The battle between Izana and Thahora was heating up and not just metaphorically as Thahora was using more fire skills against Izana.
Swish... swish...
Thahora swung its fiery claws in a flurry of attacks at Izana who dodged to the best of his abilities. Attacks hit him left and right the claws dug into his skin. Even after all these Izana still didn't show pain only laser focused in the target.
"When you put your hand inside a pool of lava it hurts so much. This is mild compared to that. " A smile hung from his lip. He struck Thahora with his sword. A powerful strike which managed to draw blood from it.
The lion jumped back and gazed at him and also looked at the wound. Opening its mouth, it let out a fiery roar towards Izana causing fires to catch. He jumped to the side to avoid the blast but the lion was a step faster. It smacked Izana away with its paw towards the wall of the volcano.
Crash...
'Shit. I need a solut- ' Thahora interrupted his train of thoughts and blitzed towards him claws out. He barely could react raising the sword in his hand to blocked the attack but it wasn't enough. Thahora's claws sliced deep into his flesh sending him crashing against the wall. His vision was getting blurry but he was recovering as he heard the system's voice.
Skill progress has increased.
Skill progress has increased.
Skill progress has increased.
Skill progress has increased tremendously. >
At least he wasn't getting bad news. He was healing and his skill creation was increasing soon enough he will have a new skill that is what was driving him on. As he stood up he looked at Thahora who also looked at him.
"I'm going to prove my worth THAHORA!! " Determined Izana ran towards Thahora with his sword raised like a courageous knight in battle going against all odds to win. Thahora also charged at him.
The clang of claws and steel resounded throughout the caves. Izana had to admit that this was the toughest battle he had ever had. He was outclassed, outskilled and was outwitted but he still continued battling valiantly occasionally delivering serious injuries to Thahora.
Skill has been successfully created. >
This message just added fuel to the fire as Izana fought with more might displaying prowess that he did not know he had, but even still Thahora was a named beast the guardian of the volcano if it cannot deal with an ordinary human with zero elements then it does not deserve that title.
Thahora overpowered Izana and pushed him to the ground. Seeing that he had no strength left Izana was ready to die at least he died fighting something stronger than him but no such strike reached him instead.
Ding
Generating rewards:
User has unlocked Fire arts
Hidden Quest: Force Thahora to use 15% of its strength. Quest completed.
Reward: Blessing of Thahora >
Izana opened his eyes still confused about the message he was seeing on the system panel. He looked up to see Thahora looking at him.
As they looked at each other a connection was formed by Thahora.
"Congratulations human. You have successfully showed me that you deserve the Fire Art. " A regal voice commanding authority resounded in his head.
Telepathy!
"You have successfully completed the Trial of Flames. I will send you back now. "
"Wait! Can you tell me about the Trial space. Is It a realm on its own or not, who created it and what is their goal. " Trying to delay the lion, Izana asked a question that he was curious about.
"It's a special realm and it was created by "them" that is all I can tell you. Grow stronger Izana so that you can learn the truth of this universe. " With that said Thahora sent Izana back to Endoria. {Endoria is the planet Izana is from}
"That kid us destined for great things. To think his patron God is that man. But he is still to weak to know about this universe. " As Thahora remembered when he met Ezo. He shivered in fear. As a demigod not all gods can make him fearful like Ezo.
***
Back on Endoria
Other messages played in his mind but he did not listen.
"That was my first loss in a battle. Sighs. " As he thought back to the battle he noticed something abnormal in the atmosphere. "Is It me or is it a little hot in here. "
Few minutes earlier
In a completely different part of the mansion a meeting was taking place with father and son.
"Count heddo's forces are encroaching into our territory under the guise of an investigation. It seems that these nobles have forgotten the power the Raiden family possess. " A serious voice boomed in the meeting room.
"It seems so Jake. I think we should remind these nobles why the Raidens were the strongest in the last war. Plus if we get heddo's territory maybe we can leave being Viscounts and enter earlhood{Counthood}. I should have just taken the duke position when Henry served it on a silver platter. " A sigh of laziness left Kor's lips as he thought back to those days.
"If you weren't lazy at that time you would have been the duke. " Jake retorted back at his father. Before Kor could talk back, a heatwave was felt from the mansion.
Both of them became serious. Well only Kor because Jake is always serious.
"Is it an attack? " Jake asked as he stood up and was preparing.
"I don't know but if it is the noble that orchestrated this is not seeing tomorrow. " Kor replied gone was his usual playfulness and what replaced it was seriousness as he and Jake moved the source of the heat.
All around the Raiden manor there were different reactions towards the heat but one thing was certain the went in the direction of it. Leading to everyone opening Izana's room door and they turned to Izana for answers.
They were momentarily stunned when they felt the heat radiating from him.
"Izana what happened here. "Jake asked
Izana already practiced what he was going to say told them the simplified version of what happened. He obviously skipped a few parts but what stunned them was not that he awakened the fire element but that he survived his trial without a trial crystal. Everyone knew that without trial crystals the probability of making it back was less than 20%. Usually between 10-13%. So everyone wanted to know more.
This Chapter marks the first milestone. Woohoo. Many more to come