Hello you lovely people. The Dark Tournament started and everyone is out there fighting for the title.
I drew the battles out randomly and went with writing from there. Hope you enjoy it :)
One day before the start of the tournament, the preparations were already taking place in the designated area for the fights. Valery and Hiei were overlooking the demons that were getting everything ready.
"I want you to be mindful in using your powers during the fights. There will be battles after battles with little to no rest."
"I'll handle it. The preliminaries will eradicate the weak and leave the stronger ones standing." He nodded "Then we will have the semifinals and lastly the final between the last two standing."
"Can't wait!" he turned her to him "I need you to be careful. They will team up against you"
"I am aware of that."
"Good. We should go and get some sleep. Tomorrow morning we'll have a blood bath."
She looked in his worried eyes and just followed his lead. Of course he was worried, this was her first tournament, while he was a veteran in these sort of events. She never had to take in account holding back on her powers until the right moment occurred. He didn't care about her winning, but in facing the wrong opponent, she might end up losing her life. And even now with the sacred power of the Phoenix, a rebirth would alter her further."
"I have trained for this and I have the ability to pull through. I don't charge in combat like an idiot so I should be fine."
"You are intelligent in battle, but others will push you out of your comfort zone."
"Then I will push then out of theirs."
He wrapped his strong arms around her, his eyes fixed on the arena.
The following morning at 07:00 they were all in the assigned area waiting for Varus to give his speech and to register for the fights. Varus stepped on the scene looking over the crowd of demons.
"Well I have never been good with giving speeches. This day signals the start of the forth Demon World tournament. Let's give our best out there and show all the worlds why we are doing this!" the crowd echoed in unison and after the announcer took the stage. All the wished to participate had to be on a stage and pick a number out of several boxes that were present there. The total number of fighters summed up to 1384. After the numbers were drawn they had to wait to see the preliminary fighting groups.
Valery was watching the screen waiting to see how they would be assigned and Hiei was stealing glances at her.
"They are cutting out the weak pretty fast." Hiei turned his attention to her "It's always like this."
"Well as long as we don't end up with each other in the preliminaries this should end quickly."
From behind them a group approached. "We finally meet Valery." She turned around to see 5 fighters that bowed gracefully before her. She felt a surge in her heart that faded as fast as it came.
"You felt it right? That we are yours?"
"I have never met you in my life."
"And neither did we, but we all still standing here before you. You gave your blood to save us. And we are now here to finally help you start your army." Her eyes widened. She knew, she felt it. These were the ones that survived after her parents used her blood to create warriors in order to conquer the worlds.
"Are you delusional? I am not starting any army. I am not conquering worlds. My purpose is to help them."
"We'll see, let's go." They bowed again and Hiei looked at her. "Are you alright?"
"No. I am fucking mad. I knew most died or were eradicated later on by Spirit World. I never imagined there were other mutants out there."
"What do you intend to do?"
"Kill them if it comes to it. When I was showed the memories that were erased from my brain, I was told all were found and killed. Well, those who survived the transfer that is." Hiei watched the 5 strangers from afar. "Maybe this was the threat that Spirit World was sensing."
"Those idiots can't sense something, not even if it hit them square in the face."
"I take offence to that. I did find you after all." Valery and Hiei turned to see Koenma and Botan.
"Why are you here?"
"We couldn't miss you guys fighting."
"Forget that." Valery said coming closer. "I need you to find out why there are 5 fighters here claiming my blood saved them and we should start a riot." Koenma went pale. "That is not possible."
"It is. I felt it" he just nodded and went on his way the announcer came on the stage.
"Listen up you lovely creatures of doom! The first round of preliminaries is about to start. The rules are simple: last one standing in the ring wins. Weapons, armor, attacks are all welcome, the more gruesome the merrier. The 1384 fighters will be taking the ring soon in battle. If one forfeits the match, stays down until the count of ten, is unconscious or dies, loses. The preliminaries will hold 173 fights with 8 fighters in each ring. We have prepared 8 fighting arenas for your entertainment. The second set of preliminaries will be fought between the 173 remaining winners. Only 17 will move up to the semifinals in a battle that will leave only 2 fighters standing. The final match will determine the new leader of Demon World. Let the tournament begin!."
The first 8 group of fighters were up on the screen and they were making their way to the fighting area.
