At last the final day of the tournament had arrived. Anyone who had wanted a chance to get a seat had to get there before they even opened the gates. They were already full before noon.

  There wasn’t an empty barstool or chair in any pub or bar across the capital, everyone had their eyes glued to the aura projector screens as the announcers got everyone excited. Even the owners and staff were watching, none would pass up this opportunity to see the finals.

  Everyone across the lands was tuned in by radio or watching on a television set and hosting a watch party.

  Even Samantha and Tanner had tuned in to watch the finals, much to the chagrin of Sam.

  All bets had been made and none the betting halls were taking anymore, everyone was locked in and just have to wait and see who would win and how and with what tactics or techniques or how long it would last. No matter the angle someone was betting on, they could only sit and watch it all play out.

  Those of the guild masters, Rin, the Princess, the King and Lodell were escorted to the skybox. Guards standing outside, and at every entrance and exit, keeping a close watch on everything.

  Xylia, Juni, Raiden, Eugene and Taiga had gotten good seats. They were all cheering for Cole while Xylia happily clapped for them, still not too fond of using her voice in public.

  Cole’s team and Manaan Legio were at last escorted out onto the field, the crowd erupting with deafening cheers. This was it, the last eight days had led to this moment. It came down to the final match. As both teams were escorted to their respective dugouts and were to discuss amongst themselves who was to represent them for the final matchup.

  Cole looked at Tigress and Aaron with a look of conviction as they both nodded in agreement and understanding. This was his to see through, they would be by his side for whatever may come after. As he marched onto the field, he could just make out the Aura of Faye and Iris watching from high up in the arena’s four corner statues that flanked the four traditional directions of a compass, keeping hidden in the shadows.

  The one to join him on the field and represent their guild was none other than the Salamander herself, Emberith.

  “So you are to be the one I face? Brave of you, but you’ve been reckless Champion.” Emeberith said smirking, her eyes wild with anticipation, her hand eagerly gripping the hilt of her sword.

  “As I’ve said, I am a stubborn learner.” Cole retorted, his grip on his own sword as his eyes were stern and focused.

  A moment of silence passed between the two combatants even the crowd holding its breath in anticipation, as at last the buzzer sounded and the match began and everyone roared with excitement.

  Both launching at one another leaving impact craters from where they initially stood, each having drawn their swords as either was engulfed their own variant of flames.

  Cole’s great sword engulfed in green flames as he brought it in an overhead strike. Emberith’s katana was engulfed in flames and smog, dragging it across the ground scorching and burning the dirt, aiming for an upward curving strike.

  Both blades collided with such force, Cole especially feeling the power behind Emberith’s strike.

  Her flames desiring to consume and destroy all in their path, while his flames combated and out burnt hers. They listened to him and he was one with them inturn as well.

  Cole and Emberith repeatedly collided and locked blades faster than even the screens could keep up, only able to spot the craters they left from each meeting of the blades. Both zigzagging all around the field, Cole pushing her back and chasing after her. Both’s aura churning and clashing, straining against the barrier as well. The crowd in even more awe of what was being put on display.

  “You’re wasting my time, boy!” Emberith said, her eyes telling the most and she was wanting.

  “Not as reckless as you claim I am.” He fired back.

  Meeting her strike and knocking it away and with a rotation of his wrists and replacing his footing. His blade rapidly was swinging back around to find its mark, it would hit if she did not dodge.

  Her flash of smile caught him momentarily off guard, she raised her left arm now coated black scales and her fingers sporting long sharp yellow nails, the arm of a beast.

  Much to his shock, her arm stopped his blade, feeling the scales bring his blade to a halt but just barely find a gap between and just kiss the flesh underneath.

  She was not wasting a second as she was already bringing her sword down for a strike of her own as he couldn’t possibly defend against this.

  His right hand materialized the spear instantly as he jutted it up and to the right, knocking her blade out of the way once more.

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  Cole immediately following it up with a strong head but, momentarily stunning Emberith. Causing her to stumble back a little.

  “That’s the spirit boy. Play dirty, keep me guessing what you’ll do next. Unsportsmanlike is the only way I can truly have any fun.” She said, smiling widely.

  Now circling him slowly as he was donthe same to her. His spear having returned to its ring form, his sword resting on his shoulder.

  “Well not the first time I’ve been a disappointment, sure as hell won’t be the last.” He replied snarkily, thrusting his right hand in an underhand throw as his spear materialized and hurled itself forward.

