The Legend of Marvin

Richard and Elizabeth stood in the training courtyard of the Marvin Manor, the stone ground marked by the numerous intense sessions of the past few days. In front of them, Henry observed them with a satisfied smile, arms crossed.

— Well, it's only been five days since I started training both of you, but I feel like you've progressed at an impressive speed.

His gaze shifted between Richard, radiating boundless energy, and Elizabeth, whose aura seemed more confident than before.

— Alright, Grandpa! We can start whenever you want! Richard declared impatiently, clenching his fists, ready for action.

Elizabeth shook her head, amused by his enthusiasm.

— Come on, Richard, stop rushing Master Henry.

She smiled, more assured than before, which pleased Henry.

— I also want to congratulate you, Elizabeth. You've managed to overcome your fear of your power.

Elizabeth lowered her eyes slightly, gratitude flickering in her gaze.

— It's nothing, Master Henry… It's only thanks to you that I was able to move forward.

Henry placed a kind hand on her shoulder.

— No, it's thanks to you. I only showed you the way, but you had the courage to walk it.

Elizabeth lifted her head, determined.

Richard tapped his sword against his shoulder, looking impatient.

— So, are we training, or are we just going to keep complimenting each other?

Henry burst into laughter.

— Alright, alright, Richard! I see your energy is still intact. Very well, we'll test your progress with a little duel!

Richard's eyes lit up with excitement.

— A duel? Awesome! Against who?

Henry gave a mysterious smile.

— You against Elizabeth.

Richard blinked, surprised.

— Huh? Seriously?

Elizabeth, on the other hand, remained calm. She knew this moment would come sooner or later.

— Why not? I accept.

Richard stared at her for a moment before laughing.

— Alright, but I'll go easy on you, princess.

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes.

— You'd better not underestimate me, Richard.

Amused, Henry raised his hand.

— Take your positions!

The two friends stepped onto the field, locking eyes, ready to test each other's strength.

The duel was about to begin.

The fight had barely started, but the intensity of the confrontation was already palpable.

Elizabeth, eyes filled with determination, extended her hand forward.

— I'll start! Come forth, Blazing Lion!

A crimson light burst around her, and in an instant, a massive creature appeared. A majestic lion, its fur made of dancing flames, materialized before Richard. Its eyes shone with a piercing glow, as if already evaluating its opponent.

Richard, far from intimidated, smirked.

— Not bad for a start, princess.

Elizabeth crossed her arms, a smirk on her lips.

— You better get ready, or you're going to lose.

— Alright then.

With a fluid motion, Richard summoned a bluish glow in his hand. A cold mist rose around him, and within seconds, a long sword coated in ice took form in his grasp.

— Here's my answer, princess.

He tightened his grip on his weapon and, without hesitation, dashed toward Elizabeth, ready to test her strength.

The Blazing Lion let out a mighty roar and opened its maw. A massive fireball shot toward Richard at blinding speed.

With an agile leap, Richard barely dodged it, landing smoothly to the side.

— You almost got me! he called out with a grin.

Elizabeth, unimpressed, shrugged.

— Next time, I won't miss, idiot.

Richard tightened his grip on his sword. He knew he couldn't just keep dodging forever. He had to counterattack.

With a swift motion, he swung his sword toward Elizabeth. Instantly, several shards of ice shot in her direction at high speed.

Elizabeth didn't panic.

— Lion, block it!

The lion obeyed immediately, roaring as it unleashed a fiery breath against the incoming ice projectiles.

The collision of the two elements created an explosion of steam, momentarily covering the courtyard in a thick mist.

Richard frowned. He knew he couldn't lose sight of Elizabeth, or she would gain the upper hand.

Gritting his teeth, he murmured to himself:

— Alright, let's see if you can keep up with this…

With a quick motion, he activated his forge magic and began shaping a new weapon, ready to take things to the next level.

Richard successfully forged a bow with a water attribute.

Richard observed his water bow, feeling the magical energy flowing through it. He drew the string, materializing several aqueous arrows that shimmered under the daylight.

— Let's see how your lion handles this, princess!

With a smooth motion, he released the string, and a volley of water arrows sliced through the air, heading straight for the Blazing Lion.

But Elizabeth wasn't about to let him have his way. She raised her hand to the sky, a confident smile on her lips.

— Not so fast, Richard! Come to me, Grand Celestial Falcon!

