-Interlude-.
"Now that we've recuperated, lets get on with that boss shall we?."
"I can sense Necrosis aura all the way here ." Says Ifrit
"Obviously he's an ancient dragon after all." Ignis cuts in
"Be careful Belial, I can heal wounds inflicted by normal enemies an ancient dragon however is different."
"Not my- err our first time, you remember Enthal how I beat enthal."
The three nodded to Belial assured by his confidence before long they've reached the gate where Necrosis lays in wait. Belial looks at the hatchlings nudging them to get inside the pouch the trio reluctantly agreed and were absorbed into its hyperspace.
He reached out pushing the gates open as wind assailed him from the openings he continued to push further enough to fit his figure
"So here you are Necrosis."
Necrosis growls at the foreign presence summoning a hundred of skeleton warriors although evoid of flesh they pose as much if not more danger than the freshly encountered undead.
The skeletal warriors move in organized formations each wielding a skeleton themed weapon swords, clubs , and staffs.
"You aren't making it easy."
Necrosis growls as if ordering his troops
"GROOOOOR!."
They lunge a unified attack on Belial , who in turn used his signature illusions and afterimages to split the forces
What could be seen by the human was a battle of armies, however what ensued was an astonishing battle of 1 vs 1000
"Fire ball!" An after image produced fire ball from its palms burning a group of skeletals in its wake
"Earth spikes!." Another stomps on the ground prompting a dozen spikes from the ground impaling another dozen of the skeletal warriors
"Wind Scythe!." The original calls forth a fierce gale slicing up hundreds in its path
The Dragon roars infuriated by the challenger magic circles take shape all around it.
The dragon then inhales the smoke that emerged from the circles his stomach bloated in the process, gazing intantly at Belial he exhales the decaying smoke intending to end this bout.
Belial took confident steps approaching the dragon as he unleashes the smoke of death, coming to a close encounter with it didn't matter to him in the slightest he simply extends his palm
"I came prepared, unleash that foul breathe you foul necromancer!."
Belial unleashes a light spell , the strongest and most mana consuming of them all.
"That fear in your eyes is so very alive Necrosis, dread in despair for death comes to you once again!."
"LUX PILLAR!."
"GROOOOR!."
A pillar of blind light unleashes right over Necrosis body he howls agonized as his decaying body burns from the intense sun-like heat leaving behind a glowing orb.
"Now onto your master with you."
Belial says sending the orb back through a portal.
-meanwhile-
"The hero?, this is bad we must .. ugh!"
Ozwald clicked his tongue as an invisible light penetrated his heart merging with his very soul.
"Tch, i was better off rid of you."
"Master what is the matter?."
"It's back, We will retrieve Rostoff by all means if necessary."
By 'it' Ozwald meant his very own contract dragon Necrosis and with it the Undead King. The Puppet knew better than to question his master on what is obvious as both disappeared with the shadows.
-the next morning-
I stayed awake last night , thinking about Reifa and not sleeping in general. Who'd thunk it would come bite me back. I have to hurry to the Arena before the inauguration starts!.
Zephyr gears up and dashing through the gate before hitting the captain of the guards Rashid on my way out.
"SIR HERO!, we have an emergency our raiding party is facing a fierce from smugglers at the port we need your help."
"Are Sara or Reifa or heck even Otto not supposed to deal with this?" I ask in confusion
"They all left for the arena early on with his lordship and her highness , only you remain here at this hour and frankly speaking we have been overwhelmed.
"*sigh* lead the way." Fighting crime was never my specialty a world ending disaster sure, a dungeon exploration double sure , a miscellaneous quest involving gathering of materials maybe but never police work.
"Thank you Sir. Hero." He says appreciatively
Following Rashid and his squadron , we race towards the docks black market. The stillness in this place giving me goosebumps, something about this place is alarming me.
"Where are your me?." I ask Rashid
"This way!." He says hastily pointing at a warehouse.
"Alright boys, leave it to me." I say confidently
I get inside the dark warehouse, light seeping from the open window illuminating sections of the floor. I walk passed the door and look around noticing that no ones there I turn back and say
"There's no one here?."
Rashid and co. slap pushed the door from outside locking it firmly
"W-whats the meaning of this Captain!." I ask confused
"Sorry Hero, but ye're going to have to die here."
a ghastly purple smoke seeps out of the openings assailing the room everything in its wake turns to rust , fungi and vegetation turn to ash. It rushes over to me as if guided to my location. The smoke invades my insides and I fall on my back coughing and wheezing.
-the dome-
An incredible arena inspired by ancient Rumans , where the very best compete for the king's favor although back then it served a different purpose.
Reifa and Kayla take to their seats in the royals sections next to her is none other the Sultan of the oasis states accompanied by his steward.
"A fine day for duels Princess." He says smirking while sipping a glass of wine.
"Certainly not in my humble opinion." She says before turning her attention to the arena the announcer introducing the warriors whom are competing for the Sultans favor.
"By the way Kayla, have you seen Zephyr?."
"I'm quite sorry your highness , I thought he went ahead of us."
"Don't be, I'm sure he's held up by something *sigh*."
"Hehe sounds just like Mr.Zephyr."
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, we gather here for the annual Sultan's tournament. Where the bravest of warriors fight for his Lordship's grant. Who among the 16 warriors will win the strongest?! ."
"Will it be our Sara the Sword Mistress!."
"Or Ruen the silent Swordsman."
"Perhaps Otto the hotblooded cannonball."
"Might be Rostoff the Mysterious Dragonkin!." Sara glares daggers at Rostoff to which he returns her a knowing smirk of his own.
