October 5th, the day of the fight.

There were spectators, but they were all first and second-class adventures. Just about everyone else was watching from a divine mirror.

“Wow, so few people came…” said Bell.

“It was smart for them.” Said Eupheme as she, Tsubaki, and Hephaestus came with the Hestia Familia. “If not for you, me, and Tsubaki, we couldn’t bring our goddesses here to watch.”

“You saw the last time they fought, right?” asked Hestia to Hephaestus.

“I did. This one here.” Hephaestus glances at Eupheme. “Dragged me down to the 18th floor to go see the fight, the place was filled with various people, Familia, and gods all coming to see this fight.”

“And how was it?”

“It was a sight to behold and I’m excited about how this one will end.” A big smile appeared on her face.

 

Away from them was the Loki Familia.

“I wonder how much they have grown.” Said Gareth.

“Yeah, I bet he can take that boar down!” said Loki excitedly.

“So he lost the last time they fought?” said Tione.

“Yup, Cirrus made a mistake, and he got smacked into the gates with Ottar’s magic,” said Riveria. “He skidded off the ground a few times before slam!" Riveria punched her palm. "Knocking the metal gate off its hinges.”

“So, how did he fight? I have seen Cirrus fight a handful of times, but how much has it changed?” asked Tiona.

“Considerably. His style of fighting changes as he grows older and with more experience. He is the only adventure I can say is a Perfect Adventure. He can support, attack, and tank.”

“Damn right. If we were to go on another expedition and he’s coming along, we will build our plans around him as the core.” Said Gareth.

“He really captured a lot of god's attention when he actually cut Ottar.” Said Loki. “Such a blend of unorthodox and inhuman fighting really spoke to me.” a big grin grew on her face. “His style could really fit a trickster like me if he was my child.”

“What level was he back then?” asked Lefiya. “I find it hard he would lose, given from what you said about him.”

“Hmm… If memory serves me right, they reported him to be level 3. Maybe 4 or 5? In any case, that was a lie.” Said Gareth. “His strength was enough to give Ottar a run for his money. Hell id bet Cirrus could have kept going had it not been for Evilus.”

 

Up top in one of the Colosseum’s VIP boxes.

“It’s about time, isn’t it, Artemis?” said Ai with a bucket of popcorn.

“Yes, it is.” Artemis stood up. “Ouranos! May I!”

“Permission Granted.”

Artemis snapped her fingers, and several Divine Mirrors opened up. Most were for her children and herself, Ai, and Kalion who were watching from the Familia home.

“So it begins.” Said Freya as she smiles from another VIP box. “I hope you get inspired and grow as strong as him… Bell.” She took a quick glance at Bell before turning them back to the arena.

 

The Colosseum went silent as they could hear the footsteps coming down the corridor.

Tap!

Tap!

Tap!

Tap!

Both adventures walk out with their best gear on as they walk to the center to meet.

“Ready?” Cirrus said, throwing his spear into the wall.

“Hm,” Ottar said, understanding where his spear is at.

Cirrus draws Gram and holds it, and Ottar does the same and draws one of his great swords. Both their blades cross each other.

Ting~~!

Their swords ting off one another and they stared each other down.

“…”

“…”

Then at the sound of a breath.

“Fuuuu~”

They both breathed out and—

“Haa!!!!”

“Raa!!!!”

CLANG!!!!!

—The once-silent arena was filled with the sounds of swords clashing against one another.

The force of the attack blasted air into the stands as they continued to exchange blows with one another, only increasing in speed and power.

CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!!

Their attacks could even be felt throughout Orario.

“T-this is a fight between 1st class adventures are!” said Bell as the force of their strikes shake him.

“Sure is!” said Tsubaki, smiling and enjoying the day.

 

“Such power…” said Lefiya said wrenching back a bit while covering her ears.

“Each one of those strikes is enough to rattle my bones.” Said Gareth as he also shakes a bit.

