Chapter 850

Chapter 850: Elendor [14]

Grayscale cast upon the slowed idle entourage faded behind Lucifer and the magnificently chipped wings. Half of the latter, features which made him angelic and powerful, hovered to the cold and gleaming ground. Strongly expanded realms fought to a deadlock, or so wanted Igna, subtle increase in the power flashed, akin to premonition, to Lucifer.

“I didn’t want to fight yet,” said Igna, “-the almighty got of Iqeavea had to show his hand, how pathetic. You’re naught but a thief, the stolen power is mine and mine alone. Look at what happened to my realm, my precious old world I created – a weak pool of ego and pride. I’m embarrassed for you,” the head shook, “-listen well, Lucifer,” hands pressed, the middle ground broke, the Shadow Realm took on the appearance of a massive body of black – giant arms pressed above the head in a pyramid – faded crimson sparkle lit amidst the featureless head, “-I’m the better version of you,” the figure dove, similar to a diver making for water. Contact made, the body dissolved into a mass of water, raw power drowned Lucifer. The arms helplessly wailed for the surface. Igna pointed, a vortex appeared as a dot, he flung, the tiny speck opened and twirled – a white line stood against the sea of black, Lucifer’s power drained from the broken wings, the latter, of which laid after the cell of water, suddenly pull towards Igna’s empty hand. There, it hovered. Lucifer cast horrified glares onto the epitome of power, the rejected one, “-particle by particle,” he smiled, “-you’ll fade,” the wings shattered into snow, slowly drifting onto Igna’s palm, “-lest,” he rose his stare towards the suffocating fallen angel, “-thee agrees to take the battle into Draebala.”

Lucifer fought and conjured to no avail, the secluded sea of the dark was the core of hell’s eternally burning fire, Void’s center. “-More the struggle carries, the more unlikely will be the undoing of the damage,” no smirk nor expression, Igna took each step slowly, “-imagine, colluding with the supreme god to kill Staxius Haggard, and still, the symbols of power remained unknown and out of thy reach. Demons and Gods are my enemies,” he slammed the cell, “-those mongrels staring from the heaven, watching the world evolve without action, nothing’s changed, nothing will change. Lucifer, poor ol’ Lucifer, if only you were more approachable and less of liability. Asmodeus, Mammon, Beelzebub, and Lilith, the princes of hell will all answer to me someday. Believe, I will return for my world, and you be damned for stealing what I build,” the mass shattered – the arrogance and beautiful Lucifer fell, the clothes outgrew the body. “-Like me,” he knelt and grabbed the child’s jaw, “-the damage done to thy soul will never be reversible. I ensure to leave some reserves, return to whence thee came, leave this world alone, focus on Draebala, for it will be the resting place of either one of us.”

“Alfred,” he narrowed, “-no more cliches. The next time we meet, it’ll be for the final battle. I promise on my title name to leave this world, however, my companions will be free to act how they wish. I don’t need to intervene, one day, you’ll ruin yourself,” a bubble swallowed Lucifer into nothingness.

‘A battle against Lucifer,’ he stood, frozen time melted, ‘-I won today, and I will win the future. No one will step in my way again,’ the fist opened and closed, ‘-Draebala.’

Meanwhile, the portal reopened to an unknown area, an unknown realm. Lucifer gasped, the body weak and the mind dizzy, “-my lord,” muffled in the distance, “-are you well?”

“My apologies, curiosity got the better of me. Zeus’ still asleep?”

.....

“Yes, he rests, no idea on when he’ll wake.”

“Carry this message to him when he wakes; Cursed King Alfred is alive, an entity powerful enough to destroy the heavens on a whim.”

“This is good news?”

“Suppose so, we’ll take the heavens for ourselves?”

“No, not now. My strength’s drain. I need to rest.”

The frozen bodies moved, King and entourage stunned rose to naught. None knew what happened or why they’d prostrated themselves to Igna.

