The Princess and the King as well as the other guild master’s and Rin were in the personal skybox to view the matches.
The panel of judges were all just keenly watching things going forward. After the last two days, two people had been injured. As well as the immense strain being put on the arena’s aura limiters. Usually the tournament’s weren’t this aggressive or this costly.
But then again no was insane enough to break into the palace let alone its archives, and yet it happened. Now the number of reports of a number of teams being outside or getting back to their dorms past the specified hours. Or illusive figures vanishing from the balcony of another team’s dormitory.
It was putting those of the Royal Guard and Rune Knights even more on edge, as nothing was as it seemed.
The four remaining teams were escorted out into the arena and to their respective pitches as the crowd cheered for their arrival. The arena attendants now brought out the crystal projector. The four remaining teams were generated on the screen and organized into matches for the day. Ligeria’s Garden vs Manaan Legio, and Cole’s team vs Castle Tsukuyomi.
As the crowd roared with excitement and anticipation, some were momentarily confused, it was first noticed when Cole’s team fought with its same teammate two days in a row. Now this was almost like the first day itself all over again. But for now they didn’t pay mind to this and chose to enjoy the match that was to come.
“Rosa, would you like the honors?” Aquaria asked, looking to the Gardner mage though she bit her lip in hesitation.
“Let me take this one.” Sierra said, moving forward and surprising both of her teammates. “Something smells off, about this entire day, and I don’t like it one bit.” She added, looking back to both women now for approval.
“I’m with Sierra on this one, besides.. my is more support based, I’m not one to push my garden to violence unless I must.” Rosa said, concerned still on much of what was happening.
Sierra was welcomed with cheers of the crowd, as she waved and smiled even blew kisses. Her opponent was to be Count Drahonst as he walked slowly out of his pitch, meeting the crowd with smiles and waves of his own. The ladies in the crowd cheering his name the loudest. Even now he was still well respected by many citizens for his many accolades despite stepping away from his calling.
“Was it your calling to bring enlightenment to those Manaan Legio?” Sierra goaded, making Drahonst chuckle.
“I go where I am needed, where fate deems it so and I feel the strongest pull of those invisible threads.” He replied inturn.
“And yet my senses are telling me otherwise. You shine bright, but that familiar scent of wanting is all too familiar.” Sierra countered.
“I believe the time for talking has passed.” Drahonst said, meeting her eyes with a piercing gaze. The buzzer sounding for the match to begin.
Drahonst’s aura taking on the shapes of bleached flames, bright and powerful, but amorphous and without true color.
“Feel the power of my faith!” He shouted moving his arms and hands in a strange gesture.
His aura exploded around him and causing her disappear and instantly transport to right infront of her, his arms swinging to come together and impact her from the sides.
Sierra blocked just as swiftly with her both her wrists and countered with her own powerful kick to his left knee, only for him to anticipate and raise his leg and block with his shin.
Drahonst now was put on the defensive as he caught, dodged and weaved a flurry of punches she now was throwing at him, her eyes more crazed now. She had tapped into some form of heightened state, her body now seeming more muscular and bulky, her nails sharper and her long hair wild.
“The Lionesses rage. I had read many tomes of your ancestors. I recall coming across few such passages.” Drahonst said, between her punches.
He still able to match her every strike with a well timed block or weave. All the while he maintained the small graceful smile across his expression, his aura still so blinding, hungering for greatness.
“See how the light of faith pierces all!” Drahonst chanted, as he closed his outstretched hand as though he were gripping a pole, light energy materialized in between his fingers that instant shot forward in a straight beam. Sierra could not react or dodge in time as she felt it pierced her midsection and causing her to crumble to her knees instantly, a roar of agony echoed through the arena, the crowd’s jeers turned against Drahonst almost instantly.
The judge’s immediately looking to one another on how to proceed. Arena attendants on standby seeing Sierra force herself to stand. Drahonst himself mildy impressed by this.
“It seems I may have overdone it a little. But the fact you can stand is noteworthy, you’re doing far better than that boy I faced days ago.” Drahonst commented, standing patiently with his hand pressed together.
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Sierra was panting hard feeling every bit of pain from the hole in her stomach, but despite her indescribable rage she could stave it off for now. Gritting her teeth and focusing her attention she groaned in pain as the flesh miraculously began to heal itself, insides reweaving and skin growing to replace where he had pierced her. The only trace of the injury was the imperfections of it still being a fresh wound, it would take time to heal.
“My my, I had only heard rumors of such a feat being feasible among Demi-humans, something healers for as long as there has been have tried to mimic.” Drahonst commented, taking note of this mentally. “But I imagine something like that can only be used sparingly, not without significant effort and possibly harming yourself even more than you already are. Very well, I’ve made my point, show me this fire in your eyes.” He calculated, before lowering himself into a stance with his left arm outstretched his palm facing outward, while his right arm was arched over his head and hand closed into a fist.
Sierra launched herself without a seconds hesitation and unleashed her fury. Delivering even faster timed kicks and punches, using her elbows and knees in conjunction.
But for all she dished out he countered everything with ease. She couldn’t understand it. Yet his aura continued to burn bright, unchanging and never reducing. It was a like a mountain that was unclimbable, for no matter how hard she tried she could run it claw her way up to its peak.
Her speed and strength were admirable as was her skills technique and style. But it was not enough to conquer his indomitable spirit.
With a weaving of his palm and wrist, he countered her punch she’d thrown. Now gripping her upper arm, his free hand hit her in the stomach. Just inches from her freshly healed wound, the crowd once more turning against him with boos jeering throughout the arena.
“Your faith is lacking., lioness. Until then, you will not be able to see as I see.” Drahonst mused, slipping his hands back together and in the sleeves of his robes. Casting a look of disgust down at Sierra. “Will you continue this and only harm yourself more if you attempt such healing after already using it once. But you know my magic is under no such restriction.” He said as well.
