How long has been since my coronation? Two weeks? The big fight is coming up in two days. I began my daily stroll through my courtyard and around the palace, checking on the affairs of things. Turning around the corner, I stepped foot in the courtyard, and I was greeted by the finally built, fully furbished Tower. I must say, it looked strikingly like the leaning tower of Pisa. I decided to march into the Tower to have a look.
The first floor had many archways etched into the walls with large curtains on either side, with each pair resembling a flag of major cities on the continent. During the two weeks, I had managed to complete half of the portals on the first floor. I had used the memories of others to save time in completing this task. On the portion of the wall that was opposite of the entry way, there was an archway slightly taller than the others, this portal served as an entry way to the Void, more specifically, the Arena. I had one of the elder members of the Construction guild rebuild the ruined walls and stands, using the ancient design that was still there. He gave me his impressions of the unusual pale stone of the surroundings and the general alien like quality the atmosphere had.
I would use this portal for the use of public events such as brutal gladiator battles and weddings. There is a portal to the foot of the mountain in the Void on the floor above this one, along with a portal to a location, where I noticed black soil. There wasn't much in the void, but I built a portal to few things that I did see in the Void.
I know the guild didn't start the community building projects in other cities yet, but they already finished the university, the hospital and a few schools here in Starwind city. I had yet to redesign the army, and make a police force, I planned on doing this after my honeymoon.
I stretched my wings and crouched slightly as simultaneously thrust my wings down and my body up, causing me soar into the sky. The wind in my face and the rustling of my feathers felt really good, but I concentrate on the task at hand, surveying my kingdom. I decided to take a break from creating portals today, I have already placed the wide spread ones at the tower, allowing the maximum amount of people to benefit from the tower early on.
While flying, the tower came into my thoughts again. It did not have a name, and as important as it is, it should. Tower of the Void? Tower of Travels? Heart of the World? Maybe I should hold a poll. I shook the thoughts when the Common District came closer into view.
…
Ah, day of the fight. The tower was already buzzing with life as people from all over Zugrielia stepped through the portals and were directed into the Void Portal. It was quite the sight to see, with all the confused people moving at once. I took this time to go to the Armory and find something wear. Upon entering, I saw a display case that held a very familiar armor, the armor that Ares had worn while he was in front of his troops. Ares was more robust than I was, given that he had a full life as a soldier. I decided to appraise it.
*PING*
Voidsteel Armor of Vitality
Stat increase
Strength: +25
Vitality: +50
Description
An heirloom of the Phendahl family, this armor is made of the blackened steel from the Void, giving the wearer increased strength and vitality. It was rumored that the heirlooms were forged by the Demon goddess herself. Voidsteel set 1/3. Adjustable.
Voidsteel? Is that what my sword is made of? This set has three pieces?
*PING*
Voidsteel Sword of Stamina
Stat increase
Strength: +25
Stamina: +50
Description
An heirloom of the Phendahl family, this sword is made of the blackened steel from the Void, giving the user increased strength and stamina. It was rumored that the heirlooms were forged by the Demon goddess herself. Voidsteel set 1/3.
I wonder where the last item is, ah it doesn't matter, maybe I will find out eventually. And if not, it doesn't really matter, though I am curious as to what happens if I have all three pieces.
Since the armor was adjustable, I decided to try it on. I slipped the heavy metal over my head, and tightened down the straps. Even though it was adjustable, it was still too big. Just as I thought to take it off, the armor shrunk and became exceedingly lighter, almost lighter than my own shirt. I tapped the metal chest to see if it was still usable as armor. After the familiar tapping sound of metal, I was satisfied.
I decided to drop by designated torture chamber, and check on my guest. Walking down the familiar stairs that led to a foul stench in the air, I was led to the murderer in chains, Janus. His skin had started festering recently, with yellow pus coming out of the pustules. It reeked of rotting flesh. The guards that were on duty, were clearly in discomfort. As much as it pains me to help him, as he needs healing, I need to clean him so that I can continue torturing him later.
“It is your lucky day. Today we will torture you in a different way, keeping you alive. I took the bucket I had told the guards to prepare for me and threw the contents at Janus, prompting him to scream a terrible scream. The bucket was previously filled with Green Isle Rum. This is probably the strongest alcohol on this world, and it is the closest I have to rubbing alcohol. So I will use it to disinfect his wounds, though the cutting and stitching with massive amounts of this alcohol splashed on him, will cause great pain. I do not envy him.
