A wave of Ice Element blast across the arena as Messor sailed towards the orc before me. The Ice was so cold it felt like my skin was burning and breaking at the same time. Gritting my teeth, I decided to retreat. Yet my wings refused to budge as I desperately worked my shoulder muscles in hopes of moving the frost laden appendages.

Messor shivered in my hands as I slowly became covered in ice. Urging my Mana to circulate through my body I tried my best to fight the bitter cold. But I could only watch in grim realization that it was no use. Wait!

How the fuck can I be defeated by anyone? I am the Dragon Nephilim! No one can match me!

RRRRAAAAAAAAAARRRRRGGHHHHH

Pushing my Light Element and Mana to their limits, I fought against the bitter cold with all my might. Even when the audience outside the ring were being frostbitten I fought the cold to a standstill. Willing my magic through each and every one of my veins, I created almost an internal heating system inside my body. The Light became erratic within me forcing my body into overdrive despite the paralyzing chill around me.

A small smile touched my face. Sadly it was short lived. I saw the cause of the terrible cold. Argan Sigmar. At least that's all I could assume as I gazed towards the location he had been in. What stood there was a icy blue creature covered in brutal spikes. It looked more like a Fiend of some kind then the orc I was facing.

Fiends are a breed of Beasts that walk upright and come in variations of each Element. From Light Fiends to Dark Fiends. Personally though, I had only slain a newborn Earth Fiend. So although I was familiar with Fiend appearance, the one before me was truly something else entirely.

Deadly sharp spines laced it's spinal cord. While brutal points sharpened themselves on the elbow, knee and heel joints. Claws of ice formed at the fingertips and talons grew out from the toes. It was truly an Ice Fiend if I ever saw one.

“You can't win anymore, Scaleborn. Surrender.”

Oh fuck that! This just got interesting!

“Make me, Snowflake.” I snapped back as I prepared [Gold Mail] for both myself and Messor.

With my magics cast I began my offense. Instead of the wild and large swings I have been doing throughout the competition, I began using the motions and techniques Eric taught me. Though adapted for my Messor. Cross body and downward slashes came raining down on the Fiendish orc. I utilized the massive weight my warglaive carried to bring hell upon this crazy ice clad orc. Instead of avoiding my strikes though, it merely grunted and used its armoured body to fight against Messor’s edge. Like this we began our deadly brawl of power and strength.

A cross block took the blow of Messor.

An uppercut slammed into my ribs, as I brought the butt of Messor straight into the Friend's jaw.

Lifting me into the air, the Fiend lunged forward and punched outward.

Thrown backwards, I beat my left wing hard and narrowly avoided the flying tackle of the Fiend.

Continuing my spin I whipped my tail at the body of the Fiend and smashed the creature's flank.

Landing with on my feet I jumped after my foe with Messor leveled at its back.

But the Fiend abruptly stopped and pivoted while it timed a cross jab, that pushed Messor’s blade off to the side.

Allowing Messor to trail, I sent out a clawed jab with my free left hand at the chest of the Fiend.

My hand never made contact as the Fiend stepped off to the side and let loose two quick jabs to my left ribs.

With a snarl I cast a quick [Elemental Spear] and slammed it into the Friend's chest, blasting it back a few steps.

Spinning I rounded a full circle swing of Mana charged Messor, deep into the shoulder of the Fiend sending the creature flying off to the side of the ring.

Hefting Messor like a javelin I channeled Mana through my wrist, forearm, bicep, tricep, shoulder, obliques and my waist as I threw the giant warglaive at the Fiend. Covered in [Gold Mail], Messor acted like a perpendicular [Vita Messorem Telum] as she shot forth. Like a golden arrow from an ancient God, Messor tore through the air with a terrifying screech. The wind wailed in agony as she pierced towards the staggering Ice Fiend.

BOOOOOM

The earth shook as [Gold Mail] detonated upon impact with the Fiend's icy armour. Mana, Light and Ice Element swept the entire arena up in a savage storm of Elemental fury and destruction.

Shit, maybe that was a bad choice of spell.

“You think?” Luna's smart aleck reply came as I wondered if the orc survived my spell.

“Luna what else could I have done?” Heaving with a heavy breath, I asked the snarky pup hiding in my shadow.

“Maybe fight him like you would a Beast? When you hunt you use your full power regardless of the prey. That is your biggest failure in your fights with two-legs, underestimating them and getting your ass handed to you.” Huffing with exasperation Luna pointed out my flaw with practiced ease.

“I have never lost in any fight. So how the fuck do you mean I get my ass kicked! This is a fucking Fiend in an orc’s body, let's see you fight it!”

“Stop being a child Lucifer. Hunt it. Kill it. That is what you are meant to do. Not the shameful display you showed against the knife ear in your first fight. This fight is no different. Just hunt.” Luna scolded with a snarl that emanated from the depths of my shadow. Luckily no one was close enough to me to hear the savagery coursing through her growl. Well I doubt anyone could over the raging storm of Mana and Elements around us.

