Rematch, A Lifetime Apart

Roxanne answering the patriarch's call finally makes her own way back into the arena after having lost track of time. Acting nonchalant as always, she walks up to the young boy standing over him before offering her hand. Joshua, unwilling to show a sign of weakness before his previous master takes it and doesn’t buckle under the force she exerts. Her amber eyes staring into his soul.

“I’m Roxanne pleasure to make your acquaintance. I hope you don’t disappoint me, your father has told me of your exploits. I expect a hell of a match even though I doubt you’ll put up a fight like that monstrous bastard. I never even had a chance to go all out because of your old man's rules. .” A devious smile crosses her lips.

Joshua stares back fearlessly. “Likewise, Roxanne. My name is Joshua Von Terra, I hope I will live up to the Mercenary King's standards..” He stares into her eyes fearless. The two after exchanging greetings make their way to their respective sides of the field as the Patriarch begins speaking again.

Joshua, bouncing back and forth, stretches his arms and legs before taking a deep breath. “Draxis, let's show them all what for.”

Draxis chuckles deviously. “Hell yeah.”

Both of their gazes along with the crowd turns towards the patriarch who raises his hand towards the sky fiercely. “On my mark you two will begin. Remember where you are, and show everything you’ve got.”

“Yes patriarch.” Joshua turns to face him, bowing respectfully. Roxanne sticks her tongue out whilst cracking her neck.

“Three, two, one, battle begin!” Roderic’s arm drops. At that, Roxanne swiftly draws the blade from her back as Joshua reaches his right hand around and grasps the handle of his mythril blade on his left. His eyes flash red, his aura activating as he meets her strike in the middle of the arena as he rips the blade from his side..

With flowing and fiery red hair the Mercenary King’s cloak blows with the wind. “That’s right boy, show me what you’ve got.” Roxanne taunts Joshua as the two of them start clashing blades. Metal on metal, the sound reverberates through the air. Slipping back, Roxanne twists her body around, sending a flurry of rapid strikes his way; her blade carving through the air.

Quickly jumping out the way, Joshua whips his blade around towards her legs as she jumps over it. After regaining her balance mid-air, Roxanne slams her blade down overhead as Joshua rolls out of the way. Slamming into the ground quickly, dust and dirt stirs in the air.

With Roxanne’s blade denting into the ground, Joshua takes the opportunity to swing towards her left side. Only for the sound of metal to ring in his ears as it’s countered by Roxanne. She shifts her blade in the way as she tears it through the ground. With a smile on her face Roxanne starts getting into the fight, adrenaline and blood pumping.

Continuing to trade blows, Joshua’s breath starts to faintly heave back as she’s still physically stronger than he is. “Damn it.”

“Don’t tell me this is all you’ve got Joshua. Don’t disappoint me.” Roxanne taunts through her luscious cherry red lips.

From deep within Joshua, an unconscious response instinctually rings out. “GRRRRR.” Growling like a dragon, Joshua lowers his center of gravity as his facial expression turns feral.

“Get her kid.” Draxis encourages him as he clenches his fists.

In this moment, Joshua’s eyes twitch as the words piss him off. Immediately amping his sword arm with aura, he swings at her left to right. The act knocks her off balance as he pushes forward hoping to lance through her like he has a spear. Roderic watches on with intrigue.

“My son, I didn’t know you fought like that. You’re more like your mother than I thought.”

To Joshua’s surprise, Roxanne shows off her flexibility by bending backwards to avoid his strike. Quickly rolling out of the way, she drags her blade across her hand whilst drawing an electrical sigil as she rushes forward tapping Joshua’s shoulders as he begins to feel a shocking sensation course through his body.

“Damn it,” Joshua grits his teeth as he staggers back, his body still reeling as the electrical currents reign through his body. Draxis on the other hand, circulates his aura from within, keeping his body going so as to not let the fight end so soon. “I gotcha, kid. Keep fighting.”

Attempting to be inconspicuous, he drags his finger across his blade and carefully draws a nullification rune on his palm. In the process of this he lets out a battle cry as his aura shoots off around his body, thankfully hiding his action from his opponent. His father on the other hand raises an eyebrow, catching his action. “I wonder who taught you that? Maybe I should have been spending more time and resources on you.”

Rushing back towards her with a renewed vigor, he starts thrusting his blade rapidly back and forth like a rapier as she reels back, jumping out of the way having had her abdomen stabbed by his blade.

“How are you able to use a sword that huge like that? What the hell is it made of?” Roxanne questions whilst gritting her teeth.

“Mythril, courtesy of my squad captain.” He replies as he grips his hilt with both hands slamming it down with enough force to send an aura shockwave careening towards her.

