon could no longer resist for long.
The young king merely smiled and grasped Wavebringer differently. Set noticed Relon had also taken a different posture. The warlord imagined the young king would try something new and knew he would have to disarm the wounded king.
Set advanced once more, feigning he would deliver the finishing blow on Relon. He realized the young king made a motion with his spear towards him, so quickly changing focus, Set attacked Wavebringer, tossing it far away.
Realizing he was disarmed, Relon tried to strike Set with his bare hands. But Set, far quicker, easily dodged and tripped Relon with a sweeping kick. With the king on the ground, Set placed his rapier at Relon's neck and said the young king had lost and he would kill him.
But he noticed the king continued smiling, so remained alert. Relon, on the ground, said to Set: "When an Aquarion king wields Wavebringer and Leviathan, the artifacts connect with the mana of the Aquarion who bears them. Why do you think, after hundreds of years and many wars, these relics still remain with the Aquarion?"
Set, still confused by the question, remained calm and answered Relon that he did not know. Relon then said: "As the artifacts are linked to the Aquarion's mana, it's enough to concentrate my mana for them to come to the bearer from a distance."
Relon then concluded: "And as I said, I'm terrible with water magics, but my affinity for arcane magics is strong. With it, I created a way to transmit my mana to my artifacts, allowing me to use the artifacts' unique magics even from a distance."
Set then looked back and saw Wavebringer pointed directly at him, floating in the air. Before Set could dodge, Relon said: "8th Circle Water Magic - Raging Sea." The powerful magic discharged again over Set.
An immense whirlwind of water formed, completely enveloping Set. The water spun with overwhelming force, crushing Set with its power. Relon, still lying on the ground, maintained his concentration, channeling all his mana into the magic.
Set struggled against the crushing force of the water, but the intensity of Relon's magic kept him imprisoned. He tried to free himself, but the water seemed to grow heavier each moment, suffocating him.
Relon, breathless, felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. He knew this was his last chance. With a final effort, he increased the whirlwind's intensity, determined to win.
The audience watched in silence, surprised by the turnaround. Alexandria, high in her carriage, watched with a mix of rage and surprise. "This cannot be happening," she murmured, incredulous.
Finally, the whirlwind began to lose power, and Set, injured, was thrown from the water. He fell to the ground, breathing heavily but conscious. Relon, with difficulty, rose, retrieving Wavebringer and slowly walking toward Set.
Set looked at Relon. "You are stronger than I imagined, young king. I underestimated you."
Relon, still holding Wavebringer ready to strike, responded determinedly: "Never underestimate the determination of someone fighting for their people."
This time, the positions were reversed. Relon was about to deliver the finishing blow when Set's crimson eyes shone intensely. Like an explosion, Set landed a powerful kick on Relon, throwing him far away. The young king was tossed, rolling along the ground before managing to stand.
Set rose, his general's robes now torn and ragged. He walked to retrieve his rapier from the ground. "I owe you an apology, the King of Nannu is not as weak as I said before, and therefore deserves for me to fight with a little more than I can give!" said Set, his voice deep and resolute.
He walked toward Relon, who was rising from the ground, the clasp that held his silvery hair destroyed by Relon's magic. His very straight hair flowed over his face, creating a frightening visage. Amid the silver hair, two scarlet eyes shone intensely, radiating an aura of power and determination.
In Alnuum, Katara felt Set's mana grow. She stood, momentarily paralyzed, looking toward where Relon and Set fought. Gwen, near Katara, noticing her friend was strange, asked what was happening. Katara, still focused, said "It's a powerful mana, very similar to Kal's mana!" Without waiting, she ran in the direction of the battle. Gwen, frightened and not understanding, followed her.
Relon, breathing heavily, observed Set approaching. Set's aura was now far more intense, and Relon knew he faced a formidable adversary. "You truly are a worthy warrior," said Relon, raising Wavebringer again. "But I will not give up. I will fight until the end for my people."
Set smiled, his eyes shining. "Then let's finish this, Relon. Show me what you're capable of."
The battle continued with even greater intensity. Set attacked with renewed swiftness and strength, and Relon did his best to defend and counterattack. Every one of Set's movements was precise and lethal, while Relon used all his skill and determination to resist.