Chapter 84: I Am Kodort

Kodort lay on the ground, his body heavily wounded.

A gaping wound ran across his chest, a remnant of Kelwodius' relentless strike.

The world around him seemed to fade, his mind drifting in dark deep mists.

Every breath was agony, every movement an insurmountable challenge.

Yet in this state of near unconsciousness, memories flooded his mind.

He saw his younger brother Lanny, mischievous and carefree along with his two younger sisters Sylena and Thaloria.

A wave of guilt washed over him as he thought of the latter.

Thaloria, the rightful heir to their confederation bore the sole responsibility of leading Azulferia while he ran across the battlefields.

But she had never blamed him she understood his free spirit and his desire to fight in order to protect their homeland.

An older memory began to take shape: their father, sitting on his bed in a room within the castle of Elsihore.

Kodort, still young at the time, stood before him.

The ceiling of the room was decorated with paintings depicting elves, dwarves, goblins and fairies symbols of Azulferia race unity.

In their father's arms, a newborn slept peacefully.

"Kodort look," his father said smiling although his face betrayed a deep sadness. "Here is the new member of our family: your little sister your mother and I had agreed that if it was a girl, her name would be Thaloria. But... your mother left us to give her life."

Kodort saw the effort his father made to hide his emotions, refusing to show his sorrow.

In a firmer voice, he added:

"Kodort one day, I will no longer be here it will be up to you to watch over her and to protect Azulferia can I count on you?"

Young Kodort stepped forward, taking the child in his arms.

The baby opened her bright green eyes and grasped his pinky.

Tears filled his eyes as he trembled, replying:

"I-i swear, fathe i will protect Thaloria and Azulferia."

His father smiled and the time passed.

After remarrying, their father had Lanny and Sylena before passing away a year ago.

Back to the present, Kodort weakly opened his eyes.

A sharp pain radiated from his wound, but a spark of determination still burned within him. He whispered:

"I can't die. I swore an oath. I must keep my promise..."

Kelwodius felt a surge of energy rise behind him.

Turning around, he saw Kodort, still covered in sweat and staggering, standing tall.

The sturdy elf slowly removed his mail coat.

"You're still alive despite my strike?" Kelwodius sneered. "Why remove your protection? It makes no sense... but fine by respect for you I'll end this quickly."

Kodort ignored the werewolf's words.

He closed his eyes, a golden aura surrounding his body he murmured:

"Life Essence."

Kelwodius laughed loudly, raising his arms to the sky:

"HAHAHA! A final card to play, huh? I'm even more intrigued by you, Kodort let's fight!"

Kodort opened his eyes, his gaze glowing with a new intensity.

He knew this technique would cost him part of his life and his elven powers, but he had no choice.

"I am Kodort, warrior of the Grand Confederation of Azulferia! Get ready to lose!" he yelled, charging toward his opponent.

The two warriors engaged in a titanic duel, their blows sounding like explosions across the battlefield .

The ground trembled under the power exchanges punch to punch .

Kelwodius faster and wilder, inflicted several wounds on Kodort but the latter retaliated with pinpoint precision his golden aura protecting his movements.

The two warriors separated after a particularly brutal exchange.

Kelwodius bleeding but still grinning thought:

"Pryzor... you were right far see Etrakios, the world is filled with exceptional people it s for those type of moments we have to decide to follow your leadership."

He leaped at Kodort his sharp claws aiming to bring him down.

Kodort despite the pain absorbed the blows and countered, concentrating his energy.

His fists surrounded by a golden and silver light struck Kelwodius in the chest and face.

Neither of them was willing to give up the advantage.

Kelwodius stepped back slightly before howling:

"Sharp Wolf Strike!"

His claws imbued with energy, released a destructive wave that passed through everything in its path, even leveling nearby dwarf buildings.

Kodort found himself in the heart of the attack, his armor shattered and his flesh slashed

 still he held firm. 

 In a final effort he grabbed Kelwodius by the back, ignoring the claws sinking into his own body.

Kelwodius trapped, struggled to break free, even clawing at Kodort's right eye.

Kodort, now blind in one eye, screamed at the top of his lungs:

"Einflop!"

With Herculean strength, he slammed the werewolf into the ground with a devastating suplex.

'The impact made the earth tremble, and a heavy silence fell over the battlefield.

Kelwodius, whose spine seemed shattered, still managed to rise.

His massive form wobbled, but he remained standing.

"Incredible..." Kodort murmured, exhausted and unable to move a muscle.

Kelwodius collapsed staring at the illuminated moon and sighed:

"It seems this is the end for me his yellow wolf eyes fixed on the moon i must need to admit my only regret is not staying by your side. Pryzor leaving you alone when you will unify the Alderia continent forgive me Pryzor it seems I'll be the first to go..."

He reminisced about his youth,when he met Pryzor at arena of judgement and the words the latter had said to him hand extended:

"Follow me Kelwodius."

Kelwodius eyes fixed on the moon, finally collapsed.

With his last moment he murmured:

"G-glory to Pryzor..."

Kodort, standing but drained of all strength, felt a sharp pain in his left arm.

It suddenly fell to the ground, severed by Kelwodius' earlier strike.

He whispered:

"Kelwodius he truly was a monster... even with his spine broken he still stood."

His once-golden hair turned white due to the Life Essence.

He knew his elven powers would be gone forever.

With his gaze turned to the moon, he smiled weakly.

"Father... It seems I must still watch over our family before joining you."

Kodort closed his eyes his body finally freed from pain.