"Finally, we have our final confrontation!"
The voice of the hostess resounded in the arena. The spectators were at the edge of their seats.
During the first moments of the fight, the spectators were disappointed to see everyone gang up against one person. They had come to see a rumble, a messy battle with unexpected twists and turns.
But as the match went on, Hex surprised them beyond their imagination. Even with multiple techniques against him, he time and again remained standing. And not once had he lost the upper hand.
"Who will win," the hostess continued, "the youth champion or the dark horse, a fitting name probably as his black hair flutters in the wind, like the dark manes of a majestic horse."
While the hostess joked and the spectators cheered, Hex looked at Clannad. He didn't attack immediately.
'Will he transform completely into a beast?' Hex wondered curiously as he stared at the young man.
Clannad looked less like a man, and more like a beast. Even his facial structure had changed. His feet elongated, resembling hooves.
'Those slits do resemble a reptilian beast,' Hex thought. He waited for Clannad's transformation to finish. He wanted the beast's soul to become the primary soul, hoping it would make it easier to absorb it.
ROAR!
He didn't have to wait long. Clannad's bestial roar was enough to know he was facing a beast now. A dangerous beast that had reached the Disaster stage.
'It should not be able to display that level of power but it still should have its instincts,' Hex grimaced. His grip on the sword tightened as he readied himself.
Clannad stomped against the ground. Hex saw the floor show cracks. The next moment, Clannad was already above him.
'Increased power and speed.' Hex noticed the changes in Clannad's show of strength. It didn't deter him.
His cloak wrapped around him, raising his sword.
Clang.
His sword hit against Clannad's scale-covered fist, causing sparks to fly. Clannad smiled from ear to ear, literally. The fangs glistened.
'Get back.'
Hex jumped back. The next moment a massive explosion occurred. Icicles shot like projectiles in all directions. Some hit the floor. They stuck in it, embedding deep within.
Hex drew a sharp breath. Just as the air cleared, he ran toward Clannad.
'It's been long enough. Let's see if he survives my next attack,' Hex mused. Within a few steps, he reached Clannad.
No one realized his cloak had withdrawn from his body and was focused on his sword. When he swung his sword, Clannad reacted by sending a punch.
This time there was no spark. Blood spurted. The sword cleaved through his fist like a hot knife through butter.
A roar like never heard before escaped Clannad's throat. His vertical slits opened wide. Pain and fear welled in them.
Hex didn't stop. This time he punched. His fist was covered in glowing bright light. His punch, enhanced with energy, hit Clannad right in the chest.
Ursa Burst!
Inspired by the Flex Step, he had decided to give his attack a name. The Ursa Burst was built on the Second Blessing, which helped him gather and release energy.
The energy in his fist exploded on contact. Clannad's armor and scales beneath the armor shattered.
"Pl…please stop…," a plea escaped amidst the bestial growls coming through the fangs. Hex felt a twitch in his heart. His hands remained steady.
His sword stabbed right through Clannad's chest, piercing his heart.
The crowd watched horrified as Hex stuck his fist inside Clannad. Screams and cries erupted in the arena.
Hex didn't pay them any attention. His hand grabbed Clannad's heart.
'I have no idea if this will work but I have no other option,' Hex cursed. The baron told him to absorb the Kobold's soul but he never mentioned how.
Hex decided to do something similar to what he had done in the Temple. He didn't have the monolith's assistance but the underlying principle mattered.
He focused his energy on his hand holding the heart. As soon as the energy built up, Hex sensed another energy source nearby.
'That should be the soul,' he cheered. The soul was unwilling. It took the shape of a reptilian creature and struggled to escape from his grasp.
'What now,' Hex didn't know what to do. He didn't have much time. He sensed the murderous gaze from the arena. If it weren't for the baron restraining Conrad, he would have attacked by now.
The soul emitted coldness that made his fingers go numb. He lost the feeling in his hand. But just as the soul was about to escape his grasp, the energy on his hand flickered.
Hex saw a miniature bear-shaped figure appear. The figure transformed and became a maw. It opened and wrapped around the heart.
Through the maw, he felt a suction force being applied. It pulled the soul and swallowed it.
'It feels exactly like the glob of energy in a Disaster crystal.'
Hex hadn't forgotten that sensation. The soul was a denser glob of energy. The glob wriggled, trying to escape but the maw was shut tightly.
The reptilian creature struggled and was going berserk. The maw remained shut tightly but the clash of energies caused havoc inside Hex. His heart was beating loudly like a war drum. His heart contracted wildly, trying to refine the berserk energy. But it was slow.
Hex was in pain. He pressed his hands on his chest and slumped to the ground. The arena watched in silence. People didn't know how to react. They were also aware that this was the advent of a clash between the town council and the castle. Those in the back were already leaving, unwilling to be caught in between, when the two factions clashed.
Seeing his only grandson on the verge of dying, Conrad went berserk. He forcefully broke through the baron's barrier and ran towards the arena.
"You bastard!"
Conrad cursed furiously. He jumped on the stage and pushed Hex away. Hex groaned in pain. The old man hadn't constrained himself.
Conrad wished nothing more than to kill him. But he prioritized Clannad's well-being above his desire to tear everything down. He hoped he would still be able to save him.
Hex writhed in pain. Blood flowed out his mouth. Suddenly, he felt a stream of warmth cover him. The blurry figure of the baron stood at his side.
Back on the stage Edward finally regained consciousness. With a start, he looked around. There was no one left on stage. He was standing alone. 'Does it mean I am the champion?'
But when he sensed the killing intent radiating from the old man behind him and the cold eyes of the baron in front of him, he went stiff. Even the hostess kept her mouth shut.
Suddenly, the ground shook. The walls creaked. People fell from their seats. Everyone looked as one towards the source.
They saw the night sky light up. The golden dome of the Temple was in flames. People watched in stunned silence.
"Clannad!"
Amidst the chaos, Conrad cried out. His voice was filled with pain and desperation. Everyone turned towards him. The old man held on to the limb body of his grandson. Clannad had died.
The council members gathered on the platform. They stood in front of Conrad. Their stance made it clear. Their fury blazed in their eyes.
The baron watched the solemn and determined faces of the council. Without breaking eye contact, he spoke to Oron.
"Take Hex and leave. Join with the others. I will come when I am done here."
The war had started.