"Uggh!."
A leopard beastman wakes up to find himself in an infirmary. Surrounding him were bodies of the tournaments participants.
"Tch,I lost." He says irritated
The beastman looks around to see Erwin an another participant was brought over to the infirmary, escorting the unconscious elcen were two guards discussing something among themselves.
"I can't believe they put us off the gig, we'd get paid more there than here." The guard says sighing
"Ya think Rashid got the hero killed by now." The guard beside him says putting the unconscious Erwin in bed.
"Who knows, the pesky thing might still be kicking for all we know."
"Anyways we have to keep this under wraps , we don't know who might be listening." A 3rd guard says wearily
"Ya reckon its too late." The beastman says appearing behind the guards
"O-o-otto!." The 3 turn around stuttering his name.
"Tell me everything, before i bash all ya skulls." Otto gestures by punching a hole through the wall.
"Y-yessir!." The guards say in unison
-The Arena-
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WITH THIS WE CONCLUDE THE PRELIMINARIES , GIVE OUR 8 CONTESTS A ROUND OF APPLAUSE!."
"HUBERT THE ORAIAN."
"ROSTOFF THE MYSTERIOUS DRAGONKIN."
"RUEN THE STILL SWORD."
"KEITH OF THE UNALIGNED."
"JACKAL OF THE UNALIGNED."
"GEORGE OF THE UNALIGNED."
"DJOVAK THE BLOODHAVEN ARCHER."
"AND OUR VERY OWN CHAMPION , MS SARA THE DUAL SWORDS MISTRESS."
"WHICH ONE OF THESE 8 SHALL BE LUCKY...*ahem* STRONG ENOUGH TO MAKE THE FINALS FOR A CHANCE TO RECEIVE OUR SOVEREIGN GOOD WILL, FOR US THE SPECTATORS IT WON'T BE LONG AS THE TOURNAMENT SHALL RESUME AND MAY THE STRONG PREVAIL."
The tournament had reached its quarter-final stage contests are yet again called upon to compete their injuries are of no concern to the Sultan and his oasis subjects.
The semi-final runner ups appeared through magical postings
Ruen vs Rostoff
Jackal vs Hubert
Sara vs Keith
Djovak vs Geroge
Ruen takes up to the stage followed by Rostoff , they size each other up calmly neither starting a conversation for they will let their swords do the talking.
"Ruen the still sword on one hand and the mysterious Rostoff on the other, what a thrilling start." The announcer says to the crowd as they cheered loudly
"ARE OUR CONTESTS READY?." he looks onto both each give a silent nod.
A fissure appeared in the air as Rostoff brings out an otherworldly looking sword from thin air, Ruen simply holds onto his sword's hilt awaiting the sign.
"Best of luck to both you and you may
FIGHT!."
Rostoff launches an attack on Ruen who in turn unsheathes his sword, a loud clang was heard as both swords clashed. Rostoff looks at the man as if he's familiar to him and asks.
"Have we met before old geezer."
"15 moons ago at Southern Oraia, when the Oraian retreated." He replies sombrely
"And R'ual burning our only permanent settlement." He says
"I see , so you are that child."
"How does it feel , to have your sole blunder stand before you Commander." Rostoff says pushing
"I feel regretful, I'd appeased my ego and let a child live and to have madness consume the live I've saved is unfortunate." Ruen replies pushing back
"Let me tell you this old geezer, I have naught a grudge against you or the charges that burned my village, I thank you for sparing me by doing so I've been given a chanc3 for vengeance." He says eyes glowing as he pushed Ruen 30 meters off.
"In that case , I will fight you with all I have." Ruen starts to moving and slashes forward Ruen attempted to block however the strike was too fast for his reflexes.
Rostoff abdomen glowed a faint glow unnoticed by Ruen resulting in a small piece of metal appearing on his left side a clank of metal is heard as Ruen's sword was deflected. Rostoff took this chance to kick him with a reinforced iron leg wear.
"Guffow."
