GemsWorld Quest ​Chapter 5: The Master Scheme

"This time, I cannot afford to be late!" I whispered to myself on my way to the Scafi Corner.

The final test of my newest weapon was finally complete, and I managed to leave earlier this morning. I wanted it all to be perfect, from my dramatic presentation to the battle. I would not be defeated.

"Scafi Corner now visible. So far so good."

"And it will stay that way until the end of the battle. We shall be victorious this time!"

I confidently pushed the door of the Oryktia Club. I could hardly contain my excitement.

"Dyrow Wagate, Oryktia Crafter."

"Oh, you're back.", said the receptionist, slightly surprised.. "And early this time? What happened to you?"

"Nothing much. I just needed some time alone. Usual room right?"

Without waiting for her confirmation, I found my way in the corridor and finally reached the door of the Scafi Corner.

"At long last... Okay DG. Let the operation begin!"

For some weird reason, my Doppelgänger didn't answered. Not even a cynical reply. That was odd, but I had to focus.

I took a deep breath and after putting a triumphant smile on my face, slowly pushed the door of my Oryktia Club.

They all stopped their activities to stare at me blankly.

"Dyrow?" Said the professor in an incredulous voice. "About time you showed up. What happened to you?"

I looked at him and for the first time in my short history at the Scafi Corner... I didn't answered back.

They were still staring at me.

"Awkward atmosphere, set."

"Hey, Remember to answer when I speak to you."

"..."

"Yes, I know, 'speak' is not really the adapted verb."

I was now looking for my fated rival, and managed to spot her among the others.

Crystial looked a bit nervous this time, and it seemed like she wanted to talk to me – probably to ask me what was going on –, however I only wanted to battle her as soon as possible.

"Nothing sir." I finally answered, my glance still focused on Crystial. "However, something is definitely going to happen now... And that would be the day of my victory. I suppose you don't need to ask me if I want to battle, nor against who."

I pointed my right finger at Crystial.

"Stand up! We've got some unfinished business to deal with. No negotiations!"

The awkward atmosphere was still present in the room, but my teacher was now smiling.

"I see you're willing to settle things quickly», he said. «Very well! I can grant your wish, since you were gone for so long. Come on you two, entertain us!"

Both mine and Crystial's Oryktia armors were already set on, and the only elements left to show off were our weapons.

The moment I was waiting for.

"Ladies first", I dropped in a mocking tone.

She frowned her eyebrows and summoned her weapon.

Its flashy pink as bright as ever, the Limpid Spear was still a magnificent weapon to gaze at. It was certainly made of a rare gemstone that I could never lay my hands on.

But I was way more prepared this time.

I pulled out my Oryktia Stone and inserted it into a bracelet provided for this matter. Simply called Oryktia bracelet, it allowed the user to stabilize the power of the Oryktia Stone, and it was safer than keeping the artifact in a pocket. I had the time to craft one – may my dear wristband Vaoris rest in peace for this sacrifice.

"More convenient", I said to myself, proudly looking at the result. «Now, the weapon!»

I opened my right hand and my smile grew larger.

I remembered exactly what to do.

"You know", I started, "I also learnt to use mental incantations, and I must say it is a difficult trick to pull off. But this time, I'll just use the good old method."

I let escape a maniac cackle.

"Finally! I've been willing to show my new weapon for a long time..."

I took a deep breath.

"From the depths of my soul, you are born... From my heart's passion, you subsist.. And from the bottom of my imagination, you remain eternal. Come forth and dance alongside me! Cyfer!!"

With a flash of light and a beautiful metallic sound, Cyfer appeared in my hand.

Judging by the looks of the others – especially my teacher –, I could tell that my Master Scheme was going well so far.

Cyfer. Impressive enough to dazzle even my teacher. This was truly my masterpiece.

"Next."

"Sorry."

"So, little girl!" I continued, as confident as ever. "Let us see how you can fight against this! Number your flaps!"

Crystial was carefully glowering at my mace, smiling as well.

"I can't believe I was worried for a second..." she sighed. "You intend to fight a spear... With a mace? You really lost your mind, little boy. I guess my domination is not as ephemeral as you believe it is."

"Underestimating the weapon already? That shall be the first step to your downfall!"

She didn't seemed satisfied with my answer at all. She probably expected me to swagger around about my weapon's power, but i wasn't stupid enought to give her clues about my new weapon.

"Now let the party begin!" I concluded. «And this time, I shall be the party leader!"

We both looked at the teacher, waiting for him to talk. He finally turned away his gaze from Cyfer.

