Gods & Mortals

Lance Knight.

Renowned as one of the strongest and most seasoned demigods among them, a war genius at the mere age of seventeen, and a mastermind of battle tactics. These were the tales whispered about him, and Klaus knew that facing him wouldn't be a walk in the park.

"Seems fate has brought us to this, Klaus Walker," Lance remarked, advancing slowly toward Klaus.

Every rational instinct in Klaus urged him to find an escape route, but his pride and determination kept him rooted in place.

"Seems like we'll have to face him head-on," Rose remarked to Klaus, well aware that their words were easier said than done.

"Seems that way," he replied tersely.

Klaus wasn't necessarily frightened of Lance; it was more about being cautious. Much like X, Lance possessed extensive training and battle experience, while Klaus had only trained for a week. Miracles seemed unlikely.

Then, suddenly, the door leading to the room swung open, and someone entered.

"Hey, Lance, my drones managed to pinpoint X's location before they were destroyed. He might be on the move now, so I can't guarantee his current location."

All eyes turned to Link, who was accompanied by three small bird-like drones hovering around him as he approached Lance.

"Oh, seems we have guests," Link remarked after spotting Klaus and Rose.

"Battling X will have to wait," Lance declared. "For now, our current task takes precedence."

Klaus already had reservations about facing Lance alone, but with Link's presence, he knew that their slim chance had diminished even further.

He understood that his and Rose's skills were questionable in the eyes of someone assigned as a leader and ranked above Trent, whose power Klaus had personally witnessed.

As Link walked beside Lance, ready to assist in the battle, Lance stretched his arm in front of Link, indicating that he should wait.

"Let me handle this. I want to face Klaus Walker on my own."

Link was surprised by Lance's decision and curious about his leader's specific interest in battling Klaus, but he trusted Lance's judgment more than anyone else on the team.

"Fine, suit yourself," Link replied with a shrug, accepting Lance's choice. Link returned to his seat on the sidelines, his mask displaying a face of indifference.

Rose turned to Klaus, her concern, evident upon seeing his expression. She knew what he was thinking, and she wasn't thrilled about it.

"Please don't tell me you want to face him alone," she pleaded, hoping for a different answer.

"I don't want to," Klaus admitted, "but I have to. For now, we need to fight on his terms and find a way to gain an edge in the battle. If he truly wanted us eliminated, he could have done it the moment we walked in."

Klaus believed that Lance was a formidable adversary, and it worried Rose why he was so determined to fight alone. However, she also had faith in Klaus's judgment and decided to support his decision, for the time being.

"Alright, but if I see an opportunity or you need help, I won't hesitate," Rose affirmed as she took a few steps back, ready to intervene if necessary.

A smile graced Lance's face as he stepped closer, recognizing that Klaus was honoring his request for a one-on-one duel.

"It will be an honor to face you," Lance said, his tone respectful and earnest.

With those words, Lance extended his hands, and gradually, a tangible sword formed out of thin air and nestled into his grasp.

"Divine Arsenal, huh," Klaus muttered quietly.

Not possessing a weapon of his own, Klaus knew that a direct assault would be perilous.

After a brief moment, Lance released the sword, and it promptly vanished into thin air before touching the ground.

"Apologies. Considering the rules, I guess it's best not to employ dangerous weaponry," Lance explained, spawning a wooden staff on his palm.

Klaus felt a twinge of belittlement at this gesture. He couldn't help but think that if he was putting his all into the fight while Lance wasn't reciprocating, a potential defeat would be all the more embarrassing.

It also meant that regardless of the outcome, their team would automatically lose in the battle of strength.

Yet, Klaus understood that complaining was futile. His odds of victory were better this way, so he chose to ignore the implied slight.

As Lance assumed a poised stance, Klaus seized the opportunity to attack.

Rapidly, Klaus launched a series of punches, each one following immediately after the other.

But not a single strike found its mark. Lance gracefully evaded every attack, almost as if it were second nature.

"I must commend you. For someone who only recently entered the realm of battle, your technique is remarkable," Lance commented, effortlessly sidestepping each of Klaus's attempts.

Klaus couldn't quite gauge whether Lance's words were meant to piss him off or not. Despite Lance's words, his actions told a different story of ease and control.

"Doesn't seem that way, does it?" Klaus retorted in frustration, his irritation growing.

Lance merely smiled, responding to Klaus's remark, "That's because you lack one critical thing..."

Before Lance could conclude his statement, he transitioned from defense to offense in a seamless motion. He swung his staff in a circular arc, halting Klaus's impending attack and redirecting it. Simultaneously, he used his free hand to pivot Klaus around, leveraging his momentum and then launched his palm toward Klaus's lifeline.

