《The Final Quest》Chapter nine: Dancing in the Dark
Advertisement
The two figures stood across from each other, illuminated only by the flickering torch light. Both held blades longer and sharper than longswords. The occasional drip of water from the cave ceiling could be heard. One of the figures held a curved silver black blade, with a single wicked edge. The other held a bone white blade with one edge being straight, and the other side serrated like a saw, the points heading towards the hilt. Both wore full plated armor, one in a silver black, which was slightly covered with a shadow fog like substance. The other wore night black armor, it’s surface blending in with the shadows around it.
One’s helm was fashioned like a stoic warrior, ready to fight; the other had a higher class feel, radiating intimidation and experience. The gauntlets were gripping the blade’s handles, both slightly relaxed enough to prevent clunky movement. Both figures had matching stances. Neither moved as the flickering torch light slowly burnt out.
Two red orbs were slightly visible behind one helm, the other contained a brilliant green on the right side, the left was as dark as the moon less sky on a cloudy night.
The fight started with the final flickers of light. A quick twist of the blade causing light to reflect towards the other’s visor. A powerful dash brought the two within arms reach. Sparks and the sound of metal hitting metal. The thrust was warded off with expert ease. Another flash in the fading torchlight, and sparks ran off the armor along slash mark appeared where the shimmer went by. A leg kicked towards the other, who staggered back from the blow, a small dent appeared where the leg had hit.
Blades shimmered and were swung at blinding speeds. The two weapons looked like lines of death. Armor was dented and cut, chips of bone and metal flew through the air in sparks. Two lines of red where blazing out of one of the helms as the two fought, the other had a similar phenomenon happening.
Advertisement
All together, there were five lines of light. One bone white, another silver black, two red, and one green. As the battle continued on, very slowly after images started to appear. Each image was a different pose that had happeded in the fight. Soon the white and red lines seemingly started to gain the upper hand.
A kick separated the two long enough for the after images to fade. Both armors were worn from the battle. The bone blade had chips and fractures in it, but the Blade had none.
“MID” a voice sounded out, and the two resumed their onslaught. The tide had turned and the speed had once again increased.
It was faint at first, but slowly there was a pattern building in the sword swings and clashes. The footwork that the figures performed were the base and tempo, complementing and inhibiting the others. The clashes of blades was the melody, notes and beat. Clashes on the armors was the percussion, the whistle of the blades as they cut through the air began to sing two sad songs.
Both songs were about warriors, one was a proud knight, the other an adventurer.
The Knight’s song told of his tales and deeds, his love and his duty. The pride he felt when protecting his city, and the sorrow of it when it fell. The anger at himself and his failures, and his regret for dealing with a necromancer. The blinding rage he felt during his undeath and the loss of all hope of freedom.
The adventure’s told of adventure and treasure, the unknown, and the risk to find it. The amazement of sights unseen, and the adrenaline of battle. It told of the hope for peace, and the chance to settle down. The sadness of losing friends, and the happiness of gaining new ones. It told the wonders that nature hold, and battles hard fought.
Both songs were nearing their climaxes, and they sped up to even higher speeds, increasing in intensity and strength. One sang of sorrow, the other for hope. Mirages of each of their songs started to appear in their sword patterns.
Advertisement
The Knights showed a dazzling white city, overtaken and covered with crimson blood. Armies attacked the white city, yet it held under all attacks.
The Adventurer’s showed vast green plains, mountains covered with snow, and a night sky. Northern winds and sleet covered the plains.
It ended suddenly, and without warning to those who could not understand the battle’s song. The dazzling images of the blade swings clashed and dissapeared. One’s blade was knocked up, the other turned and performed a quick thrust. The sound metal puncturing metal and flesh rang out.
The Knights song had ended, while the Adventure’s sang of a mighty, yet remorseful triumph.
With the song’s end, silence prevailed. A thump, and the sound of metal on rock could be heard. The clattering of a blade falling from the ground.
The two figures were next to each other, one standing, the other kneeling. One had dropped their blade, being run through by the other’s blade, pierced in the final moments of their fight.
A raspy voice, one that seemingly had not spoken for eons, came from one of the helms.
“Thank...you...it was...probably...the...best...fight...yet.”
The formerly Red orb eyes were now a human brown, filled with regret, sorrow, and wisdom.
“No soul deserves to live on when their time has come, I will remember this battle of ours.”
The other responded.
“Heh…..you fight like a master…..but you have a heart of kindness….keep it. Hold onto it. Or you will suffer…. the same fate as I did. Finally... I’m coming home... Carol”
With that said, the chuckling Red Eyed undead started to crumble into dust, his form fading as his soul passed on. The demonic armor burned and turned to ash. All that was left of him was his Bone Blade, which was laying on the ground, and a pile of ash and dust.
The fractured and chipped bone blade had barely survived the dance. While it still had the white sheen, it no longer was straight and sharp.
Henry and his stream were shellshocked. It was a battle that very few people could understand by watching it just once. The audio playback showed that there was actually no music playing, yet the sounds that were heard sounded like an epic song. It didn’t take long for people to realise that the music was of blades and of armor. The battle was so quick and precise that every movement created a tune. Two sides telling their pasts, manifesting in the world around them.
The video was quickly rendered and brightened for easier viewing, and what they say was astounding. The two figures, each armed with a similar weapon, using very similar styles, danced. From the kicks to the readjustment of limbs, all of it seemed like a deadly dance.