Her eyes narrow as her sword instantly ignites with the same fiery red from earlier gripping her blade’s handle with a vice grip. The crowd gasps and goes wide eyed as Joshua pushes her to perform similarly to the eldest. “You asked for it brat.”

As if in a blur, Roxanne swings her blade down a fiery tempest catching the aura blast mid-air. The two attacks fizzling out in a majestic display of fireworks. Following his lead she rushes in, just like Layrn had done a while ago leaving her midsection wide open.

Joshua on instinct swaps his blade to his left hand, using his still bleeding hand, He draws an explosion sigil on his right as energy begins to glow and permeate from it. Seeing this and the fact that she’s closing in too fast to stop, jumps into the air performing an aerial maneuver spinning around as the explosion shoots off into the distance. Scorching the ground and tearing a chunk of ground up.

Roderic and Celia’s eyes widen from their different vantages. The princess of Caldfell is left in awe at how cool and powerful Joshua is. The patriarch on the other hand is left smiling with pride. Both Vilhelm and Vilhelm stand up cheering on their brother, catching looks of surprise from the overseers. A slight grin creeps across Joshua’s face as his eyes unconsciously transform. Slits trailing through his scarlet red eyes.

Roxanne having lost her balance skids along the ground as she stands up straight holding her blade out in front of her. Both frustration, confusion, concern trail across her eyes whilst she grits through her teeth. “I don’t know how you can do that, but you’re going to tell me, brat!”

“Kid, you did it again.” Draxis pesters Joshua from within.

“I realize that Draxis, but it’s not like I have much of a choice. She’s literally twice as strong than Layrn and she’s only getting stronger the longer this fight goes on.” Joshua exhales, sweat dripping down his brow as she lunges at him.

Moving too fast for the boy’s draconic eyes to react, she tears a gash through his side. Blood begins oozing out as he grits his teeth in pain. Grabbing hold of the slash with his left hand a red barrier made of aura forms over it. Lowering his gaze, Joshua digs his boots into the ground as his eyes flash red and white three times.

Roxanne, full of fervor, lunges at him again, this time planning on ending this fight. However, Joshua full of resolve reels his arms back, wrapping both hands around his blades handle as he whips it forward into hers as a loud clang echoes out ringing through peoples ears.

“This isn’t over until I say it’s over.” Joshua screams out as he coughs up blood, it trailing down his face. His eyes burn with draconic fury that only Roxanne and the Patriarch see.”Grrrrrrr.” baring his teeth his spare hand takes on a claw stance.

“That’s a lot of bravado coming from a child.” Roxanne taunts motioning with two fingers for him to come at her.

“Damn you, you psychotic woman. Seems like you continue to make my life a living hell.” Joshua mutters under his breath supposedly too quiet for anyone to hear.

All of a sudden, his world begins to spin. Feeling an overwhelming heat from both inside himself and emanating from Roxanne. Slipping in and out of consciousness Draxis calls out to him. “I’m helping you kid, If I don’t, she’s going to kill you. She heard your ass..”

“Oh shit.” Joshua’s vision blurs as his knees sway. The patriarch watches the look in Roxanne’s eyes as he grips his own blade ready to intervene at any moment to stop her from killing his youngest. “Don’t make me treat you like my oldest Roxy.” Shaking his head he mumbles to himself. “Good job my boy, you’ve made the Mercenary King want to kill you. Just what did you say…” The patriarch sighs letting out a silent chuckle.

The draconic eyes, the whites included, turn solid red as pain shoots through all of Joshua’s body. “Gaaahhh.” Panting, Joshua subconsciously gets into the stance he read on that paper in that book.

Relaxing his back muscles and ever so slightly bending his legs, he stretches his left arm out as he takes a deep breath. Draxis from within exerts his will over Roxanne momentarily stunning her. In confusion she attempts to shift her arm to no avail. A red aura with black sparks begin swirling around him as he mutters forth. “First Form: Rending Fang.”

Everything around the boy slows down like a still frame as he launches at her with inhuman speeds with what looks like tens of strikes encircling Roxanne from every direction. Dashing around her Joshua’s muscles scream out in agony and his blood starts to boil.

The hairs on her neck stand up as she grins with vigor. ”Let me see what you’ve got left in the tank then brat.I’ll take whatever you can throw.” As she lets the strikes hit her, she doesn’t take into account the speed Joshua’s moving flashes in beside her, his draconic eye glowing a piercing red as he quickly swings his blade into her side as he falls over, his body getting thrown across the ground rolling and skidding along because of the recoil.

Immediately the Patriarch with both concern and pride on his face raises his hand to stop anyone from approaching. “The matches are finished. The Mercenary King wins. My youngest did well.”

As she grips her side, heaving herself she walks on over to Joshua and rolls him over. Lowering her face near his. “You conscious brat?” Breathing heavily, she drops to a knee as the crowd of people are escorted back to the guest reception of the estate by the patriarch himself.

