Chapter 2

"What's the next phase, master?"

"Come here and I'll show you."

"A pile of bones?"

"Yes, it's quite unfortunate, isn't it?"

"I guess..."

"I want you to use your most powerful magic to bring this monster back to life."

"Okay, my master, but I warn you, he won't be very powerful."

"Don't you worry about that right now. We'll power him up later. For now, I want you to just do as I ask."

"He is alive now. Well, sort of. I couldn't give him his skin back, but at least he has clothes on. Shall we move on to phase four?"

"Immediately."

"Umm...What is phase four?"

"Phase four is when you go and spread the news that Blue-Eyes White Dragon has finally been killed by me, Tri-Horned Dragon, and that Lob will be destroyed without warning."

"Yeah...umm...okay...Can I ask you something?"

"Anything you want, after all, there isn't a such thing as a stupid question."

"Wouldn't telling them that Lob will be destroyed give them a warning?"

"Shut up, that's a stupid question!"

"But you said-"

"Do it now!"

"Okay, okay."

Gazelle and Milus had made it to the Semi-Finals. The muscled man, whom they never saw fight because they were too busy paying attention to their own battle, had also made it to the Semi-Final round. The man they had seen encouraging them to bicker at each other during the fight turned out to be the announcer of the tournament.

"And now," the announcer began. "The penultimate battle is about to begin...THE SEMI-FINALS! Now remember...The rules are simple. You are allowed to fight until the person is unconscious. Killing is allowed, although I recommend not to do it. The only thing not allowed is to use weapons."

Milus rolled his eyes. He had heard that before each battle and it was getting annoying. Milus was paired up with the champion of the tournament for the last few years. Flame Swordsman also happened to be the king of the Fire Kingdom. Gazelle was paired up with the giant muscled man, who was also from the Earth Tribe.

"Ready everybody?" the announcer asked. It was rhetorical. "Then let the battles begin!"

"I'M GOIN' TA CRUSH YOU!" the giant man roared at Gazelle. As he roared he suddenly transformed. He grew even huger. His muscles rippled and grew with him, and his skin turned teal. His eyes merged into one in the center of his head. His name was Hitotsu-Me. "DIE!"

"He's a Beast-Warrior!" Gazelle exclaimed. "Okay then, two can play at that game!" Just like Hitotsu-Me Giant, Gazelle grew huge, and his muscles grew a small amount. The difference is that his hair thickened until it covered his whole body, and he grew a dark mane. His fingernails became long, black claws.

The battle commenced. Gazelle swiped at Hitotsu-Me Giant with his claws. It made small red marks on Hitotsu-Me. A blow to the head immediately knocked Gazelle to the ground, but Gazelle quickly got up and kicked Hitotsu-Me, who became unconscious.

"And Hitotsu-Me Giant is out!" exclaimed the announcer.

"All brag and small strength won't do much good," said Gazelle as he changed back into a man. "How did your battle go, Milus?"

"Umm...Not so good," said Milus sadly. "I lost. And you forgot to retract your claws."

"Oops." Gazelle retracted his claws. "There we go. Don't worry Milus, I'll win the tournament for you."

"Thanks," said Milus, "I'll be watching."