All Thanks To You

Chapter 34

Griffon's POV

Lucy wasted no time in beginning her attack.

"Power level increase! Four percent!" She yelled.

I was shocked at the amount of magical energy that was now radiating off of her. I had no idea that she had been concealing it earlier, and I was amazed that she hadn't raised it higher.

Before I knew what was happening, Lucy began to glow. When the golden light faded, I assumed that the spell she  had attempted to use failed. I took the opportunity to attack and decided to start strong.

I teleported behind her and started my assault.

"Water Dragon Wing Attack! Water Dragon Roar!" I shouted.

Both my attacks made impact, and I was surprised when she fell down on her face.

"Lucy? Are you okay?" I asked, worried by her motionless figure.

Whispers started to encircle me when she didn't answer. I felt panic rising in my chest.

"Lucy? Come on this isn't funny!" I said, becoming more stressed.

Oh no. No no no NO NO NO NO! I killed her! I killed the Crowned Princess! I killed Lucy! No no no no no! This can't be happening!

"Do you really think you could kill me that easily? Come on Griffon. I'm honestly offended." I heard a familiar voice say.

I wheeled around and looked up. Lucy was there, lounging on an imaginary sofa, and flapping her black, dragon-like wings.

I looked from the flying Lucy, to the dead one on the ground.

"But you were... and now your... huuuuuhhh??" I stumbled.

"Oh that?..." Flying Lucy gestured to dead Lucy, "... That's just a clone I created. Fun toy, don't you think?" She giggled.

With a snap of her fingers, the lifeless Lucy look alike turned to sand, and blew away.

"Anyways, let's get started shall we?" Lucy said, flashing a devilish grin from under her black lipstick.

She gracefully flapped her wings and floated down to the floor. She cleared her throat, straightened her posture, and folded her hands in front of her. She looked at me from under her eyelashes.

"Celestial Dragon Roar!" She screamed, unleashing a furry of starry pain. I tried to block, but the blow was much more powerful than I thought, and it pushed me back a few feet. I began to counter but before I had the chance, she was right in front of me, getting ready to throw a punch. I dodged and we went off in a frenzy of hand to hand combat, kicking up dust along the way.

I sent a side kick toward Lucy that I knew she wouldn't be able to block. Realizing this, she teleported behind me and jabbed me in the back of the neck with her elbow. I coughed up some blood and stumbled forward, trying to regain my footing. I wiped my mouth off and spit into the dirt.

"That was a dirty trick Lucy." I said, not looking up. I already knew what her expression was.

I heard a little giggle which confirmed my suspicions. I met her smiling face and tried to strategize.

She's got me beat in magic power as well as mind power. However, I should have the upper hand in physical strength, speed, and stamina. I'd say we're evenly matched in skill though. As long as I can get close enough to her, she'll have a hard time using her powerful long-ranged spells, and it will be difficult for her to block most of my attacks too. I just need to avoid her mind games long enough to get close.

"I don't know Griffon, I'm pretty fast. Might have you beat there." Lucy said, chuckling.

Realizing she had just heard my entire plan, I figured I would have to wing it and hold out long enough to maybe gain some ground.

"Just stay out of my head okay?" I teased, slightly annoyed.

She began her assault once more and we continued sending blows to each other.

After a few minutes of nonstop attacking, I began to feel slightly fatigued.

"Awe Griffon what's wrong? Feeling a little tired?" She asked, poking fun at me. "Don't worry. I'll finish this right now." She said.

Using her jet black wings, Lucy flew up to the center of the arena.

"Celestial God Slaying Secret Art..." She began, glowing a deep blackish purple. "... Starry Tears!" She yelled.

A giant hole opened up in the sky, showing what appeared to be space. Large, black meteors began to tumble down towards me. I tried to run and dodge, however the big, fiery rocks followed my movement until making impact.

The first hit caused me to fall down, the second made everything go dark, and the third caused me to pass out completely.

I awoke to Lucy shaking me.

"Griffon are you okay? Jeez I'm so sorry. I went a little overboard with that last one. Please tell me your okay." She said, rambling on.

"I'd be better if you would stop shaking me." I said cracking a smile.

She smiled and helped me up.

"Are you really okay?" She asked, seeming sincere.

"Ya, just a bad head ache." I said, rubbing the sore spot on the back of my scull where the first flying rock had hit.

I heard her sigh in relief, before smacking me in the exact spot the meteor had made impact.

"Ow! What was that for!" I whined, rubbing the spot again.

"That's for scaring me! Don't ever do that again!" She exclaimed.

I sighed in response. She seemed happy enough with my reply, because she grabbed my hand and walked to Stellae with a big smile on her face.

Stellae lifted Lucy's hand into the air.

"Princess Lucy is the victor!" She boomed.

The entire crowd erupted with cheers, claps, and whistles.

Lucy pulled me forward a few feet and silenced her loud subjects. She turned to me.

"Griffon. It is obvious to me that you have been working hard. You did well today in battle and I commend your performance. In the two years you have been here, I have seen you grow and become a strong, powerful wizard. I am proud to call you my friend." She said, bowing her head to me.

"I have spoken with Oceanum, and we agree that you have excelled in your training and there is nothing more she can teach you. As proof that you have completed you lessons and are in fact, a respected dragon slayer, I present you with this gift." She said.

She held out her hand, and a silver box appeared. Lucy opened the narrow box, and from inside, she pulled out a beautiful gleaming dagger. The blade itself was a cold, dark, charcoal-colored, metal. The hilt was also metal, however it was tinted in different shades of navy and black. It had been shaped, and looked like twisted branched you would find in a haunted forest. She handed me the dagger, and it fell into the creases of my hand. I felt as though the dagger was made solely for me and couldn't be used by anyone else. I admired it a bit longer before slipping it into the sheath on my belt. It fit perfectly.

So that's what it's for.

"Thank you." I said, engulfing her in a hug.

"No Griffon, thank you."