* A few days earlier, shortly before the fight in the Coliseum Hakim was training in an old Ruin with Ortega. The two killicks exchanged sword blows far too soft to be serious. Hussein, who was coming back from the city, brought the meal, he stopped for a moment to observe their exchange of blows *.
-Stop aiming at my head there are plenty of other parts of the body that you can hit.
-The head is the best way to end it.
-Said rather that you do not know another way to end it.
* Ortega ejected his sword, sliced off both his thighs and planted it in the chest before slipping his blade under his throat. Hakim fell to his knees out of breath *.
- Damn it was violent. * Hussein said to himself *.
-If you like head that much it's fine but you can't make it clear your way up to it. * He said before removing his blade that he was still holding upside down *.
-I can I know what it is for me to know all that? Since I am going to fight with a huge hammer.
* Ortega walked to Hussein and took an apple which he devoured with a single hook *
-Learning the different styles of fighting will allow you to anticipate the kind of action they will take. I taught you the ax (Raplh), the hammer (Lerch), the mace (TOB), the Halberd (Visra) and now the sword (me).
* He grabbed a pancake which he also devoured whole *
-Hey don't eat all the old food.
* He didn't listen to his and licked his fingers *.
-But .... There is one thing that I did not teach you.
-Ah well ... which one?
* Lercha finished the meal tray intended for the two men then he returned in front of Hakim who had completely regenerated. This time he held out his sword normally in the direction of the young man and frowned *.
-Hakim have you ever faced death?
-I do not fear death Uncle Ortega. * He replied promptly *.
-That's not what I asked you. Have you ... Already ... met. *The death*
* Suddenly a strong pressure emanated from Ortega. He wasn't smiling at all and his sword pointed in Hakim's direction was showing something else. The young man at the beginning tried to tell himself mentally that it was a test, a form of test, but the more he looked at the dark aura which emanated from his uncle the more he felt his body tighten up, he had goosebumps. . Hussein although not being concerned had also felt this fear. His heart jumped in his chest, it was so intense *.
-How is it possible ? I thought he was an average warrior. But it looks like .... * Thought Hakim *. He's as creepy as Mom.
* Ortega gave him a freaking look as if he wanted to swallow his soul *.
- Go ahead and come face me.
* Hakim took a step back *.
-I said Advance. Worms.
* Another step back *.
-If you don't move forward ... I'll kill you on the spot. * He said coldly *.
* Hussein wanted to intervene but he was so shaking that he had unconsciously hid behind a rock. Hakim had done the same elsewhere. Suddenly the pressure dropped and Ortega sat down on a sand dune with the rest of the packed lunch *.
-What you have felt children is the pressure of death. * He said chewing *.
* The two young people were still in shock from this pressure and were shaking *.
-Dilated pupils, goosebumps, fangs and claws sticking out. This feeling that every living being is a threatening being is what happens when a Killick faces an entity far too strong for him.
-Much too strong for him? * Hakim wondered *.
-And yet unlike me you are able to use the Efrat so you have an advantage. That said, as long as you do not overcome this fear of death there is a plateau that you will never cross. Hussein this is valid for you too.
-Yes Yes...
* Ortega finished his meal and took back his sword *.
-Well children I will teach you how to use the Efrat. * He said as he unleashed his aura again *.
* From this experience Hakim had learned a lot. He had learned to use the Efrat, of course, but he also had to fear death as well as to look it in the eyes. As he put his hammer to the ground and gazed at the enormous amount of efrat in front of him he understood Ortega's words for the first time. He took off his helmet and everyone could see his face as well as his blue hair, a line of blood running down his forehead *.
-It's time to get serious.
* Hakim blew up the Efrat in his body and gradually closed the wounds due to his previous battles. You could see steam escaping from different areas of his body. Then he seized the spear of the warrior lying on the ground *.
-Said ... Can I have your name? * Hakim asked *.
-My name ? * He said *. If you can touch me I'll give it to you.
-Hello pretentious.
-And something else ... If you can make me bleed, then I would consider it my defeat.
-In this case bring back ....
* In the blink of an eye he suddenly appeared in front of Hakim who was surprised *.