Sierra could only grip her side, gritting her teeth in pain, he spoke the truth. She couldn’t continue on with this fight. Yet the beast in her would never concede, it growled and thrashed inside her soul. All the same her body would not allow her to continue. Raising her hand to withdraw from the match.
The judges ruling that the match was over, the crowd even more against its final judgment, the upset was most felt across the betting halls. But the ruling was final. The final score posted at last as Ligeria’s Garden was still in the top spot, but it wasn’t enough to quell the upset of the crowds.
Drahonst smiled one last time and gave a small bow to Sierra before returning to his team’s dugout.
Sierra herself managed to limp back to her own awaiting teammates, refusing aid from the arena healers.
—————————————————
As the second and last match of the day was about to get underway. Tigress was about to march out into the arena and take the match when she felt Cole tug on her wrist. This momentarily confused her as she met his stern look of conviction.
“What is on your mind my lord? Now of all of times?” She asked, mildy sarcastic but careful with her tone and keeping it lowered.
“I wish to return what is not rightfully mine. I surrender what you have given to me, and wish to see it back where it belongs, with its true owner.” He said formally, as he carefully slipped into her hands the folding shield.
Tigress was only more concerned at this gesture. He was willingly surrendering her weapon back to her, such a gesture was not taken lightly and would warrant a great outrage.
But as she looked into his eyes longer, she could see the true meaning behind this. She almost wanted to smile, yet kept her expression neutral.
“If this is what you desire. Then I will respect your wishes and do as you ask. When this is over I mean.” She said a hint of koyness in her voice.
Cole merely sighed to himself knowing she was not referring to the end of the match, but to what extent she was talking about was best not to speculate on until it came around. For now there was an understanding, after all he had made his decision and couldn’t look back.
“When this has settled.” Cole agreed, his voice low.
Tigress marched on ahead as he watched her walk away. He could feel regret threatening to creep in but he swallowed the lump in his throat and closed his eyes. This is what he wanted.
“You know Cole.. sometimes, you overthink too much.” Aaron commented, making his friend chuckle to himself.
Tigress carefully slipped on and fastened the shield gauntlet to her wrist once more. It still did not feel like it belonged to her. She would have argued and been more outraged by Cole’s flippant surrender of this piece of armor.
She could still see traces from where his blade had scarred it. It was only the Princess of Falconia’s band of dwarves who repaired it before her departure.
But she enjoyed the challenge of taming and re-attuning such relics to herself.
But her opponent was only met with boos as well. This match was all the same as well, this only angered Garrick more. This only made Tigress chuckle.
“Well well, it seems they remember us. Tell me you have something else up your sleeves this time around?” She asked, her tone laced with sarcasm.
“I do not need to rely on such cheap tricks as hiding my skills or power. I do not hide myself as you do, outlander.” Garrick mocked inturn.
“Oh but I am not the outlander. I’m a stranger on strange tides. I follow him, I chase after what he has taken. Yet I am all the same free. Free to do as I please.” Tigress said, her voice momentarily softening. “But you. You are a disgrace, you collar yourself to a master.” She added, her voice deepening with distain.
“I am not the chained one, you are! So chained to our ancestors ways that has only led us to war and ruin time and time again. I cast that off, and I will listen to this detritus anymore!” Garrick snarled at her, practically roaring his words.
With this buzzer sounded as he instantly launched himself at her. Tigress deploying her shield at the last second, her expression of uncaring remained. The silver scaled folding shield flowed brightly, launching Garrick back and causing him to crash into the dirt as he skidded to a halt.
“Still just as great a disappointment as last time, come then. I will show you what a true warrior is made of.” She said, shifting her stance. “Get up, or I’ll make you get up.” She warned him this time.
She was no longer interested in playing fair or holding back. This mutt had earned her irritation, now she would express her wrath upon him.
Garrick groaned as he stumbled while struggling to stand. Forcing himself to his feet once more, he was immediately met by Tigress infront of him as she began laying into him with her own flurry of punches and kicks.
Garrick barely able to keep up or defend against with this rapid onslaught, he tried to throw a number of his own punches but each was expertly blocked and countered with a rapid jab.
Tigress now threw her leg forward as her shin connected with his midsection and sent him flying again. Tumbling across the dirt, catching himself and whirling back onto his feet.
He was instantly met with the brunt face of her shield as it slammed against him, only able to throw his arms up across himself to block at the last second sending her sliding back yet again. His heels digging into the ground to keep him firmly planted.
But he was only once again met by another barrage of attacks, Tigress showing how relentless she could be, driving him further back and against the arena’s wall as continued to beat him.
Garrick’s only saving grace was the sound of the end of the round buzzer.
Tigress pulled her last punch, just inches away from Garrick’s face. Yet she smiled as her shield clicked and retracted back into its gauntlet form and pulled herself away from him. She was dissatisfied with the outcome. But the roar of the crowd in her favor was some small mark of joy for her nonetheless.
“It seems you still are very lacking, mutt. Pray we do not fight thrice, for then I’ll really have to kill you.” She warned him, her tone even more menacing as she looked back momentarily, then retreated back to her team’s dugout.
Garrick was still very much in pain, yet his anger for this one was greater. Twice now she had humiliated him. But he would not put it past her to keep her word. His eyes momentarily turned up to the panel of judges, specifically his guild master. For the moment they made eye contact, he said enough. That he too was disappointed with his performance and conduct, but he would dealt with after the tournament.
The judges as last tallied the scores and the final results were posted for the day.
- Garden of Ligeria - 250 points
- Castle Tsukuyomi - 240 points
- Manaan Legio - 210 points
- Freelance team C.A.T. - 210 points