Both men were standing merely a few meters from one another, Changing Star, as well as Gunlaug had already distanced themselves a bit, to give them enough space. Changing Star would also be responsible for starting the match.
Ray was standing there, with Stormpiercer still resting on his shoulder, as he looked over to his adversary.
The castle guard's leader had summoned a huge, heavy mace, and was looking ready for carnage, it seemed.
Bringing his halberd somewhat in position, Ray couldn't help, but sigh once, threw a look towards the crowd of people, and then let his thoughts wander for a second, since this fight would have a start signal, anyway.
'I need to make it clear that I'm no pushover, especially with the things still planned. ...i guess I really need to step into the evil dictator rule, then… at least, for the public eye.'
A few seconds later, Changing Star looked at each of them, silently asking, if they were ready, to which, both of them nodded.
"This fight starts… now!"
The moment she announced the beginning, the two men jumped into action.
Keeping his halberd at his side, Ray used his superior strength to quickly bridge the gap, even surprising Tessai in the process, due to his speed.
The giant retaliated with a swing of his mace, while his skin began to turn somewhat bluish, with light frosty steam being emitted by it.
Ray did not dodge, but simply phased through the attack, using the opening for the first real attack of the fight, by thrusting his weapon directly towards Tessai's throat…
Only for it to merely leave a minimal hole in the spot pierced by the spear tip.
Seeing his attack had no effect, Ray rolled his eyes, while activating his ability once more, and dodging to the side.
Moments later, the mace came already crushing down, where he had just stood, nearly completely destroying the marble floor beneath.
'Guess I should actually try…'
After seeing Tessai's aspect in action, for once, Ray lightly changed his approach. Such upfront attacks would only prove meaningless, he would either need momentum, or the third stage to end this fight cleanly.
Tessai didn't give him any more time to think about it, though. The giant had surprisingly, quite high agility, and, this time, went on the offensive, himself.
Swing after swing, of his mace was directed at Ray's head, torso, arms, sometimes even his legs, the attacked did not use his ability this time, simply dodging with as fluid motions as possible.
If the attack came from Tessai's right, Ray would either move below it, getting behind the icy giant, or would simply step back, getting just barely out of range.
For the spectators, it looked as if one of them was fiercely fighting, trying to kill his adversary with every fiber of his being, while the other had nothing better to do, than… dancing?
Nevertheless, Ray's tactic had a different effect compared to what he had envisioned; Tessai was getting more angry by the second.
"Stop evading, Bastard! Didn't you want to prove your strength to everyone?!" he bellowed.
At the same time, Tessai wondered, how Ray had still not been slowed down, by his aspect ability. The giant had apparently not even realized that his adversary was constantly phasing parts of his body out of existence, which nearly completely negated the slowing effect.
But, he had indeed been dodging long enough, Stormpiercer was ready.
Evading one last attack, directed at his neck, Ray then went on, to suddenly bash his foot directly into Tessai's mid-section, knocking the air out of the giant.
He used the recoil of the attack, distanced himself just enough, before he steadied his stance, leaning down slightly, and then flapping his wings, just once.
The moment he did, Ray was catapulted forward, and in front of Tessai, bashing into him with his shoulder, knocking him back just enough to finish his attack, by using the last of his momentum for one swing with his halberd.
This was also the last swing of the fight, as Tessai's head shortly after, already hit the ground, his neck cleanly severed. His body, meanwhile, stood for a moment longer, before also falling to the ground.
The once feared giant, Tessai, was dead.
And the one responsible, looked as fresh as if he had just taken a leisurely stroll.
Gasps could be heard all around the hall, especially from the castle guards, since they had just lost their fearsome leader, who was the main reason for their often portrayed arrogance.
Being still the only one in the middle of the hall, Ray only gave Tessai one last glance, before shaking his head in slight regret, before his eyes cleared, and showed determination, once again.
He had decided to take this path; now he needed to see it through till the end.
Then, as if his win wasn't enough, Ray proceeded to use the end of his halberd to further showcase Tessai's severed head.
While the blood was flowing down the weapon of steel, its wielder simply walked over to the currently empty throne, and sat himself down. When he did so, two people stepped forward, before kneeling in front of the dais, leading to the throne.
Gunlaug, and… Henry.
This motion was soon followed by the rest of the lieutenants, before eventually most members of the host joined in. The people from the settlement, seemed torn between what to do, and directed their gazes towards their leader, Changing Star, who was still standing, apparently also conflicted.
Eventually, though, Ray made a simply hand gesture towards the steps on the dais, to seemingly invite her over, which she then followed.
In the end, she took a similar seat to how Harus had been sitting here, before her own fight.
