2 weeks before Ardrasthrur attacks. Vasantria Rebels try to take back their kingdom to restore it to its former glory.

Fafnir, Nerian and Camille are at the city plaza where the execution was to take place. Enemy reinforcements storm the plaza forcing the Rebels to fight. Camille senses that it is an opportune time to attack, ending this tyranny once and for all. She signals for the entire rebel army to assault Zarakiol.

This power that was granted to me still hasn't faded. It feels exhilarating. I see the enemy soldiers pour into the plaza. Camille's soldiers stand ready for the battle.

I grab my sword and stand despite still being treated by Borias. 

"Hey kid! What are you doing? It's not safe to move around yet."

I ignore him. I'm covered in cuts, scars and wounds, but it feels great. Is this what they call the 'thrill of the battle'? 

I count at least 70 approximate enemy reinforcements. Our allies number up to 43 men, including Nerian, Camille, Borias and I.

They clash immediately. The rebel forces are somewhat skilled, but they might not last long against experienced soldiers. Maybe I should put on a show for a bit. I can't get this feeling of adrenaline away after all. 

I run forward and I close in one the battle field in a split second. Inhale... Exhale... It feels natural somehow. I've already taken a lot of lives. What's a few more going to do?

I hack and slash here and there, then move on to the next soldier. I leap from one enemy onto another. Bodies go down like flies. 

More reinforcements? Burn to ashes. Even more soldiers? Fall to me. Relentless insects i shall trample you. 

This power is amazing! You feel the limitless potential from it. I feel that I am getting stronger each second that passes. More! More! More! There's just not enough to sate my hunger for this feeling of mine!

~view~

The sudden burst of power slowly eats away at Fafnir. He does not realize it, but he has begun to change. Although soaked in the blood of his enemies he does not stop in his rampage. 

The allied rebels can't begin to explain what they see. Should they be relieved that they have a strong ally? Or should they tremble in fear as they lay witness to what might be the birth of an uncontrollable monster. 

Nerian and Camille are speechless as well. None of them even fight anymore as they don't have any enemies to fight. Fafnir has taken all of them. 

This keeps going until the reinforcements cease to arrive, and all that is left is a bloodied plaza where bodies of dead soldiers lay on the ground. 

Fafnir took all of them down with such ease that no ally rebel became wounded in that battle. 

He stands still, looking up at the sky. They're all gone. It's finished, is it really over?

Small droplets of water begin to fall from above. It rains, the sky changes into a shade of grey. Behind those clouds is the sun, but it doesn't seem that way if you look from below. It feels depressing. The sky mourns for someone. 

I realize what I have done as the rain pours down on me. My hand trembles, but I don't let go of the sword I hold. I must see this through. 

I just can't remove this feeling of deadly intent within me. It feels that it'll eat me whole. This power might be a gift and a curse.

I think deeply about this and suddenly feel a weight on my shoulders. 

"Are you alright Fafnir? What you did... Uhm.. I- it's alright Fafnir." Nerian consoles me. It seems that he also feels that heavy burden that I carry with the lives I have taken. 

"To live a life of conflict and battle means that lives are born and lost. It will become commonplace soon enough, but never lose your feeling of humanity."

Camille interrupts us. "We have no time. We must move and finish this. Unlike you Fafnir. My men aren't as nearly capable of combat as you are. Let us finish this then we shall have time for talk. Bear with taking lives for now. I'm no saint to forgive you after this, but if it means that you'll save even more lives in the process. Then I think that it is a justifiable reason."

We all rush toward an alleyway. soldiers swarm every corner of the city. Every turn we take becomes a small skirmish. I try to control my thirst for fighting, letting the others share the hardships of battle. 

Zarakiol is large. It might even equal Atlas-Azure's massive city. It looks terrible from the outside as everything has a dull shade to it. Even the people. 

Soon we come across another group of rebel fighters. They spot Camille from within the crowd of cloaked warriors. "Commander! The situation is dire. The judicatories are thinning out our ranks. Soon they'll wipe out our entire frontline forces."

"Tsk. Damn it all. I had wanted to capture the palace even before the judicatories had been deployed. It seems that Orbus has recognized this as a clear threat in no time at all. Follow me everyone, we shall advance upon the castle grounds."

Camille breaks into a run, and we follow her. The soldiers faces have doubts in them. Just what are the judicatories? Why do they seem to fear them so much. 

