Year 1785 AS (After shattering)
“We hereby sentence you to death,” Restik said, his voice resounding through the hall as he delivered the verdict.
Eloken smiled slightly as if the sentence was the punchline of a joke only he understood. “If I recall correctly,” he began, his voice calm. “As a nobleman, I have the right to choose the method of my execution.”
The room fell silent for a moment, and the council members exchanged glances with each other and then looked at the king in confusion. Lately, the executions had been quick and quiet, with beheadings behind the court, witnessed by only a few and with no time wasted. The sentence was passed and executed on the same day, quickly and efficiently.
“I don’t think that’s an option, young man,” Restik responded after a tense pause, his voice a blend of authority and a barely concealed annoyance.
“I am afraid it is, my lord,” Eloken retorted, his tone laced with an unsettling confidence, His smile widened just enough to unsettle the attendees.
The trials were public, and this one, in particular, drew a large audience. An unfamiliar young nobleman had been caught in the Royal Manor, going through a forbidden library. Some documents had gone missing, and the captured nobleman, Eloken, would not disclose their location. The court was secretive about which documents and books were stolen, which in turn gathered one of the largest crowds the trials had seen in recent years.
To make matters more interesting, no one knew the young nobleman, but he had all the necessary documentation to prove his noble descent. He had a manor on the other side of the kingdom, and his blood was tested, showing that he had pure noble blood, almost perfect by the royal standards.
If Eloken were just a commoner, he would have already been executed, but his noble blood had at least gotten him a trial. However, everyone knew that his fate was sealed the moment he entered the Royal Manor without an invitation.
“You may consult the book of the law, my lords,” Eloken insisted, his voice steady. “And if you have misplaced yours, here is the copy I found.”
The courtroom fell into a hush once again as everyone waited for Eloken to provide the book as if he had any chance of doing so. Then, as Eloken stood, his hands gesturing to an empty space before him, the tension broke, and the room erupted into mocking laughter.
The king's patience, however, had worn thin. His voice cut through the laughter like a blade, stern and unyielding. “Enough of this,” he commanded. "The sentence has been passed. Your theatrics will not be indulged. Guards, take him. Let his execution be swift. The crown has graver concerns than the antics of a doomed man."
Yet, as the guards moved to obey, Eloken's voice rang out once more. “Any moment now,” Eloken said, gesturing towards the judge, who looked confused.
As the guards slowly approached him, they were startled by the sudden sound of shattering glass. An object had flown in from outside, breaking the window in the process and landing almost perfectly in front of the judge’s table. It was a heavy book with golden ornamentation, and the title read Law of Isari Empire.
“What is this?” the King demanded, his voice laced with the tone of irritation.
Restik, cautious yet curious, approached the book, inspecting it from all angles before opening it and handing it over to the judge.
“It is a book of your kingdom’s law, Your Majesty,” Eloken interjected as he locked eyes with the King. “I’ve highlighted the page that grants me the right to choose the method of my execution by slightly folding the page in question. I believe it’s somewhere around the middle, and as far as I remember, you swore to uphold the law when you took the crown, Your Majesty.” Elokens’ mocking tone and smile were gone.
The judge, his hands slightly trembling, fiddled with the book in his hand before opening the highlighted page and reading it out loud. "If a nobleman is sentenced to death by the royal court, he has the right to choose his method of execution, and to decide whether it shall be carried out in public or in private.”
The King’s frustration grew bigger. “What’s the point of this?” he questioned.
“The point is that you have to follow the law, Your Majesty,” Eloken stated. “Or do you believe yourself to be above it?”
The King was taken aback by Eloken’s comment and looked over at Restik and the rest of the jury members who mumbled between each other, nodding in agreement.
"Very well," the King conceded, his gesture dismissing the guards. “Choose the way you are going to die,” he emphasized the word die.
Eloken turned to face the judge, the courtroom hanging on his every word. “For my execution, I choose,” He paused, ensuring the gravity of his choice was felt by everyone present. "I choose honorable combat."
The murmurs rippled through the courtroom as the audience and the jury members spoke between each other, no one sure of what the young nobleman meant.
