7. An embarrassed Dragon eye and the Floating Demon Lord.
The sky became dark, thunderous and the air became misty. The river was foaming, with a red hue and powerful winds whistled as they brushed between the rock peaks. The monsters became greyer as the light in their ayes dimmed, almost disappearing.
"What is going on here?" Said Martis as he stood in opening of the cave.
"We took the Celestial Dragon's crystal, what do you think it would happend?" Said Rias crossing her arms, looking up at the sky.
They walked up from the cave on continuing the beaten path, that led through the split mountain. The faint amber glow from the crystal, became stronger and a circle of light exploded from the crystal, scattering throughout the valley.
The monster's eyes became glowing and ember veins popped on their skin. Their roar shook up the loose stones scattered across the valley. Their gaze turned towards Rias and Martis, as they lunged towards them.
"How are they still alive? I thought if we have taken trhe crystal they would die!" Said Martis reaching for his sword.
As he unsheathed his sword, it felt extremely heavy, it's glow disappeared. His arms and legs felt wobbly.
"It's better if you don't fight! You are exhausted. To be honest, I am surprised you're still standing." Said Rias as she put her hand on Martis shoulder. "Use the crystal."
Martis took the crystal tucked away in his shirt pocket and gripped it tightly.
"Concentrate on it's glow and think about crushing these monsters." Said Rias leaning forward whispering softly in his ear.
Martis flinched from the sudden warmth of Rias breath. He closed his eyes, blocking out the roars of the monsters. As he focused on the crystal, he felt a powerful presence. A massive, yellow, slit eye opened in the darkness of his mind.
Martis looked directly at him, he postioned himself putting a leg in front of himself. He was shaking. He took a big breath and opened his mouth exhaling.
"DRAGON!!! I HAVE YOUR CRYSTAL! THAT MEANS I AM YOUR MASTER." Yelled Martis at the top of his lungs. The Dragon's yellow pupil became smaller and the white of the eye became bloodshot.
Martis, as thick in the head he was, he realized that maybe he angered the dragon a little. His expression softened and he turned his gaze away.
"Sorry for yelling at you!" His voice still a bit agresiv but in a polite tone. "I proved myself by defeating your sorry excuse of a projection. Now!... Please stop these monsters from trying to kill us." Said Martis putting his hand on his chest.
The Dragon's eye was a taken back, by his apologetic gesture. The eye blinked turning away, from Martis. Now it's pupil, was looking soft and pink floating lines apeard underneath. It was blushing?
Martis scratched his head. Unshure if his apology was accepted. The eye looked back at Martis. He winked at him and the dark space slowly blured as it became more and more transparent, turning back in the scenery of the valley.
As he came back, he felt a the time resume. It was as if the moment with the eye was a split second.
The monsters around him stopped instantly and their bodies started turning to ash. A few moments and it was like they never existed.
Rias jaw dropped.
"What? You actually did it?"
"Ehhh? You were expecting me to fail again, weren't you?" Said Martis with an accusatory tone.
"Well, it's just that you are so talented and all. You exceeded my expectations!!" Said Rias, clapping her hands with an innocent smile on her face.
Max turned away, still eyeing her as he turned.
"With this will be able to oulverize everyone!" Said Martis, excited.
"Not really"
"What do you mean? You saw how they got pulverized. "
"They got pulverized because these monsters were created from the crystal." Said Rias, leaning on a comfy looking rock. "Anyway, tell me what you did with the crystal."
Martis told her briefly about the eye, which was amusing for Rias.
"Ohhh, looks like the dragon likes you...." Said Rias on a mocking tone.
"Yeah-Yeah. Where do we need to go now, anyway?"
"There" Said Rias pointing in the distance.
The mist was slowly lifting from the valley. And a small looking tower could be seen in the distance.
"Over there is the gates of Aurora Haven. The biggest city in this region."
"Ok then let's go." Said Martis taking the lead.
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Fallowing the beaten path, it lead them into a dark and deep forest. The trees were tall, like towers. Blocking most of the sky with their foliage.
They were mostly oak trees and a few spruce ones darted in between. It smelled like freshly cut grass.
The beaten path turned to a mud path. Martis, was sliding all over in his sneakers. He was struggling to walk, but the worst part was looking at Rias who was in front of him.
She was floating in the air, sitting like in a an invisible chair. Crossing legs, her head leaning on her left hand, propped by an invisible armrest. In her right hand was holding a glass of red wine. The colour of her hair. Not a spec of dirt was ob her robes, infuriating Martis.
"Aren't you cheating? Floating and all?" Asked Martis raising an eyebrow.
"If you could float yourself, you wouldn't struggle walking now. Would you?" Said Rias looking back smiling.
"You could pick me up like you did when I fell from the sky."
"Not really, I can't assist you more than once a day." Responded Rias nonchalantly.
"This rule of assisting me once a day. It has something to do with the reason you doubt my power?" Asked Martis, stoping.
Rias stopped in the middle of raising her glass to drink, but not responded.
"I fought with monsters, I killed a dragon! Do you still think I can't beat the other contestants?"
"Yes!" Said Rias turning towards Martis. "You can't beat the other contestants in your current form."
"How do you know that?"
"We are gods. Our role in this competition is to support our contestants. Do you not find it weird that you're not hurt? Despite fighing so much?"
Martis looked at his body. "That..."
"A god is driving it's power from the belief of the people. I am a demon lord. Do you think that people love me? Or are praying to me?" Said Rias raising her tone, clearly irritated. "I am the weakest of the gods. If we meet another contestant, I would no be able to save you."
Martis put his head in the ground. "I see... So even Rias has a reason to win this competition." Said Martis in his thoughts, which was rare for him.
After a good few steps they found themselves at a crossroads. In front of them was a huge oak three. It's trunk was as wide as a house. To the left was a sign with a big building. And to the right was a broken sign, with some words that were unreadable.
Martis legs gave up and fell in the mud on his butt. Rias looked at him with slight worry.
"You are tired."
"I am fine, I just slipped." Said Martis, trying to get up. His legs were wobbly. He took out his sword and used it to prop himself up, as a cane.
"Let's go through here!" Said Rias pointing to the right.
"Through there? But didn't you say we need to go to the city? It's the sign with the building on it right?"
"Yes, but if we don't properly rest we won't get even close." Said Rias, crossing her hands, underneath her large breasts.
"You got a point." Said Martis, convinced by her breast. "I guess I really am tired." Said to himself, confused that he thought about her body like that.
As they advanced through the right path, in front of them emerged a tall wooden gate. On top of it, was a sign saying 'Welcome to Evergreen Hollow!'.