Adam was basically left with no choice. He had to fight. If he won, though, he might be able to accomplish what he came out here to do. Adam sent: “Fine, let us fight!”

The chieftain firmly nodded: “Decisiveness is a good trait to have. This isn't a good place to hold a duel. Let's go to the Grand Stage Arena!”

The chieftain go up off the cushions and walked out of the receiving chambers. He did not even pass Adam a glance. The chieftain appeared to be completely unworried as to whether Adam might attack him or not.

Adam was impressed by his stout character: 'There's not many who would pass by those who should be considered their enemies without being on guard.'

Adam followed behind the chieftain while the death dragon guards closed in on his sides to make sure he wouldn't escape, while Baras brought up the rear. The chieftain led Adam toward the other side of the mountain. There, there was a huge arena more grand than the ones Adam had passed by earlier.

As they approached, the chieftain sent out across the entire village: “A grand fight between two dragons will soon begin! Come to the Grand Stage Arena to witness the fight!”

The people of the southern flock were totally enamored by competition and fights. If the chieftain was personally broadcasting a fight, it was surely one that they could not bear to miss! People everywhere started breaking away from what they were doing to head to the Grand Stage Arena. Those who could not leave their jobs or posts could only lament at their poor luck. A few who could not stand it even sneaked away! Even where Adam and the chieftain currently were, people started streaming out of the buildings to head for the Grand Stage Arena. As soon as they saw the chieftain, though, they all made way. None were willing to stand in the chieftain's way.

The chieftain led Adam through the arena to a VIP section. The chieftain sat down and said: “We shall wait a while so the crowd can gather.”

Adam asked: “Is this really necessary?”

Adam had initially thought it wouldn't really matter, but seeing the vast arena's seats being filled with countless people who would be watching him, Adam felt uncomfortable if not nervous.

The chieftain laughed. “Everyone enjoys strength and prestige. How can you get either without showing off? Even those of your northern flock wish to have their strength acknowledged, even if they hide the desire. Maybe, if you win, you will find that you like the feeling of admiration you will get when others think you are strong. Just maybe, you will want to stay with us instead of with the northern flock! Besides, a proper duel needs a proper audience!”

That the chieftain did not hide his intentions showed his overwhelming strength and belifes. There was nothing else Adam could do besides wait until the chieftain was satisfied with how big the crowd was.

It was only an hour later that the chieftain finally got up. Adam immediately perked up. Standing at the edge of the VIP section overlooking the stadium, the chieftain sent out: “We have two dragons fighting with betting stakes between the two! One many of you know is Baras, one of our vanguards in the war! The other comes from afar; Adam!”

The crowd started cheering. They didn't know who Adam was, but with Baras being a vanguard, the fight should definitely be good! The chieftain turned to Adam and Baras. “The two of you, get down there. I will signal when the fight starts.”

Before going down, Adam asked: “Are there any rules?”

The chieftain laughed: “The only rule is to be strong! Anything goes!”

Adam didn't like the sound of that. All too often, deaths must happen if they never followed any rules. Adam thought: 'Well, at least I know I can expect the worst from Baras.'

Baras merely gave Adam a single look before flying directly down to the arena. Adam stepped forward and looked all around. The seats everywhere were packed and dragons even flew around in circles above the arena to get a good look at the fight! Apprehension first filled Adam, then determination. He thought: 'Fine. If they want a show, I'll give them one!'

Arcs of electricity suddenly flew of Adam as he zipped down to the other side of the arena. After landing, Adam kept his wings spread wide as electricity continuously flowed off him in small arcs.

Baras and the chieftain were expecting something like this. Everyone else, however, was stunned! When had there ever been someone who could control lightning! The chieftain smiled down at these shocked faces. Nothing pleased him more than others coming to the realization of who was strong and who was weak. Adam was clearly stronger than most who were present with his control over lighting!

The chieftain enjoyed the looks of the crowd for only a moment before he sent out in a wave: “Fight!” at the same time, he gave a tremendous dragon roar that echoed through the entire village!

The oppressive roar from the chieftain threw Adam off a beat. Baras had an extra moment to summon a black fog of death essence around himself before Adam fired off a bolt of lightning at him. The bolt of lightning was diffused by the fog of death essence and was unable to penetrate through it!

Adam frowned. Unlike most Adam had fought, Baras was not caught unaware by his lightning and had in fact even come up with a countermeasure!

