Chapter 107

Ghane

The Second Grand Duel (Part 2)

“Begin!”

With that one word a fierce gust of wind blew, pushing back both contestants if only for a moment. This was of course a safety measure of the gods, to make sure no one took a second to strike before the duel was to truly begin. With the word Ghane lowered his spear tip to face Ajimal.

Ajimal for his part slowly drew his blade. At least the movement was so slow and graceful that it appeared slow to Ghane’s eyes. At first Ghane was angry at the sheer mockery, but he quickly realized he was outmatched, at least when it came to raw attributes and power. The man before him glowed with a sheen of power that spoke of being at the pinnacle of creation. Plus, he spoke about something called the third echelon, a place of existence that forced transcendence? Were they all just words meant to get into his head, or was there more?

No, they were just words. Ghane had changed a lot since he left his home from within the heart of the Great Forest. He had advanced his Spear work to the Mastery level and managed to reach the maximum of that skill as well. While he now had the option for Unarmed Combat Mastery, that skill remained at the Novice rank. Ghane felt there was no need to practice other forms, especially when he had finally mastered the one, he was always destined to wield, the spear.

The spear was the most primitive and simultaneously one of the most advanced weapons available. At its base form it was just a sharpened rock at the end of a stick. In the hands of an amateur it was little more than giving someone an off-balanced knife to wield. Yet, in the hands of a master like Ghane the spear was so much more. Especially when one factored into the equation that Ghane’s example of a spear was the pinnacle of evolution for the weapon, not just sleek and supple, but made entirely of Mithril, the anti-mage weapon. For this moment in time, there was no weapon Ghane trusted more. Simultaneously there was no weapon that Ghane could even think of that would hold a candle to this weapon. A weapon that he only now felt truly worthy of wielding. For only within the past two years did his skills finally meet those of the previous bearer of the weapon. Only now did he feel that this weapon was truly his, and not just a stolen relic.

With his mind, body, and spear moving as one Ghane moved.

[Burst Dash]

Swoosh.

Air whipped around his spiked ears. The ground beneath his feet gave in slightly as he charged forward. He was so much more than a standard inhabitant of this planet. With the power of not one, but three different dark pillars coursing through him, many of his Attributes were not at or above the thirty-point threshold. Many of his skills too were at the Mastery level as well. By all rights and accounts, he was a warrior nearing the heights of perfection. Even his Magical Abilities were all designed to help combating mages.

[Lightning Bolt]

The world glowed bright for a second as what appeared to be a second sun glowed momentarily from Ajimal’s chest and channeled down his arm into his blade. There was a brief seconds pause as the bolt of lightning charged before it fired forward.

Still Ghane was more than prepared for the opening salvo from a Mage.

[Magical Redirect]

Ghane pulled back his spear for a second, winding the spear back as if it was little more than a giant club. Then swung at the streak of lightning when it drew near. The surge of electricity hit the point of his spear before being flung back to the original caster. While no movement was required on Ghane’s part, he felt such an action often distracted the caster. In this case he was correct as Ajimal never stopped casting his spell before he was hit with the beginning arc of power. Power that only ended once he cut off the initial flow of energy.

Ghane paused his charge. Normally such a volley was more than enough to take down a simple magus. Ghane paused to look at his weapon, there was a faint glowing after image on the spear, one that spoke of too much energy being channeled through the spear. Yet it was fine, especially if the spear was going to be given the chance to discharge the residual energy. With that in mind Ghane came to a full stop and rested the butt of his spear on the ground, letting the ground serve to absorb the ambient energy in his spear.

With his immediate concern over his spear over he turned his gaze forward to look at the black cloud that was burnt armor of Ajimal. He had been wearing a particularly ornate robe that made him looked like a compensating peacock. Yet, when he looked all he saw was the form of Ajimal slowly rising.

“Hahaha!” Ajimal laughed in a deep tone that spoke of a lifetime of enjoyment. The sound alone caused anger to fill Ghane’s heart as he had a much harder road to take than this ruler who had seemingly been handed the world had.

“That was good. I should have suspected you had such countermeasures, especially if you were able to defeat Albitol. Tell me, did it make you feel better beating up on a woman?” Ajimal asked.

Hearing the words rage filled Ghane. In a second, he was charging forward again.

[Burst Dash]

The power had come off cool down and he was instantly charging forward at full speed. Rage filled his eyes, though he managed to fight the full rage of the berserker away.

Tink, tink, clang.

Three blows were exchanged and parried by both sides. Ghane didn’t think, just moved, and reacted. His body automatically moving into the position needed to block the counter thrust after his first strike was deflected. The last push caused Ghane to take a step back.

Once back he paused and focused on his opponent. This was a bad tactic, pushing Ghane back as it only played to the strength of his weapon, its overbearing reach. Realizing his advantage, he struck out again.

Clink, clink, clang.

This time their exchange was faster and stronger. Each knowing they could not hold back if they wished to win this encounter. The more they moved, the more the glow of energy behind Ajimal’s eyes began to glow a golden color of power. It was clear that he was blessed by the lightning god, his hair and body both resembled the sleek power and majesty that came with lightning.

Realizing that Ghane would have to pull out all the stops he went with his most powerful attack.

[Impale]

Within a second his spear thrust forward with blinding speed. At least blinding speed to Ghane’s eyes. This was a finishing move, and one that was meant to demoralize an entire army as he would pierce the heart of an opponent and then wave the dying body around like a victory flag over the battlefield. The sight of the impaled comrade was often enough to discourage more combatants during a battle. While barbaric, it was effective at preventing many needless deaths. Thus, why Ghane kept it as a trump card. His spear thrust forward, best of all Ajimal who, was clearly a right-handed warrior, had his blade out of position to block this incoming attack as he had just swung down and away with his previous strike. At best he might be able to redirect the blade to a less vital organ than the heart, at least that was what Ghane’s instincts were telling him as the spear-tip made its way forward.

