Author's Note:
You're not dreaming, I updated.
Plus, there's a really important update about the future of this story down below… No it's not canceled.
November 10, X791, 11:00 A.M, Scarlet Phantom Guild, Narissa's Office
"Do you understand Fuyumi?" asked Master Narissa. "You've got to win tonight."
The Scarlet Phantom mage seemed to be locked in a trance as she recalled frantically jumping into the arena to help her idol once Madeline and Vincent were teleported back.
Madeline sat on the ground bruised and defeated, but there was a calmness on her face that Fuyumi had never seen before.
"What was that?" Fuyumi mistakenly asked aloud.
"Are you listening to me!?" shouted Narissa.
"We can't afford to start losing at the very beginning!" she continued. "Our guild is on the line here Fuyumi!"
The ruby haired girl snapped out of her own thoughts and quickly nodded affirmatively.
"Yes, madam," she said before quickly adding. "I was merely thinking of what skills my opponents might have since the match has two new members in it."
Narissa's eyes swept over Fuyumi, knowing full well that the young mage's mind was elsewhere. She remained quiet for a moment before deciding that it'd be for the best to only keep her mage's focused.
"That's right," she said slowly. "Other than Shaw, the other 2 entrants are somewhat a mystery."
Narissa continued when it seemed as if Fuyumi was at least moderately invested in the briefing now.
"Gimon of the Eternal Knights and Flora of Nova Eos," she started. "One's abilities are vague and the other's a complete blank. Do you have a plan of action?"
The room was silent once more as Narissa's question once more failed to reach an almost dazed Fuyumi.
"Fuyumi!" she shouted bringing her back once more. "A plan of action?"
"Oh," said Fuyumi. "Um, the matches are designed so that the priority isn't fighting one another, but stealing a key. The best course of action seems to avoid the mysterious combatants, steal a key and proceed to the next round quickly."
Narissa sat in shock at the sudden calculated thinking from what seemed to be a detached Fuyumi. "You'll be able to execute this plan," she asked with a hint of disbelief.
"Yes, Madam," said Fuyumi. "I've done only as you instructed over the last 2 days and using the first match as a template and The Collector's fondness for, um, collecting things I've tirelessly researched every possible combative species and methods for obtaining a key."
Narissa stepped out from behind her desk and approached Fuyumi, placing a hand on each shoulder. "I'm sure you're worried about Madeline. But I assure you, she's fine. She'll be back to her normal self soon enough. Even Madeline understood the importance of the guild's safety. Surely you can understand her feelings. You've done the best you could do for her by working hard these last few days."
Fuyumi's eyes lit up with their usual excitement for a moment. "Will she really be back? To normal too? I was worried, but if you say it then it must be so madam."
Fuyumi wore a bright smile now.
"Okay," said Narissa with a smile of her own. "Resume your preparations."
The young mage happily bounced towards the door and then turned back to Narissa. "Madam, I'd really like to see her before I fight though," said Fuyumi.
"I know you would," said Narissa with a warm smile. "But with you having to prepare for your match, it'd only stress her out. Don't you think? As soon as your match is done, you can go see her."
Though Fuyumi was disappointed, her renewed faith in the plan and promise of seeing Madeline after her match motivated her to perfect any and every plan.
"Okay!" she cheered
"I'll get right to practice again as soon as I see Madeline," thought Fuyumi as she bounced through the doorway and on her way.
November 10, X791, 11:00 A.M, Scarlet Phantom Guild, Madeline's Room
"How are you feeling Madeline?" asked Adrienne as stood at the foot of a small grassy hill watching the red head.
"Ahhh," sighed Madeline as she sat up from her position. "You can tell Alice I'm fine. As soon as I'm 100% recovered, Janus says I'll be able to wake up good as new."
"That's good. Alice says she won't forgive you if you don't wake up soon," said Adrienne causing a smile to take root on Madeline's face.
"It probably wasn't a good idea to fight Vincent right after waking up," said Madeline. "But I'm sure you understand that I couldn't not fight him. That idea felt wrong in many ways."
As strange as it was for Adrienne, she enjoyed speaking to Madeline like this. Here in her subconscious, Madeline seemed at ease and peaceful. So different from their first meeting.
"I do think it's strange that Fuyumi hasn't come asking for me yet," added Madeline as she stood to her feet. "I do hope I didn't let her down."
"It seems she's been busy training for her match," said Adrienne. "We've rarely seen her ourselves."
The thought seemed to bother her, but she brushed it aside and gesture for Adrienne to walk beside her on a dirt path which seemingly manifested before them.
"I hope she's okay, I figured I would hear reports of how she wasn't leaving my bedside or not eating, but to hear that she's yet to come is strange," said Madeline.
"I could," hesitated Adrienne as she thought over a conversation with the eccentric mage. "I could go look for her and tell her you wanted to see her."
Madeline turned her head to Adrienne in surprise. "I didn't think you'd be so willing to help me. I'm grateful."
"What?!" shouted a flustered Adrienne. "It's not like I'm busy or anything."
"I'm still recovering too," she started. "And. I mean, I was nervous at first, but knowing that someone else is experiencing the same things I'm experiencing is kind of a relief."
"Ahhh," said Madeline. "So you're glad I'm sick."
"Oh! I didn't mean it like that. I really wouldn't want you hurt or anything," protested Adrienne.
"That was a joke," chuckled Madeline as she walked ahead. "Relax Adrienne."
"That's a joke!" laughed out Adrienne. "I was sure you didn't know what those were."
