The Epic of Antares

Each of them were dressed in light armor. The only parts of their bodies that were protected were their hands and feet. Beyond that they wore standard Stygian training garments. The silver in their fabric reflected the high status of their blood. Around their mid region they each wore purple waste capes with the famous golden serpent of their people embroidered on them. Their sunset eyes all burned with indifferent determination; the eagerness to battle and yet the cautious approach, knowing who they faced was no easy prey. In their hands they each held steel longswords, their make and design of the highest quality. Only a single tier below weapons made from the famed Stygian Steel. To offset the difference against such legendary armaments, each warrior looked to coat their blades with their Will. This exertion gave the weapons a look of steam rising from them and closed the gap in deadly quality to their superior counterparts. As they approached him, they each tested the weight of their blades, either by switching the weapon between their hands or swinging it around in the air with purposeful and precise movements.

Xenon returned their look of indifference with one of his own. Aster was true to his word, this was a welcomed surprise. He had half expected the man would have brought some wild animal to fight him or perhaps may have finally convinced Lyrik to duel him seriously for once. However this was far more interesting; to not just face three of his cousins, but those who had trained under his own father. This was a different meal than what he was used to. The Lord of Eirdu would have his fill.

Without warning the first of them lunged at him, with ease he raised his left hand to block the attack, expecting the blade to sever his arm. To his surprise and that of his cousins the blade barely broke his skin, drawing the faintest of blood. Before the warrior could reposition himself, Xenon launched an explosive blow with his right hand. The force of the punch sent the warrior away with enough force that he was embedded into the barrier across from them. None of the people seated in that area had the chance to react before the explosion rocked their section. Xenon lowered his head while his body twitched.

"What the fuck are you all doing?" His words oozed with so much hatred. "Are you holding back against me?"

Xenon's aura exploded into a violent deluge of uncontrollable authority. The whole Arena shook under the weight of it. Cyrus could scarcely believe what he thought he was seeing—an impossibly large serpent seemed to slither through the air. Its body was a midnight black that was closer to true horror than anything he had ever seen before. Across its scales were carved Stygian symbols that hurt to look at. Its forked tongue was pierced with a gold ring, and its eyes mirrored Xenon's in many ways the mixture of violet and gold with streaks of orange, showed a hatred without end. When it opened its mouth he saw its large fangs decorated with various jewels, but beyond that it had rows of carnivorous teeth. They were all in the presence of a monster. Xenon Xerxes bloodlust looked to drown them.

The boy gripped the balcony with all his might, he had never felt fear like this before. Everything within him was telling him to run away. To run as far as he could, he could not understand how those present cheered on, unable to see the great and demonic beast that slithered through the air.

"It is alright little one you are safe." Aster gave him a warm smile. "I did warn them that they should do all they could to kill him." The Stygian lord was a little annoyed at the battle so far.

"Can't the people see?" it took everything to get the words out of his mouth.

"Only those sensitive to mana can see the manifested bloodlust of others." Persephone draped herself all over Cyrus, resting her breasts on his head. "Most humans can not see something so delicate. Instead of 'seeing' bloodlust they can feel its suffocating pressure."

"Are they not afraid?" Cyrus asked, he enjoyed the scent of vanilla that hung around Persephone. Her presence around him calmed him. "They cheer so loudly still."

"They are," she giggled. "But humans are drawn to contained danger. They believe because they came here willingly, and are away from the battle they will not be harmed. That the barrier that separates them from those warriors below is sufficient enough to keep them safe."

"Will it?"

Persephone looked at him and smiled, for the first time since talking to her. Her eyes finally showed the century of wisdom hidden within them.

"I am surprised you are paying attention to the exhibition," Aster commented.

Persephone shrugged, shaking Cyrus as well. "I want to see how much little Xenon has grown."

"If you were that curious you or any of your sisters should have been the ones to fight him."

Cyrus perked up, "You are a warrior too?"

