36 Bonds (1/2)

Riyku would inhale softly, before exhaling slowly. ”My answer is... No. I refuse your offer.” Riyku would reply to Azeal which seemed to shock him more than anyone else. He could not comprehend why Riyku would choose to struggle rather than safety. It was beyond him. The deal was perfect, the safety of himself and his friends and yet... he would rather choose to fight. Azeal would shake his head with a heavy sigh. ”I do not understand. I have given you the perfect opportunity. So tell me, why? Why would you choose to struggle?” Azeal inquired while eyeing the man down. A smirk curved across Riyku's cheeks. ”You offer me false peace. The price of safety is my freedom. I will be shackled down and ruled over by you and those you serve. Of course, it may not all be bad; however, who is to say that others of the Hunter's Legion will willing accept me or my friends?” Riyku would remark throwing a question at him in return. ”You are right. They may be some who will reject you. Some who may even try to suppress you and tear you down. I will admit that the Hunter's Legion is not some kind of Military division, but a Guild that was created with the sole purpose to give reasoning to those who sought out a purpose in life. Most join the Legion to take down monsters and demons, others do it for fame and fortune. Then there is us, we do it to protect the people of this kingdom as best we can. As the Commander of the Fifth Division, I can assure you that no harm will befall you if you are to join my Division.” Azeal would rebuttal.

”Commander! You can't be serious about this!” Claire would speak up. ”Claire's right. Commander, if we bring him in who knows what may happen to us!” Ire would speak up as well. ”I concur. What if he were to come after us. He could snap at any given moment.” Alex would agree with Ire. Even Ben and Stephaine agreed with them. ”Looks like I have my answer. Your team is not fond of me, not that I plan them.” Riyku called back to Azeal who would sigh heavily. ”You know, you four have only made things worse for us right?” Azeal turned to look back at them with a frustrated expression. ”But, Commander...” Claire would remark and Azeal would shake his head. ”Fine. How about this.” Azeal would turn to face Riyku. ”A mock battle. Between Division Five and you three. If we win, you join us. If you win, we will leave you alone and forget this ever happened. Though since it is a mock battle, lethal blows are restricted. I am sure you understand, right?” Azeal would call out, an entirely new suggestion from his first.

”Wait, What!?” Claire shouted. ”You five understand so little. Your fear has overcome you and you refuse to look at the bigger picture. The man before you has created bonds that are inseverable. He has made friends that will never betray him. The people he has surrounded himself with will always come to his aid. Have you not even noticed...” Azeal would motion with his head as to guide their line of sight towards one of the elevator shafts. ”Riyku!” Rick shouted as he came from the shaft with Nora, Jessica, Melaine, and Ion. Riyku, Mina and Skylar would look towards Rick and his group. ”Rick? What are you doing here?” Riyku asked as the five of them would come to a halt with heavy breaths. ”Geez... I haven't run like that in a long time. It took us a bit to find this place since we lost sight of Mina and Skylar, but...” Rick would break his sentence to regain control of his breathing. ”We wanted to check up on you.” Melaine would finish for him which caused Riyku's eyes to widen a little. ”You look fine though. I guess that is thanks to Mina and Skylar.” Jessica pitched in. Mina and Skylar gave them heartfelt smiles before looking to Riyku. ”Yup, he's going to be okay. Though, we have more pressing matters.” Mina would state as she shifted her eyes back to the group across from them. ”Hm? Who are they?” Jessica inquired. ”That's Commander Azeal of the Fifth Division of the Hunter's Legion. His Division's sole purpose to protect and aid the people of the Kingdom. In other words, you were seen as a massive threat, not surprising though since you were well... Demonic looking.” Nora would answer.

”You five! What are you doing? It is dangerous!” Claire called out to them which took their attention towards the woman. ”Dangerous? I'll admit this guy is brutal, but he has done quite a bit to clean up the streets.” Jessica replied to Claire. ”He even helped us out. He stopped someone from continuously harassing us.” Ion would pitch in. ”Yup, and he did not even who we were,” Rick added. ”He may be scary, but he is also kind and caring.” Melaine would also speak up. ”I have to agree with them. Riyku is abnormal, but he is not as much as a threat as you claim him to be.” Nora would speak up as well. The reaction these teenagers gave Claire caused her to bite her lower lip and step back. Azeal would place his hand upon her shoulder. ”See. You are quick to judge. I saw it in his eyes the first time we met. He will only condemn those who deserve it. Why do you think he spared the Lost Prince.” Azeal would step past Claire with a smirk across his face. ”So, what will it be? Will you accept my challenge?” Azeal called out to Riyku.

”Challenge?” Nora looked towards him, just as the rest did. ”Yeah... a friendly mock battle. If I win they will leave me alone, and if they win I have to join them.” Riyku replied to Nora who would blink rapidly. ”Wait... wait... Azeal the Wizard King is challenging you!?” Nora was shocked, she did not expect any of this to happen. ”Wizard King?” Riyku would inquire with interest piqued. ”Yes. Azeal is known for using abnormal spells in rapid succession. His chant time is nearly zero, and he holds many national cups for first place when it came to magika contests. Not to forget that he has also lead armies to victory during his service in the military. There is still so much more to him that the public has announced him the Wizard King.” Azeal would blush lightly and scratch his cheek at the praise he heard coming from Nora. ”You know, that was all in the past. I am but a Commander of Division Five. I thank you though, for your wonderful words.” Azeal stated to Nora, before shifting his eyes to Riyku. ”Well?” Azeal was still awaiting a reply to his challenge.

