Sage Amla stared at the white glow that surrounded Raghav. A smile spread across his face. Aurelia kept looking at him. "What do you mean?"
Sage Amla did not take his eyes off Raghav. "That is pure untamed power. I know of only one person who can use that power whenever they will it."
"Can he win using this power?" "Yes my child. His victory is guaranteed because there is no greater power in existence." Aurelia was relieved once she heard Sage Amla's words. She looked back at the fight as Raghav and Asfan stood ready to attack at a moment's notice. 'Whatever that power is, if Sage Amla believes it is enough to make Raghav win. Then there is nothing to fear.'
King Belreid's lips curled up as he heard Sage Amla's words.
Asfan moved his sword in the air as a dark red mist rose from it. "Any last words. Raghav?" Raghav did not respond to Asfan's question; instead he dashed forward at incredible speed cracking the marble where he stood.
Asfan raised his sword as Raghav's clashed with his; creating a deafening sound. Raghav grabbed the sword with both hands forcing Asfan to take a few steps back.
Asfan supported the back of his blade with his left hand and pushed forward. Raghav twisted his sword putting the gross-guard under Asfan's curved guard and raised his sword high; throwing Asfan's sword up in the air. Raghav brought his sword down as Asfan grabbed Raghav's hands; stopping the sword a few inches from his face.
"Ahhhh!" He yelled out pulling Raghav's hands to his left pulling Raghav close and kicked him in the face with his right foot.
Raghav flew back nearly thirty meters; flipping in the air and landing on his feet. He looked at Asfan with a serious face. "Cat got your tongue?" Raghav ignored the pun and ran back at him with the sword in his right hand.
Asfan's hand glowed as he raised it up and grabbed the falling sword. The moment he grasped the blade he swung down; letting out a mana slash at Raghav.
Raghav quickly stopped running as he brought the sword to his left and grabbed it with both arms and swung the sword to his right shattering the Mana slash as if it was made of glass.
He looked up as Asfan had jumped up and plunged at Raghav. Raghav ducked as Asfan went over him striking the ground behind him.
Raghav quickly lifted the sword over his head and brought it behind him as Asfan attempted to attack Raghav's back.
Raghav's sword glowed a faint white. Asfan's eyes widened as he tried to pull his sword towards himself but found it stuck to Raghav's sword.
Raghav quickly brought his sword forward twisting Asfan's arm and swung the sword in a circle as Asfan's grip weakened then he swung the sword towards the castle launching Asfan's sword into wall of the corridor.
He let go off the sword with his left hand as he swung the sword with his right hand intending to stab Asfan in the side. Asfan stepped back but could not avoid the strike as Raghav managed to drive the sword between Asfan's chest and the black armour.
Raghav quickly grabbed the sword with both hands and pulled the sword towards himself ripping the armour off Asfan's chest revealing his entire torso.
He swung the sword over his head intending to behead Asfan with the next swing.
Asfan raised his left hand covering it in the dark red glow as he stopped the sword strike and rocked his right hand back and threw a punch as his fist ignited.
Raghav let go off the sword with his left hand and tried to block the attack but the moment his hand made contact with Asfan's. A giant pillar of fire shot out from his fist that fully engulfed Raghav and reached over the edge of the Arena.
Asfan kept blasting the fire until the hand holding the sword fell limp. Asfan laughed as he threw Raghav's sword to the left and placed his other hand forward blasting out more fire.
Aurelia closed her eyes as she looked down. 'Even I cannot survive an attack like that.'
The spectators all gasped as Asfan's laugh grew more and more. "YYYYYEEEESSSSS! BURN THAT SON OF A BITCH, BURN HIM UNTIL ONLY ASHES REMAIN!"
Vaughn stood up throwing his arms in the air and pointing at Asfan; but his joy died the moment two hands reached out from the fire grabbing Asfan's wrists putting out the fires in his hands. Revealing an unburnt Raghav. Asfan tried to free his hands pulling them back.
