As the airship swayed in the rough winds, Rian hardened his resolve to never back down in his fight against Elahar. Eris prepared to face Brakka, and Marielle whispered a healing spell, supporting her companions. Ria confronted Karon, and Brunok assisted his allies while ensuring the airship's safety.
Elahar quietly drew his sword before Rian. His gaze was calm, but it held a fierce determination. Rian fought not to be overwhelmed by his aura and gripped his greatsword tightly. Having already faced Elahar several times, Rian knew well how fast and nimble he was.
Rian: "It'll be different this time. I've gotten stronger, too."
Elahar: "Indeed. Then show me that power."
Elahar gently raised his sword, assuming a ready stance. His body was perfectly still, and for a moment, Rian could find no opening. Thanks to Edward's enhancement magic, Rian was able to somewhat keep up with Elahar's speed, but Elahar was still a superior being.
Rian raised his greatsword high and unleashed a powerful shockwave. The strong force emanating from the blade cut across the airship's deck toward Elahar. Elahar flexibly twisted his body to dodge the shockwave and retreated, but Rian had already used the opening to close the distance.
Rian swung his greatsword, attacking Elahar. Elahar did not back down, raising his sword to block Rian's. The moment the two blades met, a sharp metallic clang echoed across the airship. Rian was pushed back slightly by the impact but immediately transformed his greatsword into twin blades and aimed for Elahar's flank.
Elahar smiled, dodging Rian's twin blades with an afterimage, as if he had predicted it. Rian's sword cut through Elahar's silhouette, but it was merely an illusion. Rian focused his gaze, trying not to lose sight of Elahar, but he was already at the tip of the airship's other wing, watching him.
Rian: "Where...?"
From the tip of the wing, Elahar appeared behind Rian as if by Blinking and instantly launched a counterattack. Rian, with a split-second reflex, barely blocked his sword, but Elahar's strength and speed overwhelmed him. Rian was pushed back, struggling to regain his balance.
Elahar: "Your swordsmanship has improved. But it is not yet enough."
Elahar crossed the airship's wing and charged at Rian once more. His sword was as fast as the wind and as natural as flowing water. Rian transformed his greatsword back into twin blades to respond to his movements, but Elahar's speed and afterimages continued to confuse his vision.
Elahar instantly moved to Rian's left, attempting an attack to catch him off guard. Rian realized his mistake and quickly assumed a defensive stance, but Elahar's sword was already piercing his defense. Rian quickly twisted his body to prevent the blade from gashing his shoulder, but he was slightly wounded. He felt a sting of pain but gritted his teeth and corrected his posture.
Elahar: "Excellent. A fight like this, I can enjoy."
Rian caught his breath and readjusted his grip on his sword. He already knew he was not Elahar's superior, but he vowed in his heart never to give up. Elahar's composed smile provoked him, but at the same time, Rian felt that Elahar expected something from him.
Rian charged at Elahar once more, pouring all the strength he had into it. The battle between the two swordsmen grew more and more intense as they moved across the airship's wings. Rian skillfully utilized the transformation between his greatsword and twin blades, chasing Elahar's movements.
Rian: "This time... I'll cut you down for real, not just your afterimage!"
Elahar raised his sword to meet Rian's challenge. The sound of their clashing blades grew more violent, and their battle unfolding on the wings of the airship heightened the tension, parting the sky. Thanks to Edward's enhancement magic, Rian was able to somewhat keep up with Elahar's speed, but Elahar's experience and skill still surpassed his.
Rian continued to challenge Elahar, trying to prove how much he had grown. Elahar, too, acknowledged his growth, still not losing his composed smile.
Elahar: "Become stronger. I am enjoying this fight."
The two swordsmen continued their fierce battle, leaping across the wings of the airship, and their resolve and beliefs shone from the tips of their blades that cut through the sky. Rian fought against Elahar to the end, putting everything he had into this battle. His will to never yield, even while acknowledging Elahar's superiority, made this moment shine all the brighter.
***
Episode : Battle on the Airship, Part 3
Brakka could no longer hide his excitement at the battle unfolding around him. Until just a moment ago, he had been carefully controlling his strength, worried the airship might fall, but seeing the situation, he judged there was no longer a need to be concerned. He cast Berserk on himself and swung his axe wildly. Each time his axe swung, the air split with a tearing sound, and the structures on the airship shook.
Eris infused the power of spirits into her own body to block Brakka's powerful axe attacks. However, Brakka's berserk strength was far more powerful than expected. Eris struggled to hold on against his axe, but she was pushed back five or six steps by the impact. The tips of her toes nearly reached the edge of the airship, but she quickly regained her balance and resumed her battle stance.
Eris: "Brakka, you really are ignorant, relying on nothing but brute force. But it won't go your way this time."
Brakka burst out laughing and swung his axe even more wildly. He was already consumed by the heat of battle and pressed his attack even harder, as if to break through Eris's defense.
Brakka: "I know strength isn't everything. But can you really withstand the weight of this axe?"
Meanwhile, Ria and Karon were engaged in a magical duel on the other side of the airship. Ria fired ice arrows rapidly, and Karon countered with fire arrows, blocking each other's attacks. Each time the ice and fire collided and exploded, the area was filled with shrapnel and smoke. The two mages' barriers and counter-spells activated in turn, and their attacks were continuously nullified. However, these clashes were slowly destroying the airship's structure.
Ria: "If we keep fighting like this, the airship will break apart first. Is that what you're aiming for?"
Karon smiled as he stared at Ria.
Karon: "Airship or whatever, I wonder if you'll be able to escape from here. This is no simple magic duel."
