Sounds of footsteps filled the entirety of the conference room. Ardrasthrurians surround me as I made my way to the passageway leading to where Nerian, Camille and Charlotte are located. 

I felt anger and sorrow welling up from inside. I attempted my best at concealing it, and instead using it to my advantage. I drew my sword and charged in, shouting at the soldiers. 

Weak. Still too weak. How will Charlotte be proud of me if I can't improve. These foes are nothing. They're too weak, they lack power yet they fight knowing that death comes as a gift to them. Do they have someone or something to fight for?

After defeating several enemy soldiers, more emerged from the main door. That must mean that everyone's dead. Only the people inside the palace are left.

"I'm sorry, but I cant let you pass through here no matter what." I tried to remain calm as I said that. Her smiling face flashed constantly in my head several times now. It's making me frustrated... 

The soldiers took my threat lightly, underestimating me as always. I guess there's only one solution left. I won't be defeated by anyone. Even if my body gives up and my bones are broken. I'll protect this place with everything I've got. 

We all clash blades. there might be at least 30 soldiers in the room. In no time at all i decimate them, but not without difficulty. I had a few near death experiences with the battle. The room is left with a gruesome scene where blood is splattered everywhere and a burnt smell accompanied with a blue smoke flare is apparent in the room. 

"Like i said. No one gets through."

I breathed for a while. I don't intend on using my power at all for this battle. I have to accomplish this with my own potential. If I die here, then it means that my potential has only reached so far. No matter how difficult the path to strength is, no matter how tired I am, I will find the strength I've been searching for. No one will keep me away from it. I'm tired of losing people because I was too weak to defend them.

I head outside through the main door. I have not even made it out of the palace halls yet and enemies come flooding in at once. i count 60~80. "Come! I've got all day!"

Each step is a battle. A fitting punishment, but not enough for my sins. Only the heavens would know the weight of my sins. Hang it on a scale all you want. I will atone no matter what, even if it takes me my entire life, and possibly beyond that.

I've made it to the front palace gardens where previousIy fought Orbus. I've already lost count of how many lives I have taken. You could take a glance at me and say that I look like a blood-bathed psychopath. Maybe that's what I am right now.

I can't think straight anymore, or rather i don't want to think anymore. Every time i do, her face pops up in my head, and every time i think of her. Her soft voice pierces my ears. "I can't take this anymore! ARGH! COME ON! KILL ME IF YOU WANT TO ALREADY!"

The soldiers become terrified of me as i scream at them. I mean who wouldn't? As if you wouldn't be fazed by a sword wielding kid that's bathed in blood suddenly shouting at you. The streets that he walks is decorated by the bodies of your fallen comrades, But what's the reason of his rage? Only the child knows. 

They attacked nonetheless. Soldiers attacked left and right with their swords and shields. Futile, pathetic, laughable. Let me show you how to kill someone. 

Is it done? Are they finally dead? Unfortunately, yes. Like I said. No one will pass through here. I've made sure that no solders could try to find an alternate route towards the palace where Nerian is hiding. I mean why wouldn't they? I did threaten that I would kill their king. The results were better than I anticipated. 

No soldiers? I take this time to rest and look up the sky as bloodied bodies lie around me. My sword's also bathed in blood. It's the only thing a sword is useful for anyway. It was made with killing in mind. Quite depressing if you tell me. If i ask the sky will it answer back? Obviously not, but it's good company at times like this. When you have your backs to the wall. Thinking if anyone will pull you up from that hole you fell in.

No need for that. I'll climb up on my own. It might be my destiny to have something to lose, forcing me to seek strength. If that were the case then I'd already given up my life. Think about it. if you knew that your life was intended for the sole purpose of other's misfortune, what would you do? Every time you tried to open up to someone, they'd most likely meet a tragic end.

That's what i feel about my life right now. I do hope that it's not the case. no time to feel miserable. I've already had my fair amount back at the palace. I need to focus about what's in front of me. 

I moved once again. The city truly is immense. I wonder how long it'll take me before i get outside of Zarakiol. I wonder if i'll even get out alive. I'm already breathing hard as of now. After running few blocks from my original location I encountered yet another battalion of soldiers. This time around 100 soldiers or more. It just keeps getting better and better for me. Just great...

"Hey you! The kid over there! have you seen any other soldiers around? I sent them to find and get me the head of the king, but still nothing. I was sure that their last warriors have died already. Never mind that. what are you doing here, kid? Don't you know that there's a war going on here? it's dangerous!"

I was called over by a guard. Despite carrying a sword and having a menacing appearance due to my armor bathed blood, but he asks me nonetheless. He does not seem to know that i already killed his men. nor did i know that you were the commander. How convenient. 

"Hey kid I was asking you. Why are you bloodied all over? Did those Vasantrian cowards do this to you?" He knelt down and wiped me off with his shirt.

You're kind, but on the wrong side. You'd oppose me if you knew my intentions. Forgive me for what i am about to do. I don't bear a grudge against you at all.

"I'm sorry mister."

"Sorry? For what?"

