The next morning, Belle checked inside Elastor again. The dark parasite was still inside Elastor but it didn't grow anymore, but there, part of Elastor's heart was parasitic. Belle said:
"Strange, the parasites inside you should have been purified."
Elastro replied:
"I don't know, but let's just leave it in there for now."
Belle said:
"Aren't you worried about your parasites?"
Elastor calmly replied:
"I'm fine, I have to keep training. I only have one day left."
Belle looked into Elastor's eyes, it had changed, his left eye was an Elf's yellow and his right eye was a Dark Elf's purple. Belle was worried about Elastor, she said:
"Your eyes, it changed. What did you do?"
Elastor replied:
"Sorry, I'm leaving."
Belle said:
"Hey, wait."
Elastor left the room and went to train. Belle said worriedly:
"Elastor's Dark Elf powers have awakened."
Elastor was walking when he saw Eva dragging Zed and Alata on the ground, they had a bump on their heads. Eva said angrily:
"I told you to stop trying to steal Elf's wine, no matter how silent you are, you won't get past me."
Eva saw Elastor, she went to him and said:
"Elastor, hello. How are you?"
Elastor replied:
"I'm fine, now I'll continue training. We're running out of time."
Eva said:
"I agree, help me drag the two of them to the grasslands."
Elastor pulled Zed and followed Eva to the training ground. They continued to train in the grasslands. Belle was preparing the Elf army, they included many archers and calvary. Elf archers were talented archers with the ability to hit from a great distance and with very high accuracy. While the Elf cavalry were famous for sweeping the enemy lines quickly. But they didn't ride horses, but giant butterflies. The white butterflies were the mounts of the Elves cavalry, they descended from the giant butterflies in mountain caves. Elf ancestors met giant butterflies long ago while they were learning about the kingdom. From there the giant butterflies were tamed by the Elves and became their loyal mounts. Belle had a giant white butterfly, she named it "Annabella", it was a butterfly she raised since childhood and very faithfully obeyed her. Thanks to the giant butterflies, the Elves overcame the weakness of being unable to fly like the Dark Elves. The archers practiced shooting arrows, they shot arrows and hit the dummies in the head at the same time. Knights arrayed and trained defensive formations, and butterfly cavalry darted across the sky and swept through balls in the tallest treetops. Belle watched them and prepared for the coming battle. Elf blacksmiths worked hard to forge weapons and armor for the war. Although the dwarves were the best blacksmiths, the Elf blacksmiths were the ones who forged the lightest, most efficient and most delicate weapons. Back with Elastor, he and Zed were training together in the Dark Matrix. Zed's attacks were too fast and too dangerous, so Elastor failed to parry many times even though he had fully recovered. Zed lunged forward to punch Elastor in the face and knock him out of the Dark Matrix. Elastor was defeated and lying on the ground, he withdrew the Star greatsword and said angrily:
"Damn it, again."
Zed replied:
"Having two eyes isn't as good as being blind, you're thinking too much."
Elastor said hastily:
"I still have enough strength to continue, at this slow pace I won't be able to save Julia."
Zed replied coldly:
"Do I look like I care what you think?"
Elastor said in surprise:
"What are you talking about, Zed?"
Zed stuck his sword right next to Elastor's cheek and said dangerously:
"What did you see in there? Say it now!"
Elastor replied:
"Why do you want to know that?"
Zed moved the blade closer and touched Elastor's cheek. Zed said angrily:
"Tell me now!"
Elastor hit Zed with his knee in the stomach causing him to fall back and kick him in the face. Elastor tried to run out of the cave, but The Knight blocked his way out. Elastor said:
"The Star!"
The Star was summoned, it lunged and launched a bolt of lightning at The Knight. The Knight dodged quickly and caused The Star's lightning to hit the rocks in the cave, blocking their way out. Elastor said angrily:
"Idiot, what are you doing? We're stuck in here."
Zed replied:
"Our air is running out. You have five minutes to talk before we die from running out of air."
