Chapter: 103 The Deaf King

Pristyne Capitol, Suvari; Ravagers Colosseum:-

In a colosseum, adjacent to Primeval Castle, a battle was reaching a conclusion. The crowds scream was a mass of primal roars and shrieks, totally enthralled by the stunning display they had just bared witness to.

Sprawled out across the enter stadium ring was a mass of bodies. Many Pristyne laid unconscious, beaten and thrown about by the lone figure left standing in the center of the ring; Gryphon Ro’Ark Braivly, the undisputed strongest amongst the Prisytne. Gryphon needed no introduction, nor did he boast his might to prove a point, he was the strongest, simple as that. Even though this was the undisputed truth, as of late, challenger after challenger had come to his doorstep and demanded a battle for the throne, which lead-up to the events of today.

Pristyne after Pristyne swarmed Gryphon in an attempt to de-throne him by besting him, but with little effort Gryphon easily defeated every challenger. No matter the strength they boasted, they were no match for him. Gryphon looked down at the many bodies that laid at his feet and grimaced. Next his eyes rose to the stands as the many spectators screamed at him, not cheering for his victories, but for his defeat. For many years he had ruled these various men and women and, as of late, they had shown disdain for his rule.

Spectator A: “WEAKLINGS, TO BE STRUCK DOWN BY SUCH A COWARDLY RULER!”

Spectator B: “WE DON’T NEED A KING AFRAID OF HUMANS!”

Gryphon: “Do you all really want war so badly?”

*Doors open*

Gryphon was brought out of his reverie as the next challenger entered, but quickly going wide eyed when he realized who it was.

?????: “It’s been a while old friend.”

Gryphon: “Thorn!?”

Thorn, one of Suvari’s fiercest warriors and current general of the Berserkers. And being a member, ‘Urserk’, a hulking bear of the Pristyne race, the size was incomparable to most of the race. With arms as thick as a tree trunk and strength enough to shatter rock, an attack from him would kill most.

Spectator D: “General Thorn is here, the one who stood side by side with Gryphon during the great movement. Wasn’t he supposed to be on Trosan defending our claims?”

Spectator E: “He came back after hearing the humans’ declaration. He must be here to take Gryphons place as ruler. Thank the gods; someone dependable showed up.”

Spectator C: “To hear of his sworn friend’ cowardly actions, he must be deeply ashamed.”

Gryphon paid the spectators no mind, as he was too focus on the only other person standing the center arena.

Gryphon: “What is the meaning of this Thorn?”

Thorn: “Gryphon, we’re standing in the middle of a battle arena, the intention is obvious; even an idiot could that.”

Thorn snorted as he raised a hulking hammer onto his shoulder. ‘Crimson Herald’, Thorn’s weapon, that was never more than five feet from his person, a simply massive weapon that most couldn’t even wield, fit perfectly with in the hands of the hulking bear-man.

He began a slow walk toward Gryphon; all the while the cheers from the spectators grew louder. Arriving a few feet away from Gryphon, Thorn stopped. Gryphon tightened his fist as he turned his gaze to meet Thorn’s.

Gryphon: “You of all people, would challenge me?”

Thorn: “Don’t get ya cape in a knot. I’ll most certainly be the last challenger, don't you worry.”

Thorn laughed as he looked at the various losers finally being dragged from the ring, making room for the upcoming clash.

Gryphon: “This is no time for your jokes, Thorn,”

Thorn: “No my friend, no jokes this time.”

Thorn raised his hammer high into the sky and then brought it down.

*Boooooooooom*

The stadium shook and many of the spectators went silent upon the impact of Thorn’s hammer. A massive crater now lay where the hammer had struck, but unsurprising to Thorn was the lack of bodies.

Thorn: “Still light on your feet I see.”

Thorn wasn’t even a bit surprised when he turned to see Gryphon standing just beyond the crater, completely unscathed.

Thorn: “But this…is only the beginning.”

Thorn lunged for Gryphon with his hammer ready to strike but, just like the first time, Gryphon effortlessly avoided the strike. What followed was a series of blows from Thorn followed, by an effortless dodges from Gryphon.

