In the final battle following the Great Fragmentation, she managed to slaughter many of us before the Champion himself finally slew that demon. Were it not for him, we’d likely have lost the war then and there. Because there was no one else who could have possibly killed that monster.

  -Classified Excerpt from “Man and Elves: History of the Perpetual Conflict”

  Anila’s fighting style had completely changed. When she’d been using her Wind affinity, she’d been calm, meticulous, calculating, and controlling. Now that she’d switched to her Inverted affinity, she’d become far more aggressive, savage, almost primal in the way she fought with her black flames.

  As Arawn was sent flying back from another flame coated punch, Anila appeared beside him, slamming her fist into his face and slamming him to the ground just as he’d done to her earlier. Only after landing the first punch, Anila reared back that same fist and slammed it back down onto him.

  She repeated this maneuver.

  Again, and again.

  Each punch bloodied and burned Arawn’s face and caused the crater that had formed from the first hit to grow larger and larger. Just as Arawn had been about to lose consciousness, his scimitar suddenly let out a torrent of lightning.

  Anila was briefly paralyzed as her body spasmed and locked up from the electric charges running through her body. Arawn took the opening to slash at her, but she countered with her own burst of flames to send him sliding back.

  She grit her teeth as she regained control of her body. Arawn stood on shaky feet, the damage to his skull and face mending after using a Lightning affinity healing Art. He grimaced as the wounds healed, and Anila took pleasure in how uncomfortable the sensation must have been for him.

  She cracked her knuckles as she began to cast an Art, “Embers of resentment...”

  Arawn’s eyes widened and he quickly shot another bolt of lightning her way to interrupt her Invocation. Anila sidestepped the bolt and jumped back, continuing her casting, “burst to life and consume my enemies…”

  He charged at her, closing the distance with Lightning enhanced speed and furiously slashing at her, trying to inflict damage. Arawn became startled as, not only was Anila managing to dodge him, but she was continuing her chant as she moved about.

  “Burn them with the fires of hatred!” she continued.

  Arawn managed to inflict several cuts, but was alarmed to find Anila was able to keep up her Invocation, the Ether around her continuing to build despite minor disruptions his blade caused. He couldn’t help but marvel at her ability to focus through the pain and prevent her Art from being interrupted.

  “Leave not even their ashes to sully the ground they profane with their steps!” Anila finished as she suddenly closed in on Arawn and placed both hands on his armored chest, “Vindannan Blaze!”

  As if a geyser went off, a pillar of dark flames erupted from her hands and consumed Arawn. The Shadow roared in agony as the flames burned him with almost palpable maliciousness. The explosive force of the fire sent him high into the air.

  Anila watched him go and took a deep breath. Her orange eyes began to turn green as her intense, wrathful expression returned to her mask of calm. The black flames coating her fists died down and green tinged winds began to pick up around her. The dark rage that had been unleashed when she tapped into the black flames was still present, but more manageable now that she’d switched affinities.

  She flew into the air, speeding past Arawn who was still on fire, and turning to slam a Tornado Sphere into his back.

  The burst of winds send the Shadow hurtling to the ground, the extra oxygen feeding the malicious flames, causing them to flare intensely before dying out.

  Anila extended one arm, forming a Wind Blade on that hand, and flying towards Arawn’s kneeling form. She slashed her Art at his neck, ready to end him.

  KLINK!

  Right before her Wind Blade could make contact, a clicking sound was heard, one that seemed almost deafening. The next moment, when Anila’s attack made contact, the Art came apart. The winds at her hand dispersed as though dispelled.

  What?! Anila’s eyes widened as she saw Arawn grin savagely, a sight that was especially gruesome given the burns on his face.

  Taking advantage of her stunned confusion, Arawn slashed at her neck. She’d barely managed to use her winds to move her body just enough so that the cut was inflicted on her horizontally across her chest instead. The cut was deep, cutting through her armor, and blood spilled and pooled across the ground as Anila flew back to gain some distance.

  Arawn didn’t press her, electing rather to cast a healing Art to heal his burns. Judging from the flames that sprouted to burn away his injuries, he’d switched back to his Fire affinity.

  Using flames to burn away burns? Ironic, Anila found herself thinking as she used an Invocationless healing Art to mend the deep cut to her chest. The wound began to visibly close, though it was after she cast the Art that she encountered another surprise.

  What’s this? There’s less Ether in my Capacity than there should be! Anila realized with widened eyes.

  Focusing her vision, she caught the vestiges of her Ether that should have still been within her, but had somehow been pulled out. She narrowed her eyes as the last wisps of that Ether were sucked into Arawn’s scimitar.

