The round crystal glistened reflecting rays of sunlight as it sat within the bloodied hands of the Oracle. The putrid scent of viscera danced in the air around Zaria, she could feel and hear the loud thumping of her heart beating in the silence that was around her. She felt everyone's shocked gazes were aimed at her anticipating her next move.
The Oracle saw the fear she had cast over Zaria, with a gentle smile still holding the crystal in her other hand she held Zaria's shaking hand and placed it on the crystal.
Everyone in the arena stood up in anticipation, they all turned their gazes towards the screen. Who was this girl that the Oracle viciously killed a priestess for, was what was going through every onlookers mind.
The screen violently glitched and flickered.
[ERROR!]
The flickering continued until words slowly started to appear as if they were being typed.
- No gods or spirits recognise this being -
- This being is only recognised by one soul –
- No skills or blessings shall be granted to this being –
*System Recommendation: A swift Death would be a mercy for this being.*
The Oracle saw this as well and laughed, she removed Zaria's hand off the crystal, stood up whilst grabbing Zaria's hand hoisting her back up on her feet.
"It seems that we cannot argue with the system.." she said walking away from Zaria and her group. She stood in the middle of the arena and stretched out her hands and began to levitate, it was graceful like a leaf dancing in the wind she floated back to the terraces and stood among Avaris, Aris and the pope.
"All who are gathered here today have come to witness the awakening of these brave knights, I will use my authority to change the rules a bit..." She spoke in a graceful but yet commanding tone The crowd started to murmur wondering what was going to happen.
The pope leaned in towards her and whispered in her ear "Don't do what I think you're going to do, you have already slaughtered one of my followers isn't that enough, I more than anyone knows that the system is a tool for the gods to communicate but if what I think you're planning to do is true then not even I can help you escape from the punishment the King might give you.."
She quickly brushed him off as she regained her composure. She gracefully raised her hand in the air silencing everyone in an instant.
"By the power given to me by the King and the god of all that is light Solaris, I the Oracle of the White flame shall obey the system's command and proclaim that this fight will be to the death, The Braves and The Black Rose Knights shall duel for their lives, Zaria has failed to appease the gods and for that her and her faction shall meet the same fate, because as knights if one of us falls we all must suffer the consequences.."
Everyone was shocked this had never been done, no factions of knights had ever faught each other to the death, Aris and Avaris began trying to convince her not to do this, instantly the pope stood up began to walk away, the remaining priestess in the arena quickly vanished and suddenly appeared beside the pope as he was leaving. The crowd was in an uproar arguing how barbaric this was.
"SILENCE!" the Oracle shouted causing everyone to grow quiet.
"If there is anyone here that wishes to challenge my authority you are more than welcome to change my mind in the arena!" No one dared to speak, Avaris and Aris stepped back, put their helmets back on and stood behind the Oracle like Knights at attention. Even they knew the limits of their combined power and didn't dare say a word.
The Oracle gracefully sat back down in her chair. "May the recognitions you have received become awakenings in this arena, May The Battle Commence!"
Varix shrugged with a malice filled grin on his face laughing whilst shaking his head, "I guess this is it boys! Let's give these pieces of shit Hell!"
He began charging towards Zaria's unit that was still standing bewildered trying to come to terms with what they heard.
Keldorna's battle instincts took over, "Alright!, Max take the vanguard position and use your shield to block oncoming long range Attacks!", Max ran forward and with a valiant shout lifted his shield in the air and planted it into the ground "Shield Magic Barrier Gate !" instantly a holographic hexagonal barrier appeared in front of The Black Rose Knights.
"Great! Now Valor, you know what to do! Try hitting them with long range attacks!" The old man smiled with a relaxed expression, he stepped back and as he raised his mage staff his eyes suddenly become black, "Sylvan kin, heed my plea. Kindle within me your ancient ire, that I may strike my foes with ethereal might Dark Sparrows Swarm ." a swarm of sparrows made up of dark magic appeared and began to fly forward at a frightening speed at Varix and his unit.
