So far this year’s tournament had been by far the most competitive and most interesting number of competitors. The fact a freelance team had made it this far was an impressive achievement on its own.
It was also doing wonders for those who had been betting on them the whole time. Many were walking from the betting halls much happier than they would be on this lifetime. Everyone saw Cole’s team taking the spot in the finals.
The only matches they had seemingly underperformed in was the boy Aaron’s match against Count Drahonst, and both times Tigress had performed she treated like a stage performance and had the crowd eating out her hands. Cole had certainly put everyone in awe with his terrifying display and control of fire.
They had knack for pulling off impossible odds, so all eyes were on them.
Juni sat in the crowd with her mother, her brother and her friend’s. Her father up in the skybox with the princess and other guild masters. Even she was no longer in the match, she wouldn’t miss this. She still had many questions, but the time or place was gone and she found herself thrown into the mix of what was to pass.
Despite her efforts to not get involved, to remain obscure and hidden away, forgotten.
The fire that engulfed Cole was one she could not turn away from, as her curiosity to be near it was greater. She wanted to chase after this light, to be near it, to cherish it, to bask in it, to keep it kindled. She would not allow this flame to be consumed by the shadows that threatened to extinguish it.
Xylia on the other hand saw this very same flame that was Cole. It made her nostalgic for times when her own parents had bonfires. Just sitting and enjoying the evening.
Yet she would not lie, this fire still terrified her. For all her husband’s assurances and wanting to let her daughter be as she may. She still feared this flame in the back of mind. Like she was witnessing something divine, not meant for mortal eyes.
She had not been privy to the world of magic and the seemingly invisible veil of events that continued to turn. For all she could not understand, she would give her all to protect what was precious to her.
For Eugene, he was equally just as curious about all he had been mixed up in. Eugene had been the one to first meet Akina many years ago, something Taiga didn’t remember from when they were kids. Something stupid was said that made him upset and run off, but all he could remember himself now was Akina’s hand being offered. That was when they met Juni at the academy.
As to Taiga, she was always brash and headstrong. Living by the edge and never showing fear, she was loud about what mattered to her and she defended herself and her friends with her actions, and no shortage of her fists. When she found Aaron it just felt like the right thing to help him. She just acted on her instincts as well as the feeling in her heart. But for all that she put on, she knew how to let her guard down around those she cared for most and keep her senses about her.
Yet, everytime they were near Cole or saw him. They felt something familiar, like someone was waking them from a dream they weren’t meant to wake from just yet. Or perhaps not at all. It was all so confusing to try and comprehend, but the threads of truth were there within reach. Both siblings wanted to know to varying degrees, yet something else continued to draw them under. Back into this dreamlike state of mind.
At last the four remaining teams were brought out and as each team was sent to their respective dugouts, the arena attendants brought out the crystal projector. The announcers now getting the crowd more excited for the day to come. With this the semifinals were decided. Garden of Ligeria against Manaan Legio, and Cole’s team against Castle Tsukuyomi.
“Rosa. The honor is yours, whether we continue on or not, I want you to have this.” Aquaria said, wanting to be fair and give both her teammates the chance to compete.
“I… think I will allow you to take this one.” Rosa said hesitantly. “I’m not the combative type, and my magic itself is defensive by nature.” She added, her voice more pained.
Aquaria looked her in direction with an expression of curiosity and concern. Sierra was still seething, but would be alright in another day. She offered no input on the matter, choosing to pass over a vote.
“Very well then. I will give my all for you both, for our guild, for those that call me friend.“ Aquaria said, with stern confidence in her voice.
Both teammates in awe of this revelation. They had not seen this side of Aquaria before, but it was a welcome on. Sierra and Rosa both nodded in agreement. Taking up her club she marched out onto the field.
Her aura taking the shape of that feeling of absolute darkness and dead silence of a trench.
It was clashing against Emberith’s aura. A blazing heat that was not warm or tempered like a forge, but erratic and toxic, like lava spewing out and burning the forest down in the process.
“I see you were never shown control, Salamander.” Aquaria said disdainfully, taking note of her opponent’s presence.
“Oh how you judge me from your moral high ground. But I know when someone tow’s the line, and you get closer every time you draw on your greatest strength.” Emberith said, smiling wickedly as she drew her sword from her back.