"Oh? Why is that" asked Madeline. "I'll have you know I was known as the funny twin."
She turned to see Adrienne's face in disbelief.
"What?" You don't believe me?" she asked. "I'll show you."
She cleared her throat and in her most proper voice she said, "What do you get from a pampered cow?"
She waited a moment before blissfully continuing, "Spoiled Milk!"
There was a moment of silence and then Adrienne burst from laughter. She fell to the floor clutching her sides.
"See, I told you I was funny," said a triumphant Madeline forcing more laughter from Adrienne.
A minute passed and the raven haired girl still lay on the ground fighting tears and laughter.
"Okay, that's enough," said an irritated Madeline. "It wasn't that funny."
"You're right! It wasn't!" cried Adrienne as she burst out in more laughter.
"Adrienne Byrne. You're becoming a nuisance," said Madeline.
"How can you talk like that and make a joke like that?" laughed Adrienne.
"That's enough, I'm going on ahead," said Madeline.
"Wait! Wait up!" shouted Adrienne as she composed herself and ran to catch up with Madeline. "It's not like you could've gotten away. We're in your head."
A few minutes passed and a thought occurred to Adrienne. "What do you mean, you were the funny twin?"
The pair kept walking along the path in silence and then Madeline answered.
"Alice and I were orphans for a long time," she said. "We learned early on, that there weren't many nice people out there. Sometimes, Alice and I would be so hungry; we'd eat the old scraps behind restaurants. Even then, we'd be shooed away. Alice would get so hungry that she'd not talk for days at a time. So I used to cheer her up by thinking of jokes. They'd cheer her up and then we'd go find food."
She caught a glimpse of the shock on Adrienne's face and assured her that they didn't always have it hard. Sometimes, nice people would give them clothes or food.
"But," she continued. "We happened to have bad luck and run into more bad then good. We had to get tough to protect each other and after some time passed. Master Seigfreid found us and offered us a place to call home."
"Wait, if Master Seigfreid found you then how'd you end up in Scarlet Phantom?" asked Adrienne.
"I'm telling the story right now, Adrienne Byrne. Patience," chuckled Madeline. "Learning magic made all the difference for us. Alice opened up more and became her cheerful self and I realized that there are a lot of powerful people who choose to look away from those in need. Master Seigfreid offered me a home and my mistress offered me a means to get stronger and help those around us. And so Alice and I went our separate ways."
"I. I'm sorry," was all Adrienne managed to say.
"No need for condolences," said Madeline. "It doesn't suit you and no matter how you look at it, Alice and I turned out pretty good."
"Present situation excluded," she quickly added forcing a laugh from both of them.
"So how much longer do you think you'll need in here?" asked Adrienne.
"Janus thinks that the stress of a match just after recovering from The Collector's attack took its toll. But he's certain that I'll be restored within the next 24 hours," said Madeline.
"Okay," said Adrienne. "I'll let everyone know and I'll try and find Fuyumi too."
"I appreciate all your help," said Madeline and then in a flash Adrienne was whisked away.
The next moment Adrienne was back in Madeline's room. The S-class mage's room was larger than most rooms Adrienne had seen. It was pentagon shaped and in the corner of the building. On either side of the walls that made the corner, there was a large bay window. A ruby-like pink color covered the walls and besides the bed which housed an unconscious Madeline, there were two stools, a mahogany dresser, and a closet with a large mirror as its door. The door to the bedroom was open, as other members had been coming and going every now and then.
Adrienne awoke and beside her sat a hopeful, teary eyed Alice.
"How's she doing? Is she coming back soon? Is she eating?" shot out Alice.
Adrienne looked at her friend and after pausing for a moment at the sight of her, she grabbed hold of her in a tight hug surprising the red head a bit.
"Don't tell me you're sick too?" she asked gaining a laugh from Adrienne.
"No worries there she said. Madeline is fine. She'll be up in a day or so. And I don't think she has to worry about food over there," said Adrienne as she pulled back from the embrace.
"I wish she'd wake up soon. It's been days so far," said Alice. "I miss her. What'll I do if she doesn't wake up?"
"Shh, no worries," said Adrienne. "Like you said. It's only been a few days and she'll be up soon."
"A few days?" said a voice in the direction of the doorway.
Adrienne and Alice turned with smiles towards the visitor, until they saw the state of the visitor.
"Fuyumi?" said Adrienne in surprise. "Madeline was just asking about you. She wanted to know if you were going to come see her. She thought you might be disappointed in her."
Her words cut through Fuyumi like daggers. The young mage seemed to suddenly get lightheaded.
"She's been like this for a few days. A few days!" shouted Fuyumi within her thoughts. "She thinks I hate her. I could never. But certainly it seems so. I wanted to see her so much. I would never stay away from her, if I knew she was ill. I was busy practicing. I was practicing because Madam Naris—"
"It's her fault," she whispered.
"Are you ok Fuyumi?" asked Alice.
"It's her fault!" screamed Fuyumi as tears streamed down her face and she fell to her knees in anger.
She screamed once more unleashing magic within her flinging Alice and Adrienne into the dresser. The energy shattered the windows and shook the building as the red head stood to her feet in a rage.
The deranged Fuyumi bolted through the broken window tearing at her red tutu and scratching her arms.
She landed out in the street and darted away.
November 10, X791, 11:00 A.M, Nova Eos Guild Hall
"I think I've got a good chance at taking a key," said Shaw Riley.
