Warden was too transfixed on where his spear struck to notice where the laughter came from. But it definitely was not from the guy who had a spear stuck in his chest.
The laughter came from behind, followed by a familiar voice. "What did I tell you, kid? You won't have any problem defeating this fellow."
"Karim?" Warden arched his eyebrows. "What are you doing here?"
"Watching you demonstrate my teaching to this conceited fellow, obviously," Karim replied with another crackle of laughter, sounding pretty happy with the outcome. "Did you think I'm restricted within the area of the checkpoint?"
Warden scratched his chin and turned to the person who possibly needed medical care.
"Don't worry about him," Karim dismissed his concern. "He doesn't need a heart."
"I'm fine," croaked the diminutive swordmaster. He sat down, the spear still stuck in his body. His breathing was laboured, as his face had turned paper white. Even if the blow wasn't enough to kill him, it had dealt a serious blow to him.
"You wouldn't be so lucky if it struck your core, Ovium," Karim said as he approached the other swordsman. "How long has it been since I saw you again... more importantly, how long has it been since I saw you like this?"
"You must be feeling very ecstatic," husked Ovium.
"A little," Karim said with a huge grin. "Perhaps this will help you get over the prison in your mind."
Ovium snorted, still having the willpower to refute the other man. "If you're not going to help me, bugger off."
Karim smiled and grasped the spear. "Are you ready?" he said. Getting a nod from the guy, he asked, "I'll count to three... One... Two—"
He yanked the spear out before he could count to three, as blood splattered along with it.
So slow that it might be the difference between life and death in a battle of this calibre.
I should save some time to use the remaining Light quintessence, Warden took a mental note.
His eyes moved to the summit. It wasn't so clear anymore as they moved closer, as though giving the vibe that all the views from before were nothing but an illusion. Stormy wind brewed on the summit with occasional flashes of light, followed by deafening roars of thunder.
Then there was the suppression... not only had it doubled, but the more he climbed, the more powerless his essence and spirit became. Thankfully, he wouldn't be the only one under such suppression.
It took him a couple of days' journey to reach the final checkpoint before the summit. It wasn't simply because he had to rest more, but because the path became even more hazardous. If Warden hadn't learned to control the pattern, he wasn't sure about his survival.
The path was full of stormy wind, rushing in from all directions. The bolts of lightning hardly made it easier. Controlling them was beyond him, as the charge of lightning was simply too fast and tyrannical. He had survived a couple of them, though.
They weren't stronger than Karim's or Ovium's trump card. Still, when the lightning surged through your bones and tendons, one simply couldn't help but contemplate life.
It was an overwhelming feeling, but Warden didn't have the same fear for it as he should.
He wondered how much of the pattern he could use when he got out of this trial. The swirl of the pattern should be present in the real world as well, though not as prominent. It could be easier or be harder at the same time.
For one thing, the suppression of this place wouldn't be present outside, while much of it depends on willpower and intent, the presence of spirit and essence couldn't be overlooked. But it would hardly be possible to call upon such tyrannical power of wind in any environment.
Letting out a deep breath, Warden entered the final checkpoint. It looked more like a sanctum to him, where his final challenge was waiting for him.
Warden's eyes widened like saucers at the very first look at her. She studied him, too. Her pristine white hair cascaded over her shoulder, the stormy wind was unable to hinder them in any way, while a smile blossomed her exterior into something divine.
It was exactly the white-haired girl he met on the first day of the trial.