"Let's spar," Lucien said with a grin, stretching his arms behind his head like he was suggesting a walk through the garden.
Valgareth, currently in his humanoid form with horns, tailored vest, and the general swagger of a demi-god, burst into a deep, rumbling laugh. He nearly doubled over, golden eyes glinting with amusement.
Lucien blinked. "What's so funny?"
Val wiped a tear from his eye. "You, that's what. You've definitely grown stronger, Demon Lord, but you're still a sapling compared to me."
Lucien pouted dramatically. "I studied, you know. Worked really hard. Took notes. Practiced incantations. Did some late-night crying about magical theory. I just wanna know where I stand."
Val's smirk widened. "About 6 feet below me. Maybe ten."
Lucien placed a hand on his chest, mock-wounded. "Oof. That's a hit to morale. What happened to allies lifting each other up?"
"I am lifting you up," Val said. "By reminding you of your weakness."
He then gestured casually toward Veyra, who had been loitering at the edge of the conversation with a large mug of something suspiciously glowing. "Honestly, I bet she could take you."
Veyra nearly choked on her drink. "What? No! No way. Lord Lucidius is way stronger than me! R-right?"
Lucien turned slowly, a wolfish smile creeping across his face. "Be honest, darling."
Her ears twitched nervously. "W-Well... I mean... compared to the old Demon Lords… you do seem a little more… restrained?"
"Restrained," Lucien repeated, as if tasting the word. "Go on."
"I-I mean, not in a bad way! You're just… tactical! Thoughtful! Not blowing up mountains cause you're moody. I'm sure you're hiding your true power, right?"
"Mmhm." He tapped his chin. "But if you had to fight me… would you win?"
"I'd never fight you," she said quickly. "I revere you! Worship you! Dream about you… wait, ignore that last one."
Lucien snickered. "So that's a maybe."
Before Veyra could dig herself any deeper, X'zelle walked up behind her and clapped a spindly hand on her back. "Come on, Vee. You've been whining for months that you haven't stress-tested your armor. Now's your chance. Lord Flirtus over here wants a challenge. Indulge him."
Veyra's eyes darted around like a trapped squirrel. "No way. I don't want to hurt him."
Lucien gasped in delight. "So you do think you could hurt me!"
"I said no such thing!"
"Oh come on." Lucien turned up the charm, dialing his smolder to maximum. "You'd be doing me a huge favor. I've been working so hard on my magic. I just want to impress you, Veyra."
She whimpered, cheeks flushing. "That's not fair…"
He leaned in, voice a low purr. "Please?"
Veyra made a squeaking noise and covered her face. "Fine. Okay. I'll do it. But I—"
Lucien clapped his hands like a delighted schoolboy. "Fantastic! Let's find a spot where you can go wild."
Veyra caught his arm. "Wait! Are you sure we should go all out? I… get a little feral when I'm in battle mode."
Lucien's grin widened. "That's the sexiest thing you've ever said. Now I need to see it."
She stared at him, heart pounding, then gave a flustered little nod.
An hour later, they two of them stood in a small valley, just outside the village, nestled and secluded, surrounded by jagged cliffs, and already humming with excitement.
The villagers and Lucien's crew lined the upper ridge like it was fight night in the Ashlands. X'zelle brought snacks. Vex and Vile sold betting slips. Serenith stood with arms crossed, already muttering about medical emergencies and male ego.
Lucien stood in the middle of the arena, stretching lazily. He glanced at Veyra as she ran final checks on her armor suit, and let out a low whistle.
"Damn. That thing looks like a mech from a war anime."
"A what?"
"Don't worry about it," he said, waving dismissively. "It's hot. That's what matters."
Her suit was a monstrous, glorious fusion of wood, metal, magic, and way too many moving parts. Steam hissed from hidden vents. Runic lines pulsed across its surface. Six massive sword hilts jutted from the back like the wings of a metal angel… if angels were fueled by murder.
Veyra pulled off her gas mask to give him a grin… and immediately started coughing.
