The Forsaken Arts

Chapter 62: Inner Strength

Back in the Garden of Heroes, Cecilee maintained a watchful eye on Slarant who remained looming over her. Bringing herself up to her knees, she knew that the dagger in her shoulder had to come out.

As if reading her mind, Slarant approached her and placed his foot on her chest while she looked up at him. She quickly grabbed his leg, trying to push him back but he hastily reached for his dagger then kicked her back to the ground, removing it from her shoulder.

Not giving him the satisfaction of hearing her moan, she clinched her teeth while turning her head away from him. 

"You might wanna armor up bitch." he advised while anxiously stalking his prey.

She coughed then spat on the ground, "Thanks, but I don't need my ascension to beat you."

"All too easy." he replied while delivering another kick to her midsection, causing her to roll onto her side.

She gently rolled onto her back with a smile, which transformed into light laughter.

"It's refreshing to see you being so good about all this, sportsmanship is rare to find on the battlefield." he teased sarcastically with a bow.

Her chuckle didn't cease as she replied, "Oh, you're most welcome."

Cecilee propped herself up using both elbows and looked at him chuckling with one hand resting on her stomach.

It couldn't just be simple laughter, Slarant felt there was more to it.

"Okay what's so damn funny!?"

"I'm sorry, believe me I'm trying not to laugh but he was right."

"Huh, what the hell are you blabbering about!?"

Her laughter suddenly stopped and her expression became serious, "I'm talking about Krinx." she said with a straight face.

His expression became slightly filled with fear, curiously he turned and looked back at Curran and Krinx's fight.

"Krinx you say?"

She quickly scooted forward and placed one foot behind his right leg and used the heel of her other to kick him in the shin while simultaneously pulling the hooked leg forward.

He attempted to catch himself, placing his hands on the ground behind him but she quickly leaped up and drove both knees into his chest, forcing him onto his back. Quickly returning to her feet, she swiftly kicked him across the face, rolling him onto his side.

Now standing over him, "Yeah Krinx, he once told me that I'm a lot tougher than I think and after taking your hits, I'd say he was right." she replied with a grin while favoring her shoulder.

Location: Cyprus Woods

"Rest now Dai, you'll need all the energy you can muster for the next time we meet."

As Dai struggles to raise his head, he catches a glimpse of his attacker walking away. From his first person view, the Legionnaire barely could make out the blurred image. Blinking to regain his visual focus.

"If you honestly believe just cause you learned a cheap little trick and walk around with a metal rod, that you'll actually stand a chance against those two." -Dai continued with fatigued laughter - "If that's the case then I pity you now more than ever."

Seth stops abruptly and turns to see Dai slumped over, barely holding himself up.

"Dai, you never did know when to just stay down." he said with an almost sympathetic sigh.

"Well if you weren't rejected, you'd have found out that true warriors continue to fight until they no longer can." he replies with a forced grin.

Infuriated by the comment, Seth unleashes an electrical surge that connects dead center of his chest. Trembling in pain once more, he falls to his knees with light smoke escaping from his body once more.

Dai slowly falls forward hitting the ground face first. Getting one last look at Dai's body, he notices the involuntary twitching. Now with a satisfied grin, Seth turns and continues to make his way towards Faxon.

All that's left is to test my power against the two greatest fighters in the Resistance. He pauses and looks at his hands surging with power. But what if he's right, what if this won't be enough..

He claps his hands together causing a quick burst of electrical power to explode in front of him. As the sparks fall beautifully to the ground, Seth closes his eyes momentarily then opens them with a pensive look on his face.

Well then, only one way to find out.

Location: Garden of Heroes

Elsewhere on the battlefield, Naitosai and Llaw were defending themselves against a hoard of creations that had formed around them.

Ni'lerh, who watched them keep the creations at bay, began to channel his elemental powers, summoning infernos from hell itself into the palms of his hands.

I can't believe this little shit of a dragoon defeated Cheyk, the one who taught me to wield magic. Know this dragoon, before its all said and done, I will avenge my mentor's death. he thought as he began hurling balls of flames towards his self-appointed nemesis.

Naitosai was oblivious, preoccupied with the fiends. Just as Llaw finished off a creation, he turned and saw the attack, "Naitosai your six, your six dammit!"

Just then the bard's eyes widened and his jaw dropped in shock as he felt a pain sink into his back.

"You should watch your own six." Pippy warned while standing behind him and whispering into his ear.

"Llaw no! Pippy you son of a bitch I'll have your head!" shouted Cavell, who turned in time to witness the sneak attack. He quickly demolished the creations that blocked his path and charged furiously.

Welcoming Cavell's impending arrival, he took a step back and mounted his left foot firmly on Llaw's back and pulled his katana free, allowing the bard to fall face first onto the ground.

"One less fly to swat." he said while wiping the blood from his blade.