He was going over different strategies with Master Jade and Flora, but strategizing and planning weren't really his style. He preferred going to toe to toe with someone and neither of them knowing what the other was capable of. Not that he was against a little preparation, but it always felt more natural when he didn't have to remember statistics.
That's what this fight was for Shaw.
"Right, Gotcha," said Flora as she wrote down a few notes in a journal.
She turned past a page titled Jackie to a page titled Shaw and beside a fresh bullet point, she wrote 'block head'.
"You can't honestly hope to win without some strategy," she said. "We've got the number advantage in this round. We should be able to use that to secure at least one key."
"Nope. That's not my style," said Shaw as he puffed out his chest slightly. "I don't know Gimon's magic and he doesn't know mine. It's perfect."
"What about Fuyumi?" asked Master Jade. "How do you plan to deal with her then?"
"I, uh, I didn't really giver her much thought," admitted Shaw.
"You don't seem to be giving much of anything thought," said Flora flatly.
"Haha! Exactly," exclaimed Shaw proudly. "That's the best way to go about things. If you think too hard on things, you'll just worry yourself to death."
"Possibly an idiot," Flora said aloud as she wrote in her journal again.
"Ahh, we're not getting anywhere," said Master Jade. "You've both gotta find some sort of middle ground."
Turning to Flora he said, "Over preparing will only get you in trouble when something you didn't plan for happens."
The snickers from Shaw drew Jade to his next point. "And walking in blind is foolish incarnate," said Jade as he quickly slapped the back of Shaw's head.
"Ow, what the hell Master Jade," said Shaw as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Maybe if you were more prepared, you'd have seen that coming," said Flora through her giggles.
"Real funny," shot back Shaw.
"I won't tell you two how to fight in your match, but I want you both prepared and on your toes. Fuyumi's magic and Gimon's magic. One is known and the other isn't. This is going to require you to be ready for anything."
Both mages nodded in affirmation and then Flora cheerfully added, "Wait, but no one knows my magic either!"
"Haha, nope. Everybody knows it," said Shaw. "You tried out for Scarlet Phantom in the middle of town. Everyone knows."
"Ugh," she said in frustration. "Wanting to join them is already coming back to bite me."
Shaw abruptly dropped his arm on her shoulder and excitedly said, "Yeah, but no worries. You're a part of the family now, so we'll just look out for each other later."
"Right," said Flora as she flashed a quick smile at her guild mate. "We'll both try our best to win too."
"Yes!" Shouted Shaw almost knocking Flora over at the same time. "I can't wait."
November 10, X791, 1:00 P.M, Eternal Knight's Guild Hall, Adrienne's Room
The last few days had given Seigfreid a lot to think over, but presently his concerns were Gimon, Adrienne and Alice.
He was on his way to check on Adrienne and Alice and beside him walked Gimon.
"Seems like you took a few hits when fighting Eli," said Gimon.
"You're right. The kid was stronger than I thought," said Master Seigfreid as he stretched his bandaged arms. "I let my anger get the best of me. If it hadn't been for the Harbinger, I'd have killed him. But watching Madeline fight and Adrienne recover. The brat threatened my family. If it hadn't been accidental, I don't know if I could have restrained myself."
"You're right," said Gimon as he thought of his own family. "Family does seem to be reason enough to break one's code."
"Hmm. I'll show more restraint in the future," said Seigfreid.
He was clearly unsettled and for once, the old guild master's face showed only worry.
"If you worry anymore, you'll begin to look even older," said Gimon with a smile. "It'll all work out old friend."
This earned a chuckle from the old guild master and he even seemed a bit more relaxed.
"You'll be sure to take it easy on them tonight, right?" asked Master Seigfreid.
"Yes," said Gimon cheerfully as he took a quick drink from his mug. "But I'm a bit surprised you'd ask that of me."
"Hmm," said the floating guild master as he stared up at the towering Gimon. "No my friend, you misunderstand. I don't want you to hold back or throw the match. I know full well the scale with which you can use your magic. If you fought with the intent to kill, you'd probably be more than enough for any of them. I only ask you don't go that far."
"Beyond that," said Master Seigfreid as he stopped outside Adrienne's room. "Go all out."
The giant man smiled and walked away cheerfully, leaving Master Seigfreid to check on Adrienne and Alice who had returned from visiting Madeline.
Alice had taken to staying in Adrienne's room the last few days. First to make sure Adrienne was alright and then simply because it helped her worry less about Madeline. So she currently sat in a make shift cot beside Adrienne.
The two girls explained what had happened with Fuyumi after giving an update on Madeline's recovery.
"I don't know what could have caused that," said Master Seigfreid. "When she first joined, there were concerns about her that we discussed at length. However, Narissa was sure she could help her and she'd been more or less successful."
"We don't know either," said Alice as she took a look at the bruises caused by Fuyumi's outburst.
"We were about to go looking for her since Madeline thought it was odd she hadn't visited, then she shows up and pretty much snaps," said Adrienne.
"This is odd. Did she say anything?" asked Seigfried.
"She was mumbling about 'a few days' and 'how something was someone's fault', but none of it made sense," said Alice as she slowly sat up in her cot.
She walked over to the injured guild master and began looking over his wounds.
"You should have Korianne look over these wounds. How'd you even get hurt like this?" asked Alice.
"Don't worry," said Master Seigfreid. "It's just what happens when an old man decides to stretch after a long time. What bothers me is Fuyumi. Surely there's some connection in her words."
They all thought for a moment and then an idea occurred to Master Seigfreid.
The old man had a mixed look of confusion and disappointment on his face. "I believe the fault lies with Narissa," he said.