The true focus of her smog and ash-like aura, it seethed with the flames of destruction. Fire’s fundamental nature.
For what she had said, spoke some volume of truth to Aquaria. For as much she tried to hold back the tides in her own soul, she could feel it creeping in, Corruption.
The Macuahuitl that rested in her grip and tethered by its leather strap, reminded her of the very reason why she held back those tides. The mark of friendship, the weapon her friends had helped her pick out and commission when she started to make a name for herself in the guild many years ago.
From what history told and was documented, no such weapons existed in their original form having been crafted by the hands of clan war smiths and warriors. All had been lost to the ravages of time and the clans of old going extinct, now all that remained were the tapestry’s and art preserved in still images of exaggerated warriors.
She would wield it with grace, honor, and the heart of a warrior. For her guild, for her friends.
With this the buzzer sounded at last, the match officially began. Both women began to move in a slow circle while maintaining a wide distance from one another, both their aura rising and clashing. The churning of the sea against a raging inferno, their collective aura just starting to touch the barrier of the arena.
“Show me what you’re made of.” Emberith goaded, as she leapt forward and leaving behind a small crater from where her foot had been planted.
Aquaria’s grip shifted instantly, the weapon moving faster than any in the crowd could perceive with the naked eye, both weapons colliding with such force. Their grit and determination written in their expressions, their aura only increasing and now pushing against the arena barrier.
“You fair well, but I’m still not convinced.” Emberith said, her eyes wide with excitement and a wild smile on her lips, pushing her weight against Aquaria.
“It’s always a surprise when, the tide comes in.” Aquaria chanted, her aura shifting and pulling the moisture out of the very air and ripping it out of the ground.
Her aura fusing with the water gathered and shifting, changing form and taking the shape of the water itself and forming a tidal wave. But it was too late for Emberith to react to, the wave instantly colliding against the both of them and washing them away. Both colliding into the wall as the water drenched some of the crowd even.
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As they rose up, Emberith was even more crazed. Forcing herself to stand and leaning on the weight of her sword as she stabbed it in the ground. That wall of water had washed away her spark, doused her, left her cold and wet, things she hated most.
Her sword sensing her distress and rising anger, glowing red hot and catching fire, her eyes pulsating with rage.
“Blessing of Terra: Salamander’s breath…” She chanted, before drawing in a deep breath and then exhaling a fumes of noxious gases.
Aquaria’s vision and balance immediately thrown off and skewed by these fumes. Stumbling back and away she fell to one knee, using her club to hold most of her weight. Desperately trying not to lose consciousness. Her hands began to glow gently with aura as she struggled to outstretch them.
Her aura she generated, formed and coated her hands in a thin film before lowering them over her head, a bubble forming and allowing her to breathe if only temporarily.
Emberith marched forward, her sword down by her side, leaving a deep scorch mark along the ground. With a flick of her wrist a swathe of flames and black smoke burnt a path towards Aquaria.
The water mage channeling more aura and slammed her palm into the ground as the fire was turned to steam and fog, blinding obscuring Emberith’s sight.
“Hm, cheap tricks and one off attacks do not impress me, but your rabid nature to not be knocked down is admirable.” Emberith said, holding her sword up now, tilting her head ever so slightly trying to listen for the telltale sign of one approaching her.
A wild grin flashed across her face as she whirled around, instantly locking her blade with the war club.
“And you are disgrace, a disgrace to your blessing.” Aquaria said coldly, breaking off and swinging hard and repeatedly while Emberith dodged each strike. “You are not derserving of such a blessing from the goddess.” She added as she swung again knocking her blade up, following it up immediately with a powerful punch.
Emberith caught her fist with such force, an expression of wild fury in her eyes and excitement across in her lips. With a twist of her wrist, Aquaria groaned in pain and forcing her to her knee.
“I use my gifts as they were intended to be used. I do not hide my nature, I embrace it.” She said; still holding Aquaria by her wrist. “But you, you tread that line like razor wire over a cliff with nothing but ten thousand feet below and the jagged rocks at the bottom. We are not the same, and you will never be on my level.” She added, now raising her sword slowly to Aquaria’s cheek.
