"Oh, you're watching today?" I say noticing the presence of a dwarf amongst our group headed towards the arena.

"Yes, I had to deliver the newest version of Aqua's spear. It took me awhile to get it stable but now it is at peak performance." Triff replies with a proud grin.

"This time, my poke won't miss Captain!"

"Oh, it should be a good fight then. But Triff I haven't had a chance to ask, are you enjoying learning from Aquarou?"

Triff puts a thumb to her chin contemplating the question. "Yes, she is interesting. She has strange idea's but they can lead to innovation if properly applied. She also told me much about her past, I think I better understand what a demon king is, but I won't retract my earlier words."

"That's fine. I've given you no reason to trust that I can help the world. Even I don't know if it's not just a pipe dream. But it's dumb to not even try."

"I…I respect that."

"Captain can do it."

"That's right. He can do anything if he tries!"

"Oh, just wait till you see what I do in this battle!"

"It will surely be amazing!"

I hope so. I'll have to put trust in Aquarou. But from her descriptions of the tools, they shouldn't fail. I just hope it's as flashy as I think it will be.

I want to put on a real show!

We make our way through the maze of steps up to the top level of the large stadium. For a king, he sure has to walk a far distance to get to his box.

Really I should go straight to the barracks with Aqua but I feel like I should escort the Princess properly.

But really, he is some father, he easily allowed his princess daughter to go sleep on the ship of some random adventurer. What if I was some kind of demon or something?

Well, I suppose having me fall in love with the Princess is in his best interest. He mentioned something like that before. The stronger my feelings the harder, he imagines, I will fight. I feel bad deceiving him, but telling him the truth is also not an option I can explore.

"Ah, Cole!" The king says noticing my group entering the box. He seems to be occupied by a plate of cookies that looked strikingly like some I had made for Mirna. So she taught all the royal chefs my secret cookie recipe?

Well, no matter. As it stands I'm the only person in the world capable of creating chocolate chips. So they can't get too far with my recipe alone.

"Your majesty," I say bowing to the man. Then, unable to think of small talk, I go with a classic. "Fine morning."

"Mhm, indeed. But rather than that, how was the night? Have you conceived a grandchild?"

"What??"

"No, unfortunately not, father. Perhaps tonight after the banquet."

"I see. Well, keep up the hard work Clove. And Cole, good luck in the match. I look forward to it!"

"A… Thank you?" What is wrong with this family? Is the queen the only normal one? No, she is jealously looking at the collar on Alice so I don't believe that's the case.

Perhaps the Prince is the normal one?

That almost sickens me to think. But to be fair it does seem like his transformation is not an act. Or if it is, he is a sublime actor.

"Well, Captain, should we go? Everyone's waiting for us." Aqua says indicating to the assembled crowd.

I suppose that is the case. We are the only match today. We are the main attraction. But will it really last long enough to be interesting?

After nodding to Aqua we made our way back down the stairs and towards the barracks. We had finally purchased some armor, we want this battle to look good after all. If we can strike awe in people now we will have less trouble during our journey to the elven forest.

That's right I've come around. Fame isn't the worst thing in the world I suppose, it will make life better.

But Aqua is still not one who enjoys the spot light. I think I had forgotten since I had only seen that side of her briefly. It was only now walking down towards a crowd did I notice a trace of fear in her eyes.

"Hey, it will be ok. I know it's weird being stared at by so many, but I will protect you. So don't worry, let's just have a good fight. As if we were sparring."

"…Mhm. Yeah, let's do it. Just like normal." The trace extinguishes and she smiles brightly up towards me. "But, this time will be a bit different, I will win."

"Oh, those are fighting words."

"Mhm. Just you wait." She smiles proudly taking a step ahead of me and turning towards me while stepping backward. "You will see a brand new me!"

"Oh. Well, be careful. I will too, of course."

"Scared?"

"No. I didn't say that."

"Mhm?"

"Oh just hurry up and put your armor on," I say tossing her the thick bag.

She catches it in a hand before drawing the string and smiling at the shining silver armor within.

"It's light so it won't mess with your movements too much. But it should be fairly strong."

"Against a normal opponent."

"Oh, well yeah. No, it won't have any effect in this battle. Purely for show."