"Okay, that's enough you two! It is time to begin today's battle session. Get ready Oryktia Brawlers...!"

Crystial put herself in position. So did I.

"Ready...?"

"Initiating battle pattern phase one."

"Go!"

"Crushing time!"

******

I immediately rushed at my rival and attacked her with a swing of my mace. She dodged it, and the mace hit the ground, creating a hole in the process.

"I am serious about this Crystial", I said with a gloomy smile. "And so should you."

I freed Cyfer from the ground and began harassing her with a series of slow yet powerful attacks. But she was putting enough distance between us to avoid all the hits.

"With that kind of speed, you cannot even hope to lay a single hit on me."

"Nice taunt."

"Oh really?" I replied. "Then let's speed things up!"

Putting more strength in my arms, I managed to speed up the pace of Cyfer. I was completely overwhelming Crystial's movements this time, and one blow struck her armor. With that blow only, she flew to the other side of the room.

"What's wrong, little girl?" I shouted immediately after the blow. "Relishing the dust before eating it?".

She barely stood up and I could read an intense concentration in her eyes. We both knew that without her armor, she would have collapsed already. A few more hits like the previous one and she was done for.

"The speed was introduced to her too early! Must stay sharp!"

"Don't worry, I haven't introduced any Skill yet."

"You won't hit me anymore", she angrily whispered. "You will lose!"

She pointed her spear in my direction and the weapon suddenly started to shine.

In a very unnatural manner.

"Forget it: I actually have to introduce one right away."

"Must choose carefully."

"From my very soul», she chanted, «I shall strike my enemy with passion. Summoned Skill! Limpid Dash!"

The incantation now over, Crystial rushed at me with her shinning weapon in hand.

"Linear strike. Enough distance to dodge it."

That wasn't like her. I knew how fierce she could become when fully focused; this attack was obviously a feint.

"She wants to make me dodge it. Time for a counterattack!"

I raised my mace above my head. With her current speed, she would easily reach me: I had to act fast. Although mental incantations were more difficult to pull off, they also were faster than oral ones.

"Brave heart, mightily strike down the beast that you fear! Summoned Skill! Delta Smash!"

I smashed Cyfer on the ground and created a shockwave. Seeing the threat before her, Crystial made a sidestep and avoided the triangular shaped attack, canceling her own assault in the same time.

With a perfect timing, I sidestepped as well to meet my rival for a new series of attack.

"Time for some close quarter combat."

"I'll end it up quickly!"

Once again I gathered my strength in order to strike as fast as possible. I just needed to disarm Crystial and it would be an easy confrontation.

But before I could unleash my fury, she jumped back and once again pointed her spear at me.

She had no time to perform another oral incantation. Therefore...

"It's a mental one!"

I jumped back as well and prepared my next attack. I couldn't risk to take any direct hit, and continuing my move was the best way to fall into her trap.

"The next attack must override her offensive Skill."

Only an oral incantation could help me to do so. Slower, but stable and easier to pull off.

"One must fight fire with fire", I started. "Offence is known as the best defense!"

I rapidly glanced at Crystial. She wasn't finished yet. A big one was coming.

"Unleash your fury, courageous one! Summoned Skill! Fire Shot!"

A red light lit up my mace's jewel. At the same moment, Cyrstial opened her eyes.

"Summoned Skill!", she shouted. "Needle Rain!"

As if created directly from tin air, dozens of sharp crystal shards appeared in front of Crystial and flew in my direction. With blazing power, I guided my Fire Shot to the Needle Rain's encounter.

What was about to happend was commonly referred as a "Skill Clash". A Skill Clash was rare in an Oryktia Brawls, because it could easily drain the strength of both Brawlers, and it was also dangerous for the people watching the confrontation.

But we couldn't help it. I, at least, was eager to see if my abilities were now good enough to finally beat Crystial's talent.

The Needle Rain kept striking my huge fire ball, but none of our Summoned Skills seemed to overpower the other.

"Come on!" I shouted, "Go further!"

"Must not waste energy! Must stick to the Scheme!"

"I just need a little bit more..."

If I could make Crystial go to full power, I would be able to win without the rest of my plan. And frankly, I really wanted to overpower the Needle Rain.

But alas, my Doppelgänger was right. I had to save my energy for the Master Scheme. Crystial made a nice move: she mentally chanted, but orally finished the Skill, thus keeping a better control on it. She had more chances than me to win the Clash.

My glance penetrated Crystial's eye.

"This is only a postponement", I said. "I will defeat you!"