Saria, however, waits until she can approach her young master and runs up to him with a stressed and pained look on her face. Roxanne continues sitting by the boy’s body, breathing deeply. Seeing the handmaiden, she signals for her to come closer. “This brat your business maid?”

“Yes, he is.” Saria replies respectfully with a bow, her eyes not betraying her feelings.

“Okay then, is everyone else gone?” Roxanne questions, seeing the blood lust in Saria’s eyes for what she did to Joshua. “Vivian, you really know how to pick them don’t you.

Saria nods her head as a black glow emanates from Roxanne’s dominant hand as she traces her blood into a sigil. “Revocer” Both the wounds on her side alongside Joshua’s instantly heal as the ground around them gets stained gray. Speaking the word of power in reverse alongside the blood magic, Saria’s eyes widen in shock at what she witnesses.

Turning her head towards Saria, the Mercenary Kings glares with fire in her eyes. “Don’t tell another soul including this boy about this. I’ll talk to him later, there’s much to discuss about his future.” Roxanne immediately stands up as if the day's matches were just another drop in the bucket. “I'll regroup with Roderic and inform him of his son’s condition. Get him ready for that strange ceremony. That y’alls family does.”

“Understood.” Saria bows her head whilst snarling her face as Roxanne heads off swiftly. Shortly after, Saria starts to cry the effects of having to watch Joshua get thrashed around. Taking a deep breath she closes her eyes with a pained expression.

As Joshua stirs from his unconsciousness, he rolls over to see her crying. Immediately ignoring his condition, he wraps her in a hug, his arms over her shoulders. “Why are you crying?” His voice whispers into her ears as his head rests on her neck.

Putting on a brave face, she stands up taking another deep breath and pats Joshua on the shoulder.“It’s nothing young master, I appreciate the concern though.” Wiping her tears away, she informs Joshua that he needs to get his things ready for the naming ceremony as it will begin soon.

“Sure.” He lets her go and gives her a cheerful smile, burying his concern for his handmaiden within himself. After this, Joshua walks back towards the manor looking down at his get-up, his clothes became thrashed fighting Roxanne, either scorched, torn, frayed or altogether nonexistent. The wind in the air tickles his skin as he stretches his arms out with a yawn.

“That was a close one kid. Even with that “Technique” as your species calls it.”

Joshua, surprisingly full of vigor puts his hands behind his head and lets out a sigh of relief. “I know, I can’t believe I even pulled that off. It felt like my muscles were twisting apart and my aura was tearing through my skin.” Any idea how I’m not out cold right now.

“I honestly don’t know, kid. When you went under, so did I. Apparently the toll on your body from me helping you on top of, what did you call it, “Rending Fang?”

“Yeah. That was the name in the book.”

Draxis' internally sighs. “Yeah, that was apparently too much for your body and both of our minds. It was kind of surreal to be honest; I saw a flash of red then I was out cold myself. Its been over 700 years since I’ve ever passed out. The last time was against that bastard Vivantia.”

Joshua, not remembering the name nods his head. “That’s really interesting. I didn’t realize we could both become unconscious. We’ll have to be more careful in the future.”

—------------------------------------

After a little while, Joshua makes it back to his room where he bumps into Dialos waiting at his door. “I wonder what he wants?” Still dressed in his black trench-coat, the only thing that looks off is the grip marks still rendered on his neck. “Sheesh.”

Turning his head, Dialos sees Joshua approaching and has a look of ‘what the hell happened to your clothes’ on his face. Taking a step forward, he raises his hand. “Joshua what happened to you? And my poor outfit.”

“Were you not watching?” Joshua questions, a look of actual confusion on his face.

“I had to go ‘cool off’, father pissed me off as you can see from the marks on my neck. But that’s beside the point, what about you? Your clothes are in tatters yet you're standing around perfectly fine, I could hear murmurs about the state you were left in from the spectators. Hell, even some of the overseers were surprised.”

Joshua sweat drops, unable to properly explain, but nonetheless tries. “The clothes damage came from fighting Roxanne. She tried to kill me, plus all the fire. I’m not sure why, but in a moment of desperation I blacked out and ended up cutting through her side before being flung across the ground.”

“Think he’ll buy it?” Questions Draxis.

Joshua looks on at his eldest brother whilst rubbing his eyes. “I hope so, I don’t want to explain how I learned the first form of Dragon’s Aerie.”

A look of thought crosses Dialos’s face as he brushes it off, before patting Joshua on the shoulder. “I’ll make you a new outfit before I head out again seeing as my handiwork is all destroyed. Don’t ruin this next one. I wish there was a material that regenerated itself without the use of mana.” With a look of what appears to be sadness crossing his face Dialos raises his gaze. “Get changed, we’re all going to be meeting at the ceremony cavern. It should only be you, me, the twins, Wallace, Lysandra, Father, and Roxanne present.”

