Revolution

A large man walked through a partition behind the throne room. Coated in flowing molten gold armour, even his head was covered. With a golden mirror that masked his face. Broad shoulders that spoke of strength. And a presence. An oppressive presence that held nothing back. 

Aldric felt it for the first time. Feeling as if his nerve endings were beneath flames, his brain sent signals of fear. His [Insight] attribute was going haywire. Responding to a sense of danger that was not present or tangible. His mind was in disarray however, a familiar calmness spread over the feeling of oppression. [Tranquil Core] calmed his chaotic mind. Now understanding the feeling for what it was, he thought to himself. 

'What an echo.'

He looked away. 

Knowing that it was at least a transcended rank echo, it was the best thing that Gunlaug could have had. With transcended durability, none of his enemies would have any weapons that could pierce through it. And the mind ability, giving him total dominance over the sleepers. It definitely used a lot of essence to maintain; however, with his weak aspect ability, he did not have much use for it anyway. It was not as if he could manipulate his soul essence. 

'Was he fated to rule this place?'

Aldric thought to himself. As he saw the crowd begin to fall, succumbing to the force of the echo.

"It's lovely to meet you again, Effie. You really should have joined the Host when I had offered it to you. Now look, a reprehensible criminal that is answering for her crimes."

Gunlaug teased the huntress with his theatrics. 

"Fuck off."

The huntress responded resolutely.

A stream of shouts exploded in the room. Some were angry with her insolence and shouting for an immediate execution, while others were shouting in her defence.

Nephis placed a hand on Effie's shoulder. Staring right at the Lord, she spoke. 

"I invoke the right of challenge."

Gunlaug laughed at her response.

"That old thing? You seem fond of tradition, don't you? I am beginning to tire of your insolence, Changing Star!"

He continued.

"Should it not be the accused who makes her own challenge? What right do you have to say that in her place?"

Nephis calmly retorted. 

"It's like what one of your minions said. A leader is responsible for those under them. I am responsible for their crimes."

Gunlaug entertained her request.

"And who is it that you will challenge?"

Nephis eyes twisted darkly with white flames rising beneath them.

"You. I challenge you."

Gunlaug was not surprised at her challenge. Wasting no time, molten gold swam across his arm and formed a battle axe around his hand. Sprinting into a lunge, he dashed towards her with earth-shattering strides.

His initial swing blitzed through and displaced the surrounding air. Nephis responded in fashion by parrying the attack to her side. However, that was not the end of the Bright Lord's attack. 

His golden axe elongated. Liquid gold extending the reach of the battle axe, nicking her cheek as she jumped backwards. Damaging the helmet of her armour. 

The battle has begun. 

A flurry of attacks danced around the crowd. Sounds of clashes echoed around the hall. A powerful kick from Gunlaug sent Nephis crashing into the ground. With no pause, Gunalug pressed the advantage, giving her no reprieve. Nephis dodged his attack and created space.

The challenger was covered in cuts and injuries; however, the Lord was untouched. 

It was clear to see who had the advantage; however, not a soul cheered. For they knew, in her shoes, they would be long dead. 

With nothing to hold back, Nephis revealed her trump card. Glowing white light emanated from her skin, empowering her. The ability to wrap oneself in their aspect for power was not limited to just Sunny and Aldric. Nephis could utilise it too. 

The deathmatch continued. Changing Star could now match and outspeed Gunlaug. Dents and cracks began to form in the seemingly invincible golden armour.

It was annoying to watch such a fight play out and just be stood there. Aldric was feeling restless, but he knew what was to come next. His role to play.

The flow of the battle had a stark change. Gunlaug turned his head to catch the young girl's reflection in his mask. 

BOOM

A wave of oppressive aura spread throughout the room. Aldric simply looked away and focused his eyes on Nephis. It seemed not everyone was as informed as him. People dropped like flies as blood leaked from their orifices. Nephis was withstanding the brunt of the attack. 

'She can't look away. This is her chance.'

Aldric thought to himself. 

Gunlaug brutally took advantage of her inebriated condition, piercing a dagger formed out of gold through her chest and out of her back. The battle was seemingly over. 

Even in her condition, Nephis held nothing back and battered his helmet with the pommel of her sword. Trying to deal as much damage as she could, even in her state. However, her true intentions were obvious to Aldric. 

"CRACK"

His helmet began to weaken.

Gunlaug stepped back and removed his blade from her chest. Affording her a small mercy. 

"Go on, heal yourself."

He spoke.

A bright light erupted from her as she shifted the focus of her aspect to heal herself. 

PIERCE

His ruthless blade entered her newly healed chest with no mercy. Brutalising her with repeated stabs, he held nothing back.

Aldric gripped his sword tightly. Seeing this was revolting. It spoke of Nephis' conviction to endure so much to place herself in a winning condition. Anyone else would never consider facing Gunlaug one on one. But for her ambition, she had to win the battle on her own merit. To legitimise her claim for what was to happen next. It spoke of her danger. It was one thing to burn others to fuel your ambition, but to burn yourself like a dying star was beyond the confines of what was normal. 

The Lord continued his assault.

"Oh, this is really fun. Go on, heal yourself."

Nephis met his gleeful voice with a dark look in her eyes.

With his blade still lodged in her ribcage, she gripped his shoulder and smashed her head against his helmet. The gem on her headband breaking through.

SHATTER

A hole formed where his nose bridge was. Revealing his murderous blue eyes. 

"You bitch!"

'It's time.'

Aldric thought as he readied himself. 

Nephis closed her eyes and turned around. With her fist closed, she opened it and blew harshly. A red miasma formed in front of her, seeping through Gunlaug's helmet. Entering through the hole, it spread around his head.

The Lord instinctively inhaled whatever the young girl released. Breathing was everything to him, hunting in the dark sea with nothing but a spear. With his aspect and his golden armour, he never had to consider holding his breath. 

Bending over in a violent cough, the Lord shouted.

"What have you done to me, you bitch?!"

Embroiled in agony, Nephis healed her wounds. Her cuts and injuries began to knit themselves. Covered in her own blood and a face twisting in pain, she stood up.

"You are dead."

She spoke.

Immediately, a wave of shouts echoed in the room.

"Immortal Flame!" 

"Immortal Flame!" 

"Changing Star!"

With blood dripping down his helmet, the golden serpent groaned in pain. Letting out a shaky laugh, he took an unsteady step to Nephis. A muffled scream rumbled through his armour. Falling to one knee, his body convulsed as the poison spread through his system. 

He tried to say something, but blood was all that came out. 

"Rest easy; your nightmare is over."

Hearing her speak enraged him. Fighting through the blood, he spoke vindictively. 

"Good, this is good. Yours is only beginning."

As if he were fine with his demise, he made his way back to his throne. Stumbling through each step. His armour was shifting in apparent panic. 

Landing roughly on his throne, he viewed the crowd watching his final moments. 

With his last breath, he spoke out.

"I..I tried. I really did."

With that, the Bright Lord had met his end.

His armour shattered into glimmering light. Revealing a handsome young man in his late twenties. With long blond hair and a short beard, his left eye had a crimson flower sprouting out of it. Creating a grotesque image of life and death.

Aldric was ready. With darkness seeping through his armour like a river and black clinging to the edge of his blade. Though that was not all, he covered himself in a brief shell of darkness. To silence his presence completely. He had utilised this trick before; however, training with the [Forsaken Knight] gave him a reference to learn from. 

A rough voice shouted in the hall.

"What are you waiting for? Kill them all!"

That was his signal.

*********

Thanks for reading.

The war is upon us. How will Aldric's presence affect things?

Not much to say. Till next time.