“Silence,” The courtroom, fell into a profound silence as the judge commanded order. “You are making a mockery of the court, young man.” He looked over at Eloken with a furious look in his eyes. The judge was one of the fairest in the kingdom, as far as he could be under the influence of the king and nobility. If the case was between citizens or lower nobility, he would usually make the trial fair, but when the King himself or high nobility were involved, there was not much he could do.
“I am just using my rights as written by our first emperor and his council, or are you trying to call them a joke?” Eloken retorted, a smug smile forming.
“Of course not,” the Judge countered, almost spitting in the process. “They made a perfect system.”
“Which you seem not to know,” Eloken continued. “Please read the next page, it will explain my demand and right,” he suggested, his smile a silent taunt.
With a flick of his wrist, the judge turned the page, the rustle of paper loud in the hushed courtroom. His voice, as he read the terms of honorable combat, was steady.
“Among other things, the nobleman can choose death by honorable combat,” the judge read tracing the words with his finger. “The sentenced nobleman will be given a wooden sword or a club and no shield or armor and will have to fight a knight of the Imperial Order in full armor and weapons, who has the right to use his full extent of combat abilities. The combat will be public and will be held in the Arena.”
“See,” Eloken's satisfaction was clear. “It’s all written there nicely and explained so even little kids can understand it,” he remarked.
“Fine,” The King's response was a physical manifestation of his wrath. He rose, his stature commanding, his presence a storm about to break. "So be it," he decreed his words a thunderclap of finality. "Your end will be a spectacle, a lesson to all."
“I do wish it, Your Majesty,” Eloken continued to taunt. “I mean the honorable combat, not my end as you said.”
“What happens if he manages to beat the knight of the Imperial Order?” Restik joined the conversation, speaking in front of the jury, who were once again mumbling while the King and Eloken spoke.
“There is no way anyone other than an Imperial King can kill another Imperial knight, especially with no weapons,” the King said.
“I agree, Your Majesty,” the judge said. “But I will read out loud what the book of law says.” The judge cleared his throat before continuing.
“If the sentenced nobleman manages to defeat the Imperial Knight, he has the right to take the knight’s weapon. The King can then send one or all of the Knights of the Imperial Order to continue the combat in the next round. If, by the grace of Tar himself, the sentenced nobleman manages to defeat the entire row of Imperial Order knights present at the honorable combat, he will have earned his freedom. However, his freedom will not be granted until every knight that is present in the arena has been beaten.”
“There,” Eloken stated, his voice cold and calm. “I hope everything is clear now.” His gaze held the King's, his hatred almost spilling out of him, but he composed himself in the last second.
“You are going to die in less than five seconds, kid, and I am going to enjoy every moment of it for wasting my time,” the King said, his voice laced with anger as he glared back at Eloken. “Scratch that. I am going to have my knight torture you, slowly kill you in front of everyone while you beg for him to finish you quickly.”
“As you wish, Your Majesty,” Eloken said, his tone portraying no fear or emotion. “Then it’s set. Everyone, prepare for the show.” He gestured towards the audience, who seemed to have enjoyed the way he had provoked the court and the King himself a little too much.
The king rose from his throne and walked in front of the crowd. The torches in the grand hall flickered as he spoke, casting eerie shadows on the stone walls. “The combat will be held tomorrow. You are all invited to come and watch. After the combat, we will make a big feast to celebrate our Kingdom, Tar, the citizens, and our Imperial Order.” He smiled towards the audience, who applauded him in return.
Eloken, escorted away by the guards, allowed himself a moment of satisfaction, his smug smile a silent declaration, The stage was set.
Eloken spent the night in a cold, damp cell with only a small window that provided little light. He had no bed and only a thin blanket to keep him warm. Despite the discomfort, he couldn’t bring himself to sleep. Adrenaline coursed through his veins, keeping him on edge and alert.
In the morning, a meager meal was served to him, but the sight of it made him retch. To him it looked like something that even pigs would eat only as a last resort, so he tossed it aside waiting for guards to come for him.