Ruen guffawed and fell his vomit colored the ground, Rostoff looks down on the old man , he held his hair as he lifted him up repeatedly headbashing him with his iron encased forehead.
"You were much stronger when I was a helpless welp." He says before tossing him away.
"Sultan , we have to stop this at once. This isn't a bout its a one sided mockery." Reifa says enraged
"Ruen held back and this was the result, a dull blade should be discarded." He replies in cold fury.
"Princess look Mr. Ruen is standing on his feet."
"Stop this at once, Ruen!." Reifa yells out
Ruen looks at the princess and smiles to himself, 'an old murderer like me deserves naught pitty.'
"Master Ruen , are you sure you can compete?." Asks the announcer
"Yes.' have unattended business with that boy." He says to himself' ".
The announcer and the crowd look on shocked but nonetheless the fight continued.
"I was much stronger you say, when I was just killing the weak." Ruen takes a stance saying his final piece "guilt ate my insides for as long as I lived, the weak self that stands before you was the same man that burned , maimed and killed in the name of his lordship. I haven't an ounce strength and I envied that boy for it." Smiling to himself He looks back remembering the youngblood.
"Geezer, I won't hold back." Ruen says eyes narrowed
"I ask that you humor this old man for this bout." He says as energy seeped out of his body.
"relentless." He says fondly reciprocating his intent
And so begins a battle at its most earnest a boy who had naught but rage and an elderly warrior consumed / drowning in guilt.
Ruen steps lightly leaping in the air launching his eastern sword at Rostoff, Rostoff moves directly to intercept their clash produce brilliant sparks. The crowd look in awe as the two seasoned warriors display their uncanny ability Ruen style swift strikes and Rostoff impregnable defense neither has the upper hand for the moment.
"Sword technique, Reaper's edge!."
The power eminating from Ruen's swift sharpened strike proved difficult to handle for Rostoff summoned swords
"It takes more to bring me down geezer!." He says as he breaks his sword repelling his him producing another to strike at his opening.
"I figured as much." Ruen says calmy as he steps backwards takes his stance and glowing furthermore he sets his sights on his opponent.
Rostoff stands in awe , he had faced the hero and had lost to his power however weak that old man may be , he still idolized him somewhat.
"Sword technique, raging thunder!."
He launches himself sword in hand moving in zig zag like patterns the earth scorched from his residual energy.
"Time to end this."
Rostoff responds in turn he summons his greatest treasure from his hidden compartment.
'Enthal's horn
He swings a large bastard sword against Ruen's raging thunder a loud explosion had ensued as powers clashed the crowd, Sara and the royal spectators wait with abated breath for a winner.
Rostoffs armor broke down completely he could barely hold his sword as he heaves , Ruen on the other hand had fell down completely.
"A-AND THE WINNER IS ROSTOFF."
"Geezer, you have my respect." He says bowing slightly before moving away from the field.
As he moves away he glances at Sara on her way to assist her fallen comrade. She turns to him and says
"I'll kill you." With every ounce of hatred
"hmph." He moves away paying her no mind at all.
The tournament continues with Djovak the bloodhaven archer facing off against George the axe wielding non-aligned beastman, the two engaged in a cat and mouse-esque pursuit i.e George giving chase to the hit and run sniper Djovak. It took no longer than a few dozen of a minutes to ware off George for Djovak to take his strike thus winning the ill-paired matchup.
The crowd would soon forget about the match as the highlights take onto the stage.
"We're back with another electrifying match , Sara the dual blade mistress faces off against a talented non-aligned Elven swordsman Keith!."
"Give them a round of applause!."
Loud cheers reverberate accross the arena as the two contestants take to the stage, Keith a typically handsome Elven male steps forward , followed by the feline halfman Sara .
Sara looks back at Rostoff seated in the back , glaring daggers at him.
"Looking at opponents other than me, the gull you have is unbearable, it matters naught for you shall lose!." Says Keith
"..." she readies herself as she ignored his taunt
"READY!."
"FIGHT!."
