Magna Exercitatus

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Aisha groaned as she flopped down onto the couch, moaning in pain and rubbing her back as the aching in her lower back returned. The pain had reduced itself to just a throbbing at that point, but before, it had been utter agony, walking up that damn hill.

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"MMmmpphhh…" Aisha cried in anguish, muffling her voice into the cushions. "Ooowwww…"

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Aisha was sure that something was dislodged. She fought back tears from coming to her eyes, as she balled up her fists. Damn stupid fucking teacher - he didn't heal her broken back, and now she had to deal with… the excruciating pain.

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It was only her fifth day of training, too…

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For hours she lay there, just trying to get her mind off of the pain in her back, but every once in a while, she would move the slightest bit, and pain would shoot up her spine.

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"Aiiiishaaaa!" A playful, mischievous voice sang, as the door opened. "I'm hoooomee!"

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A mix of dread and excitement entered Aisha's heart. A part of her yipped in joy, tugging at the edges of her lips, telling her that mistress would take the pain away, but another, smaller part of her… didn't want her mistress to see her so vulnerable. Mostly because… she would try to help.

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"Hi mistress." Aisha choked out from the couch, her voice warped by the way her face was pressed into the soft fabric. Try as she could, though, she couldn't help but let out a pitiful, pained whine, as knives went through her back, like a small animal stuck in a bear trap.

.

"Aisha?" Lorian asked, instantly concerned, rushing over to Aisha's side. "What's wrong?"

"...Nubbin." Aisha choked out fast.

"I don't believe you." Lorian said, pursing her lips, and taking a seat on the couch next to Aisha. "Yo-"

"EAEAAAAAAAAAARRGH!" Aisha cried out in agony, clenching her eyes shut, so the tears wouldn't drip out of her eyes, as immense pain wracked her entire body. "STTOOOP!"

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Lorian jolted off the couch, horrified."W-what's wrong?"

"NNNNnnn-nnnnnothingggg." Aisha hissed out, tears leaking freely out of her eyes as she choked on her words. "J-just… go away for a bit…"

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"Aisha…" Lorian said softly, grief filling her heart at Aisha's pain-filled expression. "Where does it hurt?"

"N-nowhere." Aisha choked out, gasping for breath. "Just-"

"Here?" Lorian asked softly, rubbing Aisha's ears.

"No, it's-"

"Here?"

"I'm telling you, I-"

"Here?"

"STop, mistress-"

"What about here?"

"Please-"

"Here?"

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Aisha let out another wail of anguish, as she broke down into sobs, the pain so intense that she wanted to die.

.

"I'm sorry, Aisha…" Lorian said softly, stroking Aisha's head ever so softly, as to not jostle her. "I-... I don't want to hurt you."

"WELL YOU'RE HURTING ME NOW!" Aisha screamed, sobbing. "JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"

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Lorian shook her head, even as a crushing guilt filled her. It pained her so much to have those pain-filled words directed towards her, but she knew that Aisha was a difficult girl. She wouldn't take care of herself willingly, so… Lorian had to take things into her own hands. "I'm going to make it better."

"NO! I- hhhhhhhhhhhhyyyyyyyyuuuuuuoooohhhhhhh…"

.

Suddenly, Aisha's mouth opened in a soundless gasp, as Lorian put a hand on her back, incredibly warm, soft, and comforting. An intense heat filled her body from mistress's hand, but Aisha was ashamed to admit that… it felt good. The pain in her back reduced to a tingly sensation, but Lorian didn't stop at that.

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"You're a good girl." She whispered, directly into Aisha's ears. "You're my strong, smart, determined, beautiful girl."

"W-wha-?" Aisha blushed, turning scarlet. "W-what a-a-are you? I-I- I mean, I-I'm not…"

"Shh…" Lorian shushed, petting Aisha's head. "Don't fight it. You're my lovely, adorable, cuddly little kitten. Everything is going to be okay."

"B-but… ooooouuhhhhh… oh… haaa…."