"Pay attention." Hiei motioned to Valery "You need to learn your opponent's moves. You might end up face to face with some of them."
"I know what needs to be done." Hiei watched the woman standing beside him and he knew she was still thinking about the 5 strangers they met.
"Don't let them cloud your mind."
"It just pisses me off. And the only ones that could tell me more are serving their sentence in Hell." She turned a pair of wide eyes to him "Why do they get to go to Hell and I would have just died?" Hiei had the same baffled look on his face and could feel Valery's energy stir up. He put a hand on her shoulder "Save it for the important battles." She revealed her fangs in an enraged growl. He slightly tightened the grip on her shoulder and she looked at him annoyed "We'll deal with that as well, but not now."
"How much longer do I have to pay for the sins of my parents?"
"That is a cross that we will have to bare all our lives." Both of them different, both of them with a cursed destiny, one made by their parents. "I refuse to believe that Hiei." He smirked at her determination and they both turned to the screens. 3 battles already determined the winners.
"Hiei? Can you send out a message to the rest warning them of the 5 warriors?" he nodded closing his eyes and his Jagan glowed from under his bandana. Valery heard Kuwabara yell out for his to get out of his head and she just laughed. "Thank you." Soon the announcer concluded the end of the first 8 battles.
"May the following warriors take the rings?" Hiei saw his name up on the board and him and Valery just shared a look before he went to take the stage for his upcoming battle. The opponents there already recognized him. He just held his usual straight face, unamused by the opponents he had to face. On another ring, Kurama also had his preliminary fight and on the seventh stage Valery saw Uzume "Good luck you guys."
Mokuro soon came near Valery and gave the demons around her a death glare.
"You attract demons like a month to the light."
"I knew they were eyeing me."
"You still carry the same scent." She laughed remembering the first time they met "I was just pulling Hiei's leg then. You smell like freedom Valery. Your skin carried the scent of the outside worlds. Demons will always be attracted to that."
"Why?" she asked looking at her "Because the majority of us never get that freedom."
"Bound to one world."
"Exactly" she said her face darkening.
"So this is why you want to step down?"
"Clever little minx. I've been stuck for over 500 years. It's time to take a different path."
"You earned it Mokuro" she watched her "What an intricate being you are."
Hiei was announced the winner of the battle and Kurama soon followed in his steps. Uzume however was struggling. She was practically a goner, the last demon displaying an impenetrable shell. She wasn't a very strong demon, but she was still a fighter. However despite that she quit the match after being struck down to the ground several times.
"Next combatants, take the stage." Valery saw her name on the board and took the third ring. She knew none of the fighters in the ring, but they apparently knew her.
"That is the goddess of darkness. I heard that she was born in the pits of Hell."
"I know she once made a hoard of demons disappear without even touching them."
"She can transform in a million maggots and devour you." She pinched the bridge of her nose and waited for the announcer to yell out fight.
"I say we finish her first."
"Fighters…ready? Fight!"
"I saw this bic…" one of her swords went directly through the demon's mouth, piercing his skull. The rest jumped a few feet back. Her eyes were hallow and shadows sprung annihilating the opponents. " Oh wow, in less than a minute, Valery is the only one standing, getting extra point for that skull piercing."
She just retrieved her word and went back to where Hiei was.
"Maggots? Really?" he smiled softly "You did good."
"That was like fighting a fly with a flame thrower, they had no chance."
"That is true."
As the stronger fighters emerged victoriously the first set of preliminaries was over. A short break was announced so the following 17 matched could be arranged. Valery went to look for Koenma.
"Hey shit face!" he jumped hearing her yell "Mind explaining to my why my parents have a soul and I do not?" Hiei stopped him from running away. "Alright, alright! Sheesh you both can be rude."
"Now" she yelled further.
"Ok! Dark Angels aren't a race like demons or humans. They are born out of 2 pure bloods that have harnessed evil. You could be born out of two full-fledged demons and come out a dark angel. Your parents have been practicing dark magic for hundreds of years before having you. Your mother was a dark angel, but your father was a necromancer. Due to their malicious powers they were able to have you. Your mother having absorbed other creatures has managed to take fractions of their souls, thus creating one for herself. That's why they are in Hell."
"So if I am to have a child?" she asked weary of the answer.
"Well if you and Hiei are to have one, the chances of it turning up a demon is high. He is not of pure blood, even if he is a full demon."
