As the green spell left Stioks's hand and rolled toward him, Kaen leaped, every ounce of power filling his legs, jumping higher than he had ever managed before.

Thirty feet in the air, he flew over and past Stioks, coming down toward the ground close to the brown dragon, which was turning and roaring.

Stioks moved faster than Kaen had expected. His black sword came toward him as Kaen landed, spinning, and their swords collided.

Sparks flew, and a piece of Kaen’s scabbard broke off, finally revealing the blade under it.

“I’ve seen a blade like this before,” Stioks taunted as he unleashed a flurry of attacks with his sword against Kaen. If I remember right, that man is dead, as you will soon be.”

Ignoring the man’s apparent attempts at distraction and trying to make him act reckless, Kaen calmed himself, forcing the anger and hate that was fighting to control him instead listening to all the instructions Hess and Bren had drilled into him.

Their blows rang out, metal upon metal, swords against shields, as the forest sounded like a blacksmith's forge, the peel of their strikes and parries echoing through the trees.

Kaen quickly realized that for the first time in his life, the man he was fighting was on a different level than anyone he had faced.

Grey hair stuck out of the area where his black helmet was open for his eyes and mouth. Even though this man was older, his speed and strength spoke of why he was so feared.

Every attack he threw was countered, and both were holding back from using skills, waiting to see how the other attacked, moved, and the style at which one fought.

When their swords collided, it only took half a dozen strikes before the scabbard broke off, revealing the sharp edge of Kaen’s sword, now free from the shackles that had hidden it.

“You’re good,” Stioks taunted as he parried blow after blow with what seemed like ease. “Well trained in a variety of styles and techniques. Kudos to whoev–”

“Shut up!” Kaen shouted, driving forward and giving two feints before unleashing a combo attack with his sword and shield.

The smile never left Stioks’s lips as he parried and blocked both, shifting his feet slightly and countering with his own combo, five blows and a kick that came in rapid succession and took every ounce of concentration Kaen had to follow and block.

He’s higher skilled than me… possibly by–

“Don’t overthink it. It will cost you!” Stioks exclaimed. With a sudden shift in his attack, his sword moved much faster than Kaen had expected, drawing a slight cut along his bare right arm.

Kaen wanted to curse and shout back but knew it wasn’t worth the distraction.

Stioks then struck with an attack that hurt far worse than any injury Kaen had sustained so far.

“Another Marshall that shall fall by my hand… I guess this is justice for what your father did to my friend’s granddaughter.”

Kaen stumbled, the words catching him off guard as his mind tried to absorb what had just been said.

Stioks didn’t waste a moment. His shield slammed into Kaen and sent him sprawling backward. The man’s sword came at him with deadly accuracy, and another gash appeared on his sword arm, up near his shoulder.

“Oh, you didn’t know?” Stioks’s eyes sparkled in the light of all the fires, a sneer upon his lips. “You look like her. Her grandmother was the spitting image of Madalyn… she was beautiful and proud. Stubborn, I hear as well.”

Kaen’s arm felt weak and slow as he tried to fight back, trying to clear his mind, yet inside him, the words hammered against a wall of pain and hurt that Kaen had built a long time ago.

“What about her family?” Kaen shouted, lunging recklessly with his sword.

Ignore him! I’m coming!

Pammon’s voice filled him, stilling his trembling spirit, and Kaen felt a strength coming between their bond.

Stioks sensed it and grunted, shaking his head as he stopped taunting Kaen. A green glow surrounded his sword, and Kaen leaped back, trying to give himself room against the attack he believed was coming.

That black sword of Stioks came at him so fast, even with his speed as high as it was, Kaen couldn’t keep track of every strike.

Blood flowed down each leg where the blade had pierced the dragon scales against his thighs. A wound was flowing from his side. Three strikes made it through his defenses, each of them shallow but doing their job of slowly sapping his strength.

“She died… had something I needed. Like so many who were nothing more than tools. It’s a shame your entire family is dead.”

Kaen screamed. His lifestone was hotter than ever before. The words tore at his being, and Kaen couldn’t take the pain of them anymore.