“I, eldest son of Viscount Mandl, issue a challenge to the sainted warrior,” before long, none cared for what happened, the memories vanished to only be in the moment. A uniformed fighter had risen a sword to Xen, therein, the first battle of said night.

“My pleasure,” he smiled, hands in a loose fist, the instant the challenger stepped forward with his sword, Xen ducked, grabbed the man’s collar, and threw him over the shoulder, a heavy mass echoed as did the clinging of a fallen blade, he rose a menacing glare to the others, “-I swear on my name, Xen, challengers, come forth, I care not about rank nor strength. Come in numbers or come with long-range weapons – with only these fists, I issue a test for the King’s strongest protectors. Prove to me that protecting the king is worth my time.”

“INSOLENCE!” exclaimed the General – knights in armor rose their spears menacingly. Xen and Juvey exchanged eye contact, the king rose a hand, “-you hear the young knight,” he laughed, “-show him what my fighters are capable of. The one able to defeat Xen will be handsomely rewarded, I swear this on my name.” Men after men, it didn’t matter if they held weapons or not, Xen fought, blocked, prolonged battle as he pleased.

*Whistle,* “-impressive,” commented Scorpio.

“He provoked everyone,” shuddered Lessie, “-if he loses, I’m done for,” she gulped. Older men scattered about the premises had lecherous grins pointed at her, ‘-what are you trying to prove? Xen...’

Minutes elapsed into hours, Xen’s white uniform turned an abstract work of shades of brownish red, shoulders down and face to the ceiling, heavy pants settled the heart, ‘-there they are,’ he gulped, ‘-the last boss.’

A giant phenom of a creature, chained and gagged; tore onto the palace dancefloor, “-here is my challenger,” thundered the King, “-the berserker, Knivo,” it took a dozen of soldiers to hold, yet, if Knivo so much as moved his hands to scratch – the guards helplessly pulled alongside the sheer strength.

“King Juvey,” he spun and knelt, “-must I fight this simple man?”

“Knivo, don’t underestimate my knight,” he smiled, “-to the lords and ladies present, my maids will shortly arrive to take bets. Who will win, Knivo, the strongest brawler in my army, a man who caught the shell of the tank, or Xen, the martial artist?” Odds favored Knivo, and in time where the maids shuffled to Queen Ela, she rose her hand and dropped her rings and jewelry in Xen’s favor.

‘Queen Ela made her prediction,’ gulped the room. Wounded fighters of before, young nobles, also made their bets in favor of Xen. There no longer needed to prove his might, for he had defeated opponents with but fists – guns, rifles, knives, nothing mattered. Scorpio and Lessie watched, the latter pulled her mask, “-I wish I could bet.”

“Too bad,” shrugged Scorpio, ‘-Igna Haggard is the strongest in Hidros, and tis not an understatement. The man carries the strength of an army, I doubt Knivo will win. He could kill everyone and take Elendor if he pleased, yet, the master decides to play along and hold back. I fear those on the receiving end. I feel sorry for King Juvey – betrayal will knock sooner or later.’

“Votes have been cast,” said the announcer, “-time is nigh fighters.” Each shuffled to opposite ends of the floor, “-ready?” they took their stance, “-BEGIN!”

Knivo sprinted and threw the first punch – the entire crowd expected Xen to dodge and counterattack, however, he threw a punch of his own – they made contact and sent ripples, “-the reason I dodge is that,” he moved his fist a few centimeters away,”-if I fight with all my strength,” *smack,* he punched again, the force rattled across the cannon sized arms, blood vessels ripped, bones shattered, without hesitation, he jumped and fired another push with the left hand, Knivo dropped instantly,”-it’ll be over too quickly.” Xen’s pent-up rage subsided, ‘-Alfred’s hatred is out my system,’ he landed and exhaled, ‘-a symbol of peerless physical strength,’ pierced through the sleeves, ‘-Alfred’s strong, too strong,’ he chuckled and moved forward.

