Keras recoiled from the blow, but it didn’t slow him much. He raised his own hand, but Derek moved quicker this time, shoving both hands toward Keras’ chest. A blinding column of lightning sent Keras staggering back — and flowed continuously into him without abating.
Keras’ aura brightened, shining silver.
Then a section of lightning was just gone. It was just like what had happened with the stone — as soon as the lightning was getting within range of a spherical aura around Keras, it simply vanished into nothingness.
The floor beneath Keras disintegrated at the same time, and he dropped down an inch before his aura normalized.
Derek pressed the attack, but the moment to recover was all Keras needed. He raised a hand of his own, palm-outward, and shoved it into the oncoming lightning. The voltaic stream split apart, jutting out to Keras’ sides without touching him.
He waved his hand upward and a crescent blade of energy shot through the lightning stream toward Derek, cleaving through the electrical column with ease.
Derek side-stepped the cutting wave, but that forced him to abandon the lightning attack. Keras vanished, reappearing next to Derek and sweeping his hand downward in a cutting motion.
I saw Derek’s Emerald aura tear as Keras’ hand passed through it.
Keras fingers passed within inches of Derek’s neck.
A bloody line appeared on Derek’s skin in the hand’s wake.
I felt a surge of panic, standing up out of instinct, but when Derek raised his own hand and wiped the blood away it was clearly nothing more than a scratch.
That wasn’t because of Derek’s aura protecting him, though, or his own reaction. That perfect of a cut, leaving nothing but a reminder — that was deliberate. It was masterful.
Derek knew it, too. Many fighters would have responded with anger or fear, but Derek’s grin only widened.
That was a far more dangerous response.
“That’s…” Derek looked at the thin layer of blood on his hand. “You’re not even an attuned at all, are you?”
Keras took a step back and cracked his neck. “You’re not wrong.”
The rest of us were dead silent as we watched, still transfixed with the exchange.
Derek’s eyes brightened as he stepped back and assumed a defensive stance. “What are you, truly, then?”
Keras put his hands together and cracked his knuckles. “Wouldn’t it be more interesting if you figured it out on your own?”
Yes, but I’d really rather you tell us anyway, I mused.
Derek disagreed, apparently. “Oh, I’ve got some ideas. Both about what you are — and about your weaknesses.”
Keras put his hands behind his head, stretching again. “That’d be interesting. I wasn’t aware I had weaknesses.”
“Weaknesses are relative. And relative to me, everyone has weaknesses.” Derek snapped his fingers. “Tavare, awaken.”
I saw Derek’s true weapons lying against a nearby wall. A column of golden light enveloped one of the weapons as it began to float of its own accord.
With the sound of a chime, Tavare appeared. They were a perfectly-sculpted golden figure, human save for the metallic scales that covered every inch of exposed skin aside from their face. Even their face was metallic in color, but the scales reflected with greater luster.
Tavare rushed forward, a luminous blur, and took a defensive position in front of their master.
Something was amiss, however.
Tavare was trembling.
“Master, you must withdraw. Radiance will engage this foe while you escape.” The golden scales flashed brighter, as if with determination.
Derek blinked. “That won’t be necessary, Tavare. We’ll fight him together.”
Tavare’s eyes narrowed skeptically, but remained focused on Keras. “You must not fight this creature, Master. You must defend the others who are weaker than you. Radiance will defend for as long as it can. It has been an honor to serve you.”
Keras tilted his head to the side, looking intrigued. He raised a hand and a blade-like distortion appeared around it.
Tavare tensed as the weapon appeared, taking a step forward. “Go.”
Derek put a hand on Tavare’s shoulder. “That was a…humbling speech you gave, Tavare, but this is just a sparring match. There’s no need to be concerned.”
Tavare shuddered again. “You do not understand what you face, Master.” The golden-skinned creature stepped forward, raising their blade toward Keras. “Radiance will not allow you to harm these mortals, monster.”
Keras sighed. “Your master speaks truly, cousin. I do not mean these people harm.”
Tavare continued to advance on Keras, blade outstretched, until their golden blade was pressed directly up against his chest. “Then withdraw. Radiance will not—”
Tavare’s blade was no longer in their hand. It embedded itself into the stone nearby.
Derek surged forward, but he wasn’t fast enough.
Keras’ hand was at the elemental’s neck, the blade-like aura still glimmering in place.
Tavare fell to their knees. “Radiance begs forgiveness for daring to raise a blade against you, Great One. They offer their life for the offense, but implores you to spare these humans. The humans are young and have great potential.”
Keras shook his head sadly, lowering his blade-hand and putting his other hand on the top of Tavare’s head.
A red-bladed sword appeared in Derek’s hand. “If you mean to hurt Tavere, I will stop you.”
Keras sighed and rustled Tavare’s short metallic hair. “You’re a loyal one. I meant it when I said I don’t mean these people any harm. You have nothing to fear from me.”
Tavare raised their head just an inch. “Truly?”
The blade-like aura around Keras’ right hand faded. “I have no interest in harming anyone if I can avoid it.”
Tavare’s expression twisted into a frown. “But such is your essence, Great One. How can you…not harm?”
Keras pulled his other hand away, then knelt down and looked straight into Tavare’s eyes.
For a moment, even at a distance, I could see silver in his gaze.
“With great effort,” he said. “And a considerable degree of outside help.”
Tavare turned their head to the side, looking perplexed. “Radiance does not understand. But… Radiance is grateful.”
Keras offered a soft smile. “Maybe you will someday.”
Tavare lowered their head again. “Will you teach me, Great One?”
Keras offered Tavare a hand. “I can try.”
“Try.” Tavere nodded. “Yes. Radiance will also try.” The golden creature accepted Keras’ offered hand, and Keras pulled Tavare back to its feet.
Keras turned toward Derek. “I think we’re done for today.”
Derek lowered his sword. “Agreed. Thank you for the match.” He bowed formally at the waist. “Can I trust you will not harm my friend with whatever ‘lessons’ you have planned?”
Keras returned the bow and then raised both hands in a defensive gesture. “We’re just going to talk.”
Derek leaned his sword against his shoulder. “I’d be very interested in hearing about what you discuss.”
Keras shook his head. “I’m afraid any conversation that I’m having with Tavare is going to need to be private, at least for now. It will be simpler that way. I’m sure you understand.”
“Well, that can wait until I’ve had more time to think about all this, then. Tavere, return.”
The golden-skinned figure lowered their head. “Radiance obeys.” Tavere shifted into mist, the golden sword clattering to the ground.
Keras folded his arms. “That wasn’t necessary.”