We walk through the main city's drenched stone streets. You could see the castle beyond the horizon, covered in mist as the rain becomes stronger. Thunder and lighting begin to sound.  

It is still the middle of the day. The fight is far from over as the enemy numbers increase for each distance we cover. Some are even more well armed than the previous soldiers that we fought earlier. 

Soon the horsemen are brought out. We come to a 3 way crossing were horsemen flooded from each side. They carry spears, skewering the fighters. The cannot battle them with speed. These soldiers are skilled they attack with a certain pattern. 

Our numbers quickly dwindle until a few of us remain. 10 fighters or so excluding Nerian, Camille and I. 

"Fafnir! Please use your power. We might not make it in this state." Nerian pleads. The horsemen approach and I am not given any time to hesitate. 

I hold out my hand in front of me and release a sizable blue ball of flame. It engulfs 4 horsemen burning them to ash along with their horses. The rest of the horsemen panic and run away from us. They become terrified of the anomaly, dropping their weapons in the process of running away.

I turn around and see Camille staring at me. "Are you sure that you are not an emissary of the gods? Such power bestowed to you is quite a sight... But enough surprises. Let us move forward once again, the castle is close."

The front castle garden is guarded. The odd thing is that there are only three of them. Two well armored ones wielding a dark colored sword with a matching shield the other stands there with his left hand on his hip. Short red haired wielding a long sharp sword strapped on his back. He wears a mysterious piece of armor. I hear Camille click her tongue in despair. 

"Unfortunately this might be the end for us. I planned this all out while Orbus's strongest fighter was away, but apparently he kept him for emergencies." Camille, and her remaining men drop their weapons altogether. Why?

I ask Nerian if he knows. He responds not removing his sight from them. "The two soldiers beside him are dark knight judicatories. They are the strongest of the strong. Just a few of them can take on an entire army."

"How about that one on the center?" 

"Nerian responds with uncertainty. "He is Vasantria's strongest. His name is Fiol Lumierre. One of the heroes of the country. The ones rumored to have fought against the ancients. Little is known about them, but their strength is unparalleled. Along with Ardrasthrurs Luke Galehearth and a few others, they took down the son of the gods along with King Arthur the greatest King, the king of Ardrasthrur."

The man in question speaks from a distance. "Oh is that you Nerian? This is amazing! Imagine a reunion so unlikely as this one were to happen. It's nice to hear you talking about me in such a manner. I'm quite honored really, but you know that you've chosen the wrong side correct?"

The man named Fiol smiles while looking at us with his imposing eyes. Camille and the rest are unable to do anything. "Camille! What's wrong? What happened to taking back Vasantria?"

"Fafnir. We can't defeat these people. They are way beyond our reaches even for you and your power. Maybe taking Vasantria back was just a dream."

Camille falls into a depressed state. Fiol realizes that they have surrendered and orders the two judicatories to arrest them. He speaks. Triumphantly. "You've all made quite a ruckus really. Don't take this the hard way though. I am only being ordered to do my job."

We're this close to the palace where Orbus is. Do they fear these people so much that they can't make a move against them just because they're powerful? 

I clench my fists in anger. It can't end like this. Nerian's dream for Vasantria's future can be ignored. I'll help you see it through no matter what.

Fiol becomes curious, asking in a laid back manner. "What's this? Why do you have a child with you? Desperate for people to join your rebellion that you'd take children in? Pitiful. It was a nice try. Too bad that you had to stop and surrender instead. I would've loved fighting someone as feisty as you miss Camille."

The judicatories close in on us. The allied rebel army raise their hands in surrender. I am at the front of everyone else. The enemy is right in front of me. Should I act or just stay there and be defeated.

The sound of thunder makes my heart beat faster, stronger, louder. Every time the heavens clap in terror I tremble myself. Wherever this power is coming from. Give me more! 

Inhale... Exhale... Inhale... Exhale... 

'Courage comes instinctively.' I remember Nerian's words once again. I'll become courage itself. No more hesitation. 

Fafnir quickly opens his now gleaming yellow eyes. He grips his sword tightly as the two judicatories come across his side. His left hand begins to flare up. You can softly hear fire being slowly extinguished by the rain. 

With a loud war cry, he engulfs his left arm in flames of blue, striking the judicator on his left with immense speed. The soldier couldn't react in time. He might have not even known what was about to happen at all. 