Ria saw through Karon's intentions, but in the current situation, she had no choice but to face him head-on. The deck of the airship began to shake and crack, and at this rate, it was in danger of being destroyed before the battle was even over.
Meanwhile, Rian, Eris, and Ria, each fighting separately in the confined space, had no time to think about the airship's safety. In a state where their cooperation was lacking, they had no choice but to focus on their individual battles. They fought fiercely against their respective opponents, displaying their skills to the fullest, but in doing so, the airship was put in ever-greater danger.
Rian desperately swung his twin blades to counter Elahar's quick movements. The flashing light from the tips of his swords cut across Elahar's afterimages, but he still couldn't land a blow on his real form. Elahar, as if mocking him, leisurely dodged Rian and continued his assault.
Rian: "At this rate... it's no good."
Rian steeled his resolve once more, gradually pouring all his strength into his fight against Elahar. But the more he focused, the more the airship's structure shook and broke apart. Rian's party was now in a situation where not a single mistake was permissible.
Elahar, Brakka, and Karon were all enjoying their own fights from their respective positions, paying no mind to the airship's destruction. They unleashed their abilities to the fullest, pushing Rian's party back. Rian, Ria, and Eris tried not to be outmatched in their individual fights, but the battle in the confined space was turning more and more against them.
Rian: "We have to work together! If we go on like this, we'll all be in danger!"
Ria heard Rian's shout but couldn't respond, as she was focused on Karon's attacks. Eris, too, had no room to maneuver as she fended off Brakka's fierce assault. Rian felt a surge of desperation and charged at Elahar again.
The current fight was no longer a simple duel; it was becoming a battle for the survival of the airship and the party. The moment was approaching when Rian's party would have to do more than just fight—they would have to combine their strengths to break through the crisis.
***
Episode : Battle on the Airship, Part 4
Rian's shout had revealed a momentary opening. Elahar did not miss it.
Elahar: "Do you have the luxury of worrying about other things in the middle of a battle?"
His sword grazed past Rian's armor. Fortunately, the armor blocked the blow, but Rian realized once again that he had no time to catch his breath.
Brakka's movements grew more and more violent. He leaped high into the air, swinging his giant axe, and tried to bring it down on Eris. Eris quickly stepped back, dodging the attack, but the shockwave from Brakka's landing shook her balance. Not missing the opening, Brakka continued his assault with a fluid, almost artistic motion, and though Eris barely managed to block it, she lost her footing and was sent rolling backward.
Brunok quickly called Silverfang to protect Eris. Ria, watching the scene, was momentarily distracted; the timing of her magic was thrown off, and she was struck by one of Karon's spells. The physical damage was minimal, but an instability, as if her magic power were tangled, tormented her.
Karon did not re-engage Ria, instead turning his attention to Rian. He sensed that Rian's mind was wavering and immediately attempted a psychic attack. Fear began to blossom in Rian's mind. The image of his companions falling, bleeding, pressed down on his spirit. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and his breath came in short gasps.
However, Karon did not know of the change that was occurring within Rian. Rian was a descendant of Merslin, one who had inherited the power of the Titans.
A desperate voice echoed from within Rian. "I need power. The power to protect everyone. A power that no one can stop..."
Just then, another voice answered from the depths of his being. "Power. The power you so desperately desired."
As Rian hesitated for a moment, Elahar, not missing the opening, charged forward to thrust his sword. But Elahar didn't sense it. Rian's body vanished like smoke, moving at a speed that no one could follow.
Rian: "Now I feel it... a power that no one can stop."
Rian, gripping his greatsword, instantly moved behind Elahar and struck the back of his head hard with the flat of his blade. Elahar staggered back from the unexpected attack, momentarily shaken. Rian did not stop, charging toward Brakka. Brakka swung his axe to subdue Eris and Silverfang, but his attack cut through empty air. Eris and Silverfang had already retreated to safety.
Brakka's axe was swung menacingly, but Rian's greatsword met the giant weapon and held it fast. Brakka was stunned and pushed his axe with more force, but Rian's greatsword did not budge, blocking his attack completely.
Brakka: "What in the...?!"
Elahar and Brakka could not hide their bewilderment. A completely different being from the Rian they knew stood before them. Though they had maintained an overwhelming advantage against him until now, the Rian before them now seemed like a different person entirely.
Rian still appeared calm, but his movements were much sharper and more powerful than before. But at the same time, there was something off about him. A cold light glinted in his eyes, and it was as if something other than himself was in control.
Even amidst the fight, Ria could vaguely sense the change in her twin brother. She had a gut feeling that Rian was different, but she couldn't pinpoint exactly what had changed. Rian's power had clearly grown, but it felt as if an ominous energy was mixed within it.
Ria: "Rian... brother, something's different... what is this?"
Ria felt fear and confusion and reached a hand out to Rian, but the current Rian could not feel her touch. Within him, the power of the Titans was awakening, and the whispers of something trying to dominate him continued.
Rian: "From now on, I will end this."
Rian's voice was low and firm. But a subtle darkness was laced within it. His resolve was unshaken, but the power he was drawing forth was mixed with something that was not his own will. Elahar, Brakka, and Karon realized that the Rian standing before them was no longer the Rian of before and sensed a new threat.
Rian dominated the battlefield, convinced that no one could stop him. But his power now seemed to have completely escaped his control. Ria, more than anyone, quickly realized this, and a sense of unease crept into her heart.
Ria: "Brother... that power... is it really what we wanted?"
The battle on the airship was no longer being driven by Rian's will, but by another power that had awakened from within him. Rian had wanted the power to protect everyone, but the situation was changing into one where he couldn't know if that power was truly protecting him, or if it was trying to destroy him.