Rise of the Soul Hero

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***

Everyone went to the special dueling courtyard. The spectators were seated on the balconies, among them was Raftalia, because if Naofumi and Andrei lost, Raftalia could not only be unsealed, but something worse. Such were Andrei's thoughts, but something in his own soul said that everything would be fine. Against Naofumi and Andrei, however, were Motayasu and Ren. The latter was not happy to have to fight, but at the same time he was sure that after this battle Andrei and Raftalia would be free. Before the fight began, Ren approached Andrei and began to speak.

- I have nothing against you Andrei, like me and Itsuki said, you're a good guy. It's for your own good, and I'll try not to attack too hard. -

Andrei shook his head unhappily, but smiled slightly and began to answer, placing his palm on Ren's shoulder.

- Eh, someday you'll realise that everything is not as it seems. You're a jerk, but you're a good jerk. So you better fight at full strength, I'm not as easy as I look. Make it a good fight. -

Ren lowered his head, but looking at Andrei's face again he smiled slightly and began to answer.

- If you ask me to, I'll do my best, I hope you're as good as you say you are, I don't really like braggarts. -

They both nodded to each other and Ren moved away, Andrew looked at Naofumi and saw that he was quite tense. Andrei walked over to him and started talking.

- Don't worry Naofumi, we can handle it. They will see how strong we are. They won't want to attack you again. -

Naofumi smiled slightly and began to reply.

- Well, you're right, Andrei. I think we can do it too, but we'll have to work hard to do it. By the way, are you sure you can handle Ren? -

Andrei smirked a little and started to answer, placing his palm on one of the swords and then he started to answer.

- I'm more than confident that I have a chance against him. He seems to be a good swordsman and has a magic sword, but I have skill and a couple of trump cards, one of them you know. It'll be a surprise, by the way, what's your plan against Motayasu? -

Naofumi smirked and pointed at the cloak, or rather what was behind it. Andrei took the hint, as he remembered that Naofumi collects a lot of items, some of which are quite dangerous. Andrei was about to say that this wouldn't be a bad plan, but at that moment they both heard Motayasu's voice.

- Ready or not, I have to fight Naofumi and you fight Ren and it's all over. Come on. -

Naofumi and Andrei sighed heavily, then they all looked towards the king and he signalled the start of the fight. Andrew quickly drew his two blades and looked at Naofumi and nodded, Naofumi did the same and they began to fight against their current opponents.

Holding his swords in his hands Andrei quickly ran towards Ren and dodged his special attacks. Wren was surprised by such fast movements and he felt as if he was anticipating it all. Andrew in turn maximised his agility and speed in addition to his calmness. This allowed him to move faster and he felt as if everything had slowed down. The people who were watching marvelled at the speed and agility of the unknown to them assistant of the hated shield hero.

By this time Andrew was close enough to draw his swords and start striking. These blows were fast sharp and very strong. Ren could barely contain them and dodge them, but he could feel himself getting weaker and weaker, while Andrei seemed to be getting stronger and stronger. Eventually Ren activated one of his abilities and pushed Andrei away from him, and then he began to speak.

- You know, you were right, Andrei. You're a fast and strong opponent, you seem to have been a swordsman at one time, memories have not sprung to mind? -

Andrei shrugged slightly and started to answer.

- To be honest, no, but you're good too. You have to use all your strengths and you did it, but I didn't show some trump cards, I hope you like them. -

Wren hesitated for a moment, but Andrei ran at him again, swords clutched tightly. Ren realised that he was going to be attacking very fast again and decided to send another ability to weaken Andrei. Andrew was expecting it and as soon as the sword ability flew at him he jumped up and did a sideways somersault in the air, landed on his knees and made a fire sign with his sword and sent it at Ren.

Wren didn't expect this and made a defence and almost fell down. But as soon as the smoke from the fire cleared one of the blades was at his neck and the other was holding Ren's own sword. There was a smile on Andrei's face and he began to speak.

- You have lost Ren, and I have won. Stand back and confirm this news for everyone, otherwise everyone is expecting something from you. I hope you don't do something stupid. -

Ren sighed heavily with a small smile and began to answer.

- You did win Andrei. I'll keep that in mind next time, but remember, I'll get my revenge. It's over too quickly, let's put our blades away on the count of three and I'll raise my hands in surrender. -

Andrew nodded and after a second he lowered his blades, Ren put his sword behind his back and stepped back. Then he raised his hands and everyone realised that the sword hero had lost. It was a surprise and shock to everyone who watched this. None of them would have thought that some tramp, shield hero's assistant and all, could defeat one of the great heroes. The rivals bowed to each other, and then looked towards the direction where Naofumi and Motayasu were fighting. The odds were in Naofumi's favour, he was using shields and small toothy balls.

