Chereads / Shadow Ruler / Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: Guild-fest: Tournament Start

Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: Guild-fest: Tournament Start

Wayland groogily rolled out of his bedroll. Trusga was still asleep a bit of drool dropping out, Pricusla was snuggled against her pillow still sound asleep.

'Guess i better get my daily quest over with.' Wayland thought as he pulled on his boots.

The sun had just started raising through the trees as Wayland started his jog. Everyday the daily quest for sit ups and push ups had gone up by five for each day. The running had gone up once a week.

*Ding*

Run 3 kilometers: 3/3 Complete

210 Sit ups: 0/210

210 Push ups: 0/210>

Wayland eased up on his run as the quest achievement went off. Looking around he saw that he had gone a little farther than what he wanted to.

A twig snapped, Wayland whirled to the sound. A deer stood stock still, watching the boy. Then the animal walked away further into the woods.

'Geez, it was just a deer.' Wayland thought as he started on his push ups and sit ups. 'Guess i'm getting to jumpy.'

Suddenly an arrow thudded into a tree next to his head. Looking up he couldn't see anybody due to the sun being just below the tops of the trees.

Wayland went into a defensive stance, 'Gileon, scythe.'

'Yes, Wayland' Gileon replied as he started to shape himself from a ring into a scythe. It wasn't fast enough.

Wayland had to dodge another volley as the arrows rained down again.

"Stop playing and just come down and fight."

"Hehehe, if you say so." A childish voice came from a tree to his left and half way up.

Suddenly an Ice elf appeared in front of him, with an arrow nocked to their bow.

Gileon had finally shifted into a scythe, Wayland grasped the handle as it came into view.

"Who are you and why are you hunting me?" Wayland asked, slowly rising the scythe to a forward position.

"I was looking for someone. You came running through, so i just wanted to have some fun." the ice elf told him, smiling just a little to much.

"If i had been a weaker individual, you could have killed me." Wayland stated, settling into a stance. Waiting for the Ice elf to make a move.

"Hehehe, but you weren't. Can i ask you a favor?" the elf asked, giggling to themselves.

"Maybe, depending on what it is you want." Wayland informed the elf, he was still on the defensive as the elf made their strange request.

"Just PLAY WITH ME, Hahahaha!!!!" the elf yelled out as they lossed their arrows.

Wayland dodged the arrows as they thudded into the tree behind him. He rushed forward, swinging Gileon at the elf. Catching the bow, Wayland pulled the scythe back, slicing the bow in half.

"Tch, that was my favorite bow. Guess i'll have to go with close combat." the elf stated, all humor gone from their face.

The ice elf pulled out to short swords and rushed forward. Wayland swung Gileon forward, hoping to ward off the attack.

The elf ducked down under the swing and pushed off the balls of their feet, aiming for his legs.

Seeing this, Wayland jumped into the air. He pulled Fenrir's Tooth out and sliced down at his attacker.

"Hahaha, what is that. A dagger to a sword fight. Hahaha." the elf laughed. Turning to grab an arrow, the elf threw it at Wayland.

*Ding*

Defeat the Ice Elf.

Rewards: 200 experince, Rare weapon, 2 statistic points.>

"Do i really have to kill this idiot?" Wayland asked out loud.

"Talking to yourself, huh. You must be crazy, nuts, looney tunes." The elf rambled, a steady stream of blood dropping from it's arm.

"Huh, why am i bleeding?" the elf quickly checked themselves, only finding a small scratch that was bleeding steadily.

*Ding*

"Tch, whatever i can still beat you." the elf retorted, dashing forward to attack once more.

*Ding*

Wayland dodged the swing from the ice elf. He slammed his leg into the elf, slamming them into a large tree.

The elf gasped as they hit the tree, coughing a large glob of blood from the broken ribs that they had received from this boy.

"Tch, that hurt." Suddenly the elf twitched it's head as if listening to something.

'Come back, you were informed by Lord Envy not to interact with the interlopers. Only scout and return. Any further disobedience, and you will have to answer to Lord Envy.' the voice informed the elf.

"He was alone. How could i not take this opp..." the elf started.

Wayland stared at the elf, thinking this was a trick. Slowly he started to move his scythe down for the final blow.

'ENOUGH. Retreat while you still live.' the voice commanded.

"Tch, fine. Human, your name." the ice elf commanded, pulling themselves up.

"Wayland, and you?" Wayland asked, seeing his enemy getting ready for something. 'Will he attack again or is he going to retreat?'

"Glaciee. I will be the one to kill you, Wayland. Goodbye for now." with that the elf threw a tiny sphere out causing a large gust of snow to blind Wayland.