But Raghav's grip was too strong as he turned around flipping Asfan over his head and slamming him in the ground. Asfan bounced off the marble as it cracked. Raghav quickly punched Asfan in the chest with a right hook sending him flying over the arch bridge and in the corridor wall as he fell to the ground.
Raghav looked to his left and right cracking his neck as he extended his left hand towards the sword as it flew in his hands. Raghav then transferred the sword to his right hand and flicked the sword to his right as sparks of electricity flew off.
Queen Anessa looked at her husband. "Bel, are you able to follow their movements. They are moving so fast that I can only see small glimpse of them when they stand still."
The King looked at his wife nodding. "I can follow their movements by enhancing my senses and brain functions with Mana. I have to say they might be Intermediate Masters each movement from them is creating shockwaves in the air. Luckily we have this Mana barrier protecting the spectators."
Aurelia looked at her father before looking at Raghav; she smiled holding her hands together over her mouth as she whispered. "Win Raghav win."
Raghav slightly turned his head to his right as he nodded. Aurelia's mouth opened in shock. 'He could hear me.'
Raghav's head shot forward as Asfan stood up holding his bare chest that had turned purple. "Stay down and surrender, you cannot win."
Asfan looked at his right reaching for his sword; as he pulled his sword out from the wall and stood at the edge of the corridor. He opened his mouth as blood poured out. He then placed a hand on his chest whispering something as a faint green glow appeared on his body.
"I cannot surrender." His face matched Raghav's seriousness and calmness as he held his sword in front of him as Raghav narrowed his eyes. They both rushed at one another clashing in the middle of the arch bridge.
The swords clashed as the electricity from Raghav's sword travelled to Asfan's shocking him. Raghav pushed back Asfan's sword and punched him in the stomach with his left hand throwing him back into the wall. Asfan flipped in the air and landed with his feet on the wall and jumped back at Raghav.
Asfan pointed his sword at Raghav as a thin stream of water came from the tip as Raghav leaned to the right narrowly avoiding the stream as the stream travelled to the crowd it stopped when it hit an invisible barrier that glowed blue when the water hit it.
Asfan planted his sword in the ground directly in front of Raghav and used it to swing in the air as he drop kicked Raghav in the stomach. Raghav attempted to block the strike with his left hand but got throwing off the arch bridge and onto the slanted roof below. Raghav landed on the roof as he looked up at Asfan.
Asfan jumped down from the arch bridge. Raghav rushed forward grabbing something from the floor. Just before Asfan's feet could touch the ground Raghav pulled his right arm back as Asfan was pulled towards him feet first.
Asfan looked at his left foot and saw a Mana rope tied to it. As he reached Raghav he braced for impact with his arms in front of him. Raghav punched Asfan in his arms and slammed him in the wall.
He rushed forward kicking Asfan in the stomach; sending him upwards.
Asfan placed a hand on the wall of the castle stopping himself as he planted his feet on the wall and stood up looking down at Raghav.
Raghav slightly tilted his head before placing one foot on the wall and then the next as he also stood on the wall.
Asfan's eyes widened as he placed his sword in the scabbard and began running up the wall towards the top of the castle. Raghav ran after him as the white glow became brighter as Raghav dashed forward cracking the wall and grabbed Asfan by the neck.
Raghav turned around and threw Asfan back at the Arena. Asfan landed on his back as the marble cracked shaking the entire Arena. Raghav leapt from the wall straight towards Asfan who brought his hands forward and fired a giant Mana blast at Raghav who was heading straight for the blast.
Aurelia stood up from her chair yelling. "NO!"
Raghav switched the sword to his left hand and thrusted his sword at the Mana blast. The Mana blast clashed with the sword and disappeared in Raghav's body. Asfan's eyes and mouth were left wide open. 'He absorbed my Mana blast?'
Asfan pulled out his sword with his right hand and held his hand high. Raghav flipped in the air going over Asfan and landed feet first as he crouched. Asfan turned around looking at Raghav who stood up and thrusted the sword at Asfan's stomach with his left hand.
Asfan moved his stomach to his right avoiding the thrust; he retaliated by swinging down his sword at Raghav's hand. As his sword drew close Raghav let go of the sword and pulled back his hand letting Asfan's sword swing past and then extended his right hand taking hold of the sword and swung it in Asfan's side and pulled the sword back opening his stomach.
