Gabriel's POV
I look towards the man in front of me as he rolls up his sleeves.
"I didn't catch your name sir."
"Braun, Braun Astern." He replies with a smirk as I unsheathe my sword.
"Are you sure you'll be able to fight me without a weapon?" I ask raising my brow in doubt.
"Trust me, all I need are my fists." Braun replies chuckling as he gets into fighting position.
This man was either an overconfident fool or a very powerful adversary.
"I hope you're ready!" I say before charging at him and swinging my blade.
However in the blink of an eye, Braun appears behind me with a dark smirk.
What the hell!?
"Surprised?" Braun asks amused before sending me flying across the battlefield with a single tap on my back.
I tumble across the white battle platform and land flat on my face as Elizabeth gasps from the sidelines.
"Come on Gabe!" Elizabeth exclaims "You can't lose this!"
She's right, I have to win.
"Sorry, I think I hit you too hard." Braun genuinely apologizes whilst rubbing the back of his head.
What the hell is this man made of, is this a joke to him!?
"Take it easy Astern, it's just a sparring match remember, we wouldn't want you accidentally murdering someone." The girl Braun introduced as Emma sheepishly warns him as I grit my bloodied teeth.
"From this moment onwards, this will no longer be a sparring match!!" I announce furiously before charging forward once more as Braun looks at me worriedly.
"Hey chill out, Gabriel was it?" He says whilst dodging all of my sword attacks, frustrating me even further.
"You better take this fight seriously!" I shout before with one flick of his finger, Braun lands a powerful blue lightning blast on my chest, the impact sending me flailing in the air before I crash into a wall.
"Gabriel!!" Elizabeth screams as she rushes over to me whilst I cough up blood.
Just how strong is this man...?
"Consider this fight over." Braun says sternly before Emma sprints over to him and slaps the back of his head with incredible force.
"I told you to take it easy!!" Emma scolds, as Braun complains.
"Ouch! I tried to tell him to calm down, that attack was the only way he'd listen." Braun says rubbing the place Emma hit.
This is so utterly humiliating...
"Gabriel, look at me, how badly hurt are you?" Elizabeth inquires worriedly, her yellow eyes taking in my injured form.
All I can do is wheeze in response as I croak out an apology.
"I'm so sorry Elizabeth, for not being strong enough?" I say hoarsely as Elizabeth's eyes widen.
I remember that day, just like yesterday.
Lifeless bodies we're littered across the ground as I held little Elizabeth's hand.
Our castle was the victim of a goblin attack, for a reason I may never know.
I tried to be strong for Elizabeth as we walked up the stairs, both trembling as we witnessed a horrifying sight.
The corpses of our massacred parents lay before us.
I couldn't hold it in any longer as tears freely flowed from my eyes whilst Elizabeth sobbed too.
That night we were found by Raymond Felix, who helped us find a good orphanage.
But I foolishly mistook his pity for kindness.
"Mr Felix?" I had asked him "Why did my parents have to die?"
Raymond looked at me in a deadpan manner before he burst out laughing.
"You want to know the real reason behind your parent's death, well...." Then suddenly his expression fell as his cold yellow eyes bore into mine.
"Because you were too weak to protect them, you hid inside a closet with your twin sister Elizabeth whilst the goblins slayed mommy and daddy." He continued darkly before patting my shoulders.
"You're a disgrace to House Felix, my business with you and your pitiful sister ends here." Raymond announced before leaving.
Ever since that day I've worked towards getting stronger and breaking past all my limits.
I can't be weak, I must be strong, for Elizabeth, for House Felix for, for
Mother and Father...
"GRHHHH!" I groan out as crimson aura emanates from my body whilst I get back up on my feet.
"Gabriel don't you dare!" Elizabeth protests but I shake my head and stand my ground as my eyes glow red.
"I have to be strong, so that no one ever has to die like Mother and Father did!!" I scream, my voice distorted as I pick up my sword from the ground.
I charge towards Braun who moves Emma out of the way swiftly.
"I'LL DESTROY YOU AND PUSH PAST MY LIMITS!!" I shout as Braun effortlessly dodges my blade with finesse.
"Stop this Gabriel, you'll only hurt yourself." He warns, his gaze sympathetic.
"I DON'T NEED YOUR PITY!!"
With one powerful red blast I shatter the ground beneath us as a bright and blinding light appears.
Have I finally beaten him?
Once the dust clears, Braun stands there, his jacket burnt off but his body unharmed as he looks at me unphased.
"Gabriel, don't make me do this." He says as my eyes widen in shock.
"T-this can't be, just how powerful are you...?"
Braun takes a step closer to me before landing a powerful punch sending me staggering back and shattering the ground beneath us further.
I can feel the faraway gazes or the 5 Ruler's from the VIP room perched upon a high vantage point.
"...You were too weak ..."
Raymond's voice rings out through my mind as I let out a scream of agony.
I can't lose, I won't...
I charge up my body with all my remaining mana as my red aura spirals across the fractured battle platform.
"I'll end this right now!!" I announce before charging at Braun with killing intent, intending to finish this with one blow.
The moment my sword is inches away from his face, Braun let's out a tired sigh.
What!?
In a micro second the whole arena is enveloped in a brilliant blue light as my eyes widen at the sight of Braun's hair glowing white.
"I said, it's...over." Braun speaks, his voice like a choir of voices.
With one effortless swift punch, he sends me crashing into the ground with a massive explosion.
Is this... true power?
Once the dust settles I witness my sword and armor turn to ash as Braun walks towards me with a half burnt shirt.
"Y-you were still holding back weren't you?" I realize my face distraught as he sheepishly chuckles.
Tears run down my cheeks as I mourn my own weakness.
"But, I-i wanted to get stronger." I say in between sniffles.
"I wanted to be strong in memory for mom and dad!" I continue as I break down into a full sob.
However, Braun simply crouches down to my injured form and outstretches his hand with a bright smile plastered on his face.
"Let's get stronger together... Gabriel."