  Yet another surprise came as, with Anila now focusing on her vision, she saw the flow of Ether around Arawn had changed once more. Or rather, as she realized now, it had finished changing.

  “I see…” Anila glared.

  ***

  Aria’s heart had nearly stopped when she saw her mother nearly get cut down by Arawn. She’d tried to rush to Anila’s side, but the wind barrier still surrounding her had forcefully pushed her back. Stubborn as she was, she tried again and again, fueled by panic and worry. But the barrier didn’t budge.

  She saw her mother cracking her neck as her chest wound gradually healed. As she moved her head, Aria saw her subtly give her a look. Somehow, Aria knew what she wanted to tell her.

  “Everything is okay,” that look seemed to say while also adding, “now, keep quiet and pay attention.”

  Aria simply nodded in response.

  Anila returned her gaze to Arawn, “It seems the technology of the Dominion has advanced further than I initially thought.”

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  Arawn grinned widely, “Oh? So you’ve finally caught on?”

  “I don’t know how you’ve pulled it off, but that armor of yours has been adapting to my Arts, hasn’t it? That and…” Anila redirected her glare to Arawn’s scimitar, “that sword is also rather peculiar. When it cut me just now, I realized that each wound it inflicts saps Ether from my Capacity. And both it and that armor have their own stores of Ether… both of which are connected to your own Capacity, Arawn. From studying the flow of the power around you as we fought, I learned that your arsenal can somehow cast their own Arts, using either the Ether they have stored or pulling directly from you. Likewise, you can pull Ether from either your scimitar or armor to refill your own stores…”

  Arawn raised his brows, looking genuinely impressed, “I’m surprised you figured out that much.”

  His expression shifted, becoming more smug, “Though even that much is still not everything. You’re right, about all that you said. Both the armor and sword I wield are those that have been blessed with sentience by Lord Athanasius. They both possess awareness, and assist me in battle. Only those both highly ranked and who’ve proved their worthiness can earn the right to a Sentient Weapon and Armor. Being one of the Shadows of Athanasius, and one of the strongest, has naturally earned me that right.”

  He pointed his thumb at the jewel in the centerpiece of his chestplate, which was now faintly glowing orange, “The armor is especially amazing! Made of some of the toughest and most durable materials that can be found in both Axis Mundi or Branlyn, it is nigh indestructible as you’ve seen. But even more impressive than that is its spectacular ability to adapt to an enemy’s Ether.”

  Arawn spread his arms in a dramatic fashion, “When a foe strikes one wearing this armor with an Art, the armor begins to analyze that enemy’s Ether, gradually adapting over time. It takes but a single attack endured to begin the process, and any more Arts only speeds up the procedure. As the adaptation progresses, the wearer of the armor gains a gradually increasing resistance to their foe’s Ether. Until, finally-”

  “The wearer becomes complete immune to his enemy’s Arts,” Anila finished, “with the adaptation complete, the armor negates any Arts thrown against it.”

  “That is right, Anila Tufani!” Arawn snickered, “surely you realize you have now lost! Nothing you do will harm me!”

  Anila gave Arawn a knowing smile that made him pause, “If that’s the case, then why is the jewel in your armor glowing orange? Is it not still adapting, only now to my flames?”

  Arawn didn’t answer as she continued, “Also, I noticed you lied about something earlier, ashborn. You said your armor adapts to an enemy’s Ether, but that is only partially true, isn’t it? If that armor truly could outright negate my Ether, then I would have died the moment you inflicted that deep cut earlier. Only, the flow of my Ether is unaffected. And you specifically mentioned that the adaptation begins with an Art, no? And Arts innately have an elemental affinity.”

  Anila smiled coldly, “Then isn’t the truth that your armor adapts to elemental Ether, rather than Ether in its totality? Also, I can’t begin to imagine the amount of information that armor must be processing to adapt. There must be a limit to how much it can store. Especially considering how each and every Etherean has their own unique Ether signature. Perhaps it can adapt to one person’s elemental affinities. But what about two or three people?”

  Arawn looked shocked for a moment, but then began to chuckle, “Again, I’m surprised you figured out that much. You truly are dangerous, Anila Tufani. But what does it matter that the armor can only adapt to elemental Ether? I’ve already adapted to your Wind affinity. Half of your arsenal has been stripped from you! And judging from the way you had to use an Invocation to cast your Fire Art, Wind is the element you’re more experienced with!”

  Now Arawn barked an arrogant laugh, “Haven’t you wondered why I’ve been such a blabbermouth? Why I bother to exchange barbs with you? I’ve merely been buying time for my armor to adapt to your affinities. I’m now immune to your Wind, and it’s only a matter of time until I adapt to your Inverted Fire affinity as well!”