“Normally aren’t the overseers present for this as well?”

“Yeah, but someone has to stay back to protect the Caldfell family. Apparently, assassins were sent after them, and some were killed in the forest leading to fathers ‘shrine.’

“Didn’t me and Blaine walk that way though? I don’t remember having to fight anyone.” Shaking his head he waves his hand as he opens his door calmly entering his room. Dialos looks back at Joshua with intrigue before making his exit.

Joshua lets out a sigh of relief. “By Serox that was close.”

“What was close?” Draxis asks, only faintly understanding the eldest.

“I don’t want to get on his radar when it comes to how strong I am yet. He’s a monster and I haven’t a chance in hell at fighting him. Roxanne was bad enough; he’s on another level.”

Draxis snickers. “Wasn’t he the one killed by Deimos when you got marked though.”

Rubbing his hand through his hair, Joshua sighs. “Yeah, he chose to fight him and give me a chance to escape. He’s not a bad guy per se, but nothing good comes from interacting with that man, it’s like he’s also cursed like me.”

Draxis takes Joshua’s words in, ruminating on them. “I see. Well let’s get a move on then, you don’t want to keep everyone waiting.”

Joshua looks down letting out a yawn. “Frankly speaking I’m grateful I was able to show off a bit during the exhibition match. Because this next part is what went horribly wrong for me.”

“You want to talk about it?” Draxis questions.

Dropping his gaze, Joshua’s tone changes. “Not really, I’m just going to let the cards fall where they may. Hopefully this time I’ve made enough of an impact that everyone doesn’t shun me when I don’t receive a name.”

Half an hour later Joshua gets changed into his Blackwood outfit as it’s the only other one he has in his size. Opening his door, he walks out of his room and down the corridor, passing by an overseer speaking to two guards.

Turning his head around, Hilderug smiles and nods to Joshua. “Good luck with your naming ceremony.” “You’ll need it.” He mutters under his breath Joshua not catching it. Joshua bows his head slightly as he continues on his way through the manor and eventually out the door where a few guards and knights are stationed.

The knights warmly smile at the young master whereas the guards remain indifferent. “I guess my fight won over the knighthood. They respect strength and passion above all else. Thats nice. They were always cordial with me even in my past life.”

“What about the estate guards? Why are they so indifferent" Draxis questions

Rolling his eyes, Joshua chuckles. “They were hired by the overseers and directly answer to them,I don’t know why though. They’re not exactly bad at their jobs, but the quality of their training varies. Some are a lot stronger and take the job way more seriously. Changing the standards of training soldiers made it to where we have more men to deal with the increasing population of both people and monsters.”

“That much hasn’t seemed to change over 700 years.” Draxis sarcastically snickers.

Letting out a small laugh Draxis’s comment, they make their way out of the guard post and through the forest leading to the ceremonial cavern. Stationed in front of it is an entire lance. The five knights bow their heads and place their dominant arms over their hearts as the head knight wearing a red capelet guides Joshua inside.

Now in the cavern, the knight drops to a knee before Joshua. “Young master Joshua, please take care, we wanted to let you know that you also have the support of the knighthood.” Joshua’s eyes widen at the blatant support. Stepping back, he lowers his head in thanks. “Thank you Kiels.” The knight, eyes closed, accepts his thanks before returning to his feet and taking his exit.

Stepping further into the cavern, Joshua struggles to look around. This time, the cavern is pitch black, all the lights from the previous night have been snuffed out. “They weren’t like this yesterday, kid. Care to explain?” Draxis questions.

“Tradition states that during the naming ceremony the only light aloud is that of one’s own aura. Last time I had to be led down by one of the knights with aura since I couldn't manifest my own.”

Joshua pauses as he closes his eyes. He begins circulating the aura throughout his body as a red glow lights up around him, illuminating the pathway he was in. His eyes glow a dark red and his blade, still sheathed, gives off a faint humming sound.

“Let’s get going master.” Joshua begins the journey down not missing a single pathway and gets to the ceremonial chamber in record time. Much faster than the night prior.

Stepping out into the opening, everyone else gathers in front of the dragon statue and the massive basin underneath. The glow from its eyes were more pronounced in the darkness as the golden outlines of the black stone structures trace and illuminate the century old artifact.

“Take a deep breath Joshua, one thing at a time. You’ve got this. Even if you fail, you’ve still earned your place in the clan.” With a deep inhale and exhale, Joshua’s chest relaxes as his gaze is drawn to his titanous father; dressed in his combat garbs rather than his professional one. Instead of his large overcoat, his arms are exposed. The muscles hidden underneath and his callused hands that are usually underneath gloves flex underneath the black and red vest with metal plating on its chest.