Chapter 10: Ch10 Snake vs Protagonists
The snake staggered back, its enormous body coiling in tight loops, scales clattering like armor plates. Its breath rattled from its throat, deep and guttural, shaking the branches above.
Liliana and Aithur, however, didn’t flinch. Their eyes weren’t even on each other anymore. Their shared fury was now directed at the serpent blocking their path.
Luther moved back and leaned against the trunk of a half burned tree, cupped his hands dramatically around his mouth.
"Alright, folks! Step right up! What we have here is the ultimate match of the century. On the left corner, weighing one giant temper tantrum and armed with a sword that’s compensating for something, the Flaming Knight herself—Liliana!"
Liliana didn’t even glance at him, but her grip on her sword tightened.
"And in the right corner," Luther continued, voice booming like a sports announcer, "with enough smugness to choke a dragon, and purple flames no one asked for... the one, the only, Duke of Overconfidence—Aithur!"
Aithur raised a brow and smirked, flicking dust off his cloak like he’d just walked into a ballroom.
"And finally!" Luther spread his arms wide. "The challenger! The almighty Misty Snake of Envelon Forest, here to devour idiots and ruin everyone’s day!"
The serpent roared, as if acknowledging its cue.
"Perfect," Luther muttered, stepping back. "And... fight!"
He imagined a giant "VS" flashing in the air.
Aithur smirked and flicked his wrist. Flames flared into existence, a ring of violet fireballs orbiting lazily around him. Liliana’s sword erupted with fire, crimson heat curling up its blade like a living thing. Her face, however, twisted in disgust when her eyes met Aithur’s smirk.
"Try not to embarrass yourself," Aithur teased.
"Try not to get in my way," she shot back.
The snake lunged.
Liliana moved first, fire carving the air as she slashed, sending waves of burning petals raining down on the serpent. Each strike ignited the ground, flames dancing across dirt and stone. But the snake slithered through, body moving with unnatural speed, dodging every fiery arc.
"Wow," Luther muttered, clapping slowly. "Look at that footwork—uh, tailwork? Olympic level. Meanwhile, I trip over tree roots. Totally fair."
The beast dove, body twisting before burrowing underground. The earth shook violently as it tunneled, a deep rumble like the growl of the forest itself.
Liliana braced, blade glowing red.
But Aithur leapt first, cloak flaring dramatically. Midair, he slammed both hands downward, violet fire erupting like meteors. The ground cracked as flames thundered into it, and for the first time, the snake screamed in pain.
When Aithur landed, perfectly balanced, Luther whistled. "And the crowd goes wild! Ten points to the purple menace for dramatic flair. Style score: 9.5!"
The ground split again. The serpent’s tail lashed out, a whip covered in jagged spikes. It struck with bone-breaking force, sweeping both combatants off their feet. They tumbled back but recovered almost instantly, Liliana springing into the branches of a tree while Aithur slid gracefully across the dirt.
The tail swung again, but now dark liquid dripped from its spikes. The venom hissed on the ground, burning through leaves and soil.
"Oh, come on," Luther groaned, throwing his hands up. "As if giant fangs weren’t enough. Now it’s got venom too? What’s next, wings? Laser beams?"
Liliana blocked a strike, sparks flying as her sword clashed with the spiked tail. A drop of venom sizzled against her blade before evaporating.
"Careful," Aithur said mockingly. "Would be a shame if the mighty knight fell to a single drop."
"Shut up and fight, lunatic!" she snapped, parrying another strike.
Luther cupped his hands again like a sports commentator. "Oooh, tension in the team! Question is: will they fight the snake, or each other, first? Place your bets, folks!"
Despite their arguing, their coordination was uncanny. Liliana pressed forward with relentless strikes, while Aithur shielded and blasted the serpent at precise moments, each move complementing the other’s.
Luther blinked. "Wait... are they actually working together? Huh. That’s weirdly adorable. If they start finishing each other’s sentences, I’m out."
The snake roared and unleashed a volley of spikes. They shot like arrows, whistling through the air.
Aithur raised a hand, conjuring a barrier of fire, but one spike tore through, grazing his sleeve. He hissed, the poison searing into his skin, and dropped to one knee.
Liliana immediately rushed in front of him, sword flashing as she intercepted the next barrage. Sparks and fire lit the battlefield as she parried.
"Here we go," Luther muttered. "Protect the idiot mage! Classic trope unlocked."
But inwardly, his thoughts were heavier.
In the book, these two... they’d grow into legends, their names known across kingdoms. Rivals that even kings feared. But this? This is just the start. Right now they’re powerful, sure, but still raw. Still learning. The Envelon Forest... it’s only the beginning. Stronger monsters wait for them. Battles that’ll push them to the edge of death. And me? I get a front-row seat.
His body ached. His eyelids grew heavy.
"Y’know what?" he mumbled, sliding down the tree until he sat against its trunk. "They’ve got this. I’ll just... supervise... with my eyes closed..."
He yawned, the clash of steel and fire fading as his vision blurred.
The snake shrieked, its body scarred with burns and slashes. Its tail shed broken spikes, its left eye blasted half-shut.
Liliana slashed again, Aithur’s flames blasting across the beast’s head. The serpent roared, writhing in pain. Then, with one final bellow, it dove underground and disappeared.
"Damn it!" Aithur cursed, his voice hoarse. "Don’t let it escape!"
But Liliana collapsed to her knees, sword slipping from her hands. She panted heavily, too drained to stand.
"Pathetic," Aithur grumbled, brushing dirt from his cloak. "A knight of royalty shouldn’t show weakness."
She ignored him.
Then she realized something—silence. No sarcastic voice chiming in, no clapping or commentary.
Her eyes darted around until Aithur pointed lazily to a tree. "The boy’s up there. Sleeping."
Sure enough, Luther was sprawled across a low branch, mouth slightly open, breathing evenly. The forest breeze brushed his hair, the fight seeming a distant dream.
Liliana blinked, then smiled softly. He looked... peaceful. Almost innocent.
He shivered, curling up. Before she could move, Aithur sighed, removed his cloak, and tossed it over the boy. Luther tugged it closer in his sleep, face relaxing.
"He’s frail," Aithur muttered. "Shouldn’t even be here. Why’d you bring him?"
Liliana didn’t answer. She only gestured toward the glowing crystal at Luther’s ear. Aithur’s eyes narrowed but said nothing.
Instead, he slumped against the tree beneath Luther and closed his eyes. Liliana, stubborn even through her exhaustion, retrieved her sword and sat on the opposite side of the trunk, leaning against it as sleep pulled her under.
Morning sunlight filtered through the canopy. The once-ruined battlefield now felt alive again, birds fluttering through the branches, the air fresh and calm.
Luther stirred. The warmth of the sun tickled his face. He groaned, rubbing at his eyes, and yawned loudly.
He stretched
Then froze.
Why couldn’t he move?
A soft groan answered his question. Turning left, he found Liliana, still asleep, her arm draped firmly around him.
Another groan sounded on his right. Aithur. The duke’s hand was also over him, as if they’d fallen asleep guarding him.
All three tangled together like they were family.
Luther stared blankly, brain grinding to a halt.
...
...
"...Huh?"