Chapter 318: Thorn’s Vow

“Hey, Freya, can I ask you a question?” Sylvie said innocently.

“Sure, what’s up?”

“What’s your plan to beat Calex Thorn?”

“Um, that’s…” Freya’s voice grew quiet. She was well aware her next opponent was the prestigious golden child of House Thorn. She had seen his overwhelming power in his previous match and how little his orc opponent had been able to do.

Could she fare any better? The question whispered in the back of Freya’s mind. She shook her head, such a manner of thinking had no place in the heart of a Goldelm.

“Freya…?” Sylvie asked curiously.

“Calex is strong, no question about it,” Freya began. “The sheer power he wields at our age is daunting and the speed of his spell-casting! He is without question the fastest caster in the tournament. BUT! That doesn’t mean he is infallible, he is still only a drow.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Sylvie cocked her head to the side.

Freya grinned, “It means Calex is mortal like the rest of us. He still bleeds. One good hammer strike to the skull and he is out.”

“Okay, but how are you going to get close enough to smack him across the head?”

“Exactly,” Callum spoke up. “Did you not see what happened in the last match versus Hallus? That guy was a pit fighter, I bet he fought if he got close enough to Calex he could beat him too. What makes you think your match will play out any differently?”

“Simple, speed,” Freya said confidently. “Hallus wasn’t an Orange like me, I have agility magic on my side. And after the 2nd Challenge of Pillar & Sea and Calex’s last match, I think it’s pretty safe to assume Calex will try to strike quickly. All I have to do is dodge his first attacks and then get close enough for a hammer.”

“You do realize that Calex is also an Orange, right?” Callum said. “What’s to say he won’t just use his own agility magic to fight you toe-to-toe?”

“Have you ever wondered why Calex uses such powerful spells right at the beginning of his fights? I mean, that has to be quite mana-draining, no?” Freya asked.

“But he defeats his opponent quickly, so I don’t see the problem,” Callum said.

“He’s asserting his dominance over his opponents!” Sylvie said.

“If that was the case why wouldn’t Calex prolong his match to show his opponents how truly powerful he really is?” Freya said.

“Hmmm…” Sylvie scrunched her eyebrows in thought.

“I think it’s because he’s weak at close range,” Freya said. “He can’t afford to let his opponents get close, so he finishes his fights quickly. It’s also why during the 2nd match, he just ran to the finish line after attacking our team, instead of trying to fight his other opponents.”

“Ooooh,” Sylvie’s mouth made an ‘o’ shape.

Callum shook his head, “Freya, your words have merit, but even if Calex favors finishing his fights quickly and from a distance, it doesn’t necessarily mean he is weak in close-range combat.”

“Maybe, but either way I saw Calex run during the 2nd Challenge. I’m definitely faster than him, my agility magic is stronger,” Freya said. “Calex doesn’t use weapons either. I’ll win in close combat, I’m sure of it.”

“What if you’re not fast enough to dodge his spells?” Callum asked.

Freya glanced across the room at Stryg and Tauri who were still talking to an angry Cornelius. She was glad Stryg wasn’t paying attention to what she was about to admit.

“Stryg is the fastest Orange mage in the tourney,” Freya admitted. “But I'm second fastest. And Stryg’s only faster because his body is naturally quick, his agility magic just enhances his speed several-fold. Trust me, I’m fast enough to dodge Calex’s attacks.”

“Are you sure that’ll be enough?” Callum asked skeptically.

“Y-yeah,” Freya rolled her shoulders uncomfortably, “I just have to get close to Calex and then bam, match over.”

“Easier said than done,” Callum said.

“Then what would you suggest, huh?” Freya snapped.

“Honestly? I’d surrender, simple as that,” Callum said.

“How far has the Great House of Veres fallen?” Freya said in disgust.

Callum shrugged, “I would rather be humiliated than dead. Calex isn’t the type of guy who goes easy on his opponents. You saw what happened to Hallus. Calex will kill you if you’re not careful.”

“What, you think I’m an idiot!? Of course, I’m gonna be careful!” Freya yelled angrily.

Callum sighed and stood to his feet, “Look, Freya, I’m your friend, so I’m going to be bluntly honest with you. Calex is stronger than you, like way stronger. I’m not even sure Stryg can beat him and he’s a bloody Ebon Aspirant!”