I raised my sword and stabbed him through with it. The general slowly fell to his knees. His hands were like a puppet's, once it's string are cut and the puppet goes limp.

"General are you alright? Do you need any hel-Ack!" i quickly pull down the deceased generals body and leap forward plunging my sword on the unsuspecting soldiers throat. The others are alarmed, and quickly drew their swords. 

I charged in without hesitation. My enemy must be defeated in one or two attacks, otherwise I'd have hard time dealing with each and everyone of them. A dodge, counter, or a parry would make everything slightly easier for me.

One soldier managed a lucky hit on my left arm. I didn't notice his presence when he sliced me from the side. I lost all the momentum I had and I am hit by several of them.

I retreated in a secret alleyway to my right. The soldiers are in pursuit. I think about using my power instead of being stubborn, but thinking of her makes me stop. "I can't use her as a reason for my weakness. Isn't it enough that she left?"

Thinking that I've finally outrun them, I sat down and leaned back on a wall. The wounds I received were painful, but I've already been through something unbearable. Why can't I stop thinking about her? Why do I always have to feel this pain? Always losing people close to me. "Why not me instead? I just don't understand!"

It seems that the soldiers heard my shout. They come rushing without a moments notice. "Come here you bastard! You'll pay!"

Do it just sit here, or do i get up and fight? Running away is a good choice too.

I took a deep breath. "I have to stop thinking too much about it. I'll have enough time to do that once I'm finished."

I faced the soldiers despite my injury and fight them head on. Though they are great in numbers, that doesn't mean i can't beat them. I'll show them my conviction.

Freeing himself from the guilt of his weakness even for a while. Fafnir faced his fate head on. To finish this is his desire, what comes after is just another event in his life waiting to happen. He fights each step of the way. At this point Fafnir has already taken the lives of more than thousands of Ardrasthrurian soldiers without using his sacred power.

He finally reached the open gates of the city leading to where the front lines were fighting. Thousands of soldiers lie on the ground. Bloodied and battered they lie dead on the ground. It reeks of decaying flesh everywhere. Crows circle the battlefield, ready for their next hearty meal.

Yet there is still one man who fights on the front lines. The man wielding his sword gallantly while riddled with arrows and every part of his body covered in cuts and deep looking wounds.  

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Still fending off the main army alone, he also fight against a general who's reputation exceed that of just words. Luke spoke coldly to his opponent, showing no signs of backing down. 

"Give up. You're already dead. still being stubborn until the end? This is why people die. It's because you never let go of your stupid ideals. if you could have just forgotten about your overflowing ego, then Sherry might still be alive. I know that you still carry hear death as your burden."

Fiol breathed heavily. Desperate for even the slightest amount of relief. How many hours has it been ever since I started fighting? five hours straight? I don't know anymore. I can't keep track of anything at all. 

"You never changed Luke. You're still melodramatic as ever. Why? Never forgot about Sherry too? Yeah, the though of her keeps me up at night, but i don't use her as an excuse to fight. I fight with my own reasons. Not like you, you coward!"

"Tsk. Shut your mouth!" Luke charges Fiol with an unrelenting tenacity. Fiol can barely stand, yet he keeps fighting. Is this for the kingdom? or his own selfish reasons.

Nonetheless Fafnir had heard everything that the two heroes talked about from afar. Some of the words they said to each other echoes inside Fafnir's mind. using Charlotte as an excuse to fight and forget about her after this. He tries to deny it, but deep inside he knows that he is fighting for the wrong reasons. Still, is it wrong to fight for someone?

Fafnir approaches the two savage fighters as they waltz with their swords on the battlefield. Each move is a lethal magnificence in it's own right. This time the soldiers of Ardrasthrur watch the battle instead of getting in their way, they know that do not need to interfere with General Luke lest they wanted to be harmed. Yet Fafnir still comes close towards them.  

Fiol is knocked back by a strong attack from luke. he goes down on the ground. *sigh*

"It feels better here on the ground rather than fighting." Fiol tries to get back up, but procrastinates. He can't force his body to move anymore. The strength that he had posses in the past quickly diminishes within time. Not like what he used to be. 

Fafnir s in ftood ront of Fiol, who lays down on the ground. The hero springs up from the ground in surprise. "What are you doing here? I though I told you to protect Nerian!"

Fafnir did not take a look back, but instead he simply spoke. "They're all gone. There will be more however if those soldiers in front of us try to charge in. I have a plan. Just stay down for now. You don't need to fight anymore."

Fiol flops back to the ground with a sigh of relief. "I'll hold you to that. It's all up to you now. I'll just take a nap over here if you need me. I think I deserved it after all."

Now will the two face off? Fafnir and the great Luke Galehearth. The lone child looks upon the glistening sun that beans through the clouds, it shines down on him. "I am sorry Charlotte, but i'll have to forget about you for a while. This is my fight, and i might handle this myself. I won't hold back anymore. Time to pour my heart out with everything I've got!"

Fafnir closes both eyes. Inhale... Exhale... His heart beats in resonance with his devotion and his desire to fulfill it.

