The clash of steel echoed through the garden, a resonating clang that sent a shiver down Kara's spine.
The air crackled with anticipation as Davel and Mikhail, locked in a deadly dance, met sword to sword. Sparks flew, a shower of molten metal that explod the battlefield, each clash a tiny sun against the darkening sky.
Kara gulped, her heart a frantic drum against her chest. The loud clang of steel and the roar of the crowd blurred into a single, overwhelming sensation, her senses consumed by the heat of the battle.
Mikhail, his face a mask of silent calmness, pressed forward, his movements fluid and controlled. He was a force of precise speed, each strike aimed with deadly accuracy, like a symphony of death played on his blade.
Davel, his movements more playful, as if taunting. He parried Mikhail's attacks with ease, his steps graceful, as if he were dancing rather than engaging in a deadly duel.
"Is this all you can do, Mikhail?! I expect my former partner to be more forceful!" The black-haired man cried out as he blocked the attack that's coming his way.
The crowd watch in a frenzy, some held their breath, collective gasp can be heard with a sense of fear and nerve-wracking emotion.
Just then, the scent of ozone filling the air as Mikhail's eyes flared to life. The air around him turned frigid, and a shimmering veil of frost spread across the battlefield. Ice crystals formed on the grass, glittering like a million tiny diamonds, and the air grew thick with the scent of snow.
"I see. By turning the field frozen, the opponent speed weakened and loose his ground, giving Mikhail an advantage." Cloress said, her expression thoughtful. "Davel's sword skills is already in the upperhand, so using his Arcana early on would make a playing field."
Warm breath escape the brunette's throat, while watching in awe as the frost spread, creeping towards the balcony where they sat. Kara could feel the chill in the air, a cold that seemed to seep into her bones.
Davel was unfazed, and continued to fight with his sword, every movements giving more power to push his opponent further. He seemed to be enjoying the challenge, his eyes gleaming with a mischievous glint.
"I guess you already master this technique, huh?"
"You're playing a dangerous game, Davel," Mikhail said, his voice a low rumble that echoed through the screen. "You're not going to win by holding back."
"And that's just how i like it" Davel chuckled, his tone more enthusiastic, "Let me see more, partner!"
He charges forward for a direct strike, his sharp sword point for a swift thrust. But was met by the sudden, impenetrable barrier made of liquid.
Mikhail had saw that coming, quickly stepping back and motion his hand. A towering wall of water erupted from the ground, its surface rippling like a living thing.
The penetrating attack caused the water to surge and churn, but the wall held firm, absorbing the blow.
*Flick!*
"W-Woah!" Davel was driven back, the shielding water turn to wave that push him away.
He grinned, wiping his now wet face.
As the duel raged on, the tension in the air become one with anticipation. Everyone watched with bated breath, their eyes glued to the two figures locked in a deadly dance.
"Even to this day, Mikhail's power still impressed me." Glory muse in awe, her eyes widening each time passed, "[Torrent] is such a strong Arcana. He's able to manipulate another element now, making him stronger than before."
She watched in concert, "He's coming on to Davel with force that I'm worried about the KnightGuard's wellbeing below us.."
Sure enough, A stoic KnightGuard stood frozen, but his face pile slumped limply, their soul seemingly sucked out.
The young recruit drew back in terror, clutching his sword, his eyes widening while glued to the battlefield.
The rest of the KnightGuard retreated in a flurry of panicked, their formation dissolving into shamble.
Glory watched this scene unfold, she let out a faint, sweat-drop-inducing sighed.
"Mikhail's never been one to stop training just to get on Davel's level," Cloress grinned, her eyes showing how proud she is for her husband. "I've been telling him that when it comes to his Arcana alone, he's much more advanced than that dummy, but he wouldn't listen..."
"If we're talking about swordsmanship and combat, Davel has always been superior, especially when it comes to being unpredictable," Glory state. "But Mikhail's Arcana control is always terrifyingly impressive."
"Their specializations are vastly different, yet they always manage to meet on equal footing, pushing each other to become stronger everytime." Cloress smile, her hand resting on her cheeks.
"We both married such battle junky boys, huh?" Glory jest, causing the both woman to chuckle.
Kara silently watched, her heart rumming inside her chest, she felt a strange sense of exhilaration, a thrill that ran through her veins.
This was power, raw and untamed, and she was witnessing it firsthand.
Mikhail created some distance, his stance unwavering. With a swift motion, raining icicles drop from the sky, appearing as quickly before anyone could react. They would pierced towards the black-haired man like a swarm of thorns, ready to strike.
Davel's eyes, sharp as ever, tracked the icy projectiles, his body an agility of motion as he sidestepped the first wave. The icicles shattered against the stone floor, sending shards flying in a glittering spray.
His lips curled into a smirk. "Not bad,"
"Then, can you still dodge this?" With a flick of his wrist, the entire battlefield seemed to tremble.