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Suddenly, the tingling in her back turned pleasurable, and Aisha felt herself squirming against Lorian's hand, whether to get away from her touch, or press herself deeper… she didn't know. She felt her body relax, the tension she was holding in her body melt away into her mistress. She felt… light, like she was on a cloud… The hand on her head felt so nice, and the hand on her back was so warm…

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Suddenly, Aisha was knocked out of her stupor when she felt a draft brush against her shoulders. Her shoulders… that were uncovered.

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"H-huh?" She blushed, twisting around to look at Lorian. "Y-you undressed me? W-w-why?"

"Massage!" Lorian smiled. "For my good girl. For being so strong, while I healed you."

"Stop calling me thaaaaat!" Aisha whined, although her words were once again interrupted by a moan escaping her mouth, mortifyingly embarrassing.

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Lorian's hands were like magic as she ran them along Aisha's little back, her fingers pressing into deliciously sweet spots that made Aisha blush and tingle all over. She felt all the tenseness in her body just melt away and disappear, and… boy, did Aisha have a lot of tenseness in her muscles. Her arms, back, shoulders, neck, even her legs, and butt…

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"Good girl, good girl." Lorian hummed happily, and Aisha was too enraptured with fluffy feelings to even protest.

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"M...Mistress…" She drooled.

"Feeling good?" Lorian giggled mirthfully, cupping Aisha's cheek in a palm, which was then nuzzled affectionately.

"Mmmmmmhh…"

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Aisha smiled dreamily, making sure her face was hidden to her mistress, to avoid the embarrassing teasing. Fuck… how did she make her feel so… amazing…?

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"...Aishaaa…"

"Hwuh?"

"I need you to flip… actually…"

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"Huh? No, wait!"

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Aisha yelped and squeaked as Lorian scooped Aisha up into her arms in a princess carry, cradling her head in the crook of her elbow, and holding her close. Aisha covered her face in embarrassment. If there was one thing she was super weak to, it was being picked up. The loss of control, as well as the intimate closeness, and the feeling of weightlessness… It made her feel giddy, happy.

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But as soon as it began, it was over. Lorian dropped her on the couch, face up, much to Aisha's disappointment. Although she would never admit it.

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"Mistress?" She asked cutely. "What are you- HYAH!?"

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Aisha squeaked when Lorian jabbed a finger into her tummy, and spasms shot through her, as she giggled uncontrollably. Lorian tried to jab her tummy again, but all that resulted in was Aisha squirming and laughing even harder, her tummy all of a sudden all ticklish. The large woman grinned in return, tormenting poor Aisha with tickles, until the girl begged Lorian to stop, tears of laughter in her eyes.

.

"Stoooooooooop!" Aisha giggled. "MistreEEEEEEESSS!"

"Okay, okay!" Lorian laughed, giggling as she pressed her cheek up to Aisha's, rubbing them together affectionately. "Mmmmhhh… who's my good girl…"

"I-I'm not going to answer that…" Aisha mumbled, facing away as she blushed.

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Lorian smiled and giggled, wrapping Aisha up in a big hug as she laid down on the couch next to her, pulling the girl on top of her. Aisha couldn't help but blush, letting out a low mewl, as she was pet, snuggled, and cuddled into dreamy bliss…

]

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"There's someone here for you, Aisha!" Celeste called from the kitchen, as Aisha lounged on her couch, snacks in hand and mouth.

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"Tell her to fuck off." Aisha mumbled. She had absolutely no idea how Sui did it, but the girl was able to track her effortlessly. She would constantly show up, asking Aisha to do stuff, or hang out, and even when Aisha told her no, she would just end up following her around all the time anyways.

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"It's not a girl." Hana said, looking over Celeste's shoulder, and out the window. "It's a homeless guy. In a big suit of armor."

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"What?"

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Aisha rolled off the couch, groaning as her back popped, making her way over to the door-

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"Hello, Aisha." Raxas grumbled out.

"...You look awful."

"Thanks." He said sarcastically.

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But Hana and Celeste agreed with her, and so would anyone else. The tall man had lost a lot of weight, looking pale in the face, and his cheekbones visibly protruded out of his face. His short, brown hair had grown long, falling into his face in an annoying fashion, which the man was constantly brushing away. On top of that, his eyes were sunken, dark and dull, but with a… distinctly menacing feel to them. Despite the rest of his body looking malnourished, his eyes still held that piercing, determined glare, with a new malice hidden within.

