Chapter 57: The Battle of the Abyssal Shadow

Time had passed, and the inevitable day had arrived. Xavier would face his toughest opponent yet: the Grim Reaper of the Abyss. The tension was palpable, every second weighted with the enormity of what was to come.

Xavier adjusted his white-fang tiger mask in the preparation room, his breath steadying as he secured the last piece of his armor. He glanced at his weapons, their edges gleaming under the dim light, each a symbol of his resolve. Despite his efforts to calm himself, a flood of stress, anxiety, and worry coursed through his veins. His thoughts spiraled until a gentle knock on the door broke through his turmoil.

Ms. Lila, the ever-composed Battle Herald, entered, her voice a soothing anchor. "Your aunt is here to see you, Sir Klay Worthmore."

Xavier’s brow furrowed briefly in confusion before recalling the charade. “Ah! Yes, please, let them in.”

Ms. Lila nodded and stepped aside, allowing Anastasia and Alcmena to enter. Anastasia’s poised demeanor and Alcmena’s calm presence brought an air of warmth to the otherwise cold room.

“Are you ready for your fight, Young Master?” Anastasia’s voice, light and encouraging, brightened the atmosphere.

Xavier hesitated, his nervousness evident. “I… I suppose I am.”

Sensing his unease, Anastasia stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on his forehead. “Are you unwell, Young Master?” Her concern was genuine, her eyes searching his for an answer.

He shook his head, offering a faint smile. “I’m fine, Ms. Anastasia. Just a bit nervous, that’s all.”

“Nervous?” she echoed, her tone soft but probing.

Xavier nodded, his gaze dropping. Before he could elaborate, Alcmena, perched calmly on Anastasia’s shoulder, interjected with measured words. “There’s no need to be nervous, Xavier. You’ve made it this far. Stressing now will only cloud your mind.”

Xavier’s voice faltered as he responded, “I know, Master. But I can’t shake this weight on my shoulders. Just being here, I question if I’ll stand a chance or make a fool of myself in front of the crowd.”

Anastasia knelt before him, her eyes meeting his crimson ones. Her voice was gentle, yet resolute. “Young Master, the outcome of this fight is not what defines you. Whether you win or lose, what matters is how you rise from it, how you grow.”

Alcmena, now on Xavier’s shoulder, chimed in. “Anastasia is right. The outcome won’t diminish who you are. You are still the grandson of Saint Graviil, the 2nd Prince of Russia, and the son of Jonathan Ashford. More importantly, you are my cherished student, the vessel of the Dragon King of the Wyvern.”

Xavier’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Their words lightened the crushing weight he had felt moments before. He smiled, gratitude filling his heart.

Alcmena broke the tender moment with a playful knock on Xavier’s head. “Enough sentiment. Just know that I’ll be joining you in this fight against Adam Durandal.”

Xavier’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’re fighting with me, Master?”

“Yes,” Alcmena confirmed, smirking.

Xavier’s excitement was palpable, but Alcmena quickly tempered it. “Don’t let this go to your head. Just because I’ll be there doesn’t mean you can act recklessly.”

Chuckling, Xavier replied, “Alright, alright. I’ll be careful.”

Alcmena’s tone turned serious. “And remember, there’s something else to be even more mindful of: Core Corruption.”

Xavier tilted his head, puzzled. “Core Corruption?”

Anastasia, remembering what it was, excitedly took over the explanation. “'Core Corruption', Young Master, occurs when one exceeds their limit of ethereal energy usage. Everyone gifted with ethereal abilities has a threshold for how much energy their body can safely channel. Pushing beyond that limit starts to damage the body and, eventually, the core itself.”

She continued, her tone both informative and cautionary. “The early stages cause physical strain and pain. If ignored, it progresses to full Core Corruption, where the core slightly begins to fracture and destabilize. It’s a dangerous state, one that can lead to weakened power or even worse.”

In a baffled and surprised tone, Xavier exclaimed, "Ohhh! I remember now! Big Brother told me about this when he used to train me as a kid! But I've only experienced the early stages of Core Corruption twice in my life. The first time was during my training with Big Brother, and the second was at the very end of my fight against that varmint during the school event."

Butting in, Alcmena cut Xavier off, his tone cold and matter-of-fact. "Everyone has their own limitations on how much ethereal energy they can take. Someone with a green intermediate core wouldn’t have the same endurance for ethereal energy as someone with a red Administrator core."

