After I helped terrafrix hide from the sailors, I went back to Draitus. i found him lying on the ground with Gexon looking forward to hit that finishing blow, so I shot an arrow by Draitus side in order to stop Gexon from dilevering that blow. The second in command looked at me with such fire in his eyes, As if he wanted to kill me the second he saw me . Then Draitus opened his eyes and I breathed a sigh of relief that he wasn't dead. "Well done" I said to Draitus, then I looked at Gexon.
Vascronic : I see you haven't drawn your sword yet, can I ask why?
Gexon : that's none of your business, besides shouldn't you be dead right now…
Vascronic : Dead? What do you mean by that?
Gexon: I saw 50 of my men going after you once me and the punk that's lying here motionless started fighting, so let me ask you again what happened to my men
Vascronic: don't worry about them, second in command, they are not dead but severly wounded
Gexon: in that case, I shall kill you myself to avenge those whom you have hurt and then ill capture the girl myself
After exchanging those words, the mighty second in command drew his sword. While he was pulling that sword from its sheath he said:
Gexon: (grinning coldly) You should have fled when you had the chance. Now I'll make sure there's nothing left to bury.
Vascronic: (calmly adjusting the bow on his back) You always talk too much, Gexon. All bark. No bite.
The moment Gexon unsheathed his sword fully, the air around them shifted. The blade shimmered faintly with bloodlust, its edge crackling with unstable red energy. Draitus groaned behind Vascronic, his hand twitching. But Vascronic didn't turn back—his focus was locked on Gexon, every muscle coiled like a drawn bow.
Gexon: (lunging forward) LET'S SEE IF YOU CAN KEEP THAT ARROGANCE WITH A BLADE THROUGH YOUR GUT!
Vascronic stepped aside fluidly, dodging the thrust by mere inches. He spun, his boot kicking up sand and ash, and delivered a sharp elbow to Gexon's shoulder, pushing him off-balance.
Vascronic: You swing that thing like a butcher, not a warrior.
Gexon: (recovering with a snarl) You won't be so smug when your bones are crushed!
The duel exploded into motion. Sparks flew as steel met enchanted daggers—Vascronic's dual blades flashing like lightning as they clashed with Gexon's heavier, slower swings. Each of Gexon's blows could have shattered stone, but Vascronic danced between them with a grace honed by war and vengeance.
Suddenly, Gexon caught him with a shoulder slam, throwing him into the nearby rock wall. Vascronic coughed, dust flying around him.
Gexon: (approaching) Not so fast now, are you? That all you've got?
Vascronic: (wiping blood from his mouth) I'm just getting warmed up.
He dashed forward, blades gleaming, and this time his strikes were relentless. One dagger slashed across Gexon's arm, drawing blood. The second barely missed his throat. Gexon growled and swung wildly, forcing Vascronic to flip backward, landing in a crouch.
Gexon: You dare bleed me!?
Vascronic: Oh, I'll do more than that.
With a whistle, Vascronic called on the runic energy stitched into his gloves. His hands pulsed with glowing violet sigils as he leapt toward Gexon. Gexon blocked with his sword, but Vascronic struck the ground at Gexon's feet, shattering the earth and launching him back with a burst of force.
Gexon crashed into a broken pillar, stunned.
Gexon: (panting) What kind of magic—?
Vascronic: Ancient. Dangerous. And more than enough for you.
Gexon roared and charged, his sword now blazing with fury. He swung in an overhead arc.
Vascronic dropped to one knee, slid under the blade, and in one fluid motion—
Thunk!
—plunged his dagger deep into Gexon's side.
Gexon: "ARGH—!"
He staggered back, blood soaking through his armor.
Vascronic: (rising slowly) I told you. You're all bark.
Gexon: (falling to one knee) You… think this is over?
Vascronic: No. I know it is.
He delivered a final kick to Gexon's chest, sending him sprawling to the ground. Gexon's sword skidded out of reach. He lay there, gasping, humiliated.
Vascronic turned to Draitus, who was now sitting up, dazed.
Draitus: (weakly) You beat him?
Vascronic: (smirking) Of course I did. I don't lose to fools.
Draitus gave a tired chuckle, coughing.
From behind a fallen wall, Terrafrix emerged, eyes wide.
Terrafrix: (gasping) That was… incredible.
Vascronic looked down at Gexon, then glanced to the horizon.
Vascronic: Get him bound. He's more useful alive. And if anyone else tries to lay a finger on her—
(He looked at Terrafrix.)
Vascronic: —they'll end up like him. Or worse.
The wind picked up, carrying the distant sound of reinforcements. Vascronic slid his daggers back into their sheaths, then pulled his hood over his head.
Vascronic: This war isn't over yet. But the next time Gexon thinks about swinging a blade, he'll remember this day.