"So if I am to have a child it won't turn up a dark angel?"
"The chances of that happening are slim. Unless you have a full pure blooded partner. From you and Hiei the chances of a fire demon emerging are very high. The child will be very strong no doubt, but not a dark angel." She sighed slightly happy to hear that. "The worlds have many different creatures, pure bloods are hard to come across these days."
"Are there any other worlds we should know about?" Hiei asked and the ruler shook his head. " No. We have Human World, above it Spirit World that has Heaven and Hell. You have Demon World and above us all is the world of the gods. There are different realms in these worlds, but mostly this is how many there are. Also Valery, a pure blood is not enough to create a dark angel. That creature must be pure evil as well. So you and Hiei can safely have a child." She turned to Hiei and her eyes widened.
"Are you…blushing?"
"Don't be stupid woman, it's just hot here."
"You are not bothered by the heat."
"Shut it." She laughed amused by his defensive nature. The announcer distracted them.
"After the wait the 17 teams have been chosen. 14 will have 10 combatants, the last 3 having 11. Without further delay, these are the next 17 groups." They directed their eyes to the screen.
1. Yusuke was the first to battle
2. In the second group among all the names and pictures, one stood out. The man leading the 5 strangers. His name was Chase
3. The third battle had Valery in it. Hiei felt his chest tighten knowing she will be facing off so early in the second round of preliminaries.
4. They didn't know anyone apart from Han, but they knew the remaining 173 fighters were stronger.
5. Bayu's name showed up, but Hiei also knew some of the fighters
6. One of the 5th fighters, Alan was to fight in the 6th match. His gloomy look trailed to the board and he just shrug his shoulders.
7. The seventh group had Zulard, another one of the 5th. He looked pleased with his combatants and Valery figured he was of Demon World.
Hiei saw his name on the board.
"Do you know any of them?"
"Some" he answered coldly."
8. Sebastian looked as bored as ever seeing his fight come up
9. They all heard Kuwabara cheer and Hiei juts had to comment "That idiot is the only human here. He'll be teared apart."
10. Yomi was to take that match. However he didn't express anything, waiting patiently for the next fights to be announced.
11. Caen, another one of the fifth mysterious fighters. Valery could feel the blood in her veins boil.
12. Varus was one of the combatants.
13. Iona, the only girl among the fighters. Valery at least had names to the faces she was going to bash in.
14. Mokuro was going to go up against other demons in the fight and she was already confident.
15. Kurama saw his name on the board and the last one had Yomi's son in it.
"May the first 10 fighters take the ring." Yusuke carried that familiar smirk he always had before a battle. That man loved fighting and had often gotten into trouble just because of that. However he was a strong warrior and his demon heritage added to it.
"He will need to be very wise out there." Kurama said joining Valery and Hiei. The three brothers also approached.
"Long time no see." Said Han. Valery waved at them and Sebastian and Hiei just glared until the start of the fight. Yusuke had never been the one to fight with weapons. He always took the less subtle approach of his fists. Two fell fast and were down throughout the ten count.
"Come on guys. This is no fun if I get to beat you so easy." A punch interacted with his face sending him a few feet away. He smirked and straightened himself.
"That's more like it." He concentrated his energy shooting out a Spirit gun to only have 3 demons coming his way. He enjoyed every second of it. While he was not one to think out a strategy in battle, he generally won them. There was a reason for him being the former captain of the team. Needless to say, although a bit beaten up, Yusuke emerged victoriously. That was one victory closed to the title.
"Fighters get ready for the second match." Valery was interested to see Chase. He was fast on his feet as if teleporting from one place to another.
"Wow, he's as fast as Hiei." Kuwabara pointed out.
"No, your eyes are just slow."
"Shup up you two and let me watch the fight." The announcer commented.
"This is so good, the other fighters can't seem to hit Chase. And there he is." Valery saw him pull out his fangs and dug them in a demon.
"He's a vampire. How is he out in the daylight?"
"The leader of your fictional army is a bat? Hiei asked mockingly "Looks like it."
"And the winner by 9 deaths is Chase." Valery looked at Hiei "I'm up."
"Be safe out there."
"I'll be fine." She said turning and heading towards the stage. "Let the third match begin. Fight."
The announcer didn't even get to finish the word "fight" and all the warriors plunged at Valery. She took some distance in order to draw her twin swords. There were faster and stronger. One attack, dodge.
