Kargath strode through the hall with heavy, deliberate steps, each footfall echoing like thunder. His wild aura intensified with every movement, pressing down on the surroundings like an approaching storm.
The guests couldn't withstand the overwhelming weight of his presence. Some spat blood, others collapsed to their knees, unable to remain standing. The air grew thick, nearly suffocating, as the sound of shattering glassware echoed through the hall.
His predatory gaze never left Glenn. With each step, the oppressive aura around him intensified, as if the very air bent to his will.
Glenn felt that crushing pressure like a mountain on his shoulders. His wineglass, previously held firm, shattered unnoticed in his grip, shards falling to the floor as liquid dripped between his fingers. His bloodshot eyes remained locked on Kargath, refusing to look away. The pressure was unbearable, as if his body might implode at any moment, yet something within him refused to yield.
Then, like lightning striking his mind, he remembered. Remembered the towering presence he'd faced before Selene, that overwhelming energy he'd endured before.
'Compared to that, this is nothing!'
The memory ignited an inner fire, a resilience he hadn't known he possessed. His internal energy exploded outward as if breaking through a barrier, and he stood taller, weathering Kargath's aura with fierce determination.
The hall seemed to disappear around them. Only Glenn and Kargath remained, locked in a silent battle of wills.
Suddenly, the pressure vanished from the room, drawing relieved gasps from the crowd. Everyone realized Kargath had concentrated that wild aura onto a single point.
The air crackled with tension, electrified like the moment before an explosion. Glenn's body trembled, muscles burning, yet he held firm. His bloodshot eyes now glowed gold, reflecting the energy surging within him.
Kargath stopped just steps away, his towering frame looking down at Glenn like an adult observing a child, his mad grin widening.
He seemed impressed, but not surprised. Glenn reached his limit, struggling to breathe.
'I REFUSE TO YIELD!!!'
His posture remained unbroken. Though Kargath's aura continued growing, Glenn stood at the precipice, clinging to strength he never knew he had. Blood trickled from his nose when suddenly - a hand landed on Kargath's shoulder, dissipating the aura completely.
"Didn't know intimidating children was your new hobby," said Elian, impeccably dressed in a blue overcoat with a gleaming vest.
Kargath frowned, shrugging off the hand as he turned toward Elian.
"So it's true. Another freak like you was born in these lands."
"Glenn's quite the promising lad," Elian said charismatically, smiling.
"Promising my ass! Look at this monster! Where'd you dig this one up?"
"Our queen works miracles, as always!" Elian praised, referring to Selene.
"Grrr..."
"Hey kid. Come kick my descendants' flabby asses in Verdan sometime," Kargath told Glenn.
I was still recovering. As soon as Elian dispersed the pressure, Lesley quickly wiped my face with a white cloth. My breathing steadied as my thoughts cleared.
The imposing orc's words snapped me back to reality.
He stood colossal at nearly three meters tall, wearing a golden circlet over his black hair. Two lower tusks protruded from his mouth, his green skin covered by golden-shouldered armor extending to his abdomen. Golden bracers covered his forearms, a massive black belt with a golden skull clasped at his waist, and a crimson cape flowed behind him.
"Haa..." I couldn't muster a response.
"Whatever... fuck it. Hey Selene! Long time no see - let's fight!" He completely ignored me, marching toward the queen.
Kargath moved imperiously through the crowd toward Selene's throne.
"You're still as ill-mannered as ever!" Selene scolded.
"Haa... manners my ass. At least you know I speak honestly, unlike these cockroaches!"
"Filth remains filth, Kargath. Stop spewing it."
"HAHAhahaha... Your humor's improved! How long since you last mocked me? Almost feels like home!"
Two colossal wills clashed - Kargath's against Selene's aura. The throne's platform cracked, wood splintering as everyone retreated. The hall fell silent until -
"SMAAAACK!" - a resounding slap shattered the aura clash.
Elian had smacked Kargath's nape hard.
"Ruin my apprentice's banquet and I'll wipe the floor with your ugly face. Sit down and enjoy the food before I lose patience."
"Hahahaha... You mages are boring to fight," Kargath said, utterly unfazed by Elian's words as if he hadn't even heard them.
"How did the elders let you come here?" Selene asked.