Zed and Elastor withdrew The Knight and The Star and they sat down. Elastor said:
"What do you care about my problem?"
Zed replied:
"Your right eye, you've awakened the Dark Elf's power right? That eye is purple like the Dark Elf."
Elastor sighed and said:
"That's right, I met him, my Dark Elf personality."
Zed smiled and replied:
"Interesting, two personalities living in one body. The two are always fighting each other for control. You're not you anymore, Elastor."
Elastor said:
"You speak as if you know everything."
Zed replied:
"You need a new power, The Star's thunder is strong but it's not enough. It's time for you to negotiate with the darkness and borrow its power."
Elastor said:
"I don't need the power of darkness to confront Grim and Halazar."
Zed replied:
"You can't use lightning to fight the darkness. You may be a talented warrior, but you're too reckless and not strong enough. So, I'll let you see him again."
Elastor said angrily:
"Don't do that!"
Zed released the darkness and brought it inside Elastor causing him to faint. Zed said coldly:
"You can't deny your blood, you have to use it."
Elastor woke up, he was back inside his mind and lying on the border of light and darkness. Elastor sat up and saw Dark Elastor sitting on the dark side and gave him a sly smile and looked at him. Dark Elastor said:
"I'm surprised, your best friend wants you to meet me."
Elastor sat up and replied:
"I never want to see you again."
Dark Elastor said:
"I know I don't want to see you either, but I told you, one day you'll need my power."
Elastor replied:
"I don't need your power."
Dark Elastor said:
"I know you would say the same. So I want to confront you for this soul."
Elastor replied:
"Really? Is that what you want? To be the Dark Elf you really are."
Dark Elastor said:
"Isn't that obvious? You are the Elves, claiming to possess the powers of light and calling the Dark Elves possessing the powers of darkness the villains. But you forget that without darkness there is no light. Two opposite but connected entities and need the other to exist. Light makes people feel great and brave, darkness makes people motivated and try to overcome difficulties towel. You need me and I need you too, there's no denying that."
Elastor and Dark Elastor stood up, they summoned the Volt greatsword and said together:
"Let's fight!"
Elastor and Dark Elastor rushed forward and swung their swords at each other. They slashed each other's chests and crossed the opposite land. Elastor and Dark Elastor immediately turned around and swung their swords again. They parried the other's slash and stepped back. Elastor launched lightning at Dark Elastor and he launched darkness at him. Thunder and darkness were fiercely opposed and not easily repelled. Elastor charged up and slid down to dodge the darkness and then swung his sword at Dark Elastor. Dark Elastor jumped to dodge and kicked Elastor in the face. Dark Elastor said:
"What's wrong? Distracted? Or are you thinking too much about Julia?"
Elastor replied:
"You know about Julia too?"
Dark Elastor said:
"Of course, I know you care about her and she cares about you. This battle you fought to bring back Julia."
Elastor replied:
"Yes, and I'll do it myself. She stays to wait for me, I won't let her down."
Elastor rushed forward and slashed repeatedly at Dark Elastor. Dark Elastor repeatedly parried Elastor's slash. The blades of both collided and repelled each other creating sparks. Elastor swung their swords down and smashed his head into the Dark Elastor. Elastor said:
"How do I kill you?"
Dark Elastor replied:
"Never."
Elastor and Dark Elastor fought hand-to-hand, punching and kicking each other like two trying to get along with each other by force. Dark Elastor said:
'Let me show you, how powerful the Dark Elves are!'
Dark Elastor punched Elastor in the stomach, releasing darkness all over him. Elastor said:
"Damn it!"
Dark Elastor ghostly replied:
"Enjoy this power."
Elastor was taken over by Dark Elastor. Back outside, it had been four minutes when Elastor was in his mind. Zed waited beside Elastor's body, he was having a hard time breathing because their air was running out. Zed thought to himself:
"I was a fool to break the cave door to stop him."
Suddenly Elastor slowly stood up, Zed looked at him and said:
"How? Is it better?"
Elastor was now Dark Elastor, he looked at Zed and said:
"I've never felt this energetic."
