I hate it when that happens. Illyria always shoves me into the damn fucking portal or whatever it's called. But now's not the time to complain. Everyone around me is dying, and I can see Zel fighting off Nehuet. But not for long.

"Arthur!"

"Gwah?! O-Olivia?!"

"A-Are you-"

I grabbed Olivia by the shoulders and pointed at the rampaging monster.

"I have a plan, but it needs you and every other healer in this place."

"W-What-"

"You're going to have to revive me one more time."

"?!"

A grunt left my lips as I pushed myself off the ground. The Archpries stared at me, her confusion clear on her face while I looked around for the rest of my party. A few [Fireballs] and spells shot out from variouos places and I could see Rupert using Ehlri's bow while the Elf poured healing potions on her wounds.

Shit. Zel's losing. I turn quickly, trying to see if there's a sword nearby. Olivia was also trying to look for something, probably her staff. I pause for a moment and stare at the girl's back.

I don't need a sword. There's something even better here.

"Olivia."

"Yes?"

Her eyes narrowed on me the moment I told her my plan.

----------------------------------------

I taunted him into charging at me. He is now just a few more steps away from the spot where I want him to be. I'm not as great at provoking enemies into falling for my traps like Joseph Joestar, but at least I manageed to do it against Nehuet. All those words earlier really made him angry for some reason, and he's now completely ignored Zel in order to go after me instead. But before I could [Dash] away from him, my grin slowly melted away when I saw how close he is to me.

Time slowed down to a halt. I could feel something burning— or maybe rotting might be the right word?—my skin while Nehuet stood before me, his angry gaze pointed straight at my own. If looks could kill, I'm sure Olivia would've had to revive me several times by now and I'm sure Nehuet could kill by doing just that.

But he isn't killing me with that skill or whatever it is. Right now, I'm waiting for Nehuet to get close enough for Olivia to do her thi-

The sword cut through the air swifly, it made no noise as it moved. I didn't notice him, I ddin't notice how he managed to close the distance between us. It was sudden and swift, but maybe that's alright. The air around us crackled and burned with his magic and his sword is now just inches away from me.

"[Holy Light]"

"Just as planned."

Nehuet's eyes grew wide and it flicekred in surprise. 

The spell Olivia casted is powerful one, designed to kill any Undead that saw it instantly. It served as aflashbang as well, a distraction for me to escape. But Nehuet managed to cut my arm before Olivia sent him flying.

I wince and fell backwards from the pain of having a sword cut through my flesh and crack the bone beneath. But the pain is worth it. Everything is worth it.

 Nehuet began to howl with a gutteral and bestial noise. It caused his helemt to vibrate and crack, but the damn monster is still moving. He was thrashing and flailing his sword around, his magic no longer working due to the light drowning it out.

"Arthu-"

"Keep blastin- Grh! Just kill him, Olivia! D-Don't worry about me!"

[Heal] took a long time, but it managed to stop the bleeding at least. I got up slowly, my eyes staring at the two broken knives near me.

I watch the monster slowly fight against Olivia's magic. He was using his massive sword as both a shield and a clutch to keep himself rooted on the ground.

"I-I shall not.... I shall not pass on like this! Not to a... an Archpriest like this!"

Everyone was looking at him now. Arrows began to pepper him while others began to taunt and throw rocks at the monster. I just watch him silently while his anger blew up even more.

"I am Olivia! Archpriest of the  Goddess Illyria and second only to her High Priest! With the authority and power given to me by-"

"[Greater Excorcism]? Not even that spe-"

"I did not say I will use [Greater Excorcism] on you, Nehuet! I'm gonna use something stronger!"

Nehuet pulled out his sword from the ground and dashed forwards. His body groaned with each step but the man was intent on cutting down the girl. 

"[Grand Excorcism]"

With those words, Nehuet roared out loudly we all watched as one of his arms crumbled away. I gasped, Maria gasped, everyone who saw it gasped aloud as Nehuet's eyes darted from Olivia then to me then back to her.