"O light heed my call dispel the darkness that seeks to harm your children Purify !" The priest class knight who was in Varix's unit shouted out releasing beams of magical light from his palms instantaneously destroying the sparrows charging at them. "Pathetic!" He cried out as they were about to reach Max.
"Damn it!" the stress visible on Keldorna's face, she suddenly gripped her hammer tightly and began to charge forward. As she ran she shouted "Anna stay at the back with Zaria! If anyone gets hurt cast long range healing Magic WE CAN DO THIS!"
Varix with a slash of his Halberd swung at Max's barrier instantly shattering it, the impact sent a shockwave throughout the arena which sent Max flying backwards at high velocity rolling and bouncing off the ground, he managed to control the spins and stop in a crouched position. His head facing downwards he slowly raised it with a grin on his now bloodied and badly scared face.
Max noticed his chest plate armour was breaking apart from the impact, as he valiantly stood up the only thing remaining were his gauntlets. In the dissipating dust his silhouette could be seen ripping off his armour and discarding it, he slowly walked out of the dust, bare chested only with his Leg armour and sheathed sword by his side, his muscles were toned and formidable and on his chest was a dragon tattoo that encircled his body, drawn on his arms , neck and back also.
His eyes began to emit a dim red glow.
HE WAS PISSED.
Varix saw this challenge and laughed but acceptef it. He raised his hand to stop his other unit members from interrupting. He dropped his Halberd and unbuckled his chest plate, as it fell to the ground it revealed a evenly toned muscular body full of battle scars, he slowly began to walk towards Max "Finally Big boy has grown some balls, no one intervene, I will teach this boy how real men fight, I will make sure he regrets his decision in the afterlife!"
The holographic screen instantly returned to the arena with a new message.
Awakening Challenge has been initiated between Varix and Max both shall now be bestowed their blessings. The gods will not let their chosen fall in battle, BEGIN.
The crowd went wild seeing this, the Oracle smiled as she was elegantly poised in her chair.
Max stepped in front of his group, turned back, his eyes were full of rage and burning murderous intent, the dragon within him had awoken.
Keldorna was about to walk towards him but Max raised his hand to stop her.
"Max you can't challenge him! Look at what one of his attacks did to you! Don't be an idiot we need to take him down as a team!" Keldorna shouted at him.
His eyes now glowing even brighter red, the sclera of his eyes was now black and his the iris parts had become like red glowing embers. With his hand still raised he gave his signature thumbs up and his gentle smile of reassurance "It's going to be okay guys. . ." he turned back around to go meet Varix in the centre of the arena.
In the distance he heard Keldorna cry and scream out to him, he only glanced back to see Zaria, Anna and Valor trying to restrain her. The amount of pain he felt was immeasurable but he knew what he had to do.
Both Varix and Max were now face to face in the dead centre of the area, Varix had an evil grin whilst Max had a cold expression as he looked him directly in the eyes.
Varix started talking tapping Max on the shoulder "Listen here big boy you will....." before he could finish Max instantly struck him with a jab to the gut which sent him a few steps back. Varix was shocked, something was different, how could an F rank have such a powerful attack. The crowd was in awe cheering Max on. The tune had changed which really pissed Varix off.
Varix grit his teeth and lunged at Max with a cross, Max suddenly ducked down and struck him with an uppercut dead centre on the bottom of the chin sending him flying in the air, a bloody tooth and a trail of saliva could be seen trailing from Varix's face as he flew backward, he landed a distance away from Max.
Varix quickly got up wiping the blood from his mouth, shocked he looked at Max. Max's tattoos were now glowing a deep dark red, like molten lava flowing out of a ferocious volcano.