Andrew was already fully confident that his mate would win. But fate went against them, Malthy realised that Motayasu was losing and started to create a powerful spell that would at least harm Naofumi. Andrei noticed this and ran in that direction, but before he could do anything a glowing circle appeared in his head. Not knowing why, Andrei started to pull out one of his swords and made a circle. But he couldn't make it completely. A particle of the spell broke through the barrier and burnt the left side of Andrei's face in the eye area.

It knocked him back and he began to feel pain. He realised that the damage was much more than forty and fifty percent, but he held back a scream and just held his left hand near the burned area.

Naofumi saw what had happened to his friend and immediately stopped fighting and lowered himself next to Andrei, trying to help him in any way he could. He didn't know how to do it, there were no elixirs at hand, and the burn was bleeding and hurting. Naofumi's hands were trembling as he watched his friend in pain, he didn't even notice Motayasu, who came up to him without realising what was going on. He saw Andrei and realised what had happened and began to speak very loudly.

- Hurry, we need a healer. Or an elixir, quick. -

Ren and Itsuki had already come to Andrei, they didn't know how to help. Naofumi didn't want to lose his friend and couldn't even move for fear of his friend, his body was trembling and he could barely hold back tears of fear. Raftalia, seeing this, broke free from the guards' grip and ran over to help her brother. She stooped down beside him and froze in a stupor, not knowing what she could do to help.

Andrew, still feeling the pain and the trickles of blood, began to speak through the pain.

- I need to bandage my face, the blood must not continue to flow, and the wound must be protected. Damn, it hurts like hell if it wasn't for that thing, but it's a good thing you didn't get that blow Naofumi. What kind of friend would I be if I didn't protect you? -

Naofumi understood all the words that Andrei said to him and tore a part of his cloak off and brought it to Andrei. Andrei took his palm away and everyone around him saw the burn. Raftalia took the elixir and carefully poured it over Andrei's burn, while Naofumi bandaged it and could not hold back his tears. Raftalia covered him with a hug and Andrew sighed in relief as he continued to lie there relaxing and letting the elixir heal the burn in some way.

At the same moment the king walked over to the place and began to speak.

- Despite this unfortunate incident, the spear hero Motayasu had won, and despite the defeat of the sword hero Ren, the shield hero had stopped fighting and his servant could not continue. Therefore, as I said before, the spear hero wins! -

Motayasu looked at the king and then at Raftalia and Andrew, a kind smile appeared on his face and he began to speak.

- You don't have to worry anymore, I saved you. You have nothing to be afraid of anymore, also forgive me and Malti Andrei. I promise you'll never be hurt again. -

But as soon as he said that, he got a slap on the cheek from Raftalia. Andrei looked at Motayasa, his gaze even with one eye was very Mad-Eye. He stood up to his full height and felt weak and sore, which didn't go anywhere. But he approached the king and began to speak.

- Your daughter is as much to blame as you yourself. The victory today is ours, no matter what you say or do, the victory was not fair, if not for your daughter the snake, Naofumi would have won. -

The king frowned and began to speak.

- What nonsense lad, it's your own fault what happened. I didn't see anything strange, and I'll close my eyes to your words if you say you were wrong. -

Andrei spat under his feet and stepped back to Naofumi, but turned to the king and gave him a fukk. Everyone who saw it was shocked, even Naofumi didn't know what to say. King Olktrei was furious and wanted to give orders to capture the insolent man, but at that very moment people started whispering that Andrew was right, and Ren and Itsuki came up to him. Ren was angry, so he started talking.

- Andrei is right, me and Motayasu lost, they won, and your daughter did something unforgivable. She should be punished for it. -

After that, Itsuki began to speak.

- You must also pay them the money for the wave and for the treatment of this burn. A simple elixir will only help minimally, it will take a lot of things, I hope you understand. -

Olktrei had to agree, he pointed at Naofumi and ordered that he be given the money. Naofumi himself finally felt joy, joy that his comrade was alright, that the king had at least got what he deserved. He embraced Andrew and Raftalia, and then began to speak.

- Don't ever take such risks again, promise me that you will never take such risks again, you are too dear to me, you are my family. -

Raftalia smiled and started to answer.

- Don't worry, I'll make sure that brother Andrew doesn't do it again, but we'll protect you to the end, no matter how much it hurts us. -

Then Andrei started to speak.

- You sensitive hedgehog, I'll never bother you like that again, but if you don't watch your back, I'll have to make my face again. Oh, that'll leave a scar. -

Naofumi laughed a little and started talking too.

- You're a hell of a guy, by the way, and your hair didn't even hurt. Strange, but you remind me of a certain character, only it's you, Andrei Sokolov. -

He nodded and at that very second Naofumi was handed the money. He took it and started talking with a rather creepy expression on his face.

- If anyone touches Andrei or Raftalia in the future, this kingdom will suffer. Know this, and if you somehow come after us, you'll have to save the country on your own, without us.'' -

After saying that, the trio left the castle.