The Queen of Elysium

Chapter 35 - The Champion of the Light

Kai stands preparing his mind for battle while Cain and Cade strap on his leather armour. He prefers it over metal, which is heavy and can melt if he burns too hot. Made from the hides of the beasts which roam the planes of the Dragonite kingdom, it is light and flexible and it has the added benefit of being fire resistant.

Queen Seraphina sashays into the tent wearing a slinky dress made from fine golden chainmail and nothing else it would seem. He rolls his eyes at the way the twins are practically salivating, but their queen's complete attention is fixed on him. Her fingers caress his cheek and desire burns in her eyes, offering an invitation he cannot accept.

I would not dismiss the offer too soon. After this fight I have a feeling that you may need to burn off some excess aggression. Antares links through to him, his tone somewhere between amusement and concern.

He immediately counters, My heart lies elsewhere.

Pursuing your heart may cause you great pain, Antares cautions.

I have never been a coward and do not intend to be so now. Right now, I have a different battle to win.

"Are you ready?" At his nod, Seraphina commands, "Bring us glory, favourite of all my warriors. Bathe the ground in the blood of your enemy and make Ishtar proud."

Picking up the Dragonite's standard, she holds it high and leads the way out of the tent. He follows behind and they are met by a roar from the crowd. By his estimation, there are even more people than his previous two fights and it is the biggest audience that he has ever performed before.

Heads held high, they march across the battle arena, which Elissa's magic had partially restored after the battering it has received over the past two days. They are met in the middle by Nero and Queen Celestia.

Kai's lip curls and his brow furrows; these two elves represent all that he despises about the elven race. Nero is cruel and revolting, while Celestia is cold and supercilious. He cannot understand how she can possibly support the male that imprisoned and brought suffering to her own granddaughter.

Well you can inflict some suffering of your own upon him, Antares growls in his mind.

Nero's eyes lock with his and hatred equal to one he harbours is reflected back at him. Kai's flames flare to life beneath his skin and his look of distain morphs to one promising retribution.

"Lord Kai." It is only with great restraint that he stops himself from jolting and instead smoothly turns to face Elissa, who has appeared without him hearing her approach.

She gives him a smile as bright as the sun, then the warmth leaves her face and becomes almost as frosty as her grandmother's as her gaze moves to the Elves. "Lord Nero."

Addressing the crowd, her voice rings out, "This day we gather to witness two of Elysium's finest warriors compete to be the ultimate champion. May the best man win."

Her gaze returns to him and if he had been determined before, then the look of hope in her eyes, urging for it to be him, gives him no option other than to cut down everything in the path to her happiness.

The three queens take their seats in the royal pavilion and he is left with his foe. On his back, his sword hums letting him know that it is ready for battle. Reaching behind him, his fingers close snugly around the hilt and the blade slides free with a whisper.

Nero is dressed in all black. Even his amour and shield are made of blackened metal. Kai sizes up his opponent and while a much smaller man, he knows that he is fiendishly fast. The elf draws his sword. Like its owner it is slight with a wickedly sharp edge.