[ WP ] Write the third episode of non-existant series . Make us curious about what happened before episode 3 , and what happens after .

`` It's been quite a while since our last bout, has n't it, Nathaniel?'' I said as I slowly circled my opponent. A tall and muscular man, he exuded an aura of power and confidence. 
 
 `` Indeed it has, Jonathan, indeed it has. Though I hope you've learned some new tricks since the last time we fought; you did n't last all too long the last time. You're still nearly the same size you were last time we met! Bwahaha!'' 
 
 Yes, I see Nathaniel has n't changed one bit since the war started. Still as full of himself as ever. 
 
 `` I think you will find that I well exceed your expectations. No, not exceed... that I absolutely *crush* any pissant version of myself that you have in your mind.'' My preparations were nearly complete. The power of my element, lightning, coursed through me, *pulsed* with my heartbeat, screaming to be released. I only needed to buy a few more seconds... 
 
 `` I believe the time for this idle banter is over, then. Shall we begin? The battle continues without us, and I promised the general I'd bring your head back by nightfall.'' He stopped circling and squared off with me. 
 
 Perfect, I thought, as I completed the last incantation. I squared off with my old friend, now the enemy of my country, and our home. 
 
 Nathaniel's eyes lit up with power, the flow of maga and life. The air around him shimmered, shards of ice forming around him. In an almost godly voice, he began chanting: 
 
 `` O Ullr, God of Winter, God of the Duel, grant me your favor! Ul ra meha jor, Pillars of Helheim, release!'' 
 
 With his chants he raised his blade, the Sword of the Archmage, and thrust it into the earth before him; great pillars of ice began erupting from the ground, and it was headed in my direction. 
 
 Of course, I'm not so pathetic that I'd allow a clunky spell like that to catch me. As soon as his spell began I was running to the sides. Out of this clearing and into the shadows of the woodline. 
 
 `` Zues, God of all Gods, Ruler of Lightning, grant me your strength! Raz tel mas tel, Lightning Bolt, exsolvo!'' I stopped and threw my fist towards the sky, two fingers extended like I'd seen in the books, and brought it down before me like an axe. Great bolts of lightning came crashing down on Nathaniel, who deflected the bolts with a barrier. The lightning flew wildly, shattering the pillars of ice and setting aflame trees and sundering the ground where it struck. 
 
 Residual maga and sparks from the spell crackled around me, singeing the grass and the trees. I exhaled, releasing some of the tension, and the sparks dissipated. No sense burning down this forest, my country would need it once this battle was over. 
 
 `` Ul ra meha jor, Shards, release!'' 
 
 I had just time to decide on my next move as the ice shards came flying towards me, lethal daggers of ice intent of impaling every part of my being. I began sprinting towards Nathaniel, dodging some shards, smashing others with my staff. As I ran, I began my next spells. 
 
 `` Raz tel mas tel, Piercing Lightning, exsolvo! Raz tel mas tel, Empowered Dash, exsolvo!'' 
 
 My staff lit up in a bright glow, energy crackling down it's length. I brought it to point straight at my enemy as I would a lance, and on my next step the ground shook and crumpled under the power as I rocketed towards him. He barely had time to bring his blade to bear in his defense when I crashed into him, raw energy from my staff exploding past him while he slid backwards, the force from my thrust so immense. 
 
 We stood pressed against each other, staff and blade locked, equals in strength... for now. 
 
 `` H-How is this possible?! You are unchanged, still a small man, yet you are pushing me, *me*, back! This goes against the laws of magicks! That such a small body could hold and release so much maga and not be annihilated in the power, it's impossible!'' Nathaniel spoke through gritted teeth, his face contorted in anger and rage. 
 
 `` Yes, normally this should be impossible. However, were it not for this war, I would n't have been able to access the forbidden scrolls in the capital's archives. In a way, I should thank you.'' I spoke with barely a hint of strain in my voice; this little confrontation was barely trying my strength. 
 
 `` Gods damn you!'' He screamed. `` I will not be made a fool by someone like you!'' 
 
 I stared straight at him and spoke, `` You no longer have a choice.'' 
 
 He roared, fear and rage in his eyes. It was unmistakable, like the look of a cornered wolf. Of course, even cornered wolves could be dangerous. 
 
 `` Ul ra meha jor, Jotunn's Axe, release!'' 
 
 Maga pulsed through his arms and into his blade, coating it and transforming it, turning it into a battleaxe of pure ice and power. He began towards me, only ten paces away, and brought his weapon back for a powerful swing. 
 
 I reacted instantly. 
 
 `` Raz tel mas tel, Thor's Hammer, exsolvo.'' 
 
 Lighting and energy engulfed my staff as it became a great hammer, and I swung to counter his axe. The weapons collided sending shockwaves through the air and making a noise like a thunderclap. Nathaniel swung wildly, like a beast, and I parried his blows every time. After three strikes he made his fatal error and brought his axe straight down. I spun to dodge it and brought my hammer to bear; it hit his side with such force that even through his magical wards and armor it shattered ribs. He flew through the air and smashed into a rock, fracturing it. Only his physical wards saved him from instant death. But they would not save him from me. 
 
 `` Raz tel mas tel, Fenrir's Bindings, exsolvo.'' 
 
 Golden ropes spun forth from my staff, binding Nathaniel to the rock. As they held him tight, he coughed and spit blood, looking at me with such a stare of hatred that, had I not hated him more, I would have shied from. 
 
 `` I should've killed you when I killed your father'' he spat. `` It's too bad I was in such a rush.'' 
 
 `` Perhaps you should have. But you did not, and as is ultimately the fate of those who commit such heinous acts as you, you will now reap what you have sown. Normally I would n't bother with the dirty business of executions, but I believe in your case, I can make an exception.'' 
 
 I thrust my staff into the ground and began my incantation, standing with my left arm pointed straight at him and my right hand by my shoulder, as if holding the spear I was about to summon. 
 
 `` Quo han et la mora fina, ine ko quorum den ka. Holy Lance of Longinus, I summon thee, exsolvo!'' 
 
 The lance of pure white energy formed over my right hand, every bit as beautiful as it was powerful. It radiated with a deeper light than anything on this world, and the clearing we were in was lit up like the middle of the day. 
 
 `` God save the King'' Nathaniel sneered. 
 
 I threw the spear, and as it flew threw the air I thought about the times Nathaniel and I had shared in the castle when we were younger. How we had learned of our magic abilities, our elemental affinities, and our lessons with my father. And I remembered as I was running to my father's side as he bled out that I saw Nathaniel standing over him, a look of evil and greed in his eyes before he ran. 
 
 The spear impacted Nathaniel in the chest and he threw back his head in a soundless scream, his eyes shining bright white as his back arched and he strained against the ropes from an invisible force. Veins of white crept outwards from the spear into his body until finally the spear dissolved. 
 
 I pulled my staff out of the earth and took hold of the hilt of the sword Nathaniel had stolen from my father. The Sword of the Archmage, I could feel the power rippling through it's blade. I would need it later in this war when I eventually fought whoever this `` general'' Nathaniel has spoken of. 
 
 But for now, I needed to finish this battle that was raging at the Capital. My eyes alight with power, I stepped into the woods to begin my journey home.