In a single moment, Lance ceased his strike, stopping just short of eliminating Klaus.

"...elegance," Lance finished his sentence with a serene air.

At that moment, Klaus grasped the situation, quickly retreating from Lance to regain his defensive position.

Klaus's mind was consumed by a profound sense of fear as he realized that his survival was solely due to Lance's will.

His frustration mounted even higher, cementing the belief that their team's victory was an improbable feat.

"Why are you toying with me?" Klaus questioned Lance, his frustration evident.

"Toying?" Lance responded calmly. "You misunderstand. I'm merely enhancing the dynamics of the battle."

Klaus was at a loss, uncertain whether Lance's actions were intended to be provoking or not. Yet, at this juncture, such nuances seemed insignificant as Klaus felt the odds were firmly stacked against him.

Lance pressed on, "However, if you insist on a more straightforward battle, then so be it."

With that declaration, Lance lunged at Klaus without hesitation, his staff sweeping through the air as he transitioned into an offensive stance.

Klaus evaded several of the strikes, but the rapid onslaught overwhelmed even his nimbleness. Lance's sudden alteration in tactics threw Klaus off balance, making evasion increasingly challenging.

Swiftly, Lance's staff struck Klaus's foot with remarkable force, sending him sprawling to the ground. Before Klaus could react, Lance pivoted the staff, aiming for Klaus's lifeline with the opposite end.

Just in the nick of time, Klaus managed to interpose his hands, halting the staff inches away from his lifeline, the pointed edge dangerously close.

Undeterred, Lance attempted to apply more pressure, seeking to overpower Klaus. Despite the strain, Klaus maintained a tenacious grip, his determination on display.

"Impressive," Lance muttered, admiring Klaus's fortitude as he recognized the immense willpower at play.

Meanwhile, Rose could no longer stand by idly. Witnessing Klaus's imminent elimination, she sprinted towards them, her intention to help, overriding her knowledge that the odds were against her.

However, one of Link's drones intervened, colliding with Rose's side and propelling her into the adjacent wall with painful force. The impact knocked her unconscious instantly.

"I'm sorry, but I can't let you interfere," Link declared as he advanced toward Rose's unconscious body, preparing to strike her lifeline.

Observing the unfolding chaos, Klaus realized that defeat seemed inevitable. The odds were overwhelmingly against them, with Link closing in on Rose's lifeline and Lance on his own.

But Klaus refused to capitulate. He wasn't prepared to concede defeat so readily.

With a determined breath, Klaus assessed the situation, detecting a potential avenue to explore. He closed his eyes momentarily, inhaling deeply. When he reopened them, concentrated beams of dazzling light emanated from his pupils, filling the room with a blinding radiance, regardless of where he directed his gaze.

The brilliance was so intense that it obscured even the closest objects, rendering them invisible in the glare. The force of the light felt almost searing as if something within Klaus's eyes had been profoundly affected before enveloping the surroundings.

As the radiant light bathed the surroundings, Klaus seized the opportunity. With Lance's vision obscured, he swiftly evaded the trajectory of Lance's staff and deftly seized it. He hurled the staff towards Link, altering the direction of his hand's trajectory away from Rose's lifeline.

Klaus's actions confirmed his ability to perceive despite the blinding brilliance that enshrouded the room and the area outside the windows.

Taking advantage of the situation, Klaus rushed to Rose's side, carrying her protectively. He guided her towards the exit, his mind weighing the potential risks of attacking versus the safer path of retreat. He understood that, even with their momentary vulnerability, both Lance's intuition and the presence of Link's drones posed significant challenges. With energy draining from him continuously, Klaus's calculated decision leaned towards a strategic withdrawal. Successfully, he and Rose managed to escape the perilous situation.

Once the radiance from Klaus's vision dissipated upon his exit, it took a few moments for Link and Lance to regain their full vision.

"What a cheeky move," Link remarked, his mask mimicking squinted eyes as he held on to his head, wincing slightly.

"To think he had the energy to illuminate the entire room," Lance mused, a mixture of admiration and acknowledgment in his tone.

"Well, at least they got away. Lucky them," Link added, his mask momentarily displaying a boot-up power bar before returning to its typical expression.

Lance's smile was one of comprehension as he walked back to his initial position and settled himself once more. He conveyed his insight confidently.

"Oh, they haven't retreated."

Link's surprise was palpable. "What do you mean? I'm not following."

"They didn't run away; they're simply just planning their next move," Lance elucidated.

Curiosity laced Link's voice as he inquired, "How are you so sure?"

Lance's response was layered with certainty. "Because it's Klaus Walker. Given his nature, he won't allow himself retreat, even if it spells certain defeat."