Friends?

~Master you are in extreme danger right now, your current self cannot face the Vampire Lord, would you like me to step in?~ Alphyn paced around in Eric's mind nervously.

~No, but stand by just in case something goes sideways.~

Looking at the blood of his son dripping down Eric's hand, the pressure he gave off became even more intense, causing the shield dome to shatter. A wave of killing intent was then unleashed from the Emperor, rendering half the audience unconscious.

One person started screaming, then like an infectious virus, the rest of them soon joined in causing mass panic. They scrambled out of their seats trying to escape, trampling one another in the process.

From the moment Eric heard that he needed to defeat the vampire prince, he knew it would not be an easy task. Vampires were a very prideful race and he knew that the Emperor will not take this defeat sitting down. What happens when you dethroned a reigning champion that had won for 5 years? No one will like it.

Instead of immediately going in for the kill, the Emperor hovered in the air and spoke.

"I will give you one last chance, pledge your allegiance to me or face death."

Instead of answering, Eric looked around for possible escape routes.

"Impudent ant, how dare you ignore me, DIE THEN!"

An enormous force gathered in his hand as he rushed towards Eric.

~...Master.~ Alphyns' eyes started to glow with power, ready to be unleashed at any moment.

~Hold...hold on.~ Sweat dripped down Eric's forehead. If his plan did not work, he would suffer huge consequences.

"Come on... Anytime now." Eric gulped down his rising panic. Watching the Emperor approach was like looking at a falling meteor, it was an unstoppable force. There was no way he was escaping from this unscathed, unless...

BOOOOOOOOM!!!

A humongous creature landed in front of him clashing with the Emperor. The impact of their clash shook the very foundations of the colosseum, threatening to bring down the whole place.

**

[Name: Maahes]

[Race: Nemean lion]

[Mythical Beast]

[Magic: Combustion]

[Ability: Impervious hide, Elemental Immunity, Lion's Pride, Outrage, King's Roar]

**

"King Manik, is this an act of defiance?" Emperor Vulcan narrowed his eyes at the summoned beast and looked at the summoner.

"Don't lay a single finger on him." King Manik warned.

Emperor Vulcan found it amusing. For a king to go so far to protect the boy, it proved that there was something special about him. But was he worth all the trouble?

The situation was escalating rapidly, never had two monarchs fought before in recent centuries and it was causing the colosseum to descend into chaos.

"If you keep this up, I'll deem this as an act of treason," Emperor Vulcan looked at his arm which was encased in the lion's jaw.

Suddenly, loud explosions occurred simultaneously around the colosseum. There were several battles happening at the same time.

~Alp, what's going on?~ Eric asked.

~It looks like the dark elves are the ones perpetrating the attack. They seem to be targeting the light elves.~ Alphyn scanned the area.

As it didn't affect him, Eric ignored it for now. There was a looming threat that he can't take his eyes off.

The Nemean lion is a mythical creature with a hide that is almost impenetrable. Its body is a mess of pulsing dark red energy with fire leaking out of its mouth. The full form of the lion was both terrifying and majestic to look at. One would shudder at the mere thought of approaching it.

The Emperor was currently punching the lion, but it was shrugging off his blows as if they were nothing. With no other means to break free from the jaw, the Emperor transformed into a cauldron of bats and escaped.

The bats tried to go after Eric but King Manik trapped him in with a gravity cage.

"ARRRRRGH! I don't know how much longer I can hold him, run! Head back to the kingdom!" The Mage King's hand trembled as he strained his power.

Eric didn't need to be told twice, without looking back he ran away at full speed. Just as he almost got out of the colosseum, a voice in his head caused him to skid to a stop.

~ERIC ANA anyone! I'm... I'm being attacked!~ The voice shouted in panic.

~...Parzival?~ Eric recognized the voice.

~These elves, these dark elves, they're overwhelming me! Please hel-~ His voice was then abruptly cut off.

~Parzival... PARZIVAL! ERIC WE HAVE TO GO BACK AND HELP HIM!~ Anastasia's screamed as she joined the conversation.

'...'

~Eric? I need your help. I can't do this alone.~ She pleaded with him.

After a moment of silence, Eric shook his head and clenched his fist.

~...No.~

~No? What do you mean no?~ Anastasia replied incredulously.

~I'm sorry... I have to go.~

~WHAT?! Are you just going to abandon him? He's your friend!~

~Do you not see the GODDAMN EMPEROR chasing me? And a friend? I've never looked at him that way. He was just an assignment, a mission, nothing more.~

~I don't understand, what are you talking about?~ Anastasia asked in confusion.

~You don't have to understand it, now leave me be.~ Shutting off the telepathic channel, Eric left the colosseum with a pained look.

Back on stage, the two monarchs were facing off.

"You do not want to do this Mage King; the consequences of your action will be detrimental to your kingdom." The Emperor's voice rang out.

King Manik was bleeding from his head and there were several bruised spots on his body. Despite feeling the extreme pain filling his body, he let out a sigh. The Emperor was right, it would bring harm to his kingdom, but he had no choice. He recalled a memory not too long ago...

A DAY BEFORE LEAVING EREWHON KINGDOM

INSIDE THE GREY MAGE TOWER

"You have summoned me, teacher?" King Manik bowed his head as he entered the study room of the grey tower master.

The tower master was smoking on an exquisitely carved jade pipe. The smoke that she puffed out took form and danced around the room.

"Take a sit, now I want you to listen very carefully to me." After a small puff, she continued. "I have a bad feeling that something is going to happen at the tournament. And if anything does happen, I want you to bring back the boy at all cost, I don't care what price you must pay. YOU. BRING. HIM. BACK. Are we clear?" A little of her aura peaked out, emphasizing her point.

"Yes, yes of course. But what happens if I... fail to do so?" The Mage King asked timidly.

The books in her study began to burn wildly, and her ancient red eyes locked onto the kings'.

"𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒎𝒆, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒖𝒕."