EPISODE 156: LIGHT OF THE END 2
— GREAT EDRYAN, YEAR 7291. SEASON: COLOR FADING.
Oh, Death… what a heartless woman you are.
When the moon rises at night, all I see is the Union you’ve shattered—and, when the sun rises in the day, I once again regain the strength to strive further. I wait for you here, where the sun’s temple sits. In hopes of your appearance and to hear the truth from your words.
Oh, Death… what a heartless woman you are. Your light is one that extinguishes—my light is one that rejuvenates. Was our bond so shallow, so minor, that it meant nothing?
Oh, Death… what a heartless woman you are.
— ??? Unknown poem excerpt.
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“WHAT A SPECTACULAR DISPLAY OF SKILL AND ABILITY THAT MS. SIMRA, STUDENT OF IMPERIUS ACADEMY AND DISCIPLE OF [SWORD SAINT] AURORA, HAS SHOWN,” Announcer Zuud roared.
He, alongside the other commentators, sat in a floating room that allowed the audience to easily view them. Multiple screens were displayed beneath them, showing the ongoing and ending battles taking place.
The crowd roared at the display of skill, many were on the edge of their seats rooting for a Challenger they fancied. Bets were being placed, and those watching felt joy as the Challengers struggled for life and death.
Crown Prince Lawruthian watched from above, and in the room sitting with her advisor was Princess Allura Grasci Az’Dawn, who, in turn, watched the prince. She glanced away shortly, her thoughts on the events of yesterday and the words that put her in such an internal dilemma.
“Would you be interested in acquiring such magi-tech?”
Allura’s heart skipped a beat. Only for a moment as she matched gazes with Lawruthian through the glass. Before she could respond, Imperial Legionnaire Ramus stepped forward, an action that interrupted their gaze. He didn’t speak, as he did not hold the necessary qualifications to do so, but his actions spoke of his position and stance.
Prince Lawruthian glanced away. “I jest, I jest .”
He laughed before turning around and away from the window. “I’m sure your journey has been a long and tiring one, I shouldn’t keep you any further—though, it would be my honor should you attend as a commentator in tomorrow’s event: the Challenger’s Ring.”
Princess Allura turned around with a flat smile on her face. Imperial Legionnaire Ramus moving unprompted was highly disrespectful and showed just how much control she held over the delegation.
“I shall be in attendance—thank you, Prince Lawruthian.”
He continued to walk until his steps took him nearly even with the position Ramus stood. He looked back at Allura, giving one final word of advice before his departure. “You should control your dogs better.”
“What do you think, Princess Allura?”
The voice interrupted her musing and brought her back to reality. She looked up and over at the speaker. A magenta-eyed demigoddess appraised her with curiosity. Allura controlled her facial expressions. This was not her first interaction with a demigod or a being on their level, but hearing and learning that Edryan now held demigods was still a concept Allura found difficult to accept.
‘What would it be like if I had that power… truly…?’ The [Sin of Wrath] made her powerful and gave her the confidence to fight against a demigod, but that didn’t mean it gave her the confidence to win.
“The fighters,” she questioned her response.
“Yes, how would you compare them with the prodigies of the Yorimen?”
Allura looked at the screens displayed within the booth. Edryan mages constantly supplied mana and connected with their counterparts to display the ongoings.
“I say the young magi are full of exceptional talent, but they lack one thing most youths of my yorimen do not.”
Her words brought the attention of the other people present in the room, and from his vantage point of watching the crowds below, Prince Lawruthian poised a question.
“Which is?” His voice was curious, and Allura could tell he generally wanted to know.
“ Bloodthirstiness —I’ve only seen a few fighters hold the same savageness a yoriman in this situation would have.”
“Oh,” a new voice entered the conversation. Allura turned to gaze at the speaker.
“Who,” Akeem Oni asked.
“Well, of this batch I’ve seen four, maybe a fifth. Abi Kob, the young woman who appears to be an assassin—she held no hesitation in killing an injured opponent who only just finished a fight,” she began as she watched the screen displaying the dark-haired woman. The magi present listened to her intently. Even Announcer Zuud, who had been commentating for the viewers below, paused and listened in.
“I’ve noticed Khalid Janko took on two opponents at once and didn’t spare them the opportunity to activate their medallion, unlike most who come across one another. Just being successful in fighting two who are of a similar level as him is a feat at this stage.”
“Very true, most skills will only hold a single function to rely upon and fighting and defeating two opponents at this stage is impressive,” Margret commented.
Allura nodded before she looked toward the last two figures she kept in mind.
“The final two who’ve impressed me are the students of Imperius Academy—both Simra and Zie Breaker. They dispatched their opponents quickly—both with such efficiency that their opponents barely held any opportunity to display their skills,” Princess Allura finished. Her gaze landed on the screen as the two students fought new opponents.
-33 Health Points.
-33 Health Points.
Simra grunted, the attacks of the duel-wielding man pushed her back. She kept that momentum going and spun, activating a skill from her second class, [Sword Initiate], in the process.
“(Blade Tempest).”
