Elysvarre, Northern Square
Night fourteen after the Anathema
The sky was gray, the atmosphere tense like before a storm.
Fitran stood in the deserted square, abandoned by the people; the security candles had been extinguished, and the torches were now merely charred remnants of light. The air was thick with an unnatural magical pressure, as a foreboding dark aura gathered around him, as if the fate of the entire world hinged on this moment. Each heartbeat felt like a compulsion to rise against the impending threat, a monolithic challenge looming in the shadowy depths of the fog.
From the thick fog, heavy footsteps echoed.
Arbiter Voluntatis emerged from the darkness.
Twice the height of an ordinary man, its body was clad in black and deep purple steel. Its face was hidden behind a flat mask intricately carved with ancient glyphs of will. Every scratch on its armor seemed to radiate a long-suppressed power, ready to be unleashed by its bearer. The darkness appeared to hold no significance for this being; only sovereignty flowed from its every movement.
In his left hand, a scroll of Pactum concepts.
In his right, a long obsidian spear that trembled the ground with every thrust. The spear glimmered as it caught the dim light of the night, signaling a terrible threat to anyone daring to challenge him. In a world where magic serves as a guide, the Arbiter is a manifestation of strong and unyielding desires, embodying the raw power capable of altering fate and redefining existence itself. This being was not just an adversary but a harbinger of choices that could reshape the very essence of their reality.
"Fitran Fate."
"You have disrupted the balance of the world's will."
"I am not sent to fight. But to adjudicate."
The voice of the Arbiter resonated in Fitran's mind, not in the air. It was a voice brimming with authority, creating a resonance within his soul that compelled him to reconsider his choices. Yet, his desire to protect his people and himself gifted him with unwavering courage in this situation.
Fitran drew Excalibur with determination.
"I have already been judged by my own will. I will not submit to a will that is not my choice." Heat surged in his blood as he focused all his intention and resolve into the legendary blade, ready to carve his own destiny with sharpness and grace.
He stepped forward.
But the Arbiter raised his hand.
"As it is established: the arbiter does not initiate the battle. But if you choose to fight... then justice will turn into judgment." The words echoed in the darkness, binding Fitran to a difficult choice. In such a tense moment, every option felt like magic, and each decision shaped a will that could alter the world.
Fitran did not hesitate.
"I, Fitran Fate of Elysvarre, choose to fight."
The arbiter swung his spear. The air split apart with a wave of deep purple magic. The emanation from the attack felt like a threatening surge of energy, shifting the balance of space and time as the magic approached Fitran, compelling him to find a way to defend himself.
Fitran jumped to the side and raised his left hand. With sharp focus, he gathered magical energy within himself, feeling the torrent of magic flow vigorously, like a roaring river. Every grain of energy blazed in his heart, waiting to be unleashed upon the world.
"Magic Circle: Fire Bolt!"
Four fireballs shot forward with great speed. Each ball radiated as if filled with the fighting spirit, symbolizing Fitran's anger and determination to defend his beliefs. The flames, burning with high intensity, created a deafening roar as they traversed the air.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The flames struck Arbiter's chest with a jolt of power, but the conceptual magic within his armor absorbed much of the assault. As the flames subsided, the Arbiter merely smirked, as if belittling Fitran's bold efforts, an audacious demonstration of his apparent superiority. "Ordinary magic is not enough," he declared, encapsulating the gravity of this intense conflict, underscoring the chasm between their powers.
Fitran was already aware of this weakness. Yet, this battle was not solely about strength; it was about the will to fight as a human, rather than just an abstract symbol. In his heart, Fitran was determined to prove that true courage does not lie solely in strength, but in the steadfastness to stand firm even against seemingly insurmountable foes.
"Wind Slash!"
The sharp wind sliced through the fog, creating a breach in Arbiter's defenses. This force of wind served not only as a means of attack but also symbolized Fitran's resolve, reminding the world that he would not back down. The howling wind seemed to bolster every strike he launched, providing additional strength to breach the enemy's defenses and instill hope in the face of apparent helplessness, a rising tide against despair that sought to overwhelm him.
However, the creature turned, sweeping with its spear. Fitran was hurled backward, crashing against a stone pillar, his shoulder aching. Yet, within that pain, he discovered enlightenment: that magic and strength do not solely originate from physical prowess, but also from a burning desire to continue fighting, which manifested in his wish to protect what he loved.
The Arbiter thrusts his spear into the ground, and the moment feels electrifying, as if the entire world has paused to witness the clash of two wills. Amidst the mounting tension, Fitran realizes that this is more than just a physical battle; it is a test of spirit and courage to uphold the convictions he holds dear.
"Voluntatem Weight."
(Weight of Will.)
A glyph circle appeared at Fitran's feet, and magical gravity crushed his body, like shackles challenging the freedom of his soul. Streams of magical energy radiated around him, casting silhouettes of despair amid the uneven fight; yet Fitran's steadfast heart blazed like an unquenchable ember, facing overwhelming pressure with indomitable spirit.
But Fitran smiles.
"I have faced this magic before during the Celestial War."
He stomps his foot, and with each impact, energy flows through his body, connecting his will to the very nature surrounding him. As if the earth were answering his call, he summons the latent power within him, ready to defy the encroaching fate.
"Mana Reinforcement: Leg Boost."
His body shone blue. He broke the bonds of gravity with physical strength amplified by fundamental magic, each muscle vibrating like the string of a musical instrument struck with fervor. In an instant, the weight pressing down on him dissipated, and he surged forward with astonishing speed. His heartbeat became a war drum, rhythmically preparing him to face an opponent who seemed almost impossible to defeat.
