Chương 1332: [1247] – Y06.147 – Temple of War V

Adam roared, shouting out his frustrations, because the entire fight he had missed so many damn times! How many times did he roll slightly less than what he needed? How many times did he roll a damn Critical Miss? Then, once he was done letting out his cry of frustration, silence filled the air. It was that kind of silence that was far too dangerous, for it was one of shock, the kind in which those who had watched were currently in utter disbelief, even many who had watched the half elf after all these years.

"For a moment, you had me worried," Dunes admitted, swallowing his nerves, almost choking on his saliva. The young man's heart filling with relief, for he was certain the half elf had almost lost, reaching up for his sweaty forehead, wiping it with his sleeve. Bael remained quiet, because he was pretty sure Adam was going to lose to, but, somehow, the half elf had managed to pull off a miracle.

'…' Adam tossed off his helmet, panting for air, and as Shaya approached, the half elf waved a hand, shuffling down to press a hand upon the inasir. Lay on Hands: 45 -> 44 Ashuk jolted away, causing Adam to yelp, the half elf tumbling beside him.

"Hey, man! Hey! Chill!" Adam reached down to his side, feeling the stab of a stitch, before he finally lay upon his back, trying to catch his breath. Ashuk eyed up the area around him, his eyes darting for threats, but his thundering heart calmed as he realised what had happened, and he slowly bowed his head towards those around him. He let out a low groan of pain as he sat up, and reached over a hand to pat Adam's shoulder, nodding his head.

"Good fight," Adam said.

"Good fight," Ashuk replied, for what else could he say about such a fight.

"I had you upon the back foot the entire fight."

"Yeah," Adam admitted.

"I was getting real worried."

"How did you do it?"

"I managed to get really lucky twice in a row, though I'm not saying I beat you because I got lucky, we were both pretty unlucky, I think, but I managed to, just barely, squeeze a little more, and…" Adam let out a relieved sigh, wincing constantly from the ache setting deep within him as the adrenaline wore off.

"I cannot believe it."

"Yeah, you and me both."

"You did not think you would win?"

"I'll be honest, I completely forgot you could bring down the thunder like that," Adam admitted, rubbing the side of his neck.

"I'm thankful I had this axe, otherwise I would have gotten beaten pretty damn hard." Ashuk wanted to ask about how heavy his smites were, but decided against it, for it was a dangerous question to ask, especially with the Iyrmen around.

'Thank the Divine,' Brittany thought, her entire body slick with sweat, the chill of fear still gripping at her heart so relentlessly. If Adam had lost, she wasn't sure if she would still be able to step out of the business. Kitool glanced aside, noting the young woman shivering, though said nothing, allowing her to bury herself in the emotions, for it was good to face that wall now. Her eyes fell to the others, but she shook her head lightly, dismissing their concerns.

"Cousin Adam!" Taygak called out, her voice trembling, the young woman brimming with the need to fight, her fists clenched tight.

"Ah! Taygak is going to bully me for taking so long!"

"No!" Taygak replied, not understand Adam would have died of embarrassment from her prai-, "Good! Fight!" The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. Adam flushed hard, looking away as he scratched his cheek, and Ashuk saw the look upon the half elf's face, realising just why the half elf cared little for gold, for truly, the fool of a half elf understood what was life's greatest treasure.

"You should have beaten him quicker," Laygak said, narrowly dodging a slap from Faool, who held up his palm threateningly, for how could he say such a thing in front of Ashuk? Laygak noted Ashuk's glance and he flushed, causing his companions to laugh, Nirot slapping his back.

"Cousin Adam, you fought too well, and now even Laygak thinks he is as strong as you," Nirot joked, each of the other Iyrmen bullying him relentlessly in front of Ashuk.

"Sorry, he's Jaygak's cousin, so he's a troublemaker, though Taygak is Taygak, and she's different," Adam assured.

"Jaygak? She is the one who placed second in the tournament?"

"Oh? You know Jaygak?" Adam asked, surprised, though a wide grin appeared on his face.

"You spoke her tales…" Adam's wide grin disappeared quickly, replaced with embarrassment, the half elf covering his face.

