?Lex screamed in frustration as he instantly transformed back into his me Atronach form as the attacks starteding faster and harder, and the intensity increased tenfold.


    The way the attacks came from all angles made it difficult for Jackson to predict where the attacks mighte from.


    Lexx tried to keep his attacks unpredictable, hoping to throw Jackson off bnce, but it seemed like the young man was reading his mind, anticipating his moves...


    The attacks didn''t seem to bending. As he thought it over, Lexx noticed that Jackson was no longer attacking. Instead, he was running away from the attacks.


    "What?!" Lexx roared, confused, as he continued to chase after him while he evaded the relentless assault.


    Jackson dashed across the bridge, weaving his way around the pirs, staying just ahead of the bursts of mes.


    Lexx slowed his pace, breathing heavily as he flew into the air, sending a continuous assault of fireballs toward him before rapidly flying forward, charging toward Jackson, and calling his greatsword to his hands.


    Jackson turned sharply, heading straight toward a pir as he dove between two columns, barely missing being cut by the giant de as it demolished one of the pirs.


    "Hmph!" Lexx snorted, slowing his advance as he spun through the air,unching a series of fireballs at him. He flew forward, swinging his greatsword around as he closed in.


    Jackson stopped in his tracks, jumping and twisting in the air holding up both scimitars, bracing himself against the force of the blow. As the greatsword collided against both des, they pressed against his chest te.


    The force of the impact knocked him backward, crashing through the walls of Fort Vetus and sliding along the floor.


    Lexx flew through the hole, his greatsword raised above his head, ring down at him with his burning eyes. Jackson raised the Twin Moons once more.


    Lexx gripped his hilt tightly, focusing his power as his sword was engulfed in a bright beam, swinging it violently at Jackson.


    The young man blocked the attack with his twin swords, crashing against the ground as the attack connected his WarFrame once more. Jackson grinned wide as the Hollow skulls began to emit a right blue light.


    The gears began spinning wildly as the light grew brighter, as blue electricity danced wildly across his entire body. Lexx''s eyes went wide as he started to retreat, but a humongous bolt of blue electricity crashed, consuming both men.


    The sound of thunder shook the room, and the lightning arced through the air, cracking the stone cobblestone tiles around them, the stone walls shattering and crumbling as the nearby portcullis was destroyed.


    As the sparks died down and the lights finally dimmed, the two figures still standing, smoke rising off their bodies: Jackson, who looked exhausted; Lexx, whose singed clothing had nearly been utterly destroyed, and his skin charred ck, though he appeared otherwise unharmed, they looked at each other, gasping for air and clutching their chests.


    A group of ming Dawn squadrons charged across the bridge, rapidly approaching the fort as both men panted heavily, staring at one another. Khione and Umbra, hiding nearby, leaped over the debris of the destroyed gate and charged toward Jackson.


    "Spirit Beasts..?" Lexx muttered under his breath, too exhausted to even step forward. Jackson fell to his knees, ring fiercely at the older man.


    "Release her! You have lost!" Jackson snarled as the courtyard began to flood with ming Dawn members.<novelnext></novelnext>


    "Let''s call it a draw." He huffed, arge smirk spreading across his face, throwing his arms wide as his guild members jumped in front of him.


    "Kyuuu!!" Khione mewed loudly as she, Jackson, and Umbra were instantly encased in a massive chunk of ice, causing everyone to quickly step backward.


    A few guards cautiously approached and tapped the hard ice with the tips of their weapons when suddenly cracks quickly spiderwebbed throughout its surface and shattered.


    The tiny kitten had transformed into a massive white saber-toothed panther. Her tworge fangs and four big ws on all four paws were like razor-sharp pale, blue ice; indestructible ice formations formed around her neck, shoulders, and forehead, creating an intimidating set of armor.


    Khione grabbed Jackson in her mouth, throwing him onto her back as Umbra jumped onto her long tail as she leaped out of the courtyard, rushing away from the fort before sprinting across the ocean, a path of ice forming underneath her feet.


    "Quick!! After them!!" One of the Captains shouted, throwing his arm out as men quickly scrambled as they started to run out of the courtyard.


    "Ignore that order! Let them go..." Lexx shouted, dragging his feet across the rubble as he sluggishly walked toward the entrance to the nearby castle.


    "Ry orders to release the girl back into Duskgate... Bring everyone to Fort Vetus; we''re clearing this floor and moving on!" He ordered as every member saluted him and quickly departed back to Fort Novae.


    ***


    Hourster, the entirety of ming Dawn escorted Viktoria Snow into Fort Vetus as they gathered in the Throne Room where Lexx was lounging leisurely, still spent after his fight with Jackson.


    She approached him as the guild members proceeded through a doorway leading to stairs and descended to the dungeons.


    "I think you might have poked a sleeping dragon there, ''princess...''" Lexx dered, his gaze piercing her spirit.


    "Don''t tell me you lost Mother''s stupid bet!" She eximed, her eyes widening in shock as she quickly stepped forward.


    "No, but I did have to release the girl." He sighed, shaking his head, "He was far more powerful than you told Imperia..."


    "Stronger?!? Are you inept? I nearly fought him to a draw! You should be as strong as my mother, at least!" She shouted, stomping her feet in disgust.


    "You dare insult me?!?" Lexx roared, a pir of fire consuming the throne, causing Viktoria to recoil against the heat.


    "You stupid little brat!" He shouted, stepping down the stairs leading to the throne, "He was toying with you! I strongly suggest you quit this immature vendetta you have against him and return to your mother''s teet!"


    An icy aura surrounded Viktoria as her breath became visible; she opened her mouth to retaliate when a notification interrupted the pair:


    [ming Dawn has sessfullypleted the challenge! Will all members of ming Dawn please gather in the Throne Room of Fort Vetus!]