The crowd of generals and warriors watched in a tense silence, eyes flicking back and forth between father and son. Each blow, each move, was scrutinized, and whispers passed among them, some in awe, others in disbelief.
General Harvey Laxe, standing near the edge of the arena, clenched his fists. His sharp eyes never left Gor for long. He hated the fact that the boy was allowed to live despite possessing a curse. He could not help but feel like they boy was much better off dead. Despite the fact that Gor was displaying something that was astonishing, to him it wasn't anything as far as it was from a damned curse. The demonic power Gor carried within him was an abomination in Harvey's eyes—something to be eradicated. Every swing of Gor's cursed sword was another reminder of why he had to be eliminated.
"This is madness," Harvey muttered under his breath, his voice thick with disdain. "That cursed thing he wields will be the end of him and everything he touches. It's just a matter of time."
Beside him, General Zira Gale watched with a different expression. She had seen Gor's progress over the past few months, watched him go from a boy barely able to control his power to the more controlled, dangerous fighter he was now. There was something about his growth that intrigued her, something dangerous yet impressive.
"I can't believe what I'm seeing," Zira whispered, eyes wide as she saw Gor land a hit that actually forced Bale back. "He's stronger than I thought... much more" General Zira licked her lips as she stared at the fight.
General Atilah Kira, standing along with the others, had a more personal interest. Her eyes never left Gor, her expression unreadable. She had long harbored a strange fascination with him, her interest not just in his strength but also in what he could become—if he had the right guidance. She tilted her head slightly, as though evaluating the boy not just as a warrior, but as someone she might one day see in her family.
"Perhaps he could be a better fit than I thought…" she mused, though the words were under her breath, meant only for her ears.
High guard Orion, the King's brother, was silent, but his gaze was warm. The first time he met Gor after returning from Wize, he was not sure the oy could carry out the task of guarding the princess. But when the Queen and his brother had agreed to appoint him, he decided to give it a chance and watch the boy. Not only had Gor proven himself, but he was becoming something much more. His talent was unmatched, and even more than any of his brothers, he could see the raw potential in Gor, something that was unmistakable.
"He's grown stronger in just a few months," Orion said to no one in particular, his tone filled with quiet pride. "But he still has much to learn. The road ahead will be long. It seems Lena is in good hands after all."
And then there was General Boise, the supreme commander of the Kingdom's military, whose expression was as unreadable as ever. He had been skeptical of Gor's true potential from the beginning, unsure whether the boy could control the curse that seemed to bleed into everything he touched. As he watched the duel, Boise remained silent, his sharp eyes calculating.
"The boy has strength," he muttered, crossing his arms as he leaned against a nearby pillar. "But strength alone isn't enough. Not yet. Let's see if he survives the lessons his father will surely give him."
Boise's skepticism didn't go unnoticed by the others, but it was clear that even he couldn't ignore the progress Gor had made. Each movement from the boy was more refined than the last, and while it wasn't enough to match Bale's strength yet, the improvement was undeniable.
Bale's presence in the duel had been calm, almost detached, his every movement precise. His Lightless armor was known an embodiment of mastery, and his sword—a blade seems out of touch with existence —cut through the air with terrifying accuracy. Although ale wasn't using his amour, he was still too powerful for Gor to defeat.
As Gor struggled to match him, the general's cold eyes never left his son. There was no pride in them, no warmth—just a measure of approval at the boy's persistence.
"He's testing his limits," Zira remarked, her voice tinged with admiration. "But he still doesn't have control over that cursed armor."
Her words trailed off, but Harvey Laxe, overhearing, couldn't resist interjecting.
"Control it?" he sneered. "That curse will consume him, mark my words. He's nothing more than a ticking time bomb. If Bale doesn't put him in his place now, that demon will take over entirely."
Atilah, who had been watching Gor more intently than anyone else, frowned at Harvey's words but didn't respond. She wasn't concerned with what others thought—she saw potential, not just in Gor's strength but in his resolve. It was too soon to discard the boy's resole.
As the duel continued, Orion leaned toward General Boise, his eyes never leaving the combat.
"Do you think the boy will ever surpass Bale?" Orion asked quietly, though his voice carried a tinge of hope.
Boise didn't answer immediately, his gaze narrowing as he watched Gor struggle, then push himself forward again. "I don't know," he said finally. "Bale has always been a genius even amongst the other god swords. I've known him since he was a snorty brat. Zeal used to bring him around when he was little, not because he wanted the boy to see how the army works, but because Bale himself had shown, not only interest, but great talent in swordsmanship. People always seem to think it's the weaker opponent that has something to learn and unlearn from a battle, but Bale doesn't. He learns every time gets enters the battlefield and anytime he faces an opponent."
"For the boy to surpass someone like that, it's not going to be easy."
There was a brief pause before Orion nodded, his eyes softening. "You are right. Surpassing Bale may seem too farfetched, but he won't have much trouble surpassing us, though," Orion said.
"Still, he'll need a lifespan ten times longer if he wishes to face you in battle," Orion added, and General Boise laughed.
Meanwhile, as the two combatants locked swords, the clash of their blades ringing through the arena, Harvey scowled and muttered to himself.
"Foolish boy. This is only a game to him. But I will not let him become a threat. No one should possess such power."
The crowd held its breath as Gor was knocked back by one of Bale's strikes, his dark armor flashing in the dimming light. The boy had strength, certainly—but it wasn't enough. Not yet. The generals, however, all knew one thing: Gor was dangerous, and that danger would only grow.
Boise's gaze remained steady, his arms crossed as he watched the boy slowly regain his stance, the fight still burning within him.