"Damn, the bastard got away. Alpha. Hunt them. If it gets to dangerous, retreat and report back." Wayland told the Giant wolf.

Alpha nodded, before taking off after the blood trail that had been left.

*Ding*

"No shit." Wayland told the system before swiping the screen out of his face.

*****

Back at the camp, Synclade had seen Wayland leave the camp earlier. Being one for early morning training, she could understand why he left. After finishing her own exercises, she started breakfast.

The sweet smell of breakfast woke the others.

Trusga walked out in only has modified pants, his tail swung slowly back and forth with each step. His cold-blooded nature showing in the early morning coolness.

"Where is, yawn, Wayland?" Trusga asked as Pricusla joined the duo holding her pillow trying to wipe the sleep from her eyes.

"He went out for a jog first thing this morning." Synclade informed them serving up breakfast.

" He's not back yet? Yawwwwn. Should we pack up or wait for him?" Pricusla asked, setting her pillow off to the side.

"Pack up, we have to go back. NOW." a voice came from the woods as Wayland appeared.

Trusga and Pricusla froze mid bite, both of them had heard that tone before. Both at different times, but it was still the same no nonsense commanding tone. He was pissed.

"Huh, what happened?" Synclade wondered as the other two rushed through their food and started packing up.

"An enemy was near. Yet you didn't sense them." Wayland informed them as he packed up. "We need to get out of here before more show up."

"At least eat first." Synclade worried on the group as they finished packing.

"We have to get going." Wayland rushed her, putting the fire out.

"SIT DOWN AND EAT." Synclade told him, a murderous aura emitting from her.

Wayland gulped before he sat down and hastily ate his food.

"Let's get going before they come back." Wayland told them again, grabbing his bag and heading out.

****

Outside the forest

****

The group was rushing at a hurriedly pace, almost sprinting.

"Who attacked you? Why did they attack you? Can you slow down, my legs aren't as long as yours." Pricusla asked, struggling to keep pace with everyone.

"An ice elf named Glaciee, they wanted to 'play', and no. We have to inform the Headmaster of this. Trusga." Wayland informed the Mage. Trusga picked up the short Mage and slung her over his shoulder.

"Wait, did you say Glaciee?" Synclade asked, a worried tone to her voice.

"Yeah, that's what they said their name was. Why, do you know something?" Wayland grilled Synclade.

"Maybe, but why are they coming this far." Synclade told him, concentrating on something.

"Synclade. Who is they?" Wayland asked, stopping suddenly almost causing the Drow to slam into his back.

"The Frozen North Guild. A guild of nothing but ice elves and other creatures from the north. They only take missions that are high payment. Glaciee is not the strongest, but she is the craziest of the guild." Synclade informed them.

"How high of a payment?" Wayland asked, curious why they came.

"Millions, if not billions of gold coins." Synclade informed the party.

Wayland thought for a moment, then nodded before continuing to head back to the academy.

****

Headmaster's Office

****

"That is what transpired." Wayland finished the quest details and the encounter after.

"Hmmm, interesting." the Headmaster commented.

"Is there anything else?" Wayland asked, knowing that Guild-fest was coming up.

"Yes, it seems due to this extra experience on this mission you are qualified to enter the Guild-fest. Would you like to enter." the Headmaster inquired, curious to see if this is what he wanted.

" Is it okay if i ask my party before answering?" Wayland asked, playing cool despite the excitement he was experiencing.

"Yes, I'll be awaiting your answer Mr. Wayland." the Headmaster confirmed.

****

Training Ground

****

Synclade pulled her bow back. Aiming down the sight, she lined her target up. With a breath she released the arrow.

*Thud*

The arrow hit the bullseye. Synclade lowered the bow with a worried look.

"Tch, what is his problem." Synclade wondered, looking over at Wayland.

Wayland and Trusga were having an all out brawl. Neither one giving an inch, they had been at it for around 30 minutes.

Trusga slashed out with his claws, missing Wayland by a hairs breath. He swung his tail around to try and trip him up.

Wayland saw this move and dodged the claws, then grabbed the tail. Skidding to a halt, Wayland lifted Trusga up into the air before slamming him back on the ground.

Trusga stopped the slam by digging his claws into the ground. Forcing the energy through the ground, leaving craters.

Wayland jumped back away from the Lizardman as he regained his balance.

Wayland rushed in to start again, only to be stopped by an arrow and a .

"That's enough. Wayland, what is wrong with you?" Pricusla asked, worried about her party leader.

" I'm fine." Wayland informed her.

"No. You aren't. Why are you acting like this? What happened when you fought Glaciee?" Synclade asked, worried about her friend.

