Several days fly by and the starlight festival began, many men and women, joined the festivities. Many men and women joined in the festivities that lasted a good two weeks. There are many joyful events, such as: dancing, singing, fire performances and many more my favourite was the tournament. Around this time, several men and women compete in a tournament for the title ‘Champion’ of Nefelia. I gaze upon the sight in awe and wondered if Dante had to go through this to. There’s no doubt in my mind he had to. I push past the bustling crowd and plant myself at the edge of the arena. The area was large, I notice as I place my hand on it, was a large transparent barrier. I didn’t understand the need for such extremes but as I stare at the man entering the arena, I recognise him as the headman-the arena’s main coordinator. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the starlight festival, I hope you enjoy the festivities and the fun it brings. Now for today’s match we had a new competitor from Planet Sparta hailing from the Nurgardi region in Provencia. Introducing, her Ladyship Terra. And in the far right corner we had a Persian Knight, hailing from the Zucouldia Province in Dubadia. Introducing, Merda.” Two women, appear standing on two podiums at the opposite end of the arena, it ricochetes out of the ground and at least twelve feet into the air.
I hear the crowd “oo” and “ah” while some whisper about them falling off the podium and hurting themselves. I wondered that as well, I mean I remember sawing someone fall off of a roof that tall and they ended up dislocating their shoulder and fracturing their ribs. It was a daunt mind you but still the thought of it does worry me-a little. “Behind me,” the headman announced, “Is the leader board and match boards these will keep you informed, who has won a battle, who has lost and how much points they’ve received. To be a . . .” I didn’t hear anymore as Zeanna shouts in my ear through the roaring crowd:
Everyone wants to saw them fight.
“There you are.” I peer over my shoulder and find her.
“What are you doing here?” I question.
“Looking for you.” She grasps my hand and yanks me from my spot and leads me through the crowd, that rubs and brushes against me in places I didn’t want touched. When we finally exit the crowd she begins to take off as I desperately try and keep up with her, she’s slowed down a lot that much I know but I couldn’t help but wondered what we’re ranning for. We enter a tunnel and the raging crowd dies down. “In here.” Zeanna announced and the doors slide open. There in the room was Dante and Asashin. I regard those two questionably.
“What’s going on?” I wondered out loud.
“That’s easy.”
“That’s easy.” Zeanna announced. “It’s your turn.” She passes me a silver battle helmet. I eye the design, it’s beautiful but also deadly with sharp edges around the jawline mimicking the markings of the nobles and royal families.
“My turn for what?” I asked.
“To fight.” Asashin buts in and Zeanna glares at Asashin who steps back a little. I get the strangest impression she wanted to said that.
“Fight where?”
“In the arena silly.” Zeanna easily declares.
“The Arena?” I question, in shock.
“Yep.” Zeanna nods, “We think you’re ready.”
“But I’ll be going up against, superhumans.” I mention and everyone looks at each other in confusion. “What? It’s true.”
“Kal.” Dante reassures, “Outlanders aren’t allowed to use their powers in the Arena. It’s a testament to years of training and skill not how far you could throw a ship or tear one up with your bare hands.”
“Are you sure?” I question, “What happens if they cheat?”
“Then they’ll be disqualified and they’ll had to deal with the Champion.” Zeanna reassures, “Not just that didn’t you want to saw if you remember everything. I know you remember but the fighting was what I was fearful you may had forgotten.” With a decision made, I take the helmet in hand and regard Zeanna.
“I’ll do it.”
Later, “Remember to keep your guard up,” Juvias announced, he recently popped into the preparation room before I had to enter the arena. He wasn’t happy to know that I’ll be fighting warriors who had been to war. Dante’s response was, ”She’s been on the battlefield too and survived what does that tell you.” I groan at the memory. “Why doesn’t Dante keep his trap closed?” I mutter in annoyance.
“Huh?” Juvias questions, confused as that’s not what I recall saiding to him. I shake my head.
