The Stonehearted Knight-Chapter 457: Against the Wrixians

Team: Alliance of the Cursed Ones and the Wrixian Heroes / 00:51 SS (since start)

Hex rushed toward the flag. Based on the furious cries directed at him to stop, he believed the Wrixians finally noticed him. It took them faster than he had hoped.

He didn’t need to look over his shoulder to see his teammates’ reactions. Gronke had moved into readiness as soon as Hex had moved. He hadn’t noticed the opponents. He had taken action, trusting Hex.

Elron, on the other hand, had disappeared from sight, not out of reach though. It didn’t seem like he was about to abandon and flee.

Hex stopped right in front of the flag. The Wrixians were still a few seconds away. He could take the flag and disappear. Even if they gave chase, their chances of catching him would be close to zero.

But...

That wasn’t what Hex did. Fleeing and avoiding battle just led to enemies piling up. Just look outside the crack.

No.

He decided to fight this time.

The three opponents charged toward him, roaring and transforming as they moved.

The leader, Vonhorst, grew in size and shape. He had been a large fellow with an odd shaped lower body, always hidden below his oversized clothes. The change tore the clothes apart, revealing two sets of feet...or hooves. As soon as he became part horse, his speed changed drastically.

Hex almost whistled, impressed by the change in appearance and behavior. Vonhorst had been timid in the earlier rounds. Now, not so much. He neighed and thundered toward Hex, giving up a killing intent that almost could be smelled in the air.

Vonhorst wasn’t the only one who transformed.

Vonfang also increased in size, though not as much as his captain. He became more lean and feral. With a howl, he charged toward Gronke. Their strategy was clear. Each of them would face off against one of Hex’s team, with Vonhorst of course coming at Hex.

Vonbeak was the fastest. She took the sky with an eardeafening cry. She wasn’t the fastest to change but she was the most colorful. Her red and blue feathers glistened in the rays of the sun as she flew straight to where Elron had been last seen standing.

With Vonhorst closing in on him, Hex stopped paying attention to others and focused on his opponent.

’My Bear Dragon Soul is still slumbering,’ Hex mused. He could draw a little bit of its powers but feared doing so might disturb the Soul.

"You should have left the flag alone!" Vonhorst neighed, his nostrils flared up wide, steaming with anger.

Hex watched him jump toward him, swinging his massive arms. The fist flew straight at him.

Not to be outdone, Hex straightened his stance, clenched his fists, and met the incoming fist head on.

Their fists collided midair. What power. It pushed Hex a step back. He grimaced. It did hurt. Vonhorst had earned his position as the captain.

But so had Hex.

Vonhorst skidded a couple steps backward. His mouth stood agape as he gave Hex a blank look. He overcame his shock quickly, though. He threw his front legs up, kicking the air and neighing furiously, before throwing himself back at Hex.

With a clear picture about their respective strengths in mind, Hex took the fight a little more serious. He set off against the branch and met the attack face on.

There was no technique. No element. No feints. It was raw. They clashed in a purely physical clash, fists against fists, legs against hooves...

Vonhorst neighed louder with each attack. The pure savagery in their bout also unleashed something primal inside Hex. He roared in return and channeled his strength to the utmost in his punches and kicks.

He felt the impact of his attacks. His punches met the hardened fists of Vonhorst. He felt the thick, armor-like hide.

Vonhorst replied in kind. He unleashed a flurry of punches. Hex intercepted them all.

The stalemate persisted for a few minutes. Slowly, Hex started to gain the upper hand.

His wounds closed faster than Vonhorst’s. His punches broke the thick hide as Vonhorst’s hands turned bloodied. Not to mention, the creaking and snapping of bones beneath the damaged skin.

Vonhorst realized his predicament as well. His approach to battle changed. It was subtle but noticeable. He evaded some of the consecutive punches. Slowly, but surely, he stepped back, trying to skid around Hex.

Hex, however, had no intention of allowing Vonhorst to dictate the rhythm of the battle. He pressed on, increasing his furious assault. His punches blurred, making more contact with other parts than only the fists.

Not even a minute later, Vonhorst jumped back, his lips burst open, his one eye closed and dark, and not to mention, his blue and black discolored hide.

"How...How are you healing faster than me?" Vonhorst exclaimed. The frustration oozed from his voice and face.

"I am just better than you. Nothing else," Hex replied with a grin as he decreased the distance and did a three sixty flip kick. Vonhorst didn’t expect the sudden change from knuckle to feet. It struck him right on his temple.

Spit and blood sprayed out of his mouth.

Hex’s perfect control over his body and strength showed results. Whether he used his feet or arms, the effect remained the same.

Using the moment of disorientation Vonhorst suffered, Hex struck again. After the flip, he had landed in a crouching stance. He leaped up, hitting Vonhorst’s chin again with an upper cut. The perfectly controlled hit knocked Vonhorst to the ground.

He fell on the branch, frotting all over the place.

Hex picked up the flag and the treasure. It was a brooch. He would inspect it later and pocketed the brooch. Only then did he avert his eyes from the half horse on the ground toward the two other battles.

Despite his focus on his opponent, his sharp senses had followed the fight between Gronke and Vonfang and the fight between Vonbeak against Elron.

Gronke had used his transformation. The giant boar-like man used his tusks with utmost precision. Vonfang’s body seemed thorn and on the brink of collapse. They had noticed the fall of Vonhorst. It had broken Vonfang’s drive to continue. A fact that Gronke realized and capitalized immediately.

Sure enough, within a couple of seconds Vonfang surrendered.

The last fight differed from theirs. Vonbeak tried to circle and attack Elron from the sky but Elron had chosen a strategy that worked effectively against any attack. He had changed into a burning wooden man, smouldering smoke.

Hex shook his head but he had to give it to his old enemy. The man just lay lazily, provoking his opponent to attack. Vonbeak’s enraged shrieks filled the air. She, of course, saw the fall of her captain and the defeat of her partner. With a last frustrated cry she abandoned her attack and flew away. She didn’t even gather her team.

Hex didn’t bother with them either. Time was of essence. He signaled them to climb. They could rest later. They had taken the points for this round.