I turned to one of the guards, “Fetch the man of medicine.” After the guard walked past me, I looked up at the suspended prisoner. More specifically, I looked at his mangled arms. They will probably need amputation, along with his legs. I wouldn't want him to die of gangrene. His limbs had already started to become heavily discolored from lack of blood flow, and he was already missing a hand and several fingers on the other. Parts of his arms had been flayed open, though the wounds were somewhat closed, as they were trying to heal despite not being allowed to. I want him to burn a bit.
I looked at the wall, and the lit sconce that was on it. I walked over to it and removed it from the brace that held it. I then walked over to Janus and stared into his dead eyes as I moved the flames closer to his remaining hand. Once the fire licked the edge of his skin, his entire body was set aflame in mere moments. At first he did not react to the blue flames of burning alcohol, but his body suddenly came to life, as he writhed in pain and his screams echoed in the now brightened dungeon. I watched as he burned for few seconds before I grabbed the bucket full of water and hesitated before throwing it on him. Just a moment more.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
“Um, sir?” The guard spoke up as he witnessed the spectacle.
Breaking the trance I was in, I threw the bucket of water the water washed away the flames, without entirely putting them out. The flames danced in tiny dots around Janus, and even remained lit on a small section of his arms. Janus' body was convulsing with pain and he let out a strange breathing as to not let out any more indications of pain.
I slapped the tiny fire that remained on his arm and simultaneously popped the bubbly flesh beneath my hands. I'll need to wash my hands after this. “I hope it was worth the failure. I'll see you again, until then get well.” After that, I turned and walked up the stairs and passed a bulky Earth Demon in a giant white robe, accompanied by the guard I sent out. I didn't get a clear look at his face, but his presence felt extremely familiar.
I shook my head of any distracting thoughts and focused on the path before me, my fight with the Demon King.
…
“Are you ready, lad?” the giant form of the Demon King stood before me, topless. I got a good view of numerous scars, many of them situated at his chest. He spread his leathery wings and let out a mighty roar that was accompanied by the audience's own.
“I am as ready as I will ever be, I just hope that the old man can keep up.”
“Haha, I really like your confidence kid! I mean King Alexander. Ah, I shall enjoy this.”
With this short exchange we turned our backs to each other and marched to the opposite sides of the large arena, with many people, humans and demons, in the stands cheering us on. There were many people very confused as to what was happening or where they were.
We did not have a referee, and as such when we got to our respective sides, we stared at other without anyway to start the match. It was at that moment that a bright flash that nearly blinded me appeared in the center of the stage. From the flash came a woman, dressed in a white tunic robe, with gold trimmings. Her skin and hair was as black as the night, her name was Anelia, goddess of the demons. Many from the stands gasped as they understood her presence.
“Two kings, wish to fight in good humor. We, the divine beings of this world shall watch.” Upon those words, another brilliant flash appeared beside Anelia, this time causing me to see holes in my vision of which I had to blink rapidly to dissipate. Beside Anelia was another being that exuded holy energy, though he wore black armor with silver trimmings. His skin and hair were as white as the snow, and his muscle seemed to ripple through the armor. He said not a word, but his gaze did stop on me for a while before he looked at the crowd and smiled. Anelia continued, “With divine blessings, let this match, begin!” And they vanished, only to reappear on a cloud that hovered well above the Arena. The cloud looked very out of place here in the Void, but I couldn't really judge them, as my future projects involved drastically altering the place.
I looked back down at the Demon King and saw that he was nowhere to be seen.
“Keep your eye on me, boy!” the voice came from behind me and I felt a heavy fist collide with the back of my head before I was sent sprawling in the air a good distance away.
The very impact rattled my vision, probably giving me a concussion, but I will worry about it later. I stepped back in the familiar Void Step and teleported a bit further a way. I then raised a Dungeon creation skill and created a domain that spanned the entirety of the Arena's ring, and made it transparent so the spectators could see the fight. I then expelled nearly all of my Mana into the Dungeon and quickly alter the terrain while keeping an eye on Magnus. Many spires jutted from the ground, rendering combat on land to be almost impossible. Between the spires were puddles of condensed mana. I have gained a tremendous amount of mana from expelling it every day to create portals. From these puddles, rose hundreds of skeletons and wolves, each as black as the night. This nearly ate all of the mana available. I then let out a shout to turn these skeletons on the Demon King. To my surprise the Demon King was shocked still. He was almost frozen in place as the skeletons neared him, but before they could so much as even grab him he flew to a great height to escape their grasp.
He then flew directly at me with the fire in his burning with fiery intensity, all the while a smile played out on his lips. He removed his sword from his hilt, and I like wise. He then put all of his weight plus the weight of his fall into a heavy downward blow. Had I not moved out of the way, I would have totally been done in. As it stands the very spire that lifted me up earlier was nothing but rubble now. “Ha! Nice reflexes, kid!”