I cancelled my Skill and evaded the flow of crystal shards coming after me.

My endurance was reaching its limit, but I still had an advantage in close combat. It wasn't over yet.

"So that's what you're planning?"

Crystial's accusing voice broke through the sudden silence that followed the Skill Clash.

"Hit and run? Is that your strategy? Because if so let me tell you one thing: that would be the most shameful and pathetic victory you would have, probably even worse than your well-deserved defeats. You're still very weak after all."

That provocation was a bit too much. But as usual I intended to answer properly.

"My dear Crystial," I sighed, "I suppose your foolish anger is due to the dust's taste..."

I suddenly took a serious tone.

"...Or maybe the lack of information made you lose your temper?"

The brief panicked look on her face had just proven my point. She did spy on me all along, and she understood that I was aware of it.

"No answer? Dust still stuck in your mouth I suppose. Now let me tell you something as well: I don't need to hit and run. I just need to use my brain, as well as my new weapon. And with those elements alone, I will utterly obliterate you!"

As I was talking, the incantation for my next attack was already in preparation. I needed something small this time.

I raised my mace above me.

"Strike forth one more time! Summoned Skill! Delta Smash!"

Cyfer's strike on the ground created another shockwave, directly aiming at Crystial.

"Next one! Quick!"

Now came the tricky part of my plan. Everything depended on the next move, and how much concentration I had. One mistake and she could take the advantage.

"Rekindled Earth!" I mentally intoned. "Come now under my control!"

Crystial avoided my attack.

I rushed towards her, feigning another close-ranged attack. Fortunately, she fell for it.

"You won't get me twice, Dyrow!"

She once again pointed her Spear in my direction. It began to glow.

"Another linear strike! Too close! Impossible to evade!"

"I just need to be faster!"

Another Limpid Dash was coming at me, I knew it. And its piercing damage could turn the tables.

"Let me borrow your might and seal my enemy!"

I moved back at the last second. I had now enough space for my next move, and she couldn't avoid it. If I was nimble enough to pull it off.

"You won't escape this time!" She shouted, trying to follow me.

"Strike now! Summoned Skill! Petrifaction!"

Holding my mace upside now, I hit the ground with it.

The effect was immediate.

"What the?!..."

She didn't even had the time to finish her sentence: small rocks emerged from the ground and gathered around her feet, petrifying her body. The Summoned Skill had striken. Crystal's movements were now completely sealed, and my rival was froze in place, unable to move anything but her head.

"What's happening to me?!"

She was completely confused.

"What, you don't remember?» I asked with a malicious smile, «Petrifaction is a Summoned Skill that I already used against you. Courtesy of Mojuko!"

"But how come your new weapon has the same abilities your previous one had?" She asked.

"Wrong, little girl!" I replied. "The real question is: if you remember this ability and the way I used it in our previous battle, then what Summoned Skill should I be using next?"

As she tried to guess what next – and last I hoped – Skill I intended to use against her, I raised Cyfer above my head and started a circular movement.

"Rekindled Earth!" I chanted again. "Come now under my control! Gather around me and follow my will!"

My smile grew larger in front of Crystial's horrified face. She finally understood what I was about to do.

"Let me borrow your might and strike my enemy!"

The numerous smashed rocks and pebbles around us reacted to my recital and followed the movement of my arm. Perfectly according to plan.

"Roar now and crush it all!"

I couldn't help it: I let a maniac laugher come out of my mouth before finishing my incantation.

"Summoned Skill! Stone Hoop!"

The ring of spinning rocks went crashing into Crystial's petrified body, and she flew once again across the room.

"Direct hit."

"Let's not celebrate just yet."

"Says the dramatic demon who prepared a winning speech before fighting."

I had to face it though: the Brawl was over. Crystial was now lying on the floor, in pain.

And as cruel as it might seem, I was enjoying it.

I raised my left hand in the air, my forefinger pointing the ceiling.

"This is the day", I started, "that you will always remember as the day when I, Dyrow Wagate, finally made his way to the top. Remember this day as you eat the dust, lying on the floor like the misused sandbag that you are!"

And for my great final, I let a triumphant sadistic laugh out of my mouth.

"Now this is what I call a perfect victory!"

"I'll take it from here. Move aside."

I frowned my eyebrows.

"What? Move aside? What do you mean? And did you just said 'I'?! Wow! This is the first time you refer yourself as a..."

"OUT OF MY WAY, PITIFUL SIMPLETON!"

"Please don't scream... Hey! What are you?..."

A powerful headache suddenly stroke me. The ground was spinning. And I felt so weak...