Showdown(2)

Gord's sword met with Vilvintine's fist, sending them both on opposite directions as they clashed.

"Improved Handling!"

Gord lifted his sword once more and charged at Vilvintine; he swung his sword with all his might combined with all the enhancements and buffs he acquired. Vilvintine raised both of her fists to block the swing.

The sword bashed her fists, sending out a strong shockwave powerful enough to fling the rest of her group back. Rudelf and Shia fell on their feet as they locked their sights on the battle.

"Thousand Fists!"

Vilvintine launched a flurry of fast punches directed at Gord, with his newfound buffs, he managed to raise his sword to block the shower of blows which lasted for a minute. In retaliation, Gord cast his skill 'Lionheart.'

Lionheart was a skill only useable by swordsman; it gives the caster a field of perception around itself in which the caster can anticipate any attack as long as the enemy steps into the field. Vilvintine quickly lunged backwards out of the field, she knew the skill very well to avoid it.

"Ha!"

She punched her fists together and a double-bladed sword manifested within her palms, she had decided to combat Gord as a swordsman.

"Tsk, bring it on!" Gord taunted.

"I will show you the might, the blessing, of this country," Vilvintine's sword began to glow a faint gold similar to her aura.

"A holy sword!?" Lily took a step back; she knew a holy sword when she sees one but was it really a holy sword?

Vilvintine then dashed towards Gord with her double-edged sword raised behind her head, Gord's skill detected her, but she was too fast.

In a blink of an eye, Vilvintine's Sword barely missed Gord's neck as he managed to evade in time, stepping back just a mere second before the sword could reach him. He then countered by swinging his sword below his belly and aimed at Vilvintine's exposed legs only for her to immediately block it with the lower edge of her sword.

The two then transitioned into a frantic clash of swords and muscle with Gord's enhanced longsword against Vilvintine's double-edged blade.

As the fight raged below them, One and Hailey couldn't help but comment on the battle with their predictions.

"Interesting, that boy."

"He is, Johann, maybe he has help from the blue lady you speak of?"

"Quite possibly."

"Look at him; he is holding his own even though Vilvintine is supposedly giving her all."

Vilvintine then used Pillar Of Swords, a spell that summons a sword from above and is launched directly at the designated target. A big yellow circle appeared and hovered a few meters above Vilvintine and out from it came a sword of gold, roughly the size of a long spear. The sword was calm at first, hovering over her head, and suddenly it flew in an instant towards Gord.

Gord tried to evade by jumping to the right only to be stunned that the sword followed his position, frantically, he raised his sword to block. The cast sword smashed against his sword before shattering into dust, the force of the smash sent him flying a few meters, his body crashed into the floor and rolled a few more meters before finally stopping.

His longsword had been pushed against his stomach due to the impact, making it hard for him to breath. His friends looked on in horror as Vilvintine slowly walked towards the downed Gord, her sword glowing and her body shining that golden hue. Her eyes were frowning at him, seemingly telling him that she was disappointed.

Pillar of Swords was a common spell, normally it would launch a literal raining pillar of swords above a specified spot but Vilvintine's version of the spell was different, causing him this fatal error.

Though he is unable to breathe, he was neither injured nor cut. He struggled to stand up, a raging pain would make him feel weak and he'd fall down once more to his knees.

Suddenly, he began to feel weaker all over, his skin began to look pale as he began struggling to keep his eyes opened. He fell down once more to the white floor, he began to cough uncontrollably and his nerves have begun failing.

He felt a numbness take over his body as his eyes finally shut. He was experiencing Magic Asphyxiation and it was about to kill him in just a few more seconds.

"So this is it," He thought to himself.

He always knew he lacked good judgment and was naive in most fields but what he did right now was what he finally was sure of doing. He wanted to protect his friends, or what remains of his perceived family.

"Heavy Slash!"

"Shuriken Rain!"

"Magic Snipe!"

He suddenly heard familiar voices in the distance and three pairs of steps approach by his side.

He no longer had the strength to open his eyes but he was sure, his friends were now with him. And he was right, Shia, Lily, and Rudelf ran towards their downed friend and surrounded him, Shia kneeled down next to his head and placed her hands on his forehead.

"Heal" She whispered, her hands glowed green as she transferred a small percentage of her mana to replenish the downed swordsman.

The spells they cast against Vilvintine were easily avoided and the beautiful golden maiden was still walking towards them, her presence ever so menacing.

"You idiots now cool?" Lily asked, her attention fixated on Vilvintine.

"Shit, damn right!" Rudelf replied with a smug look.