“Never mind.” I hear the roar of the trumpets and the horns. It’s time for me to enter the Arena. I regard Juvias aware that this will be a painful encounter. I step out into the arena, feeling my blood freeze in place. The cheer of the crowd causes goosebumps to ring along my skin. I could saw on the dirt, at my feet, as I stumble into the dirt arena, there was blood of all different colour; there was blue, red, green and purple.
I glanced up and I saw that woman. The same woman who threatens to tear me apart. I perceive the area behind me and saw the doors close. The ring of the blaring alarm, reminds me that the fight was going to start. I felt my insides turn and my skin tremble at the idea of facing an opponent who has had more fights than I’ve potentially had. I regard the woman and watches as she glanceds at the main coordinator of this event. He comes close to us and saids silencing the mic at his lips, “You two are to bow to each other before the battle begins as a sign of respect for the championship and this planet. Do you understand?”
We both nod, a silent agreement.
“Excellent, there’ll be no death in this arena, once you call ‘yield’ or the other person was unconscious, victory will be defined. Until then, the sky’s the limit.” he informs. He un-silences the microphone by his lip which I could barely saw as it’s transparent. He begins boasting to the crowd, “And let the match begin!” That same blaring alarm sounds but this time as if it’s counting down and I could saw the numbers count down in mid air just above us. It reaches zero and I saw the woman race towards me. She throws several punches, I block most of her punches and dodge the rest. She’s quick I realise. I could felt the eyes of the mainman on me, I could saw him at the corner of my eye and realise he’s watching me, with an indifferent expression. Does he know who I am? I wondered .
“Hold still!” the woman growls. Iglare.
“If you had energy to speak. You mustn’t be trying.” I tease and realise it’s a mistake as her fist slams against my nose shattering my bones. I felt the pain radiate through me and I was quick to clutch my nose and felt the warm blood pooling over my hand. I grant in disgust and she smiles.
“You spoke too soon, wench.” I felt my nose heat, before cooling not before long the rush of blood stops and I stand, feeling my nose repair itself. The woman stares at me and regards the MC. He appears to had a smile on his face. She glanceds at me and was stunned, eyes wide with shock. “You’re not a Daunt.”
“I smile. No I was not, I was a different kind breed.” I remark and race at her. I start throwing punches, they’re nothing much just strong punches. I felt my muscles heat and I realise that I was speeding up with my punches, she’s finding it a bit more difficult to block my attacks—let alone dodge them.
I felt my muscles heat and I realise that I was speeding up with my punches; she’s finding it a bit more difficult to block my attacks—let alone dodge them and within moments, smack! I knock her back with an uppercut and she flies away from me before falling on the ground in a knockout. The bell rings twice and the main man pulls one of my arms up and calls, “Winner!”
The crowd bursts into an uproar.
I’m given five minutes to prepare for my other fight back in the preparation room. “You did well.” Zeanna saids.
“You saw?” I question.
“Yeah, everyone has.” Dante, Asashin and Juvias all nod in agreement. This information was new to me, everyone saw my fight doe that mean that it was broadcast live. If so, by who and where did it go. They were questions I assume will later be
answered. The bell rings again and this time, I was on my way to the next match. The day goes by like this: match after match, after match. Eventually, I grow weary but also confident as I’ve learnt more about myself. I remember quite a lot of things but not all the techniques or combinations but they would come out when I needed them to. Like now, I sweep and watch as she falls hard towards the ground, in a single move I grab a hold of her arm and throw her to the ground. Immediately, she’s unconscious and as a familiar action, the main man comes over and lifts my arm proclaiming:
“Winner!” Sound effects and lights, flash. His voice booms over the microphone at his lips, “Now ladies and gentlemen, as a tradition, we do something very dangerous yet exciting for you my fellow viewers.” I saw a Sibyl move towards him—it’s recording. I regard the sight in fear, the Sibyls were recording the event and broadcasting it to everyone on the planet. I didn’t blame them the area match known as ‘the seven point dragon’ was a huge event where many come from different parts of the universe to gaze upon the winner and champion of ‘the seven point trial’ where the United Council will declare the winner ‘champion’ of their own world and a knight of the United Council.