The morning sun had barely begun to claim the sky when four guards arrived, their demeanor as cold as the iron shackles they fastened upon him. Silently, they led him to a carriage that awaited outside, its purpose to transport him to the city's grand Arena. Eloken attempted to pierce their stoic facade with words, seeking even the slightest engagement, but their silence was as impenetrable as the King's command he presumed enforced it. Nonetheless, he persisted in his one-sided conversation, a defiant spark in his voice.
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“Do you think I stand the chance?” Eloken asked as the carriage bumped from the cobbled stone road below. “If there is someone taking bets on this fight, bet on me, you can earn a fortune.” The guards offered no reply, their expressions unreadable.
It took them less than ten minutes to arrive at the large arena, which was one of the marbles of the city and the Isari Empire itself. The guards escorted him towards the entrance where he noticed a large crowd had already gathered. Good, he thought to himself, "The more, the better," he said to himself.
They escorted him to a small room where a new set of simple clothing was laid out, gray shirt and pants, peasants wardrobe. The clothes were simple and plain, designed to strip him of any semblance of stature or importance.
Next to the clothes lay a simple wooden sword and a sparring staff, both made of the same type of common wood. The staff was slightly longer, but much tinner, whichever Eloken chose would be useless in a fight.
The guards left him alone so he could change and moments later someone knocked on the door. Eloken gave them an okey to enter and a figure in white robes emerged into the small room, a high priest.
“God helps all, my child,” The priest said as he entered. Eloken was surprised by the priest’s age, he was shockingly young for a high priest. His face was youthful but hidden behind the thick dark beard.
“God helps all Father,” Eloken answered with respect. "To what do I owe this visit?" He asked curiously.
“I am here by court’s order to take your last words in, your last chance to get rid of your sins so your soul can rest in the Celestial Citadel after your death,” the priest explained with a calm voice.
“I am not going to die yet, Father,” Eloken asserted, tightening his shoes.
”Denial is not good. It’s best if you confess and let go of the weight of your sins,” the priest suggested.
“Tar will lead me to victory today,” Eloken continued. “If I am wrong, then I shall suffer in the Infernal Abyss.”
“As you wish, my child,” the priest said. “I cannot force you to admit your sins; it defeats the purpose of it. May Tar lead you today then,” the priest said and left, closing the door behind him.
As the honorable combat approached, Eloken could hear the boisterous cheering of the crowd in the distance. The king had organized some last-minute entertainment to add to the spectacle, making his fight the main event. It was all on him now, and he could feel the weight of expectation bearing down on his shoulders.
The same four guards escorted him to the entrance of the field. As the gates opened and the announcer bellowed his name, the crowd started booing loudly. Eloken stepped onto the dirt floor, walking towards the center of the field, taking in the full stands of people. Over thirty thousand people had gathered to witness his death.
As he approached the center of the field, the gate on the other side opened, and an Imperial Knight walked in. The audience immediately switched from boos to thunderous applause. Eloken felt a pang of envy at the sight of the knight, being hailed as a hero.
Today it all changes, Eloken thought to himself as he tightened his grip on the wooden staff. The imperial knights were a mystery to this day. Their armor was dark and imposing, concealing all of their features, including their face. It was impossible to discern any details about the knight’s identity, leaving everyone to wonder who they were and where they came from.
The sheer size of the knight was awe-inspiring, towering above the average human with ease. Their movements were swift and graceful, hinting at the possibility that they could use the magic from old tales to enhance their abilities. The enchanted swords they wielded emanated a powerful energy that made the very metal itself shine brighter than usual. It was common knowledge that a single imperial knight could defeat dozens of regular soldiers with ease, a testament to the incredible power that lay beneath their imposing armor and weapons and Eloken found himself facing one of them, holding nothing but a wooden staff in his hands.
Eloken vs Imperial Knight duel [https://i.ibb.co/B6LbgJj/DALL-E-2024-01-19-16-19-01-In-a-vast-ancient-arena-a-dramatic-confrontation-unfolds-Eloken-a-young-n.png]
What did I get myself convinced into, Eloken thought to himself as the knight approached him and stopped a few meters away. He pushed those thoughts away, refusing to let uncertainty creep into his mind. He had made this decision years ago to follow this path and had trained tirelessly for it. There was no going back now. So Eloken stood a little bit taller, trying to appear more confident while standing next to the towering imperial knight.
