Masahide lay his axe at his feet and lowered his eyes to the crowned man.

A flame shot from Harutane’s fingertips and set the axe on fire. “You fought well. Exceedingly well. Few have ever defeated me, and you came close. Now, I command you to leave. You are done here.”

The portal still stood open, spilling a white light on Masahide as he turned and walked away. His feet moved of their own accord. I’ve let down Whitebeard.

The faces of Kichi, Hisa, and Tosa had their mouths open in surprise. Whitebeard was leaned forward with an eyebrow cocked.

In the light of the portal stood Ulf. He looked like a wild man with furs about his shoulders and a painted face. Deep lines formed under his mouth. “What are you doing?”

“Harutane has a crown of magic. It’s controlling me. I don’t have a choice.”

Ulf’s eyes bore into Masahide. “You know nothing of what it means to be a Templar Champion. We live to be free. We free others. Cast aside your shackles.”

“I can’t stop my legs. I can’t even turn my head back.” Masahide neared the edge of the fighting platform.

“Every now and then, a conqueror comes and tries to take the realm by force. And we, going back thousands of years, rise against that threat. Now, it all rests on your shoulders.”

Masahide took another step toward the edge. “Why was I picked? What conqueror am I supposed to stop?”

Ulf crossed his arms. "You are the most confused Champion among us, yet you face the most threats. Turn back and face your enemy, boy.”

“I don’t know how.” His foot wavered at the edge. Then saw them, a row of his fellows in the glare. He’d never seen them before, but recognition came instantly. Beside Ulf, Batu sat on a horse with a bow in his hands. Felix stood with a wry smile and carried a lyre slung over one shoulder. Behind Felix stood Si in a conical hat. Finally, there was Sagara, who looked carved of mahogany and wore a red sash.

“We impart our knowledge and will, but you won’t take it. Take it!”

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Masahide began stepping down from the fight but struggled against the magic. He pulled the foot back.

There was a snap like the crack of a whip. Harutane clutched both sides of his head and ripped the crown from his sweaty hair. “Ahh, the ringing.”

Masahide returned to where his axe smoldered, and his opponent straightened and drew a pure sword. He didn’t call on any weapon but instead used a new tactic. His connection with the Campions grew into a physical bond. His arms were Ulf’s, his legs, Si’s. He felt the courage of Batu, the luck of Felix, and the control of Sagara.

The pure blade dazzled in Harutane’s skilled hands. He launched forward in a series of attacks.

Masahide flowed around the blade and drove his knuckles into the enemy.

“I told myself, “ Harutane said, holding his side, “That I wouldn’t use Shining Armor to defeat you. Partly because you’ve rediscovered the lance, which will break it. But I have no options, and you’ve got to be tired. Call down a lance if you can.” With that, red flame swirled around him to form armor.

Masahide didn’t alter his course of action. Shining Armor was best at blocking weapons. It was nearly impenetrable. However, it offered only marginal protection in hand-to-hand combat. He formed a rigid open hand and stabbed between the gaps into the man’s neck.

The pure sword clattered to the ground, and Harutane tried to grapple. His large arms could likely put a boa constrictor to shame, but he wasn’t fast enough.

Masahide hooked the top of his boot behind the knight, pulled him off balance, and then used a palm strike to knock him down.

The Shining Armor dissipated, leaving Harutane unarmed. He flailed and swung wildly but couldn’t connect.

A few well-placed blows put Masahide’s opponent down just before the gong tolled the end of the round.

The portal vanished, and so did his sense of the Templar Champions. It had been good to see them, and he felt an inexplicable sense of camaraderie.

There was no time to waste, so Masahide bounded up the stairs to the row where Kichi sat and said, “Let’s go while we still have the sun.”

Whitebeard rose to tower over him. “Yes, you two should be off at once. I will come for you if you aren’t back when the dinner ends. Do not anger any spirits should they not help you. I wouldn’t want you caught in an avalanche on your way back.”

Masahide

Level: 30

Focus: Conjuring (conduit)

Secondary focus: Quake

Weapons: pure sword - 35% pure

Items: Heart of the Earth