CHAPTER 53: BATTLE FOR THE HOUSE II

The resulting clash of steel rang out like a thunderclap, pulling me right back into the fray. Isobel’s rapier whirred toward my throat, faster than before, the House’s aura making her a goddamn blur. I twisted aside, my plate armor creaking as I brought my sword up in a parry that sent vibrations up my arm. No shield meant I had to be smart–reliant on footwork and that divine aura the House was fueling me with.

Isobel didn’t let up. With a flick of her wrist, an illusory dagger shimmered into existence at her side. Rather than use it, though, she shot Eldritch Blasts at me. Since when did she know how to do that?! The red bursts of aura slammed into my chest plate like hammer blows. The impact rocked me back, denting the remaining plate, but the aura absorbed most of the pain, turning it into little more than a dull throb. I countered with a Divine Smite, channeling my own aura into my sword as I lunged. My blade glowed white-hot, connecting with her guard and forcing her to leap away.

"Not bad, Lloyd May," Isobel panted, circling me like a hungry wolf, eyes burning with a familiar fire.

"I could say the same to you, Isobel," I allowed, panting along with her.

After the momentary pause, she struck again, rapier thrusting low while the illusory dagger feinted high. I blocked the real blade, but the fake one grazed my shoulder leaving a cold pain at the impact point. Isobel followed with a Hex Spell, a verbal incantation which temporarily sapped my strength. Felt like weights on my limbs, but I shook it off with an massive surge of aura. I lunged at her before she could attempt it again, swinging my sword in a wide arc which ultimately clipped her side, silver and gold armor chipping. She hissed, blood from the impact point, but the House knit it closed almost instantly.

She summoned Armor of Agathys next, her skin frosting over with icy spikes that made her untouchable. I charged anyway, sword smashing into the barrier. It shattered, but thorns of cold stabbed back, piercing my arms. I roared, Smiting again, the divine burst cracking her defenses. My blade caught her rapier, sending it skittering across the stones. Unarmed now, she grinned wildly and unleashed Hellish Rebuke. The attack was immediate and devastating, unnatural flames scorching my armor and singeing my hair. The heat was brutal, like stepping into a forge, but I pressed through, tackling her to the ground.

We rolled on the ground, her nails digging into my neck as she whispered another incantation: Cause Fear. So she did know Illusion Spells! Unfortunately for her, this was one of the few Spells Lyra also knew, and was one of the main ones she’d trained me against. I started to punch down, ignoring the images the illusion summoned, but Isobel pushed me out of the way, rushing to her feet.

She reformed the illusory dagger and blasted me with another Eldritch Blast, point-blank. It hurled me back a far distance while she rushed for her rapier. Ribs cracked and pain surged, but the House’s aura did too– mending bones with that warm rush. I pushed off, charging with everything I had. Sword met rapier in a frenzy, sparks flying. She Hexed me again, but I Smote through it, my blade finding purchase on her leg. She staggered, the spell fizzling.

"One more push!"

She screamed as she lunged at me with fervor, a final burst of fire building in her eyes. I dodged the blades, closed the gap, and drove my pommel into her jaw. Not elegant, but effective. She dropped to one knee, rapier clattering away, breath ragged. The illusory dagger faded for good. She tried to rise, muscles straining, but I followed up with one of the few combat Spells I knew: Inflict Wounds. It gathered in my free hand, surging wildly as I prepared to bring it down on–

"I yield!" Isobel said suddenly. Her eyes narrowed. "I yield. I... you’ve proven yourself to me. I... I yield."

"Are you sure?" I asked, panting, unwilling to drop my Inflict Wounds in case this was a trick.

"Mr. Shaw. If you would?"

The arena fell silent as the stunned man cleared his throat. His niece Mileena hovered nearby, eyes wide and jaw unhinged in a gesture that mirrored Lyra.

"A-ah. Right. Of course." He cleared his throat once again, finally gaining composure. He stood straighter. "The Adventurer’s Guild officially recognizes House Greaves as being sold to Lloyd May. Henceforth, he shall be known as ’Lord May’ of ’House May’."

"Aww. That was anticlimactic," Mileena groaned. "That was a cool fight, though, right Uncle Shaw?"

"It certainly was," Mr. Shaw agreed. "You two should be proud. It was well-fought."

"Yeah. Can we get food now? I’m starving!"

Mr. Shaw nodded to Isobel and I. "Thank you for having us, Isobel Greaves. Lord May. Now, if you would excuse us..."

Isobel looked up at me from her knee, dirt-streaked face softening. "You did it, Lloyd. Congratulations... L-Lord May." Her voice cracked, and then the tears came... hard. Her shoulders shook as she bowed her head.

I sheathed my sword and knelt beside her, slinging an arm around her shoulder. She leaned into it, sobs muffled against my armor. I didn’t say anything back. What could

I say? No, right now, all I could do was comfort her.

She pulled back a bit, wiping her eyes with a shaky laugh. "I’ll help you two get situated, but, I think I’ll... need a few days to myself after this. I hope you don’t mind, love. It’s just... this is a lot, you know?"

"And go where?" I asked, tone casual. "An Advisor shouldn’t be away from the House they serve, should they?"

Her eyes widened, surprise cutting through the tears. "A-Advisor...?"

"Come on, Isobel. No one else is fit for the–"

Isobel lunged at me and pulled me into a kiss before throwing her arms around me. She was laughing now, the sound like an eager child. I’d never heard her laugh this freely before! It was cute. "I’m glad you gave me the role, because I think, knowing me, I might’ve given it to myself! No one likes an armchair Advisor." Her laughter subsided softly, voice heavy and raw, shakiness returning. "I love you, Lloyd May. I love you so, so much."

"I love you too," I replied, meaning every word.

I glanced over at Lyra, who beamed back while giving me a thumbs up. In the distance, the ghosts of the past watched us. Isabella with Benjamin, Jonah and Edith flanking them, Alexander gruff yet casual.

"Oh! I meant to say: Alexander said to ’Say hi to Little ’Bella for me’."

She chuckled. "Tell him he can say it in my dreams. We always speak there." I turned to find the spectral Alexander looking defeated like someone had stolen his favorite toy. Isobel laughed, the sound lighter now. "I’m kidding. I miss you, old man. Love you. Hope you aren’t causing too much trouble on that side." The others turned to Alexander, who grumbled but perked up, rubbing his ghostly neck.

I chuckled. "Well, I have good news and bad news, then."

Isobel raised a brow, unsurprised. She finally stood, wobbling a bit but steadying against me. "I think after all of this, I need a nap." She gave me a look. "And this isn’t code. I really would like to sleep. I’ve been far too busy."

The arena felt different now. Less like a battlefield and more like home, cheesy as that was to admit. House May... House May... ! We’d won! With Lyra and Isobel at my side and the spirit of the House in my heart, we had won.