They both picked up their swords and said in unison,
"We challenge you to a duel—two versus one!"
Rynor raised an eyebrow, then smiled.
"Haha, that's the first time I've heard something like that... Alright then. Bring it on, boys!"
Aelric leaned toward Zevril and whispered,
"Hey... isn't it too much we challenged him to a duel, right?"
Zevril replied calmly,
"Yeah. It's 2 vs 1. One strike, and it's over. Got it?"
"Understood."
They took their positions. Rynor adjusted his stance.
"Give it all you've got, boys," he said firmly.
Zevril dashed to the right, Aelric to the left. Their blades swung in perfect sync—Zevril aimed for the head, Aelric for the legs.
Rynor smiled proudly.
These kids have good coordination. They could make a great duo someday... but not today.
In a swift motion, Rynor parried Zevril's strike, jumped over Aelric's attack, and mid-air kicked Zevril in the abdomen. Before landing, he twisted and slammed a kick into Aelric's face.
Zevril groaned, clutching his stomach.
"Ugh... he's so strong..."
Aelric gasped, blood dripping from his nose.
"Sss... my nose..."
They both struggled to stand.
"That's enough, Rynor! They're just kids!" shouted Lioren.
"Stay out of this, Master. They chose this, so they must face it. Pitiful... Is that all you've got? Stand up and fight, or accept defeat," Rynor said coldly.
Silent but determined, they stood again. Zevril and Aelric dashed forward.
"Again," Rynor muttered.
The result was the same—both were on the ground again.
Lioren looked worried. Rynor sighed.
"What happened, boys? Using the same move again and again, huh?"
But Aelric stood up.
"Zevril, he's right. We still haven't landed a single strike."
"Yeah, that's true..." Zevril muttered, still down.
Aelric smiled through the blood on his lips and took position again.
Then Aelric placed his hand on Zevril's shoulder.
"Let's go together."
Zevril nodded and smiled.
"Yes. Let's—"
Suddenly, the world went dark. Zevril stood alone in the silence.
"What... What is this? Where am I...?"
A cracking sound. He turned.
A massive life force burst through the darkness, piercing Zevril's soul and merging with it.
"What the hell is this?! AHHH!!"
He screamed in pain, his eyes emitting darkness.
Then, he returned to reality.
"What... was that?" he muttered, confused.
"It's strange...my abdomen... it's... it's not hurting anymore."
Suddenly, a voice—
"Let's go together," Aelric repeated.
Zevril shook his head.
"I... heard that line already..."
"Hey, Zevril?" Aelric called out, noticing his expression.
Zevril looked into Aelric's eyes.
"What happened, Zevril?"
Zevril stood up and said nothing.
"Let's go together."
The atmosphere changed. Thunderous clouds formed, and rain started falling.
"Hmm, sudden rain? Strange..." Lioren whispered.
Rynor, eyes shining with joy, pointed his sword.
"Then bring it on, boys!"
This time, they dashed together, in true sync. Zevril feinted, Aelric aimed for Rynor's abdomen—
But Rynor disappeared.
He reappeared behind them, ready to strike.
They sensed his presence, but their bodies couldn't move.
At that very moment—Zevril dodged Rynor's attack like a seasoned warrior.
Lioren's eyes widened in shock.
"He dodged it?!" Rynor thought.
"Whoa! How did you dodge that?!" Aelric exclaimed.
He noticed a black aura surrounding Zevril.
"What's going on... what is that black fog?"
Zevril smiled.
"Thunder Blade!"
Suddenly, his sword was slowly covered with electric waves. He dashed forward like lightning.
"Wooow! That's amazing!" Aelric cheered.
"That's my boy," Lioren smiled proudly.
Rynor grinned wide.
"Yes, that's what I want to see. Bring it on, Zevril!"
Zevril held his sword with both hands and struck with full force.
Ryor whispered,
"I like your move ... Thunder Blade."
Suddenly, his own blade crackled with electricity—far stronger than Zevril's.
Zevril and Aelric gasped.
"No... his affinity is also thunder...?!" Zevril's voice broke.
With one swing, Rynor shattered Zevril's blade into pieces—and his hope. Zevril collapsed to the ground, staring at the storming sky.
Rynor appeared above him.
"Get up. You did a great job for your first day."
"But we still lost... didn't we?" Zevril whispered, disappointed.
Rynor offered his hand and helped him up.
Aelric turned to Lioren with a mock-angry face.
"Hey, Grandpa! Is that why you brought us to him? Because they both have the same affinity, huh?!"
Lioren chuckled awkwardly.
"Heh... You're a genius, Aelric. Hahaha!"
Aelric crossed his arms.
"Hmph. Look, they totally forgot about me. Hey! Loo—"
Suddenly, he collapsed.
"AELRIC!" Zevril screamed, rushing toward him.
Lioren panicked.
"Maybe it's from the intense training. Don't worry—he just needs rest."
Rynor stepped in, voice serious.
"Master... something's wrong."
Lioren turned to him.
"What is it, Rynor?"
Rynor said,
"Look around you."
They did.
The horses, sheep, cows, birds—even the insects—were all staring at them.
"Why are they all staring at us...?" Zevril asked, unsettled.
"They're not staring at us..." Rynor said slowly.
"They're staring at the forest behind us."
The three of them turned. A powerful presence was coming from the woods.
"Something isn't right," Lioren said.
Beyond the green, a figure watched them. Its eyes glowed blue.
From the forest, a massive shadow emerged. Thunder roared.
"Aqualis Ignis'ren..." Lioren whispered, spine turning cold.
Rynor's voice trembled.
"The Water Phoenix..."
Zevril panicked.
"What the hell is it doing in the forest?! Isn't it supposed to be in the ocean, Grandpa?!"
"I don't knoooow!" Lioren shouted.
"STOP SHOUTING! It'll hear us!" Rynor warned.
Zevril and Lioren snapped,
"You're shouting too!"
It blazed into the sky—wings of sapphire fire, feathers rippling like waves, crowned with dancing watery flames. Its tail swirled like a whirlpool. Its eyes gleamed with ancient wisdom.
And it stared at them.
"Hey old man... why is it staring at us?" Zevril whispered.
Then it vanished—with a crack of thunder.
Zevril sighed.
"Oh thank God..."
Lioren raised an eyebrow.
"Did you call me an old man?"
"Hmm... I apologize for that," Zevril said quickly.
Suddenly, Rynor shouted,
"Master... Zevril! Move away from Aelric!"
Lioren and Zevril looked at Aelric.
All the animals cowered.
Aelric's eyes glowed—a swirling mix of green and white.
The Phoenix appeared behind him.
Aelric slowly stood, still unconscious, and raised his hand toward them.
"No, Aelric!!" Zevril screamed. His voice echoed across the green field.
An unknown power was radiating from Aelric.
Suddenly, the Water Phoenix unleashed a divine roar, absorbing the energy blast erupting from Aelric's body.
Everyone—Aelric, Zevril, Lioren, Rynor, and all nearby animals—fell unconscious. The energy wave spread across the kingdom.
All knights and civilians collapsed.
Even Velmira fell to her knees, coughing blood but still conscious. The king and prince fainted. The royal knight collapsed.
Back on the field, the Phoenix glowed brightly and let out one final, divine roar.
Then, it gave Aelric a pitying look...
And soared into the sky, vanishing.
The rain stopped.
Silence fell.
Elsewhere, in the shadows of a ruined hall, a figure sat on a broken throne. A crown, half-shattered, rested on his head. Slowly, he raised it...
And smiled.
"If fate demands my sacrifice, so be it. But if I return... then fate itself will kneel before me."