"C'mon! Just a little further!"
Between the stale air and the miles of sand, Solomon would struggle to cross the path before him. Civilization was nearby, a kingdom within its center, just across the riverbank of treasures. Garden of Eden ensured the Biblical Sorcerer to have enough fresh food and clean water to survive the massive desert that stands between him and a proper place to stay. Unfortunately, such a spell costs energy, and no matter how much he took in or how refreshed he was, he still spent energy. He'd grab his book and brought it back to its proper size, letting it tower over the Biblical Sorcerer, letting him relax under its shade. "Nah... I can't." Solomon murmured, his shadow breaching out on the side to look at him in the eye.
"YES YOU CAN!"
"Shady-"
"YES! YOU! CAN!! We're right there! I believe in you, little guy! C'mon! We just need a few more steps!" Such pleads from the living Shadow wasn't enough, unfortunately, as Solomon collapsed forward, angling his body and using his rags as cover from the dunes. As he'd try to close his eyes and sleep, hoping to regain his energy, he could hear something. Buckles kicking. Steps being taken. A holster shaking. Solomon would be on guard, opening his book, ready to recite and prepare the summon, seeing the person coming over.
A cowboy, with a regular horse. Dark green hair, waving along with the small breeze the land could kick up, a bird child right beside him. The child grew concerned and immediately rushed through to help Solomon. Shady would try to intervene, white eyes glowing through the book's shadow to intimidate, but he wasn't afraid. "Hey! You good? You look miserable!" The child asked, prompting a small chortle out from the cowboy in such bluntness.
Solomon would not be amused. "Yeah, being kicked out tends to do that." He'd reply, sarcasm leaking like venom from his voice.
"Really? For what?"
Solomon grew skeptical, backing away a bit. "Did the big eyes behind me not tip you off??"
The child looked up at the vacant stare it gave, tilting his head. Even with its gaze, he'd shrug it away. "Not ringing any real bells here. C'mon! Pops here has a place you can stay."
Such kindness felt unearned, yet Solomon can't help but be thankful for it. He'd see the bird try to reach out, still worried about what he can cause, before feeling a nudge from one of the pages. While the Shadow couldn't control the book, its hint was enough of an answer. With a begrudging look, Solomon took it. "You're... not worried if I have a Demon inside me...?" He'd ask.
The child's massive eyes widened as he'd look up again. "That's a demon?!"
"Yeah. He's pretty much the one in the book..."
The boy was quick on helping him up, guiding him to his father, letting him be carried off. "Well now, you have 2! Stolas! Nice to meet yah!"
Before Solomon can give his name, his blurry vision came back, properly into the shop again, realizing he extended his hand out unconditionally, with Stolas watching over, picking him up and letting him stand on his two feet again, his wound somewhat healed. He never thought this would be the chance to properly repay the favor. He recalled how he was supposed to do quests after a few days of staying at his father's place, before meeting the two others that were pretty much his family. To think all of that happened in a singular week, and whilst he may regret it, he also is just as thankful now. He'd signal for Shady to do something, a method which would confuse the Shadow upon merely hearing such an idea. Solomon reassures the shadow on his trick, granting him enough trust for an attempt. He'd swoop around Stolas' stump and molded around the ice, letting it freeze and snap off. Essentially, Stolas is given a new arm for a substitute, a chance to fight back again. The Stellar Magician nodded towards his 'brother' as he'd walk up, meeting with the two, with Juna specifically lowering her head and opening her maw. "You know you're being set up for execution, right? You can't take on us both, Coo~." She'd taunt.
Stolas merely smiled as he'd raise his frozen arm, letting it wash him. "Go ahead." he'd boast. "Lower that blade on my neck."
No hesitation, as she'd drop Famine's sword down in an effort to lob it off, Koske would try to freeze his body in order to prevent any means of escape, but his eyes told a different story. He wasn't budging an inch. He wasn't flinching. Even with the sword nearly on his head, all he did was raise his arm, letting it shatter and break the ice off, the Shadow quickly enveloping the sword. Because the Carbon's useless against a void, Stolas was able to catch the blade, a quick jab at Juna's neck to prevent her from reacting and taking back her blade, just enough for Solomon to retrieve it back with his own shadow, as well as healing the injuries and connecting the legs back on the Horse, letting him ride it once again.
A pressure was beginning to exert, with Koske watching in awe as Stolas stood his ground, his gaze turning towards the Nutcracker. "Parfait... You are starting to get ahold of it." he'd praise.
"Oh, so you know this?" Stolas asked.
The Nutcracker nodded as he'd prepare his ice, his greatsword stabbing into the ground, the formations quickly building, even amidst the fire spreading. "King's influence is as vast as his rule. Calibren has ensured that. I... am but one of many that wish for his head."
"Then this is a duel. Let's see who's more deserving of meeting the King."
As soon as Stolas issued his challenge, he could feel Koske's energy growing, shaking the shop somewhat. It seems he was just as excited as the Stellar Magician, as Juna would get back to facing her proper opponent "Whomever raised you... has truly outdone themselves. Armez-vous... Diable."