CLANG!

The muscles in Ghane’s arm shook violently. He felt like the entire tension within his body had been displaced easily. The force of his blow had been easily parried away. A fact that Ghane only noticed after the fact. After he was well within the reach of Ajimal’s blade.

The entire exchange of blows played out before Ghane’s mind. His spear had been on a direct collision course with Ajimal’s heart. Only to be redirected at the last moment away by a back-handed swipe from Ajimal’s sword. An attack that was supposed to be too weak to offer more than a token resistance to the deadly strike. Yet, the swipe had so much power behind it that it managed to not only redirect the blow away from his heart, but from his body entirely. Worse, the thrust caused Ghane to get so close that the effective range of his spear was gone. Then he watched in horror as the blade that had one swipe ago been used to direct the tip of his spear away from Ajimal’s heart, was now coming down in a direct killing arc that was aimed for his neck.

Swoosh.

Once again, the movement of Ajimal’s blade was deceptively smooth. It looked slow, even though there was nothing Ghane could do to move or get out of the way of the blade. The blade came to rest upon Ghane’s throat, the blade so sharp that it drew blood even by merely pressing against his neck.

Ghane froze, as he realized he was dead. He had lost and would now be decapitated by his own hubris. He had lost, he was never even a match for such an imposing figure. While his skill with the sword was lacking in comparison to his skill with the spear, their Attributes were just too far apart. What Ghane had thought was fast and powerful was nothing in comparison to the enormous might that was the warrior before him.

Closing his eyes, Ghane waited for the moment that his head would roll for his own arrogance. He had been foolish and overconfident, and it had now cost him his life. Bowing his head in resignation he waited.

And waited.

A heartbeat.

Two heartbeats.

Then a booming voice declared.

Rejoice: The duel of the Heavens has ended. The champion of the Azani has won.

Upon hearing the words in his mind Ghane felt regret build up in his mind as he realized he had given up. That he had paused when he saw death staring before him. Rather than fight to the end was his plan, he had paused and waited. Anticipating death, not remembering the whole purpose for their battle. This was not too surprising as he would have easily beheaded Ajimal had their positions been reversed. Yet, because he halted. Because he accepted defeat the Gods, or God who was presiding over the match took that as a sign of resignation. In a way it had been. Ghane was prepared to die, he had been outclassed in a duel. A duel where he had taken away the advantage of flight from his opponent. In the end, such an act was not even needed. Ajimal was clearly the better combatant even when not able to fly. Almost as if reading his mind, the voice of the God chimed out once more in his mind.

Ghane Everheart of the High Wood Elves will pledge his services to Ajimal of the Azani for a period of no less than seven years.

During this time, he is to be wed to Ajimal’s sister, whereupon all offspring of the union will be indoctrinated to the Azani tribe.

Any further actions between these two or acts of retaliation will be met with harsh punishments from the Gods. This battle of two is now over, enjoy your time of peace while you can.

With that, Ghane collapsed to the ground on his knees. The blade easily followed his movement for a second before being returned to its sheath. The movements still slow enough to register, but too quick to be able to follow.

Balling his fists, Ghane felt rage inside him. He had been so stupid, so overconfident. So assured of his victory. Yet, in the end he had made a fool of himself. Just when he was about to give in, the words of a cultured man spoke out to him in the same language of his home. The language of the wood elves, as only a few still knew how to speak the old tongue.

“Rise brother. We have many things to accomplish.” Ajimal said.

Hearing that Ghane opened his eyes from his kneeling position and looked up. He saw Ajimal standing before him, his hand out in a gesture to help pull Ghane up to his feet. Almost as if by reflex, Ghane reached out for the hand. Only after he grabbed the hand did he feel the slight compulsion of the Gods dissipate from his mind. Even now he could feel the control that Ajimal had over him slowly working into his words. He had pledged his services for seven years and would now have to follow all the rules given by Ajimal. He was so focused on the forceful nature of the Gods, that he almost missed the important part of his statement.

“Brother?” Ghane asked.

Chuckling.

“Why yes, what else should I call my future brother-in-law and trusted general if not a brother?” Ajimal asked, as he clapped Ghane on the back.

From that contact, a warm hand could be felt even through his uniform. It was clear that this man was a truly charismatic leader, one who was more capable than others of defeating any foe that came before him. Looking at his new brother, or maybe future brother-in-law a well of emotions all bubbled to the surface of Ghane’s mind. Finally, one emotion overtook all others, an emotion that he acted upon before he could even think about his actions.

“I will train every day and one day best you.” Ghane said, pride and arrogance filling his words. Yet, he was taken aback by the response, more laughter.

CHUCKLING.

“Good, I would not have it any other way. I need you at your best if we are going to unite these lands and bestow peace upon the lands.” Ajimal said cheerily, his arm wrapped around Ghane’s shoulders as he began directing him towards the nearest garrison and towards his new life as a member of Ajimal’s forces. No sooner had they entered the fort, than Ghane was once again thrown for a loop by the actions and words of Ajimal.

“Everyone! This is your new General, and my new Brother-in-law. I want you all to treat him with the respect that his position and talents deserve.”

Thus began the service of Ghane Everheart, the first high wood elf to serve as a trusted general for the Azani forces.