The putrid smell of the metal that remained red hot like an iron was still off putting to Aquaria. It’s heat anything but warm and inviting, it was hot and threatened to cut and scorch her if it came any closer.
“ENOUGH!” Lodell commanded, asserting his authority as he took one step out onto the field, his fierce gaze boring in Emberith’s direction.
Emberith instantly letting go, withdrawing a step back. The commander of the Royal guard remained a statue from where he had planted his first step. For if he had to take another step the arena’s aura barrier would shatter. Both temper’s of Aquaria and Emberith still flared as their aura continued to clash against one another.
“Apologies great commander, I tend to carried away in battle. I’m easily excitable.” Emberith said, slowly returning her sword to the scabbard her back.
Her own aura slowly dwindling and dissipating, Aquaria still maintained a sharp stare at her opponent. But knew fighting any longer would only be disastrous.
The match was declared over from this point as per the intervention of Lodell. Both scores were tallied by the judges and put up on the projected screens. The crowds booing immediately at seeing the final ruling. Manaan Legio would advance onto the finals.
Aquaria returned to her team’s dugout, looking on both her friends with a look of shame. Both embraced her.
“You gave it your best. To hell with what she said, you follow your heart. That’s what separates you, makes you stronger, don’t ever forget that.” Sierra said, encouraging her to not be so down.
“You haven’t lost your way, that’s also what counts.” Rosa said as well, offering a warm smile.
Aquaria nodded in understanding , grateful to have their support even if they wouldn’t see victory.
——————————————————
The second match was soon to get underway while the barrier was quickly patched and enchanted once more.
In the meantime Cole looked to his teammates, all knew they win this. Not the sake of glory but to get to the bottom of this scheme, this is where the trail went cold of the old man.
The three weeks they spent roaming around the lands and looking for any information, finding a number of ruins of extinct guilds. Only torn and shredded parchments remained and their contents worn by time. These were the scars of the guild wars that were endlessly waged centuries before.
What few outlying villages weren’t much better, their owners spoke little of the dark times or anything else. Being so off the beaten path they knew little of dark mages or magic in general.
What little they could gather pointed to the capital. The tournament was the only way they could find more information and find him and stop him. They still had no idea what he would try this time. Yet for Cole, everything was becoming more complicated and blurry.
“Cole.” Tigress said, making him snap out of his thoughts. “This is your journey, it’s your responsibility to see it through how you see fit. Like I said, I will only follow you and aid when I can, but I will not interfere with your decisions.” She explained as she walked closer towards him.
Cole sighed softly at this, understanding what she meant, his resolve returning as he met her eyes. He could still see a hurt or some kind of longing in her eyes. But her aura was as it always.
*Darkness, like mist that disappeared the moment one reach out. The shape of chained beast just barely within reach yet obscured by these shadows.*
“Very well then. I’ll take this. I have to see this through and stop him. I will not fall this time.” He said, more so resolving himself, Aaron gave a silent nod from where he stood as he walked out into the field.
“You damn fool…” Tigress muttered as she watched him from afar.
Yet it remained true, she would be forever chasing after him. For more reasons than others would ever be able to understand.
As Cole reach the center of the arena, his opponent from Castle Tsukuyomi was the dark elf who had taken out Val Rok early in the tournament. Bedecked in simple robes and armor of dark steel. The kite shield she carried as large as herself and worked in the shape of a crux. From what he saw, she was capable of keeping up and rather quick with the long thin cutlass on her hip.
“You have put on quite a display, for a human. Those pillars of fire nearly broke the barrier.” The evlen woman said, a subtle smirk tracing on her face. “Quite skilled indeed with that bow and spear, yet I do not see the gauntlet shield, or is that sword on your back only for show?” She added tauntingly.
“I make do with what I have. But I never caught your name, and I have yet to tell mine.” He countered, with a smile of his own as this got soft chuckle out of her.
“I am the Lady Nimara. And you, young lord?” She said giving a graceful curtsy before returning her playful gaze back to his.
“I am Cole Kuro. I’m nothing special, just a wanderer passing through.” He said, giving a bow of his own.
“You and I both know that is a lie.” She remarked, her gaze more devilish.
