Maxwell stood still, watching the scene unfold before him. He was torn between two choices: to follow the fleeing crowd of civilians and guarantee his own safety, or to step forward and intervene, despite knowing it might be useless. Deep down, he was painfully aware of the truth, he lacked the power to make a difference here. If he dared to involve himself, he would be defeated in an instant.
Maxwell continued to watch, each word exchanged adding fuel to the fire.
Eve stepped up beside The White Crusader, her usually composed demeanor slightly shaken as if she knew the Forbidden. "You're Forbidden Power?" she asked.
Forbidden Power turned his piercing gaze toward Eve. "Ah, the halfbreed," he said mockingly, "wait your turn. Once I finish off this bastard, you're next." He pointed a menacing finger at her, and her two friends.
The White Crusader's tone was sharp and dismissive. "Begone, halfbreed. You'll only get in my way," he ordered, his focus unmoved as he prepared for the inevitable battle.
Eve ignored his remark, her eyes narrowing as they locked onto Forbidden Power. "If you're here, that must mean your leader is lurking nearby, doesn't it?" she asked, there was a tone of bitterness in her voice.
Forbidden Power's smirk widened, clearly enjoying her unease. "Oh, right," he said slowly and tauntingly. "If I remember correctly, you've got a little vendetta against them. Too bad. If you want answers, you'll have to beat them out of me."
The White Crusader's hand tightened around the hilt of his sword as he stepped forward. "Are you the one responsible for the disappearances in this town?"
Forbidden Power let out a low chuckle, "disappearances? I've got no idea what you're talking about. I just arrived not too long ago."
Maxwell let out a quiet sigh of relief at the villain's words. His involvement with the disappearances remained unconfirmed, but the fact that The White Crusader was aware of them caught Maxwell off guard. It seemed the hero knew more than he let on.
Maxwell noticed Mary and the two men subtly retreating, putting distance between themselves and the confrontation. In his mind, it was the wisest decision they could make. The Forbidden were no ordinary foes; their strength, as described in the stories, were immense. If they held even a fraction of truth, then it was clear that only the Victorious Ten possessed the power to stand against them.
Maxwell turned his attention back to the escalating battle between Forbidden Power and The White Crusader.
"Now, I believe that's enough talk. I came here to kill you, after all," Forbidden Power chuckled.
"Indeed, your very existence is a blight on this world. This time, I'll ensure you vanish from existence," The White Crusader vowed, unsheathing his sword.
"I've waited a long time for this. Get ready to spill everything," Eve declared, she prepared to intervene.
"Two against one? That's no fair, don't you think-" Forbidden Power's words were cut off as The White Crusader disappeared from his sight. In a flash, the hero appeared directly in front of him, unleashing a devastating kick. The force sent Forbidden Power flying through the air until he collided with a magical tree.
"Hah... I forgot how fast you are. That's on me-" Forbidden Power muttered as he struggled to his feet, only to find The White Crusader already standing over him.
"Spirit Technique, Severing Thread, Level O!" The White Crusader's sword blazed with radiant energy as he swung it toward Forbidden Power's waist.
Despite the overwhelming speed of the attack, Forbidden Power reacted with his quick reflexes, catching the blade between his palms. The force of the clash sent shockwaves through the area, sending dust and leaves into the air.
"Fine, I'll get serious then. Forbidden Attribute, Power of the Void!" Forbidden Power roared, channeling a swirling dark energy into his palms and feet. With a sudden burst of strength, he delivered a kick that sent The White Crusader flying backward. The energy of the void rippled in all directions, disarming the hero in the process.
"Geez, how do you lift this thing?" Forbidden Power grunted, struggling to lift the massive blade he'd disarmed.
"Do you think disarming me puts you at an advantage?" The White Crusader asked, his voice calm as he began walking forward, unarmed yet undeterred.
Forbidden Power tossed the sword aside. "No, but I know for a fact I'm better than you in hand-to-hand combat." In a blur of movement, he rushed toward The White Crusader, closing the gap.
"Hmph, Spirit Technique, Soul Enhancement, Level Zero!" The White Crusader's body was slowly being engulfed in a radiant glow, his body now bright in a light blue hue energy.
Now imbued with the enhancement, The White Crusader moved with great speed. His strikes were a blur, each motion leaving trails of spiritual light. Forbidden Power, recognizing the techniques from their prior encounters, adjusted his stance, his movements shifting to counter the incoming attacks.
The battle intensified, the clash of spirit and void energies creating shockwaves that rippled through the town. Maxwell could only watch, his heart pounding as he witness to the raw power of the forces.
Forbidden Power, agile and unpredictable, weaved effortlessly through The White Crusader's attacks. His void empowered strikes moved like shadows, darting in and out with great precision. Each movement seemed to blur the line between offense and defense as he sought to capitalize on every opening.