Gryphon: “Enough of this.”

The moment Thorn swung his hammer, Gryphon quickly bypassed the strike and close the distance and planted his fist deep into Thorn’s abdomen.

Thorn: “Gophh!”

Thorn skirted back, from the force of the blow.

Thorn: “Hehehe, still hurts like shit.”

Gryphon: “You’re…..still standing?”

Thorn: “Yes, you were trying to knock me out what that puny punch? Insulting is what it is.”

Thorn touched the spot where he’d been struck, it had been a long time since he’d felt such an impact.

Thorn: “Alright then, enough of the warm up; let’s get down to business.”

Thorn lifted his hammer once again and as he did, a series of crackle’s emanated from his hammer. A crimson red aura began to engulf the head of the hammer, crackling like lightning. Gryphon stood dumbfounded at the sight, not that he had not seen it before, he could believe Thorn would willingly against it on him.

As if answering his question; Thorn swung his hammer down.

*Boooooooooooom*

An eruption less destructive than the first, however where it lacked in force; it made up visuals and sound. Like thunder had struck in the immediate vicinity, many spectators, skipped a breath in fright. That was a part of the attack, the initial sound was meant to disorientate your opponent. However, Gryphon knew full well of Thorn’s fighting methods and of his ‘Crimson Thunder’ or so he called it. He would first strike the ground, this was used as an intimidation method. The thunderous sound work to startle most into acting a second later, but Gryphon wasn’t most people. He didn’t even flinch from the noise, so he was ready when Thorn appeared in front of him.

Thorn was as forward as a straight-line when it came to combat and preferred to be up close and personal with an all-out assault. Even Gryphon himself had to admit it was dangerous to stay in his range for too long and only enter it when was time to strike. So, when Thorn had closed the distance, ready to strike, Gryphon had already prepared himself; or so he thought.

Thorn brought his hammer down, the crimson-lightning radiating as it tore through the air and smashed down right where Gryphon was standing. Gryphon had again; dodged the attack.

*Bzzt*

Gryphon: “(What?)"

Gryphon had a weird feeling for a moment, in his peripheral vision, he thought he saw red sparks in the air around him. Not only that, as he moved out of the way of Thorn’s attack. However, he didn’t have any time to think as Thorn was hot on his tail, swinging the lightning-covered hammer at him. His attack pattern was the same as ever, except each swing seemed to be arriving faster and faster.

Gryphon: “(No, he isn’t any faster, I’m slowing down.)”

At the rate they were going any moment now the hammer would catch him, if that was the case, he just needed to counterattack. Just like before, Gryphon closed the distance with Thorn an in instant, if he was going to hold back like he did before, he would be knocked out with this punch.

*Bzzzzzzzzt*

Gryphon: “Nghn!”

Gryphon instantly pulled his fist back right before contact, but it was too late. Electricity crackled as Gryphon was engulfed in red lightning. The surge shocked him down to his core and paralyzed him for an instant and that all Thorn needed. With one mighty swing, the large hammer smashed into Gryphon, batting him across the arena and smashing him into the wall.

Cheers erupted all around as the spectators looked on at their king now buried in rubble from the destroyed wall.

Thorn lifted the hammer to his shoulder in snorted, waiting for Gryphon to emerge.

Thorn: “Come now Gryphon, we both know that such an attack wouldn’t do you in.”

Answering his statement, Gryphon emerged from the pile of rubble. As Thorn had stated; Gryphon didn’t look remotely hurt, except for a few scrapes, he was fine.

Thorn: “Oh come on…I know what I said, but only a few scrapes? At least pretend to be hurt.”

Gryphon: “What did you do to me Thorn?

Gryphon was no fool, he wasn’t mistaken with what he saw. Even without direct contact, somehow Thorn was able to slow his movements.

Thorn: “A little something I’ve been working on just for people like you Gryphon. You’re one of the few I know that like to get so close to me without a problem, so i found away around that problem.”

As he spoke he raised his hammer into the air, loud crackling as he swung it around. He then charged at Gryphon again, swinging wildly trying as he tried to smash him.