The royal family, including the King, Queen, and Princess were seated in the Royal Lodge, surrounded by servants pouring drinks and serving exotic foods. Eloken glanced at them, noticing that the Judge and even Restik were in the Loge, before turning around and scanning the crowd, holding his gaze at each part of the stands as if observing each person separately. The cheers from the audience were deafening, and Eloken could feel the ground shaking beneath him. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the announcer’s voice echoed across the arena, and the deafening cheers slowly died down. “Welcome to the first Honorable Combat in a century,” he proclaimed, and Eloken couldn’t help but wonder if it was true or just a dramatic statement to hype up the event.
The announcer’s voice continued, “The accused young nobleman Eloken Valtair has chosen the death by Honorable Combat, in which he will face an Imperial Knight armed with nothing but a wooden staff.” The crowd erupted in boos and jeers, showing their disdain towards Eloken.
“If, by some miraculous chance, he manages to defeat the Imperial Knight,” the announcer paused for effect, “the accused will be granted the right to pick up his weapon. However, the King will have the opportunity to send the rest of the Imperial Knights after him.” The audience burst into laughter, finding the idea of a wooden weapon defeating the Imperial Knight absurd.
The announcer then turned towards Eloken and the Imperial Knight, “Are you ready?” The knight lifted his sword, and the crowd went wild as the blade glimmered in the morning sun. Eloken raised his thumb, signaling that he was ready, but was greeted once again by a chorus of boos.
All eyes turned towards the King, who nodded slightly, and the announcer proclaimed, “You may begin the Honorable Combat!”
Eloken took a step back, creating more distance between himself and the Knight. He didn’t want to be caught off guard by a surprise charge. With a deep breath, he reached into his reserves and drew upon the power of Vis, casting a quick spell silently he enchanted his speed slightly and increased his resilience in case he couldn’t dodge a hit from the Knight.
He chose to enhance his speed only slightly, matching that of the Imperial Knight for two reasons. Firstly, he didn’t want to reveal his full potential right away. He knew that defeating the Knight would not be easy, and he wanted to conserve his strength for when he faced the rest of the Imperial Order. Secondly, his reserves were not unlimited. He would need all the Vis he could muster for when the Knights attacked him simultaneously.
As the Imperial Knight charged towards him with two steps and a huge leap, Eloken reacted quickly, moving to his left side and letting the Knight charge past him. The audience gasped in amazement, and Eloken managed to steal a quick glance at the Royal Loge where he saw a look of shock on the King’s face.
Eloken and his team had only theorized how to defeat the Imperial Knight based on rumors and reports from past battles. Based on those reports some of the Knights had been injured or, on rare occasions, killed. Now, Eloken would have to put those theories to the test.
First of all, he would need to find a way to break through the Knight’s armor. He had no real weapon to do so, and that would be the biggest challenge of the day, breaking the first piece.
As the Knight charged at him once again, Eloken didn’t have time to think his next move through. He had to trust his instincts and training. This time, the Knight ran straight at him with his sword gripped tightly. The large armored man covered the short distance between them in inhuman speed, but Eloken easily dodged the charge once again, moving to his right side with graceful ease.
The Knight anticipated his move and swung his sword behind his back, rotating his body with one fluid motion as he ran past Eloken. Eloken saw the large sword heading straight towards his face and only with the help of enhanced speed from Vis did he barely escape beheading. He felt the gust of wind created by the powerful sword motion brush past his hair.
Eloken’s smile disappeared momentarily as the crowd erupted into cheers across the arena. He knew he had to concentrate more and start executing his fight plan right away. He scanned the Knight’s armor, noticing its intricate design, focusing on the joints and helmet. He took note of the Knight’s movements, the way he shifted his weight, and the sound of his heavy breathing as he charged towards him.
