Emperor's Reckoning

Her movement made the crowd forget that this was a battle. They thought an opera was playing right in front of them. No matter which directions Vindre launched his chakrams it couldn't even scratch her body.

This technique was beyond their comprehension, even a talented cultivator was having a hard time to identify the move she did.

Vindre's face started to twitch and his fingers moved even faster than before. They were twirling around along with the scream from the wind which struck fear to the world.

But even if the intensity was two times or more, Riku still capable of dodging and blocking his attacks. However, her position was at a standstill which was disadvantageous for a long run.

As Riku was moving gracefully, the memories of her training echoed in her mind.

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It was back at Undine Lake when Ryona trained Riku in the forest nearby.

Riku was sitting by the side and observed her mentor dancing in the middle of the forest like a faerie. Her graceful movement seemed to guide the surrounding to the direction she wanted it to be. With every swing of her axe, the trees swayed along while its leaves were plucked with the strong wind.

Riku was in awe, combined with the beauty and her graceful motion, it was hard to believe that this woman could kill without even batting an eye.

Gradually, Ryona's movement getting slower and slower and just when Riku thought it was over, the defining blow came into her vision.

*boom

Three pairs of wing suddenly appeared on Ryona's back as she was facing the sky and all the leaves in the vicinity fell down. It was like a flash in Riku's eyes before the wings disappeared into nothingness.

After a brief of silent Ryona began to explain her technique,

"This technique or art is called the Slyph Dance, it is the perfect technique for cultivators that focused on agility such as yourself," said Ryona seriously. This technique had a significant meaning to her.

The Slyph Dance had a deep root to the Sylph race itself, although Ryona is not a Slyph, she was lucky enough to learn from them personally. It was a fated encounter they said.

Slyph has a really high affinity with the wind element thus they could control the flow of it naturally. By making use of the wind, a Sylph could move almost with no frictions in the air, but sadly, their bodies were not strong enough to withstand a lethal attack. Then that's why the Slyph Dance was born. There was even a saying, 'If a Slyph was dancing, not even a dust could hit them.'

However, it was a new case if a non-Sylph was trying to learn this technique. There were conditions to be met,

The first one was, of course, the affinity with wind element. If the first one was not met, it will be entirely impossible to even learn the basic of the technique.

The second was a high agility. Since the Sylphs had wings on their back, their movements were swifter than most of the other races, at least in the air. But a non-sylph who had no wings must advantage their fast response against incoming attacks.

The last one was a blessing of a Sylph. Without the last one, the technique would never be completed.

Sylph Dance was derived into three stages.

The first one was the defensive stage, followed by attacking stage and the last one was the Slyph stage. Every stage had different rhythms especially the last one since the rhythm was unique to the user of the technique.

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*cheer

The crowd was cheering the three of them nonstop.

"C-mon guys, you can do it."

"Yeah! Break the record guys!"

*boom

Suddenly, Vindre felt a massive weight on his body as his feet started to break the ring. As he glanced at a nearby figure, he saw Biane standing straight with her greatsword stabbed to the ground. On the other end, Clemora was coming at a high speed with her sword glowing blue.

(This is it!) thought the three of them, "GO! CLEMORA!"

"AAAAHHHH!!!" The scream that defined the meaning of victory was shout as the cry of blue phoenix was loud and clear.

*boom

A clear blasting sound reverberated inside the arena and dust covered the most important spot on the ring. The crowd was on their seat hoping for the result they would never dream of. The silence made them wish they could just buy a huge fan and waved at the dust.

"Ahhh!"

A spurt of blood was spraying out of the dust followed by Clemora's body which was covered with horrendous wounds. The next one to be sent flying was of course Biane. Looking the two of them, they were definitely incapable of fighting anymore.

As the dust gradually cleared, they could finally see the state of Vindre. He was wounded and his clothes were torn, there was a clear fatigue on his expression. However, what made Riku opened her eyes wide, was a pair of chakrams in his hands.

(He could control nine?!) thought Riku, as their goals seemed to become impossible. (NO! I refuse to give up!).

Riku ran toward the fatigue Vindre with hope in her heart. She didn't care whatever happens to her. As long as she could move, she could fight.

*swoosh

There were now nine chakrams dancing in the sky like a vulture.

*clank

The Slyph Dance managed to block them, but this time she was moving forward.

*slash

A chakram managed to scratch her as her form was imperfect. She gritted her teeth and moved forward.

*slash

Another slash cut her hand, another slash cut her face, another slash cut her left thigh, another, another and another, until Riku couldn't move anymore. But the amazing part was, she still standing.

Tiene was already sobbing in Yiaz arms as she couldn't look anymore.

*swoosh

(OH no! She passed out!) thought Vindre as he already launched a chakram at her vital point that could make her cripple. (Shit I'm too weak to retract it!).

The chakram was moving closer and closer to Rikku and the crowd's mouth was opened up entirely to the horror they were about to see.

*BOOM

A huge axe suddenly dropped in front of Riku, cutting the chakram in half and its momentum.

*CRACK

The ring was cut into a perfectly clean half by the force of the axe.

Riku who was actually still could see with her right eyes half opened, was embrace by the woman who taught her the dance.

*clap

Lyon suddenly clapping in the midst of silence.. His action easily led to a domino effect and in an instant, the whole arena was giving a standing ovation.