-You....
* The guy opposite ravaged him with several direct sword blows leaving various marks on Hakim's armor. This attack also broke the spear in half rendering it useless. In a flash he sliced Hakim from all sides and passed him. Ignoring the pain the Killick turned and lifted the ax but the same scheman repeated himself. It was barely if he had time to respond that the warrior with the sword slashed him again at lightning speed. He was so close but a lot too fast. Hakim tried to grab him by the helmet but he ducked down and tore off his left leg squarely before taking a few steps back. Hakim collapsed to the ground bathed in his blood *.
-Finally one who saves the honor of the legion. * Said Raheem *.
* Most of the warriors watched the scene a little disappointed while the king and his clique were perplexed *.
-Bah is it already over? * Said the king *. Well I guess it was to be expected.
-Although he still gave us a very entertaining show. * Said the queen *.
-Oh you admit it was good. * Titilla the king *.
- I didn't say anything of the sort. * She said crossing her legs *.
* The king turned his head towards his personal guard *.
-And you Tharsis what do you think?
-I'll be disappointed if that's all this offspring of this woman has to offer. * She said simply *.
-Isn't it ? Come on kid entertain me. * Said Arthos *.
* From the stand Hussein was tired of waiting, he decided to get up but Ortega grabbed him by the hand *.
-Don't hold me back or I ....
-This is not the moment. * He said giving him a piercing gaze *. So ... Sit down.
* For his part, Hakim was Kaput. Lying on the ground, blood was escaping from his wounds, notably from his torn leg. He was trying to patch the wound with his Efrat but couldn't *.
-It's strange .... Why can't I? Did he slice me with a Sygmar blade?
* The Sygmar blade is a blade made from a rather particular metal. Metal is so rare that very few Killicks have it. Having the particularity of preventing the flow of the Efrat, it should be said that a Killick injured by this type of weapon can no longer close his wounds and that he becomes as fragile as a human. Hakim having understood this felt the pain to run through him *.
-I am in pain ... I am in pain. But I must not cry, not here not in front and especially not in front of her. Where is my leg?
* He refrains from screaming then raised his head and saw his leg which he began to crawl *.
-He is moving. * Said a Killick in the stands *.
-He is alive. * Said another *.
* The whispers caught the attention of the sword warrior who turned again to his strong opponent *.
-What are you trying to do kid? *he says to him*.
* Hakim extended up to his leg she grabbed it then he brought it back to him. In front of everyone he glued his leg back to his body using the Efrat *.
-In case you get dismembered by a blade of Sygmar I have a little tip for you. * Explained Ortega *. Rather than pushing you away a new member tries to hook up the one you lost. But do it within 3 minutes or you'll be crippled for life.
-How come nobody ever mentioned it?
* Ortega winked at him *.
-It's a little tip that we share between voyageur members.
* Following this advice he was trying somehow to glue his leg back together. Strangely everyone even the sword warrior watched him curious about what he was doing. In the end in the eyes of all Hakim got up *.
-That ? * The warrior wondered *. What did he just do?
* In doubt he stared at the blade of his sword, it still shone as well, it was indeed a Sygmar blade. But then how was possible. For sure he had just disturbed him to the highest point. Hakim got up and did some stretching then he walked towards the halberd on the ground which he lifted, he then stared at the weapons master out of the ring. He threw him a circle-shaped shield which he grabbed, after which Hakim again faced the enemy who was no longer even on guard *.
-Do you think a shield will protect you from my attacks? You are very naive.
-I'm sorry for this poor performance. I promise to make up for it. * He said putting himself in position *.
* Even in the last few days after his training Hakim had failed to overcome the pressure of death. Truth be told, a glimmer deep inside him said that Ortega wouldn't hurt him, but now that he had confronted this champion with the sword he had finally completed the final phase of his training *.
-When you will have finally overcome the pressure of death, not only will you be able to exceed surpasses.
-Uncle Ortega with all my respect, * Said Hussein *. How do you know so much about the Efrat when you don't have any yourself.
* He relaxed and let out a sigh *.
