Ales Pov:
Hmm , I went ahead of time because of excitement but there was no need to come here so early . I guess I'll swing my weapon a little bit for the meantime.
Ales went to the venue of the tournament which was in front of the house of his father's killer .
I'm not quite affected by the fact that he killed our father anymore it's in the past after all but that doesn't mean I have forgotten what he did .
Eventually we will cross paths with him someday but today I'll have to focus on the tournament like Asterio have said .
And one thing is much more crucial , I have forgotten about him because of Asterio . I haven't told him about the other participants joining the tournament .
Keyn.
He is the son of the neighboring Datu and the most threatening competitor on the tournament other than Norja , last year I lost against him during the final battle and lost the qualifications to get my own batok , the recognition every warrior wanted . To get a batok is to win the tournament but last year a hurdle called Keyn suddenly appeared .
If he participated this year also then clearly he's the favorite to win .
As Ales was deep in thoughts ,
Slaaap *
YOU'RE EARLY !
Norja slapped Ales in the back who had been quiet for a long time .
Why did you do that for , the tournament is near you know what if I get injured .
Then that's more welcomed, I get to fight you on a weakened state hahaha !
You coward , fight me when I'm at best . What now , are you the same as the Datu now huh ?
Woah - don't compare to him that's a little rude .
That word , seriously ? Coming from you .
I know what he did to your father , I'm not as deplorable as him yet so don't compare him to me . I was calling you for a while now but you aren't responding so I hit you , come on don't be sensitive it's much more painful when getting hit by a weapon why complain when it's a
just a weak slap .
You're right , I was too deep in thoughts . Anyway why are you so early ?
Why ask ? Aren't you the same , I'm excited that's all. By the way is it alright not to come along with your brother ? He doesn't know where the tournament will be held right ?
I'm sure he'll be fine . Let him sleep for a while he's been so busy the past month training and making dishes for us everyday .
Seriously he's done so much for us this days . To think with that little body we lost to him ? Haha
That's why he trains us , so we also have to prove to him that we have grown it'll be shameful if we lost again .
I guess you're right .
This time we'll have the recognition that we deserve .
Last year we couldn't get our batok and lost the qualifications to be the best , you haven't told that to Asterio right ?
Yeah , I haven't had the chance to tell him.
He knows we are the strongest warriors after all.
We're not lying about it because we really are the strongest here.
Someone stronger than us huh --- Are you referring to him then , the one who defeated you last year ?
Yeah , it's Keyn .
He is called gifted by the god's for a reason .
At first I didn't also believe it until I faced him , it's no exaggeration that he was being called born to be a warrior must be nice by being gifted .
If he's gifted then all we have to do is train harder don't you think so ? Haven't we been practicing everyday to defeat them and prove that being gifted alone mean you're the strongest .
That's a surprise coming from you Norja but that's true . Maybe being with Asterio has improved your mind .
What do you mean by that ???? Are you saying I was a foool?!
I haven't said such a thing , you said it yourself .
Ales and Norja were talking when suddenly the crowd suddenly become noisy , cheers could be heard from a far.
It's them .
No doubt , from the response of the crowd it has to be them Keyn plans to participate this year also.
What do you think Ales , can you defeat him right now ?
Of course I can but I can't lower my guard. I have learned that a lot from fighting Asterio after all , last year was a total mess but this year is different . Let's win this and face each other in the finals !
Our rematch is nearing before we know it.
Once and for all we'll know who is the strongest with the both of us , of course it's gonna be me .
Say whatever you want but this shield of mine wouldn't be penetrated by such a flimsy weapon ...
Norja laughed provoking Ales .
You only mentioned about us and Keyn , have you forgotten about him ? Asterio is also participating under Cerlot's request .
Asked by Norja .
Now that you say it , don't tell me he's lost again ?
What again !? Last time he was left behind he was found unconscious , I told you to come along with him what if something happens to him again .
I have a bad feeling about this , I'll go check up on him . Why does he get in trouble everytime he's alone .
I hope nothing happens or else Eya would kill me for sure this time .
He is strong right now so I doubt anything would happen out of the ordinary since he could defeat us both remember ?
While Ales and Norja were talking a shout of a girl was heard .
It's coming from the crowd that Keyn was .
What happened ? I just heard a screaming girl from Keyn's location .
Let's go check on it .
When they arrived little did they expect , Asterio was being ganged upon by the group of Keyn . Ales was was enraged witnessing his brother armless pinned on the ground by three men .
Keyn was wielding his sword and was ready to swing his sword when suddenly Norja rushed to the pinned Asterio on the ground unlike Ales whose eyes is bloodshot wanting to kill Keyn at any moment.