"Haa... they probably noticed after I left... I am a genius after all."
"Now it makes sense!" Selene, Elian and many attendees exclaimed simultaneously.
Kargath ambled indifferently to a specially prepared table and began sampling the drinks.
I stood shocked at the chaos he'd caused in mere seconds. Nearby, Athena stood behind Cardinal Angela, hands on her chest, panting while giving me a strange look.
Throughout the hall, young nobles were being helped by their families to recover. Some had clothes ruined by spilled drinks, vomit and blood, while others had to withdraw completely. My Nexus outfit was slightly wine-stained, but a surge of energy evaporated the liquid instantly.
My reflections were cut short when Lesley whispered in my ear.
"It's time, Glenn. Let's go!" I nodded.
"Ladies, please excuse my brief absence."
Carrying Lesley in my arms, I crossed the hall toward the throne. At the first step, a waiter offered me a fresh glass of wine.
We took position on the right side of the throne's platform - I should have stood left, but Kargath had destroyed part of the flooring where servants now collected debris.
I glanced at Selene, who gave an apathetic nod. Focusing, I cleared my mind and gathered the greatest energy I'd ever summoned.
Raising my glass, I concentrated on that piercing sensation.
Energy enveloped the crystal. Pushing to my trained limit, I slightly closed my eyes, visualized the desired effect, and like a master composer unleashing the transcendent melody all dream of creating -
"TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING..."
A wild, melodious sound pierced through every guest. Youngsters' eyes widened, elders felt their hairs stand on end, and Kargath's aura exploded skyward in response to the harmonic.
Hands trembled throughout the hall. Some felt their internal energy spiral uncontrollably, others bit their lower lips hard enough to draw blood.
'Good enough,' I thought.
Others weren't so composed.
'THUMP-THUMP - Far more intense than before,' Selene analyzed sternly as Kargath, Saerion, Baldur and Angela watched her curiously.
'Who are you, Glenn?' Cardinal Angela wondered.
'Damn demons, where do these freaks keep coming from?' Baldur pondered.
'I've never felt a harmonic like this, not even from our queen,' Saerion noted.
'What an interesting demon,' Vex licked his lips.
'So it's true - another like her has been born,' Kargath concluded.
Lesley stood majestically with hands behind her back, though her fingers trembled experiencing Glenn's harmonic for the first time. She involuntarily bit her lip lightly - a reaction shared by many demon women present who felt tingling in intimate areas with flushed cheeks.
"Grr..." I cleared my throat.
"Ladies and gentlemen, warriors of steel and soul, tonight isn't merely a celebration - it's living proof of our determination, of our strength forged in battle's fire. We don't accept imposed destinies. We seize them, carving reality with our own hands.
Every overcome challenge, every exchanged blow, every scar etched into our flesh testifies to who we are. We fight not just for glory or survival, but to leave a history that will never be forgotten. Our legacy builds with each battle fought, each victory won, even in defeats that teach us to rise stronger.
Know this: while we have breath to wield our weapons, the world will remember us. We're no fleeting shadows vanishing with time. We're the storm that sweeps away the weak, the blade that cuts through fate, the flame that never dies. Each carries the unbreakable will of those who don't merely survive - but dominate.
Tonight, we toast to the blood and sweat paving the new generation's path. Let every sip remind us we don't fear battle - we seek it, master it, and make it our legend.
Raise your glasses, lift your voices! May our triumphs echo beyond mountains, beyond seas, and may the world never forget who we are! Cheers!"
Total silence.
'Damn, was it bad?'
"Clap-Clap-Clap!"
"Clap-Clap-Clap! Clap-Clap-Clap!"
"Clap-Clap-Clap! Clap-Clap-Clap! Clap-Clap-Clap! Clap-Clap-Clap! Clap-Clap-Clap! Clap-Clap-Clap! Clap-Clap-Clap!"
Feeble applause began, started by Kargath - first to snap from his stupor. The entire hall followed, so engrossed in Glenn's speech they'd momentarily forgotten to react.
Then a resounding noise completed the electrifying atmosphere his words created.
Music began playing as guests cleared the central hall.
I extended my hand to Lesley, who followed gracefully to the center.
It was time to dance.