"Valery is running for her life as one again all fighters are teaming up against her. And they got a hit that sent Valery eating dirt." She quickly recovered getting back on her feet and launched a dark attack taking down one of the demons. In battle she was swift, but not as fast as Hiei who was renounced for that feature. Ice shards were sent her way and she retaliated with another wave of darkness. From behind she barely had time to get out of the way, claws piercing her skin. "Crap." She joined the bottoms of her swords into one and she changed her stance, wind picking up. When they charged she created a whirlwind slicing through three more of her opponents.
"You are good death bringer, but you are only one."
"Let me even the odds then." She plunged at them taking an attack approach instead of defense. They were quick to dismiss the pace of the battle and the swords flew from her hands.
Hiei clenched his fists watching the battle on the monitor. Valery still held them back with her bare hands, even if hand to hand combat was not her favorite way of battle.
"Get her, she's just a woman." One of her hands grew claws and tribals on it for the scars suffered in the past. "Come and get me then." They attacked once more circling her. She felt their energies flaring up. It took her a few seconds to touch one of the demons and he yelled out in pain.
"Ladies and gentlemen, such gore. His flesh disintegrated just as she touched him. Remind me to never hug this warrior."
"Come on boys, no more play time?" one of the demons concentrated his energy and instead of one, there were five on him. "Well if you want to play it like that." She summoned her dark apparitions. Some they could disperse and fight off, some managed to attack them. Valery was also fighting the demons off.
"And Valery hits the ground. I'll start the count. 1…"
"Do you think an outsider can rule us?"
"2…3…4 and she's back up."
"Why don't you fly back to your realm and take that bastard mate with you?" she eyes the demons before her and placed her hand on the ground.
"What is this? Is Valery ready to give up?" the earth started shaking and soon dark energy engulfed the terrain. She revealed her fangs and her eyes took that hallow appearance.
"Don't let her scare you!"
"You should be scared." The earth cracked and opened, dark apparitions engulfing them. Valery got up.
"Um…should I start the count?"
"You can, but they aren't coming back." After the ten count, Valery was declared the winner.
"That was reckless woman. You got hurt." Hiei said when she came near him "I won and it's just a scratch." She replied back.
"May the fighters for the forth match make their way to the ring?" Ham was jumping up and down in anticipation for the fight. He was ruthless, wild and manic.
"That demon has a lose screw." Sebastian looked at her "He does, but he's a fighting machine."
Han was fearless and showed no mercy towards his enemies, making him the winner for the forth fight. Bayu frowned when the fifth fight was called out. Out of the 3 brothers, he took fighting as a last option. However being s demon and savior of Human World, he entered the tournament. Despite his calculated nature he was still doing poorly.
"They are going to kill him. Why isn't he giving up?"
"He's too proud to give up." Sebastian answered looking with worry at the screen. A demon was ready to deliver the final blow when suddenly Bayu managed to get out of the way. He looked at his hands surprised.
"Give up brother!" Sebastian yelled out.
"Never." He powered up taking control of the fight.
"How is he doing that? He should have failed long ago."
"He has the potential, he just can't tap into it like us." Sebastian looked at Valery and saw her hallow eyes.
"Of course, there is still some of your blood left. You saved him."
"He would have died if I didn't."
"And Bayu wins the fifth match." As soon as he was declared the winner he collapsed "Can we get some medical help here?"
As the sixth battle started, Alan had the same blood lust as Han only in a more morbid sense. He carried pride with every demon that fell to his feet. Valery tried to put a lock on his power and pin point what he was.
"He's human." Hiei said "There is no way a human can pull off such power."
"Apparently they can with your blood." Hiei stated in a grim voice.
After Alan's victory, Zulard's soon followed. He was a fire demon from what Valery could pick up. He clearly had demon energy coursing through him and he was proud of his heritage. Valery and Hiei shares a glance before he went for the eight fight.
"Well, well how lucky for us to face off with you." Hiei just kept silent. "Tell us traitor, how long do you think you can keep that sweetness all to yourself?"
"Fighters, ready and fight! And we have the first decapitation from the ruthless Hiei."
"You killed my brother."
"Don't worry, you will be joining him soon."
