The battlefield was dead quiet.
Lucius stood with Ariadne in hand, cloak torn by divine winds.
Aven stood opposite, unsheathing twin blades forged by the gods themselves—one black, one silver.
"You've changed," Aven said, his voice calm.
Lucius didn't blink. "You haven't."
Lightning cracked the sky above them.
No countdown.
No commands.
Just movement.
---
CLASH.
Their blades met midair.
Shockwaves ripped through the earth.
The girls had to leap back as entire chunks of ground exploded around the two.
Zara watched, breath caught in her throat. "He's faster than before."
Velda narrowed her eyes. "They're both holding back."
---
> [System: Duel Initiated – Tyrant vs Divine Blade]
Aven Lior Passive Activated: "Eye of Judgment"
— He sees your sins. Each one weakens your resistance.
> Ariadne Trait Countered: "Blade of Truth and Sin"
— Your weapon reflects intention, not morality.
---
Lucius felt it.
Aven didn't fight like a knight.
He fought like a mirror—matching style, emotion, even breathing.
Every swing from Lucius was met with a parry that said:
"I already know who you are."
Lucius gritted his teeth.
"You're not here to kill me."
Aven's blades crossed his.
"No."
"I'm here to see if you're ready to be feared by the gods."
---
Lucius pushed forward—power flaring.
He activated Flame of the First Bond, searing his own emotions into the air.
Aven faltered for one breath. Just one.
And Lucius struck.
---
> [Skill Used: Empathic Domination – Level 2]
Aven Lior: Temporarily exposed to suppressed memory…
---
Aven saw it.
A girl.
A garden.
Lucius kneeling in fire, holding a hand that was already fading.
"…You regret her."
Lucius growled. "I carry her."
Their blades locked again.
Then—
CLANG.
Lucius disarmed one of Aven's swords.
But Aven smirked.
"You passed."
---
He leapt back.
The divine light faded from his eyes. His blades lowered.
"I was ordered to test your soul. Not your strength."
Lucius narrowed his gaze. "Why?"
Aven sheathed his sword.
"Because something worse than you is waking up. And they're hoping… you'll be the lesser evil."
---
> [Battle Result: Not Defeated – Not Allied]
Aven Lior: Status Changed – "Watches from the Shadows"
World Reaction: Mixed. Divine factions confused. Villain factions intrigued.
---
Aven turned.
"You want to destroy the gods, Lucius?"
Lucius stared at him.
"I want to destroy their excuses."
Aven nodded once. "Then when the world burns... call my name."
And with that, he vanished into mist.
---
The girls rushed in.
Claire: "Are you hurt?"
Lucius: "Only where it counts."
Velda: "He liked you. That's disturbing."
Lilith: "You didn't kill each other. That's worse."
Zara: "…Why do I feel like we just made a bigger enemy?"
---
> [System Alert: "The Greater Threat" has stirred.]
Countdown Begins: 13 Days Until Divine Collapse.