Debts Unpaid

Boom-!

Nimin crashed into the ground. With a rolling recovery he held his spear carefully.

Perina pushed a hand forward, a magic force slamming into Nimin, "Third Star isn't some small step brat! This is a level you cannot reach!"

Glint flashed and several glowing spears made of a golden energy appeared. They shot forward towards Perina, aiming to pierce her.

Shattering these with a wave of her hand Perina continued, "You ruined my plans! But that makes things easy for me anyway, I can rid of you here and now!"

"You've only gotten that far by eating the weak, it was never your own strength! So what gives you the right to look down on those who got far with their own strength?!"

"The strong consume the weak, that's how this world always worked!"

"That doesn't give you the right to look down on others! You abuse your power for your own sake!"

"There's no getting to you! The strong rule! That's how it works! If you can't do anything about it, that means you're just too weak!"

Nimin couldn't get close, Perina kept attacking at a range with various abilities. Still he pushed on!

~ ~ ~

Akiol felt the restrictions on his body loosen. Finally able to move he spoke via the link, 'Givale, go back with Stars.'

Givale silently warped out of existence. Akiol moved quietly towards the unconscious Wrock and hoisted him onto his shoulder. He looked over towards Nimin, as much as he would like to assist, that battle was out of his league. Sneaking away he finally put some distance between him and Perina. It seemed like the guards no longer intended to interfere with her there.

At a certain distance the ground shook, and a Wyvern came into view. Akiol's expression turned unreadable for a moment, "So he wanted this to happen. I'll trust his judgement for now then."

Getting on the Wyvern, Akiol flew the scene with Wrock. Silently vowing to repay this favor one day. Placing Wrock down he noticed green lines spreading from Wrock's hands. Akiol inspected it carefully, "It seems like the cursed object is acting up again. It would at such a time too."

After one last glance at the battle in the distance Akiol rested comfortably on the Wyvern. His mind filled with constant thought.

~ ~ ~

Nimin slammed into a tree, bloody and nearly broken. His grip on Glint loosened, and his eyesight pulsated.

"It annoys me you're one of the Eternal Ones! Why must you not be able to die?! Why are you favored?!"

The flickering determination in Nimin's eyes failed to go out. Slowly he stood up again, "Why? It's to torment those like you of course. A plague meant to wipe this accursed planet clean."

"Nonsense, you're merely spitting lies at this point."

"Yet here I am, tormenting you. The one you couldn't catch. The one who constantly stood in your way. Standing here, still alive."

"You're wrong! I intentionally left you! It was going to be in a grand fashion! I was going to absorb you last and ascend beyond!"

"Always depending on others, you seem quite troublesome to have around."

"Shut up! I grow tired of your dead man ramble!"

A force of magic pierced Nimin's stomach. He collapsed, HP gone critical.

Perina raised a hand, "Just die."

"I'll be back! I'll be back to come for you!"

Nimin's eyes widened momentarily, and then slowly dulled. Perina made a disgusted face, "Today has gone all wrong! I haven't even finished my meal!"

She turned and stopped, ". . . They escaped?! Grimwald! What are you doing?!"

Grimwald coughed blood, "My. . . Apologies Miss."

"Tsk! This is so annoying!"

~ ~ ~

Wrock was in a dark place. Like the depths of an ocean.

In front of him was a bright light, trying to pierce through the dark surroundings.

Scratching his head he murmured, "This is quite upsetting. She almost took everything."

Wrock knew what was taken, he didn't even need the system interface to confirm. He was well aware of what was stolen.

The Skills he had slowly built and created during his time playing A World's Legacy were all gone. Not a single one left. This part wasn't the most upsetting part however, the Skills could be remade overtime with his Class.

The most upsetting part was that his War Sight was taken. It felt like a chunk of him was missing. The only thing he had left was his Stats, Titles, Levels, and Equipment. Wrock believed he was saved, mostly because his Stats remained. That much he could be thankful for.

