The Achievement Junkie

"What did you say?!"

Rolling his eyes, Alcahain lowered his fists. "Jin's better at sparring! There, was that loud enough for you to hear?!"

Lightning crackled around Tyres as he increased his outage and streaked toward Alcahain for another attack. Few could match his raw speed, namely Torian and Rikko as the helmed swordsman had yet to ascend. And being belittled juxtaposed to Jin was the ultimate dishonor to the swordsman.

As the swords struck forward, Alcahain readied his gauntlets once more. In a foot race, he wouldn't be able to keep up with Tyres. But in close combat, Jin was the only one that could edge him out. Alcahain stood at the bottom of the legendary god's hierarchy but many regarded as the most technically skilled as the old sparring partner of Jin and long-time friend of the samurai. This was evident as his reflexes allowed Alcahain to match each strike of Tyres's blades with a countering punch, neutralizing the attacks.

"Wow… You bit off Jin more than you could chew, didn't you?"

"SHUT UP!!"

Tyres surrounded his entire being with electricity and wind, holding nothing back against the god two levels weaker.

"Come on, then! Prove me wrong!" laughed Alcahain, pounding his fists together. "Your technique is sloppy at best and you're too focused on sheer power. Without finesse, your strikes are easy to neutralize."

"I SAID SHUT UP!!!"

Bolting toward the Brawler God, Tyres zipped across the open-aired pavilion. Killing intent dripped from his eyes.

Alacahain continued his laughter while charging also. Earth energy covered his body as lightning heightened his reflexes to the max. He wanted more than everyone to collide and knock the arrogant swordsman down a peg.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!!!"

Two small cyclones appeared out of thin air, ripping the two rushing combatants away from their imminent collision. Both were thrown back without mercy, crashing and sliding across the pavilion floor.

"HE--"

"WHO STARTED A FIGHT WITHOUT ME!!!"

Tyres shut his mouth without another moment to waste as the pavilion floor shook. Barreling through the conference room entrance came Grixor with heavy feet and a monstrous grin. "Who wants some?! Share the fun, won't you?!"

"That's enough playing around…" Torian's hand slapped the back of Grixor's head as the Thundering God sighed and joined the quarrel outside. "Sparring is one thing, destroying the property is another. Tyres, calm down or fight us. Got it?"

The Sword God rolled his eyes and nodded, but the temperature of Torian's tone dropped as he repeated, "Got it?"

"Yes… I understand." Tyres finally stored his swords and glared back at Alcahain in despise.

The Brawler God was still lying on the ground, chuckling lightly. "Tralbok… Why'd you have to go and do that?"

"You let him get out of hand," replied Tralbok. "It's your fault it, not mine. That's enough for today."

Just when the situation was de-escalated, a pillar of light fell upon the pavilion. As a figure appeared within the light, everyone immediately took notice. Then, Torian and Grixor rushed to their aid.

As the light faded, Kylon fell to the ground, barely holding up her chest with one arm. Blood dripped from her left ear and left nostril. She was panting and shaking heavily. Her vision was beginning to fail her as she blinked in search of sight. Ultimately, Kylon passed out the moment after she fit the ground. All she could mumble before that were three words.

"Perchet… betrayed us…"

"KYLON! What happened?!" Torian managed to get his hand under her falling head as her last words were uttered.

Grixor and Alcahain were the next to reach her. The Earthen God quickly felt her pulse and heaved a sigh of relief. "She's stable…"

"MOVE!!!"

Tralbok pushed his way past Grixor and Alcahain, immediately grabbing Kylon's hand. Placing his hand over her bracelet, Tralbok finally heaved his own sigh of relief. "The key is fine…"

Suddenly, Tralbok was sent flying, nearly throwing him off the pavilion's edge. The God of Time groaned and placed a hand over his right cheek. "What was that for?!"

Grixor spoke slowly and filled each word with threatening venom, "Because I felt like it…"

No one else said a thing to Tralbok, not caring about him at the moment. Torian immediately stood up with Kylon carefully supported in his arms. "We need to get her to Halmut right away."

Both Grixor and Alcahain followed Torian, wanting to make sure their fellow god was alright, unlike Tyres who wasn't bothered by the situation and Tralbok who was left caressing his swelling face.

*****

"Please, make the vow of blood."

Jack lifted the brush from Dragas's forehead, letting Moranti press his hand into her forehead.

The seals on Dragas's forehead and Moranti's hand lit up as they began to sink into their skin. Since Moranti was already under a mutual seal, he was given the parent half of the seal to not infringe on his child half of Skaryn's seal. It was a workaround that Jack thought up since there had never been such a situation before, but Dragas was more than willing to accept the more painful child seal to make it official. And since the sharing-EXP effect would be null and void beyond Kartonia, Moranti would get shortchanged of all his future training and grinding.

Once the seals rescinded and faded, Jack smiled. "You may--"

Without waiting, Moranti leaned in and planted a kiss on Dragas's lips, pulling her in close and lifting her in the air.

"Beat me to it…"

Jack chuckled lightly as the room broke out in cheers and applause. Corks flew as bottles of wine were opened for all to share. Due to the ceremony being impromptu they lacked a feast, but wine was all Dragas and Moranti would want anyway.

The couple eventually broke their kiss and strolled toward the only refreshment available, a large, pre-made cake that was ordered at the guild bakery.

As they cut the cake and promptly shoved cake into each other's faces, Jack turned toward the closed door on the far side of the room. It then opened and two figures walked in, one wearing a roxite helmet and the other wearing a black blindfold.