”Fine. I'll accompany you. Mina, Skylar, can you handle the other five?” Riyku inquired and Mina and Skylar would nod at the same time. ”Of course!” They shouted in sync which caused Riyku to smirk lightly. ”Nora, Rick, Melaine, Ion, Jessica... I suggest you five stand back. I would rather you not get caught up in this. If anything, take this in as a lesson of how to become stronger. Strive till the bitter in all you do.” Riyku stated firmly. Nora and Rick would lead Jessica, Melaine and, Ion a bit aways from the upcoming battle. ”Claire, you are with me. Stepahine and Ben you are to take one of them while Ire and Alex are to take the other. Do not let your guard down no matter what. Also, we are not fighting to kill. But, do have fun.” Azeal stated as he held his hand open before him. Through a poof of smoke, a thick covered book would appear with the spine hovering just over his open palm. The book would flip up and several pages would turn before coming to a halt. ”Sir!” Everyone shouted at the same time.

”Disciple of Rouge's Shadow. I challenge you!” Ire called out to Skylar who blinked rapidly before nodding lightly. ”Alright. I accept your challenge.” Skylar would twirl his daggers in his hand several times before taking to an offensive stance. ”I guess we got the other one,” Ben stated. ”True, but... is she a support type?” Stephanie would ask. ”I will be fine. Thank you for your concern.” Mina called out as she grasped her staff tightly. Riyku would extend his hand outward as if to call to one of his weapons. It was then the large blade, Soluna Blade had appeared in his hand. Defty the male would swing it around to rest it against his shoulder which caused his knees to deep in for a moment when the blade made contact with his shoulder. ”Claire, I'll support you for now. So go ahead and be as reckless as you want.” Azeal stated which caught the woman's attention. ”B-but sir... If I do that...” Azeal would shake his head to her remark. ”This will require everything we have. I doubt you can kill him even if you use your full power. So go ahead and unleash it. He may be the sparing partner you need to control it.” Azeal would reaffirm her and she nodded lightly.

Ire would race towards Skylar and swing at him with a flourish of punches and kicks. Skylar would dodge each attack while retaliating with his own that Ire seemed to evade while countering Skylar. Their skirmish seemed to continue this way as if it were a test of endurance. Meanwhile, Alex was in the back going through a chant.

As for Stephaine and Ben, well Stephanie seemed to have started her burst of attacks. Quick thrusts and slashes of her curved blade that Mina would block with her staff. Meanwhile, Ben was aiming the barrels of his guns at Mina; however, he was unable to get a clean shot. ”Stepahine, you are in the way! I can't get a clear shot!” Ben called out which caused Stephaine to kiss her teeth. ”What are you doing?” She narrowed her eyes at Mina who chuckled softly. ”Nothing special.” She teased her which caused her to increase the pace of her strikes that Mina seemed to block each time with her staff.

Claire would close her eyes as if to focus on something and after a moment the mana around became dense. A blue aura would slowly appear around the woman and her eyes would flare up revealing a chilly blue glow to them. ”Let's go.” Claire would dash towards Riyku. Her speed seemed to have increased, though when she swung her blade down at Riyku. Riyku would block the weapon, another swing and another before she pulled the trigger of her gunblade. Riyku would block each strike against him and lean away from the barrel of the gun before swinging his around towards her. Quickly she would pivot away from him only to aim the barrel of her gun at him again. Strangely the weapon was no longer firing arrows, but actual bullets this time around.

The moment Ire and Skylar clashed power fist to dagger the two were in a deadlock for a moment before jumping away from each other. Ire would look towards Claire when he felt the pressure of mana become dense. ”Whoa... is she seriously going to use it?” Ire inquired. Alex would wave her staff around toward Ire as she finished her chant. ”Ire, Lookout!” Alex shouted, a green aura engulfing the male as his eyes shifted back towards Skylar who had invaded his personal space rapidly. ”Never take your eyes off your opponent. Master always told me that.” Skylar stated firmly as he unleashed a combo of swift slashes at Ire who could only react in defense. ”Damn it!” Ire would grit his teeth.

As for Stephanie and Ben, well... Their attention remained on Mina for whatever reason. ”Ugh! Why can't I hit you! Why are you able to block everything I throw at you!” Stephaine was starting to lose her cool, making several mistakes which eventually caused her to lose her footing and slip under her own feet. ”What... what is this... I can't...” Ben was starting to wobble around as if he were drunk. ”I can't focus....” He muttered trying to keep the sights of his guns on Mina who was giggling softly. ”The spell I used was Bard's Lullaby. Normally, it is used to buff your allies. However, if used against foes it will produce a sound when struck that causes their senses to go haywire. Making you feel like you are drunk.” Mina stated as she stepped back. ”I do not wish to cause you two any harm. So this was the best I could do. The effects won't go away anytime soon, so I strongly suggest rest.” Mina stated though it seemed Stephaine did not want to down so easily. She used her weapon to aid her in standing up. ”That's a cheap trick... Though, maybe our supporter can learn from you.” Stephaine seemed reluctant to admit, but she what Mina did was... well, a great tactic in the end. Mina would sigh softly. ”Thank you, but I do suggest you rest. I won't do anything as cowardly as strike you down.” Mina stated and Stephaine shook her head. ”I can still...” She would wobble forward. ”Ugh...” She dropped her weapon and fell onto her knees, leaning over before barfing. Mina would look away and step back at the same time.