Emerald picked up the bone blade, and put it away.
“Let’s get out of this cave.” she said as she turned back to where they had come from.
“What about the treasure room?” Henry asked
The helm turned towards Henry, her voice had a twinge of cold. “They are defiled treasures. At one time i might have taken them, but not now.”
She continued to walk towards the exit, her foe’s blade in hand.
Henry followed close behind, however when they were nearing the exit, the sight of Emerald’s shadowy figure leaving the cave left an impression on him.
It was stoic and alone, walking forward towards the light. If there were any person who deserved their peace in life, she would be one.
Henry had to rush forward to catch up, only to smash into Emerald’s arm, which was held out to stop him. Unfortunately, it clotheslined him.
“OUCH, what was that for?” Henry said, holding his hurt nose
“Do you know them?” Emerald said, pointing towards the bushes outside the cave.
“What are you talking about? There is nobod...Oh… crap baskets.”
Advertisement
- In Serial35 Chapters
Moonrise Over the Sky Cities
Living in his sister's mansion in the wealthy West District of Olympus-3, a Sky City, Sander wallows away his days in self-pity, disregarding the grim Earth of 2201 - which has suffered warring mage factions and devastation by monsters from the Chaos Realm.Five years have passed since his daughter died under mysterious circumstances, something he could neither solve, nor get his mind off to the present day. Everything changes, however, when he meets Scarlett - a Lunar Knight who whisks him away from his gloomy life after he discovers that she is battling the Chaos…
8 178 - In Serial40 Chapters
The Adventures of Lucky Riot
What is a Mystic Pharaoh? A shining light within the most bottomless abyss? A beacon of strength in the face of calamity? A warrior unrestrained by the physical plane, standing united with the natural elements? All races worship the Celestial Pharaohs as the gods among ants. Until the day the smallest and weakest of the ants rose up in resistance! In the Magi Era, humanity has discovered the wonders of magic! This brought humans, the race once thought to be the weakest existence, to the peak of competition with the universe's strongest races! Unfortunately, not everyone can be in that competition. Even though Lucky Riot spent his whole life being looked down on, he still never looked down on himself. He knew he was destined to eclipse the glory of all others! It was what Lucky was born to do. In an age where humanity has discovered the secrets of the universe or the ability to utilize origin energy, becoming magi is the only way to earn respect! However, Lucky seems to have zero talent in cultivating! Of course, that was all before the day he punched a hole into someone's face! "Should I yield due to someone claiming their birth is nobler than my own? No! If they say I can not have her, I will make her mine regardless! If they consider me slow, I will outpace them! If they consider me a minor character, I will outgrow them! If they say I am inferior, I will simply surpass them! Who will stop me then?" Join Lucky as he awakens the power that sleeps within and discovers the ever-changing world of the mystics!
8 139 - In Serial18 Chapters
The Devil's Tears
The 88th Magic Knight Candidate Examination is going to take place in the city of Abros, the capital of Rublor Kingdom. Thousands of young talented fighters handpicked by reputable Knight's are going to participate in this exam. But only a handful of those people will be able to pass the exam and get the chance to be selected to become a magic knight candidate. At the same time, Sebastian Heller also arrives at the capital in hopes of becoming a magic knight candidate. He comes from a small village far away out in the boonies. Excluding Sebastian's skills in combat abilities, he had few problems of his own. Sebastian since birth had an intimidating face which made him a little harder to approach. On top of that, he also suffers from 'nervous laughter', a condition where animals naturally grin or show their teeth when nervous, stressed, angered, or uncomfortable. Because of these problems he often mistook for a goon or an evil person. With such difficult problems and tough competition, can Sebastian pass through the exam and become a magic knight candidate?
8 110 - In Serial16 Chapters
The Dungeon's Son
Once, there was a kid that dreamed of becoming a famous idol. However, his parents are underground assassins and they’ve set a path for him in order to continue their legacy as famous underground assassins. Trained, beaten up, and ordered to kill was the life of Donovan until he's recognized as the Prodigy. His last mission was to take the head of the Queen and he can live a normal life but unfortunately, he was killed. His last moments seem to become colder until the darkness came and then... he woke up being carried by a man being chased by... monsters? Where is he? and, Why is he in a body of a baby?
8 184 - In Serial12 Chapters
Unregistered
One in a million people are born with a Talent, a superpower of some kind. It used to be a good thing. Not any more. Not since Pyro went on his killing spree. Ten years on, the Talented are under constant scrutiny, their identities and powers recorded in the Register, their lives monitored by the Authority, their Talents called into service at any time. Susan is one of the Unregistered. She'd much rather use her Talent to fight for her causes, than for the Authority's. She serves a greater morality than the one the Authority represents. This makes her a problem for Red Line, lead agent of the Authority, tasked with keeping the Talent population in line, as well as being at the beck and call of the Normie Police. It's not Red Line's only problem... Someone is hunting the Talented and killing them, and time is running out before they strike again. Red Line and Susan will find themselves bound together as they battle to protect their people. Unregistered updates every Tuesday and Saturday.
8 144 - In Serial185 Chapters
Ink & Tears
This is a collection of poems that I have written about my struggles with depression, anxiety, love, nature, and the darker aspect of the world that seems to always hammer on my heart. I hope this reaches some of you.
8 84