Varix was amused by this "So this is the true strength of the dragon bloodline , I expected more..." Varix stepped from where he was standing and as if he moved at lightning speed he appeared in front of Max and in a low deep voice chanted "True Despair, grant me the crimson king's wrath Blood Lust" grabbing max by the face, lifting him up and smashing his head into the ground.
The earth shattered sending flying debris throughout the arena leaving Max in a gaping depression within the ground. Varix still pressing his hand on his face shouted to the crowd "This is what you came to see!, are you not entertained !?" the crowd went absolutely crazy hearing this. Varix continued pressing his head downwards causing the ground to continue to crack, applying more pressure with his fingers, Max's skull began to crack slowly under the pressure.
"That's right ! You mere excuse of a warrior, to think I could be challenged by the likes of you! Hahaha and after I'm done I'll make sure the boys and I have fun with your girls over there!"
Suddenly he felt Max's arms grip his and slowly lifting it from his face, he glanced down and saw that Max had magma like veins now running across his face and his teeth were now closely resembling those of a dragon.
Max looked him dead in the eyes and with rage he spoke "Fuck You! Dragon's Roar !) A shock wave was released out of Max's open mouth, the wave was like a sonic boom that reverberated and shook the whole coliseum. The crowd was all covering their ears not being able to withstand it, even the Oracle had a mild annoyance but in that moment Avaris stepped forward still high in the terrace took off his helmet and smiled hearing the true battle cry of a dragon.
Varix was taken aback stunned by this he witnessed Max stand up from the gaping depression his face partially transformed. He scoffed at this "So you think you're the only one with cheap tricks !?. Suddenly Varix pulled out two hidden daggers that were in his boots quickly slashing Max under his rib rage, as Max tried to step back Varix lunged himself forward.
"Oh no big boy I'm not done yet!" pushing his fists into the open cuts then kicking max in the stomach which also sent Max falling backwards.
Varix's hands were now covered in blood, the expression of pure excitement could be seen in his eyes. "No hard feelings big boy but I think It's time we end this.." Varix clenched his bloody fist and looked towards the sky.
"None dare defy the King's decree, for his will is law and his wrath is eternity. Those who dare oppose shall be consumed by the abyss of despair, their souls forever shattered by the darkness of his reign. Ultimate Skill FISTS OF DESPAIR"
The sky above the arena turned dark as red miasma emanated from Varix's, his eyes turned crimson and the blood on his hands began to expand on his arms turning into dark crimson formidable gauntlets.
Valor suddenly rushed in front of Max to protect him from Varix, as Max tried to stand Anna had already rushed beside him and had begun to cast healing magic on the open wounds, the skin started to reattach itself slowly. Keldorna stood in the back With Zaria in hopes that her intervention was the last resort.
Varix began to approach them slowly flexing his arms, "Old man ! Show me your true despair!" he shouted. Valor knew there was nothing he could do but buy them more time. Varix getting closer to him, he began to chant.
An explosive sound was heard, and flying pieces of skull bone, hair, skin and brain tissue could be seen flying in the air and splattered violently on the ground in an instant Varix had struck Valor in the head with his fist causing it to explode.
Max, Zaria, Anna and Keldorna were shocked, the crowd grew deathly quiet.
"One down . . ." Varix said nonchalantly with a cold dark expression.
Keldorna screamed out in pain "VALOR! NO!" She ran from the back at full speed holding her hammer, she jumped in the air ready to smash him as she came down, tears glistening and sparkling in the air as she screamed out, and in that moment time felt like it had been slowed down as she screamed her eyes turned electric yellow and her hammer began to course with lightning, the pain and anguish had awoken her blessing. Electricity coursed through her veins as she was in the air streaks and bolts of lightning fell from the dark sky and imbued themselves into her hammer for a mighty strike, with tears in her eyes and pain in her heart she shouted " STORM STIKE FORGED BY THE DOURHAND".