Wayland looked at all of them, seeing the worry in their eyes.

Trusga nodded to Wayland. The Lizardman knew that warriors sometimes needed to see their problems from another's view.

"Sigh, okay." Wayland said, seeing that he was defeated. "When Glaciee and i were fighting, it felt like she was just playing with me. As if a way to pass the time. I was lucky enough to get one hit. So i have to train harder, get faster. That way it won't happen again."

"Sigh, you know. You really are an idiot." Trusga told his commander.

"What?" Wayland asked looking up at him.

Trusga picked him up by his shirt and pulled him up to his face, the Lizardman's hot breath engulfing Wayland's area.

"You are not the only one that fights. You are not the only one with something on the line. Trust us to help you. To protect each other when on the field of battle." the Lizardman informed him, holding Wayland where his feet was dangling off the ground.

Trusga was angry, not just at his commander. He was angry at himself, for not being there when he was needed.

Trusga placed Wayland back on the ground. Releasing him, Trusga took a step back next to Synclade and Pricusla.

"Trust your allies, trust us and we'll be there." Trusga told him with a determined voice.

"Deal. I'm sorry for how i've been acting." Wayland said in a defeated tone.

"Took ya long enough." a voice commented.

Longing up the group saw that Ms. Kamil was standing on the edge of the clearing. Walking forward, she held out a clump of papers.

"Congratulations, Chaos Eaters. You have been formly registered as a party and been entered into the Guild-fest. I just needed to see that you had a level head before entering." Kamil informed them, handing the papers to Wayland.

"You knew?" Wayland asked, searching for hidden expressions.

"The Headmaster informed me of what transpired. I pushed for your registration and entrance, because i believe you are the next great heros of our age." Kamil told them, each one looking surprised that the Amazoness would say that.

"So, what do we do now?" Wayland asked, wondering what she was up to.

"The Headmaster told me to come here and train you. You have been excused from classes for the next month. After which you'll participate in the festival. Plus, what would people say if i trained the next batch of heros?" Kamil informed the group smiling wide.

"Hell month. When do we start?" Wayland asked, suddenly he dropped down to his hands and feet. Not just him, all of them dropped.

", Hell month starts now." Kamil stated to the group. "We'll start by running around the training ground. If you can't run then crawl."

****

Two weeks later.

****

"Invision the two spells balanced out, slowly form them in your mind. When they are fully formed, then release them at the targets." Kamil instructed, watching Pricusla sweat as she continued the exercise.

Turning to Trusga, she noticed that the Lizardman was lifting the large boulders with ease.

"Ah, good job Trusga. We'll step it up a notch. ." Kamil threw another boulder on top of the one he was holding up.

Trusga grunted as the weight was added, dropping down onto one knee.

"Wayland, you need to be faster. Synclade, aim for his feet. Pin him down. If you don't try, i'll have you running around the training ground until you throw up, then we'll try again." Kamil ordered the archer and the necromancer.

" Ma'am, yes, ma'am" Synclade called out as she shot arrow after arrow at Wayland's feet. Wayland dodged even faster as the arrows started to graze the top of his naked feet.

Suddenly the air froze for a moment, all of the trainees stopped to look toward a section of the forest where the entrance to the training room was.

A young woman in a light blue dressed with the sleeves pinned up on her shoulders, strode into the clearing where the party had made their base camp.

Kamil stared for a moment of suprise, then dropped down to one knee.

"My Queen, what honor do i deserve for this visit?" Kamil asked in a submissive tone, her head bowed before the young lady.

"Ahhh, Kamil. How have you been?" the young lady asked, pulling the trainer up to her feet. " I'm by myself, none of that now.

"But in front of my students, my Queen." Kamil started.

"Pfft, who is going to believe that the Amazon Queen came to admire the rigorous training of the ones who caught the eye of the instructor nicknamed ' Hell's Keeper '." the Amazon Queen informed her, laughing at the entire notion.

"Squad, front and center." Kamil ordered.

The Chaos Eaters formed a line behind Kamil, standing straight up.

"Easy, easy. I'm not even technically here." the Queen laughed. "Please call me Diena."

"Your Highness!!!" Kamil exclaimed, suprised at the remark.

"What? Oh, such a stickler for tradition. Geez lighten up. I know, how about we have a bout. Your strongest fighter against me." Diena requested her, smiling lightly. This was not a simple request, but rather an order to test her team. If she should happen to fall short.

"Yes ma'am, Cadet Wayland step forward." Kamil snapped.

Wayland stepped up, pulling his gauntlets out.

