Having been transferred some mana from Novos, Zycor extended his gauntlet blades and prepared for the up-hill battle ahead. As Volnir sat back and watched, the knight surrounding the two of them began their assault. Novos began his attack on the three knights to their rear, slamming his tail into them and swiping at them with his claws and teeth. Meanwhile, Zycor was dealing with the four remaining ones coming from the front. He would parry and kick one knight away as he chained it into another counter against another knight. It was a relentless onslaught that left no room for error or rest.

Novos was being pelted by various spells and blades, his strength being chipped away. At the same time Zycor was beginning to tire at an alarming rate, taking grazes and impacts occasionally. Unfortunately for him, Zycor’s left leg temporarily gave out making him stagger during a counter. He got hit hard and was thrown back, caught by Novos’ back and tail. As Zycor stared up at his impending death he could only think about how reckless he was.

As one of the knights brought their sword down on Zycor, A fire bolt collided with the knight. As he staggered back, all of the knights trained their attention on its source. Standing with her hand outstretched was Aisha with Baz and Mylon prepared to engage. Glancing over towards them, Zycor could not help but chuckle. “Sorry guys, looks like I am causing trouble again,” he apologized.

Mylon grinned as he sighed, “Yeah well, I think we are used to it at this point.”

“Honestly, I don’t mind it! Seeing as how when you get into trouble I get to let loose!” Baz chortled.

“Save your breath, I would much rather have you apologize through your wallet. It’s the least you can do for me being forced to deal with you,” Aisha complained.

Volnir, agitated about this interruption to his plans, commanded, “What are you all doing? You have your orders, finish off the boy quickly! We can deal with the rest of these fools after!”

The knights turned their attention back to Zycor and readied their attack. “Not on my watch chuckle-fucks!” Baz exclaimed as he threw his massive axe.

The axe spun through the air and nearly killed a few of the knights, though they were able to duck in time. The axe spun ferociously towards Volnir, his eyes trained on it. Volnir brought his sword up and parried the massive weapon away. This proved to be enough of a distraction for Mylon and Aisha to get to Zycor. “You seem to be having a rough day, huh? Can you move?” Mylon began questioning.

Zycor nodded as he stumbled to his feet with the help of Novos. Mylon tossed a vial to Zycor as he said, “Drink up, it’s a potion to help restore some of your stamina and a small amount of mana.”

Zycor did as instructed and, although still cut up and bruised, was able to stand more stably. Focusing his attention on Volnir, Zycor asked Mylon and Aisha, “You think you guys can deal with this trash?”

Mylon nodded and Aisha smirked as she boasted, “Of course we can, especially considering we have a magnificent creature and an uncouth beast on our side!!”

Baz grabbed one of the knights by the head and threw him at another knight as he shouted angrily, “I heard that pipsqueak!”

“Good to hear,” Zycor began to explain, “Then I will deal with the Big Bad until you guys finish up. I may not be able to beat him by myself, but together we should be able to.”

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“As much as I hate to leave such a role to you, especially when you’re injured, your speed is probably the only thing that could distract him long enough. Go for it, we will finish soon!” Mylon encouraged as he fended off two of the knights.

Aisha erected a stone wall angled towards one of her attackers, knocking him back, as she exclaimed, “If you die, I swear I will kill you!”

Zycor smirked as he chuckled, “Right!”

He then spoke to Zweicor, “Are you ready for round two?”

Zweicor smiled intensely as he laughed with anticipation, “Are you kidding?! I have been waiting for this!”

Zycor closed his eyes for a moment before they shot open suddenly, his eye color now different. Instead of Zycor’s evergreen, they were now gray. He smiled with Zweicor’s anticipation and excitement as he shouted, “Aw hell yeah! Here I come, round two you rat bastard!”

He rushed towards Volnir who readied himself to parry the telegraphed left feint into right thrust. As the attack came out and Volnir went to parry it, Zycor quickly spun himself around and roundhouse kicked Volnir in the back of his head. Dazed, Volnir was trying to figure out what happened, but before he could properly organize his thoughts Zycor had begun his next attack.

Throwing an attack or two, then repositioning before firing off one or two more and repeating. This pattern was entirely different from the barrage onslaught style Zycor had been using up to this point. “What the hell happened?! Someone doesn’t just change up their style THIS dramatically! It’s almost as if I am fighting a different person!” Volnir thought to himself.

Launching a strong strike, Zycor knocked Volnir back, creating some distance. Panting while he grinned Zycor said under his breath, “It feels so good to have the reins again. Thanks for the switch, Zy.”

“You are better at these precise, quick movements than I am. I tend to get far too tunnel visioned to think about repositioning.” Zycor responded from within his own head.

Zycor and Zweicor had swapped who was in control, thus vastly deviating from the fighting style Volnir had grown accustomed to. To make matters worse for Volnir, the four others had managed to defeat all but two of the knights. Having lost interest due to the collapse of his plan, Volnir shouted in anger and annoyance, “Okay, that is it! I am done playing with you kids!”

Fire engulfed Volnir’s sword as he began to speak commands, “Congregate. Blaze. Ignite.” As he spoke these commands the fire condensed and became more controlled, then became more intense before finally burning hotter and turning blue. He then reinforced his legs with mana and lunged at Zweicor with incredible speed. Completely caught off guard by his opponent's sudden increase in speed, Zweicor put up his gauntlets to block the attack. As the sword collided with them, they cracked slightly as Zweicor was sent flying back. Mylon dug his feet in and caught him, sliding back a little.

Volnir began to approach them and angrily stated, “I cannot believe how much grief one brat has caused me. In the future I won’t be making the same mistake. So, as a first step, I think it is time I fix my mistake and finish you.”

He suddenly stopped in his tracks, the magic around his sword going out. A look of dread consumed Volnir’s face as he looked at the ground between himself and Zycor’s party. A black sludge began to seep out of the ground and rise up, eventually taking the form of a person. He was dressed in a gray suit with a black undershirt and wore a white top hat. As his form fully materialized, he opened his eyes and looked at Volnir. “Now now, Vice Commander, I believe I… told you to… not kill the boy.” He questioned, pausing in places there should be none.

Volnir knelt down as he sweat bullets, responding, “Y-yes, you did. I just got carried away, Mister X, sir.”

“Ah yes, I tend to forget how terribly emotional… humans tend to… be. I ask that you… remember who is in charge, unless you… wish to end up like the late commander… Zeddicus. It truly was… a shame. He also went against my… order. I really hated what… I had to do, but… examples must be… made.” Mister X reminded through his broken speech.

Volnir’s blood ran cold at the mention of the previous Commander, the image of his corpse still fresh in his mind.

Hearing Mister X’s name, Zweicor’s eyes widened as the man turned to look at him. Mister X smiled and said, “Hello my dear… Zycor.”