Sara runs up at Keith her ridiculous speed leaving no trace of her presence she appears right infront of Keith who takes a verticle swing , she steps back jumps to a level where her knee meets his face.
Keith's body fly off the ground before reuniting in its embrace . He stands up unsteadily and quavers as he speaks.
"You dare insult a swordsman of my standing w-with this farce of an attack . I demand a sword duel not w-whatever this is!."
"Tch, you should have fell." Sara clicks her tongue in annoyance and points her swords
She lunges an attack towards Keith who holds his sword in anticipation. She appears right before him slashing her twin blades in cross ways. Keith parries the first strike only to be hit by another after which produced a combo Sara slashed at her opponents armor , gear and skin. Leaving Keith no chance to retaliate.
Reifa watches her friend's rampage horrified expression paints her delicate features.
"She was never this vicious " she says to no one
"That indeed, something must have spurred her to act that a way." The Sultan replied in disinterest as to him the tournament had been nothing short of a disappointment
"She was distant ever since we arrived here." Reifa adds
"Do you think it has anything to do with the tavern we ran accross?." Kayla asks
"Tavern?, you mean the place the guards swarmed. I never saw the sign." Reifa ponders
"Albaraia's tavern, Inir fetch the royal guard chief." The Sultan says raising an eyebrow
"Apologies your lordship , Rashid has been absent for the day. Would his deputy suffice?." He asks
"bring him here." He beckons
It didn't take long for Keith to fall while the soectators were nothing short of flabbergasted by Sara's sudden change of attitude.
"Is it really alright to announce this." The announcer talks to his staff unsure
"He's not moving at all." Replies the stuff
The announcer takes it as a queue and announces the obvious winner.
"G-GIVE IT UP FOR OUR WINNER SARA!."
The crowd cheers feverishly as Sara moves away from the commotion onto the seatings where she again stares daggers at Rostoff.
"...." Reifa looks on unsure when a knock a guard suddenly appears next to their seats
"Your Lordship! , Your highness!." The deputy captain of the guard salutes
"Tell me what happened to Sara , and do not cut details." The Sultan says giving the man a scrutinizing gaze
"Y-yes your lordship!
It all started around the day , I was the invsstigative officer at the event where the murder of Joseph Albaraia occurred we unknowingly allowed Sara inside the crime scene, although she didn't hamper the investigation it was a mistake on our part. Apologies your lordship." He says trembling
"Mr. Albaria was murdered?." Reifa looked in disbelief
"I can't imagine what Ms.Sara's going through at the moment." Kayla adds
"Tell us about the murder, how did his life end?." The Sultan raises an eyebrow
"It was a stab through the chest, the weapon is likely a sword, we've yet to narrow down a suspect Captain Rashid put the case on hold." He says
"I see, that corrupt bastard was most likely bribed. Had his father not been an old friend i'd have killed him several moons ago." The Sultan says grimly
"You knew and you let him be, Sultan how could you corruption to run course. " reifa says enraged
The Sultan takes a sip of wine before gesturing a leave to the guard "The world isn't anything like your realm Elven Princess, its survival of the fittest. Those lowlives are living true to themselves , I abhor their ways they scurry off in the shadows away from my watchful eyes. Engaging in illicit activites in their own underground communities truly a sickening thing."
"Then why won't you stop them!." Reifa shouts
"Why would I?, as I said its survival of the fittest."
"You have all the power a ruler could ask for to let justice run its course ,yet you stand there looking down on your subject, I won't let my realm succumb like that of yours." Reifa shakes in rage emphasizing her stance
"We're clearly different views of rulership, but know this Reifa. Your mother and I are more alike than you care to admit."
"...." Reifa bites her lip for her lack of rebuttal for she knew the truth
With a prosperous country like R'aul exists a dark side illicit trade and bribery became a scourge that the Sultan deemed unsightly , however he made no effort to curb them for strength lies even in the lowest of paths.
"Your highness look its Mr. Hubert's turn on the arena."
