kscans

CHAPTER 7 CHALLENGE TO THE LABYRINTH – Episode 9 Cave of Trials (Part 6)

16

Bard gazed at the God of War. He gazed at the black, giant steed that the God of War was astride. That must be the divine horse, Ordostan.

The God of War Mada-Veri is the son of the forest god Ubanu-Dodo and his wife Aether-Lutha. His childhood name was Kido. The young Kido set out on a journey carrying the “Sword of the Earth” to acquire the power to defeat the thunder god Paul-Beau. Along the way, he encountered one of the exceptionally powerful enemies, the God of Swamp Enmo. After a fierce battle, the young Kido emerged victorious, and the God of Swamp praised his indomitable spirit, gifting him his beloved steed, Ordostan. It is said that Ordostan is the transformed form of the God of Swamp Enmo himself. Since then, the young Kido has continued his adventures with Ordostan as his trusted mount. Ordostan has saved Kido from peril many times. Finally, Kido defeated the five great gods and was inducted into the ranks of the God of Wars. He then led the gods to victory in the great war against the demons, becoming the God of War Mada-Veri. Ordostan, the divine horse, has been the one supporting him through all those battles.

Seeing the God of War astride his beloved steed, Bard suddenly felt a sense of loneliness. The God of War has his mount. Yet he is all alone. But the next moment, he told himself, “No, that is not the case.” For he had this leather armor that Polpo put his soul into, and the ancient sword that Idora had given him. This ancient sword also holds the spirit of Stavros, and the craftsmanship of the swordsmith Zendatta. He is not alone.

Bard drew the ancient sword and cried out in his heart, “Stavros, be with me!”

Then, a strange thing happened. Bright blue-green particles of light sprang forth from the ancient sword. The particles of light flowed to the ground, quickly growing in size. Soon, the particles consolidate into a form. When the light subsided, there stood Stavros, in the vigor of his youth.

“Oh! Oh!”

Bard was overjoyed. He did not find it strange at all that Stavros, who was supposed to be dead, now stood before him in such a youthful form. Where is this place? Isn’t this a hidden place deep within the Great Fyuza where the gods reside? It is only natural for wondrous things to occur here.

The blue-green light from the ancient sword continued to flow unabated. This time, the light enveloped Bard’s body. The light was absorbed into Bard’s body and his armor, making a crackling sound as his muscles regained their strength. It was as if the invincible physique of his youth had been revived. His body was overflowing with fighting spirit. His blood was boiling, his breath was hot, and his gaze could pierce through rock. The five bones of the demonic beast attached to his left hand were shining with an exceptionally strong light.

Bard mounted Stavros. At the opposite end of the arena, the God of War calmly waited, mounted on his black horse. Bard grinned.

“Oh, Ordostan, the divine horse, what will you do? I have the noble steed Stavros!”

Bard raised the ancient sword high and let out a war cry. His body that had been revived by the grace of the ancient sword in recent years, was tight and toned. The refined martial arts were reviving. Bard was now in the best condition of his life. The ancient sword emitted a dazzling light. Now, the divine dragon residing in the ancient sword was unleashing its formidable divine might without restraint.

On the opposite side of the arena, the God of War was emanating fighting spirit from his entire body. The God of War and the old knight charged simultaneously. For these two knights, a distance of about a hundred steps was just a single stride. The God of War quickly approached Bard.

He was big. The God of War was larger than Bard, and his divine horse was also larger than Stavros, so the God of War’s face was about two heads higher than Bard’s. The God of War held his shield in his left upper front and swung his sword down from his right upper diagonal. At that moment, Stavros showed a miraculous extended stride. Thanks to this, Bard was able to close the distance. Bard’s left arm received the God of War’s sword. The demonic beast’s bones embedded in it had saved Bard’s life many times before.