"Whats yours look like?"

"Well you will see, go to the changing room already."

"What? But it's just you and me. No harm." She shrugs off my comment as if its stupidity. She then shrugs off her clothes just as easily. She slides her bare legs into the leather pants with a rough tug. She then begins unbuttoning her shirt before turning to me. "If you stare like that I will get embarrassed. Come on hurry up, Captain too."

"R…right." Refusing to be shown up by Aqua I remove my pants exchanging them for the thicker leather pants equipped with the belt loops for steel plating.

The plate didn't cover much of my body but it would cover particularly vital areas. I had a thick fabric covering for my neck that while allowing movement could stop just about any normal blade.

"Should I be warning you about staring now?" I ask the voyeuristic Aqua who sat agape looking at my bare chest.

Honestly, it surprised me the first time I saw it too. I guess it makes sense that the strength stat would influence your muscle groups but I didn't expect washboard abs.

I choose the right stat for sure.

"S…sorry."

"No, problem. Well, I'm ready, you all set?"

"Yeah. Let's do it." Aqua says finishing her buttons on the leather coat and tightening the last belt on her gilded plate armor. "Hey, Captain."

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

"A… I…"

"Oh, so captain can blush?" Aqua laughs not waiting for a response and stepping out the doors to the stage.

After waiting for my heart to calm I ready myself again and follow her disappearing figure.

~ ~

"It's starting," Rou says waving her hand at the group who sat chatting around the refreshment table.

"Oh, you're right. Look at the armor Aqua is wearing." Clove, the first to step over to the balcony, says.

"No, look at Master's!" Alice nearly squeals, lifting a hand to her mouth to attempt to cover the excitement.

It failed.

The King and Queen, noticing the commotion follow the rest over and slide their chairs closer to the open wall.

"This will surely be the ultimate fight."

"You're right dear. Even I can't contain my excitement."

"Franz, you know them better than me. Do you think Aqua has a chance against Cole?"

"I'm not the one to ask," Franz says after a moment thinking about it.

"I think Cole will win." Evan rebukes without lifting his eyes from the stage.

"Me too," Ellie adds beside him.

"My sister is strong now though, it surprised even me. She's not normally one to enjoy fighting but now it's different. Fighting is her only chance to spend time with Captain. And she thinks it is the best way she can help him. Will she win? Of course not. But she will do her best to amaze Captian. And everyone else of course."

"With my magic tool, her chances increase. It is the peak of my ability. Perhaps even above."

"Shh. It's starting."

They weren't the only ones who went silent. The entire packed stands barely emitted a whisper after the two stepped into the arena.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! This is something you have all barely slept in anticipation for. I know because I'm the same. I dare not interrupt too long. You should be aware but just in case. Introducing, on the right side. Aqua Moedy, and on the left… Cole Moedy, the hero of Calistor!"

The sounds of cheers were said to be heard for a hundred miles. It was near as deafening as Cole's shockwave yesterday. There wasn't a filled seat in the entire crowd. Everyone stood cheering to their utmost. Even those in the box who knew of the fact couldn't help but be slaves to the aura of the crowd.

The two in the arena politely waved before returning their attention to each other. When the crowd saw this the roaring began to cease. After another thirty seconds, the crowd finally sat quietly, observing the tension of the two figure's staring contest.

Neither batted an eye. Neither stepped forward to shake hands. This wasn't a battle for this crowd to witness, this was a sparring match. No need for formalities the two thought.

"When will they begi…" Calis started but his words were interrupted by a shadow descending over the bright arena.

"Rain?" Mirna says while glancing at the thick clouds forming in the sky above.

"No. This is something else." Clove says shaking her head at the clouds. "We have barriers up for this very purpose. It's impossible for a storm to form."

"Then wha…"

"Wait, look. Cole is moving!"

*CRASH*

A bright flash near blinds the crowd moments after Cole raises his blade towards the air. A thick arc of lightning danced before firmly grounding itself into the blade held by Cole.

"He…"

"He called lightning."

"Incredible. A real hero in the flesh."

"Aqua is moving!"

The king was right. Aqua had begun to slowly circle Cole holding her spear with both hands. She spoke with a smile but the volume from the crashing thunder drowned it out.

