Chapter 20: Trial of the Blade
The fortress walls of Zara's camp loomed high, etched with scars of past battles. Each scar seemed to tell a story, a testament to the countless wars fought in the unending chaos of Ashkaris. The air inside the camp was heavy with tension, filled with the clamor of soldiers training and the sharp clang of steel against steel. Every gaze from the warriors stationed there seemed to weigh and measure the intruders.
Kurogane and his companions followed Zara as she strode purposefully through the camp, her silver armor gleaming with an almost unnatural brilliance. Behind her imposing figure, dozens of soldiers whispered among themselves, their eyes narrowed with suspicion and curiosity.
"You want me to believe in this 'void' and set aside decades of bloodshed to unite Ashkaris?" Zara asked without turning, her voice cutting through the din like a blade. "Then prove to me you're worth listening to."
Kurogane stepped forward, meeting her gaze as she finally turned to face him. He could feel the weight of her scrutiny, but he refused to waver. "We didn't come all this way to waste your time, Zara. Name your trial, and we'll face it."
Zara's lips curled into a faint smirk, her piercing blue eyes gleaming with intrigue. "Bold words. Let's see if you can back them up."
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The Arena of Ash
Zara led the group through winding paths to the heart of the fortress, where an open arena sprawled out before them. Its floor was covered in blackened sand, scorched by countless battles. Torches burned brightly around the edges, their flickering flames casting long shadows over the crowd of soldiers gathering to watch.
"This is where disputes are settled," Zara explained, gesturing toward the arena with a sweep of her armored hand. "And where strength is proven. You'll face my champions. Win, and I might consider your plea. Lose, and you'll leave in pieces—or worse."
Kael grinned, his massive axe resting on his shoulder. "Sounds like my kind of fun."
Eryndor frowned, his eyes scanning the arena with a critical gaze. "This isn't about fun, Kael. We need to win without losing sight of the bigger picture."
Zara clapped her hands, and the arena gates creaked open with a loud, ominous groan. Three figures emerged from the shadows, each exuding a menacing aura.
Ardyn: A towering man clad in spiked armor, wielding a massive warhammer that looked as though it could crush a boulder with ease. His movements were deliberate, his stance solid as a mountain.
Selene: A lithe woman with twin curved blades, her every step graceful and predatory. Her piercing green eyes scanned the group, calculating and cold.
Kaelis: A hooded figure whose robes seemed to shimmer unnaturally. They carried a long staff, from which dark tendrils of magic emanated, crackling faintly in the air.
The soldiers around the arena cheered, their voices a mix of excitement and bloodlust.
"These are my champions," Zara declared, her voice carrying over the crowd. "Face them together or one by one. The choice is yours."
Kurogane exchanged a glance with his companions. He could see the tension in their eyes, but also their determination. "Together," he said firmly. "We fight as one."
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The Clash Begins
A deafening horn signaled the start of the trial, and the arena erupted into chaos.
Ardyn charged forward first, his warhammer smashing into the ground where Kael had been standing moments before. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the sand, but Kael retaliated with a roar, swinging his axe with ferocious strength. Their weapons clashed, sparks flying as steel met steel.
Selene darted toward Marla and Seraphine, her blades moving in a deadly blur. Seraphine raised her staff, conjuring a barrier of flames that forced Selene to leap back with a snarl. "You'll have to do better than that!" Selene taunted, her movements like a dance as she closed in again.
Kaelis hung back, their staff glowing with an ominous light. Dark tendrils of magic snaked across the arena, aiming for Eryndor and Shade. Eryndor swung his hammer, dispelling one of the tendrils, while Shade moved like a shadow, dodging and weaving through the onslaught.
"Their mage is the key," Kurogane shouted, parrying a heavy blow from Ardyn. "Take them out first!"
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A Desperate Strategy
The group quickly adjusted their tactics. Shade darted through the fray, his daggers flashing as he closed the distance to Kaelis. The mage snarled, raising a barrier of dark energy to block his attack, but Marla was ready. With a chant, she sent a bolt of light crashing into the barrier, shattering it like glass.
Kaelis staggered, their concentration faltering. Seraphine seized the opportunity, sending a wave of fire toward the mage. The flames licked at Kaelis's robes, forcing them to retreat further.
Meanwhile, Kael and Ardyn were locked in a brutal contest of strength. Kael's axe struck again and again, each blow pushing Ardyn back. "You're strong," Kael growled through gritted teeth. "But strength without purpose is nothing."
Selene, seeing her allies falter, turned her attention to Kurogane. Her blades moved like vipers, striking at every opening, but Kurogane's sword met her strikes with precision. Their duel was a deadly dance, the sound of clashing steel ringing out over the arena.
"You're skilled," Selene admitted with a sly grin. "But let's see how you handle this!"
She spun, her blades forming a whirlwind of steel. Kurogane stepped back, narrowly avoiding her strikes. His focus never wavered, his sword cutting through her momentum with a single, well-timed strike that disarmed one of her blades.
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Turning the Tide
With Kaelis's magic faltering, the tide of the battle shifted. Shade's daggers found their mark, slashing through the mage's robes. Kaelis screamed as their staff cracked under the force of Eryndor's hammer. A burst of dark energy erupted from the broken staff, sending Kaelis sprawling to the ground.
"One down," Shade muttered, turning to the remaining champions.
Kael delivered a crushing blow to Ardyn, his axe smashing into the warhammer and sending it flying from the larger man's grip. Ardyn roared in defiance, but Eryndor stepped in, his hammer striking Ardyn's chest and knocking him unconscious.
Selene, now weaponless and cornered, glared at the group. "You've made your point," she said coldly, raising her hands in surrender.
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Earning Respect
The arena fell silent as the last of the champions were defeated. The soldiers lining the walls looked on in stunned disbelief, their cheers turning to murmurs.
Zara descended from her vantage point, her expression unreadable. She approached Kurogane, her piercing gaze locking with his.
"You fought well," she said finally. "Better than I expected."
Kurogane sheathed his sword, his tone steady but firm. "This isn't about proving our strength. It's about saving your people. The void won't stop, and neither will we."
Zara studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "Very well. You've earned my attention. Speak, and I will listen."
The group exchanged relieved glances, but Kurogane knew this was only the first step. Convincing Zara to ally with Drennan—and eventually, the other warlords—would be a battle of its own.
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A Looming Threat
As the group left the arena, Lyra approached with a troubled expression. Her scarf billowed in the rising wind, and her eyes were fixed on the horizon.
"We've got a problem," she said, her voice low.
Marla frowned. "What is it?"
Lyra pointed to the east, where dark clouds were gathering unnaturally fast. The air seemed to hum with a malevolent energy, and a faint, eerie glow pulsed within the storm.
"The void isn't waiting for us to unite the warlords," Lyra said grimly. "It's already making its move."
Shade's shadowy form flickered as he spoke. "Then we need to move faster. If those clouds reach this camp, Zara's army won't stand a chance."
Seraphine tightened her grip on her staff. "We have to make her see what's at stake. She needs to understand the void isn't just a threat—it's annihilation."
Kurogane nodded, his jaw set with determination. "Let's make her see. If we fail here, there won't be a second chance."
As the void's presence grew stronger, the group prepared themselves for the next challenge. The battle for Ashkaris was far from over, and the stakes had never been higher.