'This fight is going to be a little more difficult than I imagined.' Adam thought.

After Adam's lightning bolt had been diffused, Baras sent out a few tendrils of death essence from the fog to take hold of Adam! They were swift and formless. Adam tried to dodge a moment to late and one of his arms was bound by the tendril. Death essence immediately started to seep into Adam's body, singing its song of death and control! Baras was trying to use death essence to ensnare Adam's mind! However... it was far too weak when compared to the plane of death!

Adam looked at the tendril with disdain and sent a shock of electricity though it, instantly shattering the tendril! This time, it was Baras's turn to frown. Adam appeared to be a death dragon, so he most likely would have some form of resistance to death essence. However, it appeared that Adam was far more resilient to it than Baras had originally imagined.

Since lightning was unlikely to work against Baras's fog of death essence, Adam started to probe it with wind blades. The fog was spread out around Baras and would actually be quite hard for him to make sure Adam's attacks would not hit this fog. The wind blade easily got a hit on the fog and bit into it. A small gouge was torn through the fog, but it was immediately repaired. It truly was like a fog in that it could not be truly cut. Yet it still gave a small amount of resistance to Adam's wind blade, weakening it as it tore through the fog.

All this while, the crowds were cheering! Adam's show of lighting, the black fog and tendrils. This wasn't a simple fight between mortals, but a masterful fight between dragons! Anything could happen as the dragons pitted the essence that made up the very world against one another!

Failing the use of death essence against Adam, Baras moved to use fire essence. While not as proficient with it, he could still utilize powerful fire formations. Preparing a quick fire ball, Baras started to fling them at Adam. Adam countered with wind blades that detonated the fireballs in mid air! In the haze of the fireballs after math, Adam heavily struck the ground causing pillars of earth to jut up at Baras' position. The pillars thrust up and either broke after directly hitting Baras, or glanced off his scales. Still, they gave Baras some minor injuries as he immediately backed away.

Adam had already begun to formulate a plan for victory. Adam decided to employ a technique he had created long ago; to subdue the spirit essence around his opponent as they pull it in to create formations and cause it to surge in their bodies. Adam hadn't been able to use this technique for a while, as his last few fights with dragons had been far too fast paced. With both Baras and himself not being able to use their strongest attacks, the battle was going to be stretched out and Adam would have the opportunity to use his technique!

For a few minutes, the fight continued between Adam and Baras. In the nature of being showy, Adam was the clear victor. His combination of the various types of spirit essence won the crowd. Never before had they seen a single competitor utilize such a vast array of attacks. In reality, though, neither Adam nor Baras had the advantage over the other. Baras blocked all of Adam's attacks and Adam blocked all of Baras's attacks.

Finally, the moment came! Baras had enough fire essence in his body that Adam had influence over, that he could act! Just as Baras was preparing another volley of fire balls to throw at Adam, the fire essence in his body suddenly lurched! Baras had been on guard for the soul attack Adam had used back in the plane of death, but this was something completely different!

With Baras's concentration suddenly broken, Adam fired off two wind blades. The first was small and concentrated. It tore straight through Baras's fog of death essence. The following wind blade was larger and closely followed the first. It tore the hole larger and prevented the fog of death essence from quickly recovering the gap that was made. Adam then sent a lightning bolt through the hole he had just made! The lightning bolt was able to successfully strike Baras!

Not only was Baras caught trying to recover from the sudden surge of fire essence in his body, he was suddenly struck by lightning and stunned! Adam took this opportunity to launch himself straight at Baras. Lightning defensively arced off his body as he flew into the fog of death essence. Baras recovered from his stunned state just in time to have Adam bite down on his neck and heavily pull and throw him! Baras tumbled through the air before landing on his feet. Puncture marks could be seen as blood trickled down his neck.

Baras had never felt so humiliated before! Before the fight, he simply couldn't and wouldn't trust Adam. Now, he thoroughly hated him! Anger flared in Baras's eyes as he got ready to continue the fight when the chieftain sent: “Enough! Baras, if Adam's bite had been just a little stronger, would your throat even remain!”

Baras looked over at the chieftain. This was the reason why he felt so humiliated. Not only did Adam get close enough to kill him, he had let him go! The chieftain continued: “I announce Adam as the victor!”

The crowd cheered. Adam was already the favorite due to his magnificent use of the various types of spirit essence. He also finished the show off as he had started it, with lightning!

