The dragonkin was my last opponent in the elimination rounds, from here on out, it will be the finals. There will be a total of four rounds, the first set to decide the betters, the second the select the best among the betters and the last to decide the ultimate winner. There were eight of us remaining, Deryl, me, Inaris and five other unknowns, though two are from the Hallowfall Guild. I assumed that at least one of them was the leader of the group that woman was a part of, the one that tried to recruit me. It was not a bad assumption, he was an obsidian rank adventurer and she claimed to have been part of a group of obsidian adventurers.

But no matter, he will be defeated if he and I fight, I will make sure of it. All will be defeated before me, or I will die trying. A soldier of Morsad does not know defeat, only victory and sacrifice. His death is not in vain for he knows that his comrades will carry on the duty that he has died trying to do and sooner or later, the enemy would be conquered.

The matches went by rather quickly as everyone’s trump cards were revealed and they did not hesitate in using them immediately, often resulting in a quick match. The crowd was not satisfied but bets were going at an all time high and the winners bragged while the losers grumbled. It soon came for my match, my opponent, a fellow Hallowfall adventurer. He certainly seemed to be a candidate for being the leader of the woman’s group but I could not be sure. All I did know was that he would be defeated. He was an obsidian rank just like the other, at least, I think he is. His badge was not revealed but his strength was similar to that of the obsidian rank.

The announcer once more announced, “Aaaaaand now we’ve come to a most exciting match! The Dragonslayer Torvus versus last year’s champion Arvis the Gravekeeper! Of course, Arvis is a great warrior, having attained Adamant Rank as an adventurer! But Torvus possesses the skill to kill a dragon! This will be so exciting, I can’t tell who would win!”

Hmm, Adamant Rank, I cannot underestimate him. We stood before each other, sizing up one another. I decided that I couldn’t beat him with my morsadian armor so I switched to my dragon regalia. Once again, we were told by the announcer to bow and after we did, he asked,

“How much?”

I asked for clarification, “How much of what?”

He said, “How much for the armor, how much money?”

I smiled, though it didn’t reach my eyes, “No price, this armor will help the Emperor in his noble cause and I cannot give it to the enemy.”

He shrugged, “Then I will take it from your corpse.”

I smirked, “Go ahead and try, the armor of Morsad cannot be activated without the Emperor’s personal blessing.”

He grinned, “I will take on that challenge. I will find this emperor of yours and I will make him give me his blessing.”

I tightened my grip on my sword, my voice cold as ice, “You do not know the gravity of what you say. Recant and you will leave this fight whole.”

He grinned, “Not gonna happen.”

“Very well, then prepare to lose your limbs.” I said as I raised my sword.

The announcer signaled the beginning of the fight and I charged forward, swinging my blade. He raised his sword lazily to block and my sword was stopped by it. I drew my dagger and began to stab, forcing him to retreat and I took advantage, gaining more ground. But his speed rivaled mine so as he retreated, I took the time to switch to dual greatswords, two swords that were one and a half yards in length and five inches wide. Though they were as light as air to me, they would not feel so light to the enemy. I began to hammer away at his defenses, metal clashing and screaming as they met with hasty fury.

He had a grin on his face, “Ha, looks like you actually do have some skill.”

I did not reply, though bloodlust was beginning to build once again. This time, I made no effort to stop it, this man had dared to defile his majesty and for that, his life is forfeit. My movements became more quick and erratic though I did not lose myself entirely in my madness. Rather I joined it, using it to fuel my body and attack instinctively while I focused on defense.

My bloodlust carried my momentum quite far but as all things do, it ran out. Immediately suppressing my bloodlust, I focused solely on defense, waiting for the right moment to appear. My twin greatswords were able to easily block his attacks, the combined surface area of the swords and the speed at which I wielded them made for a nearly impenetrable defense.

But I was not idle, I was beginning to push back, building up my momentum for another push. I began another push, this time changing my right sword to a battleaxe that packed a lot more power than my greatsword. I used it primarily for offense, parrying with my remaining greatsword. I spun for maximum effect when I attacked, beginning to put small dents into his sword. His face was serious now, gone was the shit-eating grin. He then chanted something and a sudden light filled the arena and my attacks were suddenly broken. I immediately retreated, changing my axe back to a greatsword and my other greatsword into a hexagonal shield.

I prepared myself to receive a blow, fairly surprised when I felt like I was hit by a fucking mountain. I grunted as I slid back a full three feet, but it wasn’t as bad as when I had fought the Dragonkin, my arm wasn’t totally shattered. But I probably shouldn’t get hit by an attack like that again. I switched back to dual greatswords, standing my ground as my opponent was surrounded by a lightning blue aura. Electricity arched from his body every now and then, scorching the ground where it touched.

