The cards had been cast.
My legs trembled just like my arms. Even holding my axe up was painful.
—So that's what he meant…
It wasn't that I had ignored the fact that I would be in bad shape after Fast, I just didn't expect it to be this bad.
If I compared this viper with any of the previous incarnations, it wasn't as if they were very different, but in those fights I did not merely serve as support—I had backing.
But here I am alone.
The two remaining heads looked confused. I hadn't expected that, but I appreciated it. Trying to close my hand was painful, and not to mention attempting to stand up.
Simply put, the penalty was balanced with the power granted.
—Maybe I should have used Pause instead of this…
I couldn't take my eyes off the serpents, and somehow I was grateful that my stiffened body remained firmly frozen atop the hydra's serpentine back.
Although the insect-like legs kept moving from side to side, their motions had ceased being abrupt.
"Come on, we have to make one last move."
I am fully aware of the limits of my abilities, and although Frost was pushing me to be something more arrogant, this is a good point to realize…
—I'm not at that level.
The image of Heracles, Rachel, Jean, even Paul…
They are true great warriors whose hands do not tremble before an incarnation. That is my ideal, that is my goal.
And this, which is nothing more than a crude imitation of the incarnations, could not be the one to make me retreat. Not now.
Grabbing the hilt of Frostmagmar's cold claw, I painfully rose. As if I had to stretch an injured tendon from the tips of my feet to the back of my neck, I stood up.
The heads reacted violently at once. The third, already severed head was torn away by the legs, and with it the stump was freed.
Flesh began to writhe at the base, and the pair of heads lunged at me.
I am not yet a warrior.I am not yet a protagonist.
But…
I will be.
—Pause.
The world froze. Search, being my only ally, sought the weak point: Break.
The breaking point, precisely where the three heads connected. I would have to run. I would have to swallow the pain. I would have to tear my muscles apart.
But if I could reach the breaking point, I could win. I know it. Search knows it.
Today I will win…
The red number turned green.
At once I stretched my legs.
The movement felt like walking on glass, as if I had a burn across my entire body. My muscles felt torn, and even so I ran.
Tears streamed out. I was still human.
On a frozen canvas lay the junction of the three heads. I hurled Fjölkaldra and gave it my last point of Nex.
I felt myself empty out. The pain vanished, but it was not better. I simply lost awareness of everything. My vision blurred and my senses dulled.
—Come on… I won't back down now.
A desperate shout. I tightened my grip. I did not feel my weapon. I drove my axe down without knowing. I could only trust that the calculations and luck were cast in my favor.
Then, a crack.
It was the last thing I could hear.
As if glass were slowly breaking while Pause's time still held, little by little something beneath me fractured.
And when I realized…
My vision returned.
In the sky the word "Victory" was written, and the axolotl, passionate, delayed in shouting:
"OVERWHELMING VICTORY FOR TRISTAN MALORY."
The entire field filled with cheers. My senses returned along with the jubilant shout of all present. I could no longer recognize my friends in the stands, for on every level people were shouting and jumping passionately.
The payment did not take long to arrive.
[487K CN][Do you wish to continue?]
I had known my answer since I entered here.
[NO]
As soon as I pressed it, my senses became cold again, but for the first time I will say: familiar. Feeling nothing had become my normal state in the Nexus, and not feeling the pain allowed me to boast, just a little.
Raising my hand in a victorious pose, showing the world the edge of Fjölkaldra, I ended this fight.
—--------------------------------------------------------------
Rachel jumped in excitement in her place, pulling with her a stunned Jean.
—He did it, he really did it!—I see it, I truly see it.
Everyone shouted in excitement, except for the poor fools who did not trust the so-called Nobody, like Teach, who swallowed his hopeless tears.
—I lost everything I won…
—You know, Rachel —Jean said when the girl finally calmed down—, I think I do owe that nob… to Tristan a second chance.—Yes —she replied with a radiant smile—, who knows, maybe you'll even get along.—Don't exaggerate.
—--------------------------------------------------------------
—Hm —Gil let out in his seat with a cup in hand. His face bore mixed feelings before fixing his gaze once more on the pair who proudly promised a spectacle.
—What's wrong, first hero? —Herc asked.
—Nothing, I just have to admit I was wrong —he said, shrugging with a resigned smile—. Your boy is a little box of surprises.
Without more, he stood up, letting his cup fall to the floor.
—When you see him, thank him. He recovered everything I lost and made me win a little more.
Thus, in golden particles, he disappeared from the room.
—I want to meet him —Moc said, resting his head on both hands.
—I'll find the opportunity —Sal replied.
Without more, Moc gave a bow before vanishing into red particles.
—So, you don't regret staying —Chu said sibilantly to Ati, who remained seated without making a sound.
—I admit my defeat —he replied—. Next time I will bet on your boy.
—I hope I won't have to do this again —Sal answered.
—And miss the chance to see him compete against a dragon or a phoenix? —Chu replied heatedly.
—Like I said, I hope I won't have to do this again.
Without more, Chu, with a wide smile, disappeared into electric blue particles, and Ati into earth-brown particles.
—Well —Sal said, standing up.
—You're leaving too? —Herc asked.
—Yes, but not to the platinum floor. I have to verify something.
—Want me to come with you?
—Since when are you so helpful?
—Only when it comes to "The One They Have Been Waiting For."
Saladin's face settled upon Heracles', cold, judging. Finally, the greatest hero of mythology disappeared into silver particles.
—--------------------------------------------------------------
—I told you he had to die.
Spoke a knight with wavy red hair.
—Let me correct you —replied a great crimson-and-black axolotl, floating elegantly with a pipe as large as the knight's arm—. You are nobody in my chambers.
—You… you promised my king you would fulfill my request.
—And I did —he replied with astonishing calm.
—If that were so, that boy would have been disgraced, and now the name Tristan Malory is heard more than…
—Than Sir Tristan of Lyones? That is not my work. Honor and renown are earned. Besides, since when do you care so much about that name?
—That is not important —the knight replied.
—If you are so eager to finish him, why not go directly?
—That's not a bad idea —proclaimed Arturo, who entered the large dark room.
—Blond boy, control your pet.
—Pet? —the red-haired knight let out.
—Silence at once, Sir Tristan. Your lordship Irax, if I make that impostor accept the challenge, will you grant it?
The axolotl turned maliciously toward the pair of knights.
—My duty is not to interfere with the desire of "Those Ones." Only they could authorize such a fight.
—Why? —Arturo replied, still with his head lowered.
—Not even I am certain, but we all know it. There are limits that cannot be crossed, and you are dangerously toying with them.
—I see —a new voice entered the room: Saladin.
—I hope you can forgive me, Sultan —the axolotl replied with the same dim and stoic composure.
—I have no criticism regarding Lord Irax's jurisdiction, but perhaps I do hold certain prejudices toward your companions.
—I have already fulfilled my promise to the blond boy.
—I ask that you reconsider —Arturo insisted.
—Yes, let me fight for my name —Sir Tristan tried to call attention, but was silenced by Arturo, who forced him to lower his head.
—I said… no.
Without more, he released a great cloud of thick smoke that surrounded Tristan and Arturo, making them vanish into particles outside his chamber.
—Sultan, unless you have something more to say…
—No, sir. I take my leave —Saladin replied, bowing his head and exiting.
In the darkness and alone, at last emerged a visitor who had been in the room the entire time.
—You have done well.
—Thank you, sir.
—Is he ready?
—I do not know, but he will be.
—"She Who Has Been Waiting" grows more impatient.
—I will not fail you, sir.
—I hope so… Axio.