The Fall Of House Whiteguard (13)

Thank you, DereckESCL, for the 6 Power Stones.

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Leo surged forward, his body coiled like a spring, bracing for the imminent clash. In his grasp, two daggers gleamed, their edges honed to a lethal sharpness, reflecting the light with every calculated move. Opposite him stood Ciaran, a formidable adversary, his eyes ablaze with a fierce determination. Behind Leo, Luther conjured magic arrows, each one a blazing inferno, forming a wall of flames that threatened to consume them.

Despite the intense heat and the danger that surrounded them, the three warriors remained steadfast in their mission - to defeat their enemy and emerge victorious. They moved with unwavering determination, dodging the fiery arrows and avoiding the flames as best they could. Leo's blades flashed in the light as he lunged towards Ciaran, his movements fluid and practiced.

Ciaran held his ground, his gaze unwavering as the wall of flames devoured their surroundings. The world they once knew was reduced to a desolate wasteland of ash and debris, but he paid it no heed. In his mind, there was only the fight, only the burning desire to emerge victorious at any cost. They clashed in a storm of steel and fire, the resounding clash of metal filling the air as they fought for supremacy.

Leo closed the distance in mere moments and swiftly attacked. Ciaran transformed Requiem into a tonfa and parried the left dagger while using his left hand to grab Leo's right wrist.

"You are far too weak," Ciaran said as he launched a quick kick aimed directly at his knee.

Leo remained calm as he muttered, "Solar flare." Causing a blinding light that caused many to close their eyes. 

The moment Leo uttered those words, Ciaran had already shadow-blinked away and changed his target to face Luther.

Luther, who was unprepared, widened his eyes in surprise as he saw Ciaran appear a few meters away from him and charge toward him with a sword.

Luther couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as he observed Ciaran's expression. A wide, self-satisfied grin had overtaken the other man's face, almost as if he was relishing the conflict that they were currently engaged in. This caused Luther to hesitate, wondering if Ciaran's enjoyment of the battle signaled something more sinister.

Sensing a hesitation in the duke, Ciaran increased his speed and intended to finish him off in one strike. 

But movement on his left caused him to break off his charge as Leo reappeared and lunged forward. His blades aimed directly at his throat.

 ***

Zoverth faced General Riker, a tall man in heavy armor, and smiled as she removed the great sword strapped to her back.

"I hope you make this fight enjoyable." She said and charged forward.

General Riker steadied himself, his heart beating with excitement and fear. He tightly gripped his large shield and long sword. Suddenly, Zoverth charged at him with her great sword raised high above her head. Her sword struck the shield with a loud clash, sending vibrations through Riker's arm. The battle had begun.

Zoverth relentlessly attacked Riker as he gritted his teeth and spat out the words, 'You're nothing but a filthy half-orc.' Despite his verbal assault, Zoverth refused to back down and continued to fight with fierce determination."

"And you're a pathetic excuse for a warrior hiding behind your shield." She countered.

With a deafening roar, Riker raised his shield, the metal clashing against the force of Zoverth's attack. The impact caused Zoverth to stagger momentarily, giving Riker the chance to strike back. His movements were swift and precise, each blow aiming to take down his opponent. But to his bewilderment, Zoverth made no attempt to defend herself.

The sound of metal against flesh echoed through the battlefield as Riker's strikes found their mark, leaving deep gashes on Zoverth's body. Yet, even as she bled profusely, Zoverth's smile remained unbroken. In a fluid motion, she grabbed her great sword and charged towards Riker with renewed vigor, ready to deliver a crushing blow.

"Weak." She growled, swinging her sword.

The metallic clash of swords reverberated through the air, each strike resounding like a thunderbolt. Riker's opponent lunged forward with incredible force, their movements as swift as a snake's. With lightning-fast reflexes, Riker raised his sword just in time to deflect the blow. Despite his skill, the impact of the collision sent him staggering back a couple of steps, his muscles tensing up as he tried to maintain his balance. The sudden jolt sent a shiver down his spine, filling him with an electrifying surge of energy.

As he looked up, his eyes landed upon Zoverth, who walked slowly toward him. Her wounds were bleeding profusely, yet she didn't seem to mind the pain. She wore a smile, and her eyes shone with an eerie light, as if she were possessed by some otherworldly force.

"General Riker." Zoverth snorted, "I expected more from someone who fought in a hundred battles."

In an instant, the entire world around Riker was illuminated with a bright light. Taking advantage of the sudden distraction, he tapped into his inner power—the mana—and felt a surge of energy coursing through his veins. As he focused on channeling his mana, he could feel his muscles bulging and tensing, expanding and contracting with each passing moment. The sensation was both exhilarating and overwhelming as if he were tapping into a limitless source of strength and power.

Zoverth's attention was drawn toward the light source, and she couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. "At least he gets to have fun," she muttered under her breath. However, as she turned around to face Riker, she was met with a sudden blow from his powerful fist that landed squarely on her face. The impact was so severe that Zoverth was sent flying back several meters, eventually hitting a nearby tree with a loud thud.

Her mouth was filled with a metallic taste as she coughed up a mouthful of blood. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, trying to clear her vision. When she looked up, her eyes widened in amazement. General Riker had transformed into a werewolf. 

The creature standing before her was a towering mass of muscle and fur, easily over two meters tall and weighing more than three hundred pounds. Its thick black fur glistened in the daylight, and its yellow eyes glowed with an otherworldly intensity. Zoverth could hear the sound of its labored breathing as drool dripped from its snout, making her heart race. 

"Yes." She felt her breath catch. This is what I'm talking about." She feared her heart would burst out of her chest. "A battle with no thought." She bared her teeth in anticipation. "A battle of the strongest." She let out a hearty laugh, "Yes! Entertain me!" She charged the wild beast.