This time, both opponents seemed hesitant to make the first move. Time passed incredibly slowly as each opponent waited for the other to make a move. Rafe stared at the man, focused. Meanwhile, Askar seemed to look at the boy with a strange look. Supposedly, this was going to be one of their final battles, according to Askar. It seemed Askar was impressed by Rafe, enough so that he deemed him ready to complete their training.

‘Why’s he looking at me like that?’ Rafe thought for a moment, before dismissing that thought and focusing back on the young man’s movements. He had to be ready.

Then, after a long time had passed with no movement, Askar suddenly appeared in Rafe’s face with a slash already in motion. It had been a long time since they had begun implementing abilities into their fighting. Askar had even been able to grant Rafe his own abilities so he could utilise them during their fights, which left Rafe ecstatic, considering he had been gifted divine abilities, if only within the realm.

As the slash came down, Rafe slashed against it with a block, then dashed back, away from his opponent. For a moment, he was a distance away, but then he vanished, appearing to the side of Askar, who picked up his presence immediately and attempted to attack. However, he was easily blocked by Rafe, who wore a viscous smile.

Over the course of their training, Rafe had changed a lot, since it had been almost a year since he first entered this place. He’d gotten crazily good with the sword, better than he thought he’d ever be. In fact, before, he hadn’t even realised how bad he was, and the idea of how good you could become was far beneath the truth. He had no idea just how good someone could be with a sword until he met Askar, a true genius.

As they fought, constantly clashing, constantly scheming and foiling schemes, Rafe decided to take a large risk, dashing behind Askar, feigning a strike to cleave off his head, then dashing to his side, now his back since he had attempted to turn around and block Rafe’s original strike, and sliced right through Askar’s neck. Or so he thought he would, however, the damned bastard vanished.

“Damn it!” Rafe yelled in frustration as he looked down to see a sword peaking out of his body, feeling it piercing through his heart. He was so close. So damned close. And yet he failed, again.

“Hoo” Askar caught his breath, “Way too close that one”

Askar seemed both incredibly pleased with Rafe’s performance, as well as incredibly sad about something. A grave feeling slipped through his facade for a moment.

“Well, then. I guess the training is over” Askar said, “Just one last test now”

Rafe was evidently glad about this fact. Finally, he had completed his training. Finally, he was an adequate swordsman and somewhat of a force to be reckoned with. Still, he was a little sad about having to leave this timeless plain he’d gotten so used to, but he was mainly glad he had finished his training. But what was this final test? He didn’t remember Askar speaking of a final test.

“What’s the test?” Rafe asked.

“You’ll see” Askar replied.

“First, though, why don’t we celebrate? I should be able to replicate some things from the real world here and we can have a little party” Askar said with a smile.

Rafe was confused.

“Why can’t we do that outside” he asked.

“Have you forgotten who is after me? Arnysa is still on her way” Askar explained.

‘Oh…I forgot about that” Rafe thought with an awkward smile. Seeing Askar so powerful and healthy here had made him forget of the bloodied, weakened young man he had met to begin with. The berserk version of Askar who had just taken a hell of a beating.

“Do you think you could kill her?” he asked.

“Yes” Askar replied, “But it would kill us both”

Rafe was evidently surprised and scared. He’d forgotten that he was also in danger. In fact, for a moment he’d forgotten he could even die. Clearly, he had gotten way too used to the luxuries of this realm. Reality was soon hitting him again.

“Then what will we do?” Rafe asked.

“I’ll tell you once we leave. For now, let’s party!”

With that, the divine realm soon began to warp as the dark-matter formed a small campfire before them, as well as glasses of alcohol and whatnot. Of course, only Askar was going to have the alcohol, since Rafe was still but a kid, just a strong one now. Soon, a proper scene for a celebration was formed from the dark-blue matter, and Askar managed to slightly warp the colouring of said matter to look more realistic, just with a dark-blue tint to all the items.

“I’d forgotten how good you are at this” Rafe commented, watching the scene with awe.

“Ah, flattery. A good student you are” Askar smiled; he loved the praise.

With that, he took a large gulp of the wine he had conjured and seemed amply refreshed. It had been a long time since the two had eaten and drank, another thing Rafe had forgotten was a necessity in the real world.

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“What will you do when you get out? The whole Arnysa matter aside” Askar asked his student.

“Ah…I don’t actually know. I guess I’ll try find a rift” Rafe replied, not entirely sure.

Askar smiled, “A rift. Ah, it’s been a while since I had those thoughts. I’ve actually came across a few in my time”

Hearing this, Rafe was a little shocked.

“Why didn’t you leave” he asked.

“Because it would have been a bad idea. First off, because that would give the other Lords full reign to do whatever they want” he started, “ And second off, because of the possible consequences in the real world”

Again, Rafe was confused.

“What consequences?”

