I waited until I could hear a distinct pattern in the banging on the door. Bang, bang, bang. I quickly unlatched the door and stepped back. The door flew open, and a soldier came stumbling in. Before he could even assess the situation, the woman's spear was through his throat and coming out of the top of his head. She quickly pulled the spear out and was in a defensive stance before the man even hit the floor.

  Four more soldiers rushed in, and she expertly disposed of them all. The first soldier met the same fate as the one before him. As she pulled the spear out, she spun and knocked the second soldier to the ground with her shield. Her spear struck at the third, but his shield was raised, deflecting the blow. She kicked his shield, and as he stumbled back, she seized the opportunity to finish off the one still on the ground.

  The soldier regained his footing and charged. she dodged his spear and flipped him over her shield, burying her spear into the last soldier entering before turning around and finishing off the final soldier. This all happened in a matter of seconds. She paused for a moment, waiting for more guards, but none came.

  I peeked out of the room, and the hallway was empty. I dragged the soldier’s body inside that was blocking the doorway, and quickly shut it.

  "What are you doing?" the woman asked as I started disrobing him.

  "I've been wearing these rags for too long. It’s time for me to wear some actual armor."

  I unlatched his armor and slid off his robe, quickly shedding my tattered clothes. The woman sighed and turned around. I slipped the robe on easily enough, but struggled a bit with the leather chest piece and pauldrons. The woman peeked over her shoulder and sighed again.

  "Let me help you."

  She came over, strapped the chest piece around me, and latched it behind my back. She did the same with the pauldrons.

  "There," she said.

  I nodded, retrieved the spear and shield, and cracked the door open again, peeking through. The hallway was still empty, so I motioned for her to follow. In a crouching stance, we sprinted down the hallway to the door at the end. I carefully cracked it open and peeked through. I could see a large double doorway, which appeared to be the entrance, with two guards standing on either side. I could also hear voices coming from the other side of the room I couldn’t see. It sounded like a few people.

  I turned around and whispered, "There are two soldiers at the doorway, and it sounds like more in the room, but I can't see them. I don’t know how many."

  She thought for a moment, then pushed me aside.

  Hey!" I whispered as loudly as I could, but she was already out the door, rushing toward the two soldiers at the entrance. I quickly followed, spear and shield at the ready. She charged, and just as the first soldier noticed her, she threw her spear and it stuck into the mans head. Without stopping she ran past him, shot a bolt of lightning at the second, staggering him, and pulling his spear from his grasp she spun around and stuck it straight through his heart, pinning him to the wooden wall.

  I rushed in behind her, turning to clear the rest of the room. Three soldiers charged toward us, their spears and shields ready for combat. The first one lunged forward with a thrust of his spear, and I deflected it with my shield. I thrust my spear at the mans head but missed. The second soldier jumped slightly and brought his spear down in a downward thrust. I quickly swung my shield to the side, deflecting the blow, and then swung it back hard against him. The impact sent him stumbling backward, dropping his spear in the process.

  The third soldier lunged with a straight thrust from my side. I jumped back just in time, bringing my shield down hard on the spear, breaking it at the tip. The first soldier then charged me trying to bash me with his shield.

  I stood my ground and just as he was about to hit I pushed back with all my might knocking him onto his back. I quickly jabbed my spear into his chest a couple times killing him. I turned and the woman had rushed to my aid quickly killing the remaining two soldiers with quick and precise spear thrusts to the head. She pulled her spear free and looked at me. "You need to train more with that spear. It's kind of embarrassing for a Chosen to be this bad."

  Just then, a notification popped up:

  Spear mastery increased to level 2

  I blinked it away and glanced at her. "After this fight, I'll be better than you."

  She just stared at me, her expression stern. "You have to survive first."

  I started toward the main doors, but the woman stopped me. "Wait, the throne room is this way." She turned toward a door in the opposite direction, and I reluctantly followed her. She paused at the door, and I carefully cracked it open, peeking inside. Darian was indeed seated on his throne, but he was addressing a group of at least twenty soldiers. I slowly closed the door and turned to her.

  "This is suicide," I said. "There are tons of soldiers in there."

  She stared at me sternly. "Is Darian in there?"

  I hesitated. "Yeah, but—"

  Before I could finish, she burst through the door.

  "Darian!" she yelled as she rushed in. I turned and glanced at the main door, considering the possibility of leaving right then. I could run through those doors and, hopefully, slip away—especially with the soldiers' robe and armor I was wearing, and with the woman distracting most of the soldiers it would make it that much easier.

  But then, the thought of Harald and his family flickered in my mind. The Warden was building up his forces, and if I left now, Harald and the elves fate was sealed.

  I stared at my escape for a moment, then stood up, took a deep breath and followed the woman through the door.

  All the soldiers were turned around, facing the woman, their spears and shields at the ready. She stood steady, staring right back at them in the same defensive stance, showing not a shred of fear. Darian rose to his feet.

  "Well, what a surprise. The criminals managed to escape. Tell me, Elysia, what did you hope to accomplish by storming into my throne room, weapon in hand, with a Chosen at your side?"

