Chapter 326: One Last Smile

Chapter 326: One Last Smile

Sylvie walked out of the coliseums tunnel and stepped into the white sands of the arena. The crowd's cheers were already deafening. The Heralds seemed to have already done their job of riling up the crowds.

THORN, THORN, THORN!! they chanted over and over.

Sylvie smiled to herself, hefted her hammer, and walked towards the center of the arena where a lone drow stood.

Calex Thorn looked her over as she walked, his eyes lingering on her hammer.

Ready to lose? Sylvie smirked.

...Youre going to fight with a hammer, Calex noted quietly.

Yeah, I got a little tired of the ax. Thought I might give the hammer a try, she shrugged.

Why not the sword? You are a swordmaster, yet you refuse to carry a sword?

Sylvie chuckled, Says the guy who carries a sword but has yet to draw it once.

You will regret not using one, Calex sighed.

You think I cant beat you in a fight without a sword? Sylvie laughed.

This wont be much of a fight

YOUVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR LONG ENOUGH, SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADO

MAY THE 14TH MATCH OF THE CHALLENGE OF SPELL & STEEL BEGIN! The Heralds yelled.

Sylvie channeled blue mana into her hands and fired off a lightning bolt. Calex had already done the same, a second quicker. The bolts of lightning clashed in front of Sylvie before she had a chance to move. The blast of electricity arced outwards and slammed into her chest. The aurum aegis around her neck flared to life and created a golden shield around her before the storm spell struck, though the force of the blast still sent her careening backward.

She crashed into the sand and quickly rolled to her feet, hammer in hand. Calex was already on her, Orange agility magic flowing through his veins. He drew Nightshade from its sheath and struck out in rapid blinding slashes. Sylvies eyes darted around, she raised her hammer and blocked each strike with the steel shaft. Calex dashed away after his initial strikes, leaving no room for a counterattack.

Sylvie shook her head and laughed, Running away so soon?

She tried her best to appear calm and relaxed, but panic slowly rose in the pit of her stomach. It hadnt even been a minute, but she had already realized what sort of monster Calex was.

He was fast, too fast. Not even Stryg in their sparring matches was as fast with his agility magic and his body was already naturally quick.

Then there was Calexs spellcasting. The speed of his casts were borderline unnatural. Even high-masters couldnt cast with such high efficiency without even a seconds delay.

Its not just his speed, Sylvie thought grimly. His storm spell was significantly stronger than mine. If it hadnt been for my aegis this fight would have already been over.

She had never felt so overwhelmingly outclassed by a peer before. She had always thought of Stryg as a friendly rival and perhaps the only real challenge she might encounter during the tournament, but as she stared at Calex, she knew without a doubt that he was by far the most skilled mage among them.

Dammit, Sylvie muttered under her breath. This is embarrassing

If she couldnt defeat Calex with magic alone, she would have to rely on her martial skills far more heavily.

I cant believe Im regretting not bringing a stupid sword she thought.

Calex sighed and looked at her in admiration, You really are incredible.

Huh? Sylvie blinked.

The storm spell knocked you on the ground, you should have been helpless, at least for a moment. Yet somehow despite that and my speed, I was unable to land a single solid blow on you. Your ability to anticipate my attacks is truly incredible.

Thanks? Sylvie said cautiously.

Is he trying to trick me or something?

Youre not even an Orange mage, but you were still fast enough to react to my attacks, Ive never seen anything like it, Calex said in wonder. Is this the ability of a swordmaster? Or is it your own natural physique as a dire? Perhaps a mutation of your hybrid nature? Or maybe all three?

Maybe you just suck at fighting with swords, huh? Sylvie taunted.

Hm, no, I dont think so. I was trained from little to fight with a sword. Granted, I cannot compare to a swordmaster like you, but I can get by, Calex shrugged. Fortunately, I have my familys Nightshade. It is enough.

You really think so? Sylvie smirked. How about you come closer and we can find out if you really have what it takes to land a blow with that fancy sword of yours?

I already told you, it is enough, Calex raised his sword. Blood dripped off the edge of the purple blade.

Sylvie frowned. How did you?

She glanced over herself and was surprised to see a small gash over her thigh. The aegis hadnt stopped the blade? She hadnt even felt the cut. In fact, she still couldnt. Her eyes widened in shock.

I cant feel my thigh!

Calex stared at Sylvie with sympathy, My family has gone through great efforts to keep the true extent of Nightshades abilities hidden from the general populace. For whatever reason, my mother decided to forgo that tradition and insisted I use the sword in todays duel. I am sorry.

Sylvies vision began to blur. She fell to her knees and hands. Her throat felt tight and it was difficult to breathe.

You are truly a great warrior, Sylvie of Hollow Shade. But I must keep my sister safe, even if it means killing those who I admire. Calex bit his lip, The poison will work quickly. There is no pain. You will soon lose all feeling, and then all five of your senses. Then your heart will stop. I am sorry, Sylvie.

Calex turned around and walked away.

Sylvie wanted to tell him she didnt want his apology, but her mouth had gone numb. Her hands couldnt handle her weight and she fell face down on the sand. With what little strength she had left she rolled onto her back and stared up at the blue sky and the sun hanging above.

This cant be it

She had so much she wanted to do, so much she wanted to see

The voices of her friends echoed in the distance, but they were faint and she couldnt make out what they were saying.

Oh, please. You embarrass yourself, Dorian. Did you think I didnt know who you really were? Or did you think your little Order is as secretive as they so haughtily presume?

