CHAPTER 28: CLASH AND CALL TO ARMS
Po straightened up, catching his breath. "Enough for today, Kai. I acknowledge your strength... and your alliance."
Kai dropped his fighting stance, staggering slightly as he walked over to Po. The two soldiers behind him followed, their faces a mix of awe and residual tension.
"Explain then, Kai," Po said, leaning on his spear. "What is this alliance about?"
Kai gathered his strength to speak. "I'll put it simply. King Swain believes a great war is coming."
Po's brow furrowed as he interrupted. "Why would he think that?"
Kai took a deep breath. "Because King Reacherd... is dead."
Po's eyes widened in genuine shock. "What? A man of his power... how?"
"He was assassinated."
"I see," Po murmured, his face darkening. "So that's what has Swain worried. But he's right. Such an assassination wouldn't be without purpose. Who was behind it?"
"We don't know yet."
"Then I hope you find out soon," Po replied, his voice grave. "Because that will decide who we are fighting. So, what's the plan now?"
Kai answered with determination. "Now, we find the other Independent. Terex."
A flicker of recognition, then a wry smile touched Po's lips. "Ah, Terex... an old... acquaintance."
Kai was surprised. "You know him?"
"Your lucky day, Kai. Yes, I know him. And I know where he is."
"Can we persuade him?"
Po let out a deep sigh. "The issue isn't persuading him. It's leaving."
Kai looked puzzled. "Why?"
"Terex's territory is dangerously close to the Ielian border. And that border... has a guardian. Name's Lioran. Even if we convince Terex, the moment we leave, Lioran will be waiting for us."
Kai's face tightened. "Is there no way around?"
"A slim chance," Po conceded. "As you know, Ielian's borders are lined with those hundred-meter walls. Lioran keeps watch from the top of the very section we'd need to cross. He might not see us."
"And if he does?"
A dangerous glint appeared in Po's eyes. "Then a very harsh trial awaits us."
At that same moment, the air in the Ielian palace courtyard was thick with tension. King Tsur stood amidst bloodied stones, facing the erect, blue-haired figure of Riot.
"Your name is Riot, is it?" Tsur boomed, his voice icy. "Now I will show you the price of threatening my lands, you fool."
A sly smile played on Riot's lips as he shouted back, "Then let's begin, King Tsur!"
Riot made the first move. He gathered a sphere of magnetic energy in his palm. It grew, pulling in metallic debris and loose stones. "Magnetic Sphere!" he roared. The massive, blue-tinged ball of force hurled toward Tsur, obliterating everything in its path.
Tsur merely scoffed. "Chains of Sacred Judgment!"
Eight glowing chains of white-gold spiritual energy shot from beneath Tsur's cloak, lashing toward the incoming sphere. The two attacks collided in the center of the courtyard in a blinding explosion of blue and golden light, the shockwave cracking the stones beneath their feet.
From the dust cloud, Riot's excited voice rang out. "You really are strong, King! Let's continue!"
"Magnetic Rush!" Riot blitzed forward like a bolt of blue lightning. Tsur waited, perfectly still. As Riot threw a magnetically-charged punch, Tsur countered with cold precision. "Divine Fist!"
The collision of their fists produced a concussive boom. When the dust settled, the difference was clear: Riot had been pushed back two meters, skidding to a halt.
"Interesting," Riot grunted, shaking his arm. "You live up to the title of King, Tsur. But let's see how long you can keep this up."
Tsur was now blazing with anger. This time, he initiated the attack. He brought his palms together, generating a growing, brilliant yellow sphere between them. "Orb of Sacred Judgment!"
The energy grew so intense Riot had to squint and step back. When it reached its peak, Tsur launched it. The orb tore through the courtyard, reducing stone and rubble to dust in its wake.
"Whoa! That power is incredible!" Riot yelled, yet that dangerous smile remained. "Magnetic Levitation!"
Instantly, Riot's body became hazy, almost spectral, as if he were made of energy itself. The colossal Orb of Sacred Judgment passed through him, impacting and demolishing the palace wall behind him instead.
The confidence drained from Tsur's face. "This... can't be real."
"Don't fret, King!" Riot taunted. "Maybe next time... if there is a next time! HAHAHAHA!"
Tsur was seething, but he forced himself to calm down. I am a king. I must protect my kingdom.
Riot prepared another assault. "Magnetic Beam!" A dense ray of blue energy shot from his palm, tearing through the air.
Tsur, maintaining his composure, countered. "Duality of the Sacred!" A beam of bright white-gold energy erupted from his right hand, while a deep, devouring black beam shot from his left. Just before clashing with Riot's attack, the two beams merged, their power doubling as they shot forward.
The collision resulted in a massive shockwave and a brilliant flash that lit up the palace grounds. The explosion rippled through the city. Citizens poured into the streets in panic, staring toward the palace. "What's happening at the palace? Those lights... That's King Tsur! Who is he fighting? The palace will be destroyed at this rate!"
As the shockwave faded, the two rulers still stood, breathing heavily.
"Finally, a worthy opponent," Riot panted, his eyes alight with excitement. "The rumors about you were true, King Tsur."
Tsur's patience had run out. "Enough! Let's end this swiftly."
"Take this then, you pretender king!" Riot shot back, his voice rising to a manic pitch. "Ultimate Technique: Spiritual Magnetic Cleave!"
He joined his five fingers together, holding his hand horizontally. Then, with a motion so fast it seemed to slice the air itself, he swung. An invisible, magnetic blade sheared through everything in its path toward Tsur.
At that moment, a triumphant smile spread across Tsur's lips. Riot realized something was wrong.
Just as the cleave was about to bisect him, Tsur opened his palm. "Sacred Absorption!" His palm glowed with a white light. Tsur lunged forward, drawing the entire magnetic cleave into his hand, absorbing it. Then, he raised his left hand.
Riot's eyes widened in horror. Tsur's left hand was now glowing with a deep, consuming blackness.
"W-what is that?!"
Tsur channeled the energy he had absorbed, amplified it twofold, and released it from his left hand as a wave of pure black energy, shaped exactly like Riot's own attack.
Riot was stunned, unable to react. His own attack, now corrupted and empowered, slammed into his chest. He screamed, crumpling to the ground. A deep, grievous wound was torn across his chest, nearly revealing bone.
"Gahh... What kind of technique was that?" he groaned, his consciousness fading. "I've never... seen such a thing. I must retreat..."
Tsur took heavy steps toward the fallen man. "It's over."
With the last of his strength, Riot slammed his hand on the ground. "Magnetic Escape!" A burst of blue light engulfed him. "Sorry, King! Not this time! But next time... I will be the victor!"
The light vanished, and Riot was gone.
Tsur clenched his fist in fury. "Kair!"
The slightly wounded commander ran from the palace. "Your orders, My King!"
"Immediately, send word to every corner of Ielian, to all city-states! Wanted posters are to be posted across the kingdom! Find him and bring him to me!"
Reinforcement troops from the capital were now arriving in the courtyard. Seeing them, Tsur turned back to Kair. "Tell the soldiers to stand down and return. You, carry out my command."
"At once, My King!" Kair bowed and sprinted away.
At that moment, a sound began to rise from the fearful crowd gathered beyond the palace gates. First a few voices, then hundreds, then thousands...
"LONG LIVE KING TSUR! LONG LIVE THE KING!"
The cheers of victory filled the blood-scented air. Tsur stood tall amidst the ruins, accepting his people's adoration, but his eyes remained fixed on the spot where Riot had disappeared. The battle was not over. It was merely postponed.