Nameless King

"What are we going to do?" Erza asked.

The explosion alerted her. She didn't expect the others to find the passageway to the Great Tree so quickly. She was afraid they wouldn't get into too much trouble because of it.

"Nothing. At least for now." Wain muttered, "They're probably going through one of the Seven Trials, so we'll meet up with them later and get the key or meet right at the gate to the Great Tree. Either way, we'll have to fight."

The others nodded. They continued on their way. Because of the size of the root, they thought it was close, but in fact, the root was more than ten kilometers away. Occasionally the Spirits would fly up to them, but at those moments, they would speed up and not let themselves be held up by small trials.

"Great. We're here." Ern said as he looked around.

They tried to find a symbol or sign for the next challenge, but only roots and foliage were around.

"Hey, isn't that where...?" Wain muttered.

He looked at the many vines that completely covered part of the root.

"Erza, burn the vines. We need to see what's in there."

"Okay." Erza nodded as she created several crosses of fire.

The flames burned the vines and revealed what was behind them.

"Well, well, we're there." Wain smiled.

On the root was the massive mark of a shining coin. They didn't know exactly what it could indicate, but the situation was the same as in the last trial.

Whooooooooosh.

The sign glowed brightly, and a multitude of Spirits with red and purple wings headed toward them.

"Are you ready for the next trial?" Ern asked.

"Of course. We'll get through it easily. This time I'll give it my all." Alas nodded.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

"Not so fast!" Someone exclaimed.

A huge fireball appeared between Wain and the others, so they had to retreat. They reflexively stepped aside and prepared for battle.

"Damn. I knew someone would get in our way." Wain muttered.

A small group of people emerged from behind the trees. There were four of them, and they were all very tall.

"Inerians? Seriously? What are you guys doing here?" Alas wondered.

"Huh, do you really think that only Elves can enter the Forgotten Forest? It wasn't easy, but we could find our way here. Go away if you want to live." A girl with long purple hair exclaimed.

"Astrid?" Erza muttered as her eyes went wide.

"Erza...?!" Astrid exclaimed, "What? What are you doing here? Why are you here?!"

"Do you two know each other?" Wain asked.

"Yeah. Sort of. These four bitches were always teasing me about being unable to find a man." Erza's face darkened as her eyes filled with blood, "I'll kill you!"

"Wait!" Astrid waved her hand, "Why are you on their side?"

"Whose side should I be on? Should I be on your side? You've always been nothing but trouble." Erza said rudely.

Astrid frowned. She looked at Erza's mates, and her gaze stopped on Wain. There was a strange aura emanating from him. It was as if she was drawn to him.

"I see." Astrid nodded, "You're here because of him. Right?"

"It's none of your business." Erza stared at Astrid.

"You're wrong. You've always been a little different from the others, but it seems you've gone off the wrong track. You need help. Inerians cannot have partners from other races, it is impossible and against our principles." Astrid exclaimed, "Don't get in our way. We'll get it done."

Whooooooooosh.

Astrid and the other three attacked. They didn't touch Erza, their target was Wain. They thought Erza had left them because of him, and they were partly right.

"Die!" Astrid exclaimed as she waved her hand.

Tremble.

A purple magical circle appeared over Wain, and serious pressure came down on him. Astrid had a rare attribute, gravity. She could easily nail a Third Chronicle monster to the ground.

"Huh, how interesting. Even the apprentice had more power than you." Wain grinned, "You need to put in ten times more effort if you want to slow me at least down."

Wain grabbed Astrid by the arm as he punched her in the stomach. His blow was swift and powerful, so Astrid threw up a mouthful of blood as Wain struck again, but with his foot. He tossed Astrid aside and effortlessly stepped out from under the gravity circle.

Snap.

"You came here for nothing. You are too weak to fight for the chief treasure of the Forgotten Forest!" Wain snapped his fingers as several blue magic circles appeared above him.

The magical circles headed toward Astrid and her mates as energy beams rained down on them. Astrid tried to defend, but the rays easily penetrated her defenses.

"Huh. What a shame." Ern grinned, "They were able to get here, but they don't have enough power even to scratch you. Are all Inerians really that weak?"

"No. It's just that Wain is too strong." Alas shook his head, "Moreover, they wanted to attack quickly, so they were not prepared for such a powerful counterattack."

"Okay. That's the end of it. Any last words?" Wain said as a phantom snake tail appeared above him.

"Fuck you!" Astrid spat a blood clot, "You weren't supposed to meet! This all happened because of you!"

"Well, I gave you a chance." Wain said coldly as he attacked.

"Wait!" Erza exclaimed.

Wain stopped at the last moment. The tip of the snake's tail hovered over Astrid's head.

"What is it?"

"Don't kill them, please." Erza muttered timidly.

"Why? They attacked us, so they are the enemy. You don't seem to have the best relationship with them either." Wain raised an eyebrow.

"Just do as I ask, that's all. These four are assholes, but we can forgive them the first time. Don't you think so?" Erza stared at Wain.

Wain looked at Astrid. She was as surprised as he was, but inside she was infinitely grateful to Erza.

"I'm giving you a minute to get out of here. Erza's request won't stop me anymore if you don't." Wain said stiffly.