Elastor's body slowly changed into darkness. Zed smiled and said:
"Start."
Eva and Alata were training when suddenly the ground shook violently. Eva wondered:
"Woah, what's going on?"
A huge explosion erupted and rising from the explosion were Dark Elastor and Zed. Dark Elastor transformed into Dark Elf form, his skin became the Dark Elf's gray skin, he wore a light black armor with his right shoulder armor with a long pointed spike, the left shoulder armor engraved with a black thunderbolt symbol, the armor on his legs and feet were dark energies that increase his kick force, a long red cloth around his waist and fluttering, Elastor's right half of his face was a dark tattoo of the Dark Elf, Elastor had a bat wing on the right side of his back to help him fly and cover. Dark Elastor strangled Zed and flew through the air, he said:
"Zed Whitney, I can't wait to meet you. I'm so impressed with your dark powers, I want it."
Zed replied:
"Me too, I brought you here to say something. Let Elastor feel the horrors of the power of darkness. He is nothing without it. The Knight! Merge with me! "
Zed transformed into a half-wolf form and punched Dark Elastor in the chest, sending him flying away. Zed was able to fly by releasing the darkness under his feet like a jet. Eva and Alata saw Zed and Dark Elastor, she said:
"Zed! What's wrong with Elastor?"
Zed replied:
"That's the Dark Elf version of Elastor, he and I need to talk."
Eva said angrily:
"What did you do? Queen Eculida said not to call out Elastor's Dark Elf, he's too dangerous and not easy to defeat."
Zed replied:
"That's right, Elastor never knew his true power. It's time for him to unleash it all."
Dark Elastor flew forward and punched Zed in the face, Zed flew up and kicked Elastor in the chest. The two summoned their weapons and charged at each other. The two swung their swords at each other, their blades touching and releasing a large explosion of darkness. The explosion was so loud that Belle and the Elf soldiers heard it. She then said to the soldiers:
"Go there now!"
Belle ran to where Zed and Dark Elastor were fighting with archers in tow. Belle summoned the Fairy wand and said:
"The Lily!"
In Belle's left hand appeared a white lily, which was her Nature Elemental Spirit, The Lily. Zed swung his sword and launched a dark tornado at Dark Elasstor. Dark Elastor blocked the attack and was repelled by it. Eva below had fired arrows of light at Dark Elastor, he folded his wing like a shield to block the arrows. Alata flew up in The Ghost cloak and launched a surprise attack from behind Dark Elastor. Dark Elastor moved his sword around his back and promptly blocked Alata's attack, he said:
"Alata, nice to see you again. What a good chance to kill me."
Alata replied:
"Damn it."
Alata swung his spear and smashed it into Dark Elastor, causing him to rush towards Zed. Zed rushed over and said:
"Dark Slash!"
Zed swung his sword and launched three dark slashes at the Dark Elastor. Dark Elastor said:
"Sins Impact!"
Dark Elastor punched a dark slash that created an impact that destroyed all the dark slashes. Zed rushed forward and slashed at Dark Elastor but was blocked by him. Dark Elastor said sinisterly:
"What's wrong? Tired? We're just getting started."
Zed smiled and replied:
"We've only just started the show, I can't be tired."
Zed pushed Dark Elastor's sword and raised his leg to kick him to the ground. Dark Elastor crashed hard to the ground, he stood up and said madly:
"Go on, I'm so excited. This battle can never satisfy me."
Dark Elastor was shot in the back by Eva's arrow of light. He shook his body causing the arrow to fall and charged at Eva. Elastor swung his sword at Eva but she jumped to dodge. He immediately grabbed her leg and threw her at Zed. Zed caught Eva and carried her in midair. Alata flew down and stabbed Dark Elastor repeatedly but he dodged repeatedly. Dark Elastor swung his sword at Alata but the blade pierced his body like a ghost. Alata rushed forward and reached inside the Dark Elastor and grabbed his heart. Alata said:
"Don't risk it, or I'll squeeze your heart to death."