Varix looked up and saw her descending upon him and took three quick steps that positioned him under her feet, he grabbed her legs and used all his strength to pull them apart, the sheer force ripped and severed Keldorna into two drenching Varix in her blood, viscera and bodily fluids, leaving each side of her body in each had.
"Two down . . ." He spoke with a more colder expressionless face, as he walked Keldorna's blood that covered him began to turn into Crimson armour, Varix had now become the Crimson King in iron Clad armour made by blood.
Anna hadn't finished healing Max as she was now trembling, her mind broken "Kel, no no this is a dream right, I must be dreaming right yes, this is all a dream hahaha" she said maniacally as her mind began to unravel into madness.
Max quickly stood up, torn with emotions he couldn't express with his face, hatred, fear, despair, anger, filled every vein in his body as he looked at the headless body of Valor on the ground and Keldorna ripped into two.
With tears uncontrollably streaming from his eyes "You . . . Guys were like family to me. . .I . . .will avenge YOU!!! DRACONIC RITE!"
Dark Obsidian scales began to cover Max's body his head transformed to that of a true dragon, from his hands emerged sharp claws and behind him a large black scaled tail grew, the sheer force of the scales ripped his lower armour apart leaving him looking more like a dragon with human form. The King and the Dragon were now face to face.
Max lunged with full force at Varix with both hands, Varix instinctively blocked both his hands by holding them, the force sent a shock wave that sent the corpses lying around them flying with the debris, Anna was thrown back to where Zaria was standing.
Max kept lunging carelessly at Varix, Varix dodged his every move, Max had already lost his mind in anger he was fighting more like a monster than a human.
Varix throughout this exchange was laughing dodging every attack.
"Enough of this foolishness" Varix said grabbing Max by the jaw instantly pulling it off in one quick motion. Max with a mutilated face did not stop or reduce his attacks he kept on trying to hit Varix.
Varix getting annoyed grabbed him by the neck lifting Max up,quickly grabbing his right arm and severing it from his body with sheer brutal force. The tendons could be seen and heard snapping off. Max quickly parried this by stabbing Varix in the leg with his tail which broke though the armour causing Varix to throw Max backwards.
The one handed jawless Dragon could be seen there standing exuding what seemed to be a laugh with his jawless face and reptilian tongue hanging down. Max now growing weaker from loosing blood and nearing the time limit of his ultimate skill dropped to his knees, Varix Approached him also with his ultimate skill now wearing off, Varix's armour was now turning back into blood, and Max was reverting back to human form.
Varix approached Max who was now on his knees. "Well done big boy, Sadly I guess this is how it ends" he said with a smile on his face.
Max not being able to speak because of his missing jaw raised his middle finger and pointed it towards Varix. And with a swift motion Varix grabbed Max's head and twisted it breaking his neck causing Max's head to do a complete one hundred and eighty degree rotation. The last thing he saw behind him before his body dropped were the frightened faces of Anna and Zaria who were now holding each other in fear. As his body dropped forward he raised his hand to let out one last signature thumbs up in hopes the two girls would see it. His body dropped creating a small cloud of dust.
No cheering could be heard in the arena, this battle had resonated in the hearts of every onlooker. Avaris still standing high in the terrace was approached by Aris his brother who also took off his helmet, the both looked at the Max's lifeless body and bowed their heads in honour.
"Three down. . ." Varix said now approaching the two girls. Zaria holding Anna in her arms cried out "Get away from us! You monster!"
Varix was not phased by this and grabbed Anna by her hair pulling her from Zaria. Anna panicked and flailed trying to break free, Zaria grabbed her wooden sword and charged towards Varix to try and help Anna but Varix quickly, gave her a look, that made her weak in the knees and lose all courage. Varix continued to pull Anna by her hair until they were in the middle of the arena.
He forcefully laid her on her back pressing her to the ground by her neck with his right hand slowly choking and suffocating her.
He ripped off her robes to expose her chest. He turned to look at Zaria with a sadistic grin and shouted to her "This is how you win the heart of a maiden!".