.

"It's the summit." Raxas mumbled. "You gotta come."

"Ugh."

"I don't want to go either, kid." Raxas rolled his eyes. "But we have to."

"Do I really?"

"It's important this time."

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"..."

Aisha felt a sinking feeling in her gut, like she always did before something… life-changing happened. But she worked for the judge, and although she would lie and steal, she wouldn't break a promise.

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"Fine." She muttered.

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"Why are you wearing that?" Raxas asked Aisha, pointing to… liberated gas mask on her face.

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"I just feel like I keep getting into situations where this would be useful." Aisha muttered, her words slightly muffled by the respirator.

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Dressed in all black, hooded, and her mouth covered, Aisha looked quite the part of an agent, changing out the visor for her mask, and the straight posture for a lazy slouch.

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And a chip bag. Aisha grimaced with annoyance as she moved aside the mask for what felt like the thousandth time to fit a chip into her mouth.

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"Where are the other two?" Aisha asked, almost running into the gaunt man. His steps were slower than usual. Shorter. It threw Aisha off.

"They're no longer in my service." Raxas muttered, cringing at the sunlight. "They quit. They're full time students, with severance pay. Aless has her own apartment, and Kro lives in the university. That's… that's good. I wanted them to… be free."

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Raxas's mouth curled into a shape that could be considered a smile, but Aisha could tell that it was hollow, forced.

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He was lonely. Without his best friend, and his two employees, he had nothing to keep him company but his own thoughts. A dangerous thing.

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"Hm." Aisha mused, brushing crumbs off her pants. She supposed she was in a similar situation to the man. She had also… been feeling quite empty… after Amir's death. Indeed, even their gloomy, dark atmosphere was similar. Usually people kept a distance from the judge, but now, they wouldn't even walk on the same side of the path as him.

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"Hello, friend!" Sui said cheerfully, randomly walking out of a nearby alleyway, making Aisha jump.

"What the fuck!" Aisha exclaimed.

"Sorry if I surprised you!" The cheerful girl laughed. "Hello, your honor! Raxas, sir!"

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"You know me?" Raxas asked half-heartedly.

"Of course! You are the lead of the adventuring program! I have committed many pictures of you to memory!"

"I'm pretty sure I've never taken my helmet off for a picture." Raxas muttered.

"Ah, the body shape is the same!" Sui said cheerfully. "And there is a nick in your armor, between the upper-right main chestplate and outer pauldron!"

"...Observant." Raxas said, looking at his shoulder and looking at the nick. Sure enough, it was there. The fact that he hadn't even noticed it…

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"So, where are you going?" Sui asked Aisha, in her annoyingly earnest fashion. "Can I come?"

"Official magistrate business." Raxas interrupted. "Sorry, you can't come with us. It's the law."

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"Aw." Sui said, dejected.

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After a few seconds, the girl walked away, and Aisha raised an eyebrow at Raxas.

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"...Thanks." She said. "She… is really annoying."

"No problem." Raxas said dismissively, before holding his hand out. "Give me a chip."

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"No."

.

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"...I see that you're present today, Gazeth." Vayne said icily, crossing her arms.

"..."

"Hmph. Uncouth as always."

"..."

"And you, Tylich?" Vayne asked, turning to the mousy man. "You're unusually quiet."

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Tylich just sighed and turned away, armor creaking slightly.

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"Where is Raxas?" Bariss demanded from across the table. "The summit started thirty minutes ago."

"Maybe he got bored." Tylich said half-heartedly.

"Any real suggestions?" Alune asked.

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"...What happens if he doesn't come?" Havel asked timidly.

"We wait until he does." Bariss said sternly, looking down at the motherly woman, who shrunk under his gaze.

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"What if he doesn't come?" Idra asked, from Bariss's other side.

"..."

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"Why are you giving that to me?" Echoed a voice from the hallway leading to the summit building. "It's empty! I watched you eat the whole thing."

"I don't know where to put it!" Echoed a higher-pitched, girlish voice. "There's no trash cans here."

