After the match was over, the loser was going to get transported away. Azure knew that much. What he didn't know, however, was that as soon as Axel's body disappeared, his body would also disappear.
He appeared inside the fighting ring and amidst the enthusiastic cheers from the crowd that was watching him, he left and went to the waiting room.
A few unfamiliar faces greeted his line of vision and… what was she doing here? He furrowed his brows as soon as he caught a glimpse of Tamra's green hair.
He walked to her almost immediately and instead of a casual or amicable greeting, asked her. "Did you get eliminated?"
Tamra didn't seem to mind his rudeness though. She nodded slightly. She budged her head to the side where Kevin sat down, flanked on each side by a male figure.
"It's okay though". She said. "Now I don't have to fight you or…". She considered her words. "Actually, now I don't have to fight you".
Azure sighed in relief. "It would've been hard having to kill you".
Tamra raised a brow. "You wouldn't kill me, I'll make you suffer and beg for mercy before slowly draining your body of the little life and vigor that it has left".
The words that came out of Tamra's lips sounded as if she was making a joke. It didn't stop a bead of sweat from traveling to Azure's forehead. What scared him was the fact that he was very sure that she could actualize those words of hers.
A few minutes later, Sticks walked into the waiting room and headed towards them. His face showed no surprise at all when he saw Tamra waiting. He turned to Azure immediately, "You got eliminated?"
Azure shook his head. "You?"
"No, I won them disappeared all of a sudden". Sticks said.
Tamra sighed. "They're giving you a break. The next set of matches are the semi-finals so they're not going to have them simultaneously". She explained.
Azure and Sticks nodded in understanding.
"Alright, it's almost time for the semi-finals". The middle-aged man announced. "Will the four semi-finalists please step forward".
Azure, Sticks, Kevin, and a youth who looked in his early twenties stepped forward.
The youth had curly black hair which fell over his forehead a little. His blue eyes hovered between the trio that were in front of him. He didn't wear anything special, just a long-sleeved black shirt and blue jeans. There was a sword strapped to his waist.
"Just so you know, getting to the semi-finals means that you have all earned one star separate from the prizes of the contest". The middle-aged man said.
Azure did the maths in his head. He had six stars previously, adding this one made it seven stars. So if he wins then… he becomes a worker!
"Now there are two folded pieces of paper in my hands". The middle-aged man stretched out his hand. "Kevin and James, your names are in the two pieces of paper. Azure and Sticks you are to pick a piece of paper and read out the name of your opponent".
Azure was a bit disappointed. He thought that the church would have a flashier way of generating opponents.
He and Sticks both picked a piece of paper from the hand of the middle-aged man. Sticks unfolded the piece of paper and read out the name of his opponent. "James"
Azure didn't bother to unfold his piece of paper and spoke. "Kevin".
"Alright then". The middle aged man started walking out of the waiting room. "Follow me".
He led them to the stage. This time it was the leader of the Gabriel squad that stood behind the pulpit.
"The four of you have the right to be here because you're the four best workers this year". Gabriel said while resting on the podium. "This semi final fight is what will truly bring out the best in you. There will be no concealment of strength". Azure turned to Sticks. "There will be no saving trump cards. Everything will be on the line".
"Good luck, and goodbye". Gabriel finished talking and made his way back to his seat.
As soon as Gabriel finished talking, a golden light enveloped the four figures inside the fighting stage. The golden light dispersed soon after leaving nothing in its wake.
***
Trees, bushes, shrubs. Those were the only things that Azure could make out in his current surroundings. Tall trees surrounded him, there were occasionally small patches of bushes growing around the tall trees and shrubs surrounding them, but for the most part, it was tall trees.
There was a clearing a few meters in front of him. It was a three hundred meter perimeter square shaped clearing. That left seventy five meters of length per side.
Azure walked towards the clearing and saw Kevin waiting for him.
"You want to save yourself the trouble and call quits?" Kevin asked jokingly.
Azure shook his head and Kevin smiled bitterly. "I didn't think so".
"You have a lot to pay for actually". Azure said while he unsheathing his sword.
"Like what?" Kevin removed one of his swords from its scabbard and pointed it at Azure.
"First, you beat my friend". Azure said, then his lips curled upward. "And second, I don't like your face".
Kevin frowned after he heard Azure'a words. "We'll see whose face looks good after the fight".
Azure gave him a meaningful smile. "Yeah, we'll see".
"Azure, Kevin, are you ready?" Azure recognized the voice of the middle aged man.
Both answered in the affirmative. "You may begin!"