"Ah, i have a terrible feeling about this."
The announcer attempts to introduce the contestants before realizing that someone was missing
The ground shakes as three humanoid shaped rocks (Golems) appeared out of nowhere, one of the golems holding a giant bud. Clouds gathered in the arena pouring loalized rain on the golems and the bud
It took a few seconds for the rain to subside and the bud bloomed into a sunflower with a figure standing over the flower it was ...
"I knew it." Reifa facepalms at the spectacle
"H-haha it wasn't that bad , I think." Kayla says her expression suggests otherwise
"Clown." Says the Sultan
"I shall introduce myself announcer."
"A-ah go ahead Sir." The announcer sighed exasperated
"From the lush Dukedom of Oraia, stands a hero and her highness very own knight *ahem* wizard in shinning robe. Some may know me as the genius from graduate from the Sword and Magic academy , I'm none other than the very great Oraian councilman Hubert Von Anderson!."
The crowd blown away from the spectacle clap and cheer in awe at Huberts magic show , the announcer looked at the other contests who's also clapping hands and taking to the stands. Jackal the twin knives wielder
"Ah yes how could I forget about him."
"*ahem* we thank Mr. Hubert for the impressive performance , however we must stay on schedule!,
On our right side we have the conniving jackal an unaligned beastman!."
"Ya missed some oomph there, eh it don't matter anyway." Jackal says
"Are our contestants ready?."
He asks
"I was born ready." Says Hubert flicking his hair backwards and throwing a sunflower toward Reifa who's eyebrows twitched in annoyance.
"I'm readier than ready." Says Jackal licking his knife
"FIGHT!."
The 3 golems move in a clunky fashion , punching and stepping the ground. Jackal moves nimble climbing and confusing the golems into attacking each other.
The 3 crumble instantaneously
"Damn you!." Hubert took to use another spell from his repertoire however he'd be given no such opportunity
"Ye're slow." Jackal says appearing before him and going for a stab
Hubert hastily puts up a magic shield , it shatters only for it to reappear when a slash came forth.
"What's wrong coward, affraid to get slashed."
"Might be so, riffrafs like you are violent after all." He replies proactively unfortunately it bears no fruit
Jackal sweeps Hubert's legs resulting in his fall , he attempts multiple stomps keep Hubert down whose rolling away from him. Making sure theres a distance between them Hubert drops a few seeds next to a puddle of water.
Jackal leaps to meet him when the earth tremors as giant vines emerge from the ground.
Hubert smirks, Jackal sensed something amiss and leaps back
"I got you scoundrel" Hubert says confidently
"Say that when you can catch me!." The vines whip at incredible speed as jackal narrowly avoids each attack before throwing a few knives at Hubert
"A mage never leaves himself open." He says smirking as vines appeared to shield him
Jackal mentally simulating his chances and how the battle could turn realized his hit and run tactics are futile. He wanted to avoid using any of his mana alas he had no choice all his opponents even the one he deems a clown could wipe the floor with him.
Using a power similar to Otto's he turns animalistic, discarding his knives his claws grow to a size similar to his previous weapons his teeth grow sharper, his muscles twitch as they grow and his overall bigger than his previous self.
"Animalization!." He shouts as he glows
"Vines!." Hubert issues an order panicking
The vines powerful whipe hurle at Jackal , however he claws at them simply. Looking at Hubert as if he was prey he smiles maniacally.
Lunging forward he trims the thick vines with ease before attempting a slash at Hubert
"I have you now!." Hubert throws a liquid at Jackal as a result he falls
"W-what is this." He says fighting the urge to sleep
"A sleeping elixir, courtesy of my friend Dr. Tyrel." He replies
"Heh, ya got me." Jackal passes out with a smile
"And thus we conclude the final match of the quarter finals with our winner being HUBERT OF ORAIA!." The announcer announces the winner as the crowd go wild
Hubert poses and bows accepting the praises coming his way.