"Who spoke her tales?" Ashuk sighed, realising that the half elf was no doubt a young kid, since he still held the romance of youth, and his worries the half elf was actually a dragon in disguise had all but disappeared. He eventually hoisted himself up onto his feet, returning back to his Captain, and the rest of his crew who had lost their wages to the Iyrmen. The Malawi remained completely still, frozen in place, his eyes full of questions for the world, and if she would deign to inform him, Lady Arya.

Dunes had noticed, but decided to leave the Malawi in his shock, making his way to the half elf, who continued to pant, his entire body aching.

"Man, that was tough!" Adam groaned as he started to shift his body about, as though relearning how to get up and walk, the half elf utterly confused on how to do something so simple. He accepted Dunes' outstretched hand, the pair clasping forearms as the Priest pulled the half elf up, who half twitched to standing, wobbling lightly once he was on his feet.

"It was hard fought, and hardly won," Dunes said, chanting a prayer to heal the half elf. Health: 33 -> 39"By the Divine, man. I did everything I could and still almost lost."

"How close were you?"

"I don't know, two tenths or so," Adam said.

"Two, maybe three more clashes." Dunes let out a familiar sigh, for only the half elf could say something so outrageous without realising it was so outrageous. He wiped his brow once more, and allowed the half elf to lean on him as Adam grunted and groaned, his legs aching so terribly, stiff as a trunk as he stumbled his way back to his companions.

"You fought well," Jurot said, patting the half elf's shoulder, a little too roughly.

"Y-yeah!" Adam winced, as the others also congratulated him. John's eyes fell upon Zabir and Yasha, who stood frozen in place, trying to understand the scene before them, because there was no way that the half elf had managed to defeat Ashuk. It was Ashuk! Ashuk the Spear! What do you mean he lost to this idiot half elf? That didn't make any sense at all! Was Lord Noor upset? Was Lady Arya annoyed that he was using a spear? Wasn't the half elf using an axe though?

Lady Arya preferred spears over axes, wasn't that the case? If the Divine could not explain it, what could?

"Grandfather, I think…"

"Betti…" Zabir wanted to reach out to pet her head lightly to reassure her, but his hands were so sweaty, and he didn't want her to think he was that frightened by what he had seen, realising there was no way he could speak of it. It seemed he was trapped to follow the half elf, for now.

"Malawi," Dunes called, snapping his attention back to the world.

"I hope the payment was acceptable?"

"Yes?" Malawi Samin replied, still taken aback, though his eyes quickly darted to the half elf. Ashuk the Spear was the kind of fellow who could clash against either of the Scimitars, so to think the half elf could not only go blow for blow, but to defeat him outright… Dunes bowed his head, and the group began to make their way out, though Adam paused. Lay on Hands: 44 -> 33 Health: 39 -> 50"Hey, Ashuk," Adam called, approaching the insair.

"I just wanted to say, thank you for the fight, and being such a decent guy about it. I've fought quite a few other warriors, and…" Ashuk waited for the half elf to continue, since the young man was currently trying to figure out whether or not he should speak about something so dangerous.

"You have outlasted all the Grand Commanders of the various Orders I've faced, and you fought me with a greater respect than any of them." Adam held out his hand.

"I won't ever forget that you were not only a great warrior, but a great man."

"I still think you are quite the fool," Ashuk admitted.

"However, I have seen in you a wisdom I did not expect. When we fought, you certainly found your luck, but you survived because you were so tough. You are the Mad Dog's grandson, and, I hope one day I will meet your wife and your children, so that I may envy your true luck." Adam smiled, flushing cherry red.

"We're going to head back. You want to come and eat with us?"

"I'll drink my swill elsewhere, to ease my wounded heart."

"Get your wounded chest checked out too." The half elf winked, before half stumbling away in laughter. Jash stared at the half elf's back, only to notice the girl following after him, and realised she still had work to do, so she couldn't tease Ashuk.

'Wow! Mister Adam is so strong!' Kizwolima thought, her eyes brightly beaming at the half elf.