The tournament continued as planned, with the host doing his best to keep the audience entertained.
Platforms slowly descended. Yerive frowned as he felt a warmth caressing his body. His fight would be placed in the fire-themed area.
Lava spewed between cracks in the ground, posing as additional danger to the combatants.
Yerive landed on the floor, quickly scanning his surroundings.
"Ha! Newcomer. Your tournament will end here!"
Hearing the grating voice, Yerive studied his opponent. It was a female non-human going by the name of Burning Whip.
She had four legs, sharp like a spider's, with a tall, red-skinned upper body and horns on her head. Strange white strings were looped around her arms, serving as accessories. Otherwise, she only wore a white piece of cloth to hide her ample breasts.
It was something she only did to adjust to the human way of life.
Yerive stared at her long face as he answered with slight apprehension:
"We will see!"
"What's this response?! Have you already given up? Well, good for me!"
As the host felt like he had fired up the audience enough, the referees rose their hands.
"Are both contestants ready for a fight to the death?
Yes?
Then… 3, 2, 1, FIIIGHT!"
Immediately the spider-legged lady scurried towards Yerive. Her legs moved nimbly, avoiding the fire on the floor. A long whip appeared in her hand, snaking towards Yerive.
Putting on a determined face, Yerive slashed out with his sword. But the agile whip proved difficult to defend. It cost the already exhausted Yerive a lot of effort to shake it off.
Both combatants could see who had the upper hand. Burning Whip directly pressed her advantage. Slapping sounds echoed as the whip slashed through the air again and again.
Yerive did his best. He used his spell again, speeding up his body, trying to deflect the whip and close the distance.
The young man managed to advance a short distance. Suddenly his opponent smiled viciously.
"Bye, bye!"
Although Yerive didn't understand, he reacted instinctively. He took a large jump backwards. Suddenly a dark energy exploded where he just stood.
The host eagerly explained that these was one of Burning Whip's famous traps.
Yerive panted heavily. Even now he didn't know what happened. He trembled faintly, the uncertainty of where he could place his feet affecting his mental state.
Suddenly loud exclamations went through the crowd.
"Watch out!"
Droa'va yelled with worry on her face.
But it was too late. The snaking whip was suddenly engulfed in fire, the flames longer than the whip itself. It moved at a tricky angle, squarely hitting Yerive in the back.
The young man groaned in pain. His skin got seared, the white costume beginning to burn.
A heavy force pushed Yerive forward. He tumbled, the impact disrupting his breath for a moment.
But Yerive quickly regained his focus. His friends had stood up in the stands, gritting their teeth. The were surprised as Yerive's face still showed determination.
With eyes focused on his opponent, Yerive swiftly decided to make use of the momentum to close the gap. He approached Burning Whip, his sword stabbing forward.
But the demonic lady was truly vicious. She grinned at Yerive, her eyes focused on the sword. Her arm shot forward. A white protective layer engulfed her hand as she grabbed at the sword.
Surprised, Yerive reacted quickly. He used a spell which was popular in the Lirane Minerals Group. His sword suddenly turned soft, trying to dodge the outstretched hand.
"A sword should stay a sword and not mimic a whip!"
Burning Whip shouted angrily. But Yerive was unperturbed. He already predicted his plan working. His sword would taste the enemy's blood any second.
But the audience saw something different. The cried in horror, watching the whip engulfed in fire turning in the air and shooting after Yerive.
Just as the young man already saw success, he felt a heat on his back. Suddenly it was as if a fiery shackle bound his body. The whip circled around him.
"AHH!"
Yerive screamed in pain. The fire burned a ring around his upper body.
The spider-like creature swung her hand to the side. Following her every move, the whip pulled on Yerive's body, throwing him to the side.
Bruning wounds and seared skin transmitted pain directly into Yerive's mind. The young man rolled on the ground, losing his sword. Just as he came to a stop, he saw a flaming whip closing in on his head.
"I admit deafeat!"
