Chapter 586: One Last
Hearing Sahura's words, Erend looked at her for a few long moments and letting the truth settle in. She was right. He had so many people he wanted to protect and not just in one world. Its two worlds and each are equally important for him. It felt like a responsibility so vast it was almost too heavy to carry, yet he knew he would never turn away from it.
Eccar's voice broke the silence.
"And what about me?" he asked, his words light but tinged with worry. "I'm alone. Does that mean I'll become corrupted more easily?" He tried to smile, as if it were a joke, but the unease in his eyes betrayed him.
Sahura looked at him kindly, a gentle warmth in her gaze.
"You're not as alone as you think, Eccar. You've spent so much time by yourself, it's easy to forget. But now…" She glanced between him and Erend, a knowing look in her eyes. "You have a brother."
Eccar blinked, surprised. Sahura continued, her voice soft and sincere. "He's someone you want to protect, isn't he? And through him, you'll also protect everyone he cares about. That desire to protect is stronger than you realize."
Eccar's smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. He scoffed lightly, as if trying to brush it off, but then he nodded. "You might be right," he murmured, a touch of gratitude in his voice.
Erend catching the sincerity in his friend's voice and couldn't help but smile, but he didn't look Eccar's way. The words, the sentiment between them… it was true but acknowledging it openly felt too close.
Meeting each other's gaze would just make it awkward, each of them knowing the truth without needing to say another word.
Sahura's gaze shifted, a playful gleam appeared in her eye. "So, what will it be? Do you want to head back outside or face one more challenge?"
Erend and Eccar exchanged a look, weighing their options.
"What do you think?" Erend asked, his voice filled with both anticipation and caution.
Eccar tilted his head, thinking for a moment.
"Feels like we're on the edge of something big," he replied. "Wouldn't sit right to leave now halfway through. I think let's finish this."
Erend nodded in agreement with determination in his expression. "Alright, Sahura. We'll face one more," he said.
Sahura's smile widened approvingly. "Good choice. But I must warn you, this creature is a little stronger than what you've faced before. Prepare yourselves."
With that, Sahura's form shimmered and dissolved, and as if following her lead the entire oasis vanished in particles of light, leaving them once again in the barren desert, the sun blazing down on them.
Immediately, they activated their Dragon Scales, the shimmering scales layering across their skin. They knew a monster could strike from any direction in this desolate landscape and they weren't about to be caught off guard.
Then, from the shifting sands few meters in front of them the creature emerged. It was a skeletal figure clad in ancient armor, its sand-colored plating worn but gleaming in the sunlight, accented by small streaks of blue.
It held a massive sword that glinted ominously, and though it was only bones, its stance held the weight and poise of a seasoned warrior.
Its eyes blazed with a cold blue light, locking onto Erend and Eccar with an intensity that belied its undead form. The size of the creatures is now the same as them and no longer giant, its presence imposing and silent like a warrior from a long-lost age.
Erend and Eccar shared one last glance, each silently steeling themselves for the clash.
Without a word, Erend and Eccar launched themselves forward. Their wings beating powerfully as they propelled themselves through the scorching desert air toward the skeletal warrior.
The sands stirred wildly in their wake, but the warrior held its ground, ancient armor unmoved by the force of their approach.
Erend led with a sweeping strike of his claws, aiming for the warrior's shoulder. But with surprising agility, the skeletal figure sidestepped. Its armor rattling as it twisted while bringing its massive sword up just in time to deflect Erend's attack.
Eccar immediately followed but the skeleton pivoted smoothly, parrying with swift precision as the two Dragonborn closed in on it from both sides.
Each clash of claw against steel echoed through the desert. Erend slashed at the skeleton's chest, his claws scraping against its armor but the warrior seemed unfazed.
It retaliated with a swift downward strike, its sword slicing through the air toward Erend who managed to deflect the blow with his scaled forearm.
Eccar took advantage of the skeleton's momentary focus on Erend and lunged forward, his claws raking at the warrior's flank. The warrior shifted just in time, its armor taking the brunt of Eccar's attack, but the force of the blow sent it skidding back a few paces in the sand.
However, it quickly regained its stance, and the cold blue light in its eyes blazed brighter as if spurred on by the challenge.
The skeleton's sword swung in a wide arc, forcing both Dragonborn to leap back to avoid the reach of its blade. They can't be reckless cause they knew that the enemy is strong. They don't know how much damage it can give them even with their scales on.
They circled, each looking for an opening, but the warrior matched their movements with a steadfast calm that made it difficult to predict its next move.
Erend and Eccar exchanged a brief glance, silently agreeing to attack together. This time, they came in from opposite sides, each striking in perfect synchrony.
Erend's claws slashed downward while Eccar aimed for the warrior's exposed side.
But the skeleton warrior moved with an almost unnatural speed, ducking beneath Erend's strike while raising its sword to parry Eccar's. Its movement was fluid yet sharp, a seamless blend of skill and reflex honed over what must have been centuries of battle.
With a swift backhand slash, it forced Eccar to jump back, narrowly avoiding a cut that would have struck deep.
For a brief moment, the skeleton paused, as if assessing its opponents. Erend and Eccar caught their breath, both of them feeling the weight of the encounter. It was clear that this was no ordinary creature—it possessed both the skill of a master swordsman and the endurance of something beyond life. This creature is really different.
Taking advantage of the lull, Erend charged again, his claws igniting with fire as he aimed for the warrior's center. This time, the flames scorched the surface of the skeleton's armor, leaving a darkened mark.
Eccar followed, his own claws flashing, and they drove the warrior back another few steps.
But even as they forced it back, the skeleton's grip on its sword never wavered. With a sudden burst of speed it retaliated and the massive blade swinging up in a powerful uppercut aimed at Erend. He barely had time to dodge, feeling the wind of the sword's arc as it passed just inches from him.
Eccar charged forward, his wings flaring wide to distract the skeleton while Erend moved in low, launching a sweeping kick that finally managed to unbalance it.
The skeleton stumbled, its sword dipping, and Erend seized the opportunity, his claws striking with a force that sent it sprawling back.
Yet, even as it fell, the skeleton didn't hesitate. It sprang to its feet instantly, raising its sword once more, ready to continue the battle without so much as a pause.
Erend sighed. Did they make mistake when they choos not to going out earlier?
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