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Khaslana stood on the edge of the city, Dawnmaker heavy in his hands. He'd promised Mydei that they'd take the chance that this amazing weather offered to spar. He'd finally grant his partner's wish to fight all out, no holds barred, and no golden threads containing the Demiurge's power. The anxiety had been twisting his muscles into tightly wound springs. Everything felt tense and anxiety-inducing.
The power of millions of coreflames slithered along his skin and lit up his muscles. Even though it was what could be considered winter on Amphoreus, it still felt swelteringly hot to him. He took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders, letting his wings fan out to their full span now that there wasn't a risk of them breaking anything. Loose feathers rained down around him, ugly reminders of the thing he'd become in his quest to bear the world. At least it wasn't as many as when he was molting. The bare patches and the constant shedding— he shuddered at the memories.
"Hope you weren't waiting too long, Deliverer,' Mydei called as he walked up the path.
Khaslana had to fight the urge to rush over and tackle Mydei in a hug. He was dressed for the season, wrapped in a heavy fur cloak and heavy fabrics. The Prince of Castrum Kremnos always complained about how his winter clothes threw off his balance and made it difficult to fight. It would be cheating for him to take advantage of that simply because he craved the feeling of Mydei's fingers tracing his feathers.
The sun glittered on his blonde hair, making it seem like they were golden strings. His amber eyes sparkled with mirth as he rushed up the hill to meet Khaslana. That mischief, that look of pure happiness in his partner's eyes, ignited something in his belly. Khaslana dug his claws into his thighs, keeping them from curling into his partner's hair. Warm liquid dripped down his claws as they pierced through his skin. The sound of stone scratching against stone rang through his ears.
"Are you even listening to me?" Mydei demanded, removing his cloak and folding it. "Amphoreus to Khaslana?"
"Yes, I'm here." Khaslana shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Sorry about that."
Khaslana gasped as Mydei grabbed his wrist and pulled it up to eye level. Blood dripped slowly down his claws, burning Mydei's skin where it touched him. Khaslana's nose wrinkled at the smell of burning flesh. Mydei's golden eyes narrowed.
"I… I forget how sharp my nails are in this body,' Khaslana chuckled, dragging his free hand through his hair.
"Sure…" Mydei sighed. "Are you feeling up to sparring?"
"I made you a promise-" Khaslana began, his wings fluttering.
"Do YOU feel up to sparring?" Mydei cut him off. His eyes narrowed, and that fire returned to Phainon's belly. Mydei's hand moved from Khaslana's wrist to his chest.
"I do," Khaslana nodded.
"Tell me if you stop feeling up to it," Mydei said, combing his fingers through Khaslana's fluffy winter feathers.
Khaslana nodded, cracking his knuckles and shaking out his arms. Mydei put his cloak on the same rock Khaslana had used to put on his coat and armor before assuming a fighting stance. That fire in his chest began burning out of control, lighting his very blood ablaze. Excitement hadn't ever felt this warm before. It hadn't felt like a conflagration before he'd begun this quest. At least, he didn't remember if it did before.
"Hand-to-hand or with weapons?" Khaslana asked, his wings fanning out on instinct.
"you really have to ask?" Mydei removed his gauntlets and dropped them on the ground with a satisfying thunk. "After all this time, you still have to ask?"
Khaslana stabbed Dawnmaker into the ground, his wings fluttering happily.
"Eh, just in case you wanted to change your mind," he chuckled, letting those flames lick at his muscles and organs.
They stood across from each other, bodies poised to spring into action. Some of Mydei's blood crystallized on his knuckles, piercing through the skin like flowers through the snow. Khaslana smirked before letting that fire blooming in his gut burn out of control. He'd promised Mydei that they'd go all out, no holds barred. That he'd fight with the full power of a Lord Ravager. He didn't have to keep such a tight leash on his powers out here where it was just him and the undying Kremnoan prince.