Persephone rolled her eyes and puffed her cheeks, "Aster stop being boring." She caressed the side of Cyrus's cheek, "As much as I would enjoy you focusing on me, little one, you will miss what comes next if you do not pay attention." She turned his face back towards the arena.

A moment later another overwhelming pressure erupted from the Stygian warrior that was sent flying into the barrier. In a split second he emerged from the crater with violence on his blade. Xenon easily dodged the first of his three swipes. The fourth attempt cut a small mark across his right cheek. His incessant rage was replaced with a grin.

"Good," he wiped the blood. "Good. We can finally begin."

As on cue the two other Stygian released their bloodlust. Their Will grew over their blades and the steam started to turn into invisible flames, the air around their weapons bursting with energy. All three lunged at Xenon with the intention to kill the accursed Stygian. They moved as a unit of three, for every swipe of their blade Xenon dodged, the other two would be waiting to retaliate. The speed in which they operated made it difficult for many to grasp what was happening. But those who were aware knew Xenon was only toying with them. The rage in which they moved made their moves strong, but their actions were losing their sharpness. One the Lord of Eirdu was fully aware of but continued to bide his time.

The warriors switched their tactics, their coordination was admirable, they were experienced combatants and had fought together for some time. Their skills enhanced each other and as a trifecta they matched Xenon with considerable prowess. They continued to put the Lord of War on the backfoot. Keeping their distance while doing their utmost to keep him unbalanced. Yet it did not matter, Xenon continued to dodge their attacks. His agility for someone that large was incredible. He saw the paths their blades took, he saw the killing blows three steps before they arrived. Each one of them he dodged at the last moment when the fatal blow would be struck.

The duel between the four of them had only just commenced but already the arena was cracking underneath the ferocity of their battle. The crowd grew even more wild, to see a clash between Stygians was a showcase that so many could not even experience, at least without the spilling of their own blood. Although this was merely a tamed version of a true duel amongst these ancient and powerful people. What was shown on display was more than enough to satiate their appetite. They cheered for Xenon's victory. They cheered for the Stygian warriors victory. As the battle raged on, many placed bets on how long the three warriors would last, if they would manage to inflict a blow worthy of the Lord of Eirdu. Soon those bets were forgotten as the intensity of the battle took on a new level; Xenon decided to attack.

Xenon's body was painted with slashes. Despite giving them ample opportunity to kill him, none of their attacks managed to land with any real threat of damage. On the other hand the warriors had grown frustrated at their showing so far. They were trained by the great Kryses Xerxes himself, and despite knowing that his eldest son was a Lord of War. They had believed they would still be able to show the greatness of their teacher. However, as the fight continued all of their attacks had either been dodged or countered. To add insult to injury while they each carried weapons, Xenon was without one. He had managed to hold his own against them without a blade of any kind. If only they were permitted to use their powers. They would not have suffered such indignity, certainly not in front of the humans who cheered at them like animals. All three of them leapt at him with their swords pointed.

Xenon sneered at them as they approached. They had done well to maintain their distance, keeping him alert and taking advantage of their superior numbers. This allowed them to attack from all sides. Now they cornered him against a section of the arena, thinking this gave them a perfect opportunity, they attacked. However they had played into the Stygian lord's plan and made it easier for him to counter effectively. In one swift motion, Xenon slammed his fist into the ground with all his might. He added some of his own Will into his blow to further increase the volatility and destructive power of the attack. It shook the entire arena and pieces of stone fell from the ceiling. The blow completely disrupted the fighting grounds and caused a massive earthquake that unsettled the earth beneath them, throwing all three warriors off balance as they approached. A sizable piece of the arena floor upended itself just in front of Xenon masking him. In that moment the closest Stygian warrior hesitated in an effort to see where the piece would fall. However Xenon burst through the large stone with a murderous grin.