"Í̴̧̘͝ ̸̲̂w̷̡̞͔̚͘ì̷̲ĺ̶̖̗l̸̜̟̓̉ ̸̡̗̰̒͝ḳ̸̤̚i̴̺̐l̵͈̽̕l̶̪͛̉̕ ̸̱̆y̷̫̆̓̈ó̷͖̋͂ǘ̵̯͚̿!̷̝̗̦̑͑ ̶͔̜͗͗N̷͕̘͗a̷̢̋e̷̞͆,̸̖̃̉͘ ̴̟̿̆͠I̷̟̓̍͝ ̵͔̋w̷̘͙̾͆ị̸͙̐̊͝l̸͕̾̿͜l̴̜̐́̈ ̶̬̂d̸͖͂́e̷̯͆ś̵͈ţ̷̣̥͊͂̇r̶͕̼̄̇̐ȏ̵̝͓͋̒y̴̱͒ ̶͔̙̽̂y̸̨͒̒̕ō̵̤̠̜̎ú̴͖͉͇ṙ̷̡̰ͅ ̶̛͍͆̎s̷̞̻̘͑͝ö̴̟́ȗ̵̺̗͎̈́l̸̨̇͘s̴̩̻̀͠!̴̰̰͈̌́́"

"Go ahead and try! If you can survive Olivia, then maybe I'll take you on myself!"

"Arth-"

"I̷͚̲̅ ̷̟̯͌̎̍w̶̑͜ḭ̶͓̙͑̂l̸̤̫̓̅l̵̝̈͌͝ ̵̻̣̀͝c̴͇̙̙̃̄r̵͇̹̊ű̷̙̈ͅs̴͕̺͈̈́ḧ̶̠̤̹ ̶͔͎͛y̷̜͐͐̓ỏ̴̀ͅu̷̻̞̠͗͗͂r̸̗̈͠ ̶̩͚͌̿́͜h̷̟͇̱̾ẽ̷̞̤̔̈́á̸͖̫͎̅d̴̝̔ ̶͍̹̳̀̀͌b̵̜̒͐ĕ̵̢̱̎̓n̷̬̹̈́̓̑ͅe̶̢̍͊̇a̶̟̯̐̽̕t̶̯̗̂̎h̶̨̤̜̋̈́̈́ ̶͕̝̄̈́m̸̙̉̓̕ÿ̴̥̺ ̸̥͗f̷͔̺̦͒o̸͙͎͂̑̂ō̸̼̞͛͌t̴̩̥̔̋̇,̸͈͈͒ ̸͈̼̹̍Ṡ̷̮̰̈́̀ẁ̴̝͕̾̽o̵͍̱͛ŕ̷̢̗͚d̷̦̅ͅs̶̺̅̾͜m̷̢͛̋̄a̷̭̒n̷͙͓̄!̵͙̃"

"If you still have a foot after this, I'll gladly put my head under it!"

"P-Please-"

"V̷̧͕̉é̷̹͖̲̈r̴̟͈̩͗͐͘y̴͙̜̎.̵̥͗̑͌.̵̯̭̀͠.̸̟͐͊͝ ̸̤̾̓w̶̲̺̿e̴͚̽̽̾l̷̃͊͜l̶̮̘͛.̵͔̰͗ͅ ̷̖͙̑W̵̡̺̅e̸̲̩̿ ̴͚̄s̴͈̖̜̓͐ȟ̶͕́̊á̷̙͙l̶͎͖͋̋̈́l̵̢̘̱̃ ̸͍̰͛̓ș̶̀e̵̗̯̥̋e̵̢̪̍͜.̸̧̥̄́͜

I was content on living it at that when I finally turned to Olivia. She was-

"S-Sorry. I couldn't-"

The light from her hands flickered, then stopped. We all stare at her, Nehuet stared at her, I glare at her while she panted on her knees.

"I couldn't hold it for much longer."

Her mana's drained now. She was sweating out of exhaustion, I was s weating out of fear. It was pouring down like a stream at first, then it became a torrent of sweat as I heard the chilling sound of armor creaking.

"Hah... Haha...."

He was laughing. Softly at first, then....

"Hahahahaha! Hah! You are a fool."

I turn towards him and watch him stumble forwards. He's definitely weaker now, but he's still stronger than me. His eyes flared brightly with an eerie red hue while I gulped silently.

"Oh shit."

He wa grinning. I could feel that him smiling at me. He pointed a finger at me and uttered a word that cut through the silence sharply.

