Jump into action.

"--Earth?!" You react with a stuttered inhale, forcing a moment of hesitation before you snap back into reality to draw your blade. There's a hardly a tint of visible magic to the steel, though the sunlight edges of the sword sword carve through the air as you leap forward with sharp whistle. They may call you Demon King, but there's more to your current focus than vengeance on the man above.

Seconds before another bolt of fiery magic would collide into an elderly woman and who you assume to be her grandson, you stand tall with a flutter beneath your cloak--a knight clad in dark, almost alien armour, trimmed with blue. You hold out your hand, easily absorbing the spell into your ring. Whether or not it's the flashing of magic, you spy a subtle shine in the reflective blade of your Awakened Lauo before turning to the woman to check to see if she's all right, though you decide it's best not to think too hard about what that means. She grabs the boy and they hurry away with the rest of the fleeing crowd as you're left staring up at the stage.

Your people are scattered. Upon a brief glance around the area, you can see why none have gathered back at your location.

"Stop right there, Demon King!" shouts a guardsman clad in decorated armour. He thrusts a spear forwards, though not at you, nor Elok. He's in combat with Lady Vex.

Speaking of which, two similar soldiers do eventually come running in your direction.

However, they're both met with the defensive blade of Nyllia Tesgella. "Stop!" she commands. "We are not your enemy."

"Orders from the King," says one. "I swear, I knew this was all a bad idea. Inviting such evil beasts to a party."

Bek is the closest, though he's **** stumbling back as time and time again a sharp bolt pierces the soil beneath his feet. He's in heated combat with the ALICE who was previously competing in the games, down to still wearing the uniform. A quiver hangs from her hip now, and she's able to load and fire her crossbow with incredible speed.

Elok Daven's people are attacking. Meanwhile, King Thadius' guards are attacking too. All these innocent people are just getting caught in the crossfire of whatever scheme this is all about. From the looks of things, the most skilled, elite royal knights are here, though it seems less like it's to protect these people, and more to make Thadius look good. He has to be on in this. It's the only way. If we need to fight them and Elok's fighters as well, and all split up, we're gonna be in trouble.

Your eyes dart past Bek's battle to the horrified screams of everybody still **** to escape, but they've been caught in the middle of an all out war.

My friends can handle themselves just fine. That's what I have to believe.

It looks to you like Lady Vex has gathered her allies on one side of the area, and William Cresswell has done the same on the opposing side. You're the only one so truly split apart, though that doesn't mean anyone is struggling more or less than the others in such a battlefield of chaos. Yet you still feel a strange comfort, as if the worry you expected to feel for those closest to you is more faint. It's confidence that you feel, not fear. You're still concerned, but...

You run towards Elok with your sword at the ready.

No longer wishing to fly, he slams his boots down on the ground in front of you, directly before the stage. Though just as you're about to meet swords, you pull yourself down, lunge, yet disappear from view. The world around you stretches, and for a brief second, you see only the Demon King's face before you come to a nauseous halt in the air. Activating your magic boots, you float safely down right in the center of the stage.

"We're not so different, are we, Kyle?" he says while his head turns to meet you. "Though I haven't been able to figure out exactly how to obtained that power."

You grab the microphone.

"And what are you doing anyway?" he asks.

Taking a deep breath, you project your voice through the magical artifact for all around the Sports Festival to hear. "Everyone! No matter what, focus on protecting all the innocent bystanders. Once every last person has safely escaped, we're leaving this place!"

Elok laughs. "What sort of strategy is--"

A sudden pulse, like a heartbeat that reverberates through your very being--While not there for anyone to truly see, your eyes still capture the presence of faint, subtle streams of energy like invisible strings coming like a web from every direction, all leading back to your chest. Awakened Lauo is a hardy magic weapon, and with its additional effect, you've pulled through difficult situations. It's felt different the last couple times. You don't know why. Though in this moment, not only does the blade begin to shine, but a roaring, radiantly pink flame rises up from the crossguard all the way to the tip.

You cast a striking gaze down upon Elok, who now stands with Meti on his right and Breiah on his left. Near them are Anastasia Phairgem, Ariusia the mantis-girl, The Edge, and the golden dragon Malakae Vraelion. Finally, the ALICE stands there as well with her foot down on Bek's chest--dwarf disarmed.

"He commands them from such a distance," Meti comments.

Ariusia's sword-like appendages grind together with a screech like metal on metal. "That's because he stole Juaela's magic thingy."

"That isn't what I meant. The others. They all remain together because they must."

"I don't understand anything you're talking about, Meti."

You step to the edge of the stage. "I don't know why you're all following this guy. Especially you, Malakae."

The girl avoids your gaze and says nothing in response.

"I've perfected myself, Warren," says Elok. "It's been years of trial and error, and you were a part of that process. Feel proud that you've assisted in the creation of a masterpiece this world has never seen. Or our own."

What does he mean? "I don't know what kinda bullshit you have planned here, if you have Thadius in your pocket or he has you in his, but I'm not gonna let you cause **** and destruction just to stroke your own ego."

"You don't have much of a choice."

Suddenly, after a whistle through the air, an arrow hits its mark. It sticks right in the side of the ALICE's head. After a moment of surprise by those around her, the same arrow vanishes into a plume of sparkles. She's left more stunned than the rest, though that reaction is slowly turned to something else as her glowing cyan eyes instead show magical pulsing hearts.

"Allow me to face him!" The Edge shouts as he draws a dagger from his side and takes a bolting step towards the stage. Though as he does, a giant hand erupts from the soil, enveloping his entire body in a stony grapple.

Vivi stands nearby--hat and skirt blowing to the side as the wind picks up.

"... Sister," Breiah mutters.

"This is what I mean," Meti says.

Elok squints. "Fine. Everybody, split up!" he commands.

While they listen to him as best they can, The Edge is still restrained, and the ALICE has different plans. Her affectionate eyes turn to Breiah and begins to chase close behind her. Thankfully, this frees the trapped Bek, who then stands up and cracks his back.

"Ah. Much better," says the dwarf before he, without any hesitation, turns on his heel and thrusts a full fisted punch right into the side of Elok Daven.

Such boldness is unexpected. The blow actually connects, and the elf-like-man's eyes twitch as he takes a groaning step away. "Bastard!" he shouts, losing his composure for a moment as he slices forward with his sword.

However, you block the attack with the might of your empowered blade. "Bek. Help the others, especially those who can't defend themselves."

"Aye aye," he says with a nod before sprinting off as well.

That leaves you and Elok even more alone than before. The center of the area has cleared out the most. You face him, eye-to-eye, in the grass before the stage.