“Well, as you know, after escaping, we stranded still get brought back from time to time. When this happens, monsters invade the real world. Some people believe the ranking of the stranded has an affect on the ranking of the monster. I’m one of those people. And well…what do you think would be summoned in the place of a Lord?”

Rafe was taken aback. Of course. How didn’t he think of that? He had heard all of the theories of stranded causing monsters to enter the real world, but it sounded like nonsense. It was more likely that the same force that brought them back into the land of the stranded brought the monsters into the real world. Instead of the stranded causing that to happen, it was simply the same force causing both things to happen, rather than one causing the other.

But if the theories were true, then a Lord would summon something much, much worse. Something the real world could never handle.

“A nightmare?” Rafe guessed.

“No. Likely a nameless, at the very least. Perhaps worse” Askar replied.

“But that theory doesn’t make sense. If they truly switched places, then why do the monsters spawn in a completely different place to the stranded?”

“That’s a fair point. While I do agree, I don’t like to take chances. I don’t mind living here, and I have to keep the other Lords in check anyways”

Rafe kind of understood. With the power of a Lord, living in this world wasn’t so bad, since the chances of dying were much lower. Well, unless you plan on fighting the other Lords like Askar does. Perhaps it made sense to not risk the summoning of a nameless into the real world, even if it was unlikely. However, Rafe would likely do it anyways. Why? Because the chances are incredibly low, and as a Lord, finding rifts wouldn’t be too difficult so he could just get back to the real world and kill it anyways. Alas, Rafe was not a Lord.

“Anyways, let’s move on. You got allies back in the real world? Well, our world”

Rafe shook his head.

“I see…it’s going to be a struggle for you. My allies are all dead now, so I guess you could say we’re in the same boat” Askar seemed sad, thinking back.

“How did they die?” Rafe asked.

“Nightmare”

A nightmare? They were pretty rare. Must’ve been a shock for his group encountering one. It’s hard to prepare for something you have no idea about; when all you know about the creature is that it’s incredibly powerful.

“Sorry”

“Don’t be” Askar replied, “I’m over it. I killed it after I became a Lord. I’ve put that memory to rest”

Rafe could tell Askar wasn’t telling the truth when he said he had put it to rest; he still seemed deeply affected by it. But it did seem he had avenged his old allies, which probably brought him a little comfort.

The rest of the night was a lot of drinking for Askar, and a lot of talking. They talked about all the things you would if you had all the time in the world. They chatted about the old world and how they missed it; about their adventures prior to their meeting; about what they’d do if they made it home; about what music they were into, and how they missed the sweet melodies they took for granted; and their families and what they were like. They talked about all sorts. And then, the night was over.

They returned to the real world.

As he opened his eyes, Rafe caught the familiar glimpse of a bloody, beaten young man; Askar. It had been a long time since he had seen him in this state; since he had almost killed him in this state.

“Time for your final test” he said.

Rafe was excited. Askar summoned his dao, the one he had almost killed Rafe with before, and handed it to Rafe. It was large, and made of a cold blue metal that looked almost unbreakable.

[Item Received: Blade of the Heartless]

Rafe looked ahead at the words in surprise.

“Why?” he asked, confused.

“It’s time” Askar started, “Your final test…you need to kill me”

Rafe’s heart dropped as his eyes widened in shock. Did he hear that right? What did he mean by that? Why?

“What are you talking about?”

Askar remained serious.

“You have to kill me. I can’t risk dying to Arnysa. If she gets my power, this place is done for. Do it” Askar said with a heavy expression. Clearly, he did not want to die. However, he had to, in order to prevent any chance of Arnysa stealing the power of the fallen.

“But I thought you could kill her?”

“I could. But I’m not certain I will. I won’t take that chance. Please, Rafe, do it”

For some time, Rafe stood frozen, staring at his companion with a look of misery. Why? Why did he have to die? He was a Lord for christ’s sake, couldn’t he do something? Couldn’t he just teleport away or something? Why?

“Why can’t you just run? Use your abilities to dash away” Rafe asked, hoping there was a way for Askar to live.

“Because she can trace my power, just like I can trace hers. She will find me. Rafe, there’s not much time, kill me, and run. You won’t become a Lord instantly, so she can’t trace you until that’s happened. As soon as you gain the power of a Lord, get as far away from here as possible”

Rafe couldn’t think. Why couldn’t he think?

‘Come on. Come on. Think. Think. Think. There’s got to be somethin-’

“Now, Rafe” Askar shouted, “ You have to do it now”

But he couldn’t. He couldn’t just kill him. No, he could. He had to. Even if every part of his body refused, he had to push through it. Slowly, he moved towards Askar with the dao held tightly in his grasp. As he was in reach, his face was incredibly heavy.

At that moment, he pierced through Askar’s heart. He didn’t have long, perhaps a few seconds, before he would die. Returning the heavy look Rafe gave him, he suddenly smiled.

“Thank you…Rafe” blood began to drip from his mouth, flowing down as he smiled.

Not long after, Askar was dead.