"[̶̦͊͐͠D̶͔̠̥̓u̷͍͎͌͝ḙ̶͗̄ĺ̷͓͚̗̚]̶̹̬̏͝"

----------------------------------------

Three figures watched the battle below, their eyes glued on the two actors playing their parts in the stage that is the battlefield. One of them was silent, clutching her dress tightly while the stout man beside her was cheering loudly with his drink in hand. The other two just watched silently with undivided attention, their eyes glued on one actor in particular.

"[Duel] is a troublesome skill, isn't it?"

"It is. It fucking is."

The girl cussed and gripped her sleeve tightly and bit her lip.

"That boy could have finished the battle if he just picked a... suitable gift."

"I know. But..."

Illyria gnashed her teeth and stared at Arthur. 

"I'm not allowed to interfere with his decisions."

"None of us is allowed to do so."

The girl beside Illyria sighed and clutched the hems of her dress.

Illyria stared at he sister, Eahna, and wrinkled her nose at her. Her green hair had the scent of spring and flowers and colorful flowers was braided into her hair as well. Illyria had a sensitive nose, so she found the smell, delightful as it was, too sweet for her liking. But the reason she stared at her was due to the way she stared with her yellow eyes at Arthur.

Stolen story; please report.

"I wish to meet this one. Unlike the others we have sent, this one is... strange."

"You may, someday. For now, you can just watch that damn idio-"

"Owoh! He's about to fight! Fight!"

Their brother, the Dwarf God, shifted in his seat and began to shout cheers and laugh. The two of them eyed the spilled drink on the floor of Illyria's room. Thoruin was rowdy, but his company served to break the silence that always gathered whenever gods and goddesses watched events that would surely ripple across the world.

"Tsk. At least don't spit and spill your drink all over the floor! God, I'll have to send for an Angel again to clean this up."

"Bah! Your room is messy anyways. What's the difference a few drops would make in this sea of waste? Now watch the boy! Look! He found a sword!"

Everyone's heads snapped back at the scene playing in front of them.

"Oh, it seems he did."

"Everyone there should be helping Arthur instead of watching."

"They can't. That's the rules of [Duel], ya' know? If the person who casted it is high level enough, no spells, arrows, or sword can stop it. It's a skill meant to cut off someone important from help."

Thoruin pointed the arrows and spells being thrown at Nehuet. All bounced off from some unseen force that circled the two actors. The God of the Dwarves grinned and stroke his black beard.

"A variant of [Duel]? The [Duel] casted by that Knight girl earlier was-"

"A typical [Duel], yes. It just evens the field between two people. Other people can still interfere, but I believe the Skill is just a simple one meant for a single target."

Illyria nodded to her sister's explanation. Their brother, Pheronnir, could've explained it better but this was an acceptable explanation. But Illyria doubted if said brother could've explained this variant of [Duel].

She shoved those thoughts aside and focused on the battle at hand. Everyone is focusing on the battle at hand. The die has been cast, the players have been set and pitted against each other. The three of them knew that this is no simple battle between a boy and a monster. 

"He is watching this, isn't he? That thing who hides in the shadows!"

"Yes. Of course he is. It is a battle that could tip the balance of the world, after all."

"And it's all due to a damn fluke and a damn idiot."

They all sighed and went silent as the duel began in earnest below them.

----------------------------------------

The sword is shit, but it will do. There was nothing else I could grab. I am trapped, and I might- No, I will die here. Olivia is outside, gulping down mana potions and fumbling over the mana crystals lent to her by the adventurers and mages around the area. 

"Revive the others, you fool. Don't try to help me..."

I mumble softly while I took a look around me. I could feel death and decay swirling around me, clinging to the air that I breathe. It was suffocating, but it was nothing compared to the aura and pressure Nehuet is giving off.

"We shall now have a proper duel, Swordsman."

"Yeah, I guess we will."

He began his approach, slowly but surely. His armor is severely damaged in some places, huge cracks ran across his body and he was dying. 

I watched his languid movements with caution. The hole where his arm should've been glowed with green magic and belched out black smoke. His helmet was now cracked and dented in some places and his chestplate is slowly crumbling away with each step he took. The eyes in his helmet flickered, dimmed, and then flared up before repeating the cycle again.

"Y-You look... tired."

"I have always been tired. Mentally, but not physically."