The ground beneath them buckled as a colossal wave of water rose from the earth. It towered over them, a raging tsunami of churning seawater, its crest a monstrous wall of liquid fury poised to crash down upon the man in black.
Davel's eyes narrowed.
He wasn't about to be caught in that enormous trap, and with a powerful leap, he launched himself forward.
.
.
.
.
'Wait.. No way he would do that!'
He dove right into the raging wave!
The monstrous wall of water crashed down, engulfing him in a blinding torrent. The roar of the water was deafening, anyone could barely see through the churning spray. It felt like he was being swallowed whole, ripped apart by the sheer force of the wave.
"P-Papa!" The small child cried out, desperately reaching forward. The sight of her father disappearing into the churning water was terrifying.
Glory was taken at back, she quickly wrapped her daughter's body closer, avoiding Kara from jumping away.
"It's okay, darling.." She said in a soft voice, her expression serious, "Your Papa is strong."
As the last words came out, Kara saw something unbelievable.
A flash of golden light within the churning water, the glow growing as it disrupted the wave's flow.
The wave shuddered, its crest recoiling, before dissipating into a spray of water.
"My turn.."
Then, in the eye of the fading storm, Davel was carried by the wind, his surroundings ignited.
"Witness this, as i will not be defeated!" he declared, his eyes is full of determination.
.
.
.
.
What Kara saw left her breathless...
'Papa's Arcana...' she breathed, as if the word was caught in her throat. '...So cool'
He's like a flaming bird rise from the ashes.
It was like a dream, a fantasy she only ever long to come true in her previous life. Now, at this moment, it's right here, coming to life before Kara's eyes.
The world seemed to shrink to the size of her small heart, and it was pounding so fast it felt like it might burst from her chest.
The wings of flames around him were a symphony of colors, a dazzling display of crimson and gold that seemed to shimmer and dance around.
She always known her father's strength, but this... this was something else entirely.
Kara watch not just the power that an Arcana can do, but how it was display in the most beautiful.. enchanting phenomenan she have ever seen in her entire life.
Her eyes followed him as he soar through the sky, his movements as graceful as a bird in flight, a strange and wonderful feeling bloomed in her chest.
It was a warmth that spread through her like a wildfire, a feeling she couldn't quite name, but one that filled her with a sense of awe and wonder.
This... this heart pounding, was born from the passion of her Father's Arcana.
At that moment, Kara was in daze...
.
.
.
.
The duel ended in a draw.
And the once a pristine expanse of polished stone, was now a chaotic mess of a battlefield.
Chunks of marble lay scattered like broken teeth, now a remainder of the fury duel. The ornate carvings that had adorned the stage were now cracked and muddy, their once graceful lines marred by the impact of steel.
"Hehehe... Hahahahaha!"
Davel's laughter echoing through the wreckage, he sat against a shattered stone, his silver eyes gleaming with amusement.
Mikhail, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, stood a few paces away, his snow white-hair a mess, his clothes torn and drenched.
"I must admit.." Mikhail said, his voice bathed breath, "You've still got it. Even with my recent skills, you managed to cornered me."
"You got that right. You've always been a stubborn, wave-wielding pain in the neck," Davel retorted, his voice laced with good-natured mockery. "But I'll give you this, you've gotten stronger since we last met."
Their banter, a familiar rhythm, flowed effortlessly between them. It was like a dance they had performed for years, a mix of playful jabs and genuine respect. Each word, each gesture, a testament to their long-standing bond, a rivalry forged at first glance.
As they straightened, their wives approached, their expressions a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
Glory, cradling their daughter Kara in her arms, shook her head. "You two," she said, her voice tinged with exasperation, "You've made quite a mess. And look at Kara, you've scared her half to death with your reckless stunts!"
Cloress lips curving into a wry smile, added, "It seems some things never change. You two are still as destructive as ever."
Davel smile softening, approached Glory and gently kiss Kara's cheeks "My apologies, darling," he chuckled, scratching his cheek sheepishly. "Well, at least I provided some entertainment for the guests---"
Glory smiled darkened, her patience wearing thin, and tugged on the man's ear.
"Ow!"
"You're lucky i love you." she said, her voice laced with a scolding tone. "I might accept your bad habits, but involving everyone in your antics is not tolerable."
"...I'm sorry, darling."
"Honestly.. if your sister was here, she'll definitely knock some sense into you." Cloress snickered.
"You being here is already worse.." Davel shoot back.
"What did you say, brat?" Her eyebrows twitched, immediately pulling the man's other ear. "I swear if it weren't for this child in my womb, I'm gonna throw you to the next continent."
"Just let it go, hun." Mikhail place a hand on her shoulder, as it maybe an attempt to hold his wife back.