“… He was still hiding his strength back then.” Said Beta. “Just hearing and feeling the wind pressure coming off from them is making my hair stand up from it.”

“Then I suggest you keep watching. This is what you will need to strive to reach.” Said Finn.

 

Back to the fight.

CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!!

CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!!

CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!! CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!!

For the first 2 minutes were intense. They quickly pushed each other back and forth in a heated exchange of swords.

“(Exousía, Adorn: Chimera)!!”

“ROOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Cirrus dons his strongest armor and Ottar goes into Beastification.

CLANG!!!!! RUMBLE!!!!!!!!!!

Skiiiiiirt!!!

They both skirt back a bit to get some space.

“(Damocles)!!” Cirrus holds out his hand and his spear rips itself from the Colosseum wall to return to his hand.

Cirrus spins his spear and tosses his sword into the wall and began chanting.

“(Vespers of Damocles)!!!”

Crackle!! Crackle!! Crackle!! Crackle!!

Crackle!! Crackle!! Crackle!! Crackle!!

Lightning danced around Cirrus and his spear as he spun it so naturally and fluidly, he was actually directing the electricity.

Ottar kept observing Cirrus, analyzing his style and making counters to them.

‘Not yet. I need to whittle down his magic. But knowing Cirrus, he must have at least double Rivera’s magic pool.’ Ottar thought as put his full attention back onto Cirrus, slowly drawing his other great sword.

 

“It’s like he’s actually molding the lightning.” Said Freya. “Such refinement of his skills it’s a bit terrifying how praiseworthy it is.”

“Ottar will benefit greatly after this fight.” Said Allen. “I should have taken some risks in the dungeon.”

“Maybe you can learn a few tricks from this fight?” said Freya, watching with delight.

 

The two stared at each other for a moment before Cirrus made the first move. A contest of the strongest defense and fastest adventurers started.

Ting! Ting! Ting! Clang! Ting!

Ting! Ting! Ting! Ting! Ting!

A flurry of blocks and attacks, the sounds of Cirrus’ spear ringing off of Ottar's swords with small flesh wounds on his body appearing across his body.

‘I can handle the force of his attacks, but his lightning has been quickly numbing my arms.’ Thought Ottar as he focused solely on defense when a rattle reached his ears.

Rattle!

“!!” he took a glance to see chains wrapped around his leg.

“Damn.” Said Cirrus as he jumped back.

The chain was now more noticeable. Ottar quickly tried to cut it off, but Cirrus was far quicker.

“Haaaa!!!!!” Cirrus swung the chain with all of his strength, getting Ottar off his feet a feat no one else could do.

“Damn!!” Ottar shouted as Cirrus swung him into the surrounding area.

Bashing and crashing him as fast and as much as he could into the colosseum’s ground and walls before seeing him get a good angle and cutting the chain with a clean slash.

Kirik!!!

And Ottar flew into the wall.

Crash!!!

“(Damocles).” Cirrus puts his spear next to him as several chains floated next to him with two chains in his hands.

“HUUUURRRRAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Crash!!!!!!

Ottar came crashing through and Cirrus began assaulting with the chains acting as whips.

Rattle! Rattle! Rattle! Rattle! Rattle!

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

The heavy sounds of meat getting struck along with the chains going around his great swords.

‘Making me waste magic! A war of attrition isn’t something you can win, Ottar!’

“RAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

As Ottar charges in, Cirrus could see his great sword's glow.

“Activate!!!” Ottar shouted as both swords' gems glowed, and silver circuitry sprang from them, making the edge of the swords have a fine silver light.

“(Damocles)!!” Gram shoots from the wall into his hand and he tosses his spear into the other side of the wall. “Full release!!”

As the ruby-emerald blade clashes with the twin silver blades, the ground and even the arena crack from the power.

Boooooom!!!!!

CRACK!!!!