Seeing even their own radiant leader 'give in', the other settlement dwellers followed suit.
With this sight in front of him, Ray appeared satisfied, and then stood up again, addressing everyone properly, for the first time.
"Alright, listen up, everyone. I may be the new bright lord, but don't think for a second that I want to remain as that for any longer, than necessary.
I will say it once, and that shall be enough; we will return to our own world. We will leave behind this damned hell that has kept most of us prisoner for far too long, already.
Soon, very soon, we will do what the second lord had been to weak to accomplish; we will lay siege on the crimson spire, and we will conquer it! Everyone knows; that place is the only way to leave this place behind, therefore it is also the one place holding actual relevance to all of us.
You have been captives of your own fear long enough!"
After his speech, Ray turned around, and already began walking towards the staircase behind the throne, but stopped for a moment, having forgotten something.
Turning towards the crowd once more, "Besides Changing Star, her cohort, as well as all lieutenants, you can go now. Tomorrow, at noon, come here again. That, will be all."
Having added this, Ray continued walking out of the room, and when he was down, he dismissed his armor's helmet, crouched down, and just hid his face behind his hands, in embarrassment.
He remained in that position for a solid minute, until eventually Henry came walking down, after him, and tapped him on the shoulder, to signal that most people were gone, and that they were waiting for him.
So, he stood up, put on another facade, and went up again, though, not without saying one more thing, "Dude, I never thought it would feel so weird. Maybe, I should've just let her do it…"
His pale friend, stopped walking up the stairs, after hearing this. Ray noticed it a moment later, and also stopped, before turning to him.
"I am only gonna say this once; what you did may by hypocritical, but it saved the lives of hundreds, if what you told me is right. So, you can keep your head up, my friend. You're not alone, and you don't need to do everything, on your own."
Ray's face softened for a moment, "Thanks. Well, lets take care of this first, then."
After that, both continued upward again, eventually coming out from behind the throne, before they went over to where the others were still waiting, thankfully, not in the same kneeling position, as before.
"Does everybody want to stand, or will someone get some chairs?" Ray asked, as he noticed them just standing awkwardly before the dais, in a completely different demeanor, compared to before, when there was still a crowd of hundreds of people there.
As if answering his question, Seishan, the leader of the handmaidens, just clapped her hands once, following which, the doors to the throne room opened, and multiple handmaidens walked in, carrying a long table, and some chairs.
If those were normally used for any conference was doubtful, but it was definitely better, compared to everyone standing around, while still being apprehensive of each other.
While the tables were getting set up, Ray wanted to take care of one other thing, beforehand.
And therefore, went over to Effie, who was still glaring accusingly at him, and Henry.
Still without his helmet, he stood before her, "I'm sorry, okay? This was something I needed to take care off. Nevertheless, I understand your anger, so… release your anger, if that will make it better."
Not even a full second, after he had said that, was Effie already in motion, giving him a heavy hook, straight at the left face half.
He did not dodge, nor activate his ability. Therefore, when it connected, and a loud crack could be heard, he staggered to the side for a bit, before catching himself again.
The two transformations had done wonders, for his endurance, and would continue with it, if his assumptions would prove right.
While he was recovering from the hit, Effie was holding her right hand in pain, even going as far gritting her teeth, before eventually grunting out, what she was thinking, "Damn! What is your fucking head made of?!"
Ray winced in embarrassment for a second, something unseen by most of them. He hadn't known how strong his bones were, and apparently still underestimated them.
Due to the loud crack, Nephis went over and checked her hand, and indeed, it was partly broken. The silver-haired, young woman did not hesitate, and quickly healed her comrade, before a short silence ensued again.
The silence was eventually ended, when the handmaidens were finished, though, before they all orderly left the grand hall again.
Wanting to get the awkwardness over, as soon as possible, Ray quickly took place, on one end of the table, while Nephis took place on the other end.
Flanking him, were Gunlaug on his left, and Henry, on his right. Begrudgingly, Gemma and Kido took place on Gunlaug's table half, while Seishan seated herself next to Henry. Harus, meanwhile, opted to stand behind Gunlaug, instead.
Something, everyone was thankful for, Gunlaug had dismissed his golden mask, stopping most of the mind attack, his armor was giving off passively.
On the other end of the table, Nephis was flanked by Cassie, and Caster. With Kai, and Effie being seated on their legacy's side, and Sunny sitting next to their blind seer.
Sitting their in awkward silence again, with all eyes directed at him, Ray thought for a moment, before finally speaking, "Alright. First of all, we will need to remain on the forgotten shore, for a few more months…"
-x-
I know the pace is dropping again, but this part is important, so... pls bear with it ;)