The Arbiter looked surprised—though his mask remained expressionless.
"Humans should not be able to escape the laws of concepts."
Fitran replied firmly. In his voice echoed all the battles he had fought, all the decisions he had made in his quest for power.
"I am not just human. I am the will that chooses to resist."
He raised his hand, as if challenging space and time. His energy pulsed, flowing like an infinite river. With every word spoken, magic seemed to bolster him, creating an aura of courage that enveloped his form.
"Fire Lance!"
A massive fire spear formed and was hurled directly at Arbiter's chest. Flames engulfed the air, searing with intense heat, while the obsidian armor reflected light in an intimidating darkness. Fitran could feel the vibrations of magical energy coursing through him, creating a mix of bravery and savagery as he embraced the power bestowed upon him.
Boom!
The obsidian armor cracked for the first time. A thunderous sound shook the arena, signaling a temporary breach of the laws of nature. Fitran's will rose deep within his heart as he felt every corridor of energy eroding the speed of time around him. This opportunity became hope, a chance to thwart such a colossal threat.
Arbiter took a step back, revealing that he had been struck by Fitran's unexpected assault, though the creature's resolve seemed unshaken.
"You force judgment into the second stage."
The spear glimmered as the ancient Glyph of Will transformed into a deep golden hue. A powerful surge of magical energy loomed over the battlefield, compelling every living being to reflect on their purpose and existence as the Arbiter's power began to transcend previously unimaginable limits. It felt as if all natural elements were responding and coiling under the command of this overwhelming concept of will.
"Judicium Severus."
(Heavy Judgment.)
A wave of will energy swept across the square, carrying a destructive force strong enough to unsettle Fitran's resilience. He felt himself tossed amid a storm of energy, however, the meditative blend of magical incantations and his unwavering desire ignited a spark of enlightenment within him, preparing him to face the oncoming storm with unwavering resolve and indomitable spirit.
Fitran swung Excalibur.
"Blade Guard!" Steadily, Fitran pronounced the incantation, summoning a white light that formed a shield before him, ready to confront the impending assault.
The white light created a shield in front of him. The clash of concepts struck him with violent force, causing the stone floor to fracture, and Fitran felt a surge of energy flow through the shield, not only strengthening it but also revitalizing him amidst the chaotic maelstrom of magic. He whispered the incantation in his heart, channeling all his rage and hope into his weapon, creating a conduit of will and determination.
Yet, Fitran remained steadfast.
He leaped forward.
"Wind Step!"
In an instant, he appeared by Arbiter's side. His astounding speed, combined with the wind power granted by his magic, made him an invisible shadow in this battle. Arbiter had no time to respond, trapped in the cacophony of wills flowing around them.
"Mana Blade: Crescent Slash!"
The crescent-shaped slash cut through Arbiter's arm, causing his spear to fall. Once again, metal produced a sharp clang that echoed, channeling magical energy through the blade as it harmed his opponent. Each movement encapsulated Fitran's emotions, as he felt a surge of courage merging with his despair.
The resounding sound of metal echoed.
Arbiter took a step back, revealing that he was staggered by the unexpected attack, though the creature's resolve seemed unshakable.
"Your will is stronger than predicted," Arbiter acknowledged, his tone hinting at respect even as he sought to maintain control over the situation.
Fitran stood tall, breathing heavily. He struggled with exhaustion but possessed unwavering determination. In his eyes shimmered a glimmer of hope and disgust, rising against the seemingly insurmountable power. He thought to himself, "I am the embodiment of desire and will. Today, I choose not to yield."
"I will not yield because I am an ordinary human who chooses, not a being waiting to be saved."
But before Fitran could launch his final attack, Arbiter leapt back into the mist. In the eerie silence, the fog enveloped everything like a shroud of mystery, symbolizing that this battle was not over and its threats still lurked. The sound of his footsteps gradually faded, yet his energy still reverberated in the air, creating an unsettling sensation for Fitran.
"I will return with the highest will. This is not the end."
The fog closed in on the square.
Fitran stood in the midst of the ruins, his hand still gripping the faintly glowing Excalibur. Its light flickered like hope preserved in the depths of darkness, a beacon that embodied his resolve. Despite being in a desperate situation, Fitran's heart was filled with indomitable strength and courage that refused to let him retreat, as if an ancient magic flowed within him, binding him to a greater fate yet to be revealed, waiting to be grasped and fulfilled.
From afar, footsteps echoed louder, resonating among the ruins and creating a rhythm that seemed to be part of an unfinished battle symphony.
Sheena ran towards him, her face filled with concern. As she approached Fitran, the magical aura surrounding them trembled, sending waves of energy that touched their souls. This confrontation was not merely a physical clash but a battle of wills—a struggle between light and darkness that tested the limits of each individual in their search for identity.
"Fitran!"
Fitran lowered his stance and embraced her with one arm. In his embrace, there was an unwavering assurance, a promise to protect Sheena from the looming threats. He knew that behind them, dark shadows waited to take over everything.
"They have revealed their ultimate weapon, and I have chosen not to retreat." Fitran's voice was filled with determination, like a chant that summoned inner strength. Each word he spoke, though labored, carried a magical presence that flowed through his veins, reinforcing the decision he had made.
Above them, the clouds began to swirl—a sign that a greater conflict was imminent. In the darkness, the breath of ancient creatures could be felt closing in, ready to alter the world's fate. Each magical explosion that struck the sky created a blinding light, signaling that this battle had only just begun and their will would be tested in ways they had never imagined before.