Cracks spread throughout the Colosseum and even to the streets nearby.

 

“These are actual monsters.” Said Beta, sweating.

“… I can’t imagine fighting them seriously without risking my life.” Said Ais.

“S-such magic control is even really human…” said Lefiya. “I feel… feel like—"

 

“—I am watching two legends from myths come alive before my eyes,” Bell said, transfixed by the clash of these two goliaths.

“Those weapons…” said Welf, amazed their weapons can handle this much punishment. “Such strength and resilience.”

 “I should tell you that the sword Cirrus is using is not his own, but one made by Odin.” Said Hephaestus.

“A real pain in the ass weapon.” Said Eupheme. “Couldn’t even hold it for five minutes.”

“Odin…” Hestia said, a bit disturbed.

“Do you know him, Lady Hestia?” asked Lili.

“No, but I heard of him. He has a temper like Zeus back in Heaven. Does he still have a temper?” Hestia asked Hephaestus.

“Don’t know. I never met him, but given the nature of that sword, he still has that bad temper.”

 

Slowly over the course of 3 minutes, Cirrus and Ottar had a firm understanding of each other’s way of fighting.

‘He’s going to change.’ Thought Ottar, as when Cirrus came in for another attack, he chanted.

“(Damocles)!”

He suddenly fell from his view and his sword still struck his great swords.

Ottar glanced down to see Cirrus stretched out under his great swords with a sharp eye on him.

“URAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

With unnatural movement and speed, Cirrus—

Thud!!!!

—Uppercut-ed Ottar.

“Guh!!”

But Ottar was still a level 8. He dropped his great swords and wrapped his arms around Cirrus.

“Fuck! A bearhug!!!”

“RAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!”

Ottar began to crush Cirrus with his strength.

Just as quickly as he began to crush him, his instincts told him to throw him away and grab his swords.

“RAAAAH!!!” Cirrus squirmed his arms out and grabbed Ottar’s head and shoulder.

Cirrus then took a bite of his neck, biting deep into it.

“Dammit!!” Ottar shouted as Cirrus and bit in deep and fierce.

Blood covered Cirrus’s mouth, and Ottar had to stop crushing Cirrus and throw him off. This attack surprised everyone with how savage it was.

“Your even more of a beast than I,” Ottar said as he touches the bite mark.

He reached behind his back and took out a small potion, and splashed it where Cirrus bit him.

“Of course,” Cirrus wipes the blood from his mouth. “I’m merely a human. We need only need to be pushed far enough to regain our fangs!!” He charges at Ottar with his armor fading. Fists at the ready.

“So be it!!” his Beastification wore off, and they both charged at each other again.

They came at one another, clashing now with their fists.

THUD!!!

THUD!!!

The sound of their fists colliding and their bones fracturing from the strike filled the Colosseum, making all who heard it cringe at the sounds.

“Yup, that’s bone-breaking.” Said Gareth.

“And they keep punching!” said Tiona. “That’s even more savage than when Tione gets angry!”

“Hey!!” Tione took offense to that.

“I’m going to have to agree.” Said Finn. “But it seems Cirrus is used to it?” he said, confused by this trait.

“That’s because, in his youth, he would break his arms when using his armor.” Said Nox, sitting behind them.

“Nox!!” said Ais, surprised by her attendance.

“Yo! I got tired of watching from up top, so I got some popcorn and decided to watch from here! Gotta say Cirrus is really having fun!” Nox said, tossing some popcorn into her mouth with a big smile.

“S-so he always broke his arms when he used his armor??” asked Lefiya, a bit taken by her incidental beauty.

“Yup! That’s when his armor was all shaggy and overgrown. He was a real savage kid back then, oof! He even fought the Goliath to level up to I think it was level 2 or 3?”

“That explains how nonchalant it is for him to keep bash away.” Said Riveria. “A period was to use great strength he would need to risk breaking his arms to use.”