"Then why give it to me?"

"I thought you would fall for it."

"You must really think I'm stupid." Raxas said, as he came in view of the other judges, Aisha's small frame followed soon after. Everybody in the room stared at them as they entered, judging looks and scowls piercing into their oblivious forms.

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Aisha barked out a short laugh. "I thought you would-"

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Bariss cleared his throat loudly, a grinding, throaty noise, as he stared disapprovingly at Raxas through his helmet. Not that the disheveled man would ever know, of course, as he did not even spare a glance at his fellow judges as he nonchalantly pushed Aisha towards his spot behind his chair, dropping into it with a massive "CLUNK." He let out a sigh as he wiped down his sweaty forehead with a handkerchief, the walk to the summit taxing on his weak, malnourished form.

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Havel gave Aisha a small wave, and the girl waved back, before leaning against a pillar and zoning out immediately.

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"...Is that a hoodie?" A judge asked, Idra, after a long silence.

"It's cold."

"...Where's your helmet?"

"Aisha has it."

"I… um… I don't think she does." Havel said slowly.

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Raxas leaned over the back of his chair, where Aisha's hands were notably object-free, save for the chip crumbs that she spread everywhere. The agents near her kept a wide berth from the messy girl.

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"Did you lose it?" He asked.

"..."

"Aisha."

"Huh?"

"Where's my helmet?"

"You never had it." The little fey deadpanned.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

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"Oh." Raxas returned to his sitting position, facing the stares of the seven other judges.

"I guess I lost it." He said casually.

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There was only silence at his behavior. He had always been the least formal out of the eight, but never had he expressed such blatant disregard for any formality, or even respect for any of the others.

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"Where are your other agents, Raxas?" Vayne asked, icily.

"Dead." Raxas said, his eyes narrowing, all of a sudden. "Or gone."

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Havel shifted nervously in her seat. "I-I'm sorry for-"

"Save it."

.

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"James." Bariss said angrily. "This type of conduct is unacceptable! You're late, you're missing your agents, you don't have your helmet, and-"

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"So what." Raxas said icily, his dead, hard eyes piercing into Bariss's. "What are you going to do about it?"

"I will remove you from the table." Bariss shot back.

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"Try me."

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Although the stocky man's expression was unreadable, Raxas was sure that Bariss was glaring at him from under his helmet.

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(Let him glare.)

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"Very well then." He said slowly. "Then for our first order of business, I propose that we remove Raxas's title of judge."

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Unease swept over the table, even from Idra and Alune, who looked at Bariss with an indiscernible look. Their helmets creaked audibly, as they first looked towards Bariss, and then towards Raxas, the first to vote.

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"Nay." He sighed. "Obviously."

"Nay." Vayne said, also sighing.

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"Why even continue with this farce?" Tylich snapped irritably. "The chunk is an obvious-"

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"Yay." Gazeth said quietly.

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Vayne and Tylich snapped their heads towards the stocky man with shocked expressions, as Havel and Idra hung their heads in shame.

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"What the fuck!" Vayne exclaimed, breaking her formality, absolutely appalled at Gazeth's decision. "What's gotten into you, brute!? Are you insane!?"

"Ahhh…" Gazeth laughed, his voice… deep, and smooth. Not scratchy and gravelly. And all of a sudden, everybody in the room knew what had happened. "It feels nice… being on the winning side for once."

"You wouldn't!" Vayne snapped. "You fool, now-"

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"The capital falls to Ifrit?" He breathed out. "So what? One master for another. It was bound to happen eventually! At least now I get something out of it!"

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"You two-faced, selfish cretin!" Vayne shrieked. "Do you-"

"It's fine." Raxas said quietly.

"What!? Have you gone insane!?"

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"Gazeth." He whispered quietly. "...You sold us out so you could be young again?"

"I have merely accelerated the inevitable." He said smugly. "If it weren't me, it would be Tylich."

The mousy man's chair skidded back as he shot up. "You-"

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"That's enough." Raxas sighed, drawing his sword, and pointing it directly at Gazeth. "I invoke Magna Exercitatus."

.

"..."

"What?" Havel said, fearfully.