The soldier flies opposite of Fafnir's direction slamming into a wall with great force. He dies because of the sheer impact of the blow combined with the hole Fafnir punched through his armor and through the man himself. 

Fiol open his eyes wide in surprise. "Well this is unexpected. Blue flames... Interesting. So you think that you can take me on?"

The young Fafnir faces to judicator on his right. He does the same thing, but the soldier reacts in time, raising his shield. Fafnir punches another hole this time on the soldier's shield, breaking his arm. 

The soldier yells in pain giving Fafnir an opening. He spins slashing the soldier's legs then spins again, slashing his neck. The last judicator falls on the ground. Blood floods out from him, but the rain washes it all away. 

"Camille! Nerian! Fight back. If you give up now there will be nothing left for you. Fight even when things seem desperate. I'll handle this hero."

The seem to take my words to heart as Camille orders her soldiers to pick up their weapons. Nerian picks up the nearby judicator's sword and stands ready.

Enemy soldiers arrive from behind us. Camille commands her remaining units. "Draw your swords and buy time for Fafnir. He might be the only one who can stop Fiol."

"I'll take that as a yes. Don't hate for this. After all, you started it." Fiol approaches me as he draws his sword from behind him. 

"The name of this magnificent blade is Zwei. You'll see why. Or you'll probably won't last long enough to see. Ha ha ha."

The soldiers begin to clash from behind me and Fiol the so called hero comes to me. I'm the only one keeping the rest alive now. If I lose so does Nerian and the others. 

Time to get serious. 

Fafnir focuses his mind. His flame grows brighter, scales emerge on his skin. His eyes focus solely on Fiol's every movement, not taking his eyes off him.

He is prepared. A battle between the one who seeks power and the one who has the power.

Fiol stands across Fafnir gripping his sword with two hands. Fafnir holds his sword with one hand while the other is shrouded in flames. They both stand motionless as the rain pours down on them.

Fiol charges with a speed unlike any other. His soled distorts the environment around him.

I react accordingly and back away. Fiol smashes his sword down on the ground cracking it. 

It would have been fatal if I had taken the full force of that attack. It would break my sword as well. It's just a random sword anyway.

Fiol is not finished. He leaps forward with his word drawn upwards. He smashes down one again. 

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

I sidestep to his left punching forward with my ignited left hand. The punch creates a circular gale of wind. Fiol disappears from my sight. 

"Behind you..." 

He taunts me. I barely defend myself with my sword as I turned around. I fly away from him due to the impact of the attack.

My sword is shattered. My right hand trembles from the sensation of Fiol's attack. 

Fiol charge once again. I couldn't react fast enough as Fiol uppercuts me with his right arm sending me flying upwards. 

He jumps towards me while I fall from the air. Fiol flips forward, hitting me with his leg down to the ground. I fall flat face down on the now destroyed stone floor.

I try to get up as quickly as I can, ignoring the pain from the fall. I might have died from that, if not for the strength I posses. 

I need something to fight with. I immediately sprint towards the first judicator that I had launched towards the castle walls. 

Fiol follows immediately and in a matter of seconds he has already caught up to me. He stops a few meters in front of me and slashes sideways anticipating my arrival and his timing. 

I flip forward using the momentum of my speed. I land cleanly behind Fiol and successfully pick up the sturdy sword of the judicator. 

"Getting better. I thought that you'd die from the first few attacks, but I was clearly mistaken. Now time to up the ante a bit shall we."

The atmosphere around him changes. You could feel the immediate change in his attitude. He is not playing around anymore. His sharp eyes focus on me and he changes his stance. 

More power! Give me more power! Otherwise he will dominate me with pure strength alone.

I try to draw strength from wherever this power is coming from as desperately as I can. My body heats up. 

Fiol attacks me with a series of slashes and strike of his sword. I counter everything he throws at me using the same attacks. I can barely keep up with his speed. If I don't improve then he'll outmatch me in every way possible. 

Our attacks become a waltz of blades being swung here and there. Sparks fly in every direction. 

Fiol's skill with his blade is awe inspiring. I utilize all the skills I've learned from Andour and my past experiences. They will be put to test here and now. 

Fiol parries my attack. He dives in for the strike, but I counter with a burst of flames. It makes him back away. This is my chance!