The powerful strike of a knight with a shield is always delivered from the upper right. The left side is protected by the shield, so the sword cannot be swung. The God of War’s attack followed this standard pattern. However, Bard did not have a shield on his left hand. Now the God of War’s left side was hidden by the shield, but his right side was exposed. Moreover, the God of War was swinging his sword down from the upper right, so the right half of his face was wide open. While shielding his head with his left hand, Bard struck the God of War’s exposed face with the ancient sword.

After a moment of crossing, the two knights passed each other, slowing their horses and turning around. All the demonic beast’s bones embedded in Bard’s left hand were completely severed. The bones of the flesh beneath it have probably not escaped unharmed either. They are likely broken or at least cracked.

Meanwhile, the right side of the God of War’s head is in a pitiful state. The helmet is dented and cracked, and there is a hole in the skull beneath it, from which red blood is trickling.

“Magnificent,”

the God of War murmured with a smile. Immediately, a sound like shattering ice rang out, and the God of War dissolved into particles of light, scattering and vanishing. The bell rang three times.

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Bard descended from Stavros. Just as before, he gently stroked the horse’s neck. The familiar sensation of Stavros licking Bard’s face was comforting.

“Stavros. Well done. Thank you.”

Bard expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Stavros. Stavros’ form was becoming translucent. Gradually, his figure dissolved into the air. Finally, Stavros let out a small neigh and vanished into the void.

“Stavros. Thank you so much.”

Bard spoke the words aloud once more. Bard’s companions gathered around him. Zariya was cradled in Engdahl’s arms. Zariya raised her palm, trying to place it on Bard’s left arm. Bard gently enveloped Zariya’s trembling hands with his right hand.

“It’s alright. The battle is over. Now just rest.”

“I see,” Zariya said, closing her eyes. She was drenched in sweat, her lips were dry, and her complexion was poor. He must not push her any further.

Bard turned and looked into the depths of the arena. There were six entrances open.

“I’ll go in first,” Yemite said, entering the rightmost entrance. The entrance then vanished.

“Oh my. The entrance has disappeared. Hmm. It seems we must enter the other entrances one by one.”

Godon was right.

“Haha, what an intriguing arrangement! Then I shall go next.”

Godon entered the second entrance from the right, and it vanished. Karz then disappeared into the third entrance, casting a glance at Bard. Three entrances remained. Bard told Engdahl to gently lay Zariya on the floor, and Engdahl vanished into the fourth entrance. Two entrances were left. Zariya weakly opened her eyes.

“Go on, Bard Rowen. Beyond that hole lies what you have been seeking. I’ll rest here for a while and catch up with you later. I’m really curious to see what’s there.”

Bard nodded. Then, he said,

“I’m grateful for your help. Thank you.”

And he passed through the fifth entrance. Suddenly, he found himself in a bright place. It was a room. A small, perfectly square room. The floor was gray and strangely fluffy. The ceiling and walls were a soft white. There were no candles, yet it was bright, as if the entire ceiling was glowing. When he looked back, there was only a wall. There is no way to return to the arena. Perhaps the others who had entered before him were in similar places. But Zariya would not be coming through that entrance.

Zariya should have died long ago. She had lived this long only by absorbing the power of spirits. But she had exhausted that power. The spirit within Zariya is weakened and is likely on the verge of disappearing at any moment. When the spirit vanished, so would Zariya’s life. Bard realized this as he stepped into the final arena. There was no turning back now. Zariya had committed herself fully to this adventure, using her remaining strength. That resolve could not be wasted.

He would never see that old woman again. He would never hear her strange laughter again. Bard closed his eyes for a moment, praying for the repose of the soul of the apothecary Zariya.

On the opposite wall, there was a door with a handle. Bard approached the door and grasped the handle. But no matter how he pushed, pulled, or slid it, the handle would not move, and the door would not open. Bard began pounding on the door, harder and harder. He felt his body becoming enveloped in light. In the next moment, Bard found himself in a completely different place.