Chapter 294: To Be A Veres Part 2

Chapter 294: To Be A Veres Part 2

Callum took a deep breath and stared into Kallistes eyes, Let me show you then, what it means to be a Veres.

Kalliste raised her arms above her shoulders, and the ground beneath their feet began to shake, Then let me remind you why Veres I made an alliance with my House.

Jagged stone spikes ripped through the ground and stabbed at Callum. He danced around the spikes, swerving between several of them, and slicing apart the ones he could not.

Not yet! Kalliste yelled. She slammed her hands into the ground and channeled her strongest flora spell. Dozens of thorny vines sprouted from the earth, each as thick as a grown mans arm, and wrapped around the stone spikes even as the jagged rocks tried to impale Callum. The vines pulled back for a split second and then lashed out like a snakes bite.

Callum kicked off a stone spike and vaulted into the air. His sword flashed in a rhythmic pattern, a flurry of enchanted steel cutting down the vines with ease. He landed on another stone spike and jumped off, slashing the vines before they reached him.

Kalliste narrowed her eyes, her fianc wasnt a swordmaster, but he was somehow managing to evade all her attacks. The Gale Styles iconic light steps and swift defensive strikes were evident in his movements, but using such moves consistently would exhaust the user quickly. He should have fallen already. He should have been overwhelmed by the dangers all around him. His ribs had been impaled mere minutes earlier, why wasnt he on the ground crying in agony?

Had it been the small potion he had drunk?

No, this was something more.

His scarlet eyes were clear, focused. A steel resolve shimmering in his every step.

This wasnt the Callum she knew, the coward who always hid behind his sister, Elise. This wasnt the outcast who always tried to use words and cheap tricks to conceal his weaknesses. This wasnt the fianc she had always disdained, resented for their inevitable binding at birth.

Had he really changed? Had she been wrong about him? If he had, then that meant she was

No! I refuse to accept it! she screamed.

Kalliste released her stone and flora spell and flooded her arms with orange mana. By the time Callum noticed the vines withering away it was too late. The giant wave of flame splashed into the garden of dead vines and jagged spikes, engulfing it all in searing heat.

Callum yelled in surprise and tried to dodge, but the flames were too wide. He rolled on the ground and did his best to hide behind the stone spikes.

As the enormous flame spell subsided and the smoke cleared, the crowd gasped and pointed at the red dome standing among the ashes.

No fucking way, Kalliste muttered frustratedly.

The ward dome was small, only 3 feet tall and wide. A single large arcane sigil swam over the dome, Fire. Callum sat crouched beneath his hastily constructed spell. His clothes were half-charred, patches of his pale skin were blistering red where the flames had reached him, but still, he grinned, a glint of madness in his eyes.

Smiling? Hes fucking smiling!? Kalliste thought incredulously. How had such a simple ward held out against her flame spell!? He should have been grateful that he had survived by sheer luck! He should have been terrified, begging for forgiveness!

Dont you get it, you stupid idiot!? Kalliste screamed and flung a flame bolt into the ward.

The flame splashed off the ward, orange sparks exploding into the air. The small red dome shook, but held.

You already lost! Kalliste threw another flame bolt and then another.

She wouldnt give him the chance to recuperate and escape. Kalliste kept casting more flame bolts, her enormous reserves of mana quickly depleting. Small cracks began to appear over the red dome. Still, the dome held.

How!? Kalliste yelled.

No! Kalliste clenched her teeth tight, I am a Lilith, the scion of one of the greatest lineages in the world! I was bred for magic! Youre just the bastard child of some random commoner! So, why! Why are you still fighting!?

Blood began pooling down her shirt and her thighs, the blood felt so warm on her cold skin. The dagger in her gut felt like a small scratch, she could hardly feel it. She could barely feel anything anymore. Her vision grew darker and darker

I cant lose, she thought hazily. I cant lose I cant

KALLISTE LILITH AND CALLUM VERES ARE UNABLE TO CONTINUE. THE DUEL IS OVER! I REPEAT THE DUEL IS OVER! Jane Stemme yelled in a panicked voice.

HEALERS, PLEASE HURRY! NEITHER OF THEM IS MOVING! Mark Stemme screamed.

~~~

Lady Ophelia Thorn paced around her castles gallery room. Her feet shuffled back and forth in an endless pattern. It had been several hours since the Heralds had called the last duel and yet she still had trouble accepting the outcome.

The duel matchups had been perfect, she had made them perfect. So why did nothing happen as it should have?

The Ebon Aspirant had rejected her offer and decided to align himself with orcs of all people. She could hardly believe it, nonetheless she acted swiftly and made sure to eliminate the threats in todays duels.

Yet somehow he had emerged victorious. Ophelia didnt understand. Beatrix had knocked him down, she immobilized him with her clarity magic. So how did she lose? She had just dropped to the ground as if she had been poisoned. But the healers at the infirmary had confirmed to her that they had found no poison in Beatrixs body.

Nothing made sense. The Ebon Aspirant was as shrouded by mystery as the Ebon Lords of the past.

And then there was the Veres boy. How he had managed to take himself down and Frost Rims illustrious Kalliste Lilith was a conundrum in and of itself. Kalliste had underestimated the boy and had paid dearly.

Idiots! Theyre all idiots! Ophelia screamed into the empty gallery.

Mother? Calex whispered a few paces behind her.

Ophelia spun around, Calex? She smiled brightly and ran her hand through her hair, Darling, I didnt notice y How long have you been there?

Just a moment, I came to check on you. You werent at dinner. Lerdea was worried, Calex said in a soft voice.

Ugh, your sister always worries too much. I didnt go to dinner because I didnt have an appetite, thats all.

...I see, he whispered. Mother, about todays matches

Dont worry about todays duels, they were a simple setback. I thought to eliminate the Ebon Aspirant because I did not want him to become a threat in the future. But he proved more resilient than I imagined. In retrospect that is a good thing.

How so? Calex tilted his head to the side.

The Aspirant is worth far more alive than dead.

But I thought you said he was too dangerous, potentially.

Until now, she smiled coldly. My spymaster came by an hour ago with his latest report. I have since gained vast amounts of new information regarding the Aspirant and his family.

Stryg has a family? Calex furrowed his brow.

Everyone has a family. The only question is, how far are we willing to go for our families?