Chapter 9: The Last Two Pieces
The Calm Before the Storm
The battlefield was eerily silent.
It wasn't the kind of quiet that brought comfort.
It was the kind that came before something shattered.
Marcus Alderwood had made his choice.
Only six warriors could advance.
He had chosen Siegfried Dragunov and Galahad Vortigern as his allies.
That choice had sealed the fates of the others.
And they knew it.
---
The Ones Left Behind – The Desperation to Survive
Marcus' remaining three allies were still standing.
Not as his teammates, but as expendable remnants.
Their situation was simple—either they secured a spot or they were eliminated.
They had seen Ellis Runestone.
A dangerous fighter.
A threat.
But more importantly—an opportunity.
If they could eliminate Ellis or one of her faction members, they could prove their worth.
That was their first plan.
But then—
A second plan formed.
If they couldn't eliminate Ellis, then perhaps—
They could eliminate Siegfried Dragunov instead.
After all—Marcus already had his six.
What if one of them could take Siegfried's place?
It was a ruthless thought.
A desperate one.
But desperation led to betrayal.
Theyanaged to team up with ellis Runestone allies and convinced Siegfierd That a Battle worth fighting Is waiting for hum in the sense woodsarvus also wanted to add the lone huntress to his group so he let them go.
---
Ellis' Arrival – The Watcher in the Trees
Ellis Runestone had been watching.
For a long time, she had been crouched in the shadows of the dense treeline, scanning the battlefield with sharp, calculating eyes.
She had watched Siegfried, Galahad, and Marcus fight.
She had watched Marcus' discarded allies whisper among themselves.
And now—
She had seen enough.
As she stepped out of the trees, the remaining warriors tensed.
Siegfried turned his head slightly, acknowledging her presence.
"Took you long enough."
Ellis didn't respond.
Her sharp green eyes flicked to Marcus' three former allies.
They were too still.
Too ready.
They weren't positioning themselves against her.
They were positioning themselves against Siegfried.
Ellis raised an eyebrow.
Interesting.
---
Siegfried Steps Into Battle – The Trap is Set
Siegfried had no reason to hesitate.
He stepped forward, rolling his shoulders, his dragon-forged spear resting against his back.
The remaining warriors flanked him, moving alongside him.
Kieran walked on his right.
Rowan on his left.
Darius followed closely behind.
Siegfried glanced at them.
There was something off about the way they moved.
Their hands hovered near their weapons.
Their eyes darted between each other.
Still, they didn't attack.
Yet.
Ellis' faction stood on the opposite side of the battlefield.
She had three allies at her back, their expressions cold, their weapons drawn.
A quiet moment passed.
Then Siegfried smiled.
"What do you say, Ellis?" he asked, voice light with amusement. "You and your people against me?"
Ellis exhaled. "You talk too much."
Siegfried chuckled. "That's a yes, then."
He spun his spear once, planting his feet firmly.
"Come at me. All of you."
---
The Betrayal
For a moment, it seemed like Marcus' three former allies were truly with him.
They charged alongside Siegfried, rushing toward Ellis' faction.
The clash began.
Steel met steel.
Ellis fired arrows in quick succession, forcing Siegfried to deflect with rapid spins of his spear.
One of Ellis' allies lunged, but Siegfried sidestepped effortlessly, delivering a brutal counterstrike to the ribs.
Another came from behind.
Siegfried twisted, blocking the blow with the shaft of his spear, then slammed his elbow into the attacker's jaw.
It was a chaotic, brutal exchange.
And then—
It happened.
Siegfried sensed the shift.
Kieran was behind him.
Too close.
"Siegfried—look out!" Galahad Shouted.
Siegfried moved instinctively.
He turned—just in time to see Rowan's blade swinging at his back.
He barely blocked in time, the impact forcing him to stagger a step back.
Kieran lunged at his exposed side.
Darius swung from the front.
They had turned on him.
The three warriors Siegfried had fought beside moments ago—
Had betrayed him.
Siegfried's smirk didn't fade.
If anything—
It widened.
---
Siegfried's Payback
"Really? Three-on-one? You think that's enough?"
Siegfried exploded into motion.
Kieran came first.
Siegfried caught his wrist before the sword could connect and twisted.
There was a sharp crack.
Kieran screamed.
Siegfried let go.
The next moment, he grabbed Rowan's spear mid-thrust.
He yanked it forward, sending Rowan stumbling off balance.
Siegfried used the momentum—slamming the hilt of his spear into Rowan's stomach.
The fighter crumpled.
Darius hesitated.
Siegfried turned to him, cracking his neck.
"I'll give you a chance."
Darius ran.
Siegfried exhaled.
Then he turned—to Ellis.
She had been watching the entire time, bow still drawn, eyes sharp.
Now, it was just the two of them.
---
Galahad vs. Ellis – The Clash of Steel and Arrows
While Siegfried finished off the traitors, Galahad had his own battle.
Ellis had already engaged him, her bow releasing arrows in rapid succession.
Galahad was unmoved.
His greatsword swept through the air, deflecting every projectile with imposing precision.
Ellis' strategy was clear—keep the distance.
But Galahad—
Galahad was closing in.
Every step forced Ellis to move faster.
To adjust.
To find an opening.
Their battle was a dance of opposites.
Speed vs. Endurance.
Ellis fired.
Galahad cut the arrow in midair.
She flipped backward, drawing two arrows at once.
Galahad swung his blade in an upward arc, sending a shockwave that splintered them apart.
Neither had gained ground.
Neither had conceded.
The duel was far from over.
---
Marcus vs. Lucian – A Duel of Prodigies
Marcus had pursued Lucian Caelum across the battlefield, his blade flashing in the dimming light.
Lucian, the sky prodigy, moved like the wind itself.
Fast.
Unpredictable.
Deadly.
His twin daggers clashed against Marcus' sword, their strikes echoing through the trees.
Lucian's aerial combat gave him an advantage.
Marcus, however—
He fought with brutal efficiency.
Every strike was calculated. Every movement refined.
Lucian's speed met Marcus' precision.
Neither could gain the upper hand.
Until—
A new presence arrived.
A presence that sent a suffocating pressure across the battlefield.
Marcus felt it immediately.
He turned, eyes narrowing.
Standing at the edge of the clearing—
Valen Veridian had arrived.
The air shifted.
A silent command.
A wordless declaration.
"That's enough."
Lucian stepped back, his expression unreadable.
Marcus exhaled sharply.
He had no choice.
He had to retreat.
And as he disappeared into the forest—
The final factions were falling into place.