Vivi ran through the sea of people, pushing away anyone that blocked her and slipping through the space between their legs. Her hand was hurt and bruised after bumping into other, bigger people along the way. Her lung screamed for air. She was unable to get much air no matter how hard she inhaled, but that doesn't matter to her right now, what she just saw was much more important. She wasn't sure if what she saw was right, but his crimson blazing hair was a rare sight even in this strange world, making the chance of her mistaking him for another person small. Whether what she saw was right or not she has to confirms it by her own two eyes. "Cu..cu..cu." She kept muttering the same word as she ran. Her voice was small and filled with sadness. At last, she came out from the crowd and arrived at her destination. The Chosen One stood, facing away from her. Both his arm wrapped around the shoulder of his two new companions. Even without looking at their face Vivi knew that their faces were flushed red up to their ear, while a huge laugh escaped from the Chosen One's mouth. "CUUUUUUU." The crowd was silenced and all eyes moved toward her. The sudden appearance of a violet haired girl who shouted would definitely be the center of attention. Vivi's eyes widen in realization. Blood drained from her face, making her white skin even paler. She realized her grave mistake and the problem she has created for Theo. Her running through the crowd already drew some attention to herself. If she approached the chosen one, then shouted his name, it would draw a lot more attention. It wasn't as if she didn't care about the problem she would create, she just didn't have time to think about it. Her heart was racing and her head fuzzy with the lack of air in her lung. The Chosen One and his companion turned to face Vivi. His expression was flat and filled with question. His lips curved into a smile. "What's the matter, girl? Are you searching for someone?" The Chosen One asked. Her mouth opened wide and trembled. Tears formed in the corner of her eyes. She stumbled backward. 'He-He doesn't recognize me?.....Of course he doesn't! What am I thinking?! STUPID! STUPID! My body has changed. Now he's going to think I'm running away from Theo and seeking help from him, what do I do now?' She was so absorbed in her own thought that she didn't hear the Chosen One asking whether she was a girl or a young lady who have the appearance of a girl. The footsteps pulled her back to the present. The Chosen One was walking slowly to her with his hand extended. He was confused why she looked so scared. Vivi gasped and scrambled backward. "Is something wrong girl?" The Chosen One asked, full of concern. "VIVI!" Someone shouted from the crowd. "T-Theo?" Vivi replied. She looked behind her and saw Theo coming from the crowd. "W-why? Why do you come here?" Theo hid his distressed expression to not make Vivi worry. It was already too late to hide his involvement in all of this. "Where have you been? I've been looking for you." Theo asked. Theo grabbed Vivi's arm, but before he could pull her back into the crowd, his wrist was also grabbed. Without looking, Theo knew who grabbed his wrist, of course, who else would it be other than the Chosen One. "Hands off. Can't you see she's scared stiff?" "Oh, is she? If my eyes don't deceive me, she was scared the moment she saw you." Theo replied. He didn't want to be in that position, but he couldn't just leave Vivi alone. The situation turned tense. No one was brave enough to say anything, no one could say anything. The hostility of the two men poured out into the hall like a flood. Even those who weren't sensitive to killing intent would find their hair stood on ends. To those who were used to sensing killing intent, it was like watching two wild monsters staring at each other. They both released their grip and stared at each other. "The collar around her neck... Is she your slave?" "Slave? She's my woman." "Your woman? Is that what you forced her to say?" The Chosen One took a peek at Vivi, who was frozen stiff on the floor next to him. "Release her. She came to me seeking help from you. I don't know what kind of thing you did to her, but I know it's not something good." "Oh yeah? Why don't we just ask her? Instead of blaming me for your fault." "Are you taking me for a fool? A slave can be forced to speak what their master wants them to speak. Nothing will come out from her mouth unless it something that you allowed. She couldn't speak right now is probably also your doing right? Silencing her so that she couldn't ask for help or blabber about your secret." The air was thick. Vivi felt like she was inside a gel substance, unable to raise even a finger. Sweat rolled down her body. This was a problem she made. She has to resolve the misunderstanding, but she couldn't open her mouth much less speak. A clap resounded in the silent hall. Everyone turned to see who was the one brave enough to break the silence. Sara, with a smile of an angel, walked to the two arguing men. "Pardon my intrusion, but I believe arguing like these will bore no fruit. So I sugge-" "YEAH, good idea!" The chosen one suddenly yelled. He pointed his finger to Theo. "Whoever you are, I challenge you to Duel of Fate!" --------- In the continent, there was an ancient tradition that dated back from the first human, long before the existence of the Church of Ketu or any current standing government. When two people have a heated argument that couldn't be resolved by words alone, the two of them could propose to the village chief or some form of authority to allow a duel of fate. The duel will only commence if both parties agreed and the figure of authority allowed it. They would fight with something on the line. It was rarely a duel to the death, but exceptions do exist. Now, such duel was about to begin. Vivi, the 'prize', sat on the side of the courtyard where two handsome and charming men were fighting over her. If there was no misunderstanding, and there was no risk of one killing the other, she would be very happy right now. It would be a dream come true, a maiden's wet dream. She had tried to prevent the duel many times, but it was futile no matter what she said. Either she was ignored or anything she said only further the misunderstanding that Theo was forcing her to say that. She wanted to shout and tell the two to stop, but she knew that they wouldn't accept it. After all, those two that were fighting for her were much more similar than they wanted to admit. Not to mention that Sara appeared to like the idea of them fighting. Theo stood on one end of the courtyard while the Chosen One stood on the other. They were staring at each other, like wild beasts. The