The chieftain sent out to Adam: “You have won the opportunity to speak with me. Meet me back at the receiving chamber.”

The chieftain then took off, leaving Adam behind at the arena to come at his own pace. As the chieftain left, Baras sent in a demanding voice: “Why didn't you kill me? I can't imagine that you are truly that weak of heart!”

Adam looked at Baras: “I came here to stop the war. Not to continue the killing.”

Baras gave Adam a venomous look before taking off on his own. Adam also did not wait. He did not wish to be showered with the adoration of the masses. He went directly to the chieftain's receiving chamber without delay.

The chieftain had just settled down when Adam entered the receiving chamber. The chieftain said: “Looks like you are not one to bask in the lime light. There are sure to be those interested to know why you spared Baras. Did you feel you have enough strength to show mercy, or perhaps something else...”

“I did not come here to kill someone or bask in the admiration of others. I came to stop the war.” Adam replied.

“Which brings us to your reward. You wish to convince me? Try it.”

It was a bit sudden, but Adam jumped right in: “If the war continues, the past will just be repeated. Ghouls will cover the land and humanity, including dragons, will nearly be wiped out! If the northern flock and the southern flock decide to stop fighting on behalf of the spirits, this won't happen! If we don't let the fight happen, humanity will not have to suffer!”

The chieftain merely replied: “Is that it?”

Adam was suddenly stumped. Adam thought: 'He expects something more? Isn't saving all of humanity, including the dragons, not important enough?'

The chieftain continued: “Let me enlighten you a little, humanity is already suffering under its corrupt ways! Kingdoms fighting against kingdoms happen all the time! Those wars are caused by greedy humans who want what their neighbors have. We of the southern flock are taking the opportunity of the spirits' wars to unite all of humanity under a single influence! Then, there will be no more wars. No more corrupt politicians. Only the strong ruling and protecting the weak while the weak serve the strong! A reciprocal relationship. Even if the war between spirits wipes out a portion of humanity, that will be the portion that will not pledge itself to us! They would be those who are greedy, corrupt, and without honor! With the fore knowledge of what has happened in the past, we will be prepared and truly unite what it left of humanity under one banner!”

Adam understood that there were many who were in power that were corrupt. This corruption would lead to various wars. To try and unite humanity to rid it of its corruption is commendable, but...

“What about all those innocent people that will die? Didn't you say the strong had to protect the weak to create a reciprocal relationship?” Adam asked.

The chieftain nodded: “That is correct, but it only applies to those who serve us. Those who serve the corrupt humans may be sacrificed for the greater good! Just think about it, though; humanity united. Strength becomes everything, and I don't just mean physical strength! The strength of the mind is just as valuable! Those with talent are praised and nurtured while those without talent serve and are protected. Abuse is not tolerated! It is utopia! I ask you Adam; do you wish to help build utopia!?”

Adam was silent for a long moment. Not because he was tempted, but because he was dismayed at how fruitless his attempts at stopping the war have been. The southern flock believed in their ideal and would follow it to the bitter end. He finally replied: “No, there has to be a better way than that.”

The chieftain sighed: “So be it. Out of respect for your strength, I will allow you to leave. If you come to this village again, however, you will either join us or be killed! There is no more room for negotiation!”

Adam directly departed from the village. With wings full of sorrow, he flew back to where Evelyn would be waiting for him. They had chosen a town where she was going to stay and wait for his return. Without rest, Adam drearily flew back. He couldn't muster the courage to think of another solution, he had already tried everything he could think of! And yet... they had all failed.

A small ways out of the town, Evelyn was cultivating a small garden in front of a stone house Adam had made with his control over earth essence. As she was working on the garden, she was mumbling to herself as she had been over the last few weeks: “Why did you go and kiss him!? Will things be weird between us when he comes back?” She appeared to be unsure of herself in regards to the relationship between her and Adam.

Adam approached on foot in his Human-form. When Evelyn looked up to see who was approaching, she immediately forgot about her worries and mumbling as she sprung up with joy! She was just about to welcome Adam back when the words stuck to her throat. Adam had a dismayed appearance, clearly telling her the result of his efforts.

For a small while, Evelyn wasn't sure what to do or say. In the end, she walked forward and simply greeted Adam with a heartfelt hug. Feeling her arms around him, Adam tightly hugged her back as he said: “I'm not sure the war can be stopped.”