It all happened too fast.
One moment we were surrounded by a horde of spiders with the main spider in sight the next moment they were all gone.
One person stood amongst them.
Jericho Pearson the Dragonclad.
The forest was filled with this burnt smell as if wildfire was nearby. However, there was no fire or smoke nearby. I examined Jericho's body "Steam?" I questioned myself as if he had come out of a sauna.
"He took it out just like that?" Ezekiel says in shock.
Albeck waits in silence not saying a word.
"What's with the look Valerus shocked that I took that thing out. Pfft that was nothing to what I had to endure while training" With a grin on his face Jericho extends his right arm out and a long sword appears as he walks ever so slowly to me.
"A long sword," I say.
"Valerus you promised that we shall battle at the exam now here is the moment"
I prepared my weapons and swiped both my weapons to the side removing the spider's blood. I prepared my blade in a reverse grip in my right hand and placed my scythe in my left. "I did promise you that. Well come at me"
DASH
"You got it"
"Holy crap. A Flash step"
He looked to jam his long sword to my just but likely I was able to react just in time to block his attack with my scythe. Using his momentum I was able to backflip off the block and release my scythe. The scythe was sent hurling directly at Jericho but he dodged it moving his body slightly to the right.
He then again got up in my face.
Again nearly blocking his advances.
Ezekiel and Albeck respectfully watch us fight it out with Ezekiel showing some care "Valerus if things get ugly am jumping in"
Jericho turns to Ezekiel "You want in this too Twelve Star? You're more than welcome. How about you Mr. S Rank Mage wanna hop in"
CLASH
"Your fight is with me Jericho," I said with an intense expression. Using all the skills Marko taught me I tried my best to match Jericho's speed and power. Although it would be nice to get my scythe as that is my preferred weapon. However, in the process of retrieving the scythe Jericho wouldn't let me get near it.
The both of us exchanged in a battle of counters it was all up to whoever was faster. In an instant, I found that out very quickly.
-------------------------------------
STEP STEP STEP
"Azalea wait up" Lily calls out for her sister.
"C'mon there just up ahead," Azalea says as they hurry.
"Ugh these dead spiders and that awful burning smell"
"It isn't that bad that means someone must have taken that thing out" Bella remarks.
"Were close"
VOOSH
A gust of air slightly blows back Azalea as Jericho and Valerus engage in their duel.
"Woah stay back" Bella pulls Azalea back from the battle.
"Hey you guys are here" Ezekiel calls out waving his arms back and forth. "Help her out" Ezekiel points to a worn-out Bianca.
The three slowly and carefully sneak around the duel and make it to Ezekiel.
"Oh gosh, what happened?" Azalea wonders as a bed of Azalea flowers goes around Bianca.
"Mana Mana?"
"Mana Exhaustion" Albeck finishes the sentence. "Yes, your right" Albeck.
Lily and Bella watch Azalea on the side as she heals Bianca. "Who took out the Spider?" Bella asks.
Ezekiel points at Jericho "He did"
"Really I guess he wasn't all talk and I thought he was a pretty rich boy. I guess he can back it up"
"The unique thing was he didn't even use his weapon on the spider and was also emitting Smoke," Albeck says.
"Smoke? Burning? So it was him that was creating that." Lily says.
"You guys could smell it?"
"Yeah of course it started way back over there by the lake we were at" Azalea says.
"Hmm," Albeck thinks to himself.
"What are you thinking out partner?" Ezekiel asks. "His Magic might be either smoke or fire-based magic. We'll just have to see how the match with Valerus will progress"
The two duos stand close to one another as they watch the match.
Lily hits Bella on the arms and motions with her head.
Bella slightly nods.
"I wonder how many rings these two have," Bella says to herself.
"Maybe we can beat them," Lily thinks.
Albeck and Ezekiel glance at one another.
"There a duo also. We saw how good their chemistry is with one another"
"Do they wanna fight?"
All four are trapped in their heads. At that moment.
BOOM
The two duos are now facing one another.
"You guys what the hell" Azalea yells.
"It's still a tournament. And I want to move on" Albeck says.
"Everyone duo for themselves," Ezekiel says with excitement.
"Taking care of you two is one less duo to worry about," Bella says with determination.
"Azalea did you forget? We have to move on" Lily reminds Azalea.
IRON CREATION MAGIC: PILLAR OF CREATION
STAR MAGIC: ON THE HUNT
-----------------------------------
In the headmaster's room at Aurora Saint Academy
"Looks like our students are finally battling one another," Ariana says playfully clapping her hands. "Let's see who will win"
Taz and Carmen look on with focus as both their students engage in a one-on-one duel.
"Look Valerus and the Dragonclad" Faith points up at the projection. "They seemed evenly matched."
"No," Axel says. "Look at it closely Faith"
Faith squints her eyes and moves her head forward. "What the hell?" Faith shocked.
"By the blind eye, some would say they were matching and blocking each other but someone with trained eyes can clearly see Valerus is barely catching up"
GULP GULP
"Valerus makes a great weapons mage but Jericho seems to have control and mastery with his" Ceaser remarks.
"Our attention is all averted to that match but" Axel looks at the other projection. "What are you doing Jonathan?"
"Captain it seems the fellow dragonclad is winning isn't that great?!" Alekzander says with enthusiasm.
Captain Caldwell watches "Is that all you got son of Marko? Or is it that Jericho just trained his ass off?"
"Hey Taz isn't that your student as well? He's racking up their rings with Sunneta. But are they really just going to stay there?" Ariana asks.
Taz doesn't respond for a moment as he watches Stage 2 go on. "He is waiting. He studied and knows his rules and what is where. He's a smart kid. You wont know what he'll do next." Taz remarks.
---------------------------------
South The Greater Forest of Aiz
"Another commotion" Jonathan.
"So are we just going to stay here?" Sunneta complains.
"Patients are key. good things come to those who wait" Jonathan enlightens her.
"Alright but may I ask what we are waiting for?"
"Oh it's almost about time," Jonathan smirks as he looks at the countdown.
Sunneta looks on in confusion.
BUBBLE BUBBLE
[13 minutes 32 duos remain]
----------------------------------
Eriko & Rose
[Location: South West The Fog of Eternal Memories Rings: 2]
Valerus & Bianca
[Location: North East Rings: 4]
Ezekiel & Albeck
[Location: North East Rings: 8]
Bella & Lily
[Location: North East Rings: 6]
Suneeta & Jonathan
[Location: South Rings: 10]
Azalea & Jericho
[Location: North East Spiders Rings: 2]