Richard was lying on the floor, he had been cut multiple places and the wounds were healing at a slower pace than before. Arthur stepped in front of Richard with his sword ready for the final strike.

“Give me the blades, Richard.” Arthur muttered with his teeth clenched.

Richard looked back into Arthur’s eyes like any noble person would; his determined eyes said everything that needed to be said; ‘I’d rather die than surrender those blades to you.’

Weed stood back and watched the show unveil. He had readied everything he needed to buy time now all he had to do was find the right opportunity.

Richard moved forward for his sword but Arthur kicked it away with a gust of wind.

“It’s useless…” Arthur said.

“…”

“Maybe this will get you to speak.” Arthur raised his voice as he stabbed in Richard in the thigh.

“AAAAAAA….” Richard screamed out in pain. His defenses and endurance had completely disappeared leaving him open to pain… Arthur smiled in delight as he turned his sword while pushing it deeper into the ground. The sword pinned Richard completely to the ground.

“NOW!” Weed shouted out aloud as he dashed forward towards Arthur.

Arthur smiled as he watched a pool of blood form near Richard’s leg. “TELL ME!!”

Richard gripped on to his leg attempting to stop the flow of blood.

“Tell me!” Arthur shouted with his voice acquiring an unnatural dark tone.

Weed was two feet away from Arthur, when Arthur activated his wind barrier. The dagger which was pointed towards Arthur’s back was grinded into powder against the wind barrier as Weed attempted to lunge it into Arthur.

Weed did not give up, he pulled back his hands in the last moment and tried land a kick. Arthur however still had the wind barrier up. Weed’s boots were shredded.

Weed stepped back a bit, he needed Arthur to lower his defense or it was pointless trying to attack him. Weed knew attacking him now would just maim himself.

“Does the elf want to play?” Arthur said as he turned around swiftly grabbing Weed by the wrist and twisting his arm.

Weed however managed to slip away from Arthur’s grip who was slightly taken aback with the elves slippery wrist. Weed took the opportunity to land a double palm strike to Arthur’s temple. The strike had no effect. Arthur simply grabbed Weed again, this time Weed’s arm was locked in a tight grip; Arthur had caught him. “Is that the best plan the elf could come up with?” Arthur teased Weed as he held Weed from behind.

“AAAAAh…” Weed screamed as he twisted his body; dislocating his shoulder Weed just barely man managed to punch Arthur on the face with his free arm. The damage delivered by Weed was minimal; at best he was able to cause a slight nosebleed to Arthur. Arthur was irritated, the twisted Weed’s dislocated arm causing immense pain to Weed. “AAAA…” Weed screamed as the strength in his feet gave away. Weed watched his HP drop quickly.

“Speak Richard…or watch this elf die…and all the other inhabitants of this city…SPEAK OR I’LL WIPE OUT EVERY LIVING SOUL FROM THIS CITY!!”

This wasn’t an empty threat and Richard knew it. After fighting Arthur for several hours he was certain Arthur was capable of wiping out a small town of Lavias on his own. It might cost him his life but the collateral damage would leave Lavias doomed to collapse. Richard was losing blood fast; his head was light and he was going faint. The brave front that Richard had put up was finally beginning to crumble. With the lives of each and every inhabitant of Lavias at stake…there was only so much Richard could do on his own.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“You promise to leave everyone unharmed after you get the dragon blades?” Richard asked as his head hung low.

Weed was happy Arthur had caught hold of him. He was now closer to the duo and could hear clearly what both of them could say. However, he wondered if it was better than the shearing pain.

“You have my word.” Arthur said with his malicious smile growing bigger and bigger.

“Don’t!!” Weed screamed out. “MMMMM.Mphphh”

Weed tried wriggling hard but Arthur covered his mouth with his hand.

“Give them to me…” Arthur’s voice echoed.

Richard opened his mouth to give away the location of the blades when he suddenly closed his eyes and did a backward flip to create distance between him and Arthur. The sword went through and through Richard’s leg; causing the wound to widen. Richard staged to stand up straight. His wounds were no longer healing.

Richard’s sudden movements shocked Arthur who quickly moved his blade closer to Weed’s neck as Weed desperately tried to free himself from Arthur’s grip but the traitor poked Weed’s neck with his blade. A single bead of blood rolled down Weed’s neck.

“Move and you die.” Arthur whispered to Weed. Weed however did not stop, he had no intention of stopping.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Arthur cried to Richard out as he recomposed himself. Arthur decided to ignore the weak elf’s attempt to free himself.

Richard stayed motionless. His eyes were no longer focused on Arthur but on Weed.

Arthur sensed something was off. “I’ll kill him!!” Arthur screamed as took a step back with Weed.

Weed nodded his head subtly without Arthur noticing. ‘With this the course of the game has been altered…’

Richard prepared for a final attack. He took an attack stance with a wind barrier covering his body like armour.

Arthur was frustrated; Richard apparently no longer cared about the hostage. Arthur slit Weed’s throat and pushed his lifeless body to the ground.

Weed could feel his HP drop fast. ‘Fuck…’ Weed hit the ground with a soft ‘thud’. He had no energy to stop himself from softening the fall. Weed watched the battle patiently as his screen grew dimmer… ‘I guess no matter what I tried in each case the outcome was for me to die…’ Weed thought as he saw Arthur activating his impenetrable wind barrier. Although, Weed was dying he was very pleased with himself.

No he wasn’t just pleased, he was more than pleased to the extent he even had a crooked smile as he lay on the dirt and stone. Arthur noticed Weed’s smile from the corner of his eye though he didn’t think of it much. Using his last remaining strength Weed formed a gun like shape with his finger and pointed it at Arthur.

“Bang…” Weed whispered as his arm fell to the ground.

Arthur exploded into a ball of flames.