Dark Elastor replied:
"Isn't that too perfect? One strike you will finish me off and avenge your brothers and sisters."
Alata froze because he didn't know what to do next and lost focus. Dark Elastor then kicked Alata in the stomach causing him to back down. In the sky, Eva raised her Euphoria bow and fired beams of light at Dark Elastor. Dark Elastor folded his wing for cover. Dozens of beams of light shot at Dark Elastor but he blocked it. Dark Elastor said aloud:
"Dark Hands!"
He kicked the ground hard and released a shadow hands that lunged forward and caught Zed's leg. Zed flew high, but was still gripped by the shadow hands. Zed said:
"Damn it."
Zed and Eva were pulled down, Eva said:
"Do something, Zed!"
Zed replied:
"Sorry but I'll do this."
Zed threw Eva towards a nearby tree branch, and Eva angrily shouted:
"Zed, you idiot!"
Eva landed on the tree branch, she said:
"I must continue."
Eva continued to shoot beams of light at Dark Elastor to distract him. Dark Elastor used his wing to shield and control the shadow hand to pull Zed down and smash him repeatedly to the ground. Zed spat out blood but he immediately cut off the shadow's hand and charged at the Dark Elastor. The blades of both released the darkness. Zed and Dark Elastor swung their swords at each other, their blades creating a large explosion of darkness. Dark Elastor said:
"Well, have you witnessed my power? Too perfect for a belligerent like you."
Zed replied:
"Hmm, still too weak."
Dark Elastor said:
"I didn't tell you, I told Elastor."
Zed replied:
"Perhaps this battle is just to show Elastor your power, but it becomes all the more interesting to me."
Suddenly a wall of vines rose up between Zed and Dark Elastor, Dark Elastor wondered:
"What's going on?"
Belle stood from afar and said:
"Nature's Symphony!"
The Lily fused with the Fairy wand to create Athena Wand (it was a wand with green energy lines and transformed into Belle's left arm armor). Belle raised the Athena Wand and waved her wand and created a wall of vines around the Dark Elastor. Dark Elastor said:
"You think this thing can stop me? Look at me."
Dark Elastor swung his sword at the wall of vines, but each vine that was cut off was instantly restored. Dark Elastor slashed like crazy inside the wall of vines to release him, he said angrily:
"What have you done to me? Let me go."
Belle replied:
"Sorry but I can't leave you out here."
Zed said:
"Belle, let him go, I'll take care of him."
Belle waved her wand at Zed and summoned the vines that bind him. Zed said in surprise:
"Belle? What are you doing to me? Let me go."
Belle replied:
"You are absorbing the darkness of the Dark Elastor, but that darkness is so warlike that it has affected your nerves to make you more belligerent. Sorry but you must sleep."
Through Belle's eyes, she clearly saw the flow of darkness that Zed was absorbing from the Dark Elastor, it was The Lily's power "Eyes of Energy" that enabled her to see all the energy flows of everything. A lily flower grew from a vine near Zed's hand and gave off a gentle fragrance that made Zed fall asleep. He was back to normal. Belle turned to Dark Elastor and said:
"You too, go to sleep."
Thousands of lilies have sprouted from within the vines wall and released a light and sweet fragrance. Dark Elastor covered his nose trying not to be soothed by the scent, he flew up to break through the wall of vines. Suddenly, the Sunshine Arrow shot by Eva flew past and hit the Dark Elastor, injuring him and falling. Dark Elastor landed hard on the ground, he got angry and released the darkness in his left hand. Dark Elastor punched through the wall of vines, he looked at Belle and said angrily:
"This isn't over yet, I'll be back, to become a destroyer."
Dark Elastor was pushed back and Elastor returned, he passed out afterwards. Belle drew her weapon and said:
"The power is so terrible, what will happen when Elastor is not on our side?"
While Belle and Eva gave Zed and Elastor a rest, Alata stood in a corner and thought:
"What did I almost do? What a strange thought, he's my enemy."
Alata looked at Elastor, he whispered:
"What is my true purpose?"