“(Cross Guard Defense).”
Hide -90 Health Points.
Simra didn’t let up, her opponent sliding back, blood dripping from his chest. He laughed, his neck cracked as he adjusted it.
“You’re Simra, aren’t you? You should be—nice bounty on you and your buddies’ heads for reaching past your station.”
Simra stayed quiet, but a frown appeared under her helmet. She glanced at the double scimitars he wielded and back toward his face.
“Have nothing to sa-“
She dashed forward, shield prepared to bash into the enemy, not allowing him to stall for time any longer. Her last hit was bad, and caused visible damage as blood slowly dripped from his body. She glanced at her Life Points, and her frown deepened. It was time to use a bit more powerful and mana-intensive skills. She needed to finish this battle and look for an area to recover.
HP: 247/390
SP: 305/360
MP: 420/480
“(Sword Fury).”
(Sword Fury)
Function:
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Increases attack speed by 175% and damage by 140% for four strikes.
Cost:
50 SP, 50 MP.
Simra’s sword swiftly approached, her blade shined as mana empowered it—she stabbed toward the man’s chest. Her opponent’s were weapons raised, ready to meet and deflect hers. The strike aimed true, and he moved a blade to counter, a counter that he never received as she pulled her blade back. She’d only wanted to get close for her next attack.
“(Earthen Spike).”
CRITICAL HIT!
You have slain Hide, -540 HP.
You have gained one level. Please assign the level to [Imperius Spell-Sword] or [Sword Initiate].
The spell struck her opponent's head from the left, shattering his skull and spraying its contents upon the surrounding fauna. His corpse dropped like a puppet with its strings cut, and this time, Simra didn’t bother to search her third kill. Instead, she immediately took off, the sounds of battle approaching her location.
HP: 247/390
SP: 255/360
MP: 335/480
She didn’t even bother to read the notifications displaying the man's name. That was one of the first things the Sword Saint taught her.
‘Do not get attached. The system provides plenty of information about your opponent, and some will use that to their advantage—allowing your guard to drop. Do not hesitate when killing those who would not blink as they slice your head from your skull. There are no friends on the battlefield.’
He held plenty of chances to imbue mana into his medallion and get teleported out of the [Green Forest]. Simra let the thoughts drift away as she headed what she suspected was north—at least it was away from the sounds of clashing. She was a bit tired, more mentally than anything else, and she downed her third set of potions as she moved. Her steps were light, but not quiet, as her armor let out soft rustles.
“A THIRD KILL! THE STUDENTS OF IMPERIUS ACADEMY ARE IMPRESSIVE—BOTH HAVE NEARLY SIMULTANEOUSLY SLAYED THEIR THIRD OPPONENT! YOUR HIGHNESS LAWRUTHIAN, WHAT IS THE SECRET TO SUCH TRAINED CHALLENGERS?”
Prince Lawruthian returned to his seat, and across from him sat Princess Allura next to her advisor Chine Redsan. He turned toward Announcer Zuud with a smile at his question.
“The key is simple—life and death. True life and death experiences have been thrust upon the students of Imperius Academy nearly since their System Day. As freshmen, should they possess a warrior class, or a supportive type of class, their final is to survive on the outskirts of Wyvern’s Roost,” he began.
“Freshmen…,” a questioning voice asked.
“Ahh, excuse me, what I meant is first years. I call them freshmen as they are new to the experience of classes and leveling,” he responded to Chine before returning his gaze to Zuud.
“It is truly in their second year when the students of Imperius Academy are put into the grinder. They are constantly fighting one another, beasts, and more to keep their spots from lowering. They must gain Imperius Points for weapons, equipment, and more special privileges. This year was especially challenging as it was the students who cleared the path for the Rail System to be installed.”
Announcer Zuud’s eyes lit up. “What a miraculous method to separate the wheat from the chaff. This is how the academy ensures they only produce the best of the best!”
“The students are impressive, but there are a few with higher defeat counts. I applaud Coro Ante for allowing his opponents the opportunity to use their medallion and teleport out. He has defeated nearly a tenth of the Challenger’s present,” Liana Drumian stated. Her eyes carefully watched the screen displaying the young man.
“Yes, if we are counting defeats, Coro ranks the highest, followed by Khalid and Abi—the two students, Simra and Zie, are ranked fourth. The match is about to heat up! We are nearing the fifty-mark limit, and thus it is time for a change to the battlefield,” Zuud announced.
As the announcer said this, the displaying screens all took on one image. Slowly, the image displayed panned out until it hovered at a bird's-eye view over the [Green Forest]. Then, as the audience watched, the forest began to shrink and the howls of wolves echoed through the forest.
“How will our Challengers survive facing both man… and beast!”
Lawruthian watched, but his attention truly remained on Princess Allura and the offer he made her yesterday. The slightly older woman seemed to sense his gaze as she occasionally glanced his way. He recalled the profile the Queen’s Lashes gave him before their meeting and everything he could remember about their first interaction. The once rash, haughty girl was nowhere to be seen. Instead, what appeared in her place was a much calmer, collected individual.