Dorian lowered his daughter to the ground and stepped in front of her, Stay behind me, sweetheart.

Oh, Dorian, do you think you can somehow stop me? You? A mere archmage? Caligo held her sides as she laughed. The rain had washed away the blood and grime from her skin and chestnut hair, but her wide iridescent irises were as cold and bright as ever. She wiped a tear of mirth from the edge of her eye and smiled, Ill give you this, you are braver than your brother.

My brother!? Then the incident at sea? It was a lie! Dorian yelled angrily.

Ah, I wish it were so. Unfortunately, I had no hand in his death. Lord Elliot Ashe did indeed perish at sea. However, contrary to the stories his daughter Calantha spread, the regal Lord Elliot screamed and cried like a coward as the sea serpents fangs enclosed around him. Strange, no? To know such a brave man cried at the end. Caligo sauntered towards them, her red lips curled in a smirk, ~I wonder?~ Will you cry, sweet Dorian?

Dad? the little girl whimpered fearfully.

Dorian licked his lips and glanced down at his daughter. He smiled strainedly, Its going to be okay but I need you to run now, sweetheart. Get as far away from here as you can.

No No, no, no! Dad, I dont like this! Come with me! Please, come with me! she cried frantically.

Its going to be okay, sweetheart, Dorian hugged his daughter tight. Ill be right behind you, I promise.

Your father is a liar, child. Just like your mother, Caligo said. But dont you worry, I wont end his miserable life, that is, if you come here, child.

YOU WILL NOT STEP NEAR HER, MONSTER, a voice boomed from behind them.

Caligo spun on her heel and stared into the darkness of the trees, ~Finally!~

A towering warrior strode out from the shadows, a burgundy cloak wrapped around her dark armor. She loomed over the others, almost twice as tall as Dorian. Her face was shrouded in a black steel helmet, but the anger in her heavy footsteps was clear.

Youve finally arrived! Caligo opened her arms wide and bowed mockingly, ~The Guardian of the Realm, The Goddess of War~ The Daughter of the Sun herself! Caligo smiled wide, Its been too long, Bellum.

Dorians shoulders relaxed at the sight of the goddess. He smiled shakily, My lady!

Mom! the little girl cried out in relief.

With a single hand, Bellum gripped the bottom edge of her helmet and pulled it off. Her brilliant scarlet hair cascaded down to her waist. A pair of black-tipped wolfin ears sat above her hair. She had high cheekbones and a strong jaw. Her warm fair skin seemed unusually cold in the darkness and rain, but her fiery golden eyes burned brighter than ever.

It doesnt matter what form you take, Caligo, youre still the same arrogant bastard as always, Bellum said icily.

Arrogant? You think me arrogant?

You are the youngest of the Ebon Pantheon, yet you come to your elders home unannounced on a moonless night. So yes, I do think youre an arrogant bastard.

Caligo shook her head, I am not arrogant, no, I was trusting, too trusting. That was my mistake. I believed in your lies.

Lies? Bellum asked calmly. What are you talking about? Is that why you came here? To provoke me over some unfounded fantasy of yours?

Oh, Bellum, still lying, are you? Lies always have a price, often steeper than one might believe, you should know that, Caligo smiled eerily.

...Dorian, where are my other children? Bellum asked with a measured tone, though her eyes stayed on Caligo.

T-They They Dorian stared at the ground in shame.

Bellums wolfin ears twitched, but her face stayed still. Caligo If you

I cant take all the credit, Caligo grinned. The little one behind you helped. She was the one who showed me where to find you all.

The little girl gasped in horror, I I didnt! I thought you were my friend! You tricked me!

And I am so grateful to you, Caligo winked.

You used the dreamscape to invade my daughters mind while she slept? Bellum whispered in realization. Her lips pulled back in a snarl, revealing sharp prominent canines, You dare!

I DARE!? Caligo screamed. ME!? You and Lunae are the ones who overstepped! I was content to leave you alone! But no! You may have both tried to hide it, but I learned your secret! Caligo glared at her, I know I KNOW what really happened to Solis that night!

Bellum narrowed her golden eyes, I am going to kill you.

Caligo stepped back and smiled, Will you?

Bellum pulled off the necklace around her neck and tossed it to Dorian. Put it on our daughter and get her out of here.

Dorian stared in surprise at the golden talisman in his hands, Your aurum aegis

Keep our daughter safe, no matter what, Bellum said sternly.

I will, I swear it, Dorian nodded and threw the child over his shoulder.

Good. Bellum turned to Caligo and drew her sword, a long narrow blade of orichalcum. Golden flames ignited over her clawed fingers and turned black as they curled around the blade.

Mom, dont leave me! the little girl cried weakly. Im sorry! Im sorry!

This isnt your fault. Bellum looked back and smiled half-heartedly, Dont cry. Hold your head up high. And promise me, no matter what happens, no matter how difficult it may seem, try to be happy, Belle.

~~~

Im sorry, mom. I tried, I really tried. But Im tired of smiling

Sylvie took a deep breath and for the first time, she stopped trying to bury the feelings swelling inside her.

Belle opened her crimson eyes and a single tear slipped down her cheek. The golden sun stared down at her from the azure sky. Her olive-brown skin greedily drank in the warm rays of light. The small gash on her thigh closed up and faded away.

Golden flames sparked to life over her skin, roaring over her until they enveloped her in a raging inferno, and burned the poison within.

Calex turned around in surprise. He flinched, backed away, and covered his face, the heat of the flames painfully hot even from a distance.

Belle rose to her feet and growled.