I connect with a series of strong slashes to Fiol. To my amazement, he skillfully defends himself even when being backed up by a multiple attacks. Still unscathed.

He finally leaps away once he staves off my series. "Wow! Who knew you could do that. You're is really something else. Let me tell you that it has been a while ever since someone lasted this long against me in a fight. Let's bring up the intensity a bit more then ha ha."

The pressure around him intensifies yet again. This time I feel the a heavy force of power around him. I raise my guard by adjusting my stance to a certain degree. One where I might be able to at least prevent myself from being launched by the brutality of Fiol's attack. 

He breaks the presence of wind around him by lunging at breakneck speed. I see the direction that he will takes and evade it. 

Fiol slashes diagonally with such a strong force that the wind and rain are cut from where Fiol directed his attack. 

I launch a ball of flame towards him, but he simply splits it in two. I rush Fiol as he does what I predicted he will do after I launched a fireball at him.

I slash downwards from my right. Fiol fends by turning his back on me and letting his sword lay on his back, the tip of Zwei is reinforced my his left arm. I recoil in my own attack. 

Fiol anticipated this and spun forward counterclockwise from his original position. He cuts upwards with Zwei knocking me and my sword away. I get up but by the time I do... 

He point his sword toward my neck. "It seems that this is the end of the line."

"I won't lose! It's far from over!" 

I kick his blade upwards and ignite both hands with flames and duck. I rush his body with extreme force. 

My punch connects to his stomach. He archs his body from the blow. "I'm not done yet! Grrahh!" 

I deliver a series of punches on the same point on his stomach each punch increases with ferocity as I scream louder in anger.

10, 30, 57, 89, 124, 240 punches. It doesn't stop there. I keep unleashing a series of punches without even thinking about anything else. "Aargh eat this!" 

With one last punch I smash my flame lit fist straight into his face launching him toward the castles very walls. The walls break down as Fiol smashes into it. 

"Die puny insect! You are beneath me!" I launch countless balls of fire towards the as the where Fiol landed in. The castle explodes and erupts in blue flames. 

I realize that this is not me anymore. It becomes hard to stop myself. I can't stop! My rage continues to ravage the castle, destroying it with each successive ball of fire. 

Suddenly someone knocks me face down on the ground. Whoever did, made me stop from my rampage. I regain control of my body after a few seconds. 

I breathe in and out as hard as I can. I feel lightheaded after all of that. What happened to me? I hear a voice call out to me from behind.

"Fafnir! Fafnir! Wake up! Come to your senses." 

I turn around to see Nerian. So he was the one who knocked me down on the ground. I see him desperately trying to wake my consciousness that's near fading.

I shake my head and awake from being disgruntled. I pant desperately trying to inhale and exhale in hopes of controlling myself.

"What happened? What did I do?" In a state of panic I get up in a hurry, breathing hard and profusely.

I begin to feel weak. The power that I received from an unknown source deteriorates and I return to my normal state. 

Nerian looks at me with concern. Behind him is Camille and the other remaining soldiers. 

I try to look past them to see the progress of their battle, and it seems they won but at the cost of a few lives. 

Camille kneels beside Nerian and speaks to me. "You actually managed to defeat a hero. How? What kind of power do you truly posses? Those people are considered the highest in terms of heirerchy. They rank below the demigods themselves. So how... Never mind. Thank you Fafnir. You didn't give up even when the rest of us did."

"I don't think it's finished yet. There is still Orbus waiting inside the castle." I point towards the partially destroyed castle. It's other connected structures lie in a burning ruin as blue shaded smoke flares from its debris.

"There's more of them coming this way boss. I can see a few judicators. They must have seen the explosion." Borias alerts the remaining soldiers and Camille about the state they are in. 

Camille stands and moves infront of us. "We don't have much time left. Nerian, take Fafnir and defeat Orbus once and for all. Orbus is a skilled swordsman. Fafnir must be weak so you must help him. I'll hold them off as best as I can."

At that very moment a few people wearing cloaks arrive to the scene. "Commander! This is what's left of us. They completely destroyed everyone else. What should we do?"

"Prince Nerian and his friend will defeat Orbus while we stall the army that will come here. We need to stall them no matter what the cost! Will you help me everyone?"

The soldiers look at one another as Camille pleads for their help. One of them speaks up. "For Vasantria I shall give my life! And to you prince Nerian. Avenge your family at all cost."

