The initial challengers were two giants, their massive forms casting imposing shadows under the sun's waning light. Kevin and Cu Chulainn clashed with them for nearly three grueling hours. It was a battle of sheer endurance, the giants wielding colossal clubs that shattered the ground with every swing. Finally, Kevin's magic spear pierced one giant's heart, while Cu Chulainn's magic spear struck the other down. Exhausted and panting, the two warriors returned to Ruger, their father, who awaited them at the edge of the battlefield.
Despite their fatigue, they laughed and joked with Ruger, as if mocking the weight of their exhaustion. Across the battlefield, Maeve stood fuming, her sharp eyes narrowing at the scene. She clenched her fists but did not dare make a move. With Ruger present, her hands were tied. All she could do was vent her frustration by stomping her feet and demanding answers from the three goddesses of war, who lingered nearby, silent observers of the carnage.
"What do I do now?" Maeve snapped, glaring at the goddesses.
One of them, her expression inscrutable, finally replied, "Under the watchful gaze of Luger, all you can do is abide by the terms. Send stronger warriors to challenge them as promised."
….
That evening, Maeve offered an immense bounty to entice the bravest and strongest among her forces. Two warriors, both sons of gods, eventually stepped forward. They were hailed as demigods, their strength and divine lineage making them formidable adversaries.
As the challengers approached, Kevin and Cu Chulainn exchanged a glance, their weariness momentarily forgotten. The battle was fierce, with Kevin wielding his magic sword, Flagrak, and Cu Chulainn his famed magic spear. The sons of gods proved to be cunning and relentless, their divine abilities amplifying their attacks.
But Flagrak was no ordinary weapon. The magic sword, one of the four secret treasures of the gods, had a unique power: it restricted divine abilities, nullifying the sons of gods' special skills.
In their frustration, one of the sons of gods activated his ability in a moment of rage. It was a fatal mistake. The magic sword responded instantly, its true power as a "single treasure" revealed for the first time since Ruger had handed it to Kevin.
The fabric of causality shifted—what should have been a preemptive strike was rewritten as though it had never happened. With a flash of silver light, Flagrak left Kevin's hand, cutting through the air faster than the eye could follow. A faint silver trail marked its path as it struck the son of god, killing him instantly. The sword then returned to Kevin's grip, its silver glow fading as quickly as it had appeared.
From her vantage point, Maeve's expression darkened. She had underestimated Flagrak's capabilities. A one-on-one confrontation with Kevin wielding the sword was far more dangerous than she had anticipated. She now suspected that, given the right circumstances, Kevin could even slay a god.
Her suspicions were not unfounded. If Kevin could force a god to use their divine abilities in desperation, Flagrak could exploit the opening to strike a fatal blow.
The fifth day of the curse arrived. By then, Kevin and Cu Chulainn had faced and defeated countless challengers. Their bodies bore the marks of the unrelenting battles—cuts, bruises, and blood-soaked armor. Yet, despite their exhaustion, they remained standing.
The morale of Maeve's army plummeted. Each challenger who fell to Kevin and Cu Chulainn's blades brought whispers of doubt and fear among the ranks. Soldiers hesitated to volunteer, their bravery eroded by the glaring proof of their predecessors' failures.
"We can't let this continue!" Maeve exclaimed, her voice trembling with frustration. She knew she needed a decisive move to break the stalemate.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Ferdia and Fergus stepped onto the battlefield. Their heavy footsteps echoed ominously, their silhouettes framed by the fiery glow of the setting sun.
Kevin and Cu Chulainn fell silent, their laughter fading as they rose to meet their newest challengers.
"You've come," Kevin said softly, his voice tinged with both resignation and understanding. Cu Chulainn, standing beside him, mirrored his calm.
The four warriors stood motionless, their eyes locked in silent acknowledgment. Ruger, observing from the sidelines, finally stood and retreated a few steps, giving them the space they needed.
Even the gods, including the three goddesses of war, watched with bated breath. At Ruger's request, a god stepped forward and used their power to restore the battlefield to its pristine state, washing away the blood and scars of previous battles.
The message was clear: this was no ordinary skirmish. It was a battle that would be remembered by both gods and mortals.
Ferdia broke the silence first, his voice carrying a note of bittersweet regret. "Kevin, Cu Chulainn... in the Shadow Kingdom, we all envied you. The Queen of Shadows herself watched over you, waiting through the cold for over a month.
"And yet, today..." He paused, removing his armor and standing bare-chested, his massive sword gleaming in the moonlight. "Today, I must stand against you. Forgive me, my brothers, for my actions are not my own."
Kevin said nothing. Slowly, he removed the magic sword Flagrak and handed it to Cu Chulainn, a gesture of respect for Ferdia. Picking up his magic spear, Kevin turned to face his senior brother.
"I won't ask why you're here," Kevin said, his voice steady. "I understand. But don't expect mercy."
As the full moon bathed the battlefield in its silver glow, the four warriors clashed. Their weapons sang a symphony of steel and magic, the echoes of their strikes reverberating across the plain.
The gods watched in silence, their gazes fixed on the scene. Even Maeve refrained from issuing orders, mesmerized by the ferocity of the combat.
The battle raged for hours, each fighter pushing themselves to their limits. Wounds were exchanged, blood flowed freely, but no one faltered.
As the moon reached its zenith, Maeve, her patience fraying, signaled for her final gambit. Two warriors, handpicked from her camp, were sent to join the fray.
Kevin, sensing the shift, made a desperate decision. He exposed his body to Ferdia's blade, taking the strike without hesitation. As Ferdia's sword pierced his side, Kevin roared in defiance, driving his spear into Ferdia's heart.
The blow was fatal, but Ferdia's final act was one of loyalty. With the last of his strength, he shielded Kevin from the approaching warriors, buying him enough time to retrieve Flagrak.
Kevin staggered to his feet, blood pouring from his wounds. His trembling hands gripped Flagrak, its silver glow returning as if in response to his resolve.
In that moment, Kevin made his final stand. He poured every ounce of his remaining magic into the sword, its light growing blindingly bright.
"Flagrak!" Kevin's voice rang out across the battlefield, a roar of defiance that shook the very earth.
The sword unleashed a beam of silver light, cutting through the darkness and illuminating the night sky. It was a light brighter than the moon itself, a beacon of hope that defied all odds.
The gods watched in awe, their faces lit by the radiant glow.
For that moment, Kevin, the Son of Light, shone brighter than any star.
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