"What do mean?" asked Adrienne.
"From what you've told me," started Seigfreid. "I gather, that Fuyumi is quite attached to Madeline. Her absence worried Madeline. It would seem she was unaware of Madeline's situation and if that is so, then only one person would be capable of keeping her in the dark. Narissa."
"But why would she do that?" asked Alice.
"She's lost her way and sees only victory as a necessity," said Seigfreid. "Sometimes it appears as if she is truly a warm person, but in truth, she is very goal oriented. All evil is acceptable to her as long as she is capable of protecting the guild."
November 10, X791, 1:00 P.M, Eternal Knight's Guild Hall, Training Grounds
"You're really going to help me train Lucia?" Damien asked the S-class mage.
"Yup," sighed Lucia. "We've got to give it our all, right?"
"Right!" shouted Damien with a huge grin.
"Can we get this started already?" asked Christina with a bored looked on her face. "It won't be much of a training session anyway."
"Would you cheer up?" asked Lucia. "It wouldn't kill you to relax a bit."
"Look who's talking," shot Christina to which Lucia playfully mocked her.
"Okay Damien. Let's get started," said Lucia. "I'll only use one summon, but you feel free to do as you please."
"Only one?" he asked in voice that was concerned for Lucia.
"Take the handicap," said Christina before he could continue.
"Open Gate of Mind: Number 18: The Moon!" she barked forcing a beautiful young woman with long white hair and a flowing blue dress to appear.
"Wow, that's so cool!" shouted Damien in amazement.
He didn't even move, when Lucia began her attack.
"Hey guy!" shouted Christina. "Pay attention or it's over for you."
He shook off his amazement and saw the woman gliding towards him. As she came closer, the ground itself was coated in ice.
"An ice summon? Okay, let's go!" thought Damien as he darted forward.
"Diamond Make Armor!" he shouted and coated his entire body in diamonds.
As he closed in on Lucia's summon, the lady inhaled deeply and blew out a torrent of ice.
It continued on for nearly a minute and when she stopped, Damien stood frozen in his tracks. The moon summon elegantly returned to Lucia's side immediately.
"Is he done already?" asked Christina.
Then there was a single crack followed by several more and the ice shattered leaving a diamond covered Damien on his knees.
"That…was…cold," he struggled out between shivers.
"You're still good to go right?" chuckled Lucia. Then let's turn it up a notch.
She darted towards him and aimed a fist for his face.
"Is she really going to punch solid diamond?!" thought Damien as he braced himself.
The fist closed in and then right before impact she jumped over him revealing her Moon Summon closing in from his blind spot.
The elegant lady placed a gentle palm on the diamond covering his chest and at close contact, the diamond froze and shattered to dust.
For the first time since learning his diamond make magic, someone was capable of turning his ice to dust in a fraction of a second.
He jumped back quickly to evade further damage and ran into Lucia once more.
She was in front of him again and her target was now the exposed area on his chest.
Unused to guarding himself, she landed a punch right on target and sent him flying.
Damien jumped to his feet quickly with a gigantic smile on his face.
He had wanted to get stronger. This was the whole reason he joined a guild and now before him stood one of the strongest S-class mages and he had absolutely no chance. The idea of it thrilled Damien.
He formed a sword of diamond and darted at Lucia ready to cut her down.
She flawlessly jumped away and with no wasted movements, The Moon summon covered her retreat and grabbed hold of the sword, freezing it and crushing it in a single motion.
"You think you can keep going?" asked Lucia. "Or is this too much?"
"Too much?" asked Damien. "Of course it is, and I wouldn't have it any other way."
He reformed two more swords, dipped around The Moon summon and right at Lucia.
She met him happily, easily dodging each slash.
The best hope in fighting a summoner is to avoid the summoned creature and fight the summoner head on. This is the most successful method. The problem that arises is that veteran summoners know their weakness already and so most develop a means of covering this weakness.
Lucia Corazon's life had left her with a penchant for simplicity. She had no back up skill, no weapon stashed away, no secret lie hidden with her. There was only magic. Pure magic. The seemingly ridiculous amount of magical reserves that had allowed her, a summoner, to stand toe to toe with people like Rosca who were vicious in every sense of the word.
So as Damien Stones closed in with swords of pure diamond in each hand. As The Moon summon rushed to her master's side.
Lucia was at ease in her capability to protect herself. Her magic welled up and pooled into the palms of her hands and as Damien leapt at her, the raven haired mage took the simplest of stances and thrust a single fist at the diamond covered boy's face.
The diamond shattered instantly and Damien careened across the training grounds towards Christina's feet.
Lucia recalled her summon and ran over to check on him.
"Sorry," she said with an actual hint of remorse. "I overdid it."
Christina helped him to his feet and he released his magic. "Wooo," said Damien. "I made the right choice coming here to get stronger. Lucia is really strong"
"Is that why you joined?" asked Christina. "Then you have no idea how right you are. Lucia's only second. There's Rosca, then the Harbinger, Aoba's brother is pretty strong. The rest of the S-class to-"
She was cut off by Lucia hitting her over the head. "No need to bring up everyone else. I believe he was telling me how I'm the strongest," joked Lucia.
November 10, X791, 2:00 P.M, Eternal Knight's Guild Hall, Master Seigfreid's Office.
Master Seigfreid sat in his circular office. It was adorned with Eternal Knight banners and dark oak wood walls. The old mage had journals and textbooks strewn across the floor and shelves. On his desk was paper work that was likely to never get filled out, but as he sat at his desk he was only really focused on the person before him.
