Deceit

"I have a feeling that Naeron will want to play around for a little, hmm, how about we have one of those Divine Masters join us as spectators of this wonderful duel?" Surge looked at Vena. "The one Aerion was talking to especially, he looks like a promising young man."

"Hmph, how childish."

"Isn't that Prince Xisu of the Star God Realm?" Nexus wondered. "He reminds me of him."

"You have nothing to do, imagine paying attention to mere mortals." Helia sighed.

"Ah, but Aerion is a mortal, isn't he?" Surge chuckled.

"Not quite, he has Aerios' full inheritance so he can't be classified as a mortal."

"His cultivation strength is lacking, so he is a mortal." Nexus stated. "We all watch mortals from time to time, there's nothing wrong with that."

"Then we're all mortals, idiot. His true battle power is slightly below ours with the assistance of Rotias. I wouldn't call him a mortal." Helia replied.

"We were full-fledged Ancestral Gods created and chosen by the Transcendent Being in the past while Aerion Targaryen was born in a mortal world. There's a huge difference between us and him." Nexus countered.

"Man, whatever." Surge shrugged. "It doesn't matter, all I know is Naeron is going to win after embarrassing him."

"You are all wasting breath on such irrelevant matters, Aerion is not an Ancestral God but neither is he an ordinary mortal. With every day, he comes closer to reclaiming Aerios' throne, which is admirable. It shows that he is, indeed, gifted above that of a mortal." Vena stated. "But his journey will end here."

Prince Xisu's ice disappeared and he was able to move once more. He looked around and it took him several seconds to even comprehend what was happening. Aerion was fending off a certain warrior while a group of absurdly beautiful people watched, it was all rather confusing so he decided to ask a few questions.

"Who are you all?"

Surge coughed. "We're just the spirits of a few Ancestral Gods, nothing much. Please, come and join us. You won't be living for long anyway..."

"I believe he had already died several years ago," Nexus added.

"Oh? Maybe you're the reason why Aerion's life span is in such a terrible state." Surge chuckled. "What a waste."

Xisu frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

"Bringing people back from the dead isn't easy." Surge shrugged. "You look like a smart young man, so you should be able to make the links, yes?"

"I... didn't know that. He never told me about the consequences of the Samsara of Heavenly Life, are they greater than he made it seem?"

"Clearly." Surge replied. "Confident people like him rarely show their weak side to anyone. He probably didn't want you to worry about it either as you seem like a caring guy."

"How long does he have left?"

"I'd say two-three years."

"This... no, I won't allow it. Is there a way to reverse what has been done?"

"Probably not, you're here to stay, my friend. For a little while, at least." Surge smiled.

"..." Xisu shook his head. "There has to be a way!"

"Shh and enjoy the duel before Vena freezes you again. This is a great honour I've bestowed onto you so you should cherish it while it still lasts."

"..."

~

"You're unexpectedly good for a mortal." Naeron smiled. "Most of the minor gods I've fought do not even compare to you. It is a great pity that my divine legacy was given away to some trash when it could've gone to you instead."

"How flattering, such deep praise coming from the Ancestral God of War himself! But I'm already the avatar of the Fire God Dragon and that will never change."

"Ah, yes, Aerios found you first."

"Besides, would you be willing to give your whole inheritance to me? I think not, only Aerios was willing to make such a sacrifice."

"True, that is so very true! We Ancestral Gods are rather stingy and dislike the thought of death it has been so since the very start. Losing our eternal life... that is not something most of us are willing to do. Due to the special formation in this arena, those fools cannot hear us nor can they discern what we are saying due to the laws here and the distance between us and them. It is a duel between two warriors and so, their words should not be shared to mere spectators. A small rule you should know before we proceed."

"Fools?"

Naeron aimed for his cheek but he blocked it with his shield. "Mn, fools. They trust the Transcendent Being blindly time and time again yet he's the reason why we have fallen so low. He created us to be the strongest beings and look at where we are now, barely comparable to the weakest of minor gods!"

"Before you had attained Aerios' power, we were even less than that. The return of our divine power was simply to put all of us against you, in the end. The Transcendent Being granted you many blessings along with many curses. It is a sad twist of fate which you might never break free from."

Aerion swung his bastard sword at the side of Naeron, who then blocked it with his spear.