In the face of this new opponent, my bloodlust grew to even greater heights and I charged in with reckless abandon, this time letting my instincts decide how to attack. He calmly deflected each of my attacks with lightning speed and my bloodlust, sensing an impending attack, dodged, just barely avoiding a strike. But I used the dodge to my advantage, getting in a good strike that managed to penetrate his armor and stab deep into his side.

He barely even flinched and then swung his blade at me again, forcing me to let go of my greatsword. Before I did so, I had it turn back into its core form so that he wouldn’t be able to use it. He grinned slightly when I let go but that quickly fell when the weapon disappeared, replaced by a crystal. As he stared down at it, I charged forward, gripping my greatsword with two hands and attacking at twice the power and speed.

He began to take me a bit more seriously, seeming to have to use more energy to defend against my attacks. Seeing as my sword wasn’t getting through, I temporarily withdrew to rebuild momentum and to replace my greatsword with a mace, a meter long staff that, besides the handle, was four inches in diameter covered in uniform pyramidal spikes. This actually had some weight to it, despite being made of dragonbone, meaning that this had some formidable weight to back an attack.

I attacked once more, this time putting a sizeable dent in his sword, though it appeared to mend itself as lightning suddenly collected at the dent. But I continued to swing, each of my two-handed strikes possessing enough power to blast through a tree trunk. But sadly, such a weapon is only sub-par at defense and after my momentum ran out, I was forced to retreat quickly otherwise I would face the full wrath of his electric blades. Luckily my dragonbone armor was not conductive otherwise I knew I would have died from electrocution a long time ago.

Even so, I felt the hair on my body rise each time I deflected a strike, though the electricity wasn’t fatal, it was still hella uncomfortable to feel. But I managed to shove him back once his momentum ran out and in a quick motion, I changed to a warhammer, even heavier than my mace. This time, instead of blocking, he retreated, it seems that he knew that if he were to take it head on he would be the one to lose.

I didn’t give chase though, the weight of the hammer made it so that if i were to commit to a full on assault, I would not be able to defend myself neither would I be able to attack fast enough to keep them from attacking. I had to be careful, I couldn’t just swing with reckless abandon. This time, I fully suppressed my bloodlust, it would only be a distraction. He noticed the sudden change and prepared to fight as well, this would end in a single strike.

For a brief moment, all was silent and then we charged simultaneously. I saw his attack but I made no move to deflect it, that would take up valuable time spent preparing for my attack. I just moved slightly so that it wasn’t fatal and then I made my attack, swinging at his legs just as his sword pierced my dragonbone armor and dug deep into my lower abdomen. But his wounds were more serious as I shattered both of his legs with my attack.

As his body fell to the ground, I made short work of his arms, crushing both with the warhammer. My bloodlust rose once more and I looked down on him, my warhammer poised above his spine,

“Do you recant?”

To his credit, he didn’t ask for forgiveness or beg for his life. He just closed his eyes, the lightning aura fading before disappearing completely.

I raised the warhammer and slammed it down, breaking his spine. He did not scream, his face grimacing before he settled down. I then returned the warhammer back into my sword and I walked out of the arena, heading to the Healing Room where I patched myself up on my own, leaving some coins to pay for the items that I used. First I poured an entire bottle of healing potion on the wound, removing my armor to do so. It hurt like a bitch as it fizzed before evaporating away, leaving the wound clean and a lot smaller than what it had been. But it wasn’t closed all the way yet and since I didn’t want to use another potion, I grabbed a suture and some thread and stitched my wound shut.

I had some other bruises but not as bad as when I had fought the Dragonkin, seriously, his punches were like cannonfire. I saw Arvis arrive, carried on a stretcher and the healers all rushed to his side. I decided that I better not distract the healers so I stood and left. But before I did so, I repaired my armor, none of the dragonbone was lost in the strike, all the core needed was energy to seal up the opening. So I placed my hand on it and felt energy siphon out of my body.

The armor repaired itself and I activated the core again, my chest covered once more in armor. It was still slightly painful to move but nothing to serious. None of my organs were hit, at least I don’t think. The fact I’m still standing is a good sign that the wound wasn’t fatal.

I returned to the guild hall to rest, I’d probably be back in combat tomorrow. I was right, the finals were moving at a much faster pace than the previous rounds and once more, I stood in the arena. I didn’t care to listen to the name of my opponent, I didn’t focus on a drawn out fight, just one that was quick so I could return to resting my body. I went all out from the start as I charged, using my mace to swipe my opponents legs out from under him and then kicking him off the side of the arena.

