THE CHOSEN ONE

Chapter 10 - Comraderie

"Of course she knows where that is," the voice drawled, its tone a chilling blend of amusement and disdain.

"As a matter of fact, everyone knows what that is. It's not some hidden secret, tucked away in a dusty corner of the world. It's a place that everyone knows about, a place that everyone whispers about in hushed tones." the voice keeps getting familiar as he speaks.

The voice paused, letting the weight of its words hang in the air.

"Everyone knows where you can find a place like that," it continued, its words laced with a subtle threat. "It's not some far off land, some mythical paradise. It’s right here, in plain sight. You just need to know where to look."

The voice, though seemingly distant, carried an unsettling familiarity.

The voice, a low rumble that echoed in the dusty room, sent a shiver down my spine. It was familiar, undeniably so, but not in the way I expected. It wasn't the timbre, the melody, or the cadence that resonated with my memory. It was the tone, the underlying current of emotion, that felt like a forgotten melody, one I couldn't quite place. Was it the hint of sarcasm that had always lingered, or the weary resignation that had colored his words in the past? I couldn't be sure, but it resonated with something deep within me, a chord struck long ago, and left to fade.

He stepped out of the shadows, and my breath caught in my throat. He was an imp, a tiny spark of mischief compared to the inferno of rage I'd faced.

"It's been too long, hasn't it?" He said as he was smiling the whole time.

Recognition flooded me, a wave of emotions crashing as I realized who this person was, a rival from not so long ago.

"Didn’t you shrink a little bit? What happened to the 'I was the strongest demon'?" I remarked playfully, replicating the casual banter we used to share while fighting inside the game before. It was just like old times, exchanging light-hearted jabs and teasing each other about our characters' strengths and weaknesses. The atmosphere felt familiar, and I couldn't help but smile, reminiscing about those epic battles and unforgettable moments we had in the virtual realm.

Back in those days, we were constantly engaged in intense battles against one another, resulting in an impressive tally of 998 draws. Despite the fierce competition and numerous encounters, I managed to secure just one victory that tipped the scales in my favor. This remarkable record highlights not only the tenacity of our rivalry but also the equally matched skill levels we both possessed. Each match was a testament to our determination and resilience as we strove to outdo one another, making every draw feel like a monumental achievement in itself. It was a unique period, filled with challenges and unforgettable moments, where every clash brought us closer to the ultimate showdown, yet we remained locked in a stalemate for the most part.

I log out everytime feeling so frustrated but can't remember why but then logging in makes me remember all those emotions and we fight and fight until I win and beat the game where he is the final boss.

"You still have that arrogance in you, huh? I see that confidence hasn't faded since your arrival," Dael remarked, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.

He descended from the tree where he had been perched, his movements graceful and fluid. The branches swayed gently under his weight, and as he landed softly on the ground, he straightened up to face me.

His eyes glinted with a mixture of admiration and amusement as he continued.

"It seems you have grand ambitions, wanting to assemble an army right out of the gate. That's no small feat, you know. Most people would take their time to settle in, but you? You’re already thinking about power and following. I find that intriguing."

Dael took a moment to study the person before him, noting the determination etched in their features.

"There's something fascinating about your approach," he added, leaning against the rough bark of the tree, crossing his arms casually.

"It takes guts to think so big, especially in a world where alliances can make or break you. Tell me, what drives you to seek such strength right away?" Dael said with a big smirk on his face.

"I don't know what you mean by an army," I said, glancing around with a puzzled expression, searching for any signs of other people.

"As you can see, there's only the three of us here." My eyes swept the sparse surroundings, hoping to catch a glimpse of anyone else who might be lurking nearby.

It was perplexing to figure out what he was referring to, and my confusion only deepened. What kind of delusions was he entertaining? Did he truly believe I commanded an army? The notion was laughable at best. All I had with me were two capable women, who were part of my small team. There was no grand battalion standing by, no legion of soldiers ready to spring into action, Just us.

My mind raced as I tried to piece together his intentions. Did he think we were some sort of military faction? Or maybe he was just trying to intimidate me with grandiose ideas of warfare? Regardless, it was clear to me that his perception was wildly skewed, leaving me baffled and somewhat amused.

I turned back to him when I realize what he really meant when he said that I have an army, a slight smirk creeping onto my lips, eager to clarify the absurdity of his statement. "Do you really think I could possess an army? We're just three individuals, each with our own skills. No legions, no battalions, just us taking on the challenges ahead." I said hoping that he still knows how I gave signals and understand what I really want to say.

As he decides to unleash his unique skills, an intense heat radiates from his hands, indicating the powerful energies he is channeling. With a swift and sudden movement, he propels himself towards me, his body a blur of motion. In response, I focus my energy and summon my own magic. I conjure my fist ice spell, infusing it with a surge of overflowing magical energy that transforms it into a ice flames and it appears as if the very essence of fire swirls around the icy structure, giving birth to a captivating phenomenon: burning ice.

When our fists finally collide, it creates a tremendous shockwave that reverberates through the air. The force of our clash is so immense that it shatters the iron ice wall I had constructed earlier; shards of ice and fragments scatter in every direction. In the aftermath of our epic confrontation, an enormous cloud of thick smoke engulfs the surroundings, obscuring the view. The two women who had been observing us find themselves engulfed in the obscuring haze and are unable to see either me or my opponent, as the battlefield becomes a chaotic dance of elemental forces and swirling shadows. The tension in the air is palpable as we prepare for what might come next, hidden from sight but not from each other’s intent.

"I thought they were friends and knew each other well," Lai said, her brow furrowed in confusion as she watched the chaos unfold before her.

"Why are they fighting each other, then? Just moments ago, they were speaking to one another in such a playful manner, laughing and exchanging light-hearted jibes. It seems almost impossible that this is happening." Lai said as they move out of the fog.

Cassiel, standing beside Lai, squinted through the thick fog that had enveloped the area as a result of the immense power and energy unleashed during the clash of the two fighters. The air felt charged with tension, making it hard to breathe.

"I don’t know, the only thing that comes to mind is what God Aramid said to me" Cassiel said, her voice barely above a whisper as she tried to piece together the unfolding drama.

"God Aramid said to me when I came back that they are so close to each other yet still rivals. I can't really understand what God Aramid said back then but I think we are seeing the glimps of it now, It’s difficult to see anything through this mist though. It’s as if the very air around us has become a battlefield, obscuring everything that might help us make sense of this madness. One moment there was camaraderie, and now… it’s like they’ve turned into completely different people." Cassiel said as they watch the fog emiting colors after colors.

The fog swirled ominously, and Lai shook her head in disbelief. The sight of their once jovial interactions now replaced by fierce combat was enough to make her heart race with uncertainty.

"It doesn’t make sense," she added, trying to focus her thoughts amidst the confusion.

"What could have happened between them to ignite such anger? They seemed bonded by something deeper before... but now, everything feels warped." Lai screaming at the wind started to blow the fog away and they saw the two are still fighting each other.

Cassiel nodded, her eyes scanning the thinning fog, hoping to catch a glimpse of the two combatants to understand the source of this sudden discord.

"You still have it in you, huh? Even when you’ve been cut down to size," I said with a chuckle, a mixture of surprise and admiration coloring my voice. We paused for a moment in the midst of our intense struggle, the tension of our fight eased as we exchanged knowing smiles. It was a rare glimpse of camaraderie amidst the chaos, reminding us that even in our fiercest battles, there was still a flicker of respect and connection between us.