He grabbed the warrior's face with his right hand. His grip was so strong it started to crush the man's skull immediately. The man reflexively raised his sword arm, his blade burning now with his Will prepared to finally cut off Xenon's arm. Once again Xenon was prepared. He grabbed the man's wrist, crushing it instantaneously. Before the sword could fall, he snatched it out of the air. The other two Stygian warriors had successfully dodged the destruction caused and now approached from up above. But it was too late. Xenon pushed the man back with considerable force the air around them exploded with power. As he carried him back, the Lord of Eirdu infused the sword with his own Willpower, such an action caused the blade to crack, barely able to contain the awesome power of its new master; he started slashing.

By the time Xenon cratered his cousin into the opposite wall of the arena, the Stygian lord had stabbed him upwards of a hundred and thirty five times. Piercing his heart, neck, severing muscle and tendons many times over—all over his body. He carved him without reason and without precision or care, as though he were a child playing with his toys. Xenon released his grip, the Stygian warrior's mangled body fell to the floor dead. The Lord of War turned bathed in the blood of his kin, with a smile so wide it looked to tear the corners of his mouth.

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"More," he demanded. "Show me more." The wild look in his eyes threatened to set them ablaze. "I want to see how much he has taught you."

Rage burned within the two remaining Stygian warriors. They had expected defeat but not to be treated in such a manner, their gaze danced between Xenon and their fallen comrade. A broken tip of his steel sword had been embedded in the left side of his forehead. They exchanged looks with each other, no words needed to be said—damn the consequence, they would bring down this animal.

Each demanded the mana within them to materialize in their free hand, and their powers responded in kind. A torrent of blue particles burst forth and large ice spears formed in their palms. In that same moment a greater threat bared its fangs towards them. The hatred it carried mirrored Xenon's in many ways. An unimaginable monster had grown upset. A dreadful chill ran through both warriors and they feared death had come for them. They both turned to look in the direction of such murderous aura. It filled the Stygian warriors with so much fear.

"I thought I made it clear, they were not to use their powers."

"Aster calm down," Persephone teased him. "You expect too much of them to fight a Lord of War so restrained."

"There are humans present, Persephone." He looked at her with an expressionless smile.

"Look," she motioned. "I am not the only one that agrees."

Aster turned back to the carnage below to see Xenon staring at him. Both Lords of War held each other's gaze for a long time, a thousand words said between them in a matter of seconds. Eventually Aster seceded his complaint letting out an annoyed sigh. He would trust Xenon to contain himself and make sure no humans would be harmed.

Persephone ran over and kissed him on the cheek, "I knew you would listen to reason." She whispered in his ear, "Besides look at the boy, he is completely enthralled by the spectacle."

They turned to look at Cyrus who was glued to the clash below. Since it had commenced in earnest he had not uttered a single word, instead choosing to observe the battle in silence. His first taste of violence between his people. An unforgettable experience that spoke to his very soul. Something great within him stirred. He was not a violent boy nor was he one that sought the suffering of others. He should have despised what he saw, it should have filled him with fear. But seeing how they fought, how Xenon mercilessly commanded the clash between three great warriors left him in complete awe. And despite all of that, this was only a fraction of all their power. Cyrus could not fathom just what a true duel between Stygians would look like. This is what he desired from Antares.

Xenon turned his attention back to his prey. Both Stygian warriors understood that they would be permitted this much leeway but any more and the duel would stop in its entirety. For both warriors this was more than enough. They would bring this beast down. The Lord of Eirdu studied the large spears made of ice. They reminded him of the one wielded by his father, such an elegant and smooth design. Even from the distance he stood he could feel the energy brimming from the weapons. Their existence meant that this encounter would now proceed to an even greater height. This time the Lord of War was the first to move into action.

