It has been approximately 20 days since they first came into contact inside this space. Thierus Il Zikmel and Eligret have been visiting Thalamik and Momoka's private room every day since then. It was quite a challenge to navigate Thalamik's generally cynical behavior; however, given how genuine Thierus actually is, all parties eventually warmed up to each other.
Eligret and Momoka would usually bicker during their training, also comparing which of them was stronger. Well, Eligret isn't the type to begin slapstick fights, so it was always Momoka who started them.
Meanwhile, their masters found something in common: they both liked fishing. Of course, Thalamik isn't well-versed in fishing, but he likes the idea of it since you can do it semi-idly while relaxing. Thierus likes fishing because it's something he can do even when alone. Due to his righteous nature, he doesn't fit well with the other elves, especially those from the Zikmel family.
Currently, the four are situated by a river near Thalamik and Momoka's private room. It is covered with trees and is a perfect place to find shade.
"Thank you, Thierus." Abruptly, Thalamik's voice reached Thierus.
He looked at him with a surprised expression. "What was that about? Something on your mind?" Thierus made a confused face, his eyes slightly widened.
"I figured thanks were in order. If it weren't for you, maybe I would still be drowning in guilt for what has happened. I haven't done these kinds of activities in a while. It really helps," Thalamik said with a sincere tone.
"Compared to the things you have done for the rest of us, it's just a small thing." Thierus shook his head knowingly. "Yes, you have committed questionable things, but nobody is perfect, right?" He stretched his hands wide. "Let's say you do this much good, then you make a teeny-weeny mistake." He made a gesture with his fingers.
"Does that erase the good you have done?" Thierus asked.
"Of course not. But that way of thinking is too idealistic." Thalamik looked away with a smirk.
"You could say that again. I've experienced it firsthand," Thierus uttered, scratching his head.
"I never took you for a warm person like this. I thought you were the most reserved among Cobalt, Istar, and Oryba."
"I suppose it's because I am in a different kind of situation right now. I feel I need to be more honest with myself, so I am acting on my feelings more rather than thinking about them too much."
"I guess everyone who enters this place becomes more impulsive—including me."
They both stared at the river flowing ever so calmly.
It has been almost 7 months since they were trapped here.
"What did you and Cobalt do? I heard from Istar that you four tried to find another way."
Thierus looked surprised at Thalamik. He stared with a serious face. "How much did Istar tell you?"
"She only told me that you guys never found another way."
"I see. Well, that's about it. As you might have guessed, this was orchestrated by Blastar to cull the best of the best to be his wielder. Of course, what the Sword of Darkness had in mind was to conduct a murder game."
Thalamik put his palm on his face. "This couldn't get any worse, could it?"
"It does. Apparently, the urgency behind it is because Blastar has a prediction about the future."
"What kind of prediction?"
"That in the near future, if the person wielding it isn't as powerful as he hopes, our civilization will be destroyed at the hands of the Demon Kings."
Thalamik noticed something odd in the statement. "Hold on. Demon Kings? Not Demon King?"
"That is part of the mystery. We aren't sure who it refers to. But if there's another force like the Demon King Ars, then it would certainly be of great danger."
But that raised a new question for Thalamik. How on earth does an Artifact possess something like that? What exactly is the power of Blastar, the Sword of Darkness?
"How can Blastar manage to know all of this? Or even predict it?"
"Blastar explained that the reason he can do many things is because he is able to inherit abilities from his past users to some degree. He is also able to manifest them as 'ghosts,' which you have seen with Nemain and the Driver."
"So everything here was a reconstruction made out of real people? No wonder it feels all too real."
"Yes. So whoever inherits Blastar will definitely get a great deal of power boost. Hopefully, it can even help match the wielder to Raymed."
Thalamik instinctively smiled at the remark. "To even aim to keep up with him is impossible. Despite his poor control over mana, his growth rate is incomparable," he said, followed by a giggle.
***
"ACHOOO!!" Raymed sneezed.
"MED! Are you okay? That was an awfully loud sneeze!" Kourin put her arms around Raymed, hugging him.
"It's okay. Maybe Thalamik is talking badly about me." He rubbed his nose.
"Is that so? Why didn't you suspect Carmilla?"
Raymed looked confused. "That girl would never! Only that guy would!"
***
After visiting Thalamik's private room, Thierus left together with Eligret, walking out of the forest. "I really hoped we could talk more, but there's no choice but to do this. This is the least we can do to help them."
"Are you sure you are okay with this, Eligret?"
"Master, if there's one thing I learned and aspire to from you, it is your undying loyalty to your principles. As your one and only student, I will follow you even to death—no, even after death."
Thierus looked at Eligret with a solemn expression. "I really wish we could have found another way to get out of this. I am sorry—you deserved better."
