As the cloud of dust rose in front of him Brutus raised an armor covered forearm to prevent the dust from obscuring his vision in a more harmful way. Brutus stumbled back as the Ice Spike from Theresa impacted against the shield on his raised arm. He stumbled back into Mina’s Shadow Blade; it impacted against his armor, but dissipated soon after. It left a much defined scratch on his silvery armor, marring the once pristine surface. Just as he was regaining his footing, Richard’s aura clad form broke through the dust, dissipating it further, before it struck him. Mina stumbled and froze, as Brutus’s massive, armored form, fell backwards towards her.

She was only frozen for a moment however, until a determined look crossed her face and she stepped backwards into her shadow, vanishing and reappearing near Theresa. Richards form rebounded swiftly after striking off of Brutus’s armored form. He landed on the ground, before kicking off the ground to throw himself backwards; he retook his position by the others. Just as Brutus was about to thud against the dirt on the ground, time seemed to stop, literally. The dust around him compacted into a ring, which started to revolve around him, faster and faster. His body seemed to levitate for a moment, before he moved his arms to his sides with blinding speed, before pushing himself up.

Brutus spoke up as he landed back to a standing position. “Not bad, for being paired together for such a short while. That being said, you could use a lot of improvements, such a-“ His statement was interrupted by Richard saying something. “Uh sir, I don’t know if you noticed, which you should have, being the recipient of that ass-kicking, but we just handed your butt to you.” At his not so innocent statement, the others who had fought, as well as a few of the other Heroes nodded and voiced their assent, well some of them. Theresa and Mina, both were aware that it had been too easy, not that they had not done a good job.

Brutus Smirked before he replied. “Oh, really? Well I was going to take it easy on you for a bit, though I suppose I can show you the difference between us as you are now.” He walked away until he was a suitable distance away, then he turned back around and made a gesture signifying them to come at him. This fight began in much the same way the previous one did, Gerard raised a hand and the Piercings that had fallen, meters in front of Brutus, rose up and came hurtling towards the Knight. Theresa extended both arms and a multitude of Ice Spikes formed around her and flew towards Brutus.

Mina patted Theresa on the back before vanishing into a shadow and appearing behind Brutus. This time Diego, much like Theresa sent a flurry of Magical explosions towards the massive Knight. Some of them hit the ground, kicking up more dust, others went towards Brutus himself. Richard appeared above Brutus, clad in his aura, and sent a leg swinging downwards at Brutus, the air whistling as he did so. Mina sent a slash of darkness towards Brutus’s back, right at the area her blade scratched previously. Just as it looked like the Heroes would be victorious, it all changed.

As the numerous projectiles were about to him he calmly raised his shielded arm before making a downward slamming motion with it. A corona of light emanated from it, making the shield larger, as he did this Brutus gave a smile before yelling. “Bulwark of Light.” At his words the corona of light expanded around him. A pillar of Light extended from him into the sky, it expanded swallowing all the attacks. When it disappeared, there was a crater around him and no remnants could be seen of the attacks, feet away lay Richard, a gentle steam rising from his prone form.

While the Heroes in the Kingdom of Light were ending their first True sparring match, they were being watched in a sense. In one of the nearby Countries a young Japanese man was standing atop an impressive mountain and he was currently gazing towards the Kingdom of Light as he had sensed something peculiar not long ago. The youths name was Ryuuhiko Akagawa, he was raised in the US, so his name was arranged first name last name as was per Western customs. His name had had a rather pretentious meaning, it meant Dragon Prince of the Red River, or that was one meaning of it, it was the one he used, and he was like his name, arrogant, pretentious, and noble.

His arrogance was not underserved however, especially in this world. Even before he became the strongest current hero in Aethion he was rather exceptional, he was greatly skilled in athletic venues and was exceptionally charismatic as well, and his background was also nothing to sneeze at. While not that well known the Akagawa’s had stock in nearly every major company and had ties to many politicians throughout the world, giving them much influence. When he was Summoned Ryuuhiko had stats surpassing any of the other Heroes overall and they were greater than those that the strongest warrior in the Drakon Kingdom possessed. It was named as such due to the incidents that lead to its founding millennia ago.

A Hero, one of the first to ever be summoned from Earth, was a Samurai, as well as the Grandson of Nobunaga Oda, called Nobuatsu Oda. He possessed no magic or anything and succeeded in his quest using only his Blade and his immense physical abilities, they were a Gift from Dib’hur Var’tash God of Destruction. His existence on Earth was kept secret, as he was the Twin of the Heir of the clan at the time. Due to how things were done he was exiled after a time, and he eventually became a Samurai under a different name until he suddenly disappeared. He along with his companions founded what would eventually become the Drakon Kingdom.

Ryuuhiko’s name as well as his Class has led to him being well favored in the kingdom. His Class was Dragon Knight, which was rare as a Class, but it was his not exceptionally strong, but it was with him due to two Titles granted to him by a Dragon God, of which there are 5. One Title was Herald of the Dragon God, which strengthens all actions with and against Dragons and their Kin. The other Title was Dragon Prince, which causes most Dragons and Dragon-kin to be subservient towards him or to be hesitant to attack him, it does not affect all Dragons however, and many above a certain level of power would be unaffected or may even react hostilely towards him.

While Victor languished in his cell, and the Various Chosen and Heroes went about their duties, in the ruins of a dungeon located in the Kingdom of Light movements were happening. In the Bottom floor, a massive room decorated akin to a throne Room, a female figure seated on the Throne rose up languidly. She stretched her elegant form, reveling in the sensation. She opened her crimson eyes and gave a little smirk as she mumbled aloud the words. “So it begins.”