Chapter 799: Sword of Benevolence
Chapter 799: Sword of Benevolence
The two words came from an unrecognizable voice within the wolf. It was hoarse and cracking as if metallic strings had replaced the vocal cords. Oren stared at the blood eyes as his mouth dried, and his voice crackled as he called out for his brother.
"Arthur?" asked Oren before the giant wolf started growing berserk again and howling. It slammed into the wall and ripped it apart, not even trying to go around or above it. "Why does he keep hurting himself?" asked Oren, the white being on the wall.
"All sins are flaws, as much as they are strengths," said the white being as he turned toward Oren. "You met the Sin of Greed, Amelio, and should realize that he was too reckless because of his greed. The Sin of Wrath loses all reason and, in the end, consumes themselves to death."
"And why do you want to help him?" asked Oren with a frown. "You are here to protect the emperor, so wouldn't Arthur consuming himself count as a win?"
"If that was the only thing that would happen, then yes. However, once Eragon is enraged, the whole world will not be enough to sate that wrath."
"You are protecting yourself through me."
"If you don't stop your brother, then all of us will die, including him," said Cassius. "My name is the Sin of Pride, Cassius, and while I've been known as many things, never a liar."
Oren was silent as the wolf howled and struck itself again against the walls being rebuilt simultaneously. Then, he threw away his sword, and it struck a boulder. Oren walked toward the wolf alone before an arm reached out to hold him back.
"This is dangerous," said Yuran with a frown. "We still have no idea if this is Arthur or just a trap to kill us all. The wolf has no desire to kill us. Why change that?"
"The wolf desires to kill itself, and if that is indeed Arthur, then he would tell me to run. That's the sort of person he is," said Oren as he pulled his shoulder away. "If this is not Arthur, then where is my brother?"
Yuran stared at him silently without an answer because both knew that even if Arthur were injured, he would be there to save his friend. Li had already carried the woman toward the Runic Dome so that they could retreat for now.
"Take Alan and go back, and I will stay here to make sure this wolf isn't Arthur," said Oren as he walked toward the wolf. Yuran sighed and shook his head before taking out his magic gun.
"I will support you from the back, even if it means attacking this monster. My debt to your brother is enough for me to throw my life away."
"Arthur didn't save your mother for that cause," said Oren with a frown as he glanced back, but Yuran merely smiled while aiming his gun. Knowing that the gunman was as stubborn as Arthur, Oren gave up convincing him otherwise.
The ground started shaking as Oren came closer to the wolf. His heart was beating rapidly as every instinct he had, whether ancient or battle-honed, told him to flee. However, a bond only siblings shared told him that the monster before him was his brother.
"Can you hear me, Arthur?" shouted Oren as he came close. The wolf started slowing down and then turned toward him. Its wild eyes and growling mouth told him this couldn't be his brother, but the familiarity was there. "You need to stop, Arthur. This… power is harming you and isn't who you are. You are not the Sin of Wrath or whatever…."
As soon as the words denied its existence, the wolf howled at Oren, with its fangs inches away from his face. Oren stood in front of the monster, frozen, as he caught a glimpse of what lay down the wolf's throat.
"Golden eyes…" muttered Oren as the wolf staggered back while shaking its head. He saw a pair of golden, pained eyes staring at him from within the black lightning that formed this wolf. "This is… Arthur…"
Oren raised his head to stare at the giant wolf, looking down at him with rage. Its claw was as tall as half a man, while its huge, irregular lightning body was at least ten meters tall.
"Arthur!" called Oren before something slammed him from the side. He realized a moment later that the wolf's claw had sent him flying far away from the wall. Oren slammed to a raised ground, caused by the emperor earlier before he stopped.
The soil fell atop him as he fell to the ground, coughing the kicked air out of his lungs. His consciousness was fading, but Lancelot kept him awake.
"Why did he attack me?" Oren asked as he rose. "He recognized me but still attacked. Is this Arthur or not?"
"The difference between monsters and men is their rationality, and there is none when a man is angry," said Lancelot as it floated beside him. "Be careful, Oren, for this wrath is true, different from conviction."
The Imprisoned Knight, Lancelot, was the never-bowing knight of the abyss. His conviction gave Oren strength, and if he ever fought for a cause he didn't believe in, he would lose his powers.
"I want to rescue my brother, Lancelot," said Oren as he rose. "What kind of conviction would I need for that?"
"Convictions are never sought but felt. Whatever your heart desires, and the stronger your conviction in it, then it shall turn into your strength. A knight will live and die alongside his principles."
"The conviction in my heart is the one in my sword," said Oren as he raised his hand. A silver fluid began to leak from his armor to form a sword, and the wolf seemed to sense his intentions. It turned toward him with a ferocious face. "What shall this sword be named?"
Lancelot could grant him seven swords of conviction, one of them being the Sword of Wrath, Alamndos. It signified the fury of its owner with a sharpness like no other. As for this sword, it started taking shape according to the conviction in his heart.
"This sword shall be," started Lancelot while staring at the sword, "Sword of Benevolence, Agathi. It shall cut the hatred and rage in this world and bring peace to whoever it pierces."
"Are you telling me to stab my brother with this sword?" Oren asked his spirit, which floated beside him without being seen by others.
"If you could reach him, Master," said Lancelot before he started fading. "May the stars align in your favor."
The sword finished forming and was far from being made of steel. Instead, it floated like water, looking to have no sharp edges. If someone had shown Oren this sword before, he would argue that it was a toy. The wolf howled at Oren, sensing an incoming threat. The Sin of Pride carried a smile as the wolf turned toward Oren.
"It seems that both brothers have unusual creatures within them," Cassius said before turning toward the cliff. "If you can stop him before he devours himself, this is your win. If not, then the world is ours."
After that, Cassius flew toward the cliff and opened it like a book. The emperor was deep inside it, with blood coming out from everywhere. Cassius picked him up with a look of disgust before throwing him over his back.
"This man is a fool," muttered Cassius before turning toward Oren again. "And this marks the end of this fight, but this matter is far from over. It can be a year from now or a month, but the final fight will arrive."
After that, Oren watched the Sin of Pride carry the emperor and leave. The wolf turned toward them and howled, seeking to chase them, but Oren rushed forward.
"Arthur, stop!" shouted Oren as he arrived close to his brother, but the giant wolf slammed him with its tail and sent him flying toward the dungeon's gate. He slammed into it, feeling like some of his bones cracked, before falling to the ground.
"You are not making a lot of progress nor putting up a fight for me to support you, Oren," said Yuran as he carried his magic gun over his shoulder. "How about we summon Marvi and the rest of the shadows?"
"Agh, I don't like them," said Oren as he tried to stand. "Marvi always seems loyal for his reasons, and the shadows are hard to use in battle other than for assassination."
"I heard that Queen Ruki has a skill called Shadow Bind, which will allow us to hold the wolf down as you stab Arthur with that sword," pointed Yuran at the flowing water over the silver handle.
Oren was silent as he tried to rise and wipe away his blood. Alan was standing behind them, and Li was still carrying the woman to safety. Since it was like this, the shadows and even the goblins might prove helpful.