Arthus

I ignore Serrah's rabid cursing and dart to the fray.

Leave the forest alone.

The bear's eyes seem to plead as it shreds the soldiers, one by one. But, it's clearly outnumbered. Even the deafening roar doesn't daunt Thallius or his men any more. They keep slashing and hacking the poor creature.

Bolts of lightning, balls of fire, and spikes of ice shoot off from their swords.

The bear groans. Glowing, white liquid begins to drip from its wounds.

If the onslaught continues, it'll be dead soon.

I summon a wall of earth that abruptly surfaces, throwing most of the soldiers away. Spreading it out to form a shield around the creature, I confine it on the spot.

There's a loud crash.

A single swing and the bear smashes the wall apart, letting out an angry roar in the process.
Debris sails everywhere. I even had to sidestep to dodge an incoming boulder.

Another roar emerges from beside me. I glance to see a grizzly bear, somewhat taller than me. Steadying my stance, counter ready, I wait for it to strike.

"It is I, Seymour," it utters in a rough growl.

"Bloody hell, what happened to you?"

"Shape shift. I'll explain later," and he rushes to help his larger cousin.

My attention plunges back into the battle. The scorching air intensifies due to the growing fire. Out of the corner, my gaze catches Thallius, about to land a heavy blow on the bear's right foot.

With a strong flick, I twist the earth beneath him, making him trip and fail his assault. Wasting no time, I heave a gust of air to his direction, hurling him off several meters away.

"Behind you, Arthus!" Serrah screams.

Turning around, a Claudescian soldier attempts to stab my side.

Time seems to slow down. I realize I'm going to take this hit, no matter what. I brace myself for the incoming pain. Before I can react, a pointed, silver thing erupts from his chest. Blood immediately follows, bathing the gleaming rapier in red.

"Are you alright?" Serrah asks, pulling Lumina out from the body. Her face paler than usual. She's even shaking.

"Yes, thank you."

Without another word, I run towards the bear, who's now limping, barely able to fend for itself. Lying on a pool of its own, white blood, the agony evident. Seymour fights bravely to defend it. Serrah proceeds to eliminating our enemies.

I strike down every soldier I come across. I am almost close to where the bear stands, when a strong force pummels my gut, throwing me away.

The blunt side of a halberd just hit me.

Good news, the ground's soft with all the moss covering it. Bad news, I land flat on my face. Ouch. Choking back some air, I manage to stand up, the pain on my abdomen leaves me gasping.

Serrah lurches towards Thallius then whips him with a fury of slashes. He either deflects or evades most of her attacks, while receiving the rest. The look on his face tells that she's gaining on him.

"Serrah, I order you to stop," I croak.

Obviously, my command plays against her will. She calms down as she distances herself from Thallius.

"I'll fight him, remember," I remind her. Standing between me and Thallius, disbelief starts to flood her expression. "I need Shadespierce."

"As you wish," she replies as she runs towards me. Her swords gradually fade. She explodes in a cloud of black dust and in a moment, my black dagger's clutched in my hand.

The sensation of its grip revitalizes me with strength. We're doing this together, Serrah.

Most of the soldiers have been subjugated already. The spirit bear of the forest is nowhere to be seen. But, I have more crucial problems to deal with. I can see Seymour kneeling over the edge of the blazing ring, tending to something.

It's just me and Thallius now. This is a duel I've been dreaming all my life. The first step to avenging my people.

Only the clearing hasn't been consumed by the fire. Maybe because the presence of the spirit bear grants a temporary veil of protection. The flames around us form a fiery ring, like an arena of death.

Thallius smirks mockingly. His smile evolves into a hysterical laughter. This guy's annoying. I can't wait to knock the wind out of him.

"You actually believe you can defeat me, boy?" he questions and goes into another fit of exasperating glee. "Do not worry, I'll kill you fast and put your head on a pole for all of the kingdom to see."

"I'd want to see you try."

In an instant, he charges at me, unleashing a vertical swing, aiming for my neck. He surely wants to end this quick. I drop low to elude. I can feel the halberd hover above me, powerful and swift.

I'm about to counter when his weapon comes bashing down. Bloody axe, he's quick. I roll over to the side just before the halberd hits the ground.

Fortunately, it got stuck on the spot, lodged between the earth and a rock. Thallius grunts as he makes an effort to pull it out.

I immediately step forward, cupping my hand on the weapon. Ice forms and coats it, trapping it even more. The advantage cause me to gain a bit of confidence and courage.

To my utmost surprise, flames erupt from the tip of the halberd, breaking the ice into fragments. By luck, I'm able to manifest a buffer of swirling air that negates the flames and saves my face. Wincing a bit, I back more than a few feet away. Holy pyre, Thallius absolutely has his arsenal of dirty tricks.

"Grubby bastard," I spit.

He grins as he prepares to strike again. "That all you got? You disappoint me, boy."

"You haven't seen a piece of me, yet."

He might be the first one to strike earlier, but not this time. I dash at him. He swings the halberd upwards, releasing a massive wave of fire.

I summon a horizontal block of earth which absorbs the blaze. Producing a little bit of air power on my heels, I thrust myself up.

Flames appear and engulf my body, but it isn't consuming me. Instead, it's reinforcing my strength. With Shadespierce tight in a clasp, my sword on the other, I descend on Thallius.

He suspends the halberd above him,  expecting to meet my attack.

A huge pulse of energy ruptures as our weapons collide. Shadespierce and sword smash on the middle of halberd's handle. I grit my teeth, trying to overpower him.

Arrrrrrrrrgh! I yell as I force through with all my might. My skin's burning, searing pain gradually grows in my chest.

The sound of metal cracks, the halberd's cracking. Thallius eyes meet mine, shock deluging his dilated irises. Right away, the halberd splits. Shadespierce and my sword jabs into Thallius's rib. Fresh blood splatters on my face.

"Impossible," he mutters as he collapses.

All my energy abandons me and I drop on my knees. The flames have already subsided, together with my vigor. I sense myself plummeting to the ground but I have no strength left to move.

I'm surprised when I land on something soft. Softer than the moss of the forest floor or the feather bed of an inn. The soothing scent of cherry blossom and something I can't name but smells amazingly sweet invades my nostrils

I sigh heavily but content.This must be the end of the line for me. So, this is what happens when you die? This is what the Fields of Aetherna feels like?

"You did well, Arthus," a familiar voice whispers, tickling my ears with her breath.

No. I'm wrong. I didn't die. Neither am I in Aetherna or anywhere else in Living Reilm. The wonderful truth is, I'm just locked here in the comfort of Serrah's warm embrace.

She's crying, some of her tears drop and trickle on my cheek. Her hair softly brushes my face.

"You stupid, idiot," she mumbles between sobs. "What would I do if I lost you?"

I didn't reply to her. I merely smile. In all honesty, it's a question which I don't have the answer to. Right now, I just wanted this moment to go on for an eternity and I won't even be tired of it, not even once.

My eyes eventually shut close and the inferno around us, the forest, and everything else fades into darkness.

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Hi, my dear reader! Aren't Serrah and Arthus cute? Lol just kidding!

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The picture in the media is a fan art drawn by tuna! The_Quill.