  Aria silently took in all this information, her fear of the Dominion’s technology blossoming further and further as she listened to the conversation. She did her best to burn what she learned into her mind. She began to sweat, wondering just how her mother was going to overcome Arawn now.

  “My winds are useless now?” Anila asked, seemingly refuting Arawn and rebuking Aria’s doubts, “we’ll see about that. All I need to do is kill you before your armor finishes adapting to my Inverted affinity, Shadow. And even if it does…”

  Anila disappeared in a burst of speed, appearing behind Arawn back to back, whose eyes widened in surprise.

  “I’m still stronger than you with just base Ether enhancements, hume. That alone is more than enough for me to kill you!” Anila declared as her eyes turned orange, dark flames beginning to emanate from her body.

  She abruptly turned and struck at Arawn with a flame coated fist, but the hume managed to block the blow with an armored gauntlet as he slid back a bit from the force. Having regained his cool, Arawn smiled confidently, “Maybe so. I admit that in terms of purely physical Ether empowerment, you surpass me by far. However, there was another reason I was buying time that I neglected to mention.”

  Two dark armored figures leaped from the shadows and attacked Anila.

  She’d sensed them coming, however, and had managed to dodge them both before creating some distance. The two figures, Shadows from the looks of them, stopped at Arawn’s sides.

  Aria gulped, concern for her mother’s safety skyrocketing at this development.

  Arawn spread his arms in a mocking manner, “I was also buying time for reinforcements. I’m afraid this isn’t a one on one battle anymore. Now it’s three versus one!”

  All three Shadows charged for Anila.

  ***

  “The slaves in the Second Circle of Ignis have turned on their owners.”

  Galen’s blood ran cold once Redian’s words sank in. Almost as though to confirm the Sentient Weapon’s statement, a distant explosion could be heard, one in the opposite direction of the titanic battle that had been taking place in the Second so far.

  He turned to Milton, who was busy giving out orders. The sight was odd to Galen, as the scribe’s manner seemed completely different. He commanded people as though it were completely natural to him, and spoke with the assumption that those he ordered would do exactly as they’re told. It was completely different to the meek demeanor usually seen from him.

  Milton locked eyes with Galen.

  The scribe marched over to him, “I need you to stick close with us, Champion.”

  Galen sighed. Demanding to be informed of the situation hadn’t worked thus far. With that in mind, he instead tried pleading, “Milton, it’s obvious that something bad is happening. Would you just please tell me what’s going on? If I have a better idea of the situation, then I might be more inclined to follow along rather than resist you.”

  Milton paused, as though debating how much to tell him. Finally, he sighed, “There’s been an attack. One of the knife ears has attacked a high ranking member of the Dominion.”

  Galen gestured towards the sounds of colossal battle, “I’m guessing that’s what you’re referring to?”

  The scribe hesitantly nodded, “Correct.”

  “Anything else?”

  Milton said nothing.

  He pinched the bridge of his nose, “Milton, I know there’s more to it! If it was just that, then we’d be safe out here, wouldn’t we? So what else is going on?”

  The scribe’s shoulders fell a bit, seemingly in defeat, “Very astute, Champion. Very well. I’d just been informed that many of our… slaves… have revolted.”

  Gee, I wonder why? Galen thought sarcastically, though he remained silent. He didn’t want to get into an argument over the matter right now considering what was going on.

  Milton continued, “It started in the Second, but has spread to the First.”

  Now THAT was news to Galen, “Are you serious?”

  Milton nodded, “Very.”

  “And here outside of Ignis?”

  “I’ve heard nothing yet, Champion. And even if there were similar incidents occurring outside, the slaves the Dominion keeps outside of Ignis work quite a ways from here. Even should some of them make their way here, the guards will protect you. We shall keep you safe. I give you my word.”

  Galen felt conflicted at everything going on. On one hand, it was reassuring to know he was being protected. On the other, he sincerely hoped no elves made their way here. He didn’t know how he’d react to seeing them get cut down, as he highly doubted his guards would be very merciful in such a scenario.

  He could understand why exactly the slaves were rebelling. He still doubted Milton’s assurances that the Dominion treated their slaves well, and that belief was validated considering how those very same slaves were now turning on their masters.

  He put a hand on Redian, and when Milton wasn’t looking, he also patted the firearm he still had concealed under his clothes. Galen had a feeling he had to be ready for something, though he didn’t know what exactly. If there was one thing for certain, it was that he wasn’t looking forward to the aftermath of all this.

  How many are going to die because of what happens today?

  A huge thank you and special shoutout to my Myth Keeper tier Patron, Mountain Knight, and Lore Master tier Patron, Conman2731. Your support is sincerely and greatly appreciated.

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