"Narissa Ash," he started. "I won't pretend to sympathize with you any longer. You've messed up again and so soon. What have you been doing to find her?"
The red headed mage stared at Seigfreid like a child being scolded and then she remembered she couldn't lose face here.
"I wasn't aware I had to answer to you," she said as she got up to walk away.
"Sit down!" boomed Seigfreid's voice shaking the guild.
Whether it was fear or respect, of this even Narissa was unsure. But the guild master retook her seat.
"Fuyumi's situation has always been delicate. How do you plan to fix this? He asked.
"I was sure you'd ask why I did it," she said.
"I know why already. You're a selfish, scared child who acted out of fear and lied to a child to get your way. Now I want to know how you plan on fixing this," said Seigfreid.
Master Narissa eyed the old guild master before. He was riddled with wounds she was sure he'd received from Eli.
"You have some nerve talking to me about acting out. He holds us hostage and you would antagonize him," she said.
"I did not get this far in life by bowing to ants," said Seigfreid.
November 8, X791, 8:00 P.M, Outside Brightholt (As Madeline's match came to a close)
A furious Master Seigfried found biting his tongue to be unbearable and so he confronted Eli, The Collector.
For a man of his experience, it was clear to him that Eli was nowhere near the coliseum as he broadcast to it. So Seigfreid flew at break neck speed to the area he sense Eli.
He found him high up in the hollowed out trunk of a tall tree.
"You will leave here," said Eli calmly as a smug look came across his face.
"You hurt my children. My family," said Seigfreid through gritted teeth. "I warned you boy. And now you'll pay the ultimate price for this."
"Come off it old man," said Eli. "You know your whole code binds you from killing me. And to top it off, I don't even know what you're talking about."
"You'll play foolish even now," said Seigfreid. "All codes will be broken tonight. All I care for is my children's safety!"
The old man unleashed his magical energy and the trees around them were flattened to the Earth.
Eli dove out of the tree and floated in the air before Seigfreid. "You're serious," he said as he tore off his shirt revealing a mark on his chest. "On this mark, you'd kill me?"
He had a devious smile on his face as he awaited Seigfreid's response.
"That mark does not belong to you anymore Eli. The Eternal Knights are honor bound not to kill and you besmirched that long ago. In this moment I'm prepared to walk away from the guild if it means erasing this threat. You're not my family."
"What a hypocrite," laughed Eli.
"Yes. It appears I am a hypocrite. I'd imagine all parents are," said Seigfreid. "You're too dangerous. How many lives have you taken since? How many more will be taken? No, if I let you go on, I'm just as bad. No more words Eli. Let's begin, just like we used to."
Eli's own magical energy poured out and he called out his Blood pact artifact.
"Artermis!" he shouted as his black and red gloves to form around his hands. "It's only fitting I fight using the weapon that started it all."
"Ahh, the hunter's blood pact artifact. Allowing one to never miss," said Seigfreid. "Come! Let's see if you've grown strong enough to even scratch this old man."
Eli darted forward, forming his hand into that of a gun and firing energy in every direction.
Seigfreid easily dodged each shot and flew at Eli, only for each previously fired shot to have changed direction and follow after the guild master.
The old guild master slid across the air and every shot closed in on him.
"Obscura Singular!" barked Seigfreid as a singularity took shape within each bullet and then within moments each shot was dispersed.
"You'll have to try better than shooting pellets boy," said Seigfreid.
"Terra Obscura!" shouted Seigfreid and within seconds, the ground beneath, broke into small boulders, rose and was weightless.
Seigfreid waved his hands as if to conduct a performance and each of the boulders began soaring around the combatants.
A slight flick of the wrist and one would zoom in at Eli.
The Bell kin responded quickly easily dodging most and obliterating everything else with magic.
Several dozen boulders still circled around him and Eli grew furious at their game.
"I thought you were going to be serious or have you actually gotten old and this is all you can manage," snapped Eli.
He formed a bow of dense magical energy and began firing arrows into the sky above them. Each arrow rose up and then came back down vaporizing its targeted boulder.
"You're right," said Seigfreid angrily. "Obscurum Vitae!"
The flattened trees twisted and opened up more of the earth for Seigfreid. From it, rose monsters of dirt and rock. With Seigfreid supporting them, they flew at Eli.
Eli dodged bodies of dirt and swords of rock for what seemed to be forever.
Firing off at whatever could get close. The sheer number of targets was impossible to escape from unscathed and he accumulated countless cuts and nicks all over him.
The barrage slowly infuriating and overwhelming him, he shouted unleashing the rest of his magical energy. A force so large, the beings slowed under its pressure.
In a flash, he fired hundreds of arrows at his attackers.
When they were turned to nothing, his whole body glowed brightly and then he was instantly behind Seigfreid.
The old man was caught off guard.
A fist crashed into the back of Seigfreid's head sending him crashing to the ground.
Before he could hit the ground, Eli was there and another punch sent him flying up again.
Eli kept Seigfreid locked in this barrage until Seigfreid managed to conjure another singularity and collide with Eli as he reappeared.
"I see it now," said Seigfreid. "You're firing yourself at me making a nearly perfect form of teleportation."
"Nearly?" laughed Eli. "You got lucky old man. I have perfected it."
He appeared before Seigfreid and his fist closed in on the guild master.
However, it lacked speed and force and was slowed to a halt.
"A field of gravity boy, how quickly you forget your lessons," said Seigfreid.
"Boulder punch," said Seigfreid as his fist was weighted by gravity and planted in Eli's gut.