-sometime later-
I'm walking down rather limping down the bay area passerbys who I'd assume to be criminals look down on me jeering as I try to locate a carriage to take me to the arena, when suddenly something(someone) decideded to trip me down as i fell i look behind me to find a group of men laughing.
"What's wrong hero, feeling down?." The ruffian says
"I don't like the way yer lookin at us." Another comes with a club
"Hey keep it down lotsa people would take this chance to finish him off, the payss for his head is high."
"How high?." Said another ruffian.
"Six figures." He replies
Just there something within me snapped, they look and gather to laugh at me, just like them just like that guy. I can't take this lying down I won't.
Thats when i decide to get up , some of my strength rejuvenates as I grab my spear.
Rage consumed me whole as I whack a ruffian with my spear's pole another with a kick, I grab ones head and bash it against a stall. The last one attempts an escape
"Tch,i can't chase him." I say clicking my tongue
The ruffian assured of his escape doesn't look ahead for he bumped just another of his type.
He massages his head after the impact and glares at the man before him knife ready at hand.
"Yo, Zylus."
"O-otto!." He drops the knife in trepidation and stammers out his name
"That's me." He replies with a greeting fist towards the ruffian face.
I look at Otto and the numerous bruises he sustained, the tournament had gone bad for him from the looks of it.
"You look like shit Otto." I state what I'm seeing
"And you look like your halfway dyin hahaha." He retorts
"What brings you here?."
"I heard you were dying in some warehouse, and I came to save ya."
"With all these injuries?, great!
we're a crippled duo." I say sarcastically
"Beggars can't be choosers." Otto retorts
Our back and forth banter is suddenly interrupted by a footsteps of a dozen soldiers.
"Kill them, now!." A soldier orders
"I said I'd spare you men." Otto addresses them in calm rage
"friends of yours?."
".... no." Otto replies sighing
The men unsheath their swords rushing at thr both of us , Otto takes his flail and swings hard knocking 3 of them at once , his movement slower than when we first fought
As for me i limp kicks and slash through the soldiers armor with my spear. A soldier attempts to grab me from behind only to be met with my spear's backside, another two launch themselves towards me i parry their strikes with both spears and stab them while they stagger.
"They're not letting up." I say to Otto
"Just how many had that guy bought!." Otto says frustrated
"What do we do, we're not in the best of shape right now." I look away from the enemies spotting an unattended carriage Otto looks at the same carriage.
"Yer thinking what I'm thinking?." Otto smirks as he looks at me
"I'll grab the carriage!, you fend off those soldiers!." I say to him
"Don't take an eternity with your limping." He says mockingly as he swings his flail. The morning star size grew in size as it collided with the soldiers throwing them up in the air
I make it accross the market, the carriages right in my vicinity however there's a problem as I took the reigns, the owner appeared shouting.
"Hey , thats my carriage!."
"I'm sorry oldman, hope this helps cover the cost for a new one." I throw him a gold pouch as i drove the carriage away towards Otto.
"Hop in the carriage!." I gesture with my head
"Just one more swing." He says driving off the final batch of guards as he leaped into the carriage seat.
"Hyaah!." And we drive off towards our destination the arena
"Otto, you have my thanks" On the way i express gratitude towards my unlikely savior
"hold your thanks Hero, we've yet to make it." He points ahead.
"what they're following us!."
"No shite, this be my stop. You go on ahead and save your princess that red tower mana don't look so inviting." He says
"Look at yourself you're injured as much as Iam!."
"Look again." He glows a yellow hue , as his muscles gain mass , teeth sharpens and his features become more animalistic.
"Right, i forgot."
"Can you land yourself over there?." He asks me pointing at a building between the mainstreet and the arena
"If i'm propelled yeah."
"Glad to know." Otto suddenly yanks me by the hand throwing me a couple of feet off the ground i land by a building.
"And the next time I see you!, it'd be my flail smashing your head!." He says turning the carriage around bumping into the guards.
I look ahead vowing that the next time I meet the violent meathead would be in a proper arena.
To be continued