*Ding*

Defeat the Amazon Queen

Rewards: Gain influence in the Amazon Court. Gain favor for the Amazon Queen.>

"I don't do soft, even if you are royalty." Wayland commented, tightening the final straps down on his gauntlets.

Diena looked at Kamil, confused. Kamil nodded in confirmation.

" It's been so long since i had a real fight. Please try not to disappoint me." Diena informed the necromancer.

Wayland nodded, settling into a stance. He held his elbows up with his fists bent down. This was a style taught to him by his teacher in his past life. Muay Thai, the style of beating your opponent into subbmission.

"Huh, Muay Thai. Alright, we'll even it out." Diena informed him, settling into the same stance.

Kamil smirked, the Queen had been trained in all sorts of martial arts. Plus there was one other thing.

"Try not to die, it wouldn't be fun then." Diena stated as she struck out with her foot.

Wayland dodged the kick, but the ground beside him had a large crater from where the kick landed.

"Oops, i forgot to place the weights back on." Diena commented.

"Kamil? May I?" Wayland asked, waiting for permission.

"Go ahead." Kamil approved.

"Rise up, Shadow Wolf Pack. Rise up, Alpha Shadow Worg." Wayland commanded, his Shadow Pack rising from his shadow behind him.

"Pack, time to hunt." Wayland ordered, pointing to Diena. The pack had grown in level since he obtained them. Most of them were Level 3. The Alpha had rose one level, he was now Level 6.

"Oh, what fun. You never said you had a Void Walker." Deina told Kamil as she cracked her knuckles.

Wayland cocked an eyebrow, 'Void Walker?' He would have to research that later, right now he needed to focus on the fight.

"" Deina called out as she slammed her fist into the ground, causing the earth to fracture and shift.

Wayland saw this and jumped into a tree. His pack scattered and launched several attacks.

With each attack Deina beat off each one with ease. The Queen was having the time of her life.

After about two minutes of playing with the wolves, she grabbed one and threw it at Wayland.

Wayland dropped from the tree, and bounced off the balls of his feet. Aiming for her legs, Wayland called forth Gileon in his scythe form.

'Another hard one, Wayland.' Gileon commented, seeing what his master was doing.

'Yes, no killing.' Wayland told him.

'Hmph, no fun.' Gileon pouted.

Deina saw Wayland rushing at her, she dodged at the last second and went to go hammer him into the ground.

"" Wayland said out loud, grazing the Queen's shadow.

Suddenly the Amazon Queen lost all mobility. She struggled, only to find herself confined by her own shadow. The Queen started panting, her cheeks starting to blush.

'He defeated me. This means...' The Queen smirked, no one had beat her in all of her years of ruling. The last one had barely lost to her. Thus she had pushed herself in training everyday.

"I give. The match is yours." Deina informed Wayland, who nodded. His Shadow Pack sinking back into his own shadow.

"My Queen, are you okay?" Kamil asked worriedly.

"Kamil, i'm fine. But he did beat me." Deina informed her.

"Yes. I know what that means." Kamil told her.

Deina walked up to Wayland, who was being praised that he won such a hard bout. Suddenly Wayland was pulled into a searing kiss by her.

The silence that followed was crazy, it was as if the entire world had stopped for them.

'What?' Wayland thought when the sweet taste of tropical fruit left.

"You have defeated me in battle, thus by the ancient rules of the Amazons. You are now my husband." Deina informed him.

"What!?" the rest of the party exclaimed, looking at Wayland like he was a god.

Synclade turned and picked up her bow. She walked away to practice on her sniping. Her tears started to form as she walked.

"Wait. I'm just a teenager." Wayland informed her, trying to find a way out of this predicament.

"Wayland, you beat her fair and square. Plus, she has been looking for a husband for a while now." Kamil informed him.

"But.." Wayland started.

"Oh darling, we'll wait until you are done with your schooling to be properly married. Also as King you will have resources and aid for everything you could need." Deina informed him.

"And if i refuse?" Wayland asked the Amazoness.

Kamil pulled out her sword, "I will have to sacrifice her so that the Gods will be satisfied."

"Geez, fine. I mean there is no way out of it." Wayland commented, scratching his head. He looked at Synclade, who was shooting at a target that was about a 50 kilometers.

"I wish you the best in the Guild-fest. See you soon my darling and his companions. Bye Sis." Deina told them as she left, her cheeks glowing red.

'Oh i can't wait to see this festival this year.' Deina thought as she imagined the hot battles that her beloved would be subjected to.

Wayland slammed his fist into the ground, all the way to his elbow, "Damn."

"There is one way to get out of this." Kamil informed the boy.

