Dust and fire mixed within the air. The terrible stench of the Orc King and the burning remains of demons haunted the air across the battlefield.
"Orc King..." My voice rasped as I stared at the monster before me. "You gave me an offer I cannot decline."
The Orc King snickered, clearly pleased by my answer. But before he could reply, I interrupted him.
"Yet you see..." I tightened my grip around my crescent steel. "I am called a Griffin. My loyalty to an elf is everlasting."
With those words, my feet began to move.
The stage beneath me circled like a clock, each movement releasing a faint ticking sound. Every second counted. Every heartbeat brought me closer to my limit.
This stage would only grant me a few moments.
A few moments to awaken my strength and perform to my fullest.
Sparks and thunder danced around the battlefield. Green mana rose through the smoke, twisting into the air like celestial flames.
Under the twin moons, my blade grew heavier with every strike. Each swing buried deeper into the Orc King's thick muscles, piercing through layers of monstrous strength.
Yet...
The Orc King did not cry out.
He barely even staggered.
The pain meant nothing to him.
But neither did my exhaustion.
Because the next attack was already coming.
The Orc King's axe descended toward my head with enough force to split the earth.
My body moved before my eyes could even follow.
I ducked beneath the swing.
Mana stretched across my blade like countless threads, wrapping around the crescent steel as my lips trembled.
Then I whispered the command.
[Eye of Sphinx King]
My eyes glowed like jade.
The muscles in my arms twitched as the sky above me began to open.
And from beyond the clouds came a brilliant heavenly cry.
The Orc King immediately covered his ears, but I saw my chance.
Endless strings spread across the battlefield, weaving through the stage and surrounding everything within my reach.
Then
With an astral flash surrounding the vicinity, the Sphinx King roared.
Not like a beast.
Like something that had existed long before this world.
As the blade scratched against the edge of the Orc King's arm, a distant memory began to return.
***
"Try again. Your spell has no rhythm."
A man with two horns, often mistaken for a demon, spoke while sharpening his blade.
[The Last Breath of Sphinx King]
"Ahhhh! It's not working!"
I collapsed onto my back, frustration filling my voice.
"Tsk."
Vance clicked his tongue and approached me with disappointment written across his face.
"Why am I stuck with such an imbecile like you, Dermis?" He sighed. "If it weren't for Uncle Karter..."
"Tsk."
He clicked his tongue once more before taking my blade from my hands.
After observing it for a moment, his eyes narrowed.
"You... this blade isn't an artifact like the one that elf carries."
"What?"
His expression remained serious.
"My blade is similar to hers. Although it doesn't speak often, it still possesses a power of its own."
"Wait, wait..." I hurriedly interrupted. "What do you mean?"
A mischievous grin appeared on his face.
"Oh... she hasn't told anyone about it, has she?"
I stared at him.
A talking blade?
Vance touched the edge of my crescent steel, studying it carefully.
"It is called a King, isn't it?"
"..."
He remained silent for a moment before speaking again.
"This King is asleep."
His voice lowered.
"But this one right here is greedy and prideful. Whoever wields this crescent steel will be bound to nothing but greed."
He placed the claymore beside me.
"What are you even talking about?"
Instead of becoming angry, he simply laughed softly and began polishing his horns.
"The spells I teach you will do you no good unless that blade awakens. My father used to say the same thing about mine."
"Thankfully, you are making everything more complicated than it needs to be."
My words did not anger him.
Instead, he smiled and stood.
"Then watch carefully."
He lifted his blade.
"See how I make my blade dance."
***
The Sphinx King shook once more.
How could it remain asleep when a battle between kings awaited?
The one who wielded it was said to become consumed by greed.
Yet...
(I still haven't felt your greed, Sphinx King.)
The Orc King recovered.
No pain.
No hesitation.
Not even a hint of fear.
The stage shifted beneath my feet, changing with every passing moment.
(Sphinx King. I call for you.)
No response.
(Sphinx King. I command you.)
Silence.
(...)
(Hey, sleeping beauty.)
[WHO DARES TO CALL ME THAT?!]
The crescent steel in my hand trembled violently.
A voice, belonging to what sounded like a middle-aged man, echoed from within the blade. His tone was filled with anger and arrogance.
(Look who's awake.)
Vance wasn't telling me tales after all.
[Mere mortal... you dare awaken me from my eternal slumber?]
Before I could respond, the Orc King's axe came crashing down again.
Slash after slash.
Attack after attack.
I could only dodge.
I didn't have time to fight both the Orc King and the Sphinx King.
Not yet.
I needed an agreement.
(This mere mortal is your master now.)
The blade fell silent.
Then...
[GAHAHAHAHAHA!]
The laughter shook my mind.
[How humorous!]
The Sphinx King mocked me.
[You? My master? A fragile being who dares stand before kings?]
I ignored his words.
The blade in my hand was simple-minded.
After all, wasn't greed the only thing filling its thoughts?
(Then let's make a deal.)
The Orc King's attacks continued, forcing my body closer to its limit.
(The one before us is a greater king than you.)
The Sphinx King remained silent.
(If you end him...)
My grip tightened.
(I give you my word. I will become your servant.)
The battlefield became quiet.
For a moment, even the Orc King seemed distant.
The Sphinx King was thinking.
My lungs burned beneath my ribs.
Sweat slid down my face and reached my lips.
Every part of my body was acting up.
But I could still move.
(Sphinx King?)
Nothing.
Then
The clouds above me faded beyond the veil.
The sky itself seemed to disappear.
And from the east...
I saw something.
Something spectacular
Something terrifying.
A trident.
The sky was swallowed by dark flames as countless faces appeared around the colossal weapon.
My breath stopped.
"Aniel..."
And
A flash.
My body moved.
No.
Not my body.
The claymore in my hand moved.
When I opened my eyes again...
The Orc King, who had stood before me moments ago, was gone.
Only ashes remained.
A strange mixture of confusion and disbelief filled my mind.
"What...?"
My gaze slowly fell toward the blade.
The Sphinx King.
[Call me Master from now on.]
I ignored his words completely.
My eyes returned to the eastern sky.
The trident was gone.
But my worries remained.
The stage disappeared into the void.
My broken body moved once more.
"Aniel..."