Realm of Monsters

Chapter 323: Standstill

Chapter 323: Standstill

The world had suddenly turned white. Strygs body felt numb. The grit of sand filled his mouth. He was on the ground, lying on his back. He couldnt move. His ears rang with a painful screech.

The sensation of pain was the first feeling that returned to him and it stretched all over his body. Votums final strike had destroyed all of his durability scales into nothing but yellow dust. He could feel warm blood flowing over his chest, but he couldnt tell from where.

He slowly glanced at his right hand. His fingers were covered in blood, still clenched around Nameless hilt. The swords blade extended out from the hilt a mere 4 inches in a jagged broken line. The remnants of Nameless were scattered in a slew of silver shards over the bloodied sand.

A painful cry escaped his lips.

Gian had gifted him Nameless, he had entrusted him with a forged sword of Gale, as was the custom for a child of Gale who had come of age. Gian had accepted him, despite his failures. Stryg couldnt save Clypeus, but Gian had accepted him as one of their own. And now the symbol of that acceptance lay broken in the sand.

His eyes burned, tears pooled at the corners.

...ger!! Use the dagger!! Sylvies voice echoed from the stands.

Dagger? Oh right

Stryg looked down at his leg. A short dagger was strapped to his thigh. Up to two weapons were allowed for each duelist. Sylvie had picked out the dagger, she thought it the best choice among the weapon racks. She had been upset when he had opted to not even draw it during his last duel.

With stiff fingers, Stryg drew the dagger from its sheath and stared at the plain steel. He had to admit, it had a clean, sharp edge. The blacksmith had done a quality job.

Now stand up and fight! Sylvie shouted. Dont give up! Fight!

Stryg laughed bitterly to himself, his ribs hurting with each breath he took. What could a simple dagger do against that

~~~

Votum shook with searing power, Unallas hand burned just from holding it. She let go of the hilt, but it was too late. Painful spasms wracked her body. She dropped to her knees and she coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Her vision faded at the edges, she struggled to stay conscious. The wave of pain gradually swept over her until all she was left with was a dull ache reverberating through her body.

Breathe, just breathe she thought to herself as she gulped down ragged breaths.

She had pushed herself too hard. Votum had allowed her to be its current wielder, but she was well aware she was not the swords true owner. It took all of her energy and focus to draw out a fragment of Votums power. This time she had drawn too much.

I didnt have a choice

Unalla rubbed her neck. Five bloody scratches curled around her throat. If she had been one second too slow the goblin would have torn out her throat with those unnervingly sharp claws.

Unalla stared grimly at the goblin lying on the sand in the distance. His swordsmanship was lacking, but the Gale Style was not. And his strength his innate strength coupled with the vigor magic was frightening.

She hated to admit but for a brief moment, he had overwhelmed her in close combat.

The blue goblin suddenly moaned in anguish. He dragged himself with his arms towards the remnants of his shattered sword.

But even a tribal runt can rise above the expectations of others, Stryg snapped the chains taut.

A multitude of ethereal chains exploded from the sand all around the arena and shot out towards its target, the grey collar around Unallas neck. In the blink of an eye the chains wrapped around the drows limbs. Her body stiffened to a halt and Votum slipped out of her fingers and dropped onto the ground with a heavy thud.

Stryg pushed himself to his feet and walked towards her, the ethereal manacle in one hand and the hilt of Nameless in the other.

Unalla desperately tried to move, but she couldnt twitch a finger. She couldnt breathe, she couldnt even call out to Votum. She tried summoning forth her Orange mana to burn through the chains, but her mana lay dormant in her heart, unresponsive.

The Standstill Curse takes a while to cast, I admit, Stryg said. It requires several casting locations, each building around the other until they have completely surrounded the primary target. However, once the focal sigil has been etched onto the primary target, then the cursed individual can do nothing to stop it.

He wasnt just running away!? Unalla thought, shocked.

Panic rose deep within her as she watched Stryg walk closer and closer until he was right in front of her.

I told you, didn't I? Stryg stared at her with cold lilac eyes. I hate the Noirs. I dont see why youre any different.

He flipped Nameless hilt into a reverse grip and stabbed the broken blade into her left shoulder. She moaned in agony. Tears streamed down her blue-grey cheeks, but her face stayed still, bereft of emotion.

Im not working with the Noirs or the Monster in the Dark, Stryg pulled out the sword.

Blood seeped out from her left shoulder and dripped over her frozen arm.

That doesnt mean a Noir gets to accuse me of what happened at Widow's Crag, Stryg snarled and stabbed Nameless into her right shoulder.

A sound like a wounded animal crying leaked out of Unallas lips. The veins around her face and neck bulged with pain, but still, her body did not move.

Stryg pulled Nameless out from her shoulder and pointed its broken bloodied edge over Unallas throat. He narrowed his eyes and leaned forward until she could feel his breath on her face.

You broke my sword, you deserve to die, he hissed.

Unallas heartbeat thrummed in her ears. She wanted to scream, she wanted to run, but all she could do was stare into the eyes of her death.

Stryg abruptly pulled the blade back. He slowly stepped back, turned around, and walked away. He snapped his fingers and released the curse. The ethereal chains cracked and broke apart into grey light before fading away. Unalla collapsed on the ground, breathlessly. She gasped for air as blood pooled around her body.

...W-why? she mumbled weakly and confused.

Stryg paused in his steps, though he did not look back. ...Loh has lost enough family, she doesnt need to lose anymore.

I thought you hated the Noirs? she mumbled through panted breaths.

Stryg ignored her and kept walking.

NALLA OF FROST RIM IS UNABLE TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT! Janne Stemme shouted.

STRYG OF HOLLOW SHADE IS THE UNDISPUTED VICTOR!! Mark Stemme announced happily.