His eyes glow yellow. His skin morphs similar to that of a serpent. Exhaling blue flames he does not fear anyone. Believe that you stand above all, and all those that oppose you must be dealt with harshly. "I am omnipotent, and i will prove to you my strength. It will be etched unto your hearts for all eternity if needed."

"Unrelenting and unforgiving. I shall become a god, if not a god then one that equals or rivals a god's power." 

Fafnir is cloaked in blue flames. All his words echo throughout the fields or Zarakiol. The soldiers tremble in fear, some cannot comprehend the voice they hear. It reaches Gram and King Lazarus who stand all the way back on top of the mountain slope. They overlook the battlefield. The king reacted with a sudden familiarity. He knows that voice.

"Fafnir?" King Lazarus pulls on the reigns of his horse and he moves towards the child embraced by the dazzling display of blue flames he calls omnipotence. He doubts it if it is truly Fafnir. He knows that he disappeared after protecting his daughter from the attack, but what is he doing here? along with the enemy nonetheless.

"Does this mean that you will defend this man? You will receive no mercy from me if that is the case. I will be swift, but you will feel the pain of attacking our kingdom." Luke threatens Fafnir despite the strength that he shows off. 

His gaze becomes menacing. "Your eyes tell the story. You underestimate me, but deep inside there is a pain in your heart more than i thought you had. I won't hold back as well."

The two have readied themselves. This will become no less than a spectacle that will be remembered throughout the ages, and the years to come. One who has never been defeated. Hailed as a god among men, a man shrouded with a mystery that none has yet to know. Against one who has lost too many in his life. Fighting for himself rather than for the sake of justifying other's deaths, or that's what he makes himself believe...

Unfortunately the battle was put to a halt. King Lazarus had just arrived to the scene, verifying whether it truly is Fafnir in front of him. 

"It is truly you! Finally i have found you. Juliette has been worried sick, but why are you here Fafnir?" Asks king Lazarus still with a surprised expression. 

It worked somehow. i was hoping that i needed to fight him, but it seems that it was unnecessary. All of this was a bluff. I had to at least do something that will surely grab his attention. "I need to speak with you king Lazarus. All of this was a needless battle. The previous ruler had died, The true heir had just usurped the throne a few weeks ago."

his demeanor changes. "How can I believe this? What proof do you have? I may know you Fafnir, but everyone else here has to answer for their crimes. The people of Ardrasthrur have lost live.It is natural that lives be taken in return."

"That's just vengeance! Nothing will be solved if this keeps becoming a cycle. I thought you were different King Lazarus. I thought that you followed a belief that was right and just, but all of this is meaningless. You slaughtered people who have given up."

King Lazarus trembles internally at the thought. It seems that he has regained his senses. What he fought for, and what he rued under was justified as revenge. It was nothing more than a grudge. Still he cannot even think about how to quell the anger of his brothers and sisters in arms.

"I-is this all true?"

"Yes... All of it. See for yourself. You and your army had wiped out the entire town. No one remains besides the new king, his friend and... and his sister whom had lost her life at the hands of your soldiers."

Fafnir whistles in the air. A horse comes galloping towards him. He faces king Lazarus one last time. "Please help them instead of exacting your revenge on these innocent people. They had nothing to do with the war. They only defended their city where their dreams and youth were made." 

He saddles up to Sleipnir who seems happy to be with his master once again. "Where are you going Fafnir?" Asks king Lazarus. 

"Where ever I end up. Who knows. This might be the last time that you see me..."

Gram emerges from the ranks of soldiers. They all crowd the front lines expecting a battle to happen, but to their dismay. It seems that nothing will happen. Gram tries to get through his soldiers as he is also curious about the commotion, or maybe he was also captivated by the blue flames that illuminated the barren fields of wandering souls.

He comes across someone who seems very familiar to him. His eyes open wide in surprise, and his mouth is left open. Gram reaches his arm out to the child who seems younger than him as he departs. He only catches a glimpse of him, but he knows that he is familiar. It can't be mere coincidence. Although he tries to force out a shout. It is too late.

"Brother! Wait! Guards after him!" The soldiers are unable to react fast enough. They try to pursue, but it is too late. This may be the first time that Gram has lost his usual confident face. Even the soldiers were surprised to see the sudden change in his personality.

Fafnir leaves the battlefield and a sleeping Fiol on the ground. He trusts that King Lazarus will take what he said to heart, and will hear Nerian out, sparing his life in return. It's not much, but i hope that my words are enough to reach him.

He leaves Zarakiol behind, but he hears someone calling out to him. Fafnir ignores it. Where will he end up? Will the promise of his arrival in heaven be left behind as nothing more than a dream? 

"I don't know if i can ever return here without thinking of you. I never knew that there was a pain much great than being struck by a blade. I know I've felt this before, but again? It's too much. I know that i sound weak, but i can't help it. This feeling... Words won't be enough to express this."

Tell me... What should i do.

I'm lost. I'm scared and alone once again. Where can i find the strength to move past this, or rather grow from this. Does strength come from the heart? 

~meanwhile inside the palace~

"Brother... Where is Fafnir?.."