The Bell kin soared into an un-flattened tree and was instantly before Seigfreid again, planting a knee in his gut.
Then the gravity set in once more and the little guild master was above Eli, dropping an elbow into his head.
Eli sailed down to the ground and was met by a speeding Seigfreid's fist.
There he planted blow after blow in Eli's body.
"Mountain Punch," said Seigfreid as his magic welled up once more and focused in his fist.
Before he could finish the attack, an attack of energy crashed into Seigfreid's arm sending him careening across the now flattened field. Then several hundred more shots poured onto the old man.
"Haha!" laughed Eli. "Done in by your own lessons."
Eli stood to his feet and stood over Seigfreid's body.
"I'll quote you here," taunted Eli. "My first lesson was always stay ahead of your opponent. You're wondering how I shot without firing. The answer. I didn't'. I've been firing off extra shots this entire battle, so that I could direct them at you when you least expected it. Now I've won old man!"
He looked down at Seigfreid and look of accomplishment came across his face. "Not that any of this generation of Eternal Knights were ever my guild mates, but none of them will ever know what it's like to best your guild master in battle."
He walked away from Seigfreid and relished in the destruction their battle had wrought.
"Lesson two," said the old guild master from where he lay. "Do not stop until your opponent concedes, Mangna Obscurum Gravitatem!"
The guild master's magic permeated through the Earth beneath Eli and it opened out into a gigantic hole.
Eli could not see the bottom of it and though he now floated above it, he could feel it slowly dragging him down into it.
"Old man! Release me!" Shouted Eli as he fired several arrows at Seigfreid's body.
The arrows instantly bent from the gravity and were pulled into the pit.
"Old man! You'll really kill me?" pleaded Eli.
"I plan on ending this Eli," said Seigfreid coldly.
"Master. I beg you release him," pleaded a voice in Seigfreid's head. "I do not wish to bury old guild mates or masters."
"This voice," thought Master Seigfreid. "Are you near Harbinger?"
"No Master. But Eli will be dealt with soon enough. I swear there'll be no blood spilt as long as you release him," said The Harbinger.
"I can do no such thing," thought Seigfreid. "He's already endangered the guild and the city and actively tried to hurt two other mages."
"The other blood pact wielders; I know of their condition. He tells the truth when he says he had no part in their condition. Eli is a dark man. The other wielders around him will always be in danger of this form of poisoning. It's an unconscious act."
"I'm to release him," thought Seigfreid. "You believe he'll let them be now."
"No worries," said The Harbinger. "I've promised him the one thing that is sure to keep him to him from spilling blood."
"What is that?" asked Seigfreid.
"My return," said The Harbinger.
Just then Jade appeared beside Master Seigfreid.
"So you're gonna kill him," said Jade as he watched Eli struggle to fly away from the gravity.
"No," said Seigfreid as pulled himself to a sitting position. "The Harbinger will deal with him."
"Oho," said Jade. "Well then I guess you're code lives to see another day. What are you going to tell everyone?"
Seigfreid released the spell and the Earth closed up. "I'll tell them an old man acted foolishly," said Seigfreid.
Eli's eyes held nothing, but bitterness as he watched Jade help Seigfreid away.
"Why didn't you give the order to kill him," said the voice of a man appearing beside Eli.
He was a tall middle age man with shoulder length black hair. He had a broad chest and shoulders. Underneath his clothing he was muscular and sported a large variety of scars ranging from burns to stabbings that run across his entire body. His face was covered by a mask and his black hair hung just over the top of his mask. His masked had two solid blue holes for him to see out of. He wears a long dark green duster that reached just below his knees. He had on black leather gloves and thick steel toed combat boots and long black pants. Across his chest he was an ammo belt with all of his ammunition and around his waist he wore a belt with grenades and Lacrima bombs. Over his back hung a rifle.
"I got caught up in nostalgia," said Eli as he took note of the wounds on his body.
"So should I get everyone else and move out tonight," said the man. "I'd imagine that with only two guild master in fighting condition, our objective will be simple."
Eli looked at the masked man and said, "You're not here to imagine Arthas. You're here to pull a trigger when I say so. We'll play nice for now since it seems as if the most interesting entertainment is coming."
"Fair enough," said Arthas and he stepped back into the shadows. "I'll be awaiting your orders."
November 10, X791, 7:00 P.M, Coliseum, Main Arena
The match between Flora, Shaw, Gimon and Fuyumi was set to start at 7 O' Clock. 3 of the 4 combatants had been patiently waiting for their final opponent. So it was no surprise when the fans started booing at the hold up. Eventually Eli signaled for Scarlet Phantom to cease its delays and produce the mage or forfeit the match.
Just as Narissa was about to concede defeat, Fuyumi walked into the arena.
Each mage in the arena noticed instantly. There was something different about her. Something wrong.
"Okay then!" shouted Eli. "Finally. Let's begin already!"
Within moments a flying creature was brought forth. Its wing span was about half the diameter of the arena floor and it hovered above the mages. Its feathers were mostly a greyish color and its beak was solid blue. Within each of its feet it clutched a key.
Gimon, Flora and Shaw burst off towards the creature while Fuyumi stood perfectly still seemingly devoid of emotion.
Despite Gimon's size he able to easily jump to eye level with the creature. His magic built up and then slowly incased in a sharpened diamond.
From the stands Damien and Master Seigfreidn watched. "So he uses diamond magic like me!" said Damien excitedly.
