Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player

Kaizen obviously noticed the change in Elara’s countenance, which was surprised and suddenly smiled. Still holding her firmly by the neck, he looked at her with a serious expression, determined not to let his guard down. He knew Elara was cunning and could not underestimate his ability to react even with the Sword of the Night pointed at her torso.

“It’s just as I imagined, you are incredibly powerful!” She exclaimed.

Kaizen frowned. “Make no mistake about it. My intention is not to impress you.” Kaizen replied, keeping his posture firm.

Elara let out a soft laugh, looking genuinely amazed. “You don’t understand, Kaizen. You are so determined and brave, that’s even cute. You don’t find many people like that these days. You have the potential to be a real leader, Kaizen.”

Elara’s words took Kaizen by surprise. He never expected to hear words of praise from someone he is about to kill. However, he remained cautious.

“I’m not interested in leadership or empty praise, Elara. If you knew that, you wouldn’t be trying to buy time with this, so now you must accept the consequences of your actions.” Kaizen said, about to drive the blade of his sword into her chest.

Once again, Elara let out a laugh, even as Kaizen’s hand squeezed her neck. “Tell me, Kaizen, do you really believe you can change the world with your simplistic notion? You’ve known for as long as everyone else that The Eye of Hermodr is powerful, and yet you never seemed determined enough to run after us. Why?”

Kaizen tightened the grip on his neck a little more, showing his determination. “I never intended to play cat and mouse with you, but I will fight for what I believe is right. And if you attack me or are in front of my goals, I will fight back, simple as that.”

Kaizen held Elara tightly, still cautious to avoid any tricks from her. He could feel the admiration in her eyes, but knew he couldn’t let his guard down completely.

“You have caused a lot of trouble, Elara,” Kaizen said seriously. “Chaos and destruction are not the way to achieve glory, power, or whatever you’re after.”

Elara seemed to be reflecting on Kaizen’s words. Her cheerful smile remained, but now there was a shadow of doubt in her eyes.𝑶𝒱𝐥xt.𝒞𝒪𝔪

“Your attention…” replied Elara softly.

“What?”

“What I wanted to join The Eye of Hermodr was your attention, Kaizen. I have admired you from the moment I personally watched you face Taznaar in the Arena, then I just created more admiration for you. And knowing that you keep evolving at an overwhelming speed, only makes me have even more admiration.”

Kaizen frowned, pondering Elara’s words. He felt a mixture of surprise and confusion at her words, for he had not expected that his determination and abilities would make him an admired figure by someone like her, who had caused so much chaos and destruction just to get to him, according to her words.

However, he remained skeptical of Elara’s intentions. Kaizen knew that she was a dangerous enemy and he could not allow himself to be taken in by praise or manipulative words, after all he saw what she did to the palace defense force.

“Elara, I cannot trust your words,” Kaizen said cautiously. “You may be trying to distract me or find a way to escape, but no matter how much you admire me, that doesn’t change the consequences of your actions. You need to answer for your crimes.”

Elara looked at him for a moment with her smile gradually fading. There was a tension in the air as the two of them stared at each other. Finally, she let out a resigned sigh.

“You are ruthless, Kaizen…” she said with a serious expression. “I expected nothing less from you. If that is what you wish, then I am ready to face the consequences. I am satisfied just to have fought with you. However, when you kill me, make sure you take my items, there is something that will surely be to your liking.”

Kaizen kept his stance firm, but a small part of him felt a twinge of doubt. Was he making the right decision? Were there other ways to deal with Elara? However, he knew that his actions could not be based on the words of a stranger he had just been trying to kill, and he could not allow Elara’s actions to go unnoticed.

With a swift and precise movement, Kaizen directed the Sword of the Night toward Elara’s chest and pierced through her with ease, causing her to let out a brief groan of pain.

“We will see each other soon, Kaizen. I know we will… But next time you and I will fight side by side.” Elara said, and then became just particles of dice.

[You killed player Elara77.]

[You gained +100 XP.]

When Elara left, the entire throne room was empty and quiet, with a light cold breeze coursing through the room.

Kaizen was holding his bloodied sword, but was pondering what had really happened in those last dialogues after the end of the battle. He felt a mixture of relief, contentment and uneasiness. Was it possible that Elara was serious and not just trying to buy his time? So even though he won the confrontation, Elara’s final words still echoed in Kaizen’s mind.

“She and I will fight side by side? It would seem so.” Kaizen said after reflecting as he walked slowly through the throne room, observing the wreckage and remnants of the fight.

The sight of the chaos in the throne room caused once again by the manipulations of The Eye of Hermodr brought out a sense of urgency and anger within him. He realized that he needed to do more than just defeat dangerous individuals. Elara was right, he needed to go after whoever was causing all this, not just let the Order of Dalamyr do that job for him. Kaizen needed to go after the leader who is causing all this.

With a determined sigh, Kaizen headed for the exit of the throne room, but before he left, he remembered Elara’s request. Then he looked back and saw the flaming orb with her remaining items.

“…When you kill me, make sure you get my items, there is something that will surely be to your liking.”

“Wasn’t that just a cheap tease? Or was the ‘something’ he said referring to some specific item?” Kaizen wondered, approaching the orb.