"You… you are already a judge." Alune said, confused. "What are you attempting to accomplish?"

"The founding documents state that if I kill Gazeth, I get his seat and title." Raxas said darkly. "Honestly, he can keep the title. I just want the seat."

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"You wouldn't dare!" Idra exclaimed. "There's no way this stands! A judge cannot hold two seats!"

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"Who wants to try to stop me?" Raxas growled.

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The room was uncomfortably silent, as eyes shifted between Gazeth and Raxas. Nobody dared speak a word.

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Suddenly, the ground began to rumble, and Gazeth laughed as he rose from his chair. His armor creaked menacingly as he slowly made his way around the table to Raxas.

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"Sure, why not." He said, face-to-face with Raxas. "Where do you propose we fight?"

"Right here." Raxas snarled.

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The room was lit alight with a bright flame as Raxas attempted to light Gazeth's face on fire, stretching his palm out and attempting to grab the stocky Judge's helmet. Havel looked shocked when Gazeth leaned back, ducking under Raxas's hand, not exactly agile, but for the previously-old man, seeing him do anything but walk a few steps was a shock.

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"Ah, it feels good!" Gazeth laughed. "To be able to run again! I had forgotten how it feels!"

"Don't get a big head." Raxas muttered.

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Gazeth cackled as he stretched his arms out, the room shaking, and cracks forming in the walls as a rumbling sound filled the cold hall. Gazeth grunted with exertion, and suddenly, the walls and ceiling of the hall began to lift up into the air, letting the sunlight shine on the entire hall as the giant slabs of stone began to float and rearrange themselves. They joined into the ground, stone fusing together, until eventually, the floor was at least four times bigger than it had been initially.

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"Gazeth!" Bariss roared. "You destroyed the summit hall!"

"So what of it!" Gazeth growled back. "You are not our superior!"

"You-"

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Gazeth was interrupted when Raxas shot a fireball at his feet, forcing him to dodge out of the way. He noticeably stumbled slightly when doing so, but he was able to catch his footing. Raxas readied another one, but was forced to abort his spell, when a massive tendril of rock swept his location, Raxas cleaving through it with his sword.

.

Noticing Raxas's panting and sweating, the man missing his helmet, Gazeth laughed.

"What's wrong with you? Winded already?"

"Shut up." Raxas gasped out, brushing a mat of sweaty hair out of his eyes.

"You don't stand a chance." Gazeth said smugly. "You look like you're barely holding up."

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Raxas decided not to answer, and instead decided to also change the terrain, a swath of fire washing over the ground, and staying there, flames licking at the boots of both judges.

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"What's this?" Gazeth laughed. 'How weak! I barely even feel it!"

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Two massive boulders were sent flying at Raxas from each of his sides, which were blasted into pieces by a powerful shockwave, sending shards of rock everywhere. Aisha grimaced and held up an arm to block the shrapnel, but most were deflected by various mana shields.

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Another weak fireball was thrown at Gazeth, who didn't even bother dodging the fireball, letting it wash over him and fall to the ground.

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"Hmph. I don't know what happened to you," He panted, the heat starting to get to him. "But you're a sad remnant of what you were before."

"So…" Raxas gasped. "Are you. You may be young again… But you have none of the courage… or bravery… that you once had…"

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Gazeth narrowed his eyebrows, as he put his hands to the flaming ground, concentrating..

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The sound of breaking rocks could be heard in the distance, extremely far away, and as Raxas caught his breath, everybody's eyes were directed towards the distance.

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An entire building, tall and concrete, floated towards the transformed summit hall, and everybody watched as Gazeth lifted it slowly above Raxas's body. Raxas attempted to dodge, moving a few steps, but was ultimately unable to dodge, as the abandoned building was sent crashing down on top of him.

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Splinters of glass, rock, and wood beams were sent everywhere, off the edge of the platform, and also towards everyone watching. Aisha, for a second, felt worried.

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But then Gazeth turned towards the spectators, throwing off his helmet to gloat, revealing a sweaty face, with no wrinkles, no battle scars… He looked to be only in his twenties. Almost as young as Aisha.