"What's that?" Wayland asked, knowing that Kamil knew about his crush on Synclade.

"You have to lose to a stronger opponent in public." Kamil informed him.

"You mean." Wayland started to ask.

"Yes, you have to make it to the finals and then lose to your opponent. I know you want to win, but it's lose or be saddled with my sister." Kamil explained.

"Is she that bad?" Wayland asked, wondering if he made the right choice.

"No just that young. She thinks just because she's Queen that she can have everything she wants." Kamil stated, clapping her hands she got the attention of her students.

"Okay, i'll let you have a two more weeks till the festival." Kamil informed her students, "So let's get back to it."

"Yes Ma'am." The party replied.

****

Two weeks Later: Opening day

****

Wayland strapped his gauntlets on, and slid his dagger into his sheath on his hip. Kamil had given them an intersting emblem to wear, the emblem featured a Dragon's skull eating a demon. Each of his party had a different symbol on the skull, his was a scythe.

He still had some time before he had to line up with the rest of the Parties from the school so he did a quick look over his system menu.

< Main Menu

Name: Wayland

Race:Demi-human

Class: Mage (Necromancer)

Title: Warg Slayer

Level: 7 (150/1400)

Health: 450/450

Stamina: 400/400

Mana: 500/500

Stats:

Strength: 12

Defense: 11

Agility: 15

Charisma: 10

Dexterity: 13

Intelligence: 12

Wisdom: 5

Skills:

Heightened Sense (Passive): Level 9 (4/10)

Analyze: Level 3 (6/10)

Shadow Bind: Level 3 (5/10)

Shadow Revive: Level 1 (9/10)

Shadow Summon: Level 2 (2/10)

Shadow Command: Level 1 (8/10)

Shadow Step: Level 2 (6/10)

Weapon Skill:

Dagger Proficiency: Level 5 (2/10)

Stab: Level 2 (8/10)

Death's Shadow (1/20)

Scythe Proficiency: Level 6 (8/10)

Harvesters' Sweep: Level 1 (9/10)

Death's Harvest: Level 1 (1/20)

Unarmed Proficiency: Level 9 (2/10)

Earth Destruction: Level 2 (2/10)

Lightning Swing: Level 1 (3/10)

Death's Haymaker: Level 1 (1/20) >

'Huh, it's looking good. My opponets will be somewhere around Levels 10-15. I hope i can get through this.' Wayland thought, then he remembered what his friends said to him.

' "We are in this together." ' Wayland remembered what they had told him, as he got up to head out.

Suddenly the door to the changing room opened. Synclade came in wearing a tight outfit, her hair was up in a high ponytail with a single lock of hair over her right eye. She had a large great bow on her back, and two short swords on the small of her back.

Wayland stared at her in wonder. It was just like when he had left her in the other world.

"What?" Synclade asked, blushing slightly from the look Wayland was giving her.

"Huh, oh. Just, wow." Wayland said, dazed from her beauty.

"Come on Wayland, the others are waiting." Synclade informed her Captain, the title had be bestowed up him by Kalim after lasting 5 minutes against her in hand to hand combat. Trusga was given the title Commander. Pricusla was named Mage's Guard. Synclade had been given the title of Elite Sniper.

Synclade started to turn away, hesitating just a moment. A moment was all she needed to release all this frustration.

"Are you...?" Wayland started to ask, only to be stopped as Synclade kissed him fully. Holding him close, like he was going to disappear into the shadows and stay there.

Deina watched the scene from the end of the hall, she had come down to wish her new husband 'good luck'.

An idea began to form in her head. With that idea forming, Deina walked away back to her spectator box.

****

Half way through the Great Forest of Drigun

****

"My Lord Envy, were are you going?" the goblin advisor asked.

"To see something interesting. My spy has informed me of a certain individual. I'm going to see about it personally." Envy informed the goblin

"Oh, how generous my Lord. To check on an individual to see if they could be a valuable ally." the goblin instigated.

"Maybe Clard. Maybe." Envy told him in a thoughtful tone, before disappearing into the woods.

"Tch, ungrateful brat. Clard will one day kill you and take your title." Clard told the spot where Envy had left.

"One day. One.. blah?" Clard started, only to find himself choking. A large plated hand picked him up by the throat.

"You dare plot against my brethren, scum." A heavy voice asked him.

"No. No, My Lord Wrath. I was only kidding." Clard started begging, suddenly he stopped talking.

*Snap*

Wrath threw the goblin into the Warg Pits. The sound of flesh being ripped apart could be heard from the pits.

"Hurry Envy, I'm getting bored." Wrath told the darkness. His huge plated hand settling on a large great sword.