-Hatzel and Sephora are the only Killicks I know who have so unraveled the secrets of the Efrat's nature and he shared them with all of us. Suffice to say that we are well established in the field.
-But even....
-Ah and he gave us one last piece of advice. * Said Ortega *.
* Hakim raised the shield and held out his halberd like a spear. His eyes turned dark blue and his hair stood on end, the Efrat exploded but this time the pressure had completely changed, the color was as sturdy as the champion's and even the size and quantity had increased. His pressure that was released from his body, his fighting pose that left no fault *.
-What an incredible amount of Efrat. * Says Hussein *. And he's only 16. I'm starting to feel a little ashamed of myself.
-But ... * Said the king *.
-It's not enough to face the beast in front of him. * Said Vincent *.
* The champion resumed his fighting pose, sword to the side and the two holding it firmly. His Efrat exploded and he was taller than Hakim's, but the difference wasn't as overwhelming as at the start of the fight. *
-As if he needed more. * Sephora whispered *.
-Eh.
* The champion rushed at Hakim with such speed that some expert warriors saw nothing. The ground cracked under his dash and the dust rose. Once at the level of Hakim he struck for the first time which was countered by the shield, but it was a feint so he continued with two more sword strokes that the boy game blocked, while he was going to strike a 4th blow Hakim took advantage of his confidence to strike a well-placed blow under his throat. Although caught off guard he stepped back quickly and disappeared behind the young man to cut off his head. Hakim did one of his secret pirouettes and blocked the attack with his shield before fighting back. On the arena we could only see flashes of blue Efrat glow here and there, neither of them gave in to the other Hakim managed to counter the opponent's attacks by staying as much as possible concentrated. They were moving at an inhuman speed on this arena fragmented by the steps they were taking, then came the opening and the champion tried to pierce Hakim's shoulder. But the young boy suddenly with a strange gesture removed that part of his armor, then struck the enemy helmet with his shield. The shock was so violent that he dropped to one knee, furious he struck a sword so powerful that it sliced through half the arena *.
-HAKIM. * Shouted his brother *.
* But the young Killick had let go of the armor and shield leaving only the part under the torso, he appeared behind his opponent at an unknown speed and from a halberd attack held with two hands he swung an attack at him. FULL of Efrat *.
-Feel it natural.
* The shock threw the warrior with the sword to the other side of the arena which fell in a huge crash *.
-What is this trick?
-Stop seeing the Efrat as a power, feeling the Efrat is normal for the Killicks.
* Crazy silence settled in the arena, suddenly everyone stood up and gave a huge cry of joy *.
-HE SUCCEED
-HAKIM HAKIM
* The crowd started chanting his name, it was as he had said to Hussein a few hours earlier. Hakim looked around and smiled, the pressure of everything that had happened throughout the fight had finally dropped and he was breathing new air. Better still, his leg hadn't let go at all *.
-I told you he would succeed.
-What was this attack at the moment? * Wondered the queen *. She never showed that to me? Swung the Efrat like a ball of energy? No, he blew it up at the time of impact to multiply the damage. This kid is definitely a combat genius.
-He built up his Efrat through the blade and then dealt a devastating final blow. Rather classic but quite inventive given the efficiency. * Pensa Ortega *.
* The hubbub of the crowd ended when the smoke settled. The champion of Dedalus was not dead, worse even he looked in great shape, only thing changed the breastplate of his armor was devastated all over the right part and you could see his chest and pieces of shirts. Her skin was niquelle *.
-Tell me it's a joke. * Hakim said in shock *.
* Another major fact this warrior no longer had a helmet and we could finally see his face, he was a handsome young man with long hair but in the eyes of. Due to the attack his hair which he had tied was now loosened, its color was a pure blue like his Efrat and his skin was tanned *.
-Bravo I congratulate you. * He said as he stroked his skin *. You managed to touch me.
-You ... Are you still alive? * Said Hakim shocked *.
-It's normal, after all you couldn't pass my Wand. * He said cracking his shoulder *. To reward you I will give you my name.
-You finally decide to do it.
- My name is Margred. Margred Helmborgson ... And I'm the son of the man you're trying to kill.
*End of chapter*