[ Flurry activated ]

He went on the offensive, his sword coming at Stioks with every ounce of power he had. Power flowed through it, lighting dancing off the blade, and Kaen saw a look of surprise as the man before him moved back, realizing the attack wouldn’t be normal. Stioks’s sword glowed and each slash and thrust was deflected. The man had used a skill to cut off his attack.

Each parry sent an arc of electricity through the man. Every time their blades connected, lightning flowed through the blade, and Kaen saw Stioks wince as the power he infused through the blade jolted his opponent.

Rage filled Stioks’s eyes, and Kaen saw his sword hand begin to glow green.

“Two can play at that game,” Stioks grunted, pushing through the pain coursing through his body.

A cloud of magic erupted around Stioks, and Kaen felt his body convulse and shudder.

[ Diseased ]

The notification startled Kaen as he stumbled, and the grin that Stioks had lost was back, his teeth on display as his lips pulled apart. Stioks pressed his advantage, sword, and shield, slamming and slicing at Kaen without wasting a moment.

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[ Sheild Bash ]

Kaen’s attempt to knock Stioks back or off his feet failed when the black armored man’s own shield flashed green, blocking the attack.

Loud crashes came from the woods, and as Kaen fell backward, Stioks stepped on Kaen’s sword hand, pinning it to the ground. Kaen tried to roll, bringing his shield to slam into Stioks’s legs, but the older man deflected it, jabbing his sword through Kaen’s left shoulder and into the ground.

“You’re weak, just like your father,” Stioks snarled as he leaned over and glared at Kaen. “I killed him the same way, watching him squirm beneath my boot as I took my time. You will die the same way, a sad testament really to a man I had respect for.”

A scream of agony and pain emerged from Kaen’s lips as the older man drove the sword deeper, burying it into the ground and slicing the muscles and ligaments that allowed movement of Kaen’s shoulder.

[ Crushing Kick ]

Kaen’s right foot impacted Stioks in the leg, causing the man to stagger back a few steps. It made Stioks’s black glove let go of his sword, leaving him pinned to the ground.

Rushing forward the older man put his right hand against Kaen’s chest, pressing down on him. A green glow began to appear, and Kaen felt the magic starting to seep through the armor he wore. The scent of rotting flesh filled his nostrils, and the memory of how Elies had smelled struck him.

“Yes… this is the same spell… I can see you recognize it.”

Kaen’s strength began to fail him as the spell ran through his body and when the young dragon rider tried to use his weapon on Stioks, the older man knocked it aside with his shield.

Stioks laughed and slammed his shield down over and over Kaen’s unprotected arm, only stopping after he heard the sound of a bone breaking.

The right hand still glowed green, an eerie glow of magic running up the man’s arm and to his chest.

“You’re strong… far stronger than I would have thought, but you were a fool! Waiting gave me time… time to grow stronger and find my own dragon. Now he and I will cleanse this land from the curse you bring upon it. The world will prospe–”

A crashing of trees stopped the speech Stioks was giving as he drained the life from Kaen. Pammon fell from the top, landing next to the small brown dragon. In a moment, his massive mouth snatched forward, chomping down on the younger dragon’s neck.

Panic surged from Taerar, and Stioks turned, seeing the sight before him. His eyes shook from fury and rage as Pammon growled, his teeth squeezing tighter. Those soft scales of youth began to crack, and blood appeared as the Taerar thrashed in Pammon’s jaws.

Be still, or I will end you!

Taerar froze, realizing there was no escape from what he was caught in.

Stioks growled and held up his hand, “Release him!”

A thrum began to echo around the fire that burnt all around them. Trees everywhere burned, and Pammon’s golden eyes locked on with Stioks, and the two stared at each other.

You cannot control me. Save your power for the weak. Now release my rider, or your dragon will not draw another breath.

Stioks fumed as he stared at Pammon. His hand grew brighter, a green light fighting the orange flames for dominion in the darkness, and he held it inches from Kaen’s face.

“I can just as easily end your rider's life,” Stioks replied, a sneer appearing as he spoke.

You can, but we both know how this moment will go. Your story will end. Kaen will be hailed as a legend who gave his life to end yours. Your dragon dies the moment he dies, and you will die after.

“You will die as well!”

Pammon thrummed again. The young brown dragon was limp, doing its best to not move as the jaws around its throat held it firm.

I would gladly give my life for this moment. My rider had one goal, and it is stopping you. Now, release him.

