Chương 1330: [1246] – Y06.146 – Temple of War IV

Kizwolima stared at the pair fighting, for she knew it. She knew Ashuk was strong. Ashuk who was so big and scary and strong. Adam? Adam was silly. He was a goofy mister that had a lot of money and fed her lots of food and looked after her, but Ashuk was the real deal. So why was Adam still standing? Ashuk was strong, that much Yasha was certain of.

His body seemed to boil, the bubbles almost rushing through him, his entire body full of anger as he raged and violently struck towards the half elf, ready to pierce through his purple plate. He was Ashuk the Spear, of course, so it wasn't something that defied logic or expectation, for he had slain countless creatures, those beyond her imagination.

"Look," Zabir stated firmly, his eyes firmly taking in the sight of the scene before him, as the thunder rumbled around Ashuk, blasting the half elf with each clash, the younger fellow yelping as lightning tickled his skin. Had he been a typical, everyday fellow, he would have passed out any time it scratched his skin, but for him to take the brunt of the lightning more than once, it was a testament to his fortitude.

Ashuk's body continued to boil with the heat of rage, his spear striking so violently, thunder rumbled at the tip, all the while the half elf grunted and gasped, taking each battering blow that would have killed an ordinary man. Indeed, for as they clashed, Ashuk began to whittle the half elf down, battering him brutally, and as the seconds passed, they could all see it, the domineering figure of the inasir within their battle. He was terrifying, completely oppressing the half elf.

Captain Cumulus O'Shan let out a soft sigh, his heart soothing, for of course Ashuk would win, how could he dare to think otherwise? Adam may have been in his full plate, he may have used his magical axe, and he may have fought with the might of an Oathsworn, and more, but he was no Ashuk the Spear. Ashuk the Spear, whose name was known far and wide, even within this temple, which he had stepped within for the first time, had realised who he was.

So why was it the Iyrman beside him seemed so relaxed, so intently focused upon the bout?

"It seems I will claim the gold," the Captain said, daring to jest as the half elf stumbled backwards, barely able to contain the storm that was Ashuk the Spear.

Jurot watched closely, for the half elf had managed to barely catch his breath within the fight, constantly casting Shield to defend himself, but it was the violent nature of Ashuk's rage which battered him, for though the half elf could defend himself from steel, he could not defend himself from the elements, especially the storm which raged around the inasir.

Slowly, Adam was being whittled down, the half elf barely able to defend himself, never mind strike on the offensive, and when he did, his axe barely flashed white. Still, Jurot watched. Dunes remained focused on the half elf who stepped back. In all his time, had he seen someone batter the half elf so? Other than Shama, he wasn't sure.

He had heard that someone in the tournament in Northern Aldland had managed to push him down to almost nothing, and the half elf had exploded at them with a vicious blow, but it had been all due to his fortune, or so the half elf had admitted. The Malawi could feel the sweat drip down the back of his neck as Ashuk chipped away at the young half elf, who was slowly being drowned by the older man, who threatened to maim him for life with every thrust.

Jash couldn't believe it, for though the half elf was barely managing to go blow for blow against Ashuk. She had heard some crazy tales while watching over Kizwolima, and it seemed they were all true. Her eyes didn't dare to glance aside towards her companions, each of whom would put her down with ease, and each unable to draw their own eyes away. Shaya's heart filled with relief, for the half elf, with an impressive showing, remained upon the back foot the entire bout.

She let out a soft sigh, that said enough to the rest of her companions, to Tavi, Jan, and Jok, who also made the same estimation. It was only the fool, Tovi, who remained on edge the entire time, because Adam was surely a fool, but the Iyrmen were also confident in their half elf companion… Why?

Even now, they watched intently, watching every single blow, and even hearing the grunts as the half elf slammed his axe against the back of Ashuk's longspear, which threatened to crush his skull, what gave them confidence to stare at Adam with such expectations? The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Jonn remained watching silently, not thinking about the fight, the same as Nobby, the pair standing, arms crossed, and even as Adam continued to step back, they did not hold a hint of doubt within their hearts, for it would happen soon, they were sure of it. The other reason as to why Adam was so terrifying, not just because of that great Defence of his. Bavin, too, deciding against thinking, almost confused for the young Nobby.

Kitool waited patiently for the end of the bout, her eyes firmly fixated upon the scene before her. Her heart beat quickly, for it had been a while since the half elf had been beaten so badly, though she expected as much, since Ashuk had the ability to bypass Adam's armour. Faool narrowed his eyes slightly, hoping he wouldn't lose his silver, though it would be quite the tale, for he would witness one of the few losses Adam would have. Bael raised his brows, noting how badly the half elf was being beaten.

'Not even you can resist the storm?'

'You can do it, Executive!' Mork thought.