Hiei was an excellent fighter and showed no remorse in killing his foes. He was the wilder of dark flames, an impressive task no one managed to do before him. "You shouldn't be so confident Hiei." He just glared and suddenly felt a bind of energy immobilizing his right hand. "The Hell?" another one immobilized his left hand and a attack was launched directly towards him, giving no room for defense. He fell to his knees and groaned in pain.
"Did you think all those murders wouldn't come back to haunt you?"
"I frankly don't care."
"You will when we will take from you those close to you. You killed my family in your pursuit for power and I saw it all."
"Don't mess with me." He said powering up. The demons that had him strapped down lost control. In a few minutes on the stage stood just Hiei and the demon that held a grudge towards him.
"I wouldn't take another step if you want her to live."
"What?" he said stopping in his tracks. He looked to her in the crowd and a few rows up in the spectator seats someone was ready to take her down.
"Now be an obedient demon and let me defeat you." Hiei clenched his fists and stood his ground, his angry expression not leaving his eyes no matter how hard the demon punched or kicked him.
"Why won't you go down?"
"You are too weak to take me down, that's why you need cheap tricks. But please continue in your futile attempt."
"I'll carve out that eye of yours, I'm sure then you will bow."
"Doubt it." The demon removed his bandana and Valery watched in horror.
"Kill him Hiei." He just looked up at the sky.
"What are you saying your last prayer?" he smirked "Not for me" as soon as Hiei's sword pierced the demon, Valery fell forward. Surprised she turned to see Rebirth on top of her.
"Well that hurt." She put a hand to his back to find blood. He looked in the crowd and saw War snap the neck of the demon set to kill her. They both got up and Hiei was declared the winner.
"See, prayers are sometimes answered." Rebirth said to Hiei as he drew closer. He just nodded as a thank you for saving her. Valery went closer to her mate.
"Don't ever do that again."
"I wasn't going to risk your life. That demon would have went for a direct kill."
"Fine, just give a warning or something."
"He would have known if I used my powers. I'm fine, stop giving me that look."
The voice of the announcer was heard. "Before the start of the ninth match we have been informed that Bayu is forfeiting the semifinals because he needs medical attention. The semifinals will be fought between the remaining 16 combatants. Fight!"
Sebastian, one of the upper class demons, used brute force to defeat his opponents.
"And the win goes to the brutish, glorious Sebastian." Their heads turned to another screen when Kuwabara's fight was announced.
"If he makes it, it will be pretty close." Kurama said drawing closed to the screen.
"That knuckle head can take it, when he stops running from them that is." Yusuke added.
"This fool is running around like a headless chicken. He had no strategy in combat." Valery was laughing at Kuwabara's feeble attempts. However he did manage to barely win the second round of the preliminaries when he heard Yukina cheering for his victory.
"I swear he's a weird creature." Hiei added. He looked over at Yomi who was making his way to the arena. He passed near Valery and stopped for a few seconds.
"Think of this as a step closer to you."
"Drop dead you prick." He smirked. "Save that fiery temper for later, you'll require it." Yomi's vast power and experience were no match for the opponents, landing him a quick victory. Caen won the twelve match, without even exposing his power, much to Valery's annoyance. Varus pulled through victoriously, followed by Yona the fox demon in the fourteenth match. Mokuro scored the victory and Kurama using his intellect and precision landed him the sixteenths battle. By night time Yomi's son also won and that left them all waiting for the score boards to show the first fight of the semifinals.
"I have a bad feeling about his you guys." Kuwabara said looking around at the one remaining.
"You can always quit." Hiei stated "Like I'd ever do that."
The announcer got back on stage drawing their attention to the screen.
"Hello you dangerous creatures out there, are you ready for the semifinals?" the area roared with cheers and Valery turned to the spectator seat. These creatures loved fights and blood and wouldn't miss an opportunity like this. "In the first match we have the two fighters who are not afraid to spill some blood, Hiei and Alan. Second we have two hot headed demons, Zulard and Shura. Next up the former leader of Demon World, Varus against king Yomi. Last tournament Varus stole the tittle. Will the tables turn this time? In the fourth battle we have the beautiful kitsune Yona vs the ruthless Sebastian. Coming up Yusuke, the founder of this tournament vs the mysterious Caen. In the sixth match, former tea mater, Kuwabara and Kurama, not fighting against one another. Seventh match will be between king Mokuro and Valery. This should be fun and last but not least the blood lover Chase vs the hectic Han. Let the semifinals begin."