"What?" Galvan asked confused, having a hard ti grasping what was happening. A human suddenly materializing a soul contract was too far out there for him to comprehend quickly. The crowd had also fallen silent, seeing Seth whip out a soul contract.
"A soul contract, so you pesky bugger won't co whining to afterward or keep getting on my nerves later on," Seth explained nonchalantly.
He knew this kind of character. Galvan was that annoying fly that would keep getting in their way if he didn't deal with him from the start. That was why he wanted to give him a chance, and when he still decided to bother Seth, the blacksmith would get his soul.
Seth was not afraid of losing. He didn't intend to, but in case he did, he simply left out any consequences for the case of his loss. It was the typical "If you lose, I win, if I win I win "-contract.
"Hmph! Fine," Galvan said and signed the contract after checking for any fine prints. Despite thinking there was a trap, at no point did it co to the arrogant bard's mind to add a condition for Seth's loss. It seed that he was too caught up in his vision of making an example out of the blacksmith and the others.
Having co to an agreent, they prepared the traditional match. Unlike modern flyting that involved fighting in addition to taunting and poetry, traditional flyting was only done through demonic music, like a magic duel.
They would also need to follow a the for their battle, which was chosen through a ritual. Their lyrics and lodies had to be improvised on the spot. This was the only part Seth was not 100% confident in. He had trained the production side and the practical side pf his bardic skill, but not the poetic side. The bard could only trust his skill and items.
~Don't worry, If you need help, I'm here." Oz, the demonic lyre in his hands assured.
Right, he had a powerful demon lyre on his side and a legendary armor blessed with divine and demonic music talents. What was there to fear? (He had decided against using the Anvil or the Wheel Fiddle, since he didn't intend to kill the audience, yet.)
He was confident that he could suppress the whole crowd with force, if he wanted to, so losing ant little to him. The bard only played along, because beating Galvan was the more satisfying thod to end this situation and had the least consequences.
"I will now activate the the," the referee announced before mumbling cryptic phrases over the magic circle. Sparks of light rose from the circle and started shaping a word.
"Critique- Disparage your opponent!"
"Kekekek, My favorite the!" the gaunt demon cheered and jumped from joy.
A coin was tossed to see who would begin, making Galvan even happier as he got the right to start. Seth lifted Oz and awaited the signal to start, bracing himself for what Galvan would do. In most cases, it would have been common sense that going second would be more advantageous, but in a duel of demonic music, it was easier to build up power and montum by going first.
And what montum he was building. With a strum of his lute, Galvan multiplied, as if his body went through a prism there were two copies of him with a slightly shifted color sche. The three started singing in sync while his lute played a dark, somber tune.
"By the power of Bael!
Mot...Rot...Morzan...Noita...
Zoketh...Turgoth...Tanak...Vonnith...
Sorak...Zellcat...Tigmu...Watajet...
Amagon... Ark...
Schmu... Drog'Thog... Soll'gut... Mach'gut...Turok...Verreth..."
With every demon they nad, the atmosphere in the courtyard darkened. Galvan called upon so many demons, that Seth knew only a few of them. Even if he didn't know their nas, he could feel the pressure on the arena rising. He understood why the faculty mbers buckled.
"As you see I have friends in high places,
With the power to put you on the run.
Well, forgive us these smiles on our faces,
I'll show you what true power is , that will be fun
Son..."
Dark, toxic smoke filled the stage, and demon faces appeared in the darkness that filled the courtyard, even shocking the audience. The three Galvans kept dancing, as they were accompanied by a piece of dark music from the shadows. They kept appearing and singing from the dense fog.
"You're playing with the big boys now,
Playing with the big boys now,
Ev'ry chord and gesture,
Tells you who's the best, you're
Playing with the big boys now "
The three kept growing in size, every word with booming power and every step of their dance shook the arena. It was clear that the demon tried to use overwhelming might to beat his opponent. The tremors made it hard for even the audience to stay on their feet, yet, Seth stood there unimpressed. He was more interested in how Galvan endured the backlash from the damage his armor reflected.
"You're playing with the big boys now
You're playing with the big boys now
Stop this foolish session
Watch a true musician
Give an exhibition how
Now pick up your ears, boy
You're playing with the big boys now!"
As the verse ended and he paused, the demonic faces started singing their nas in a choir of wrathful souls. Suddenly, a warm and upbeat lody crashed into the grim scenery, and the dark fog was invaded by a crimson hue. The bard had decided that now was the best ti to interject. When Seth's voice rose empowered by the , it was oozing with spite and derision.
"I must admit, Your parlor tricks are amusing. I bet you've got a granny writing your text!
Now here's your chance to get the best of , Hope your hand is hot! C'mon, clown, show what you got!"
A sequence of notes revealed the three copies hiding in the fog with shocked impressions. Seth could feel the power of
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