Khaslana charged forward, letting the fire of four hundred million coreflames pool in his palm. His balance was fucked, though; it had been since he'd grown two pairs of wings somewhere around cycle 500,000. It felt like he had to put so much more power into his charge to offset the weight attached to his back. The cold air bit at his stone skin now that he was leaning into that fire. A couple of cracks formed on his arms and dripped molten gold blood onto the dying wheat surrounding them. They should probably be more careful about that. Wouldn't want to piss off Professor Anaxagoras by starting a forest fire.
Mydei was ready for this strike, though. He jumped to the left, prepping to throw a punch of his own. His eyes shone like molten lava, something playful hiding in their depths. He knew better than anyone that Khaslana struggled with his balance now. Khaslana struggled to stop his charge and change direction. Had he not turned those flames into a shield, his face would've taken the full force of that blow. He didn't feel pain like a normal person did after his powers had fried his nerves, but he'd rather not have to deal with a broken nose.
Khaslana jumped back, stumbling a bit as his wings tried to drag him backward. Mydei's face pulled in concern, but that didn't keep him from striking out once again. This was bad. Khaslansa was on the defensive now, dodging blows and giving up ground. He didn't think it was this bad.
Khaslana grit his teeth and planted his feet. The familiar heat from all the core flames rushed up his arms and pooled in his palms and in the balls of his feet. He grabbed Mydei's wrist on his next strike. He pulled the prince forward, hoping that Mydei's momentum would either trip him or make him stumble in the same way Khaslana did. Unfortunately, Mydei saw through his plan and grabbed onto Khaslana's arm. The two went tumbling down, a couple of sparks catching on the dried grass.
It was only because he'd fluttered his wings unconsciously that Khaslana was able to grab the upper hand. He pinned Mydei's wrists above his head and settled into straddling his hips. The smell of burning flesh met Khaslana's nose and he began to loosen his grip. Angry red burns peeked out from under his hands. He would've drawn back, but Mydei began growling.
"You promised!" Mydei's amber eyes burned brighter than the flames burning in Khaslana's chest. "You promised that you would go all out!"
"You're burning." Khaslana tried to pull away.
"What good is this immortal body if it breaks down after one burn?" Mydei laughed. "Don't think this ensures your victory."
"Wouldn't dream of it, Mydeimos." Khaslana smiled.
"Then you'd better be prepared to fight tooth and nail for it!"
With that, Mydei broke out of Khaslana's loosened hold. He lunged for Khaslana's neck, arms outstretched. Khaslana barely managed to dodge the attack, saved once again by his wings. He hovered above the ground taking a couple seconds to catch his breath. He dragged his claws through his golden hair before he descended once again.
He struck the ground where Mydei had once been standing, the grass lighting on fire around him. Mydei had jumped out of the way. The flames obscured the Kremnoan prince as he stalked along the edge of the crater. They held each other's gaze for a few seconds before charging once again.
They continued trading blows like this until the sun went down. By that time, they were both covered in scrapes, bruises, burns, and sweat. Khaslana fought to keep his focus on the fight. The sun set was still such a beautiful sight, even after all this time freed from the Dawn Device's protection. Sometimes, when he was having a particularly bad day, the sunset was the only thing that reminded him he wasn't trapped in the eternal recurrence still.
Mydei lunged at Khaslana one last time with a shout. however, they were both tired and running on fumes. Mydei dodged Khaslana's counterstrike too slowly, and ended up pinned to the ground once again. Khalana panted with a large grin on his face.
"I win," He panted, planting a smoldering kiss to Mydei's lips.
"That you did, Deliverer." Mydei smiled contently. "Thank you, for showing me your true strength."
"Of course." Khaslana nodded, turning to watch the sunset.
"Do... you want to watch the sunset?" Mydei asked, a flush rising to his cheeks.
"If you want to go back and clean up I-" Khaslana began.
"Shut up," Mydei interrupted, "it's a beautiful view."
Khaslana nodded, laying on the ground next to his partner.
Written by a human in Ellipsus.