Suppressing my growing anger, I tried to refocus myself. Gazing into the depths of the Mana and Elemental storm, I focused my right eye into seeing the collapsed figure of the Ice Fiend. Crumpled and battered, it lay heaving on the ground as the maelstrom of gold and white energy raged around it.

“Tsk. It actually survived.” I growled lowly as my draconic eye scanned for any signs of movement from the Fiend. My left eye as well couldn't pick up any intent from the frozen mass, the power of a Nephilim’s vision couldn't be hampered by common cloth. Calling to the draconian referee, I stated my observations.

“Ref! It isn't getting up, end the match.”

With a single slash of his scimitar, the ref instantly nullified the raging Elements and brought peace to the arena. Deathly silence filled the crowd as the watched in mute horror, the result of our fight.

“Victor, Lucifer Khan!” The ref announced as he took the time to check the state of the Ice Fiend orc.

WUUUUUOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAHHHHHH

The crowd finally regained their crazy fanatical cheering after the announcement of the referee. The ground trembled like an earthquake was shaking the entirety of Az Citadel. I covered my head and torso with my wings hoping to block the deafening insanity of the overzealous onlookers. The draconian ref smiled bitterly as he tossed Messor to me, hefting the warglaive like she was a toy rather than the weapon of mass destruction she truly was.

With my wings still covering me, I skulked back to my seat and entered into meditation. Luna's words ringing incessantly in my mind, preventing me from truly entering into the zen state of true meditation. My Pride restrained me from second guessing my actions previously, but not from carefully and conscientiously analyzing my failings. I did treat all my foes like they were subpar. I did mess up when I faced the elf. Same with the dwarf girl, I played with her like I would with Luna. Fuck. What am I doing here?

Rage bubbled and roiled inside of me as I began to pick apart each and everyone of my actions. The idiocy of my lackadaisical and nonchalant behavior shaking me to my very core.

“Fuck, I gotta meditate or else I will just end up floundering again.”

“Brother, try and focus on you Elements. Lose yourself in them, it will help you focus.” Luna chimed in as she heard my cursing under my breath and through our bond.

“Fine.”

Feeling the pull of Light and Dark around me, I sank into the depths of my subconscious. Mana in the atmosphere started to condense and swirl into me like a whirlpool. My pores and veins flowed with the golden Light Element, the black Dark Element and the Yellow Purity Mana creating an abstract yet beautiful image in my mind's eye. Slowly I lost myself in the glimmering beauty of my meditation’s lustre. Forgetting the arena, the Academy, the boisterous crowds, everything became like fleeting clouds to me as I found a sense of peace in meditation.

While I sat cross-legged in meditation I noticed nothing around me. Not the referee's call for Evra and Kasendrea to fight could rouse me. Not the strange looks from Natasha and Bael as they snuck glances at me could evoke even the slightest response. The explosive battle between the two girls only tousled my long hair as mighty blasts of heat and fire erupted from the spells of the dwarven princess while the sole human cast beams of intense Light Element in return.

Elsewhere Yue, Eric and Jasmine sat around a table conversing in hushed whispers. They were sitting in a crowded bar in Embers Keep, Bolstadt.

“Yue are you sure you want to do this?” Eric questioned in a low voice while his eyes flashed with golden light despite the natural blue of his iris.

“Lady Anise deserves to know. She-” Began Yue as she spoke with righteousness evident in her tone of superiority. Her pale skin flushed red as she attempted to justify her answer, only to be cut off by her human company.

“If she knows then so will the rest of Farror!” Eric snapped with a Mana infused grumble. His voice restrained by the Mana so that only the two women would hear him but his anger truly made an impact on Yue who lowered her head in shame.

“Still! Imagine her pain!” The draconian beauty tried to reason with the livid man next to her. But his temper; which never aroused, exploded with her words.

“Anise knew of everything that her decision entailed before she sent Lucifer with us! Don't make her choice and sacrifice be ruined to sate your selfishness!” Roared Eric in muffled rage.

“You're one to talk Eric! You only came to this country for her! Don't compare my actions with yours that are riddled with greed. I am her battlemaid and friend. I will do what I think is best for her.” Retorted Yue with venom and spite as she glared towards the man.

“Yue. If you care for her you would realise that this entire endeavor of yours is foolish and completely against her wishes.” Jasmine finally interjected in the argument.

“Shut up bitch!” Yue demanded as she slapped Jasmine and stormed out of the bar, causing no shortage of heads to turn.

“Jasmine, let her go. If anything I will kill her in order to protect him. He is everything we have left now. You and I are just as much his family as Anise, it is our duty to protect our family.” Eric whispered into the raging elf's ear as he restrained her from launching after Yue in retaliation.

“Let's go protect it.”