A Wolf's Howl, A Fairy's Wing

After Naeku accepted Erik's proposal, things quickly heated up. The second-rankers from Enkare Nkai were quickly revving up their excitement, before pairing off into groups.

This process took a while, due to the level of strategy involved. There were a lot of things to consider.

For one, even those that lasted the longest would only get three treasures, so more people in a group, meant a higher chance to win, but also more people to share with. Then there was fatigue to consider. The last group would surely have an easier time than the first, as Erik and Astrid would be tired by then.

Most of them did not underestimate these two, however. At least half had seen them fight in the battle about a month ago. The tale of Erik and a third ranker disappearing for a while, only for Erik to return with the unconscious Arcanist on his shoulder, was quickly making the rounds.

They'd formed a large huddle, with Naeku in the middle, giving them tips. Meanwhile, Erik and Astrid were waiting patiently as they flirted with each other, far too confident in their victory to be planning any strategies.

Finally, the first battle was about to start. They first group they faced was a large one. Two Arcanists, four vampires, and four shapeshifters lined up in front of them, totalling the maximum allowed of ten people. They were aggressive, and clearly intended to win and take all.

A little distance away stood a wry Naeku, ready to play judge. She didn't say anything, but her expression told Erik all he needed to know: she'd warned them against this.

Still, both sides were ready. Erik and Astrid's opponents had drawn their weapons, bared their claws, and readied their spells.

Across from them, the transformed Erik wielded a simpler, less deadly hammer than usual, and Astrid swung two somewhat dull swords. Erik was unarmoured, but he had kept the armguard on, as it was actually quite difficult to remove.

Yet, the momentum of both sides appeared the same… the power thrumming of Erik and Astrid's bodies was enough to match that of their opponents. Both sides eyed each other up, but one side was grinning, and the other looked solemn.

"Everyone ready?" Naeku asked, holding up her hands. When everyone nodded, she gave the signal, and the fight began.

Erik and Astrid immediately charged ahead; weapons raised. Their first target were the Arcanists. Runes glowed on their fur and skin, before their speed suddenly increased as they both used their enhancement abilities.

Their opponents responded in kind, attempting to intercept the two of them before they could reach the Arcanists, who were already flinging spells.

Yet, it was clear this group was over confident.

They were a close-knit group, but it sparked competition, rather than teamwork. As soon as they clashed, Erik and Astrid started cleaning house.

His hammer roared; her swords sung. They fought side by side and back-to-back, grins of excitement never leaving their faces. Their opponents tried to split them apart so they could fight four on one with Arcanist support, but the husband and wife stuck to each other like glue.

On the outside, everyone was watching with bated breath, trying to come up with strategies for their own fight.

Erik blocked a vampire's sword with his armguard, kicked away a charging werelion, and swung his hammer at another shapeshifter. He'd handicapped himself by choosing not to use any Arcanists abilities.

This event was meant as a date with his battle-loving wife, after all. It couldn't be won to easy, and he had to fight shoulder to shoulder with her.

Behind him, Astrid laughed as she dodged a fireball, before summersaulting over a vampire, and slicing at the shapeshifter behind them. Another then tried to attack her in the back, but Erik suddenly showed up and shoulder checked the ambusher, sending his opponent flying off to the sides.

It was clear to everyone that Astrid and Erik were going easy on their opponents. They were simply having fun, while the ten people they were up against fought their hardest, and still couldn't make any inroads.

In the end, it took ten minutes before their opponents were too beat up to continue, and all they had to deal with were the two Arcanists… who quickly gave up.

After Naeku declared them the victor, she turned to the remaining fighters with a wry expression. "I hope you guys will take this a little more seriously now. Forget about defeating them, just try to last as long as possible."

The losers struggled over to the side to tend their wounds, but they didn't look angry. Naeku's people respected strength and combat ability above all, their gazes were only filled with respect and awe.

Erik and Astrid also didn't try to gloat, even offering tips to their previous opponents.

Soon, however, the fighting began again. This time, they faced a smaller, more organized group with a plan. Rather than fight them up front, they skirted around and tried to use delaying tactics. Unfortunately, that proved a mistake as well.

None of them could outrun or outmanoeuvre Astrid, who rapidly hunted them down. In the end, they lasted even shorter than the first group.

When it was over, Astrid and Erik kissed passionately, adrenaline surging. When they separated, Astrid grinned, "I'm having fun, but I think we need a greater challenge next time…"

"I'll make a note of it," he chuckled in response.

Soon, the next fight started, and then the next. Finally, it was the last group who gave them a bit more of a challenge. These were clearly the strongest among them, who'd gathered together in a group of nine.

This battle lasted for a whole thirty minutes. By the end, Astrid was even panting a little, but… they still wiped them out.

With everyone defeated, it was clear mere numbers couldn't stand up to this husband-and-wife pair, and the Arcanists of Enkare Nkai acknowledged this.
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After it was all done, the prizes were handed out, and the two of them socialized a little. Astrid was impressed with their fighting spirit, and enjoyed the conversations.

Soon, however, it was time to move on.

"That was fun," Astrid grinned as they walked away, her previously grimy body pristine once again, following a quick application of runic power. But then she raised an eyebrow, and looked at him with amusement. "That said… you did this partly as a publicity stunt, right?"

Erik chuckled awkwardly, scratching his head. Still, he never thought she wouldn't notice, so he simply nodded. "Yeah… The first part of Emma's date was actually much the same, but…" he smirked slightly, "…she was too polite to mention it."

"Of course she was," Astrid rolled her eyes with a groan. But then her grin returned. "I don't mind, though, so long as you have something else planned that's entirely for me…"

"Of course," Erik smiled mysteriously. "Come with me…"