Lucien frowned. "Veyra, put that back on before you wheeze yourself into the grave."
"I'm fine," she rasped, slipping the mask back over her mouth. "Just wanted you to see my smile before I clobber you."
"Aw," he said, patting the side of her armored hip. "You're adorable."
With a hiss and a slam, the armor sealed shut. The runes brightened. The ground rumbled.
Lucien stepped back, cracking his knuckles. "You ready?"
A gauntleted thumbs-up was his only reply.
"Good," he said, eyes narrowing. "Let's—"
BOOM.
She vanished in an explosion of fire and smoke. Lucien blinked, and she was above him, a flaming greatsword the size of a cartwheel aimed at his skull.
Lucien cocked an eyebrow. "You're way too fast for such a bulky frame."
Then he was gone, dispersed into ash, and Veyra slammed into the earth, creating a crater large enough to host a family of giants.
Lucien reformed upside-down, standing on a floating slab of ash above her. "I want to see how down and dirty you can get, Veyra. Get me sweaty enough and I'll take you for a hot bath."
Inside the suit, Veyra yelped. "W-wha… seriously?"
"Deal?"
"Deal!"
The watchers on the cliff began screaming with excitement. Serenith facepalmed so hard she nearly knocked herself out.
Veyra dropped into a low stance. The six swords on her back twitched, then unfurled like spider legs. A ring of magical energy exploded outward, pushing Lucien back with raw force.
He cackled. "Vex! Vile! Prep the hot tub! We're gonna need it!"
"You got it, boss!" the twins yelled in sync.
Lucien shot forward, propelled by a cyclone of black ash. Veyra met him in mid-air, her blades spinning around her like a storm of steel.
Sparks flew.
Flames roared.
The ground screamed as magical pressure weighed down the arena.
Veyra shrieked with joy. "I forgot how much I love this!"
"You're terrifying," Lucien shouted as he dodged a spinning blade.
"Thank you!"
Their clash became a blur. Ash tendrils, rune flares, flying debris.
The watching villagers ducked behind shields. Vex and Vile handed out umbrellas. Val nodded, arms crossed, silently impressed.
Serenith yelled into the wind, "THIS A TERRIBLE IDEA!"
Veyra summoned a wall of spiked thorns from the ground, Lucien countered with a wave of searing ash, converting the wood to glowing embers. Veyra jumped backward, her armor smoking, and launched all six blades like guided missiles.
Lucien spun midair, catching one with a clawed hand and using it to pivot and redirect another. One grazed his cheek.
He grinned.
Veyra's suit hissed steam. "You're holding back."
Lucien's eyes glowed crimson. "So are you, darling."
She laughed wildly. "I LOVE THIS!"
The battle dragged on, more spectacle than bloodbath, more flirtation than duel. It was as much performance as test. Lucien showing his new strength, and Veyra finally going full throttle.
She blasted backward, her hilt-wings spreading and crackling with magic. With a guttural roar, she unleashed a pillar of glowing, purple-blue energy that sent a shockwave of magical pressure ripping through the arena.
It slammed into Lucien's, skidding him across the arena. Landing on one knee, he dusted himself off, laughing. "
You've definitely been holding back."
On the ridge, Vex and Vile were waving towels and cheering wildly.
Serenith, arms crossed, muttered, "He better not forget this is supposed to be training, not foreplay."
Val snorted. "With him? There's no difference."
Down below, Lucien raised both hands, summoning swirling rings of ash and sigils. "Alright, Veyra. Let's see your best."
"You asked for it," she growled.
The back-mounted swords unsheathed all at once, surrounding her like a deadly flower in bloom. Each hovered independently, spinning slowly. Veyra's suit glowed red-hot with overcharge steam venting from her shoulder ports.
Lucien's ash aura flared to life, his outline blurring with magic as he darted sideways just as the blades shot forward.
One missed by inches, another nicked his arm, drawing spurts of blood.
"Now that's more like it," Lucien purred.
"Don't tempt me, my Lord!" Veyra called, her voice layered with manic joy.