"Well fuck," I said to myself knowing this was most definitely going to hurt like hell.
---------------------------------------------------------------
I thought I was going to die, but seconds after the explosion I noticed something odd. It didn't actually hurt as much as I thought it would, and it didn't do as much damage as I thought either. Was it because it wasn't a direct hit?
Only monsters have health bars so I couldn't really see how much damage I took, but I only had a couple ripped clothes and a couple scratches, nothing compared to the terra dragon fight. This gave me a surge of confidence as Pulli looked at me surprised as well
"This might be harder than I thought," we both thought to ourselves as we both got ready to fight again. Smiling at each other in excitement it was time to continue this duel.
QUEEN SIRENS PERSPECTIVE
Both Pulli and the human looked at each other, their gazes told me two things.
They were having fun, a lot of fun.
And they respected each other.
I couldn't help but lean over my chair in excitement, I couldn't help but think about the outcome of this event.
The human charges at Pulli another time preparing what seemed to be the same kind of mysterious magic as before, Pulli responds by putting up a light barrier instead of dodging as it failed last time. The human confidently and naively punches the light barriers, to me and Pulli's surprise he shattered the barrier, but we both knew what would happen next.
In the instant he broke the barrier he was blinded by the light seeping out of the once full barrier. As he was blinded Pulli uppercut the human as hard as he could and sent him flying. Pulli then used a stringless bow knowing he could get a direct hit on the human while he was airborne.
"THIS IS THE END OF THE BATTLE HUMAN, YOU FOUGHT WELL," Pulli yelled as loud as he could as he let go of the powerful arrow.
I sat back in my chair assured yet disappointed knowing this duel was Pulli's win. As I watch the arrow fly swiftly towards the human I close my eyes and get ready to announce the winner of the duel. I feel the intense light energy created by the impact of Pulli's light-vortex arrow, I then open my eyes to confirm the winner.
As the remaining light clears out, I see the silhouette of the human. How could this be? He is perfectly fine?!
"Venus," I called for my maid swiftly.
"Yes, your highness?" She asks as instantly blinks in tucking her purple wings in and leaving a lighting trail behind her.
"Get me my celestine glass, quick," I say sternly.
"Right away your highness," she bows with haste and blinks away once again leaving sparks behind.
Back in an instant she hands me the glass.
Upon closer inspection of the human using my celestine glass I noticed that my original assumption was incorrect. Though the human stayed conscious after taking a massive blow, he was most definitely not unscathed. He stood still, his legs were shaking uncontrollably and his right arm bleeding profusely. What amazed me was he stood there still smiling, though he was heavily damaged physically, his spirit laid untouched.
"HAHAHAHAHA," I couldn't help but let out that nasty laugh. The whole room became deafeningly quiet as they looked at me in befuddlement, as well as the human and Pulli being equally confused.
"MAGNIFICENT YOU TWO, ABSOLUTELY AMAZING DISPLAY OF SKILL," I shouted with an amused yet satisfied voice.
"I DECLARE THIS DUEL OVER AS A TIE, YOU WILL BOTH RECEIVE REWARDS." Suddenly the crowd erupts into an incredible cheer. Though many were surprised with the results, they commended both the human and Pulli for an incredible fight, but some people dissatisfied with the result of the duel flew away swiftly.
I look at the human and Pulli hoping to see confirmation on their faces, the human looks at me with satisfaction and relief as he struggles incredibly to keep standing. Pulli quickly looks at me with agreement.
"Venus, prepare the rewards for our two competitors, and prepare a feast in celebration," I say with excitement as I am famished.
She nods in silence and quickly dashes away. I as well start to make my way to the palace.
Suddenly the aura of the human completely changes. So much so that it sent chills down my spine. I rushed back to the arena to see what happened. The human demeanour completely changed, letting off an immense amount of fear and anger. What is going on? I sense no clairvoyance magic so this has to be his real current emotions.
WHY ARE YOU MESSING WITH ME AGAIN," the human yells in a ballistic manner as he falls on his knees.
I start to sense a familiar magic emitting from him. It sends many more shivers down my spine as I look at the human in concern.
What changed?!
OLIVERS PERSPECTIVE
--------------------
Milestone reached: 5 million pounds raised
Most money raised by: Anonymous donator
Quest created by The Entity: Kill Pulli on your next punch
Punishment: Your blood boils :)
Reward: Return back to Earth
--------------------
A feeling of Deja Vu hits me as I see the dreadful quest.