I receive a nod, from the head man and to return to the back room. Once I do, I saw that the room was empty, “Where did everyone go?” I wondered out loud and glanced at the black scaly suit in front of me, lined in sterling silver armour. So far I fought in the clothes I had come to Nefelia in. I glanced down at my torn and battered jacket and dirty blue shirt. I regard the suit and begin to change.
I step into the Arena for the hundredth time that day and felt the sun stinging my face. It must be mid-day by now and everyone was still here better yet there’s even more people here than I had originally thought.
I stand staring at myself in the reflection of the mirror. I eye the uniform I wear and wondered what it was for. The armour isn’t too heavy for me and neither was it to clunky, it’s thick enough to stop a knife from piercing my skin but not a bullet but than again that’s how it looks when I recall that this metal was from the mines of the Zarkonia region where many mine the metal we wear as armour. It’s strong and dangerous as well as it also has the power to deflect bullets if the need be. I regard my armour more closely and saw there was an engraving of our ancient language Neruden on it, covering the edges of the metal. With this it has the power to fend off demons. A Nefaliem man enters the room and saids, “The second stage was starting.”
I nod, “Thanks.”
I regard the utility belt near where my uniform had lain and like that I lift it, it’s heavy but not too heavy. It’s thick, bulky and black but lined in silver, it I notice isn’t so bulky to the point where it would annoy me as I move. I clip the belt around my waist and head to the door feeling like I was missing something. I enter the hall and stare at the blinding light and enter the roar of an excited crowd.
* * *
Chapter 11: Chapter 10
* * *
10. The Giant
It’s the thick green leaves I notice first, after my eyes adjust to the blinding light. I peek at the large green glossy leaves from behind my hand and allow my eyes to adjust. Once they do, I relax and enter the jungle. I step out into the jungle and regard the sight in wondered . How did I get here? I think, gazing upon the rainforest in awe. I faintly hear the sound of a roaring crowd and realise that it’s something that has been crying from the Sibyl that floats towards me. I saw it watch me and I return its gaze aware of everyone on the other side staring at me. “Let the match begin!” I hear the main man call and like that the countdown begins once again as it did at the start of the first stage. Then after, each battle will happen simultaneously, this time, I fear without a break. I felt a breezing wind pick up in the middle of the dense forest and I realise, I sense something or rather someone. I felt the Sibyl and my body moves on it’s own as I flip backwards and out of the way as the ground beneath me splits. I land on the ground my legs spread over the fissure in the ground. I step off to the side and hold out my hands. “Fe Fi Fo Fum, I smell Nefaliem scum.” Out of the trees crawls a giant.
“Let’s saw if she could survive this!” the main man announced through the Sibyl, with excitement in his voice, while I stare at the sight in pure horror.
“Hell no.” I mutter as the giant growls a roar so powerful it feels like a cyclone was forming.
The wind blows everywhere and I saw that in this mess, there’s a giant staring down at me. It’s hand reaches for the sky before slamming back down and I leap out of the way in time but not so much at the same time as that monster causes the ground to shatter under his hand. I felt the weight of the heavy earth on my legs and arms. I pry myself free and glanced up at the monster who stares down at me with his large golden eye. His eyes are so close to mine that I could saw nothing but the pupil of his eye staring back at me.
I could felt his breath against my skin. I felt fear flood through me, he’s intent on killing me but would they let that happen?
“What the—?” I question as I stare at the sight of a valley before me. “How did I end up here?” I glanced at the sight, feeling the wind pick up brushing my hair around me as I gaze upon the sight. I hear the sound of pounding footfalls race behind me. I leap over logs, fallen moss covered trees and over uneven land. I slide along the inclining land and come across a stone sticking out of the declining earth. “Where did you go Nefaliem? I won’t do much, just eat you!” it laughs a shrieking laugh. A laugh so deadly it causes my stomach to twist and turn, at the sound of it.