"Not exactly," said Master Seigfreid. "From what Lucia told me and what I now about Gimon, there are some important differences, but I think you'll be able to close the gap in time."
The big man planted his fist in the flying creature's head sending it plummeting to the ground.
"He beat it in one shot," said Flora in amazement.
"That's what I'm talking about!" shouted Shaw. "Second Gear!"
Vapor slow rose off of Shaw and he darted at the now falling body of Gimon.
As the giant man landed a speeding fist collided with him. "Shotgun!" barked Shaw sending Gimon skidding across the ground.
The big man stood with ease and laughed, "That's not bad, how's this."
He crystalized the air, turning it to wall of diamond as tall as he was. Then with a single punch he launched the wall at Shaw who instantly dodged.
The difference in experience quickly became clear as a second wall was already on its way to Shaw as he completed his dodge. With no means of dodging, he braced for impact.
It never came as a wave of paint had collided with the wall and stopped it in its tracks.
"This is why I said you shouldn't be so rash!" shouted Flora. She drew another image and pulled forth a solid black scythe.
"I guess I can afford to be rash if you'll cover me," teased Shaw.
"You idiot," said Flora as she shook her head and secretly fought frustration with her guild mate.
She darted towards Gimon and slashed at the agile giant only for him to swiftly dodge each attack.
Shaw closed the distance between them and fired off several shotguns all of which were now withstood by the giant man's diamond skin.
"The master said I should try and hold back because of everything happening, but you guys aren't giving me much choice. Any chance I can get a key and leave?"
"Not a chance," they said in unison.
Flora continued her scythe attacks to no more avail than keeping Gimon busy, so she retreated and prepared another attack.
The retreat drew Gimon's focus and Shaw sought to capitalize on it.
"Critical Impact!" he shouted and hit the giant's diamond body.
Gimon skidded backwards and now held a look of surprise on his face. He was prepared for the blow and it still knocked him back. That was a skill to be reckoned with.
However, the damage was done. As Gimon's Diamond magic exhibited a characteristic unlike others. It was capable of sharpening itself in response to those around him. All of Shaw's attacks had only served to increase the sharpness of Gimon's diamond body making him nearly impenetrable.
Shaw's hand seemed bloodied and broken from the impact and though he was excited for the fight, his pain was obvious.
"Just stay back, I'll take it from here," said Flora.
"Now why would I do that," said Shaw as he was genuinely happy.
In the stands every mage had been watching carefully. It was clear. Gimon was superior to his 3 opponents on a regular day. Even now against two of them he wasn't struggling. He had riddled the entire battlefield with attacks, except where Fuyumi stood. He had been sure to draw Flora and Shaw's attention to only him from the start and every mage knew why. There was something wrong with her. It was as if her magic had snapped. It felt unhinged and the only way to describe it really was a desire to murder those around her.
Gimon had been careful to avoid her, lest an attack reach her accidentally. She hadn't moved yet and he didn't want to stir her and have her do something she may regret later. She was only a child to the giant man.
So his fear was justified as he saw what Flora's attack consisted of. She had created a giant cloud within the battle field and it was preparing to rain on all of them.
He dashed towards Fuyumi and in an attempt to shield her from the rain with his diamonds.
With both Flora and Shaw's attention being centered on the match, neither of them had noticed the extremity of situation and so they continued their attack.
He was too late and the rain fell on the girl who had been motionless since the start of the match. Then she as if now awoke, her eyes landed on all of her opponents.
Without incantation or preparation, they all found themselves locked in a personal hell via Fuyumi's Wonderland magic. As she was now, she seemed to be devoid of emotion and with each step she took towards the center of the ring, thorned vines poured out of the ground.
Each one inching towards an opponent. Her opponents' were grasped by the throat and held in the air.
Each one struggling to breath. She stayed like this for a moment until, Adrienne screamed out, "You need to find a key Fuyumi and then you'll get to see Madeline."
As if given new life, a vine shot towards the flying creature and within seconds found a key.
Eli, who had been watching from above, instantly removed her from the arena with his magic and took note of how scary the child was, not that it mattered to him.
The other three combatants fell to the ground and gasped for air. Within a few moments, they each stood to their feet and readied for battle once more.
"Are you ready?" said Gimon.
"Yup," said Shaw.
"Yes," said Flora.
The giant man released several diamond spikes in the air and fired them.
The preparation for this technique had given Flora enough time to summon another cloud and the rain-like bullets buffeted the spikes.
The opening gave Shaw enough time to close the distance between he and Gimon and with this time, he fired off a barrage of Shotgun attacks.
"Grab the key!" shouted Shaw. "I'll hold him off."
Flora bit her lip in frustration, but not wanting to waste any more time, she darted over to fallen creature and picked up the last key.
The crowd had been silent for a long time. None of them really knew what to make of anything, but as the last key had been procured, the masses erupted in cheers and Eli announced the two winners of this round.
November 11, X791, 1:00 P.M, Town Square
With the S-class match later on in the day, Aoba and Shion thought it might be a good idea to prepare a plan of action for their group match later in the week.
The pair walked along and Tally tailed behind looking around at every booth possible.
"Right, so I'll tie them up," said Aoba.
"And I'll lay in the final blow," said Shion.
Then both Shion and Aoba clasped hands and maniacally announced, "Then we'll both move on."
"Why'd you all say it like bad guys," said Tally as she tore through what was possibly her fifth bag of candy.
Aoba wrinkled her nose behind her cloth and snatched the candy. "Did you say something Tally?"
"Oh come on, Aoba, it was just a joke," Tally cried. "Can I please have it back?"
