Az stared at the figure before him—Sieg, wreathed in uncontrollable black flames, mana surging like a living storm.
Az "There's murder in his eyes… he looks nothing like he used to". Sieg's body was changing with scales coming out on some part of his body,teeth became fangs and his green eyes turned predator bright red, he stood up slowly growling at Az. Then with inhuman speed he charged at Az, strange black flames engulfing his fist.
Az barely had time to widen his eyes before Sieg vanished from sight, the ground cracking beneath his feet as the transformed knight closed the distance in an instant. He folded his fist—landing a direct devastating punch to Az's face. But fortunately he was protected by his mask as it took most of the blow and shattered completely burning to ash in an instant. Az was shocked for a moment as his ears rang and he went flying, tumbling across the planks and slamming into the railing. And blood was dripping from his nose while Seig already loomed over him.
Az "It can't be—how is he suddenly so fast?!"Seig roared —as another massive wave of mana erupted from him and the black flames were spreading even more violently around him and Az.
Meanwhile—
Baka thought "It seems Seig is going out of control and letting the beast instincts corrupt his mind. Fortunately—the seal placed on him is still powerful enough to prevent a full takeover. I trust Sieg will comeback to his senses soon enough"
Phoenix thought "I don't know what's happening at the other side of that bridge or where that sudden spike of mana came from, though I'm sure it won't be a problem for Az.
Meanwhile—
Az rose weakly from the ground—nose dripping blood.
Az mind raced in thought "Big bro… I can't defeat this boy. Sieg rushed again—fist cocked ready to land a second punch, But halfway to Az's face—Seig stopped. His red eyes flickered—slowly returning to emerald green. Scales faded. Teeth and nails normalized. Black flames died out.
Seig holds his head in confusion "What happened my head feels dizzy, You're… from that time." (remembering Az's unmasked face from their herb-gathering encounter)
Az "So you've finally realized. Why…? Even though I put your dear friend in a near-death state… you can't kill me?" Are you scared loser.
Sieg hesitated—then punched him with a weak blow.
Az smirked "What a weak punch… What happened to the force from a moment ago?" (wipes blood) "Wasn't Aturia someone special to you? Many people don't understand—they pity and don't finish off the enemy they ought to and that can lead to grave consequences,To me… that isn't compassion or anything.
(Do you know how it feels… to not be needed by anyone? To live day to day without a dream? The pain of it all? I'm sure Phoenix has no use for a weak knight like me anymore. You took away my reason for existence. I doubt he even sees me as a brother anymore)
Sieg was furious with grief "Why —why do you have to serve a guy like that? Someone who treats you like you're a disposable piece of tool for his own agenda,He gets money from thugs to do bad things!
Az "A long time ago… I had others special to me. They were my parents. I was born in this kingdom My parents were poor… but satisfied. I was happy then. They were loving. But something happened. My father killed my mother… then tried to kill me. Because people with Ken Star were hated and feared around the world.
Seig "Ken Star…?
Az "They're special abilities—passed through certain clans and bloodlines from parent to child such as eye abilities or rare magic knights who could use more than one magic element. Because of that… those of the clans were exploited in all sorts of battles. As a result—all Ken Stars were feared as harbingers of disaster and death. So they decided to hide their powers.
I'm sure your friend…" (glances at Aturia) "…went through so much suffering as well. My mother was a Ken Star… kept it secret from my father. But he found out… killed her in front of my eyes as I cowardly escaped. When I came to… I had killed my own father. And then I knew—my existence didn't matter to anyone else in the world until i met Phoenix.
You told me you'll be the best magic knight in your kingdom… make everyone respect you. Even though Phoenix knew I was from a clan with Ken Star—he took me in. My power that everyone feared… he wanted it. I was so happy. But I guess… I wasn't good enough to be the tool he was looking for.
Az screams in defiance "Go on. Strike me down. If you can't... then don't you dare tell me my life has value.
Meanwhile—
Captain Baka and Phoenix locked eyes and in a heartbeat ran towards each other clashing swords as metal noises filled the air and sparks flew from the blade's friction. They suddenly stepped back away from each other, then a cloud clone jumped behind Baka to attack but he instinctively cuts the clone in two with a quick and powerful katana draw attack.
Phoenix tries to escape but baka Sensei immediately stabbed his katana in the ground as a pool of dark magic swirled around Phoenix feet preventing him from moving.
Baka "You're the one who was playing right into my hand.
Phoenix struggles to move as he shouts "Stop bluffing I can get out of this easily"
Baka "Don't try to act tough. There's nothing you can do in this situation. You're too ambitious for your own good… and full of yourself. So now—your future is death." That old man Iroh—the one you want to kill—is the symbol of courage in this land. The bridge he's building is the hope of this land in the Lightning Kingdom. And your ambitions will sacrifice countless lives. That's not how a true magic knight is supposed to behave.
Phoenix "Who cares? I have always fought for my own ideals… and that will never change. Baka plucked his katana from the ground—handled it smoothly—pointed it forward at Green Phoenix.
Baka "I'll say it again—you've been outclassed So just give up… or else I'll have to resort to drastic measures.
Meanwhile—
Az and Sieg stared at each other
Az "What are you waiting for? Go on… and kill me?"
Sieg "No—what you're saying is ridiculous. I can't believe you're a weapon… just a tool for him. I refuse to accept that. How can you call him special… and you're okay with that?
Az "Is that wrong? Tell me—what's wrong with that? What the hell do you know about me? You know nothing." "Phoenix counts on me. Even if I'm worthless… he made me feel needed. He was like a brother to me. But now… I've lost my usefulness. That affirmed my existence. That's why I'm now appealing to you—please, Sieg… kill me. And make it quick—before I regret it.
But their conversation was cut short by Phoenix shouting Az's name. Az panicked
Az "my rother needs my help I'm sorry Sieg but I can't die yet. He channeled the last of his remaining mana into his lightning magic, accelerating in a short burst.
Sieg turned, scanning the area."He ran away... Where did he go?" he muttered.He slapped himself across the cheek."No. The most important thing is making sure Aturia is healed before it's too late. Right now, I need to find Miki."He clenched his fists and dashed into the thick mist. "Just hold on a little longer Aturia..."As he searched desperately for Miki, Sieg suddenly froze. His eyes widened in shock as he stared at what lay before him, unable to believe what he was seeing.