The day of the duel was here. Wynn had woken early and had met up with his friends at the baths. All morning was taken up with strategies. Lord Yikmo had taught them everything Regin could use against them. Aasliyah was ready and had been pent up with anger for the remainder of the time. This was the first time anyone had seen her angry. Makan said it was good to be angry, Wynn had agreed and Makan was happy at that. Makan had told them to keep all their anger pent up and to focus on the person they hated most. Makan had taken up most of their lessons, Lord Yikmo only helping with strategies Makan didn't know. Which to Soneas surprise was only a couple of strategies. Wynn and the others had come to the high lords residence, which Ellen said would make a more powerful statement. Kia and Wynn had come up with a small parade to intimidate the others. The high lord and the high magicians would lead with the novices behind in a arrow shape. As they exited the high lords residence the sun was high in the sky. The arena was packed, with both magicians and non-magicians. Makan had told them to look confident to intimidate the others. They past Regins group, all looking disorganized and scared. The two groups entered the arena and stood in front of administrator Lorlen. Lolen went through the practices and asked the magicians to create the inner shields. For Ellen and Kia other magicians came forward to create the shields. Regins group did the same.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes!"
Soneas voice joined her friends in union. Regins group echoed their response. The two groups went to their sides of the arena and waited.
"Let the battle, begin!"
Sonea added her magic to the shield and looked over to Regin and his gang. She looked over their faces and a sudden realization came over her.
"Theses aren't his friends."
The others looked at her and looked back to Regin. His smirk revealed she was right.
"He must of changed them at the last minute. My 'spies' reported he was practicing with older students. I didn't think that they were his groups. Their a mix of the best fifth years, and the strongest, magically, novices. He'll use them as a reserve. Shit!"
Wynn smiled at this use of slum-slang, Kia watched Regan and the rest.
"Do what we planned, show skill. We wont stop them bullying if we don't show we can handle ourselves as individual and as a group."
Everyone nodded and got into formation. They lined up, closer to each other to preserve their shield. First Kia, Makan and Sonea attacked while Wynn and Ellen defended, then reverse. Regins group stayed together, bunched together. Wynn stopped and closed his eyes, Regins group suddenly threw a powerful force strike at the shield and Wynn smiled. Suddenly Sonea felt the earth shift and saw Regins group dispersed like someone slapping water. The group attacked one of the older novices.
"Halt!"
They ended their attack.
"Soneas team wins the first round."
They only had to get one novice for the bout to end. Until they had defeated them twice then they must defeat all of them. Sonea couldn't wait for that round.
"Let round two begin!"
Before Sonea could add her magic to the shield a powerful blast struck her in the stomach. She fell to the ground. Pain ran through her stomach and abdomen.
"Halt! Regins team wins that point."
Sonea looked up in disbelief. Regin was laughing and parading around. All high and mighty.
"I'll show him!"
Wynn ran over to her. The pain dulled and she breathed in slowly.
"Watch out!"
Wynn sounded more concerned than angry. Makan was staring at the ground angrily.
"Round three begin!"
Sonea threw a forceful strike at Regin. It was met with another force strike. She stood beside Wynn and focused. All of them were now in tune with each other. Something Lord Yikmo had taught them. Makan was surprised to know that not even Lord Balkan knew how to do this. They had created a mental shield earlier on, to prevent anyone else listening to their mental thoughts. It took a lot of concentration, but they had been able to both use it and the shield.
"What should we do?"
Kia sounded nervous.
"We separate and take them on two on two. draw them away. Me and Kia will take on some of the better fifth years. Sonea and Aasliyah, you take on some of the weaker ones, make them back against the wall. Don't waste your strength. Wynn and Ellen take on Regin and the other one thats left. Ok!"
Makan ended the conversation and moved to wards Kia. Sonea did the same and Wynn joined with Ellen. Aasliyah looked nervous and suddenly Sonea remembered why.
"Don't worry, Wynn will take on Regin."
Aasliyah smiled, but then it vanished. Regin was heading towards them with one of the older boys. Regin must have been confident because he did what Makan predicted. Wynn was attacking two of the younger novices who were blocking them from helping her. Aasliyah was backing away, so Sonea followed. Their back hit the wall and Sonea began to panic. She saw Wynn and Ellen trying to get to them but was failing. The novices only had to shield. Sonea looked towards Makan and Kia for help but found they were attacking the other older novices. Regin was only a few meters away. Aasliyah was shaking and realization came to Sonea, it was up to her. She calmed her mind and took Aasliyah's hand.
"We need to fight back!"
Aasliyah shook her head and looked at the ground.
"I can't!"
"Yes you can! Don't let him win! He hurt you and could hurt others."
Sonea shook her head and suddenly had an idea.
"What if he hurt your little sister?"
Aasliyah's eyes darkened. A tremendous wave of power came from Aasliyah and blew Regin back. Blast after blast of power came from Aasliyah targeting Regin. She started walking toward him, throwing strike after strike of power. Regin backed away until his back hit the wall of the arena. Sonea was struggling to keep up with Aasliyah's attacks.
"No one hurts my sister!"
Her voice echoed in the arena. A shout came from the audience.
"Halt!"
Aasliyah continued her attack. Sonea was beginning to become scared. What could she do to stop her. Abruptly the strikes stopped. Wynn appeared next to her and held Aasliyah by the neck. Aasliyah slumped to the ground.
"She's fine. I just put her to sleep."
Sonea nodded her head as the others ran over.
"What happened?"
Kia looked at Sonea and then at Regin.
"I sort of asked her if she would let him harm her sister."
"She would give her life for her sister! You shouldn't have said that!"
Regin was scared and now was shaking.
"At least it did the job. And she didn't know. If i had thought of it i would have done exactly the same."
Makan smiled at her and looked up at Lorlen.
"Bring her up to the arena and we will continue."
Wynn and Ellen lifted her with magic and propelled her towards Lady Vinara, slowly.
"Are you ready?"
Regin was complaining to his guardian and walked to his team.
"Yes!"
Sonea echoed his answer.
"Round four begin!"
Sonea looked over to Maran. He looked less confident, probably because they were one person down. Sonea shuddered as Regin and Wynn exchanged blows. This was going to be hard.
"Act as if your weakening! Ellen let down your shield and raise it again when they strike. They'll make a mistake some where. Back away."
Sonea did what he asked and started to back away. Ellen was a brilliant actress and had invited them to see her in her plays. Sonea couldn't figure when she was acting and being genuine. Ellen was backing away from the others and looking tired. Regin noticed this and focused his attacks on her, the others continued attacking them. Ellen made her shield waver and suddenly a blast of light hit her from behind.
"Halt!"
Makan cursed as Regin smiled and headed back to the start position.
"He knew."
Wynn sighed.
"Were even know."
"Thats it i think we've demonstrated enough technique."
Makan looked over to Lord Yikmo and made a gesture, unknown to the others.
"Lord Yikmo agrees. Go all out."
Wynn and Kia smiled broadly. Ellen walked over to them, crying.
"I'm so pathetic. I couldn't do something a novice can do!"
"Don't worry. Makan say's no limit, and no technique."
Ellen's frown turned into a smile.
"We need to take them all out. Got that?"
The group nodded unanimously.
"Lets get them!"
The group stood in a uniformed line, copied by Regins group. Although they were one person down Sonea saw a confidence that struck up a powerful emotion of pride, to belong to their friendship group.