Another bolt strikes the blade before Cole finally lowers it and points its glowing blade towards the moving Aqua. He smiles smoothly and nods to Aqua, likely answering whatever she had asked moments ago.

It began.

Another large crash sounds in the arena but this time its source is Aqua. She slaps the ground with her spear before rocketing towards Cole. She was only visible for a moment but her speed is incomprehensible.

She vanishes into the thinning cloud of dust. Her method still worked despite the rain but her time within the cloud was shorter. Another loud bang resounds before a long pole shots outside the arena.

"Good she used it."

"What is that?!"

"One hundred and fifty feet of spear in a ten-foot container."

"What?"

"It's an extremely complex magic tool. It can extend its length. The only problem is its weight. If it weren't someone as strong as Aqua it would be useless."

"Or Captain."

Triff thinks about it a moment before relenting. "Yeah, I suppose he could maybe use it too."

*Bang*

Another cloud of dust burst from the arena followed by the sounds of metal striking metal. The dust settles and again Aqua stood paces away from Cole with an annoyed smile.

"Again." Could be barely heard through the rain before another loud bang and cloud of dust.

Occasionally a long pole would jut from the cloud but a body never followed.

"Is it an even match?" The king asks looking in awe at the match.

"Not even a little." Clove says shaking her head.

"She's right. Cole still hasn't moved a step."

"What but… Oh, you're right. Look at the rocks at his feet. They are completely intact."

"Again." The distant voice of Aqua says through the howling wind.

*BANG*

A larger cloud of dust forms before being swept away quickly with a twenty-foot spear.

"Trying something new?" Cole's voice says, finally penetrating the storm.

*Bang*

Again a cloud of dust, the sound of metal striking metal. And again it lowers with an unmoving Cole and an increasingly tired Aqua.

No, something had changed this time. But only Triff could notice.

"No, she can't. Don't strike again Aqua!" Triff shouts beginning to grow strangely anxious about something only she could see.

"What is going on triff? Is everything ok?"

"…No," Triff says looking at the small white line forming on the side of the spear.

*Bang.*

*crack*

*BAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMM*

The entire arena erupts in bright white light. This wasn't lightning. This blast was something larger.

The arena was blown away, fragments of brick and stone flying into the crowd and nearly striking the Box.

"Captain!" Rou shouts looking towards a moving object that soared in the air before roughly striking the ground and rolling.

Rou, as well as a deafened El, leap from the box to the bloody stands below sprinting towards the now visible carnage of the arena.

Please be ok. They both begged in their hearts as the leap over the body littered stands, section by section.

~ ~

"Mirna, it'll be ok. Captain will wake up. You know Captain is strong."

"But Rou…" Mirna began, tears rolling down her small face.

"I know," Rou says putting a hand to Mirna's head while wiping her own face with the other. "I know."

"We have done all we can with our healing. It is in the hands of the Spirit of Faith now."

"Instead of saying that how about you bring her here!" El snarls at the priest who backs away quickly in fear.

"But… The spirit of faith is…"

"Leave it El. There's nothing more she could do either. We just have to wait." Clove says from seated in a corner.

The King and Queen were here earlier but there was much to deal with after the explosion. Calis wanted to stay as well but the king thought it best if just the crew were here.

"Who is going to go talk to Triff?"

"I… I can't," Rou says burying her head in a hand.

"Is she still saying…"

"Yeah, and I don't disagree with her. It is all her fault. Both Aqua and Captain. It's all her fault. There's no one else to blame."

"That's…"

"Master is waking up!" Alice shouts sliding into the room before skirting back around and running back to the room.

"""Captain!"""

"Ah, wait who will…"

"I'll tell him," Rou says cutting off El mid thought.

~ ~

"…She said it was the sealing bond. The spear was wrapped in a thin metal shell, apparently, it got scratched and the seal couldn't…"

"Where is Aqua?"

"Ca…"

"Where is she?"

"Captain, Aqua didn't make it. She was in the center of the blast. She's… She's gone."

"Where is she!"

"She's…"

"Bring me her body."

"But…"

"BRING ME HER BODY! NOW." Cole shouts terrifying the group and sending them scattering like flies.