Everyone agrees. Their morale ascends at their dreams for their kingdoms future hangs on the balance. I count at least 70 armed men left against Zarakiol's well armed army. 

"Go Nerian, Fafnir. It's all up to you now. Whether I live of die here will be up to everyone. I pray for your safety." She turns her back on us as the enemy army closes in on our position. The men al, rally up so that no enemy may pass the courtyard of the palace.

I struggle to get up. Nerian lends me his hand and I manage to regain balance. We rush towards the castle whereof us is said to be in, smashing the door open with a kick with desperately search for him.

"Upstairs!" Says Nerian. He seems sure so I follow his steps. 

The stone built palace contains many room where grand furnishings are seen everywhere. It seems dark now that the rain has poured although the feeling of grandeur remains throughout the empty palace. Thunder and lighting echo throughout the heavens and the cold wind bears down upon the weary people of Zarakiol. 

We finally make it to the last known floor of the palace where a man wearing a grand set of armor stands with his back turned to us. He seems to know that we are here. 

In the corner of the immensely spacious room lies a large cage built to keep someone or something in. I can faintly see a silhouette of a person inside, but due to the lack of lighting in the area I can barely make anything out beside the man who stands in front of a tall stain glass window. 

He turns slowly, his armor *clanks* a few times as he turns. No other sound can be heard other than the clap of thunder and lightning.

"Nerian... Still stubborn as ever. Tell me, what are your intentions now that you have come this far."

Nerian raises his sword in front of him. "Isn't it obvious yet uncle? This has to stop now! Your tyranny ends here. Lives of many Vasantrians have been taken just because of your unsatisfactory lust for greed."

Orbus responds with an angry tone. "The people of Vasantria grew weak. They lost to another kingdom when they should have clearly won, but no. Your father was weak. He could not finish the task because he did not want to toss away a few lives for the glory of this kingdom. Now comes you Nerian. You inherited your father's weak will. You do not deserve the throne."

He draws his gold crested sword with his left hand. It is adorned with strange colors of different gems stones. Odd inscriptions are etched into the sword. 

He raises his right hand which glows a color of pure darkness. A color similar to that of Samaels. Wait... Does this mean that Orbus might know sorcery as well? 

He attacks without warning, launching a projectile made of magic towards me. I try to move but a pain runs through my entire body from the earlier bout with Fiol. I am frozen in place and I do not have my power anymore. I raise my sword in front of me hoping that the impact won't hurt that much. 

It doesn't or so it seems. I open my eyes and see Nerian in front of me. He took the attack head on. I couldn't clearly see what he did exactly. He turns around and forces a smile with his bloodied face. "Are you alright Fafnir? Ha~ I can't compare to you in terms of strength, but you have to compromise sometimes."

"Nerian!" He goes down on one knee clearly weak as he took on the attack. 

"I feel useless, but this might be the only thing I can do for now. Please Fafnir! Please defeat Orbus for me. I can't move any longer."

"... Leave this to me Nerian." I stand up with a clear resolve and an unmoving desire to fulfill it. I feel that strange sensation once again as I think of Nerian's request. My heart throbs quickly yet again. I close my eyes and focus.

Inhale... Exhale... It feels natural now. I've only done this today, but it feels that I could've done it all along. Is this my power or Marchosias's?

I feel omnipotent. Everything is bound to me. I am the lord of this land, this space, this time... Every him is beneath me. I am the one that will stand above all. 

His eyes glow yellow accompanied with the viper like pupils as he open his eyes. His aura changes. This is no longer the same Fafnir that once hesitated with every decision. His temperament has changed, but it is still Fafnir yet it is not him. 

Parts of his skin are replaced with scale like patterns. He grips his sword with great strength that the hilt cracks. His signature blue flames ignite on his left hand. He inhales air and exhales blue flames. The faint winds surround Fafnir in an embrace.

Fafnir looks at Orbus with an overbearing aura of contempt. "Come insect. Show me the power that dares defy mine." 

Orbus readies himself. He feels the aura the mysterious child in front of him. He knows that he can't take him lightly anymore. Even misstep might be fatal. 

Nerian who is fatally injured rests on the side of the room. He notices the cage and crawls near it despite his wounds and the battle that will commence at any moment. 

The roar of lighting and thunder resonates within them. The next strike of lighting will signal the beginning of the battle. Each side prepares their all. No holding back. It all ends here.