Elemental Crisis part 20

Gilford's Determination

Having already completed the trials set for them by the air goddess Altarias and the water goddess Wautoria, the heroes now face the challenge of the earth goddess Eaxori, which was accepted by Gilford. The objective is to defeat her in a duel of blades and magic.

Before the duel begins, Gilford's trademark sword receives an upgrade as it gains a blade made of diamond to match the weapon of his opponent. Isabelle watches in a worried manner as his lover charges into battle with a determined expression on his face.

"Let's do this!!" As he reaches to a suitable range, Gilford makes the first strike, but is then surprised by the speed of his opponent as she suddenly dodges to the side. He himself has a bit of trouble avoiding the diamond mace swung at him in a horizontal arch.

The two battle on in a furious manner as the others watch on in excitement, with Travis and Mark being impressed with Gilford's large amount of skill. "They weren't kidding when they bragged about there being great knights in his family..."

Just then, the group looks on in shock as Gilford takes a brutal blow in the stomach, knocking him down on the ground and leaving him out of breath. Eaxori looks on, waiting for the young man to either yield or get up and continue the fight.

"Are you able to continue, or will you give up?" The young man coughs up a bit of blood as he is still stunned by the power of the blow, but he soon gets up and makes a surprise attack as the goddess was still waiting for an answer.

Stabbing the goddess with his sword, Gilford makes a cut to his opponent's shoulder and grins as she steps back. "That is my answer to your question!!" Isabelle looks at in a worried Gilford as he suddenly staggers and only barely dodges Eaxori's counterattack.

The battle continues with both of the duelists suffering due to their injuries but carrying on regardless. Gilford is unable to strike effectively due to being worn out, while Eaxori's own attacks are constantly dodged by the relatively quick reflexes of her opponent.

As the battle carries on, Gilford finally manages to strike Euxoria again. His second strike makes a slight cute to her arm, but the woman answers this by giving Gilford a punch in the face. The young man dodges the woman's mace while getting up.

But just then, Isabelle seems seriously concerned as Gilford suddenly coughs up more blood. "That blow to his stomach probably did internal damage!" Just then, she yells out to the earth goddess, much to the surprise of everyone else. "Wait!! What if Gilford dies because of this battle!?"

Taelow looks at Isabelle as she says this, and everyone listens as the goddess gives her answer. "Then it simply counts as failing the trial. I am sorry, but those are the rules." Hearing this, Gilford grins and charges at Euxoria, swinging his sword with all his strength.

Just as she is about to dodge, the goddess notices that the she is in a small pit. Gilford had taken his time and casted a spell under her feet. As he now strikes at her, he makes a large cut across her abdomen, forcing her to fall over in pain. He then points his sword at the woman's neck.

"I win..." Being unable to move without having a sword through her neck, the goddess drops her weapon. "You have passed the trial." Just then, the barrier keeping the others away is disabled, and Gilford falls over in exhaustion and pain, much to the horror of Isabelle.

"GILFORD!!" The woman is almost crying at this part as she rushes to his side. "Gilford, are you okay?!" The young man is barely conscious by now, having wasted his energy ignoring his energies and concentrating on the battle. "Isa...belle...I'm...fine..."

Just then, Alicia and Lala step forward, both of them casting a spell on the young man. "We can get him healed, but he has to rest for a while." Hearing this, DK Mark picks Gilford up and looks at the two. "Let's start healing him when we get to the next challenge."

The group moves on, with Euxoria giving them the bracelets of earth before they leave. "Good luck, brave heroes. You will need it in the next challenge."