He knew why she was here, and she knew that he knew, yet she remained calm anyway. He’d tried and said a few things that would have provoked the younger her, but she’d always managed to keep her calm. Lawruthian smiled… perhaps he could work with this misfit princess in a more extensive manner. From the Lashes’s report, Lawruthian came to understand Princess Allura’s position in Az’Dawn was far inferior to her half-siblings. Her alliance pool was small, wealth minimal compared to her siblings, and the pool of talent—retainers that she could muster… was lackluster. In every way, she had no right to sit near or even next to him. Their statuses were much, much farther apart. Lawruthian knew this… she knew this…
Yet, here she was .
That left the [Chosen of Madris] curious… very curious as to why she would return. A return that was clearly mixed in the hands of multiple parties. Who needed the [Edryani Honey] to such a degree they were willing to send a Princess of Az’Dawn, but not one high in stature?
“The Heavenly Father is a renowned demigod,” he spoke suddenly—immediately catching the attention of both women. “…he has led Az’Dawn nearly since the fall of Az, is that correct?”
The attention of the other two demigoddesses in the room looked toward Princess Allura. The young woman carefully maintained her breathing, but her heart skipped a beat. She hesitated to speak and instead, Chine Redsan took the opportunity to answer.
“That he has. Az’Dawn has… taken a… misfortunate misunderstanding and thrived through it. It was through such endeavors that he managed to achieve what so many may dream of.”
Prince Lawruthian listened to her careful, measured words. His red-gold eyes never looked away nor blinked as she spoke. He leaned forward in his seat, his fingers interlocked, and his elbows on the table.
“Ah, I think I understand.”
Chine blinked but didn’t say anything to the Prince of Edryan’s response. Allura looked at her, but fortunately, she maintained her composure. Understand…? What did he understand?
“THINGS ARE HEATING UP! SEVERAL PROMINENT CHALLENGERS HAVE MET UNDER THE PURSUIT OF THE [Green Wolves]. WILL THEY HINDER ONE ANOTHER, OR PERHAPS WE MAY SEE A NECESSARY TEAM UP?”
The words of Announcer Zuud brought the attention of the room back to the screens. Their gazes locked onto those who strove to let Edryan know of their name.
Right here, right now, they displayed their dreams, ambitions, futures, aspirations, goals, and hopes . Right here, right now, they put their everything on the line.
Some fought with dreams of spreading their name. Others for a chance to meet the [Chosen of Madris] and receive a reward personally. Even more were here for honor and glory—for a death here was guaranteed benefits in the Promised Land. Men, women, children—magi, watched as the red blood of their fellow countrymen splashed across the ground. The brown-black dirt of [Green Forest] greedily absorbing the liquid. A coppery scent spread through the forest and the loud panting and howls of wolves seemed to be breaths away from Simra.
“CLIMB, HURRY,” she yelled to Zie—while she hauled herself upwards.
A few meters away, other Challengers did the same, and below them, hundreds of [Green Wolves — ★★ ] howled and a bit at one another. Their large claws dug into the earth as they, too, attempted to haul themselves higher.
Simra barely finished drinking her third set of potions when a change overcame the artificial dungeon [Green Forest]. The large dark trees, that seemed to go on nearly endlessly, suddenly began to disappear, and the stand-able ground with it. To make matters worse, large wolves, nearly the size of a carriage horse, began to emerge from behind the trees. In one moment, there was seemingly nothing, and in the next chaos began. That’s when Simra took off, her weapon sheathe and shield slung across her back. The howls of wolves spurred her on.
Her direction was clear, as the dispersing ground and trees all guided her one way. That guidance didn’t prevent her from spotting other Challengers who ran with as much, or more, fervor than her—all headed in one direction. A large cliff face, appeared before them like a family compound's wall, preventing outsiders from seeing within. It was here that Simra stumbled into the only familiar face she’d seen since entering.
Zie breaker was muddied, and a few scratches appeared on his mage robes, but otherwise, he seemed fine. The golden monocle kept over his right eye flashed with traces of magic.
They climb, each Challenger strangely ignoring those next to them. The howls and yips of the [Green Wolves] grew dim as they approached the top. Many only held a sole goal in mind…
Survive .
Simra pulled herself over the cliff face before quickly reaching a hand down and grasping Zie’s outstretched hand. The young mage fell to the ground, not out of Simra’s negligence but his own tiredness. It seemed the young mage was more tired than he initially appeared. He fumbled with one of his battle robe pockets before a thin green vial was pulled out. Quickly, he removed the stopper and downed the contents of the vial, his cheeks taking on a rosy complexion.
As he did this, Simra's eyes scanned around. There were nearly twenty Challengers who’d scaled the cliff face, and each were doing the same as Zie. The only reason Simra hadn’t done the same was because she’d already done so.
HP: 347/390
SP: 355/360
MP: 435/480
Silently, her shield slid forward and over her arm, while her hand rested on her sheathed blade. Around her, others did the same—the air thick with tension. A simple action could set things off.