Eloken expertly dodged two more attacks from the Imperial Knight, all the while studying the Knight’s moves carefully. He learned more from these four attacks than he had from all the scripts and theories they had.
Thinking quickly, Eloken rushed towards the towering wall of the arena that separated the field from the stands. The wall was almost three times taller than him, making the field look like a pit. The arena was built to withstand the test of time and enemy attacks, and Eloken planned to use that to his advantage.
He stood with his back turned towards the wall, gripping his wooden staff tightly with both hands as the Knight charged towards him. Eloken could not see his face behind the helmet but he imagined him puffing with fury, like an enraged bull seeing only red. Eloken would use the Knight’s rage to his advantage.
“Come on now,” Eloken muttered under his breath as he gripped his staff even tighter and tapped into his Exo reserves. With the power of Exo, he could manipulate matter for short periods, as it was one of the most volatile sources of power. He stepped back and touched the stone wall behind him and said a quick spell, searching for the iron and steel bars that reinforced the wall. He transferred the mix of all three elements to his staff, empowering it for the next few seconds.
This time, Eloken didn’t intend to dodge. He stood his ground, taking in more of the Vis reserves. letting go of the speed enchantment and casting a spell that would heavily enchant his strength. He used the remaining Exo reserves to toughen his skin slightly with the elements from the wall, so he could withstand the charging Imperial Knight’s hit. With the Knight only a few steps away from him, Eloken knelt and stuck his staff between the wall and the ground, leveling the other end of the staff with the Knight’s head in the last second.
The Imperial Knight hit him with full force, wanting to grab him instead of slicing him with his sword. Eloken felt the full impact throughout his body, but his Vis and Exo kept him alive. A normal human being would have been dead on impact. His body ached as his vision returned seconds later, and he found himself sandwiched between the wall and the Knight. The stone wall behind him had slightly cracked from the impact of their collision.
Eloken had used almost all of the Vis he had taken from the reserves moments ago to withstand the force of the Imperial Knight’s attack. He took what remaining Vis he had available to quickly enhance his strength, pushing the dazed Knight off of himself.
Luckily for Eloken, his gamble paid off. The Knight’s helmet was chipped slightly above the eyes, revealing a small crack where human skin showed through. Not wanting to give the Knight a chance to recover, Eloken quickly jumped at him and stuck his fingers into the opening of the helmet, ripping off the top part in one swift motion.
The rest of the helmet fell apart, revealing the dazed face of a middle-aged man with a bald head and a stubble beard. The arena fell silent as the spectators tried to process what had just happened in the last thirty seconds. Eloken wanted to look at the King, imagining his face full of horror as one of the Kingdom’s best warriors lay on the ground. But he knew he had no time for that. Imperial Knights had faster recovery than ordinary humans, and the man wasn’t even hurt badly; he was mostly dazed and concussed from the collision. Eloken had to work quickly.
He stepped behind the Imperial Knight and reached for more Vis in his reserves. He had already used almost half of it just for one Imperial Knight, and there were still seven more stationed in the capital and present at the Arena in this moment. He and his team had planned carefully, ensuring that the least amount of Imperial Knights would be present in the city when they put their plan into motion.
Eloken lifted the Knight by his armor, reaching his arm under the Knight’s neck and putting him in a chokehold. The Knight started to resist, but Elokens Vis-enchanted strength held.
“How are you doing this,” The Knight managed to mutter while fighting for his life.
“Rot in the abyss,” Eloken said, enchanting his speed once again and breaking the Knight’s neck in one swift motion.
The Imperial Knight’s lifeless body hit the dirt with a thump, and dust rose around him. Eloken looked around the arena at the shocked faces of the people who couldn’t fathom what was happening on the field.
Eloken searched the ground for the dead Knight’s sword. Grabbing the sword by the hilt, he felt the strange power buzzing through his veins.
“So it’s true,” he muttered with a smile. “They are enchanted.”
He lifted the sword towards the Royal Loge, leveling it with the King’s head from his perspective, and yelled, “SEND THEM ALL!” as the sword glinted in the sun, sending a flash of light across the arena. The spectators gasped in shock and Eloken could swear he started to hear clapping.