Their clashes shook the arena. Each time their blades met his broken blade it sent a shockwave through the air. The speed and precision that the Stygian Warriors operated with had now moved into the realm Xenon toyed in. In return Xenon took it even further. Both warriors telegraphed their moves, moving as one. Each time Xenon blocked or countered, they would commit to memory the ferocity of his moves and develop a counter in return. Xenon would match and instead choose to disrupt them. Making it incredibly difficult for either of them to maintain their advantage in a two versus one. But it did not matter they would not yield, not to him. The first of the two warriors took the initiative and engaged the Lord of War by themselves. It was a valiant effort to hold him as best as he could, but so soon would Xenon overwhelm him. Before long he would switch places with his fellow warrior. Like this they went for some time trying to find some weakness in the Stygian lords attack. The use of the spears by both warriors had completely changed the tone of the battle.

All knew it, of all the weapons that existed a spear in the hand of a Stygian was the most deadly enemy one could face in combat. It is said that for many Stygian warriors destined for the battlefield, many mastered the spear before they had learned to walk. It was an extension of them, a personification of their way of life. The ability to keep all at bay and yet have a blade so sharp that it could cut through anything in its path who dared come close. The singular point—the tip of the spear was as unbreakable as their very souls. Those present did not know the names of these great Stygian warriors but all showed their respect nevertheless. These nameless warriors had proven themselves against their great lord. The cheers that had long been for Xenon now switched to these fighters as they pressed on with increased focus and fury.

A plan had formulated between them both and they looked to put it into action, once again one of them attacked Xenon with all their might keeping him engaged, the other stood back watching, analyzing. Xenon only concerned himself with the one in front. Of the both of them the one he was currently engaging with was the superior fighter. He would make quick work of him and move on to the coward who waited so patiently. His first task was dismantling the man in front of him.

After a series of successful attacks Xenon looked primed to do just that. Sensing something terrible coming the Stygian warrior attacked with his spear with three sweeping moves. On the final swing Xenon dodged, prepared for the hidden fourth attack and parried it with enough force to disarm the warrior. He did not give him any time to recover and brought the broken sword down quickly. At the same time a spear was thrown with incredible force and precision, forcing Xenon to abandon his killing blow to save himself. The Stygian in front of him caught the spear as it came flying passed them. Without stopping his movements he continued his assault, finally landing a heavy blow on Xenon. The blade cut through his chest catching the Lord of War by surprise. His blood sprayed profusely and the crowd erupted into uncontrollable applause.

Xenon staggered back and inspected the deep wound that opened on his chest. But The Stygian warrior would not give him time to examine his injury. The man pressed his assault and once again they were engaged in a heated battle. Again Xenon disarmed him, primed for the killing blow, only for another ice spear to be thrown with great force between them, only for the warrior to catch it again and continue his wrath. Like this they continued for some time much to the growing frustration of Xenon Xerxes, for each time he disarmed his cousin, on cue another spear would come to his aid. To those watching it was as though the Stygian fighting Xenon was never unarmed. No matter how many times the Lord of Eirdu would disarm him, he would just continue to fight with as much intensity growing the wounds that appeared over him.

Once again he unarmed him and as the spear came flying in, Xenon anticipated the action and grabbed the spear out of the air, incensed by the foolish game he looked ready to throw it back at the Stygian that stood in the distance maintaining the onslaught. As Xenon's eyes met his kin from that distance away he realized his mistake; in his rage he had turned his back to the Stygian he had been fighting. Before he could turn around, the ice spear pierced him through his heart. To the shock of everyone, including the Lord of War himself. Blood poured out of his mouth as he gritted his teeth with a grin.

He spun around and with all the force he could muster and in less than half a second he faced his cousin. Their first mistake was thinking Xenon would allow himself to be attacked from behind without his knowledge. Not once through this battle had he ever left his back exposed like this. It was an opportunity that was too easy to exploit. One they would have hesitated to do so earlier in the battle. However as quickly as it progressed they had to rely on instinct to keep up with the brutality of the man they faced. And such instinct demanded them to attack his exposed back.