I hear he’s close, so I duck and hide in a cave under the roots of a tree. I hear the monster stop, he sniffs the air, “I know you’re here.” it teases. “I could smell you.” He sniffs the air again, “And aren’t you delectable.” I felt myself tremble, I didn’t realise it until now, fear courses through my veins and I believe no one will be here to save me when I couldn’t even save myself, how am I supposed to save myself when I couldn’t even fight a monster that towers twelve feet into the air. Placing my hands on my head, I realise it’s over.
Then, I hear the sound of something ricocheting through the air then the sound of the monster’s agonising scream. The sound of something soaring through the air catches my attention again. I hear smaller footfalls race towards where I am and before I could question what had happened . . . Varden’s dragging me behind him. I notice his arrows and quivers and saw that his arm was engraved in a tattoo of energetic magical circles along his firing arm. He sets me behind a tree. He races away from me but I still saw him and watch as he unsheathes an arrow and lines it up. A golden energetic circle hovers before his arrow and within seconds it’s released and the giant cries out in pain again. But how isn’t he a Daunt? I wondered as I stare at this man in amazement.
He fires more arrows and not before long I hear the sound of the Giant’s last scream before he tumbles to the ground. I climb out of my hiding spot, caked in dirt and sweat. I pant and felt my feet ache, almost as if my bones are going to sink through the soles of my feet and into the ground. “Thanks.” I gasp.
“No problem.” Varden smiles over at me. Immediately, his eyes go wide and I realise he’s staring at something behind me.
I felt hot heavy breathing on the back of my neck and head. I slowly turn around and I was faced with a large giant staring down at me. I saw its large pupil staring back at me while my body automatically steps away from the oddity of the monster on its own. I felt Varden behind me and notice the giant’s hand launches into the air, Varden pushes me aside and I saw its hand doesn’t come down but comes from the side—from Varden’s side. We’re both shot through the air and thrown into a nearby tree. I felt something warm pooling out of my lip and I crawl out from under Varden and glanced down at him. He’s unconscious. Blood trails from the crown of his head. “Varden.” I whisper in a hoarse voice my lungs singing in pain. I hear stomping pounding towards us. “Get up.” I managed and crawl over to him feeling my backache in agony.
/> My arms and legs burn and I was wondered ing how I was able to move.
I crawl on my knees and find Varden’s head; he’s no doubt received a concussion. I knew I shouldn’t do this but fearing for his safety over mine, I wrap my arms around his head and wait as the monster approaches. “Too easy.” It grumbles.
I hear the giant on approach and I keep my head down, praying that someone will save us. Then again, I felt frustrated and angry. How could this had happened? I question, this Outlander was genuinely trying to kill us. This was supposed to be an arena match to determine a Champion—not to send people into their own death. Surely this could had been warranted some mercy. I felt my eyes sting. Before I realise what it was that falls from my face and onto Varden’s face, I saw my tears. I was terrified, helpless and mad. “Weakling Daunt.” The monster teases.
“Forgive me Varden.” I said, regretting being so weak. What type of knight would I be? That’s it. I want to be a knight to protect people like Varden—those too weak to help themselves. “You’re not weak. No one’s weak. It’s what we make of ourselves that make us who we are—or rather what we are.” I realise. Memories of wars, battles and fights make its way into my mind. The pain I endured, the sadness I felt, the suffering I carried. It was always there in the background, untouched and patiently waiting. “None of us are!” I scream. “You couldn’t had us!” I call and face the monster. He towers over us and laughs. Its razor sharp fangs threaten to devour us whole. I felt my emotions twist into a wave of turmoil and anger. Without realising it, my energy has gathered and a sword summons in my hands. The monster looks at me and declares:
Crimson Blade (Crimson Series Book 1) Page 14