"One of the Bloodhavens mayhaps."
"GLEN" a paladin with white armor
"Reiner" a barbarian warrior
"Fried." a swordsman
"Gina." a mage
"Djovak." an archer
"And what do we have here you say?
They are the non-aligned a group of 5 bound to no nation or lord, they take arms for the Sultan's favor. Perchance they will win?."
The announcer introduces the 3 Elvens, a halfman and 2 beastmen
"Ursula!." An elven staffman
"Erwin!." An elven archer
"Kieth!." An elven swordsman
"Calvin!." A halfman brawler.
"Jackal!." A jackal beastman wielding twin knives
"GEORGE!." A bear beastman wielding an axe
"Give the Bloodhavens and the non-aligned a round of applause!."
The crowd reciprocated the announcer's enthusiasm cheering at the top of their lungs
The announcer not running out of vocabulary introduces the warriors gathered around him going down the list he couldn't help but notice the guest of honor , the one and only hero whom saved the realm from a world ending calamity. It was none other than...
"And last but not least we have the hero of Etherea, the one and only hero Zephyr!"
"Huh?!!, it would appear that the hero is missing from the competition!"
The announcer signals for staff to convene whispering
"Oi, what do we do the hero, isn't coming. Give word for his lordship!."
The aide gives a nod as he relays the message to a guard, the crowd murmurs in astonishment for it is the first time where a contestant goes missing.
It took a minute for the Sultan to wordlessly nod for the tournament with or without the hero made absolutely no difference to him personally.
"What are we to do your highness, Mr. Zephyr is missing!."
"Could somthing have happened?." Reifa looks at Kayla unsure worried expression paints her face.
"It looks like we're on schedule *phew*"
The announcer turns to the puzzled crowd and speaks.
" ladies and gentlemen with the hero out of attendance , we the committee and the sultan have unanimously agreed to disqualify him and Oraia on a no-show basis!."
"Halt!." A voice rings out from the stands the Sultan glared at the sudden intruder who dared question his decision as he leaped from the stands onto the battle arena.
"I VOLUNTEER TO STAND IN FOR THE HERO,AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF ORAIA!." The audacious man was none other than Hubert.
"Mr.Hubert!." Kayla says shocked
"What is that oaf doing." Reifa shakes her head in disbelief worrisome as it maybe he had just saved her realm and for that she is thankful. Leaving aside the tournament she prays for Zephyr to come back safely wherever he might be.
"What? , is this allowed?" The announcer grabs and asks his aide.
"There are no rules against a stand-in , if the Sultan permits." The aide confirms.
"Send a signal!." The announcer yells in urgently
The Sultan glares at Hubert sizing him up, Hubert shakes uncontrollably as he confronts the lion. To which the person in question smiles giving him a nod in acknowledgement
"Ahem, now without further delays. We've divided the tournament is divided into 3 rounds, killing calls for disqualification. Crippling is a grey area and you win when your opponents knocked out or incapacitated "
A magic display appear infront of the stands detailing the contestants and their pairings
Glen vs Ruen
Otto vs Rostoff
Sara vs Ursula
Kieth vs Reinar
Calvin vs Djovak
George vs Gina
Fried vs Jackal
Hubert vs Erwin
"Now, Let the games begin!."
The crowd roars as the announcement was made.
Ruen takes to the stand as do Glen, they both lock eyes on one another the former calmly reaches for his sword , the latter equips his sword and shield
"To think I'd face Ruen the still sword in the first round, its an honor sir." He says slightly bowing
"Glen was it? You are a formidable warrior be as it may I shall not lose for my lieg is watching." He says holding the tilt of his Eastern sword
"Ready?." The announcer looks both ways and nods
"Fight!."
-meanwhile-
I see visions of the past , present and future all intertwining.
"Better off dead.."
"Hahahaha!."
"You've gone mad!."
"No...."
"There can only be one!."
I see myself on a tower facing off against dragons and a mysterious figure. Light blinds my sight as I hear a voice call out for me.
"We meet again hero."
"Lithea, why are you here."
"You are in the twilight between the dead and the living world."
"I don't understand am I dead?."
"You will soon be lest you , stay confined here."
"Way to be omnious." I say laughing dryly
"O' hero of the realm our time is short, Calamity's champion seeks ...."
"What???!!."
"Hero of Etherea, you can't fall here. For your destiny is bound to another...." she spoke unclearly before vanishing
"Thou art too good for this world Zephyr." A hoarse growling voice speaks
I woke up to the same familiar warehouse though this time its a sickly sounding Salamander that greet me
"Salamander, you show yourself now?."
"ahahaha how when I'm halfway between dying half a month accross from you. "
"Ahaha, sorry about that."
Salamander sighs for a moment before speaking again
"Zephyr, through reading your future I have found my hatchlings whereabouts and I believe they are accompanying a dangerous foe."
"I saw him too, but what good would that be we're both halfway dying."
"Hero, thou hath doubt within you with which I can't sympathize. Albeit weak there lies strength within you ours and his fates are intertwined and we shall face him to that end I will impart some of my mana, Necrosis shall pay *cough* for this cowardly attack."
"Necrosis? No. V?, hey Salamander answer me will you!!."
Mana flows through my body repairing my broken down body , with renewed energy I thank the now slumbering Salamander and proceed to the exit.
I look at the steel door , gathering an explosive amount of mana.
"Oi, boss its the hero!!."
"W-what?." V looks shocked at the sight of the hero standing tall.
"You've got some nerve V , and you Necrosis I'll kill you a 2nd and a 3rd time for you put me and Salamander through." I say pointing my spear at the undead dragon.
To be continued