Of course, it resulted in my win though the crowd booed at the result. I was still in my morsadian armor, I needed some weight behind my attacks. I was rather surprised that I was able to get off such a win but then I saw the look of fear in my opponent’s eyes. It seems that he didn’t want to end up like my two previous opponents. I didn’t care, that just meant another day for rest. I walked out of the arena, my wound aching. I just hope that the last round would be this easy.

My remaining comrades were eliminated in yesterday’s and today’s rounds, Inaris being the last. They did pretty well considering that this was a duel. If it was in battle, we would have been the victors a long time ago. I rested again, taking a healing potion as I wanted to be in the best condition for the fight ahead. I knew that this last opponent would try her hardest to win, after all, whoever won this fight won the tournament.

The day passed and I slept, waking up for an hour to take watch before going to sleep again, replaced by Varin. I woke early, checking that all my equipment was in good shape. I couldn’t have it fuck me over because I overlooked something. Once I was satisfied that everything was in working order, I headed back out to the arena. I didn’t know too much about this new opponent of mine other than that she was able to defeat Deryl with ease. This made her at least as strong as a harem guard and I didn’t fancy my odds.

But, a soldier of Morsad does not know the meaning of fear, he pushes on even if it means death. I will fight, even if I will lose. Finally, once more, I stood on the arena for hopefully the last time. I stood still, a statue clad in iron while the stadium slowly filled with spectators. My opponent was running late but I guessed that she was merely waiting, analyzing my reaction to her absence. In truth, I did not really care, remaining as still as a statue.

But just as the announcer was about to call out my win by default, she arrived. Once she did, I felt something strangely familiar, something I haven’t felt since I participated in the conquest of demon-infested lands. This was the presence of a demon, and judging from the gender and figure of it, a succubus. Of course, Deryl didn’t sense it as he had never seen a succubus before, he was a relatively new soldier in the army. In fact, all succubi are experts at disguising themselves, even against veterans such as myself. The only reason I was able to discern that she was a succubus was the nearly irresistible feeling of lust that arose when I saw her. Nearly but not quite. No human woman would have been able to make me feel this way, or any female in fact.

What was she doing here? Perhaps she was the source of the imps, but then again, why would she risk herself? She must be a servant to some higher demon. But if this demon knows of Morsad, then our passage home would be complete. It would be able to open the Gate and I would be able to make my report and rejoin the army. But, perhaps this was a demon that had yet to accept the Emperor’s enlightenment. This was entirely plausible and instead of a way back home, I would have found myself a powerful enemy.

But it’s not like I could hide my identity, after all, the sigil of Morsad is emblazoned upon my chestplate. I waited to see any sort of reaction but I saw none. Finally, I decided to make the first move.

I said in a low voice, “What is a succubus doing here.”

A small smile spread across her face, “Oh, a worthy opponent!”

I was confused with this reaction. This reaction was either some very good acting or she genuinely had no idea who I was. Perhaps there were other races of demons other than the one we conquered. Hmm, interesting. I’ll have to put this in my report, such a possibility cannot go unexplored. But right now, I absolutely cannot let my bloodlust get the better of me. Lust in any form could be used as a weapon against me with this type of opponent. I must keep my mind empty, only think of how to defeat her.

The persona of a soldier took over, one filled with no mercy, no desire, nothing at all except the knowledge of killing one’s opponent. I remembered the orders from fifteen years ago to subjugate the demons and used it as a reason to defeat her. I followed orders through to the end, this was no different. An ant separated from the colony is still an ant. It may not receive any orders from the queen but neither is it free. It will forever remain loyal to the queen until its death.

I am determined to match the loyalty of the ant. After all, man, one of the most superior races of the living should at least be able to imitate the proficiency of an ant, considered to be one of the most weakest of all creatures. I imagined myself to be an ant, the only thing filling my mind was my endless loyalty to the Emperor and his will that the demons be placed under his dominion. This demon shall know enlightenment and I will be the one to bring it to her.

I did not reply to her attempts at getting me to talk. An ant does not listen to enemies, it only kills them. I paid no attention to the announcer, whatever name this demon was known as, it wasn’t her real name. I didn’t need to know her name anyways, all I had to do was defeat her. Perhaps an interrogation would be in order, to find out how many other demons that were not yet subjugated there were. If there was only one, then it would be to find the rest of the unenlightened.