"Why don't you just run away and-"

"My mount is dead. I am slow on foot and I will surely be killed by the armies of this kingdom. And... I feel that my time is coming to an end."

"Oh. Okay..."

"...I believe that we must begin with introductions."

"S-Sure."

He sighed and a bit of smoke left his helmet.

The Knight said nothing more and raised his one arm. I raised my sword as well and nodded at him. He striked a pose, his one arm outstretched forward and the magic around him swirled around wildly and sent gusts of air that nearly knocked me over.

"I am the Knight, Nehuet the Dread. One of the Twelve Swords, wielder of the sword, Lightbane, and the Rider of Black. I serve as a Commander under the Nine and under my mistress, Elisia."

"I am Arthur McKinley. Uhh... rookie adventurer and Swordsman. Zel is our party leader and... that's all, I guess. Sorry, I don't have any notable achievements and titles."

It was... lackluster. I didn't pose or do anything dramatic. No flair, no fancy footwork, nothing. I just raised my sword and pointed it at him as well. 

Nehuet didn't scoff, but his eyes did narrow. His shoulder shrugged and his eyes flared up for a moment.

"I see... So you fought underhandedly for- Nevermind. I believe you still have tricks under your sleeve."

"And what if I do?"

The Knight shook his head and entered a stance.

"Then I will cut through your petty tricks and magic."

I scoffed and held the sword tightly with both hands.

"You can try."

Each blow was heavy, but not as powerful as before. I didn't block it, of course! I'd die if I did that. Instead, I dodged the strikes and blows he tried to land on me. My legs were killing me, but as long as I could dodge his strikes, I'd be fine. I could throw some spells at him, or a stone if I could grab one, but I don't think that'll do me any goo-

There was a crack. Not a faint one, but a loud one that pierced the air. His right legged snapped and he buckled over and fell. A few shards of sharp metal flew through the air and some cut into my shoulder. I step back, blood dripping down my arm as I yank out the metal shard on my shoulder painfully.

But the Knight is on the ground now, everything below his right knee was gone. He was crumbling away, slowly but surely, and I doubt he'll make it into the morning. But I need to maintain the distance between us, I need to be sure that-

"Slow."

His speed surprised me and I felt a sting near the part where my neck meets my shoulders.

I edge away quickly, parrying the blade that is now swinging down on me. Nehuet propelled himself forward and his arm blurred-

"Shit! [Block]!"

The steel in my hands twisted and bent, but it held up in the face of the ferocious attack. I look around for another sword, another weapon.

No time. I throw away the scrap metal in my hand and darted to the side. Ground broke and dirt rained on me as his sword smashed the spot I was standing at. The sword was immediately on me again, I could hear its hum as it passed over, beside, and straight at me with each swing of Nehuet.

The Knight raised his sword gripped it tightly. His gauntlet is cracked now, one of his fingers missing and the rest are cracking at the joints. He took a step back and entered a low stance. In turn, I raise one of my arms as well and prepared a [Fireball] to throw at him.

"Hmm... It seems that I must use a move I haven't used in a long time."

"Oh? What is it?"

He eyed me warily, no, it was something else. He looked... exhausted.

"Something I honed when I was still alive. Perhaps I should thank you for the chance to use this... but I believe that it is better to show you my gratitude with my strength."

"N-No thanks. In fact, maybe you could go easy on me? I don't think I'll be able to handle that attack."

He chuckled, his helmet swiveling from side to side as he did so.

"The handful of warriors that I've met always, always, asked me to not hold back. You are the first to ask for the opposite."

"And where are those adventurers now?"

"Dead."

Evenrything went silent after that, Nehuet's tone killed the conversation right then and there while he charged up his attack.

His eyes flared up brightly, it's crimson hue pierced the blanket of the night like a beacon of death. The ground around him trembled and the air itself quaked as the magic around him swirled violently. Arcs of mana whipped around him, his green magic trashed like withering snakes that some managed to hit me as I dodged around the storm of magic.

Then, every rune on his sword lit up and absorbed the magic around him. I took a step back and watched him warily as he raised his one arm over his head.

"Behold! My power! I activate my Unique Skill, [Blade that Cuts Immortals]."

Everything went still after that. I watched him bring the blade down towards me, his swing would've been enough to cleave my body into two parts down the middle. It would've been unavoidable due to the speed he swung his arm down, but...