'If not for the gold, but the prayer I gave to find a beautiful Aswadian woman upon your victory!'

'Don't go losing after all that chatter I gave about you, Executive!' Tork hoped, tensing up slightly, for he couldn't see a way for the half elf to win.

'He is struggling,' Ashmir thought, understanding why the half elf was so afraid of him, for he would be able to shrug off such blows from him too, though Ashuk had a much easier time against his armour, bypassing it entirely with that crackling lightning. Nirot's eyes remained intently focused upon the half elf, who continued to step back, grunting in greater and greater pain. Naqokan frowned, while Uwajin's sleepy eyes remained entirely alert, searing the rare image of Adam getting utterly beaten within her mind.

She would need to remember this scene if she was to tease the half elf when informing her siblings and cousins of what happened. Brittany swallowed, the scene of the half elf being crushed under the inasir slowly darkening her vision, and seeping deep within her heart. Her entire body grew slick with cold sweat, for Adam, that Adam, who had essentially only ever lost to a monstrous being that defied existence, was finally revealed to her as the mortal he was, for even he could not survive this world.

John understood that Ashuk was a monster, but his respect for Adam only grew, because without a doubt, Ashuk would have been able to slaughter him ten or twenty times over, and yet the Executive of the business was still up even after such a vicious demolishing?

'Will it happen soon?' Tanagek thought. He was certain of it. Back when the half elf ran the gauntlet of himself and Chosen, he had certainly held back. When he had confronted Jurot, the Iyrman had told him.

'You have not felt it,' Jurot said after Tanagek had revealed what happened during their bout.

'If you meet her, you should ask Sir Roseia.'

'He is definitely losing,' Chosen thought, watching the half elf barely contain the madness that was Ashuk, and his eyes quickly darted to the side, to see the eyes of the most important member of the audience. It was not Laygak, who held no doubt within his eyes, for he did not have the luxury of doubting. It was not Tagak, who, as much as he disliked Adam, did not want him to lose. Taygak stood firm and tall. Waiting. Waiting. She had heard the tales.

She had seen the half elf fight two Grand Commanders, and defeat them both, all thanks to that... Adam stumbled back, gasping for air, tensing his entire body. During his clashes, and even with five rounds passing, he still had so much of his Mana.

'Not yet,' the half elf thought, swinging his blade, calling forth the Divine as flames danced in front of him for the first time, battering Ashuk, who seemed completely fine, while the half elf was but two or three more clashes from falling. Then, finally, as the fifth round came to a close, he did it. Attack: Seventh Sky (Advantage) D20 + 10 = 13 (2) D20 + 10 = 26 (20) Critical Hit! The first Critical Hit. Mana: 23 -> 18 Ability: Divine Smite 8D6 + 4D6 + 8 = 70 (32)(30) Damage resisted! 50 damage! There it was!

The half elf roared with desperation as he finally brought the full might of a Fifth Gate smite upon Ashuk, whose entire body screamed at him as he stumbled backwards, but even as he did, his spear remained upright and ready to skewer the half elf, his longspear marking the red shield once more. Mana: 18 -> 17 Spell: Shield Defence: 27 -> 32 Save (Dexterity) D20 + 1 = 7 (6) Health: 46 -> 33"Taygak!"

Adam shouted, his entire body pulsing in pain as the lightning coursed through him, the half elf letting out another pained grunt. He willed forth his magic, praying, for he was within that range, one more bad hit could bring him down. Omen: 10, 16 He did not wish to use his Omens, just in case it led to disastrous consequences, for his children had already died without them, and he did not wish to tempt Mistress Fate.

'Please!' the half elf begged. Mana: 17 -> 12 Spell: Searing Smite Adam's axe exploded with fire.

'Just one more hit! One more!' Attack: Seventh Sky (Advantage) D20 + 10 = 16 (6) D20 + 10 = 21 (11) Miss!

'Come on!' Attack: Seventh Sky (Advantage) D20 + 10 = 11 (1) D20 + 10 = 30 (20) Critical Hit! Mana: 12 -> 7 Ability: Divine Smite 8D6 + 10D6 + 10D6 + 8 = 86 (28)(40)(10) Damage resisted! 68 damage!

"Taygak!" Adam roared again, making sure she watched, because it didn't matter to him if John, Yasha, Zabir, or even Kizwolima did not see, he just needed to make sure he engraved this sight upon one child's heart. Ashuk body threatened to fall, for after that last mighty blow, he had been fairly close, but that Fifth Gate Searing Smite and Fifth Gate Divine Smite rocked through him.

He flexed, urging his body forward, for he knew he was close, and he flexed, charging forward, his spear thrusting towards the half elf's helmet, and though he struck against it, the longspear scraped down the side of the half elf's puthral. Ashuk fell upon his face before him. Victory!