duel has been going for about three minutes and in just that three minute, the audiences have witnessed something incredible, something most people couldn't even dream of doing. Both of them were still relaxed even after such an intense trade of blows. At first glance, both of them appeared to be equal, but an experienced fighter who saw the fight would praise Theo. Theo was fighting against spear using a sword, putting him in a disadvantaged position in terms of reach and versatility. Their level difference wasn't that big, Theo at level 31 and The chosen one at level 30, not enough to give Theo a significant advantage. Their talent was equal, both possessing Class 4 with their respective weapon. What made Theo considered to be amazing though, was the fact that The Chosen One's blessing of the God increased his mana, health, and stamina regeneration by a huge amount. A shallow cut and light wound would heal in under one minute. The chosen one could recover from fatigue much faster than Theo, allowing him to launch a barrage of attack when Theo was still recovering. This was apparent with the fact that Theo's breath was rapid with sweat soaking his armor while the Chosen One didn't look all that tired. Considering how all the odds were stacked against him, it was amazing how Theo not only fight on equal term but gained the upper hand in their duel. "You're strong. Never faced someone as strong as you before." The Chosen One praised Theo. "But how long will you last?" "Heh! I never like flattery, especially from men." Theo wiped the sweat off from his forehead. It was past midnight and the air was freezing. It was a tough fight, similar to when he fought Roderyk. "Then we're the same in that aspect then." "Trying to praise yourself?" Theo made a smug grin. The chosen one let out a sigh and stood upright. "I'm trying to praise you, you know. But I guess a nut brain can't differentiate between a praise and a mockery." "Big word for a lust driven Hound." 'You have no right to say that word' Vivi thought. The chosen one brows and ears twitched. His head trembled. "What did you say?" A voice filled with anger came out from the chosen one's mouth. 'Seems like I ticked him off' Theo thought after hearing his reply. "What's the matter? Can't deny it....Hound?" "That's it!" He shouted. The Chosen One raised his hand towards the sky. Something tore through the sky, fast. A red flash traveled the air, creating a thunder-like pattern as it moved. It was his Legendary spear. The spear flew on its own to his hand. "Enough!" The chosen one shouted. "Not only you enslaved a young beautiful woman and tainted this holy city with your presence, now you mock me?! One more a-" "Hound." Theo mocked. He was undeterred by the Chosen One's threat. The Chosen One eyes shot open, glaring. He bent his knee, assuming a low thrusting stance. It was a strange stance to take. Theo took a defensive stance. He didn't know what the chosen one was doing, but it was bad. The distance between them wasn't that large, he could still hit Theo. The air raged and the spear glowed red, the air around him glowed red, the sky glowed red. An intense pressure, a killing intent poured out like a tsunami, freezing everyone. Theo took out a small medallion from his back pouch. "Do it." Theo taunted. "As you fucking wish!" He pointed the end of the spear at Theo's chest. "STOP! PLEASE! STOP!" Vivi shouted from the side, but the air pressure was far too intense for anyone to hear her. She has a hunch, just a hunch, a feeling in her heart, that if no one stop their next blow one of them is going to die. The Chosen One was going to die. The chosen one took a deep breath "Gae-" The whole world turned red. That was the power of a Legendary weapon, the most powerful class of item. The spear pointed at Theo was so powerful that it could twist fate and space-time itself. The moment The Chosen One finished activating the spear, his fate was sealed, and only death awaited him. That was of course if Theo didn't have the medallion in his hand. "Bul-" "STOP!!!!!!" Vivi screamed. Theo's and the chosen one's body stopped like the time itself stopped them. Their face blank like both of them had just seen something absolutely horrifying. Their head rocked forward and backward before they vomited their dinner. The spectator were all shocked and disgusted by the sudden turn of event, all except Vivi. She took the opportunity to get away from her position and get to the courtyard. When her guard realize that she was gone, it was too late. "STOP IT!" She shouted. Her voice snapped Theo and the chosen one back to reality. "THIS IS ALL MISUNDERSTANDING!" "Is that what he forced you to say?" The chosen one asked. Vivi face brimmed with anger. She gritted her teeth and slapped the Chosen One. "This is all your fault! Why do you have to act like you know everything?!" She took her slave collar off and threw it at his face. "See, I'm not a slave. Theo is my lover! He just wanted a slave play. Now you ruin everything!" Theo and the chosen one both dropped their jaw. The Chosen One for hearing that he misunderstood. And Theo for seeing Vivi took her slave collar on her own. She walked to Theo and wiped his mouth with a handkerchief that she got from somewhere. "It's your fault too. Stupid! Why did you accept his challenge?!" She hugged him. "I'm worried!" Theo hugged her back and smiled. "Sorry" He put his mouth near her ears and whispered. "How the hell can you take the slave collar?" She smiled. "A woman has many secrets." A burst of laughter came from the Chosen One who fell to the ground. He covered his eyes with his hand. "OH man! That is a laughable mistake for a Chosen One." he kipped up to a standing position. "But still, I can't just let you insult slide." "Yeah." Theo moved Vivi's to the side. "Please wait on the side. I'm going to finish this duel." Vivi's eyes went wide open. "Wha-Why?!" "Because I'm going to show that idiot who is the better between the two of us." "Don't worry girl. I'm not going to kill your boyfriend. Just put him near the death door." The Chosen One added. They stared at each other and readied their weapon......they stopped. Their body froze again, this time not because of Vivi, but because of the message in their mind. Not only them, Vivi and many others in the audience also froze as they saw the message that popped up in their head. [World Quest: Stop Calamity] [Difficulty: Extremely hard (Level>50)] [Time Limit: Unknown] [Disaster has come. A portal to the realm of fire appeared on the peak of Mount Etna. A great invasion of Fire elemental is about to begin. Stop them before they could muster their full force, or risk the extinction of all race on the continent.]