  Emberith knocking it out of the way with ease and meeting his overhead strike again with a perfectly matched underhand strike, forcing his blade to lock with hers. Her expression unimpressed barely putting in any effort as he was using his all his might to try and drive her back.

  “If you will not show me something worth my time, then I will draw it out.” Emberith said dully, chanting her blessing she began to breathe out the noxious and toxic gas.

  Cole delivered a swift and powerful kick to her knee, catching her off guard.

  But she didn’t have time to cry out, as he immediately followed it up by planting the same foot in her midsection. This sent her hurtling into and slamming into the wall and leaving a large spider web fracturing.

  Cole cried out as he immediately stabbed his sword into the ground, three fire pillars erupted.

  This instantly shattering the barrier, the crowd immediately stunned by this. But the flames continued to burn and consume the toxic gas and noxious fumes they put off.

  As Emberith regained her composure and cracked her neck some. Her gaze was firmly on Cole now, her eyes seething with a hatred.

  Yet Cole met her gaze and stared her down with anger of his own, angered that he’d been forced to use this again.

  “This ends now.” He demanded, knowing the timer wasn’t going to last much longer. Readying his sword for an underhand strike and putting his left foot forward.

  Emberith’s expression shifted to one of a smile, she readied herself by bringing her sword up and overhead.

  Launching herself without hesitation and leaving behind another crater from she flew across the arena and into the air.

  Her blade coated in the flames and black smog.

  Cole’s own sword caught fire as green flames licked the length of the blade, all three fire pillars still continuing to burn.

  At last both blades collided in a spectacular explosion of flames clashing and sending a decent shockwave up the walls and out into the crowd and dispersing once it passed over the arena itself. Everyone covering and shielding themselves from the blast of the heated shockwave and extinguishing his fire pillars.

  The guild masters and Rin shielding their eyes momentarily, and Lodell stood before the king and princess using a wall of light spell to shield them.

  The buzzer sounded as the match was now officially over, the timer had run out. It was officially over, the crowd roaring with a deafening scream of joy and cheers, the judges putting in their scores and the announcers shouting excitedly.

  “And with that ladies and gentlemen, the freelance team led by this incredible swordsman has taken it all the way to victory!” The announcer exclaimed, as the crowd cheered even harder.

  1. Freelance team C.A.T. - 300 points

  2. Manaan Legio - 290 points

  That was the final score of the match, but as Cole looked around, his gaze fell back on Emberith as she merely smiled as well.

  “You’re already too late boy.” She said raising her sword one handed and pointed towards him.

  His eyes quickly flicked up to the skybox. She was right, Rin and Lodell were trying to get the King and Princess to safety while the other four guild masters were fighting against the masters of Castle Tsukuyomi and Manaan Legio and holding them off.

  Cole let loose a cry of rage as he charged her again, only to be blasted away by the ash, smog and toxic flames that spewed from her sword, this time he slammed into the wall.

  Chaos had given way as a panic in the crowd ensued. Tigress rushing out in a blur and slamming into Emberith and sending her flying into the wall yet again. Aaron getting Cole and putting his arm around his shoulder to get him out of harms way.

  “Cmon Cole! Wake up! You gotta get up.” Tigress said, trying to encourage him back to consciousness and shaking him some, Aaron keeping watch for the moment.

  Iris and Faye and joined them in the dugout. Taiga came falling from above her sword in hand, Eugene following close behind in his descent.

  “What the hell is going on?! “ Taiga demanded.

  “All hell’s broken loose across the kingdom, we gotta get the palace fast and end this before the moon rises.” Iris informed her.

  “Then we’re gonna have our hands full, we got company.” Aaron said, stepping out further now as Eugene was by his side as well.

  Emberith was standing in the way and at the center of the field.

  “Now this will be interesting. Perhaps even worth my time.” Emberith commented, taking note of the two boys.

  “You’re not getting all the action to yourselves.” Taiga said, drawing her own sword as she joined her brother and boyfriend.

  Both chuckling to themselves as they were both ready to do battle as well. Emberith cackling to herself even more at the prospect of facing three at the same time. Now this was a fight she could truly enjoy.

  Cole groaned hard as he came back to, coughing hard and trying to breath. Tigress helping do so quickly, helping him up he returned his sword to his back and leaned on her until he got his strength back. Iris and Faye joining her now.

  “Good luck you three, don’t you dare get killed, you mean a great deal to him. So come back alive all of you.” Faye demanded, before all four left themselves.

  Time was running out, and the day was beginning to wane. The repercussions of everything were coming down on everyone…