Shia walked towards Lily's right side, arranging her posture to that of an assassin, it was time for them to work together, even though their healer is out of the fight, the three of them as a team may still stand a chance against golden warrior walking towards them.

"Let's do this," Shia said below her breath.

"Well then, you two charge while I launch the arrows of hell at her! go!"

"Right!" They both replied.

Shia and Rudelf charged at Vilvintine, Rudelf had his sword raised while Shia had her daggers on both hands gripped and ready.

"Clone!"

In an instant, two clones of Shia manifested behind her and they too joined in the charge, seeing the charging group Vilvintine gave out a smile.

Vilvintine was thrilled, this was the outcome One and Hailey had in mind, this thought gave Vilvintine more confidence, knowing that she did not fail her two masters.

Gripping her double-edged sword with a firm tight grip, she swung her sword with immense speed, and from her sword came a line of magic that was sharp enough to slice someone in half. The line flew out in a square wave and flew towards the direction of the charging group.

Despite being fast, both the Shias and Rudelf evaded the line and continued their charge.

"Blazing Arrow!"

A flaming arrow of magic sped over their heads and rammed Vilvintine, surprising her. The arrow exploded upon impact, slowing down the maiden as she held her chest.

"Tsk, she took a direct Blazing Arrow!" Lily remarked.

"Keep on doing it! distract her, just don't hit us!" Rudelf commanded.

And the two sides finally met each other. Rudelf and Shia positioned themselves in front and behind Vilvintine with Shia's clone harassing her on her sides. Their swords clanged as both metal and muscle clashed in this brawl. As Vilvintine was blocking Rudelf's swing, Shia managed to evade the lower end of her sword and struck her left thigh with her daggers.

But the daggers did nothing, her clothes were as hard as mithril armor. Vilvintine then noticed her attempt and hurriedly kicked her with her leg, her kick hit Shia's face stunning her.

Shia's clone then managed to land their own strikes and both ended the same as before, her clothes were tough.

The clones then disappeared as Shia could not maintain them anymore with her magic, the two of them backed up as Lily continued to shoot Vilvintine with enhanced arrows.

Vilvintine however, just tanked her arrows.

"Tsk, we need to attack her at the same time with our trump cards,"

"Rudelf, exposing our trump cards now would leave us at a disadvantage if they fail!"

"What choice do we have?!"

The situation became a staredown, the three of them staring down at Vilvintine who was waiting for their next move.

"Wait, that man is moving again," Hailey pointed down at Gord, he was finally standing up but was rather clumsy and still visibly weak.

His friends, however, have not noticed their friend's moment.

"Lily! we need to do our trump cards." Rudelf shouted.

"What!?" Of course, Lily disagreed.

"Just do it! it's our only chance,"

Vilvintine, One and Hailey were confused if they were really shouting their strategy for them to hear or they didn't think they'd hear them speak.

"Let's go!" Rudelf gave out one final shout.

Lily lowered her bow and sighed, she began to utter a few words below her breathe and raised her bow when she finished.

Shia closed her eyes and combined her two daggers into her right palm.

Rudelf knelt his legs slightly as he placed his long sword behind his back.

Vilvintine, seeing this, immediately poised herself at the ready, anticipating their triple attack.

"Arrow Of Lightning!" A storm cloud formed above the arena, surprising One and Hailey. It then began to rain and with that rain came thunderous lightning, the lightning began to strike at random places.

Lily was glowing white, the thunder roared and the lightning began to concentrate around her, a strange wind began to blow as she pulled the strings of her bow. The arrow she loaded began to glow and as it glowed, a huge bolt of lightning struck down upon it.

A tornado formed around her as she pulled the string of her bow at max, the sight was a combination of shock and awe.

This was there trump card, a shock and awe tactic.

As the storm raged and the tornado twirled, it was time for Shia and Rudelf to reveal their cards.

"Ultimate Swordsman!"

"Invisible Assassin!"

Rudelf also glowed, this time he glowed gray. His sword turning into a black abbysal form. Void wings sprouted from his back and he began to fly, his face became distorted and from the upper part of his mouth grew two fangs.

Shia went completely invisible, her presence could no longer be detected.

This was their power, the height of their magic prowess.

Vilvintine clutched her sword hard and she frowned, this was another type of fight. These people were no joke and they were indeed stronger than she anticipated, she must not fail! if she does, she may no longer regain the honor bestowed upon her by her two masters.

One and Hailey's interests were piqued, this was a showdown they themselves did not anticipate, three magical monsters versus their magic maiden.

A battle to decide, who was stronger.