Asfan lost all the strength in his body as the dark red glow faded and he fell to his knees.
Raghav stood over Asfan; his left hand hanging by his side and the sword in his right arm raised over his left shoulder the white glow made his body shine in the young night. Sounds of yelling came from the stands as Vaughn cursed at Raghav and Asfan.
Asfan's breath became heavier as he held his open stomach preventing the organs from slipping out. "Why?" Asfan looked up confused as his mouth trembled. Raghav blinked letting out a sigh. "Why did you agree to work with Vaughn, you know it was a fake attempt; you knew you will get captured and later executed. I read about your tribe before the fight. You are a tribe of warriors, honourable warriors, you live to fight but you fight to live on. Then why did you accept death like this?"
Asfan leaned back holding his stomach. "We owed him a Life Debt. I am the youngest son of the chief Umtar. He came to us demanding that we pay the Life Debt that my grandfather owed his father. Hence I came all this way."
Asfan then raised his head showing his throat to Raghav and closed his eyes. "Have mercy." Raghav narrowed his eyes as he swung his sword down.
Asfan opened his eyes and looked at Raghav who had swung his sword to the right sliding all the blood off his sword.
He then looked at Raghav with a puzzled face. "Mage Olda please heal this man." Mage Olda came running forward and began healing Asfan.
Asfan looked at his stomach being healed as he looked at Raghav with shock and tears in his eyes. "Why?" Raghav looked at Asfan with a gentle smile. "You asked for mercy. I only did the right thing" Asfan smiled as he fell unconscious.
Vaughn stood up laughing and began walking towards the castle. "I AM FREE!"
The guards were about to stop him until Sage Amla raised his hand. "Let him go." The guards stopped in their place and bowed letting Vaughn walk freely.
As he was about to walk past Raghav; Raghav switched his sword from the right hand to the left and extended it to the left placing the sword at Vaughn's throat. Vaughn stopped dead in his tracks and looked at Raghav who was still looking at Asfan.
"What is the meaning of this?" Raghav looked straight before turning towards Vaughn. "Your grace, what punishment should this traitor get?" King Belreid stood up stroking his beard as he closed his eyes before he opened his left eye. "Death by decapitation sounds deserving for the crimes he committed."
Vaughn raised his hands between the sword and his throat. "I am a free man, Asfan did not surrender and Raghav backed off from taking his life. Raghav surrendered and as the rules stated the trial will go on till either one of them surrendered or died."
"Tch" Raghav clicked his tongue as he shook his head. "Asfan surrendered the moment he offered his throat to me. So as it stands Vaughn, your representative lost meaning you lost. Tell me; do you wish to die?" He then began walking forward his sword still at Vaughn's throat as Vaughn backed off.
Everyone looked as Vaughn was pushed to the edge of the Arena as his foot slipped off he almost fell but was caught by Raghav who held his collar in his right hand and held the sword to his throat with his left.
Vaughn looked down at the ground founding himself dangling in the air. The white glow illuminated his neck he then looked at Raghav closing his eyes as he found the white glow blinding. He raised his hands over his face and yelled with all his strength. "HAVE MERCY!"
Vaughn felt his feet touch ground as the hand was removed from his collar. He slowly opened his eyes and lowered his hands. He tried to look at Raghav but the white glow was still blinding for him. He then dropped to his knees and bowed his head on the floor crying. "I beg of you to show me mercy. To let me live. I do not wish to die. I wish to see the sunrise tomorrow. I wish to see the sunrise tomorrow as I have had for all these years. A free man."
King Belreid looked at Vaughn with furious eyes. "The audacity to ask for such a mercy. Do not be fooled by his words Raghav. Strike him down."
Raghav looked down at Vaughn kneeling in front of him. He lowered his sword and placed it in his scabbard. "As you wish. I, Raghav Suryanshi give you my word that you shall see the sunrise tomorrow as a free man. You will not be kept in chains or locked, you will be free to traverse the world as you wish. All your needs will be fulfilled, you want a horse to see the sunrise from the forest, the mountain, the fields. It is up to you to decide." Vaughn looked up as he wiped the tears from his eyes and stood up as he ran towards the castle.