Then a person wearing black armor arrived. His face was covered with a hood, as red fiery traces of mana could be seen emitting from his eyes. "It's time, Thierus," he said, taking out a black sword with two blue gems at its center.
"The person who will save our world will be the one to save it from the Demon Kings. Yet a name was already designated to inherit the power of the Sword of Darkness. That's what Blastar said to us that day."
Thierus took a deep breath and smiled. "It has been an honor to be friends with you, Cobalt Il Degurathon. Please make sure Thalamik wins this rigged game. He is our only hope."
Cobalt wiped blood off his blade before taking a deep breath. "Sorry, but there has been a change of plans. I won't do such a thing anymore."
***
The dreaded day finally came.
Ever since the last visit 10 days ago, Thierus had not returned. Thalamik guessed it was probably because Thierus didn't want to make things too awkward when they met at the arena.
[Your next opponent is Thierus The Gallant and his mentee Eligret.]
[Final Stage is about to begin. Please use this transport function to move yourself to the colosseum, where a 2 on 2 duel will begin. You can review the rules here in the wilderness, but you can also choose to review them on the way to the colosseum.]
Nemain, the announcer in her witch-like outfit, appeared in front of Thalamik and Momoka once again.
"It's time to start Round 3!"
Nemain flicked her finger and their usual vehicle appeared.
Slowly, both Thalamik and Momoka entered the vehicle with anticipation.
They took their seats on the right side.
Soft but high-tension music played as the vehicle started driving.
Then, in a flash...
Nothing happened.
Thalamik looked at Momoka. "Shouldn't Thierus be here by now?"
"Is it possible that they were in a different car?"
"Mister Driver, where is the other competitor?"
"I am afraid I don't know the details. Once we arrive at the colosseum, you should ask Nemain," he said with a firm voice.
Arriving at the colosseum, the vehicle stopped.
This time, he didn't even bother to check the Artifact War rules. He went straight to Nemain and asked, "Where are Thierus and Eligret, my opponents?"
Nemain laughed and said, "Apparently, we are having technical difficulties. Please make your way to the arena first." Nodding at her response, Thalamik and Momoka were guided by Nemain toward a door, which opened to reveal an empty arena.
A system notification appeared.
[Your opponent Thierus The Gallant and Eligret is dead]
Thalamik's eyes widened. "Dead?"
"Master, what is the meaning of this?"
"It's all quite simple, really, Kaiser." A voice called out to them. An elf with white hair and a proud expression. "Someone killed both Thierus and Eligret before they even had the chance to fight you."
Thalamik turned to look at the speaker. "Isval Il Opache, what do you know about all this?"
"Hey, don't look at me. I might do stuff like this, but this just isn't my style, you know."
[Currently Counting The Total Players of Artifact War Final Stage]
[Finished Counting]
[Remaining Teams for Artifact War are 4 teams]
[Due to the new circumstances, applying extra rules]
[9. No more combat is allowed outside of the colosseum. Penalization will happen to those who do not abide by this new rule]
"You two are lucky, I guess. I was looking forward to killing you all behind your backs." Suddenly, a black-armored figure appeared between Isval and Thalamik.
"I see, so this was your doing, Cobalt. To think how far you have sunk."
[Leaderboard]
Isval Il Opache — 270 fragments
Thalamik — 267 fragments
Cobalt Il Degurathon — 262 fragments
Andreas — 200 fragments
[End]
"Cobalt, I never knew you were capable of this." Thalamik raised his aura as he made a finger sign. Instinctively, Momoka raised her kunai, ready to strike both Isval and Cobalt.
"You should, Kaiser. In the depths of hell, a person might change into someone completely different—just like our friend Cobalt here." Isval smiled as suddenly Linon, his mentee, appeared, readying her sword with a sadistic grin.
"Shut up," Cobalt said as his mentee Ritos appeared, clad in matching black armor. Both readied their weapons, their red-tinted magical energy flaring.
"YES. STOPPPPP RIGHTTTTTT THERE!"
Nemain appeared with a smile.
"Due to the unforeseen circumstances, we will be postponing the final stage and forbidding entry to the arena except on the scheduled date for the duel!"
Then, Cobalt, Thalamik, and Isval charged toward one another.
At that moment, all three of them thought the same thing.
The person who should win... IS ME!
"Boys certainly don't know when to behave," Nemain said before flicking her finger.
***
BRUK!
"What the hell? Where are we?" Thalamik said as he crashed onto a carpet.
"This is our private room, Master! Did that Nemain lady teleport us here?"
[You have been safely teleported to your private room]
[The Final Stage is postponed for 3 months]
"We need to train harder. At this point, we can no longer be concerned with what happens to the others. If we don't get Blastar, then someone else might be corrupted by that artifact and do unspeakable damage. I won't let that happen."
Momoka nodded. "Agreed. I'll do my best to follow your guidance and commands."