He paused before continuing, his voice sharpening. "But just because you’ve only experienced the early stages of Core Corruption twice doesn’t mean you won’t experience it a third time today. Even we Grand Herrschers are not immune. When we exceed our limits, even we risk the perils of Core Corruption."

Without warning, Xavier scooped Alcmena off his shoulder and into his arms, holding him like a child. Alcmena bristled immediately, clawing at the air as he barked, "Hey! What do you think you’re doing, kid? I’m not a child! Put me down this instant!"

Ignoring Alcmena’s protests, Xavier smiled warmly, looking into his master’s golden eyes. “I won’t need to worry about experiencing Core Corruption. You’re with me, and that’s all the encouragement I need."

For a moment, Alcmena froze, his flustered expression betraying a mix of annoyance and affection. Then, regaining his composure, he clawed Xavier’s face in retaliation. "Don’t get too sentimental, you fool!" Xavier yelped in pain, dropping Alcmena, who promptly leaped into Anastasia’s arms, his face tinged with a faint blush as he tried to hide his smile.

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The atmosphere shifted as a knock sounded at the door. Ms. Lila, the Battle Herald, entered after a brief pause, her posture respectful as she addressed Xavier. "Excuse me for interrupting, but it’s time to go, Klay Worthmore. Your battle is about to commence."

Xavier glanced at Anastasia and Alcmena, who both gave him encouraging smiles. Strengthened by their support, Xavier squared his shoulders. The fear that had gripped him loosened its hold. Though the challenge ahead loomed large, he stepped forward, prepared to face it head-on.

Grabbing his weapons—three steel swords—he followed Ms. Lila out of the preparation room.

As they walked toward the entrance hall leading to the battleground, Ms. Lila offered words of encouragement, her voice steady and reassuring. Xavier smiled brightly, his confidence bolstered. “Thank you, Ms. Lila. I’ll carry your words with me,” he replied, his tone resolute.

Bidding her farewell, he began his slow walk through the entrance hall. With each step, his confidence grew. He paused briefly, removing his white-fang tiger mask to remove his glasses, the Visors of Time, before placing the mask back on.

Then, out of nowhere, Alcmena appeared, startling Xavier. “Why are you scared?” Alcmena asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Xavier replied hastily.

Alcmena’s form began to shimmer, slowly dissipating into energy. "What’s happening?” Xavier exclaimed, his voice tinged with panic. “Where are you going, Master?!”

From within his mind, Alcmena’s voice rang out, calm yet irritable. “I’m right here, you idiot.”

“Where exactly is here?” Xavier demanded, thoroughly confused.

“In your head, you fool! Since you are my vessel, we share a mind. I can merge with you, though it means I won’t be physically present. But given the circumstances, it’s for the best. I wouldn’t want to cause chaos by appearing as the massive and mighty dragon that I am.”

“You mean a large and ugly dragon?” Xavier quipped, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

“Why, you little...” Alcmena growled, grinding his teeth. “You’re lucky I don’t have a physical form right now.”

“Ahaha!” Xavier laughed, sticking out his tongue in a playful taunt. “Even if you did, you couldn’t catch me, mister ugly cat.”

Alcmena’s irritation was palpable. He took a deep breath, reading through Xavier's deepest darkest memories and thoughts, before speaking in a mockingly sweet voice, “Oh, Princess Jasmine. You’re so beautiful. Every time I see you, my heart races. I’ve felt this way since the day you saved me from Prince Magnus.”

“STOP!” Xavier shouted, his face blazing red. “Why’d you have to go there?!”

Unbothered, Alcmena continued, “Oh, Princess Jasmine...”

“I said stop it!” Xavier cried, covering his ears as if it could block out his master’s teasing.

Alcmena chuckled. “Relax, kid. You’re the one who started it. Consider this payback.”

Still red-faced, Xavier mumbled, “You’re so petty, Master.”

As their playful quarrel ended, Xavier stepped out onto the battleground, greeted by the deafening cheers of the crowd. The air buzzed with anticipation as he lifted his head high, his confidence renewed by the support of those around him and the bond he shared with Alcmena.

From a distance, Xavier spotted Miss Anastasia cheering excitedly for him, her enthusiasm unmistakable. Beside her stood Sir Lorian Fennwick and his comrades, along with countless adventurers, warriors, and other spectators, all cheering his name. The roar of their support filled the air, a wave of encouragement that warmed Xavier's heart.