"Raghav!" Raghav looked at the King who raised his hand in a questioning manner. "Why?" "I cannot deny someone asking for mercy. I have given him my word, please do not make me go back on my word."
The King gritted his teeth as he walked towards Raghav alongside The Queen and Aurelia followed by Sage Amla.
"Raghav. You did it." Aurelia ran past her parents and hugged Raghav. Raghav did not hug Aurelia back. "I did." She then broke the hug as she looked at Raghav. "Why are you still using your powers?"
"I wish to know about your powers, if you are willing to share it with us." Raghav looked at the King and nodded. "I currently have one last thing I need to do. I will answer your questions when I return." Aurelia grabbed Raghav's chin turning his face towards her. "Where are you going?" Raghav smiled looking at her. "I will be back before long. Until then please take care of Asfan, let him stay here as my guest."
The King nodded. "He will be treated just as we treat you."
Raghav nodded back to the King before he walked away.
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A few kilometres away from the entrance to the forest a man on a horse stopped under a lone tree on a hill. He took his hood off and got off the horse.
Vaughn looked at the village in the distance. "I must have travelled over two thousand kilometre." He then felt light hit his face as he looked at the rising sun. "Are you satisfied?" Vaughn's eyes filled with terror as he turned around. Before he could speak his mouth was grabbed by a hand covered in white glow.
He was lifted in the air as he looked down at Raghav. Raghav looked at the rising sun. "You were quick heading straight for the horse, this world is truly unique, I was not aware that horses could run over two thousand kilometres in one night."
Vaughn attempted to speak something but his mouth was closed by Raghav. "I promised you would get to see the sunrise tomorrow. I have kept that promise."
He then tightened his grip on Vaughn's mouth. "However I never said a word about the sunset. For your crimes against Istreid Kingdom. I shall deliver your punishment."
Raghav then grabbed Vaughn's body with his left hand and pulled his head off his body. The moment he dropped the body and head on the floor a white light emerged from Vaughn's chest and entered Raghav's.
He turned to look at the sun as he closed his eyes.
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Aurelia was at the gates of the city accompanied by The King and Reinhardt.
She was walking left and right. "I cannot believe he left the city right after the trial, does he even know what road to take. I mean, sure there is only one way to enter the valley as there are mountains to our north, east and west. What will he do if he gets lost?"
The King just kept looking at the forest. "He told us he would return. So have faith in him. I know he has been gone for twelve hours but have faith." Aurelia sighed. "I am just worried about him; he is in a world he is unfamiliar with. I hated the trial yesterday. Every time I imagined him getting hurt it felt as if it was Kanah who was getting hurt."
The King hugged his daughter comforting her. "I know what you feel." Just then The King saw a white glow at the edge of the forest at the mouth of the valley. "I told you to have faith."
Aurelia broke the hug as she looked back and saw a man covered in a white glow approaching them on a horse. Soon the man arrived near them as they could finally see his face.
Raghav's serious face turned into a smile the moment he saw Aurelia and stopped the horse as he got down. Aurelia ran at him jumping in his arms. He was surprised as he caught her and placed her down. "I hope I did not make you wait for long." Aurelia hit Raghav in the arm. "Idiot."
Raghav smiled as he then looked at The King as he pulled off the sack placed on the horse back. "This is the body of Vaughn."
"But you showed him mercy and let him live. Then why?" Raghav looked at Reinhardt as his face hardened. "He asked to see the sunrise and I gave him my word. He saw the sunrise as a free man just as he wanted. I never said that he will continue to live a free man. So I delivered on him his punishment for his treachery."
Reinhardt nodded as a smirk appeared on his face. "Why are you still using your powers?" Raghav looked at Aurelia as he frowned. "About that. I will explain that after I take a rest."
He then receded the white glow back in his chest and smiled at Aurelia closing his eyes before he fell down.