Astral stepped up to the stage, looking across to the other two who he had to face. One was dressed in robes, with a look of panic in his eyes, like he had just seen death. The other was in a nice looking suit. Mostly black with green accent colors. His hair jetted out all around him. Astral cracked his knuckles as the gods spoke their famous line. "Begin."
Astral stood his ground. Relaxing himself into his standard fighting pose. He would see the man in the suit pull something out as a scythe was summoned from thin air. Astral felt like he was slower, no, it can't be. The scythe wielding man closed the gap while throwing seven cards at Astral who would deflect them all.
These cards would land on the ground and face upward, showing all different values. Astral was confused at first but realized it was a lot like someone's ability, the twins. What it did would be different but it's giving this person an ability to keep up with Astral.
The man would slice downward at Astral's throat. Responding he would step closer to the man, ducking under the scythe. Jabbing his hand into the scythe and snapping it in two before kicking the man away.
The Scythe would instantly repair itself as a barrage of cards came at Astral, losing count of them. He smiled and Astral knew this would be fun. The man this time rushed Astral with a flurry of swipes from his opponent. Blocking each one up or down was challenging. Scythe experts are rare to face but have an extreme talent. Each swipe was narrowing in on Astrals dodge pattern.
Sending the blade in all different directions Astral saw the patterns and would be able to keep his distance just using his hands. Being able to push the blade in the directions he needs. Diddler knew better however.
Eventually the blade struck home. Astral's arm was caught between the pole and the blade ready to be sliced cleanly off. Acting on instinct he moved with the flow of the blade. Turning behind his opponent and knocking him down with an elbow to the head. Smiling sadistically, Astral looked over to the man in the robes.
"What's the matter you two, star caught your tongue?" Astral would speak while he looked back to the scythe man. Who pulled out another three cards. Slamming them to the ground. Seemingly making the place warp weirdly. Astral would charge the man, but feel sluggish while doing so.
One of the three was the joker. The man looked in sadness as he realized this was it. Having to give it his all now or never. The speed and aggression from the attacks increased. Each slash slowly getting closer to cutting the fabric on his clothes.
Astral wasn't worried, he saw the opening as he launched a punch straight at the core of the man. Who would parry it away and hit Astral with the backside of the scythe directly in the left side as he came down with the blade to finish off Astral.
Seeing this from the corner of his eye he reached up with his right arm and grabbed the scythe below the blade. "Not so sure of yourself now are you?" Astral would flick his wrist as Diddler went flying. Astral let go of the scythe as he seemingly launched from a platform in thin air. Slashing just shy of Astral's skull.
He would sidestep and avoid it. Diddler was drained and couldn't believe it. He was just too fast. Launching a kick at the man, Diddler was surprised that it connected and Astral didn't strike him down.
Astral wanted to finish this closer to one blow than one thousand. He wanted the practice of taking on a different fighter in a different style. Standing there Astral would just smile. "What, do you have lead feet weighing you down?" He would grab the foot and push Diddler back.
Not entertained in the slightest he would focus on one last attack string. Closing the gap and swinging his scythe creating a web of attacks as he moved so fast. Astral just stood there and took the attack.
No blood was to drop as Diddler was in shock. Astral would tap his shoulder from behind the man. "Good effort." Astral would comment on the man, Its time to finish this and move on to the other mouse in the arena. Astral took the intuitive.
Throwing a left hook at the well dressed man he would counter with a slash at his waist. Dropping his right arm he would drop the blade too low to do any harm as it slices his shirt. With his momentum Astral launched a kick with his right leg directly at the man's skull.
Reacting he pulled a card out and was able to block it before having his arm be shattered. "Aww. you don't have a name. I'd hate to kill you without knowing it." He grabbed the man by his hair, tossing him upwards.
"Diddler. . ." The man spoke softly. After hearing his name, Astral smiled.
"Now rest easy." With the click of his katana, the man had fallen to the ground limp. Astral put him out of his misery. Now time for the runt in the robes. Who was digging his own grave. Astral walked up to him and grabbed him by the throat. Hoisting him upwards he saw a fearful man. "Why do people like you exist? There is plenty to fear, but overcoming it is how to become a better person." A slight buzz was going on inside of his head.
"One day you shall see the things I see. If you keep apon the path you are on, great stories will be told of your adventures, but many disasters will happen-" The voice was cut off, Astral was clamping down slightly harder.
"I don't fear prophecies, only actions." Astral looked up as the man clawed at Astrals arms.
With the words sputtering from his mouth "Including the death of the one you care so much-" everyone heard the snap from his neck being crushed and shattered. Astral dropped the body. Having an ominous feeling that he would be right.
Walking back to his corner of the arena he would be shyly embraced by Jaimie. "Do you think what he said was true? With the future being a great story but at the cost of lots of death?" She had a worried look.