“...” a pin drop silence – nobles who’d made fun and snarled at Xen’s position and title were clapped shut. King Juvey blinked, Knivo hadn’t been defeated in over five years.

“HE DID IT,” hands pressed, ‘-you did it, Xen, you did it,’ an admiration-filled glee washed Lessie’s face, “-Scorpio, look, he did it,” she smiled, giddied with joy.

“Results don’t lie!” thundered Juvey, “-my newly appointed Knight is the best of all,” he smiled, “-let’s raise a toast to the undefeated martial-artist!” the mood greatened. The few who betted in favor of Xen walked away with riches. Helpers flooded the dancefloor, lifting a beast as heavy as Knivo required at least a truck. The battered fighters joined hands, as did Xen, together, they took the behemoth to the infirmary. Maids cleaned the floor and celebration resumed.

“By Lucifer’s might,” exhaled And Mandl, “-you’re a strong one.”

“Not really,” he exhaled, “-martial arts is an always evolving subject. Can’t be complacent.”

“Why did you jump and punch for the last move, he could have countered.”

“Fighting bigger opponents is easier than you think. Adventurers face down monsters twice, if not thrice their size daily. After battles, you get used to it and don’t care about size. I went head-to-head and intercepted the punch before he drew the full strength – the suddenness knocked him off-balance, takes a big man a few seconds to return to a strong base, the interval was what I needed to finish the job.”

“Really?”

“Yes, why?”

“From where I stood, it looked more like you overpowered him...”

“To each their own,” he said, “-the other fighters look at me with envy and jealousy. What’s different about you, Lord Mandl?”

“The others are fools to ignore what just happened. The ego’s bruised – most of them will be spending the night trying to score a lady’s favor in bed. Celebrations like these are political plays – the end, three days from now, will host backdoor meetings and a lot of schemes, all pertaining to the Kingdom’s future,” they nonchalantly ambled to a hallway which stood over a relatively atmospheric garden built-in way to resembled a park. Amber-colored lanterns and couples; the corridor split to the side onto a roof made to be a terrace.

“Nights always lovely,” he smiled. Inside light caught the expensively dressed noble warmly, slightly burnish jewelry added flair to the overall attire. Clean-shaven, a rounded nose, puffy cheeks, and blueish eyes – the refined way of speech and movements were as expected for a highborn. He looked below with a childish curiosity, “-look,” said a whisper, “-look,” he leaned close, sweat gleamed, “-they’re about the kiss,’ he gulped.

“About to kiss?” Xen turned and watched, breaking stare from the couple and the young noble, “-don’t tell me you’re a virgin?”

“S-sorry?” he gasped, “-n-nothing of t-the sorts.”

“Right,” he turned to the couple, “-won’t see much action from here,” winked Xen, “-come,” a lean over the balustrade showed a path of grass cupped in a lonesome corner, “-let’s go,” he whispered.

“Xen... I’m not sure we should...”

“Get on with it,” chuckled Xen, “-I’ve always wanted to do this with a friend, come on,” fist loosely around a pipe, he slid and dropped to a lowered posture.

“Fine,” shrugged Mandl, the delicate expression of morality cracked into blissful ignorance of a child, a sense of happiness as pure as it came. Past hedges, benches, the duo moved into the darker part of the garden, moans and giggles escaped.

“Someone’s getting some action,” whispered Xen.

“-Y-Yeah,” gulped Mandl – a convoluted detour landed them squarely at the farthest side inside a bush.

“My heart’s racing,’ commented Mandl.

“Awesome, isn’t it?” they whispered and watched, “-there, look to the right – a lady waits patiently for her prince to arrive.”

“Annia,” said a distant echo, “-my love, I’ve come.”

“Randy,” they rushed into each other’s arm, “-I wish we could meet openly, my father...’

“Forget about him, I’m here, let’s spend the night talking about how pretty you are under the starry light.”

“Boring,” commented Mandl.

“Yeah, looks more like a play than some getaway... if only it had been in Hidros.”