“I am guessing his endurance stat is so astronomically high, right Spirit?” Said Gareth.

“Very. It’s his second biggest stat.” Nox said, tossing another popcorn into the air and eating it.

“What the hell is his first?” asked Beta.

“What do you think? His magic.”

 

With each crashing of fists, more of their bones fractured more and more.

“Your endurance is terrifying,” Ottar said as he clenches his heavily bloody fist.

“I can say the same, but it seems my endurance stat is just slightly better than yours in this case,” Cirrus said with his fists less bloody than Ottars.

“… Tell me you aren’t using your full strength, are you?” he said, putting his fists down.

“!?”

Many jolted a bit when they heard him say that, even the people watching from their divine mirrors were shocked.

“… Yes and no, I am merely fighting with everything this body has to offer. If I were to come at you full force, well, it wouldn’t be much fun now, would it? Hm!!”

Cirrus exerted a force, a feeling of fear reminiscent of the monsters from the Dungeon.

Fear then fell upon the area. Everyone from the Colosseum to the edges of Orario could feel the hairs on the back of their necks rise. It was as if someone suddenly plopped an apex predator into this world from the sheer pressure he exerted.

           Ottar looks at his hands to find them shaking in fear. He then looked back at Cirrus to find the surrounding space beginning to warp and even illusions of the mountain-sized monster he killed, and a dragon appeared behind him.

“Such fear…” a big smile grew on Freya’s face. “It’s so close to being palpable.”

“… Lady Freya, I don’t even think a god could give off such intimidation.” Said Allen. “It feels more like a—"

 

“—Monsters.” Said Loki.

“Even Ottar couldn’t bring out his true might.” Said Ais.

“I’m really starting to feel sorry for those in the Knossos.” Said Beta. “Hey owl, how much is your owner showing us?” he asked rudely.

“About 30 or percent of it. By the way, when he fought you little wolf, he used 1% percent both on the 58th floor and in the Colosseum.” She said with a shit-eating grin. “And you Ais he used about 10%.”

They all gulped at the information.

“But Cirrus isn’t using his magics and weapons?” asked Lefiya. “How is that 30%?”

“Oh, it's 30% of what his body can do without overreliance on magic. 40% is magic and 30% skills, all making 100%”

‘And another 100% when you factor in his Hecton and Fafnir now.’

They looked at Cirrus to see barely any serious injuries compared to Ottar, who looks like he was on his last legs.

‘….30%’

That number echoed in their minds as Cirrus fights against Ottar.

 

“Then can I request you at least defeat me at your full strength?” Ottar asks as he walks over to his great swords.

“Sure, if that’s what you want, I’ll oblige, Circe.”

A pinkish-blue hawk lands where Artemis is at, and a slight purple smoke comes off her before they erected a barrier.

Ottar used his Beastification again and his wounds began to heal up and his body filled with power once more.

“(Exousía, Adorn: Chimera), (Sword of Damocles, sing your vespers.) [Dia Dikastí̱s: Logia].”

His magic circle appeared behind him as his armor attached itself back to him, with rolling surges of thunder flowing on and around him.

Crackle!!! Crackle!!! Crackle!!! Crackle!!! Crackle!!! Crackle!!! Crackle!!! Crackle!!! Crackle!!! Crackle!!! Crackle!!! Crackle!!! Crackle!!! Crackle!!! Crackle!!! Crackle!!! Crackle!!! Crackle!!! Crackle!!! Crackle!!! Crackle!!! Crackle!!! Crackle!!!

To Hestia, Hephaestus, and Artemis, he looked like Zeus.

The gold on his head began to melt and shift into a mighty 3-pointed crown. His armor shifted to be even more optimal and divine in appearance.

“(Damocles).” His spear went to his hand and spun and directed the power.

 

“I can feel the electricity in the air.” Said Bell as his hair stood up, as did everyone else’s.