He laid his left hand on her tender small breast and with a devilish smile grabbed it tightly as if it was about to burst, Anna suffocating trying to scream let out weakened shrieks. Varix continued to apply pressure and with a swift motion ripped her breast off discarding it and violently pushed his hand in the gaping hole.
The pain sent Anna grabbing his face uncontrollably scratching him trying to do anything she could to get herself free, He didn't mind the scratches ln fact this only made his excitement grow even further, he suddenly broke and pulled out some of her ribs discarding them.
Zaria watched in horror "Why!!?" she cried out but Varix paid no attention, he lunged his hand into her chest one last time and pulled out Anna's beating heart. Anna's movements instantaneously stopped and her hands dropped to the ground as the life left her body her head tilted to face where Zaria was. Zaria saw Anna's face, her now bloodshot teary eyes looked into the depths of her soul as if they asking 'Why didn't you help me... Why did you let this happen to me' the haunting image sent Zaria reeling back.
Varix stood up with pride, and raised the heart in the air "And that ladies and gentlemen is how you win a young maidens heart..." he took a bow as if he was an actor that had shown the audience a great performance. Throwing the heart away he proceeded walking towards Zaria with a evil grin on his face.
"Four down. . ." As he approached he noticed Keldorna's hammer was still laying on the ground he picked it up and continued making his way to Zaria.
Zaria got on her knees and started grovelling "Varix Enough please !, I beg you stop!" she screamed looking down in fear.
Varix had was now directly in in front of Zaria holding the hammer over his shoulder.
Still on her knees she heard his belt unbuckle and an all too familiar memory came to her mind, she remembered it, the abuse she endured, the day they urinated on her, the torment the torture, she grit her teeth and looked up in defiance.
"You really think I'm that evil to do such a thing to you in front of the Oracle" he said with a grin on his face swinging the hammer down towards Zaria's face.
As Zaria closed her eyes in fear anticipating the worst.
"I will send them all to hell. . ."
She heard a voice in the darkness.
"They will pay for their sins, each and every one of them . . ."
The voice continued.
"Weak, useless, pathetic, I know those words as if they were said to me yesterday. . ."
Her consciousness began to slowly fade into the abyss.
"You too have suffered just like me, you too have walked the unforgiving path of the cursed. . . You are not alone"
Zaria felt calm and at ease with this voice talking to her.
"Let us burn it all! Let us burn it all to the fucking ground!"
In an instant Zaria came back to, and her to surprise her hand holding the hammer preventing from smashing her head in. It felt brittle in her grasp and she shattered the mythril hammer like glass in the palms of her hand.
Varix jumped back, she saw the look of pure fear in his eyes, she herself was confused to what was going on.
From the onlookers point of view the hand that shattered the hammer had turned black with red eldritch runes circling around it, one of her eyes was black with a red glowing iris, a demon horn protruded from her forehead and standing behind her was a translucent spirit of a headless knight in full iron clad black armour with the symbol of a Black Rose on the chest plate.
The headless knight was large and a dark ominous aura radiated from it the same that was spilling out of Zaria, it was pure power a power never been seen by anyone in the continent, as Zaria moved the headless knight mimicked her movements as if it were attached to her soul.
The Oracle suddenly stood up. "Stop the fight now!"
Zaria's mind now recollecting it's memories seeing the bodies of her comrades on the ground, anger fuelled her, rage ignited her burning desire for carnage.
She looked at the crowd that mocked her, at all the people that trampled on her, she pointed to Varix first then every one in the crowed and shouted out .
"Ythogha! Hss'tk hr'zha'tk!"
The headless knight spoke with a dismembered voice
"Your souls will be devoured!"
The Oracle felt a fear she had not felt in centuries after hearing these words because she knew of this language, she instantly stood up and snapped her fingers.
Everything Faded to Black
. . .