Gryphon: “(What is he doing?)”

Every swing Gryphon felt himself slowing down, but the way Thorn was swinging his hammer seemed odd. Thorn was a veteran fighter, but his attacks now had no rhythm, more so that some of the swings would out-right miss.

*Bzt*

Gryphon: “(Again that charge in the air, wait could be it be?)”

Thorn made one large horizontal swing, Gryphon believed he could avoid it easily, but found the hammer had made it to his side.

*Bam*

With another booming smash Gryphon was hit in the side with the hammer, however unlike last time he didn’t go flying off into a wall. In fact, it seemed as though he was moving closer to the hammer as Thorn, wound his arms for another swing.

*Bam* *Smash* *Thwack*

Gryphon was smashed with the hammer repeatedly as he was sent flying, before being pulled back by some unseen force and smashed again.

Thorn: “WHAT’S THE MATTER GRYPHON? DIDN’T EXPECT THIS? I WASN’T JUST TWIDLING MY THUMBS WHILE I WAS AWAY. I MADE THIS JUST FOR YOU AND ALL THOSE OTHER SPEEDY TYPES. NO MORE FRILLY DANCING AROUND.”

*Smash*

Thorn: “EVEN YOU CAN’T KEEP UP WITH THIS FOR TOO LONG?...”

Thorn continued his volley unbeknownst to the fleeting power of the pulling force. With every smash of the hammer, Gryphon felt the strong pull slacking. After he was hit by the hammer, Gryphon used the momentum from him being pulled back to his advantage. With some god-like dexterity he avoided in the swing of the hammer in mid-air.

*Smash*

Thorn: “Gagh!?”

Before Thorn realized what was going on, Gryphon had already kneed him in the face. Gryphon didn’t stop, with a quick spin he kicked Thorn, sending him rolling backwards. Thorn came out of the roll by smashing his hammer into the ground, vaulting himself up off the ground, to find Gryphon on top of him ready to strike again.

*Bzt*

Gryphon quickly jumped back from Thorn, giving up on finishing the fight. However, with that exchange he was able to figure out what was happening. Every time Thorn smashes his hammer into an object, it sends off an electric charge that attaches itself to anyone close by, evident by the red sparks Gryphon witness around him every so often.

Then as he swings his hammer around, the charge pulls the target towards the hammer, growing stronger everytime he strikes make contact with the ground. It was why Gryphon felt as though the swings were getting faster each time, he was being pulled toward the hammer as the charges were attracting one another.

Lastly the reason why he couldn’t strike Thorn when this was happening, for some reason the charge around their bodies was repulsing each other followed by a discharge from having come so close to one another, leading to a small electric shock.

Thorn looked Gryphon over, shaking the air as he laughed out loud.

Thorn: “Seems you figured me out, aye? You always were making that face when you’re thinking. As stoic as ever.”

Thorn continued to laugh out loud, thinking how much his friend hasn’t changed in the time he was away. Even the things he started to say, were nothing if not ‘Gryphon Ro’ark Braivly’.

Gryphon: “Enough Thorn…lets end this foolishness, there is no reason for us to fight.”

Thorn: “Aye, but there is, can you not hear it?’

Gryphon didn’t understand what he was talking about. The only thing he could hear was the sound of the war-thirsty citizens of his kingdom, screaming for him to lose. He had grown deaf to their rantings as of late, refusing to listen to their banter. No matter how much they scream at him to go to war, for their sakes he stopped listening.

Gryphon: “The foolish ramblings of peace soaked fools, who know nothing of war and what it entails.”

Thorn frowned when Gryphon didn’t seem to understand what he meant and sighed heavily. Truly he didn’t want to fight either, but Gryphon was just too dense to figure things out without being smacked around.

Thorn: “Doesn’t sound like you can hear them at all.”

Gryphon: “What?

Thorn: “It seems your ears are clogged. No matter…”

Thorn raised his hammer again, crimson sparks shooting off as he did.

Thorn: “I, being the great friend that I am, my partner and I here will help unclog them.”