  I felt more than a little intimidated by the situation, and every ounce of self-preservation urged me to run.

  "This is clearly you volunteering to have both of your sentences carried out here and now," Darian continued. "Men, deal with this!"

  The soldiers began to move toward us.

  "Wait!" Elysia commanded, her tone sharp. The soldiers hesitated.

  "I came here to settle a duel with you, and you betrayed the very tradition the Stormkin have upheld for centuries." She relaxed her posture slightly and addressed the soldiers. "If any of you are proud to serve a ruler who hides behind you and uses you to fight his battles, then every one of you deserves to die here with him."

  The soldiers all looked at each other unsure with what to do. Darian commanded,"I gave you an order to kill these criminals."

  One of the soldiers turned to Darian, clearly the leader of these men. "Sir," he said, standing at attention. "If what Elysia says is true, then you must settle the duel."

  Darian stomped his foot and yelled, "She tried to invade and take over our island! We were able to kill her men and capture her. Now, do your duty and grant her death."

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  The soldier turned to Elysia, and she simply shook her head. "I wouldn't have invaded with only ten soldiers. We came with the intention of settling a duel."

  She then pointed her spear at Darian. "Your leader is lying to you all."

  The soldier turned to look at Darian, and Elysia continued, "He is clearly afraid, and as I said, hiding behind you."

  Darian quickly jumped up in a rage grabbing his spear and shield and made his way toward Elysia. The soldiers parted, moving to the sides of the room and creating a makeshift arena. Elysia glanced back at me.

  Whatever happens, don't interfere," she said. "If I fall, run, find a boat, and sail to the island directly west of here. Tell them what happened. My men will honor our agreement."

  I nodded silently and stepped to the side amongst the soldiers. Elysia then entered the ring and Darian and her began circling each other.

  Darian struck first with a hard spear thrust aimed at her head.

  Elysia quickly leaned her head to the side, avoiding it and knocking it away with her shield.

  They circled each other for a few more moments before Darian struck again, this time aiming at Elysia's legs.

  She jumped and came down hard with her shield, attempting to break or pin the spear to the ground. However, Darian was able to retract it in time.

  They circled each other once more, Elysia waiting for an opening while Darian tested her defenses.

  Darian smiled, "Do I look afraid to you?"

  He lunged yet again aiming his spear for Elysia.

  She leaned her head and knocked the spear away with her shield, however, this time she rushed forward and thrust her spear low at Darian. He tried to retreat but her strike was too fast burying into his thigh and tearing flesh as she pulled it back.

  "You should be." She said returning to her defensive stance.

  Darian returned to his position, clearly angry and now with a limp in his step. I looked at his thigh and saw the blood pooling, quickly changing the color of his gold laced robe.

  He stared at Elysia with pure hatred in his eyes. Elysia stared back with focus and calm.

  Darian rushed her hard with his shield raised and Elysia raised hers in return. Thier shields clashed hard and sent Elysia sliding back a few feet. Darian continued rushing and Elysia was able to sidestep and send another piercing blow into the back of Darian's shoulder as he slipped past her. He roared in frustration stopping himself as he hit the wall.

  He immediately dropped his spear and grabbed a lit torch off the wall throwing it at Elysia. She raised her shield however the torch hit her shield and seemed to explode raining down fire and ashes all over her.

  Darian quickly picked up his spear and charged her again aiming for her head. She tried to dodge but was too slow to react with the burning hot coals now blistering her body and Darian's spear opened a large gash between her shoulder and neck.

  She stumbled a bit and Darian quickly hit her hard with his shield causing her to lose her footing and fall to the floor. Darian dropped his spear and shield and launched himself on top of her wrapping his hands around her throat and squeezing hard. She clawed at his hands but to no effect.

  I felt myself react and started toward the two but was quickly blocked by several soldiers. "You cannot interfere in a duel," one of the soldiers said with his spear pointed at my throat. I looked over his shoulder and saw Elysia throwing punches at Darians face. He lowered his head and it only seemed to increase his rage as his hands tensed up even more around her throat. I started to push past the soldiers but two of them grabbed me by both arms. I headbutted one hard breaking his nose before two more rushed over to take his place pinning me to the wall.

  "Try to interfere again chosen and you will die."

  I felt my anger boiling and in that moment, I was prepared to kill everyone of these men to save Elysia from this fate. "You all saw he cheated!" I yelled struggling a bit with the three men. "Everything is permitted in a duel except interference by others," the soldier said this time moving his spear just an inch from my throat.

  I closed both my fists and opened them producing a flame. The soldier looked at my hands and back up at me. "You will not interfere!" He commanded.

  Just then I heard a crackling sound coming from Elysia. Panic started to take over as I struggled with the soldiers obstructing my view. They all turned to see the source of the noise and I was able to see the fight again.

  Darian was still on top of Elysia with his hands wrapped tightly around her throat, except Elysia's eyes were glowing. It was a light blue color radiating out like the color of a flash of lightning.

  Darian still held on until Elysia reached her hands up and grabbed his face. They stayed like this for a moment and then Darian let go grabbing Elysia's hands. The light from her eyes grew more intense as Darian screamed out in pain. He fell back and Elysia leaned up still holding his face and keeping her gaze on him.