The sky above them rippled for a moment, and a powerful cry pierced the air. Suddenly, an immense falcon with silver-white plumage appeared, its wings beating with majestic grace. Its piercing blue eyes locked onto Richard, as if analyzing his every move.

With a single flap of its wings, the Grand Celestial Falcon generated a powerful gust of wind, unleashing a whirlwind that instantly diverted the water arrows from their trajectory. The projectiles scattered, some evaporating under the pressure, others crashing uselessly onto the ground.

Richard took a step back, impressed.

— A second familiar? You're getting dangerous, princess.

Elizabeth crossed her arms, a satisfied look on her face.

— You didn't really think I'd settle for just one, did you?

The Grand Celestial Falcon landed behind her, while the Blazing Lion growled, still fixated on Richard.

He tightened his grip on his bow, already thinking of a new strategy.

— Alright, if that's how it is…

A mischievous smile appeared on his face. He focused his magic again, ready to counterattack.

The air around him began to swirl, and the water forming his bow intensified.

— If the wind deflects my arrows, then I'll show you something else, Elizabeth.

Richard, realizing that his initial attack had been neutralized by the sudden intervention of the Celestial Falcon, furrowed his brows. He knew Elizabeth wouldn't make things easy for him, and he couldn't afford to stay on the defensive for too long.

— Alright, you leave me no choice… he muttered, tensing his muscles.

He extended his hands forward, summoning his forge magic once again. The air around him vibrated as two distinct weapons took form: in his right hand, a flaming sword with crackling embers, and in his left, a crystalline blade coursing with swirling water.

Elizabeth, expecting Richard to either retreat or attempt another ranged attack, widened her eyes as he charged straight at her.

— You're bolder than I thought! she exclaimed, stepping back slightly.

But she wasn't about to let herself be caught off guard.

— Lion, cover me!

The Blazing Lion roared fiercely, unleashing a torrent of flames in Richard's path, creating a fiery barrier to slow his advance.

But Richard didn't stop. He brandished his water sword and slashed through the flames with a swift motion, carving a temporary path through the wall of fire.

Then, using the momentum of his movement, he followed up with his fire sword, aiming a strike directly at the Blazing Lion. The creature leaped backward just in time to avoid the attack, but the combination of heat and water created a thermal shock that momentarily weakened its fiery aura.

— Not bad… Elizabeth admitted, slightly surprised.

But she wasn't done yet.

— Grand Celestial Falcon, grant me the speed of the wind!

The silver falcon beat its wings powerfully, generating a swirling breeze around Elizabeth. Her body grew lighter, and she moved at blinding speed, narrowly evading Richard's next strike.

He tried to track her movements, but she was too fast. He knew he had to act quickly before losing the advantage he had just gained.

— Damn, she's not messing around… he thought, gripping his swords tightly.

Wind and fire raged around Richard as Elizabeth commanded her creatures with confidence. The Celestial Falcon, its silver feathers glistening under the light, beat its wings violently, sending a powerful blade of wind toward Richard, while the Blazing Lion opened its maw wide to unleash an infernal breath.

Far from being intimidated, Richard tightened his grip on his newly forged swords. His water sword glowed with a crystalline mist, while his fire sword crackled with burning energy.

— Let's see if you can take this!

With a smooth motion, he crossed his two blades and channeled his magic. Water and fire, two opposing elements, fused under his control. A surge of steam rose around him, distorting the air like a brewing storm.

— Blazing Tide Dance!

He swung both swords simultaneously. A phenomenal shockwave erupted upon impact, creating a wall of searing steam that clashed against the combined attacks of the Lion and the Falcon.

The Celestial Falcon's wind blade was deflected, dispersed by the force of Richard's attack, while the Blazing Lion's infernal breath was partially extinguished by the water-infused sword. The clash of opposing forces triggered a violent explosion that swept across the training courtyard.

Elizabeth instinctively stepped back from the sheer power of the blast.

— What?!

The ground trembled beneath their feet, and a thick mist rose, temporarily obscuring the fighters' vision.

Elizabeth tried to spot Richard through the haze, but he had vanished.

— Where are you?!

She narrowed her eyes, searching for any sign of his position.

Suddenly, a flash of red and blue sliced through the mist.

Richard emerged at blinding speed, his swords raised, ready to deliver a decisive blow.

Elizabeth barely had time to react.

— Celestial Falcon, shield me!

The great bird spread its wings, but it was already too late.

Richard leaped into the air, a confident smile on his lips.

— This is the end!

In one final, dazzling strike, he brought his blades down, aiming directly at Elizabeth.