Yet trouble loomed. The main thing capable of suppressing the curse on his gauntlets was his War Sight. Now that was gone he had to fight another battle with that. He could feel it too, it knew that he didn't have his War Sight anymore. It was trying to slowly takeover his body. Perhaps the only reason why its progress was so slow was due to his various Titles.

"Still, where am I exactly?"

The light was warm and familiar. As if he was acquainted with it for quite some time.

When he reached out to touch it, he found he couldn't get close to it no matter how hard he tried.

Sitting down crosslegged he stared at it, "So this is my next objective?"

~ ~ ~

Travis collapsed, breathing heavily.

Dimitrin let go of their sword, and it disappeared into the air, "You've certainly improved, but far from enough."

Travis nodded, still catching his breath.

Dimitrin shook their head, "You may be among the strongest of Second Stage, capable of fighting many at the lower end of Third Stage. However genuine Third Stages are not something you're capable of fighting."

"I think I've learned that the hard way."

"A shame it had to be that way. Rest up, you'll be meeting the other Dukes tomorrow. Don't want to meet them in such a shameful state."

"Yes."

~ ~ ~

"Where's Nimin?"

Akiol shook his head, "Still fighting."

"What?! You just left him there?!"

"Nimin broke through to Second Star, that fight isn't something I can assist in."

"That doesn't matter! Is Nimin fighting against Perina or not?!"

"He is."

"You idiot! We can't let him be absorbed!"

"No, I don't think he can anymore."

"What?!"

"Perina seemed incredibly displeased with him being Second Star, I don't think she can absorb fighters at that level."

". . ."

Akiol set Wrock down onto a couch, and then paused, "Mind if he rests here?"

Para sighed, "I guess, what's happening with him though?"

"He almost got completely absorbed, I have no idea what's going on. But his cursed weapon seems to be trying to take over him."

"Cursed weapon? Why would he risk that?"

"Well it never posed an issue until now, whatever damage that Perina caused is making it act up."

"It's progress is kind of slow. So there's a chance of recovery?"

"I'm sure he's got it."

"Why are you so uncaring? Nimin is out there fighting, he risked his account to save you!"

Akiol sighed, "I'm not someone who forgets their debts Para. I simply cannot repay them now with my current strength. Just know, you have my assistance with the fight against Perina."

"Oh yeah great, the one who ran away is gonna help us?"

". . ."

"Oh thank you so much for your assistance! I'm sure you'll be of great help!"

"Where are you now?"

"What?"

"You're here with me. Sure, I ran. But you never went over to begin with. Your Guild Leader was quick to assist me in saving my friend, but you were quick to go against it."

"We don't know you!"

"That's true, but the facts remain as so. The one fighting is your Guild Leader, and the ones safe is you and I. Your Guild Leader wanted me to flee, I wasn't going to waste his efforts to fight a battle I would be of no help with."

"That guy doesn't know anything! He's always getting us in trouble, always making the wrong choices!"

Akiol merely stared.

Para clenched her hands, "He's always quick to sacrifice himself over anyone! And people like you are always quick to take advantage of that kindness!"

"I took advantage, I had priority over my friend. But like I said, I will not let this debt go unpaid."

"We don't want your help! Why would we want assistance from someone who prioritizes their friends?!"

"Is that not what you are doing?"

"It's different!"

"Nimin will be fine, I have a feeling he's going to make it out of this. In the meantime I'll be taking my leave."

"So you're running away again?"

"With my current level my assistance would be pointless. I'm going to find this path of mine, it would be best if you do so as well. Else you'll be of no help to your Guild Leader."

"Eugh!"

Akiol closed the door to the Guildhouse. As he walked Stars asked, 'Is it okay to leave things like this? What about Mira?'

"Mira will be fine, I've given him a routine to follow. By the time I figure things out I will be back to continue teaching him."

'You're just leaving him though, without saying anything?'

"There's something I want to try, I feel like if I don't do so now an opportunity will be lost."

'. . . I see.'