He swiped his sword from his downed stance to get closer to me and I swung to counter it. As our blades collided, I felt an uncomfortable vibration in my hands and wrist, but what was worrying was that he was much stronger than I, and with a simple push he sent me into the air. I caught myself before I tumbled to the ground. While in the air, I used this brief respite to use some of the remaining man on the ground to give skeletons flesh and wings. Now the pools of mana were few.
“To me!” I demanded. I raised my sword, causing the many skeletons to flock toward me and when they all arrived I brought my sword down on the Demon King. The hundreds of soldiers in the air immediately dove for the target. Magnus gave a hearty laugh as he threw his sword to the side and readied himself for the multitudes of enemies. His laughs could be heard from inside the pit of bodies surrounded him. I could not see him but I did see many bodies being flown about, pushed back and some set ablaze. I recalled one soldier too my side and used the remaining pools of mana and infused it in this one soldier. He had risen to general status with full silver armor. Though I was out of mana, so I sacrificed some of the soldiers that were knocked back by Magnus.
Infusing the General, I made I called forth Ares. I almost got chocked up by seeing him again but, I need to use this vital time, “Ares, welcome back from paradise. I am currently battling the Demon King in an sparring match, any pointers?”
Ares scratched his head for a moment, “Ah! Do not cut his flesh! I think you noticed the scars? He has a thing with letting himself be cut. His very blood can turn to molten lava, or so I hear. Also, he may be fast enough to pull you from a Void Step, so be careful. I have had a few sparring matches with the brute, mind if I join for one last match?”
I shook my head, “Not at all, I almost want to see his face.”
We then turn toward the many corpses that surrounded the Demon King. He let out a big huff, before facing me, “You sure are working this Demon King hard, aren't you boy? Who is... Ares? Oh, now you done it boy.” Ares snickered a bit before lowering his stance and meeting Magnus' charge with his own. Ares had thrown his weapons away and was content with punching the Demon square in the face. Of course the Demon King set himself on fire making it hard to get any closer for Ares. I sat back and watched them have at it for awhile before I drew my attention toward the many corpses, their forms dissipated into purplish fog before settling into the dark puddles of condensed mana that they were before.
Crack! My attention was ripped from the fog and I focused on the fight once again, they had disseminated another spire. They descended there flight until they were having a stare down on the new rubble sight. I then drew the mana pools to flow toward them, while the Demon King was unaware. When the puddle was under his feet, many bony hands shot up from the puddles surface. Latching on to the Demon Kings leg, his face fell as he saw what was grabbing him. Is he scared of skeletons?
Ares took this time deliver another solid punch to his face causing the Demon King to fall back onto the ground, where the puddle pinned him down with more skeletal arms. Ares stood over him with a bright smile as he delivered punch after punch to his face. There was a sudden bright flash and I was met with a thud beside me. Looking down I saw the burning feathery mess of Ares' remains. I looked back the Demon King and saw that his posture getting up wasn't as steady as before, though his footing looked fine enough. I used this time to use all of the mana on the ground to call forth as many low level skeletons as I could and I sacrificed my Void Step ability to the Dungeon, giving them the abilities, as well as my Slow Time. This time however, everything moved slower in the space around us, including myself. Many skeletons disappeared at the same time, and reappeared near Magnus to deliver weak blows to his face.
Magnus shook of these weak punches as he stared at me and marched toward me in almost hilariously slow paces. I decided to meet out his wordless challenge and I slowly marched toward him as well. Though I was moving slowly, my mind was racing in normal time. It felt as though my body was wading in mud, and it looked as though he was in the same situation, though I have a way to speed up my movements by a bit.
With only a thought, I noticed the space beside me altered a bit before a Skeleton came out and grabbed me, only to whisk me inside his portal that ended up dropping me behind Magnus. I charged up my fist from behind my head and slowly, threw them at the back of the Demon King's head. It was slow enough that I saw the Demon King turn his head to look at me, just as my fist slammed into his temple. It was a very slow movement, but I felt the pain and power of the collision.
Magnus' head turned the other way and his body started to collapse slowly. That was when I saw it, a small flame appeared between his muscles, before disappearing and then a blinding flash that blinded me.
It wasn't until many moments had passed that I noticed I was in the air, I could feel the wind against my feathers, albeit, it felt very strange when slowed down, but I couldn't mistake this feeling for anything else. I still could not see however, and that was mildly unsettling. Just as I though to correct my airborne posture, I felt a skull smashing blow to the top of my head that rendered my very bright white sight, to nothing but black. I had fallen unconscious, with the very compelling feeling of wanting to vomit.