“Well I suppose it’s a matter of perspective. But the time for talk is over. I don’t intend to relent.” Cole responded, his gaze equally as stern.
The sound of the buzzer commenced the match to begin. She hadn’t seen him materialize his spear as he was already throwing it at her.
Just as swiftly her sword was being drawn and knocking the spear up and out of the way causing it to veer off and stab into the wall far away.
Cole now had his bow at the ready and three ash made arrows drawn, letting them fly one after the other.
Nimara raised and maneuvered the large crux-shaped kite shield to block each arrow at its strongest center. Clearly generating aura through the metal of this magnificent shield.
She charged forward in a blur now, gaining enough momentum allowed the shield to rise up horizontally, slicing the air as she intended to ram the pointed end into him.
Flames beneath his feet ignited, instantly rocketing him into the air.
He pulled back the string as another ash made arrow and let it soar down, Nimara blocking the explosion, feeling her knees wanting to buckle under the pressure of the fire that cascaded over the face of her shield.
Cole landed away from her, refastening his bow to his back quickly as his spear materialized in his hand. Now holding it out as they began to circle one another.
“I am quite impressed, an Elven bow and a a Dwarven spear. You are quite a cut above the children of the academy. But this is only a fraction of the skill you possess, show me the fire in your soul.” Nimara goaded, racing forward in a blur once more.
With a level of skill and grace her left hand maneuvered and swung the cutlass to keep Cole on the defensive.
With an upward sweeping curve of the blade she knocked the spear up and away again, slamming the face of her shield against him, sending him sliding into the dirt.
“Get up.” She demanded. “Show me, you can fight. You’ve been this persistent, now show me your resolve boy.” She added, goading him further.
Cole groaned as he dragged himself from the dirt. His spear returning to its ring form, his hand going behind as they found the grip of his sword. In one motion thw sword was free from its fastenings.
Its form and shape having altered since he had awoke in these lands. Now taking the shape of a great sword, much taller and heavier than what he was used to. It’s black metal reflecting the familiar pattern. It hummed with the familiar song of those that came before him and its latent power slumbering within.
Nimara smiled wider now, launching herself at him again, he was met by a rapid onslaught of jabs and slashes. Cole only able to meet her with a hasty defense, just barely able to fend off her strikes with his own blade awkwardly. The Elven woman grinned and softly cackled to herself as she forced him back.
“Is this really the best you can do?! Cmon! Show me something worth my time already!” She demanded, still not relenting with her swordplay.
“JUST SHUT UP!” Cole shouted, swinging underhanded and connecting with her cutlass.
His own blade momentarily glowing like a red hot iron and sending her weapon flying from her grip into the sky. Following it up immediately and without hesitation, his great sword curved and swung down and collided against the face of her shield.
A flash of green flames exploded out for only a moment, clashing with her shield and cutting through its thin layer of aura. The screens projecting the match catching it, the faint hairline crack on the face of her shield. Everyone present could feel the magical pressure of aura straining even harder against the arena barrier, cracks becoming visible, something that was thought all but impossible.
But it was over now. The sound of the timer running out sounded the end of the match. The judges calling for the two of them to cease fighting. Cole retreated first as his sword slowly returned its blackened state and refastened it to his back.
“It seems you do have some fight in you after all, champion.” Nimara mocked, Cole merely glaring at her unamused.
The judges discussed amongst themselves as the crowd watched with curious murmurs and confused stares. Finally the scores for the match were put up on the board as they immediately broke into cheers.
Cole’s team was advancing to the finals.
Nimara gave him one last sly smile before bowing respectfully.
“You have done well in battle, Cole Kuro. I hope you fair just as well tomorrow.” Nimara said mockingly, before retrieving her sword and returning to her team’s dugout.
The crowd roared with cheers even louder for him as he walked back, waving and smiling himself, enjoying the victory for this moment, his eyes finding Juni in the crowd who cheered him on with her younger brother. He couldnt help but chuckle a little at this. Returning to his team, Tigress offered a genuine smile impressed by his performance and Aaron was just as equally impressed.
‘Maybe this isnt so bad after all?’ Cole thought himself momentarily as he celebrated victory with his teammates.
- Manaan Legio - 260 points
- Freelance team C.A.T. - 250 points