"It is why I wanted to give you a chance in the first place. I want to see him destroyed, once and for all. Aerios was strong, yes, but you are something even greater. You living on would grant us a greater chance of victory as you would grow into something superior to him. Besides, killing you would be playing right into his plan, it is what he wants us to do."

"So you're going to let me win?"

"No, you are going to earn it." Naeron smiled. "After observing you for all these years, I believe you have the skills necessary to do so. I just need to force them out of you, that is all!"

~

"Naeron's finally heating up, but Aerion is doing just as well." Surge frowned. "Is he really that good? Even Raela and I were only a decent match in the Arena against Naeron."

"He's doing better than most Gods, that is for sure. I wish that the Arena allowed us to hear their conversation, hmph, it's a great pity." Helia sighed.

"So, there's a chance that he can win?" Prince Xisu inquired, hopeful.

The Ancestral Gods coldly laughed. "Mortals."

~

Aerion did not feel the passage of time as their duel seemed to last an eternity with neither of them taking big steps forward. Naeron had been holding back until most recently.

"You learn quickly." Naeron approvingly nodded. "Battle is truly where you belong, Aerion Targaryen. Our gap has lessened with every blow and the scenario of me losing has become more likely. Even before we began, your skills in combat were unparalleled among all mortals but now it may rise to become unparalleled among all Gods. You are worthy of the title 'Heavenly Genius'!"

His praise was sincere and it did make Aerion slightly more joyful as he was slowly approaching his victory.

"Now it is time that I test your abilities once and for all, this will decide whether you live or die! I want you to live but if you prove to be unworthy, then so be it."

Aerion nodded. He had already gone through about over a hundred shields and Naeron had shattered his current one with one powerful blow. He stepped to the side to avoid Naeron's spear point.

Perfect Counter.

After taking the step to the side, Aerion slashed at Naeron's left arm and dodged his next strike. He was using his speed instead of strength to create wounds while getting none in exchange. Instead of asking for another shield, Aerion grasped the bastard sword with both hands.

"It seems to me that you never needed a shield, eh?"

"The shield helped me defend against your attacks while I observed them." Aerion smiled. "Now that the shields have served their purpose, I can finally win this duel once and for all!"

Naeron chuckled before striking Aerion once more. This was meant to be a sure-hit, something that no one should be able to dodge.

Perfect Counter.

Aerion dodged the spear point and used his momentum to close the distance between the two, getting into the perfect range.

PIERCE.

"So... I lost..." Naeron seemed rather joyful despite the bastard sword which had been driven through his chest. In truth, weirdly enough, that was the source of his joy.

"What!?" Surge got up from his seat. "Naeron has to be jesting around, there is no way Aerion beat him at his best! Man, what was Naeron thinking anyway? It looked like an intense sparring session for most of the duel, not a life-or-death battle!"

"Aerion Targaryen is declared the victor." The Arena stated. "And so, the rest of the Ancestral Gods will not act as obstacles in his path and acknowledge him as the Fire Dragon God's successor. He and his followers will be released. The Ancestral Gods are highly recommended to part ways from the Dragon Emperor for now."

"What nonsense, are we truly going to let go off him just because he won?" Helia laughed.

Vena nodded. "He must die no matter what."

Naeron and Aerion's wounds healed. In mere seconds, their profound energy returned and they were once again able to make use of it. The spectators were also allowed to intervene now as the golden glow of domain faded and they returned to the original formation.

"I must say, that was a brilliant duel." Nexus stated. "But we can't let you go just because you won some pointless duel."

Vena waved her hand and Aerion felt his body freeze up once more before Naeron blocked the ice with his golden spear.

"Do you all have no sense of pride or honour!?" Naeron frowned. "He won and is free from our antics, one and for all!"

"Naeron, are you choosing a mortal over your fellow Ancestral Gods? You would rather choose this mortal over Aerios?" Nexus chuckled. "Honour, kindness, love... such things are the restraints of mortals, are they not? We, the superior Ancestral Gods, should have no place for anything of the sort!"

Naeron shook his head. "Speak for yourself, God of Peace. We should not fall to such low standards, a promise was a promise, and so, he is free. If you have a problem with that, you'll have to go through this God of War first before you lay your deceitful hands on him!"

Nexus sighed. "... So be it. Surge, Helia and I will deal with you while Vena will finish what she started."