Chapter Sixty-Five: Burning Light

Cold sweat drenched Oxford's back when he saw the man. He was tall and bulky, over fifty centimeters taller than the rest. He held a bamboo staff, which radiated a burning light.

Oxford took a step back, as he lost control of his will. The water which had enchanted him wore off, and pure exhaustion engulfed him.

Without him noticing, a circle had begun forming around them. Soldiers parted ways for the giant man, as he confidently approached Oxford. He clamped his staff into the ground with every step.

Menacing, could best describe the giant. With every step he took the water trembled and escaped the perimeter. Soon the thing that gave Oxford strength was gone and he stood alone against an army.

Oxford glanced at his surroundings and finally noticed the circle of water and soldiers around them. He felt fear seeping in, knowing he was alone against the giant man. He'd rather face multiple enemies at the same time, than to be alone against him.

The staff wielder gazed at Oxford with indifference, then he raised his staff and smashed it into the ground. A shining light enveloped him and the staff, just before the collision. Then it came.

"Boooom" sounded and a storm of rocks were hurled at Oxford. He barely managed to throw himself to the side, landing on the muddy ground.

As dust faded, Oxford saw that a crater had formed. Seeing the destruction caused by a single swing he began sweating. He was no fighter. His first fight was months ago, when his town was invaded. He had stayed inside the comforts of the wall and helped with debris until the end. The only form of confrontation during the siege was when he threw a rock at one of the invading orcs.

In the midst of his contemplation, Oxford saw an intense light approaching him at breathtaking speeds. He barely managed to roll away in time, as the light passed. It graced his cheek, making him bleed.

Then, "boom". The light had collided with the ground and caused an explosion.

Oxford layed on the ground and looked up, there he saw the giant man floating.

As soon as Oxford saw him, the man descended. Letting gravity and light enhance his fall, he came face to face with Oxford.

In panic Oxford rolled to the side and managed to avoid the man, but the impact still hit him and he was sent tumbling towards the edge of the ring, right next to the water.

He extended his hand into the water, and touched it. He felt some strength return and hurriedly stood up. With a handful of water dripping from his hand he regained his will and courage.

Oxfords clenched his fist and met eyes with the man. He was decked head to toe in metal armor, with glowing light. The man's face was covered by layers of protection, and only his eyes could be seen. Yet his movements weren't hindered in the slightest.

"I thought the gods of the Shifao Dynasty disagreed with the war. How come they're trying to interfere to the point of involving their own might in the conflict?" the armored man asked, as he extended his arm towards the crater where the light had landed.

From the ruble a bamboo staff came spinning and landed in his hand. Then it started emitting the light again.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Oxford said and raised his fists. He had lost his sword sometime during the small exchange.

"I see." was all the man said.

The giant man raised the bamboo staff high into the air and made a throwing motion. Two replicas of the bamboo staff made of light were sent towards Oxford.

Oxford calmed his nerves and made water flow along his arms as an outer shell and tried to harden them. Just in time for the first staff to hit him.

His guard was instantly broken and he was sent flying into one of the soldiers. But instead of being stabbed to death, they threw him into the ring again.

Oxford winced in pain at the impact. Both his arms were broken and limp.

As he hit the ground again he limped towards the water and tried to heal himself. But the water only lightened the pain. But, as he was drinking the water, the second staff hit him in the back and smashed him into the ground.

Oxford choked on the water he inhaled, as he regained his consciousness moments after being hit. His eyes were heavy, and the pain was killing him. He felt that his spine had dislocated and was now in between his ribs in fractions.

He screamed in pain and the water answered his call. Several spikes of hardened ice were launched at the man of light. But they only graced his armor and nothing more.

He slowly approached Oxford, who was on his last breath. The blow had already crippled him and all that was left was a slow painful death.

"You might be my enemy, but that doesn't mean I want to see you suffer!" the giant man said and jumped into the air, then he threw his bamboo stick right into Oxford's head, smashing it to pieces.

…

Jantyr fought and fought and managed to throw some minor blessings on his worshipers in the midst of war. This had given them a fighting chance. Twelve believers were still alive and were fighting the tide.

The army was approaching with haste and had arrived moments after Oxford's death. Thankfully none of the worshipers saw the tragic end of their leader, and their morals still existed.

With great effort they managed to stay alive in the chaos and make it back to their side, where they rejoined the army. Finally, after a full two minutes, they were somewhat safe.

Now all that was left was to survive the oncoming battle for their lives.

(An: Next chapter will be Jantyr's pov, where we'll see what's happening on his side. :) )