  The soldiers softened their grip and we all just stared at this sight in awe.

  "Darian continued screaming and clawing at her hands, trying to get them off, but nothing seemed to help. The light from her eyes grew brighter and brighter, and her tattoos began to move and glow. She stared at him fiercely, gritting her teeth as the tattoos moved faster and faster, as if she were becoming the fury of a hurricane condensed into the body of a woman."

  Then all at once that energy was released from her hands and into Darian causing a massive burst of light and roar of thunder loud enough that I had to cover my ears.

  After a few moments I looked up to see most of the soldiers slowly getting up, the force of the blast knocking them off their feet and Elysia sitting in the middle completely alone.

  Everyone was silent and Elysia just stared at the black soot on the floor that was, a few moments ago Darian.

  She looked around at the soldiers, her eyes and tattoos returning to normal. She picked up her spear and shield and started to stand but stumbled.

  I ran over offering her my shoulder. She wrapped an arm around me and I could feel how weak she was.

  "What now?" I whispered. Her breathing was heavy and she spoke in a labored tone. "Now, we go to my ship and sail home."

  I supported her as we made our way past the soldiers toward the door, but one soldier blocked our path. "You are free to return home, Elysia," he said, "but the chosen must stay. He attacked our people and forced his way into our lands." My anger surged again, and I tightened my grip on my spear and shield.

  Elysia spoke calmly, "I cannot stop you from keeping him here." I quickly glanced at her, shocked by what I was hearing.

  "However," she continued, "if he is to stay, I will sail home, return with my army, and no one will be spared."

  I looked at the soldier. He stared at her for a moment, then glanced over my shoulder at someone behind me.

  "Let them go," the voice said, and I recognized it as the leader who had stood up to Darian. The soldier simply nodded and stepped aside.

  We made our way out of the door and through the next room to the main set of double doors passing the bodies of the soldiers we had slain earlier. When we exited, a couple of soldiers were waiting outside and escorted us all the way to the coast. It was night at this point and I was thankfull for the assistance. We reached at a ship similar to the one I had arrived on, but with different markings. It had a painting of mountains, with lightning crackling around them.

  I helped Elysia onto the boat, by this point carrying her completely. Once we were on board, I sat her down, and she leaned against the railing, her spear and shield still gripped tightly in her hands. The soldiers pushed the boat into the water, and I grabbed an oar, trying to row as I had seen the other Stormkin do. I rowed as hard as I could, alternating sides and struggling to push past the waves. Elysia seemed to have fallen asleep at this point, and I wasn’t sure what to do, so I kept rowing until we reached calmer waters.

  "Drop the sail," she whispered. I looked around, confused at first, until I spotted a large canvas rolled up high in the air. I searched for something to release it with. Elysia pointed to a rope secured to a metal hook. I unlatched it and let the rope slide through my hands as the sail unfurled, catching the wind.

  We started moving much faster. Once I felt that everything was under control, I took a seat next to Elysia.

  She leaned against me and laid her head on my shoulder. I placed my hand in hers, trying to comfort her.

  "You never told me your name," she said, and I paused for a moment. She was right—I hadn’t.

  "My name is Ryker," I replied. "And in my defense, you never told me your name either. I had to learn it from Darian."

  She laughed softly. "I just wasn't sure if you'd survive long enough for it to matter."

  I playfully nudged her head with my shoulder in protest.

  "I saw you," she said, squeezing my hand a bit.

  "What do you mean?" I asked, confused.

  "When Darian got the better of me, I saw you arguing with the soldiers, then I saw your fire magic activate."

  I was silent for a moment. "I couldn't just watch you die."

  She laughed softly again. "I felt the same way about you, and I think that's what saved me."

  This confused me a bit. "Your amazingly powerful lightning magic is what saved you," I said.

  She shook her head. "Magic is tricky. It’s a part of you on an emotional level. The more your emotions run through you, the more potent your magic becomes. You have to be careful. You can use, for example, anger as a powerful booster for your magic. But if you're not careful, it can consume you, and in turn, your magic will consume you, destroying you."

  I thought about this for a moment, and it made sense. She continued. "That’s what you saw. Darian got the upper hand, and I was angry. I could feel the energy flowing through me, but it wasn’t enough. But when I saw you ready to die to save me, knowing you surely would if you tried... that’s when my anger started to consume me, and you saw the effect of that. It was only after I was able to recognize it and regain control that the energy finally released—killing Darian instead of myself."

  I was a bit shocked hearing this. We had only just met a few hours ago, yet facing death together had made us both willing to sacrifice ourselves to save the other.

  "I guess that makes us friends now?" I said, smiling.

  She looked up at me. "I know now that I can trust you," she said, smiling back. "And yes, I would say that makes us friends."

  She laid her head back down, and I just stared at the vast blackness of the ocean around us. I looked up at the two moons and began to relax. I hadn’t realized how tired I was until I felt myself starting to nod off. I looked down at Elysia, and she was fast asleep. I laid my head back, and in no time, I drifted away.