“What a terrifyingly powerful patron you have, Eupheme.” Said Tsubaki. “I can see why you grew so much, having to create gear and weapons for him.”

“It certainly was a challenge but… I have to admit by this point I’m merely like an assistant to him when he creates such stuff for himself, one of which I can truly say will be his magnum opus.” Eupheme said.

 

“Seems it’s reached its conclusion.” Said Artemis. “How long was this fight, Ai?”

“About almost 10 minutes,” Ai said. “It’s rather intense. I didn’t think Cirrus would push Ottar so far when it took me so much. But I guess having fought him already, Ottar couldn’t risk prolonging the battle.”

“Ottar did well for himself. He held on as much as you did.”

“Good thing Cirrus doesn’t allow Hecton or Fafnir to get involved in the duel.”

“Fufu. That reminds me of the time you asked Cirrus to fight you using Hecton. Then, within a minute, he already got your back to touch the ground.”

 

“Such strength…” said Ottar. “This feeling of fear reminds me so much of my early years as an adventure… thank you for letting me experience it once more.” A smile formed on his usual monotone face.

“I’m glad you feel that way. I’m excited about how much stronger you will get.”

They both got into stances, and Ottar’s great swords glowed once again.

“(Silver moon's mercy, the golden wilderness. This body is destined for the wild boar of the war. Run through, carry the goddess' will.).” his silver swords glowed an even purer form of silver with a golden edge to them. “[Hildis Vini]!!!!”

Ottar dashed and swung down with all of his strength.

Cirrus stood his ground. He drew strength from the ground. It passed through his hips to his shoulders and then to his arms. He then shouted his attack, made for fighting humans.

“[Sunlight’s Spear]!!!!”

Lighting and silver meet.

CRACK!!!!!!

CLANG!!!!!!

BOOOOOM!!!!!!

FWOOOOOM!!!!

Massive winds blew through the Colosseum from the explosion.

The attacks shook the area violently and when their attacks met the barrier and the whole of Orario shook from it, leaving the barrier partially broken and some of the stadium broken from what of the attack escaped the barrier.

 

As the barrier fades off, the dust begins to settle. They could see Ottar standing tall with his great sword in hand with singes all around his body. He looked like he was charred with soot covering him.

Tap!

Tap!

Tap!

The sound of footsteps could be heard, and Cirrus appears before him with a gash across his torso.

“I never gave these a name,” he said, looking at the great sword. “(Damocles).” The swords pry themselves from Ottar’s grips and float before Cirrus. “For your endeavors, I shall give you the names of The Silver Tusks of War.” He then impaled them into the ground before Ottar. “I’ll be waiting for our next fight.” Cirrus then walks away, concluding this fight.

“Heh…” Ottar said softly. “It’s… a promise.”

Ottar then falls back with a big smile on his face.

Thud!!!

‘Ah… Defeat. Long have you averted my tongue? I taste your bitterness.’

Defeat for Ottar was not a sign of weakness but a sign of possible growth. A sign that tells Ottar there is still more to learn and grow to one day defeat Cirrus.

 

As Cirrus returns inside, he leans himself back against the wall, gasping for air.

“Huff! huff! huff! huff!”

Blood soaked into his clothes from his wounds.

‘Fuck… That last attack cut through my armor… You may not have won, but you sure as hell cut through the dragon’s scales, Ottar.’

Cirrus gets back up onto his two feet and keeps walking. His injuries slowly heal.

“Master,” Fafnir said next to him from the dark-covered walls. “Here is a High Potion. Hecton said it can heal you immediately.”

“Thank you, Fafnir. But I think I’ll keep this cut. A memory of our fight.”

 

Somewhere in some pub in Orario.

“Did you see that?” said a man in red armor.

“I did. We must go and inform Sanctuary of this.” said another in red armor.

“Lord Ethon and Lady Rhea must hear of this along with the finding of Lady Vesta and the Uncrown's strength!”