Again?! Why again?! "WHY ARE YOU MESSING WITH ME AGAIN."
I slowly stand up looking towards the floor. I am silent, and stay silent as I contemplate what to do. I
I want to go home.
I take a deep breath, I need to think about this properly. The shuffling of people suddenly becomes noiseless as I feel my breath echo within my head. I try to focus on anything outside of this isolating focus I have on words I had just read. I am being told to fully kill another being. And as much as this is like a game, there is no respawn for anyone, including Pulli. I feel my heartbeat reverberate within me as the consequences and thoughts regarding this quest engulf my mind.
"But he isn't human so it doesn't matter." Of course it matters, he's a living creature, but I couldn't look at it this way if I wanted to get out. After all, that is all I've been fighting for. It's been the only thing motivating me to keep going. I felt as though everyone, on Earth and the audience scrutinised my every thought as I desperately tried to retain what made me human. The overhanging leer of the spectators was suffocating as I was pressured to make a decision.
"But I can't go home if I don't," I stop to think. It hit me that this was perhaps the only way back. Maybe a quest of mercy. Maybe the entity has found another human to toy with and he's done with me.
I contemplate my choices . I can either kill Pulli and go home living with the guilt, or take the punishment, whatever it is supposed to be, and continue life here, knowing I still managed to cling on to whatever morals I still abide to. Morals that make me human in an inhuman reality.
Instantly I remember what happened the last time I failed a punishment, I swiftly grab my right arm remembering the pain I went through.
I thought back to this dilemma "he's just an animal right? Yeah he's just a bird, nothing like a human." HAHA, it's not like what I matter to anyway. HAHAHA this isn't even my fault, it's The Entity's" I laughed nervously, realising I had come to a decision.
I mean it won't even matter if Pulli dies because I'll just go home and I won't have to deal with whatever shit they throw at me. YEAH, I'LL JUST KILL HIM AND GO HOME, IT DOESN'T MATTER. HAHAHA I'LL JUST GO ALL IN THEN.
[Mana punch, 30,000 mana]
I DON'T CARE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS ANYMORE, JUST LET ME GET AWAY FROM THESE QUESTS.
Black magic appears around my fist and slowly goes up my arm reaching my neck. It burns and my arm is so heavy I am forced to use my left arm to hold it up.
"I'M SORRY PULLI, I'M SO SORRY," I cried as I sloppily ran towards Pulli struggling to keep balance. He stares at me in pure fear so much so he can't move and he just
Stares.
I stand in front of him, unstable black magic surrounding my arm as I slowly lift it up and get ready to punch. And all he does is
Stare.
"I'm sorry," I cried and let out a hollow laugh and looked at Pulli. And all he does is
Smile.
He looks at me with sympathy, as if understanding my intention
I go for the punch, I need to end this misery, this isn't my life.
In that instant the once clear sky fills with clouds. Though I get distracted and look around mesmerized by the instantaneous change in weather I quickly remember what needs to be done. I swing my punch using my left hand to carry support and aim for Pulli's face that stares at me and smiles without regret.
"Finally it's all ov-
"VENTUS CLYPEUS."
*BANG*
Right as my fist is about to make contact with Pulli's face a shield of wind instantly forms in front of my fist. The black magic that once surrounded my fist was sucked by a vortex created by the shield. The runes flying through the shield like birds light up and all the black magic instantly dissipates.
The queen flies down from the stand and looks at me in disgust as I stare at the shield in utter shock and dismay.
*GRABS*
"WHY DID YOU STOP ME?" I scream at her as I stare her down "WHY DID YOU HAVE TO INTERFERE? THIS WAS MY ONLY CHANCE I HAD, THE CHANCE WAS GIVEN TO ME. I NEED TO GO HOME, WHY?" I looked at her unchanging face, yet to no avail of receiving an answer "WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, " I yell as I continuously punch her on the chest with whatever strength I had left as the queen looks down at me unfazed by my anger and begs.
She then uses her wings to lift herself off the ground and grabs me by the talons from her feet, she then flies away from Pulli. When we reach the opposite side of the arena she drops me on the floor and I grunt in pain as she stares at me from above.
"LYMPHA CARCEREM."
Suddenly a massive water is pulled from what appeared before. The water starts to surround the queen and I cut out anyone else. Flowing through the water runs bright yellow runes.
"Now human, we are alone, no one can hear us nor get inside, now I have a question for you."
I grunt at her, still angered by her previous interruption.
"What is your connection to The Entity?"