The air in the chamber exploded as the goblin leader, that hulking product of the Vistro family’s dark alchemy, charged forward with surprising speed. His obsidian sword sliced through the air, easily able to cut a horse in half.
Edward didn’t move, he didn’t even change his Stance, he just lifted the goblin commander’s sword.
Clang!
The clash was deafening, sparks flying like dying stars. With a quick twist, Edward blocked the blow, sending the force into the stone floor.
The goblin stumbled back, digging into the stone with his feet. He stared at his hands, then at the small boy who hadn’t moved. A wet, grinding laugh rumbled from his chest.
"I am impressed, little human," the goblin rasped, straightening to his full, towering height. He pounded a fist against his chest, the sound echoing through the cavern. "Few of the Master Knights your father sends down here survive a single greeting from me. You’ve earned the right to know who kills you."
He straightened, trying to look regal. "I am Kragthar, Warden of the Lower Pits, First of the Fed. I’m what goblins can become, something better than mud and filth. I’m the Vistro army’s future." He pointed a thick finger at Edward. "And you? What’s a kid doing with such power? Tell me your name before I take it."
Edward lowered his sword, letting the tip touch the stone. He stared at Kragthar with old, bored, eyes.
"My name?" Edward’s voice filled the room, drowning out the dripping water. "Edward. Edward Vistro. King of the Seven Kingdoms and Lord of All."
It was a title he had worn for centuries across his countless lifetimes. To him, it was not a boast or a lie; it was a fundamental truth of his existence. But of course, Kragthar wouldn’t know that.
Kragthar froze, then threw his head back and laughed. It was a mocking sound, like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. "King of the Seven Kingdoms? Lord of All? You truly are mad! The darkness has rotted your brain, little Vistro. You are a prisoner in a hole, and I am the king of this dark! Your father has sent you to your demise."
Edward didn’t laugh with him. He watched with a small smile on his face. "It’s typical for simple minds to mistake truth for arrogance. But I guess I can’t blame a goblin for not understanding."
Kragthar stopped laughing, his face twisted with anger. He attacked again, but this time Edward didn’t end it.
Normally, Edward would have killed the beast quickly. But just like in his previous regressions, he wanted to have some fun with the goblin. There’s no harm in a little fun, right?
So, because of that Edward did something he rarely did: he held back.
He toned down his skills, slowing his moves and weakening his strength. He started to play around.
The swords crashed together again and again, as steel met steel.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Kragthar pressed forward with overwhelming strength, forcing Edward back step by measured step. Edward’s boots slid across the stone. A wide sweep tore a chunk from a limestone pillar as Edward ducked under it by a hair’s breadth. A crushing overhead strike drove him to one knee, stone cracking beneath the pressure.
To anyone watching, it looked like a real fight. Edward was pushed back by Kragthar’s strength, his feet slipping. He barely avoided a swing that took out a chunk of stone. He struggled to block a strike, his knees bending under the force.
"Where’s your kingdom now?" Kragthar sneered, his confidence growing. He swung his sword, feeling the excitement. For the first time, he felt like he was fighting someone good, and he was winning. "You’re skilled, I’ll give you that! But skill means nothing against me, Kragthar!"
Edward blocked a stab, spinning away with a clumsy step that was perfectly planned. "You talk a lot for a glorified guard dog, Kragthar. Is that all my father did? Big muscles and a rusty voice? I’ve seen better moves from babies in Vaeloria."
"Shut up!" Kragthar shouted, his green aura glowing. He felt strong, his moves becoming wilder, more sure. He thought he knew Edward’s weakness. He thought the boy was getting tired. "I’ll rip your tongue out and feed it to the bugs!"
Edward laughed, a light sound that made Kragthar mad. "You’re getting predictable, goblin. Your left shoulder dips every time you go for a heavy swing. And your footwork? It’s like watching a drunk orge dance on ice. Honestly, I’m offended that you think this level of effort is enough to kill me."
"I am the Warden!" Kragthar screamed, attacking with everything he had.
Edward moved through the strikes, his moves fooling Kragthar. He let Kragthar cut his clothes and made sure to breathe hard, making the goblin believe he was winning. It was a mean game. Edward had fought a Demon Lord before. Fighting Kragthar was like a chess master playing against someone who thought they were winning by knocking over the pieces.
"Look at you," Edward said, blocking a hit and stepping close enough to punch Kragthar’s stomach before moving away. "So proud. So strong. Do you really think my father cares about you?"
"Lies! He promised me glory! He promised me a seat at his right hand!"
"He promised a goblin he could achieve glory?" Edward tilted his head, his eyes cold. "And you believed him? You really are as stupid as humans can be."
Kragthar got even madder. He stopped trying to fight smart and swung down with all his strength, trying to crush Edward into the floor
"DIE, YOU LIAR!"
The air changed.
The weakly boy disappeared. In his place was the King of the Seven Kingdoms.
Edward’s eyes lit up with a bright gold light that burned away the darkness. His focus now truly on the target at hand.
The sword came down, but it didn’t hit Edward. It hit something strong.
Edward didn’t block this time. He dodged.
It was a move that Kragthar couldn’t even see. One moment, Edward was in front of him; the next, he was to the side. As Edward attacked with his sword by leaving a shiny line in the air.
Squelch!
Kragthar’s scream didn’t start as a sound; it started as a shocked gasp. He looked down. His massive right arm—the arm that had swung his blade—was no longer attached to his shoulder. It fell to the floor with a heavy sound, its fingers twitching.
Green blood shot from the wound, painting the walls. Kragthar stumbled back, his eyes wide with fear.
Edward stood there, his sword at his side, his face bored. He didn’t even have blood on him.
"The game’s over, Kragthar," Edward said, his voice cold. "You were boring me. That strength you gained doesn’t matter. I could have killed you from the start."
Kragthar fell to his knees, holding his arm, struggling to breathe. "How... how... you had no power... you were weak..."
"I said," Edward repeated as he stepped forward, his shadow falling over Kragthar, "it wasn’t arrogance when I said I could kill you."