“Kalliste is way stronger than you and you still managed to beat her! No one tried stopping you from fighting back then!” Freya said.

“That was different, Kalliste underestimated me and I still almost died in that fight!”

“Well thank the gods I’m stronger than you ever were!” Freya growled.

“Standing your ground and not running from a fight is one thing, but this is just your pride speaking! You don’t want to admit that you’re out of your depth!”

“Ahem,” Sylvie coughed. “I believe in Freya. She’s got this. She’ll join Stryg and me in the semi-finals, just you watch, Cal!”

“Sylvie… thanks,” Freya smiled. She was happy that at least someone believed in her.

“And if you don’t got this, then I’ve got your back,” Sylvie winked.

“T-thanks…” Freya smiled half-heartedly.

~~~

Calex Thorn stood alone in the southern tunnel, staring at the open gate at the end of the tunnel. Sunlight leaked from the gate and he could see the white sands of the arena beyond. He could hear the voices of his people chanting his name, eagerly waiting for him to step out into the eye of his city.

Yet Calex felt none of the eagerness that his people exuded. He never enjoyed fighting, even if he was good at it. His teammates were all gone now, each one in the infirmary after their losses. For the first time in a long time, Calex was alone. His shoulders sagged and the calm, serene facade he displayed to the public melted away, revealing a tired, melancholic young man.

Calex sighed to himself, “What am I doing here…?”

“You are here to show the world House Thorn’s power,” a stern voice said from behind.

Calex gasped, startled, and spun around, “M-mother?!”

Ophelia strode down the tunnel, her head held high, and her icy blue eyes full of conviction, “You, my precious son, are here to show them all that we deserve the throne that was taken from us. We are the greatest House in the Ebon Realm and it is time we remind them of it.”

Calex looked away, unable to meet her gaze, “I don’t like fighting…”

“And yet you’re incredibly gifted at it,” Ophelia smiled. She caressed his cheek gently, “We all must make sacrifices for the greater good of our families.”

“...Why are you here, mother?” he whispered.

“To bring you one of our family’s heirlooms, from a time when all the Null Realms feared the name Thorn,” Ophelia raised her other arm. In her hand, she held a narrow sword sheathed in a black scabbard with a pink hilt and a black rose pommel, the symbol of House Thorn.

“Nightshade,” Calex whispered reverently. “...But why?”

“What do you mean why?” Ophelia laughed softly, “You have been trained in swords, have you not?”

“I’ve also been trained with bows. If you wish to lend me one of our family’s heirlooms, I’d rather it be Rose.”

“A bow over a sword? Hm,” she smiled thoughtfully. “You are skilled in both types of weapons… but no. You are better off with Nightshade.”

“Why?” Calex frowned.

“Because your opponent is a Hollow Shader. You mustn't allow Freya Goldelm to walk out of that arena alive.”

“The Goldelm girl is no threat to us.”

Ophelia narrowed her eyes, “Our ancestors thought the Goldelms were not a threat either, they thought the Goldelms were our ‘allies.’ But the Goldelms betrayed us, along with so many others. Or have you forgotten why our ancestors fled Hollow Shade?”

“I haven’t forgotten, but this is only a duel…”

“If you cannot find the will to complete this task then perhaps I should start teaching your sister to do what must be needed. In truth, Lerdea is practically as talented as you, though she lacks your resolve. But I am certain she will learn, with the right… push.”

“NO!” Calex yelled panickedly. “I mean… n-no. I am more than enough. I will carry on our family’s legacy alone. Lerdea need not be involved.”

Ophelia smiled and kissed him on the forehead, “I know this is hard for you, my son, but someday you will understand.”

“...Yes, mother,” Calex bowed his head.

So long as his little sister was free to live her life away from the violence of the Ebon Realm, he would stain his hands with all the blood House Thorn needed for its conquest. So long as she was safe, it was all that mattered.

Calex reached out and grabbed Nightshade, “Does the duel need to be flashy or prolonged?”

“No. Feel free to fight as you wish, so long as Freya Goldelm dies.”

“Understood. If you’ll excuse me,” Calex bowed and walked towards the tunnel’s open gate.

He hated fighting, the sooner it was over the better. Calex took a deep breath to steady himself and stepped out into the arena.

I’ll end this match in an instant, he swore to himself.