Xenon plunged his left arm straight through his cousin's chest. The strength needed to pierce through a Stygian with one's arm was a level of power that many, even amongst Stygians themselves would consider to be otherworldly. Xenon had coated his arm with his Will before he carried out his barbaric act. A unique quirk attributed to him alone was that the properties of his Will were more akin to sharp razors, than the familiar bluntness of most people's Willpower. In many ways this was a reflection of the path and power he took to protect himself—a being whose very essence cut any who foolishly approached him without permission. His Will was wrapped around his arm like steel thorns and with the added intensity of his strength he was able to carry out the near impossible task. He had used so much power that the barrier behind his cousin had been destroyed completely, the humans who had sat in that direction cleared out the way as the destruction carried itself up towards where they sat. Destroying the statue of the Stygian warrior carved into the wall, leaving nothing but carnage in its wake.

For such a display of strength Xenon was not spared damage, his fingers were mangled beyond recognition. They barely remained attached to his hand. His blood and that of his cousins were mixed together like the finest of wines. Satisfied with his victory he looked to pull his hand out of him. When his arm did not move after the first tug. He looked down to see the Stygian warrior laughing as blood gushed out of his mouth. Both hands gripped tightly around the arm that went through him.

"Fuck you," is all he could mutter as he smiled.

The warrior that Xenon had been fighting excelled in strength—even though Xenon could not tell through their skirmish—he would quickly realize it because of the incredible grip the man now held his arm with. Before he could force the Stygian warrior to let him go. The other fighter approached with animalistic speed, straight for the neck of the Lord of War. The release of such staggering bloodlust forced Xenon to turn ready to defend himself, but the warrior anticipated and switched his attack. He moved from Xenon's neck and lowered himself in between both his kin. In one swift motion with all the power he could muster and his steel sword blazing with his raging Willpower. He cut through Xenon's arm while it was still embedded in his brother, separating them both. The impaled warrior fell on the floor quickly losing consciousness, his strength leaving him. The last thing he saw was a gruesome sight. For the first time he had begun to understand what separated those like him from the Lords of War.

Xenon turned to face the incoming attack, not even acknowledging his left arm being severed. The fighter was prepared for the Lord of Eirdu to use his right hand with the ice spear he held, to block the attack. In fact all who watched on expected this outcome. It was the only logical conclusion. However Xenon Xerxes seldom did what people expected, his unpredictability was his greatest asset and the most terrifying thing about him. As the tip of the sword arrived, he raised his severed arm and sheathed the incoming attack with the open stump of his left hand. The blade sunk into his hand and exited at his elbow. All recoiled in great horror at the gruesome sight of his defense, including the Stygian warrior, who could not believe that the Lord of War would do something so grotesque. That half second he paused in his attack was all Xenon needed. He let go of the ice spear in his right hand and grabbed the man by the throat, crushing his windpipe instantaneously. But he did not stop there. With considerable might he threw the Stygian clear into the air; here he would have no chance to escape. In the seconds he was suspended in the air, Xenon threw the first of the ice spears. It impaled him through the heart on to the stone ceiling. In quick succession Xenon pulled the second ice spear out of himself and threw it. This time impaling the Stygian warrior in the chest, pinning him perfectly. And like that the battle came to a close. The crowd exploded.

They chanted his name with great fervor and desire. In that moment he was their absolute god, a being who stood above all others. He had faced three Stygian warriors in combat with his bare hands and emerged victorious. Of all their many celebrations through the years, once again their lord delivered. He had put on a show worthy of his title of Lord of Eirdu and Guardian of Iliad. All the same, for Xenon Xerxes it was not enough. It was not nearly enough to compete against him. As he stood there bathing in adoration, in the distance he could see his silhouette, the viciousness in his eyes. The indifference to violence he so vividly remembered. Were it him he faced, the man would have killed him three times over already. After all these years, he still chased the Antares he knew from his younger years. The man who was once the pinnacle of the twelve Lords of War that roamed Iliad.