Stioks’s arm trembled as the spell's power in his hand flickered, waiting to be released.

“Why would I do that? Once I do, both my dragon and I will be dead.”

Pammon’s golden eyes narrowed, his lids closing slightly.

I will make a promise even though every part of me wants to end you right now. If you free my rider and go, I will not kill you at this moment. I will give you the same chance I am giving your dragon. Another day to plot and plan.

Time passed as the light of the fires illuminated them all. The bronze scales around Pammon’s jaws showed the restraint Kaen’s dragon fought against. There was a simple desire to snap the threat in half. Stioks could see the look of terror in the young brown dragon’s eyes, trying to see what the man who was his rider would do.

Stioks’s chest heaved as he glared at Pammon, knowing that if they fought, he would lose, especially after his dragon died. He was well aware of how that death would impact him even if he didn’t value life as most riders did.

Kaen was sweating, fighting from crying out as part of him wanted Pammon to end Stioks, even if it meant death. His soul, however, cried out, wanting to live and see Ava again. Pinned to the ground like a babe, Kaen knew he wasn’t nearly as strong as he had hoped. His heart was torn as knowing who Stioks claimed to be ravaged those memories long locked away. How could he come from a man so evil and be so different?

Stioks took a deep breath and let it out, never releasing the spell he held.

“How shall we do this? You will release my drago–”

No! We both know you are as trustworthy as a snake. You will remove your sword and walk to the other side of this clearing, and once Kaen is up and behind me, I will release your dragon.

“Why should I trust you?! How do I know that you wil–”

Because you have no choice where you can even hope to get what you want. If you do not, forever, you will be the villain who died in a foolish attempt. Run away and hope to get stronger. Know that we will be coming and prepare for that. When the time comes, we shall see whose dragon is stronger and whose rider is better.

Stioks glared, seeing Pammon's gaze, and rage overwhelmed him.

He screamed, roaring as his face cracked, blood running from the fissures that appeared. When his rage subsided a moment, and wisdom took over, Stioks gave a very brief nod.

“Swear that you will allow Taerar and me to live and flee. I will trust you if you swear on your rider's life.”

Don’t… don’t do it.

Kaen’s words pricked Pammon’s pride and heart, but he ignored them. He knew Kaen wanted him to end Stioks, and he knew Kaen wasn’t concerned with the consequences.

Focusing his connection only with Kaen, Pammon shifted his golden eyes to his friend. To his rider.

If you die, I may ravage this land far worse than he ever would. The risk then is too great. The people here might suffer in ways we never dreamed of. I cannot allow that to happen. What if I killed Ava in m rage?

Pammon felt Kaen’s life fading and knew there was no more time to argue.

I, Pammon, swear on my life and my rider's life that if you release Kaen, allow him to join me, and no longer fight us at this moment, I will grant you and your dragon the freedom to escape.

Stioks frowned for a moment and then smiled. “Very well. I accept.”

The magic in his hand disappeared, and he leaned over, grabbing his sword and pulling it free from Kaen. Kaen cried out, blood pouring out from the wound.

Pammon growled, his teeth sinking deeper into Taerar as the young dragon began to cry and twitch.

“Sorry, I needed my sword,” Stioks said, sliding it into his sheath and walking toward the other end of the burning clearing as if out for a stroll.

Kaen fought to stand, feeling Pammon's strength fill him as he made it to his knees and got on his feet.

Moving to hide behind Pammon, Kaen watched as his dragon growled once.

Be smart, little one. Run to your rider and fly away. No matter what he says, do not turn back. If you do, I will end your life.

Opening his jaws, Pammon turned his head and freed the neck of Taerar, blood oozing from all the broken scales.

Without hesitating, the brown dragon raced toward Stioks, who glared at it, his displeasure for how this all worked written across his face.

The man climbed up on the back of Taerar and looked over his shoulder at the Pammon and Kaen.

“Until we meet again. Just know next time I will not lose!”

Taerar struggled as he leaped into the air, the wound on his neck making it hard for him to fly as usual.

Kaen struggled to stay standing, watching the man he despised more than anything fly away into the night sky.

“Are you sure that was worth it?” Kaen asked as he coughed.

Only time will tell. Hold still. This is going to hurt, and we need to go now!