The King's Beloved

[Music Recommendation: "Somnus" by Yoko Shimomura (instrumental only - FFXV OST) - available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the true atmosphere of this scene ~

[Please note: Since we're near the ending of this book, I will no longer do extra chapters unless necessary so you can continuously enjoy the rest of the story without extra chapters. Thank you for staying with us this far. The whole TKB family thanks all of you from the bottom of our hearts <3]

With Elliot's team ready in their position, and Ducis' time magic set up for action, they all waited for the next signal from Elliot—all according to what they discussed.

"The strengthened Exsorbeos can absorb spiritual energy. So even if we cast magic to it, it will slowly eat up the spiritual energy used in that magic. I'm guessing it will do the same with time magic," Elliot said. "But we have time. In case Ducis can't hold them back by stopping them, he can at least buy some time to slow down the Exsorbeos and give way for us to attack it. Again, we need to cut its claws since that's how it takes spiritual cores. I'm not sure if it can regenerate or heal itself but either way is fine."

"If it continuously absorbs spiritual energy, then there's no way we can completely subdue it, right? We can only last for the time frame our spiritual capacity permits," Calum asked, worried about the next step.

"Yes, that's why subduing it is not our goal. But instead, we need to find a way to figure out how Avarus is controlling it. And that's why I need to meet him personally. I can follow the traces of magic even those that are hard to see so I should be able to detect it. But first, we need to provoke him into releasing the Exsorbeos—even if it's just one Exsorbeo or many, as long as I can observe them."

"In that case, bring me along," Rania suggested. "He will think he has the upper hand if both of us—the Anointed King and the Chosen Maiden, are to deliver themselves into his hands."

Elliot flinched. Deep inside, he didn't want to risk Rania in any possible way. But at the same time, he knew Rania wasn't a weak woman. So instead, he smiled at her and agreed, much to Rania's delight. She, on the other hand, didn't want Elliot to go alone. Even if he was strong, there were still too many possibilities that could happen. With at least someone beside him, he would have help in case he needed it.

"And what do we do about his followers?"

"That's where you all come in. I'm sure he placed them all around the Floating Kingdom. I need your help to locate them and lock them up so they won't be able to make any other moves. For sure, Avarus has many plans in store in case something happens. So we need to make sure his allies are nowhere near him and can't answer his call for help."

"Agreed. In that case, we will take care of it."

"Thank you. Also, if any other Magi wishes to help, let them. We need all the help we can get. I will also scatter my clones to aid you all. In case some of them were spies or also one of Avarus' lackeys, make sure to suppress them."

"And what of Avarus himself?"

"As for him… once I find out how he's controlling the Exsorbeos, I will make sure to destroy it. And once it's destroyed, I will deal with him."

And so, back to the moment Elliot cast multitudes of Perfect Clones all around the throne room to mask Ducis' time magic, Avarus and his followers were shocked with his display of massive power. For indeed, how were they supposed to suppress clones that were more powerful than they were? If each Magi's spiritual capacity was to a hundred, Elliot's clones were to a thousand each. Only a fool would dare attack them! If he was alone, they had a chance… but with so many of him? It was certainly impossible.

But Avarus' evil and confident smile remained on his face. Whether he was just bluffing or he had another plan up on his sleeves, Elliot and Rania knew not.

Noticing that the Exsorbeos were confused on which Elliot to attack, Rania also created Perfect Clones of herself to prevent them from attacking the real her. Though they were less than Elliot's, they were enough to fool those wretched beings that shouldn't have even existed in the first place.

On the other hand, Elliot stealthily moved from one clone to another and little by little, moving closer to Avarus while he was busy guessing which one was the real Elliot. It was very wise of Elliot to evenly distribute his spiritual energy to each clone. Truly, what an amazing skill it was—amazing and dangerous. Good thing only those blessed by the Guardian of Water could do such a skill, thus, only Elliot and Rania could do it.

A few moments passed with nothing but tension in the air. Then, at Avarus' signal, all the Exsorbeos started attacking. Not only in the throne room but all around the Floating Kingdom. Like Elliot predicted, he had them scattered all around the kingdom, both Exsorbeos and his followers.

Finally revealing their positions, Elliot's team, who were also prepared at that time, welcomed Avarus' followers and the Exsorbeos. And so, the battle between Avarus' followers and Elliot's started. The enemies were very confident at the beginning since there were many of them but when Ducis' time magic activated, slowing down the Exsorbeos, and Elliot's Perfect Clones appearing from all over the place, they began to tremble at their feet.

"W-what the—who in the world can do such a thing? Creating thousands of clones… with too much spiritual energy in each! How vast is his own spiritual capacity?!"

At these words, Elliot's faction could only smile and say…

"Behold, the power of our true king anointed by the Supreme!"

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