All According To Plan

Standing there with an anxious expression, Nakros waved at Jukhan.

"Hey…? How are you- Woah!" [Nakros]

Jukhan threw a multitude of lightning coated punches, which Nakros barely avoided.

"|Shift|!" [Nakros]

Clapping his hands together, water covered Nakros and I. It formed a dome over us, only lowering after a moment passed.

("Huh?") [Solace]

I quickly realized we were in a new location seeing as we were surrounded by greenery.

"Where is this?" [Solace]

"We're in Foxtail Valley at the moment. Here, let me treat you." [Nakros]

He casted a healing spell on me, allowing my wounds to close faster than when the knight helped me.

"Wait, did you leave the knights back there?! They'll die!" [Solace]

Nakros shook his head.

"No, they won't. You and I are his targets. Jukhan will probably arrive here soon." [Nakros]

Just as he said that, I heard thundering in the distance.

"Is that him?" [Solace]

Nakros nodded.

"He was known as the Martial Berserker back then. Rumors say that his senses dwarfs that of a fenrir." [Nakros]

"So… he's like a dog?" [Solace]

Nakros chuckled.

"Very funny." [Nakros]

The light on me dimmed, signaling the end of my treatment. Nakros then grabbed my shoulders and locked eyes with me.

"Junior disciple. I need you to run and never look back. No matter what you hear or see, never look back." [Nakros]

"Hold on, you're going to fight him alone?!" [Solace]

"I won't die. I'll stall for time before escaping too." [Nakros]

I wished to stay by Nakros' side, but my will wavered when looking at Nakros' determined face.

"...Alright." [Solace]

I then turned and went into a full sprint.

"NAKROS!!" [Jukhan]

His voice boomed behind me as I heard what sounded like thunderclaps. Explosions occurred behind me, but I never turned to look.

"Come at me!" [Nakros]

A shockwave pushed me from behind, lifting me off the ground. I found myself somersaulting through the air, allowing me to find glimpses of Nakros and Jukhan battling.

"|Two Thousand Folds|!" [Jukhan]

"|Bold Unity|!" [Nakros]

I witnessed an uncountable number of fists appear from Jukhan, but I also saw a colossal sword descend from the sky.

("What am I watching…?") [Solace]

I was blown away further the moment the two skills connected.

("Jesus!") [Solace]

I tore through a tree or three upon landing. Thanks to my |Temperance|, I didn't feel a thing.

"Urgh…" [Solace]

I shrugged off the bark, leaves, and dirt before catching a breather.

("I should be far enough now, right?") [Solace]

The distance I flew was most definitely not small. If I had to guess, it was probably a few miles. However, I quickly realized this wasn't far enough after hearing a deafening roar.

("Agh! My ears!") [Solace]

A moment later, I saw a massive creature dragging Jukhan through the ground right past me.

("IS THAT A DRAGON?!") [Solace]

What I saw was the spitting image of eastern dragons. A colossal monster with a snakelike body, capable of flying. It had blue scales and white hair on its face, along with rows of teeth bigger than I was. The one thing that stuck out most was the coral-like horns on its head, or Jukhan flailing about in-between its teeth.

"GRAHH!!!" [Jukhan]

He appeared to be struggling to get out of its jaws. I saw Jukhan's face go red as he forcefully pried the dragon's mouth open.

"|Rooted Physique|!" [Jukhan]

Jukhan grabbed the dragon's snout and grounded himself. He then let out a loud grunt before tossing the dragon around like a ragdoll.

("Oh… OH SHIT!!") [Solace]

The dragon's shadow loomed over me as it plummeted towards me.

""Er… Uh… |Explosion Arts|!" [Solace]

Sticking my hands out, I spammed |Explosion Arts| to propel myself out of the area.

("That was close…!") [Solace]

Is what I thought before the shockwave of the dragon hitting the ground blew debris into my face.

"Ngh…! Damn you, Jukhan!" [Dragon]

("Huh?") [Solace]

I was pretty surprised when I heard the dragon speak.

("Wait, this voice… Nakros?!") [Solace]

I knew Nakros was of another race considering that he had horns, but I never suspected that he could transform into a dragon.

"Becoming bigger doesn't make you stronger." [Jukhan]

Nakros lifted himself into the air, allowing trees and dirt to fall off his body. He then reared back his head and conjured up a blue ball of energy within his jaws.

"|Azure Lord's Wrath|!" [Nakros]

A blue beam was fired at Jukhan, who raised his arms to endure it.

"|Esteemed Aura|!" [Jukhan]

Flexing his body, the beam split apart and dispersed. I watched the destruction that took place between the two. The landscape of a forest valley seemed to start turning into a deforestation project as collateral.

"|Fluid Binding|!" [Nakros]

Rope shaped water shot out of the ground and tied Jukhan down to his knees. Nakros then reared back while inhaling deeply.

"You…!" [Jukhan]

As if he had realized what Nakros was about to do, he also took a deep breath.

("What? What's happening?!") [Solace]

The two then roared at the top of their lungs. It was so loud that I could've sworn I saw the soundwaves colliding.

("Oh, I don't feel so good.") [Solace]

My legs then buckled under the pressure. What pressure? I honestly have no clue.

"Warning: The spirit |Solace| is now in a disoriented state." [Spirit Guide]

Jukhan then tore off his bindings.

"|Violet Spark|!" [Jukhan]

Punching the ground, purple sparks flashed around his body. Within an instant, the sparks turned into spikes that seemed to pierce and pin Nakros into the air.

"|Overrule|!" [Nakros]

He appeared to have casted a spell, but nothing happened.

"|One Hundred Thousand Brilliant Lights|." [Jukhan]

An innumerable flashes cut at Nakros, causing blood and scales to fly about. By the end of it, Nakros was limp.

"Ngh…!" [Nakros]

He tried his best to move. Unfortunately, Nakros was incapable of fighting against the purple spikes that pinned him.

"You've lost." [Jukhan]

"Not… yet…!" [Nakros]

He squirmed as much as he could, but to no avail.

"|Divine Blade Dhetrym|." [Jukhan]

A blue energy enveloped Jukhan's hand as he approached Nakros. It was a bit hard to see since they both remained in the air. However, I knew that Nakros may die if I didn't do anything.

"|Explosion Arts|!" [Solace]

I summoned an explosion below, allowing me to charge at Jukhan.

"Hm?" [Jukhan]

Seeing me flying at him, Jukhan raised an arm in reflex.

"|Piercing Blow|!" [Solace]

I struck his arm, allowing the skill to go through.

"Urgh!" [Jukhan]

He flinched at the blow, causing the purple spikes to vanish. This then made Nakros try to chomp on him.

"Silence!" [Jukhan]

Slamming his fist down on Nakros' snout, he hit the ground.

"Uh oh." [Solace]

I tried to back away, but Jukhan grabbed me by the throat.

"Urk!" [Solace]

I tried punching him and kicking him, even using |Lightning Enchant| and |Flame Enchant|. Sadly, it didn't work.

"Young whelp… I'm impressed that you had the courage to attack me with your measly strength." [Jukhan]

Trying to speak out of his vice lock on my neck, I strained my voice.

"Do you want to know why?" [Solace]

Jukhan raised a brow.

"And why is that?" [Jukhan]

"It's a skill called |Ligma|." [Solace]

Jukhan went silent for a moment.

"|Ligma|...?" [Jukhan]