Yerive screamed somewhat panicky. Immediately the referee announced the verdict:
"Round two, Geyser versus Burning Whip, Victoryyy for Burrrniiingg Whiiip!"
The audience screamed in excitement. Only a few noticed how the burning whip hovered about Yerive.
The young man groaned in pain, the flames still heating up his skin.
Burning Whip licked her lips with a long tongue as her eyes watched the suffering prey.
"HEY! The fight is over!"
Suddenly the referee's shout rang in the spider-like woman's ears. It brought her back to reality. She winked at the referee before putting away her whip.
Immediately platforms descended. Two staff arrived and carried Yerive away. Meanwhile Burning Whip stepped on a platform and was basking in the audience's cheers.
This was the reality of tournaments. The heavily injured loser was only cared for by a few viewers.
Among those were naturally Droa'va and Inurol'ah. The two young women had concerned faces as they watched Yerive being carried away.
Within the warriors' waiting room, Tepo sat with his back leaning against the wall. He listened to the commotion going on outside.
When he heard the host announcing the winner, the young man could only sigh. Hopefully this wouldn't be a hit to Yerive's self-esteem.
Tepo stood up slowly. He was prepared to cheer up his friend upon his return.
The wall turned translucent. But suddenly Tepo's face fell. His friend arrived but he was supported by two staff members, his clothes burnt, his skin below searing red with many burn wounds.
Yerive's eyes were glassy and unfocused.
Tepo immediately felt rage and concern fighting in his mind. He hastily stepped forward.
"Yerive!"
Flustered, the young man even used Yerive's real name.
His best friend's head swayed. He rose it with a groan.
"Don't worry! Our healers will take care of the injuries. Please make way!"
A staff member reached out his hand to push Tepo away. The latter didn't resist. He could see that Yerive quickly needed medical help.
The young man could only stare at Yerie's back, a fire raging in his heart. He balled his fists.
Suddenly a hand was put on his shoulder. Fueled by anger Tepo shot around, giving a death stare to whoever dared to touch him.
But a disarming calmness met his eyes.
"It's normal to be injured in the arena. Don't let these grievances affect you!"
The person speaking to him was a tall woman wearing a richly decorated red mask, reminding Tepo of some antique ball masks he had seen in his last life.
Tepo had noticed her before as she took on the role of a big sister among the warriors, wildly popular among them.
"Thanks…
I will keep a cool head."
With those words Tepo shook his shoulder, getting rid of the hand, and standing to the side with his eyes closed.
The red-masked woman could only sigh and let him be.
A short moment later the other warriors returned as well. Burning Whip had a bright smile, happy with her win.
But suddenly a chill ran down her back. She turned her head towards the side, meeting two stale eyes. This was what it must feel like to stare death in the eye. Dark, cold, unfeeling, certain.
Her chest tightening the spider-like lady hastily turned away, panting heavily as she searched for some friendly warriors.
Luckily Tepo was soon distracted as his name was called by a staff member. The next round started.
Tepo didn't say a word. He reached the arena and was brought to the air-themed square.
Filled with rage he went all out in this fight. His poor opponent felt as if fighting a volcano on the verge of exploding.
Nevertheless, they defended well. It took Tepo quite some effort until finally winning the fight. In the last moment he even had the urge to cut open his enemy's throat but stopped himself in time.
Fortunately, he had cooled down a lot and let his rationality take over.
Back in the waiting room Tepo sat down and stayed silent. He ignored the other warriors, concentrating his mind on the tournament.
Thus, time passed quickly. The round of 16 was filled with exciting matches, the audience enthusiastic as ever.
Soon it was over, leading to the host's next announcement:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, give it up for our brave warriors!
The round of 16 is over and eight combatants are remaining in every bracket!
Without further delay, let us announce the next matches!
Start the draw!"
The colorful dust filled the air again. Droa'va and Inurol'ah were still watching, more or less cheering Tepo on. Under the audience's eyes the dust gathered, Deep's name appearing in the first fight.