Xavier waved back, a sheepish smile playing on his lips. His gaze then fell upon Miraxis Veilstrider, seated not far from Anastasia and the others. Xavier raised a hand in greeting, but Miraxis coldly ignored him, wanting to maintain a composed mysterious demeanor. But still hiding a faint unnoticeable smile behind it. Xavier chuckled to himself, scratching the back of his head.

“Oh, well,” he muttered, the tension easing slightly.

The announcer’s voice erupted across the arena, rich with theatrical flair. “Introducing, ladies and gentlemen, the one and only Klay-more, otherwise known as the Young Gladiator of this generation’s Gladiator Grand Festival!”

The crowd roared in unison, their chants of Xavier’s name echoing like a tidal wave of excitement. He felt the energy surge through him, bolstering his resolve.

The announcer gestured dramatically toward the opposing entrance. “And on the other side, ladies and gentlemen, we have none other than the Bringer of Shadow, the Walking Void, the Grim Reaper of the Abyss!”

The crowd’s fervor reached a fever pitch at the name. Their screams were a mix of awe and exhilaration, reverberating throughout the arena. But then, as if the world itself held its breath, a dark aura blanketed the coliseum. Daylight vanished, replaced by a chilling, unnatural night that swept over the entire city. The sudden shift silenced the crowd, replacing excitement with an ominous dread.

“Get ready,” Alcmena’s calm, serious voice rang in Xavier’s mind. “He’s coming.”

Xavier steadied his breathing and slowly unsheathed one of his swords. Its edge glinted faintly in the dim light as he assumed a ready stance.

The arena fell into an eerie silence, broken only by the sound of heavy, deliberate footsteps. Each step seemed to echo endlessly, carrying a weight that pressed down on the spectators. From the darkness emerged Adam Durandal, his expression unsettlingly calm yet exuding an air of overwhelming menace. His presence alone sent a ripple of fear through the crowd.

“Yo!” Adam greeted with a disarming grin. “How’ve you been, Xa—oops, I mean Klay-more. Silly me!”

“Yeah... what’s up...” Xavier replied hesitantly, his unease growing. That smile, he thought. There’s something deeply wrong with it. It’s like staring into the abyss.

As the announcer left the stage, Adam turned his gaze to the audience. “Seems they’re all rooting for you, Klay-more,” he remarked. “Hoping you’ll pull off a miracle and defeat me. What a touching display.”

Xavier remained silent, his focus sharp.

Adam’s gaze shifted back to him. “Have you decided on your answer to my proposal yet?”

Xavier tightened his grip on his sword, his expression hardening. “No... not yet.”

The bell rang, signaling the start of the match. Without hesitation, Xavier dashed toward Adam, launching a relentless barrage of strikes. The audience erupted in cheers, thrilled by his aggressive start. But amidst the clash of steel, Alcmena’s urgent voice cut through the chaos.

“Block to your right, now!”

Though confused—Adam hadn’t moved a muscle—Xavier obeyed. As he raised his sword to block, an invisible force struck with the power of a hurricane, sending him hurtling across the arena. He crashed into the far wall, the impact reverberating through the battleground. Gritting his teeth, Xavier pushed himself up, clutching his throbbing arm.

“What on earth was that?” he gasped.

“It was an attack from Adam,” Alcmena replied, unnervingly calm.

“With that kind of force?!” Xavier exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief. “Not even Miraxis Veilstrider or the varmint I fought before could hit like that!”

“That wasn’t a punch,” Alcmena revealed, his tone grave.

Xavier froze. “What?”

“What hit you just now was his aura.”

The realization sent a chill down Xavier’s spine. His eyes dropped to his sword, only to find it reduced to ash, crumbling away in the faint breeze.

I didn’t even see him activate it, Xavier thought. What kind of monster am I up against?

“I’m surprised you blocked that,” Adam said, his tone almost playful. “You really are a genius, aren’t you, Xavier?”

Xavier didn’t respond. The glow of his cosmic eyes intensified behind his mask, matching the fierce resolve building within him. He unsheathed the remaining two swords strapped to his back, their weight grounding him as he prepared for the next clash.

“You ready?” Alcmena asked.

“Yeah,” Xavier replied, his aura igniting with an overwhelming energy that blanketed the arena. The crowd shuddered, their excitement now laced with trepidation.

In the stands, Anastasia clasped her hands tightly, her voice a soft prayer. “You will win this, Young Master. I believe in you.”