All I heard from the announcer was the beginning of the fight and yet the two of us remained standing still. By now, I was sure that the succubus had figured out that my armor was resistant to any magic that she could throw and that my mind would not succumb to her seduction. This left her to overpower me in combat and seeing as she was able to do so with Deryl quite easily, I could not underestimate her.

She finally said, “That crest, it seems… familiar.”

Her tone said it all, she did know who I was.

I said, “So there were some who weren’t part of the subjugation then.”

She hissed, “Subjugation?!”

I nodded, “Yes, the Emperor I serve commanded that all sentient races be placed under his dominion. That included the demons. War began and ended in seven years, your people put up a great fight, far greater than any other race except for the angels and dragons. But they were unable to withstand the countless legions under Morsad’s banner and they too became a part of the empire.”

She growled, “The Devil will not bow to any mortal!”

I bowed my head, “Satan, the Lord of all Demons has promised his unwavering loyalty to the Emperor when the Emperor defeated him in one-on-one combat. The Emperor is a god among men, his power is far greater than what I possess and his generals are each powerful in their own right.”

She growled, “Silence, mortal!”

I raised my sword, “Only the Emperor commands me.”

She then darted forward, “Then die!”

I blocked, using my dagger to parry against her rapier. That was one weapon I did not possess, it lacked both slashing and piercing power when it came to highly armored opponents so I never used it. Such a flimsy weapon had no place on the battlefield. But on an arena with rules… there was a chance for her to win. If she were to go for my eyes or the chinks in my armor she was perfectly able to do so. I had to be careful. I switched to dual daggers, judging that mobility was what I needed most.

I was correct. For she was able to wield her blade with inhuman speed, far faster than mine. I was barely able to see it and it was only because my daggers were so light that I was able to manage the movement necessary to block her attacks. Finally, I managed to outlast her momentum and I launched a counterattack, though she was able to dodge just fine. That speed of hers, I needed to cripple it.

Thus I didn’t keep up my momentum and waited for her to attack again, this time looking to see how I would be able to strike her legs. A moment presented itself and like a striking snake, I jabbed with as much speed I could muster, burying the blade deep into her thigh. But she didn’t scream rather she dropped her rapier and wrapped her arms around me, burying my face in her rather voluptuous breasts. Was she planning on suffocating me?

Hmm, or is she trying to seduce me? Well whatever she is trying to accomplish, I cannot let her do so. I twisted the dagger that was buried in her thigh, tearing flesh but she made no reaction. So instead I sheathed my daggers and placed my hands on her abdomen, shoving with all my might. But demons aren’t weak, even succubi. They possessed inhuman strength, especially in their legs. Of course it was to entrap their victim once the victim had entered her so that they wouldn’t escape as she sucked the life out of him.

But since I didn’t like where this was going, I went to more drastic measures, I drew a dagger, this one enchanted with holy magic and stabbed it into her side. Being a demon, she had no organs to speak so I couldn’t fatally wound her but holy magic is poison to demons and I hoped that the pain would prove enough to loosen her grasp. I was correct and I managed to pull away, the demoness hissing as she fell on one knee, grabbing her wounded side.

But she grinned, and I wondered why? Had I been poisoned? I then decided that it was best to end this match once and for all so I charged once more, intending to ram her and knock her off the arena. But she dodged and quickly killing my momentum, I turned to face her only for her to grab my face and kiss me. Her tongue attempted to penetrate the defenses of my mouth my but my lips refused to open and I stabbed her once more. I really didn’t like what she was doing, not only because of her attempts at seduction but because I just couldn’t understand why she was doing it.

I decided to get rid of my daggers and equipped to holy armor, this way she would face some pain if she were to continue her strange attacks.But she was hardly fazed at all and she darted forward once more, attempting to plant another kiss but my hand blocked it just in time. I then replied with a punch to the stomach, her flesh burning as it came into contact with the metal but she only grinned, once more grabbing me in her embrace.

She breathed heavily as she looked at me and said, “Why won’t you accept my love?”

I growled, “Enough succubus, this is supposed to be a fight.”

She pouted and leaned in for a kiss but I refused to give in, headbutting her instead. Of course, being a demon, her face came out fine after it and I grabbed her arms, trying to pry her off me. I failed and I remained there, thinking of a way to get out of this. Finally, I decided to use something that I had seen a fellow soldier do in a wrestling match. I grabbed her around the waist and the lifted her and arched my back backwards, smashing her head into the ground.

This caused her to let go and I escaped, not wasting any time. I grabbed her body and unceremoniously threw it out of the arena, I really didn’t want to deal with this anymore. This was rather unexpected, I had wanted a proper fight but all I got was this… shameful display. How insulting, if this wasn’t a duel she would be dead.