"[Grand Excorcism]"

"There's that, I guess..."

Everyone stared at the dawn's first light. The dead and the wounded have been revived and healled by Olivia, who was now able to cast more powerful spells and her [Heal] and [Greater Healing] managed to put back limbs that were sliced off by Nehuet without leaving scars on the body.

But I didn't care about that. I couldn't care about it. Wait, no, I did care about those who got hurt, but I didn't really cared about the situation around me. I was too busy staring at Nehuet's armor while his helmet sat on the patch of grass beside me.

"That's the dawn."

"Yes, it is."

His voice is weaker now. It didn't shake my soul or whatever it was, but it was still eerie.

I could still remember what happened earlier. Nehuet nearly split my head open when Olivia blasted him with her Holy Magic. But he didn't die, not yet at least. The spell made the rest of his limbs crumble away and he fell apart like an empty set of armor. Whatever Skill he tried to use was quickly dispelled and everyone watched as the magic around him faded away.

Olivia would've blasted him away if it wasn't for the words he said earlier.

"I always liked wathcing the sunrise."

"I didn't ask."

"Rude. You are... rude."

"Look, I want to sleep. I don't want to listen to some dying ghost's request."

"But I have nothing to request. I just want to watch the sunrise."

The lights in his helmet dimmed. The ones blazing pair of orbs now floated weakly in the void, their flame all but spent.

He wasn't moving around and bringing death anymore. He's just a helmet now, a dying helmet. His eyes would flicker from time to time, but they were still there. His undivided attention pointed at the tip of the sun as it poked out in the distant horizon. It felt weird seating and talking to him, but at least he was quiet now.

Maybe it's the mood. Or my boredom. Most likely it's my exhaustion. But whatever the reason, I broke the silence between us and and chuckled a bit. His eyes turned towards me and I cock my head back a bit. 

"What's so special about the sunrise anyway?"

I scoff at him and he laughs. It was a weak laugh, but I can tell that it's a genuine one. I heard the sound of metal crumbling, it was gone now. The only thing that remained is his head and his sword.

"I love the sunrise. Reminds me of my garden. I just wished... that... I could watch it with my daughter."

Oh, that was a surprise. 

"What's her name?"

I waited for a response from the helmet beside me. 

"Nehuet?"

The lights in his eyes are now gone. There is no void inside the helmet, but a dark space instead. No blazing orbs that flashed brightly, no magic that rotted away the flesh, and no darkness that engulfed the light. It was slightly illuminated by the sunrise, but I could tell.

It was empty now.

"Done. I guess it's done now, huh?"

I laid back on the grass and watched his helmet crumble away. 

"He's in a better place now."

A voice chimed from behind me.

"Olivia."

"Arthur."

We nod at each other

Her robes are dirty, her face screams 'tired' and the bags under her eyes aren't helping her. She let out a heavy sigh before smiling.

"It's done then, huh? No more Undead walking around and trying to murder us."

"Yup. And you leveled up a few more times as well. Good. That's good."

Please. Just go bother Zel or Maria. I'm tired, and my body is killing me. 

I just wanted to sleep, but Olivia looks like she still wasn't done. I try to drift off to sleep while she pondered about something.

"Y-You really met Illyria?"

I nodded at her and said nothing else.

"W-What's she like?"

"Spoiled. A shut-in. Lazy."

I felt her tense up and shift in her spot.

"O-Oh. Really?'

"Yeah."

She sighed and watched the sunrise. She had a smile on her face, but her eyes told me something else.

"Unsure about something?"

She nodded.

"Y-Yes. I wanted to know if-"

"Ask later. I'm going to sleep."

"Oh."

"... And you're sitting on Nehuet's ashes."

"Hm? Ah! Argh! Damn it!"

She immediately stood up and looked at the dirty spot on her butt. There was a dark smear on it, and her rubbing it off just spread it everywhere.

I let out a sigh while Olivia began to shout and curse the dead Knight. Perhaps, maybe, after we all get back to Lorren, I could treat myself to a nicer inn. I just want to sleep for a day and drop everything I wanted to do. Yes, maybe I'll have a reward waiting for me and I could splurge out on new gear.

"Yes. Rest."

I murmur to myself before dozing off to Olivia cussing beside me. 

I definitely need to rest.