Theodore stood at the center of the clearing, his arms crossed casually over his chest, a smirk playing on his lips.
Behind him, countless weapons floated in the air, their blades glinting ominously in the dim light.
Swords, spears, daggers, halberds, each one hovered in the air with almost deadly precision.
The smirk on his face, combined with his free flowing hair and the weapons floating behind his back, gave him a fearsome look. An almost demonic one.
Hindel's expression darkened as he took in the sight of the weapons floating behind him.
His grip on his spear tightened as he spoke. "What is this?" he growled, his voice low and dangerous.
Theodore's smirk widened. "This? Oh, just a little collection I've been working on. You see, I like to keep souvenirs from my fights.
Each one of these weapons belonged to someone who thought they could stand against me. Spoiler alert—they couldn't."
Hindel's eyes narrowed, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. "I see. You really are a spawn of the devil," he spat.
Theodore chuckled, his tone dripping with mockery. "Devil? Oh, that's a new one. I've been called a monster before but, a spawn of the devil? I think I like that. It has a certain… flair. I think I'll take it. Even if it's coming from a weakling like you."
Hindel's eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. "Weakling? You dare mock me, boy?!"
"Mock you?" Theodore repeated, feigning innocence. "Oh, no, I'm not mocking you. I'm just stating facts. I mean, you and your little band of weaklings couldn't even handle a group of children. How pathetic is that?"
Hindel's jaw clenched, his anger boiling over. "You insolent brat! I'll show you the difference between a true fantasian warrior and a spawn of the devil like you!"
With a roar, he lunged at Theodore, the blade of his spear glowed brightly as he aimed a devastating strike at the red-haired boy.
But Theodore didn't even flinch. With a flick of his wrist, a dozen weapons shot forward, intercepting Hindel's attack with a deafening clash of metal.
BOOM!!
The force of the impact sent Hindel skidding backward, his eyes wide with shock.
"Try harder," Theodore said, his voice calm but laced with cruelty. "I was hoping for a challenge, but so far, you're just disappointing me."
Hindel snarled, his spear flashing as he launched another attack. This time, he moved with blinding speed, his strikes precise and deadly.
But Theodore was ready.
The floating weapons moved like extensions of his own body, deflecting Hindel's blows with ease.
A sword parried a thrust, a halberd countered a swing, and a dagger darted in to graze Hindel's arm, drawing a thin line of blood.
"You're slow," Theodore taunted, his voice sing-song. "I thought you were supposed to be strong. What happened? Did you tire yourself out fighting those peasants?"
Hindel growled, his movements becoming more aggressive as he swung his spear in wide arcs, deflecting the weapons that Theodore sent his way.
But for every weapon he blocked, two more took its place. Theodore's control seemed almost flawless.
But even more so, were his battle instincts as he was able to manipulate the weapons with terrifying precision in a combat scenario against an opponent that should be stronger than him.
"You really are just a lesser," Theodore said, his voice calm but laced with cruelty. "Cursed to be born to an inferior race. Cursed to always lament your weaknesses..."
There was a short pause, as a wide grin appeared on Theodore's calm face as he added in an almost maniacal tone.
"That's what it means to be a lesser." He said as he launched a one-handed sword at Hindel who blocked it with his spear.
Both weapons clashed against each other causing sparks to fly about. "You talk too much, devil!" he snarled, his voice filled with rage. "I'll make sure to tear that filthy mouth of yours!"
Theodore laughed, a cold, hollow sound. "Oh, I'd like to see you try."
As the fight raged on, Nathan and the others watched from the sidelines, their expressions a mix of awe and unease.
Despite his animosity toward Theodore, Nathan couldn't deny his strength. He was holding his own against Hindel, something none of them had been able to do.
"We should help him," Lucas said, his voice tight with tension.
"Help him?" Nathan spat, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I doubt he needs our help. Besides even if he did, I wouldn't give him."
Lucas opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, a new threat emerged.
From the sky, a group of hooded figures descended, their gryphons landing with a thunderous crash. They greeted Hindel with a nod, their voices calm but firm.
"We've come to assist you sir," one of them said, his hood pulled low over his face.
Hindel didn't refuse. "Good. Deal with the others. I'll handle this devil."
At Hindel's words, the group of hooded figures turned their attention to Nathan and the others, their movements swift and precise.
"Well, at least we won't be bored." Marcus said, a grin spreading across his face as he cracked his gauntlet knuckles.
"Be careful." Nathan warned, "These guys are stronger than the grunts we met along the way."
"Oh please." Alicia uttered, casually brushing Nathan off as she waved her fan. "They're still a non-issue for me. Infact I don't mind if you leave them for me to handle."
"Fat chance." It was Lenny who interrupted. "Theodore's the one who's been handling most of the fantasians we've come across and finally I get to have some action and you want me to sit on the sidelines? Fat chance." He said, as he took a stance beside Marcus and Alicia.
"Ughh." Alicia groaned in frustration, "Fine. Just don't slow me down." She added as she launched toward them.
"Slow you down? Bitch do you know who I am?" Lenny questioned as he launched into the crowd as well.