The Only Son Amongst The Daughters Of Eros

Ahhhhh!

A bright silver blast of light filled the battle square, exploding from Sylver's chest to every corner, blinding even Melina but especially her Beast Companion.

The light disoriented the Nightpanther, causing the Umbra Strike it had summoned to strike the mere ground, leaving behind a crater.

Even if the projectile had hit Sylver, the damage would have been much less, because the bright light had reduced so much of the shadow gathered to create the Ability in the first place.

When the lights dissipated, Sylver was nowhere to be seen. He did not keep everyone searching for long, because — following his master's orders — he reappeared moments later, leaping toward the Nightpanther with his fangs bared.

"Luminous Fang!" Aeric commanded.

Sylver's jaws glowed with radiant energy as he drew closer.

"Dark Shield!" Melina cried.

However, Power Claws and Luminous Fang had one difference. Luminous Fang could tear into even the strongest metal!

With his amber eyes flashing fiercely, Sylver bit into the Dark Shield and his teeth stabbed right through and caught Drex on her shoulder.

The Nightpanther howled in pain, the divine energy in Sylver's fangs searing her flesh and reducing her defenses. The crowd roared, enthralled by the spectacle.

Melina clenched her fists. "Drex! No! No!"

Aryanne's eyes were squeezed so tightly in anger it seemed they were going to pop out. She stood up from her seat and walked out of the stands.

"Shadow Leap! Drex!" Melina yelled helplessly.

Her Beast Companion vanished from sight and reappeared in the far end!"

"Oh, ladies and gentlemen! Awakened Players and Dormant ones alike! What a battle we have for ourselves here! And can we talk about the Son of Starlight! A tactical genius isn't he? The power of a Silverwolf is impressive, sure, but he has masterfully averted and outclassed Melina of Moonlight! What a spectacle! On his debut game as well!"

Melina grew angrier hearing that, and even though Drex hadn't fully healed from the Luminous Fang, she ordered it into action once more!

"Drex, Attack Mode: Phantom Dive!"

The Nightpanther leaped into the air, its form dissolving into shadow before speeding from the air and striking down at Sylver in a quick shadow burning dive.

When it missed that, it attacked more and more, diving with some mysterious shadowy burst, heading claw first at Sylver.

Following Aeric's orders, Sylver managed to dodge a lot of these dives. But one finally connected as Drex struck Sylver with its claws, sending the wolf beast crashing into the ground.

Aeric's jaw tightened as he saw Sylver rise, shaking off the attack. Something was wrong.

'What just happened?' he thought. 'Am I imagining things or creating blame? Or did Sylver's aversion feel a bit more slower than usual there?"

Drex landed on the ground and then began to Shadow Leap around Sylver. The Nightpanther's strikes were hitting more than they did before.

Aeric ordered commands at Sylver but his Beast Companion was being extremely sluggish. At first he thought that the synergy difference was showing itself once more, but when he saw the look in Sylver's eyes — one that resembled pain — he had a good idea of what could be happening.

He glanced at Aryanne, seeing that shed returned to her seat. And by her side was Cecilia of Elysium. Aeric narrowed his eyes on her hands and he saw that they were clutched together while her eyes were open.

Cecilia! 'Is she a Soul Mender as well? Like her sister!?' Aeric cursed. 'She's doing the same thing Phoebe did to the beasts in the Mock Dungeon. She's squeezing the Divinity out of him. Making him weak!'

Aeric's eyes moved to Aryanne, seeing the smug, mischievous smile on their face. 'Aryanne! That miserable maggot must have put her up to this!'

The Nightpanther launched another attack, its claws glowing darker than before. Sylver couldn't dodge no matter how hard he tried to.

The strike came, and the impact of the burning claws struck Sylver so hard that he flew high and hit the top most part of the battle square.

As he began to fall, Drex leaped forward and struck him with a thunderous spear. The collision of Sylver's back and the floor left a dent in its silver-tiles.

Gasps. Silence.

"My my! What an unexpected turn of events. It seems Sylver, the powerful wolf beast has run out of energy, and Drex who seemed to have been conserving hers, has now taken advantage. Sylver is down. The beast has ten seconds to get up! Will he make it before the count?"

Everyone watched. Aryanne grinned. Melina waited.

Aeric's heart thumped with anger. He was fuming with rage that Aryanne could never do anything fair, but his focus was on Sylver now.

The beast was lying there, twitching, time running out.

5!

6!

'Come on, Sylver! Come on, boy!' Aeric clenched his fist with hope.

Everyone watched in anticipation.

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Suddenly, Sylver's ears twitched, and everyone seeing this burst into cheers. They began to urge the beast to get up!

"Sylver! Sylver!! Sylver!!!"

'Come on boy!'

Aryanne's eyes widened with disbelief and anger. As they all watched, Sylver moved his back limbs and began to pull himself up.

"Sylver! Sylver!! Sylver!!!"

8!

Aryanne furrowed her brows, rage filling her up. She turned to Cecilia. "What are you doing! Squeeze harder!" she ordered.

"I'm trying!" Cecilia moaned.

9!

"Sylver! Sylver!! Sylver!!!"

Sylver stood on his front paws, and then with some effort, lifted his back limbs and placed the paws on the floor. Then he let out a proud howl; "Awuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!"

"Come on, boy!" Aeric exclaimed as a rush of joy and energy pumped through his body. "That's my Beast Companion! That's my Silverwolf!"

10!

"Yeahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!" The crowd went wide with cheers and applause. Everyone was on their feet! Everyone was cheering for Aeric and Sylver, even the ones that were against him at the start.

Aryanne could not believe her eyes and it all made her even more mad. Melina stood in disbelief, completely intimidated by Sylver's perseverance. Even her Beast Companion was scared.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Sylver beat the count and is still alive in this competition!"

"The Beast Battle continues!"

More cheers! More chants!