Cloress pulled away, her gaze turn to him, voice change in a softer tone. "You were... rather hot-headed during the duel, my love. It's been a long time since i saw you lost your temper."
Mikhail, caught off guard by her observation, looked away in embarrassment. "I... I suppose I was a little more impatient than usual," he mumbled, his cheeks flushing slightly.
Roxy turn to them, eyes wide with curiosity, and piped up. "What's wrong, Father? Were you angry at Uncle Davel?"
Cloress, her lips curving into a playful smile, teased her husband. "Oh, Mikhail, are you still mad at Davel after all these years?"
Davel brow furrowed in confusion, turned to Mikhail. "What did I do? I haven't seen you in ages!"
Mikhail, his annoyance evident, clicked his tongue and pointed a finger at Davel. "Don't tell me you forgot! You know exactly what you did."
"I didn't though?!"
Mikhail's gaze unwavering, stepped closer. "You, brainless of a bastard.." he said, his voice low and dangerous. "I know you let me win last time. You held back, you didn't use your full strength on me."
Davel shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. "You won fair and square, Mikhail. I wouldn't have let you win if you hadn't earned it."
Mikhail scoffed, his eyes narrowed. "Don't insult my intelligence, Davel. I know you had a trump card up your sleeve. A power that you chose not to use. You let me think I could win against you, even though you had the chance to crush me."
"You're wrong," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "I didn't hold back. I was simply testing our limits. I wanted to see how far we'd come before our departure."
Mikhail eyes burned with a mixture of anger and frustration, grab his collar with force, "You let me think I was winning, that I could defeat you! What would you think I'd felt after knowing that, huh?!"
Davel's smile faltered, replaced by a look of genuine surprise. His gaze softening, glancing the ground in a thoughtful manner.
"...My bad," he said, his voice laced with a hint of regret. "I got insensitive. And didn't think about your feelings that time."
Mikhail sighed, his anger slowly subsiding,"You know I hate it when you don't treat me on equal terms" He said, his fist bumped in his former partner's chest. "But I suppose I should have seen it coming. You've always been a bit of a showman."
Davel chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Guilty as charged," he said, raising his hands in mocking surrender. "But hey, at least I gave you a good fight this time, right?"
Mikhail release his hold, "Shut up.." he turned away, hands on his pocket. "I'll have you know, i won't hold back the next time."
Davel watched Mikhail walk away, a smile playing on his lips. He couldn't help but chuckle at the way his rival and friend had puffed up his chest, threatening as he goes.
"Man... i'm sure he's gonna indulge in those desserts again." he sighed with a smile.
"For someone who's always so serious, he really have an incredibly strange sweet tooth.." Cloress jest, making the old friend's laugh.
Roxy's brow furrowed in confusion, she turned to her mother and tugged her dress. "What did Father mean? Was he really going to fight Uncle Davel again?"
Kara tilted her head in curiosity, echoing her question. 'Yeah, today's duel was pretty intense enough, then he goes on saying to not hold back.. what's going on?'
Glory chuckled. "Oh, they were just teasing," she said, her voice laced with a hint of amusement. "They always like to pretend they're going to fight each other to the death, but they're both holding back."
Cloress, her lips curving into smirk, added, "And good thing they are," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of relief. "If they had actually used their full strength, the whole estate would be a goner.."
The two children's eyes widened, their faces slowly morphing from confusion to dawning comprehension.
At that moment, they realizing what she meant.
'...Seriously???!'
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EXTRA CHAPTER: Awakening of the oath
The void was a canvas of absolute black, a silent, unending expanse. Yet, it wasn't entirely empty. A single figure lay suspended, bathed in a soft, ethereal glow that emanated from within. It was a girl, her long, crimson hair cascading around her like a silken waterfall, her face obscured by the shadows. Her breaths were shallow, almost nonexistent, as if she were a creature of the night, slumbering in the heart of a perpetual twilight.
Then, her eyes fluttered open. They were a deep, unsettling crimson, like embers burning in the darkness. She blinked, her gaze slowly adjusting to the void, and a low, almost inaudible sigh escaped her lips.
She sat up, her movements fluid and graceful, stretching her limbs with a languid grace. A long, sinuous tail, tipped with a delicate, almost translucent fin, swayed gently behind her, its every movement a silent whisper of power.
She look up, her eyes seemed to pierce the very fabric of the void. The faint glow emanating from her body intensified, casting dancing shadows that stretched and writhed across the black canvas. It was as if she were looking through the veil of the void, into a world beyond.
A flicker of something akin to anticipation crossed her face. She closed her eyes, her senses reaching out, as if sensing a distant, yet undeniable presence.
This new generation, will be something else..
Their resolved will go beyond.
A smile played on her lips, tinged with a hint amusement and anticipation.
"The threads of fate are woven," she murmured, her voice a low, melodious whisper that echoed through the void. "Five years have spun their course... and our meeting is at hand."