"Poor old Raxas!" He cackled. "Didn't stand a chance! Should have-"

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Gazeth wheeled around at the sound of crumbling stones, and a solid, but thin beam of fire magic shot directly at his head, traveling in a straight, angular path. Gazeth, in a panic, attempted to dodge, stepping to the side, but was shocked when the beam turned sharply at a right angle, going through his head.

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"Chaos magic!" Alune exclaimed, shooting up in her seat. "Raxas, you!-"

"Auuughhh…" Raxas groaned, removing rubble from the top of his body. "Shut it…"

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"You… won." Vayne said, slowly.

"Of course I won." Raxas muttered. "I wouldn't have challenged him if I didn't think I could win."

"That was an awful matchup for you." Vayne chided. "Earth against fire? What would you have done if he had just holed up?"

"I probably would have died." Raxas exhaled, sitting down on the floor. "But I knew he wouldn't."

"How is that?"

"I didn't spend a month just doing nothing."

"You were planning?"

"If he had just blocked my spell, I would have lost.":Raxas explained, panting heavily. "But he was too excited about his regained youth."

.

"..."

"Well damn." Idra said casually, kicking Gazeth's dead body. "We lost one."

"W-what does this mean?" Havel asked quietly.

"Well, I guess Raxas gets two seats." Tylich said.

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"I will stand for no such thing!" Alune suddenly exclaimed, pointing a finger at Raxas accusatorily. "This man is a demon! You all saw his magic! That was a chaos spell!"

"MMMmmmhhh…" Raxas sighed. "I've known that one for a while."

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"I will not acknowledge this trickery!" Alune shrieked. "Without Gazeth's seat, we are still four to three! I will not-"

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"You're next." Raxas panted, raising his sword at the flower-helmeted judge. "I have no intention of leaving a job unfinished."

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Alune began to back up, her breaths growing quicker in her helmet. "No… No! No! No! I won't allow this! Agents! Kill him! Kill him, right now! Don't let him touch me! You lot! Gazeth's agents, you too! Avenge his death!"

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Suddenly, Idra and Havel clutched their heads, groaning in agony, and a slight whisper could be heard, echoing through the chamber.

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"You… you… too…" Idra groaned out, as his agents formed a line between Raxas and Alune. "Stop… him…"

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Havel didn't say anything, but her agents also stepped forwards, weapons drawn menacingly towards Raxas without her word. Bariss's agents, for a second, motioned to join them, but surprisingly, the large judge shook his head, holding them back.

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"Hey." Raxas breathed out. "Why don't you two… help me out."

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Vayne nodded, drawing her bladed fan and running to face Idra, her agents following. "Do not let these fools besmirch our laws!"

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Tylich also scurried out of his seat, and his agents, after a scathing glare, reluctantly joined Vayne's in their line.

.

This left…

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"It's ten against one!" One of the agents shouted, both Alune and Gazeth's agents surrounding Aisha in a semicircle. "Give up!"

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Aisha just scanned the group with a calculating gaze, taking note of weapons, jittery hands, fighting stances, and uneven breaths.

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(Let me take over.) A voice whispered in her head.

(Not yet.) Aisha growled back.

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"Deal with them." Raxas groaned, plunging his sword into the ground for leverage as he got up. Aisha nodded, as the judge began to trudge his way over to Alune, the flower-helmet backing up into a wall in fear, as her agents went to intercept Raxas.

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A male agent attempted to conjure a spell in his hand, but was stopped when Aisha clenched her fist around his outstretched hand, exploding the incomplete spell in his palm, and crushing his fingers. He recoiled, clutching his hand in pain, but was quickly silenced when Aisha forced him down onto the ground, head striking the ground with a sickening crunch.

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"What was that!?" One of the agents said in shock. "How is she so fast?"

"It's still nine against one! Get her!"

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With a silent battlecry, the nine agents moved around to surround the little fey, who finished off the downed agent with her sword. They motioned to attack from all sides, but fear stopped them in their tracks, when Aisha let out a bloodcurdling, inhuman roar, an eldritch-sounding battlecry, as she consumed something above the dead agent's chest.

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(You can take over now.) She thought, as she faced an agent, eyes solid purple, and blood staining her face.