The White Crusader, even without his sword, proved himself as a master combatant. His punches and kicks carried immense weight, each strike landing seemed like that it could shatter stone. Every time Forbidden Power's fists shot toward him, The White Crusader parried with timed blocks, his stoic expression showing no sign of struggle.
Forbidden Power aimed for weak spots looking to exploit any vulnerability. Yet The White Crusader countered each attempt with crushing blows that sent his opponent stumbling. Their battle was a clash of strength and agility, each testing the limits of the other.
Forbidden Power, using the void's chaotic energy, launched himself high into the air with a burst of power, aiming for a decisive aerial kick. But The White Crusader, ever vigilant, anticipated the attack. He dodged the strike and delivered a ferocious uppercut that sent Forbidden Power backwards.
As the fight continued, The White Crusader's adaptability became apparent. He adjusted to Forbidden Power's tactics countering every attempt to regain control. Each punch he delivered pushed Forbidden Power further back, the force behind them growing more decisive with every exchange.
"You bastard..." Forbidden Power spat, his frustration growing as his punches became less precise yet faster, each blow fueled by his desperation to overwhelm The White Crusader. His movements, once calculated and strategic, devolved into a chaotic flurry of rapid attacks, each one aiming to land a fatal blow.
The White Crusader endured the storm of strikes, his calm demeanor never wavering. He absorbed each blow, waiting for the perfect moment. Finally, as Forbidden Power overextended, The White Crusader seized his opportunity. With a quick and calculated movement, he delivered a powerful kick directly to Forbidden Power's knee, forcing him to the ground in a staggered kneel.
Wasting no time, The White Crusader raised his foot and said loudly, "Spirit Technique: Draining Stomp, Level Zero!" His foot came down hard on Forbidden Power's back, pinning him against the ground. A faint, glowing aura surrounded them as the technique activated, drawing energy from Forbidden Power's body into The White Crusader.
Eve, assuming the battle had reached its conclusion, approached cautiously. Her crimson eyes narrowed as she focused on the fallen enemy. "Please wait a second, Mr. Hero," she said firmly, addressing The White Crusader. "Before you kill Forbidden Power, there are questions that demand answers," she added, her gaze now fixed on Forbidden Power.
Maxwell's attention was suddenly drawn to a red car pulling up in the distance. Panic told over him as he realized the danger. Before he could run to stop them from approaching, a massive surge of void energy streaked across the sky like a dark comet, striking the car. The resulting explosion sent flames and debris into the air.
"Eliza! Vulcan!" Eve yelled, her voice filled with desperation as she sprinted toward the wreckage.
As she got closer, two ominous silhouettes emerged from the smoke. One was petite, giving off an unsettling calmness. The other was a towering giant, radiating raw, unrestrained power, the ground trembling slightly with every step it took.
"You know those two quite well, don't you, White Crusader?" Forbidden Power laughed, his sinister smile widening as he struggled to rise from the ground.
The White Crusader's stance shifted slightly, "Forbidden Lust and Forbidden Wrath..."
Maxwell turned sharply, hearing the unmistakable voice of Sidgroth behind him.
"I suppose she was right; peace really is a momentary thing. Oh well, as long as I'm alive, there will be peace for the people of Calla Lily," Sidgroth said.
Maxwell couldn't contain his anxiety as he turned to face him, "Sidgroth, we need to do something!"
"You mean I need to do something." Sidgroth's tone was calm, almost casual. "You stay here and make sure the people stay safe. Don't engage unless absolutely necessary. If things go south, run to me, and I'll handle it."
"But won't you need my help? My power of luck could be useful," Maxwell suggested.
Sidgroth chuckled, his voice deep and reassuring. "Kid, two of the Victorious Ten are here. I didn't need luck back then, and I don't need it now. You'll only get in the way. Even Gladiolus wouldn't be enough to protect you from the Forbidden."
Maxwell sighed, his mind battling with the reality of the situation. He knew Sidgroth was right, but the thought of standing by, unable to fight, left a bitter taste in his mouth. The idea of running to Sidgroth for help if things escalated felt pathetic, a far cry from the man he once was in his past life—someone who would never have hesitated to step into battle, no matter the odds
"Very well, as you order, Sidgroth," Maxwell reluctantly agreed.
Sidgroth gave him a nod, his expression softening for a moment. "Thank you, Maxwell. Gladiolus, keep an eye on him, alright?" he said, reaching out to give the monster a pat on the head before turning toward the confrontation.
As Sidgroth walked toward the confrontation, Maxwell, with Gladiolus by his side, turned to leave, heading toward the heart of Calla Lily. Though reluctant to leave, he knew that his duty now was to protect the people.
And in that moment, it took priority over everything else...