"I'll consider it, if you let me buy you a new outfit," said Aoba deviously.
"I'll do anything, just give it back," said Tally.
"Okay, here," said Aoba and Tally happily took the bag back tore through it once more.
"That was too easy," said Shion as he shook his head in disbelief.
"It's a gift," said Aoba with a smirk as she caught hold of Tally's clothes and dragged her to the nearest store.
November 11, X791, 3:00 P.M, Coliseum, Main Arena
Hazel Rochelle and Cerise had long been members of the coliseum. They'd fought several times and each held victories over the other, so as they stood before one another once more as opponents, there was no anxiousness to either of them, they simply knew what had to be done to defeat their opponents.
Eli's signal for the match to begin and the shifting of the terrain to a single circular slab of Earth surrounded by water didn't faze them.
The match began and their eyes never lost one another.
The petite Cerise's cloudy gaze locked onto Hazel and as soon as they took stock of their surroundings, she jumped up and prepared an attack.
"Unholy Flame's Wrath of Hell!" she cried as pillars of white flame evaporated the water surrounding the arena.
The steam rose and as it cleared; Cerise remotely bent the pillars of flame to attack Hazel.
Each pillar was the width of a building and they crashed down onto the arena, drying it out and leaving the area devoid of live.
A normal opponent would be overwhelmed, but Hazel flawlessly dodged each attack.
Cerise landed and performed a sweeping motion with her hand which her pillars mirrored and swept across the arena.
The pillars were stopped midway and held back by large hands made of Earth.
Hazel dashed forwards, coating her right arm in rock and burying it in Cerise's side. The Scarlet Phantom mage quickly released her technique and coated her own arms in unholy flames.
Then both mages darted towards one another and began their assault.
Cerise buried punches in Hazel's side, while Hazel managed to land a knee to the gut and an elbow to the back.
They were even in their hand to hand combat, but neither wanted to admit it. So they dashed towards one another for a second round. Easily matching the other blow for blow.
The only discernible feature for the crowd was the flare of red from Cerise and dark brown from Hazel. As the battle lingered on, neither combatant eased up. Their speed and focus continued to increase until all that could be seen on the lacrima screens were red and brown blurs.
The exchange came to an abrupt halt when both girl's missed a block and landed a punch on the other.
They skidded back away from each other with a smirk on their faces, then both knowingly released the sum of their magic to prepare for what was the next phase of their fight.
Cerise took on her true unholy Chimera form and the ground beneath her singed. Her form grew both panther and demon-like. As she obtained claws, and her canines became elongated, her magical power spiked.
Hazel had become encased in giant body made of Earth. The Earth itself lived around her and for her.
Cerise's Chimera form provided deadly power and speed. She closed any distance between her and Hazel instantly and retreated just as quickly, while Hazel Stone body was nigh impenetrable and sported the ability to react where she couldn't leaving no blind spots to be attacked all in exchange for speed.
The two fit together perfectly and the winner would be determined, the moment the other made a mistake.
This was the way their confrontation continued for several minutes.
Cerise pounded flaming punch after punch into the chest of the giant stone body to no avail, and then just as the stone hands would close in on her, she'd dart away and out of reach.
Unholy flame pillars were incapable of searing the stone as it was unburnable, living rock.
The giant rock form Hazel took remained magically connected to the Earth. This was the ability that Hazel was sure to break the dead lock. While Cerise had perfected an unholy flame technique she thought to be the answer for surpassing Hazel.
Cerise user her speed to get behind Hazel, bringing with her a pillar of flame. Her Chimera form handled fire like a play toy and she instantly condensed the flame to the size of pebble. The dense flame closed in on sluggish giant and the living rock sprouted arms through its back grabbing a hold of Cerise.
"Checkmate Cerise," said Hazel as she caught her breath from exhaustion.
"Not quite Hazel," shot back Cerise as for the first time, the rock began to melt. Cerise bored a hole through the hand and the super dense flame erupted leaving a gigantic hole in the stone giant.
The giant fell to its knees and Cerise melted off the remainder of the hand that clutched her.
"I've won," cheered Cerise unaware of what her arrogance might bear.
The stone giant fell apart and its body rolled towards Cerise; with her first reaction to try and melt it off. The more she melted it, the more it grew back.
Then Hazel stepped out from what was left.
"I made this one just for you," she said with an innocent smile. "It's living rock that grows as it's heated."
"Ugh. Damn it Hazel. Every time," shouted Cerise as the living rock made it up to her neck and Hazel stopped.
"You almost got me," said Hazel.
"I don't want to almost get you," she yelled. "I want to unequivocally defeat you, but every time I get stronger you get stronger."
"I guess that makes us rivals?" asked Hazel.
Author's Note
Special thanks to everyone for their support.
How's it going?
I want you all to be completely honest with me about anything that comes to mind. If you have an idea or a critique or I'm messing up your character, please let me know and we'll work on it.
The Deviantart link with pictures of groupings and a tournament tree is now set up. The numbers next to the names in the groups is only the order their name was entered into the generator.
So a few changes to be made. The tentative date for a release may be on my profile, but all notifications will be handled through my forums. I think it's a great way to let you all know when something happens or when they'll be a delay. Or if there's a poll that needs to be voted on as soon as possible, I'll let you all know through the forum. So if you're interested in any of that, I'd recommend following the forum. If you're worried about a lot of notifications, I'll lock the update one so that only I can post in it and I promise to not flood your inbox or if that is impossible I hope anybody following it will be respectful of those who want to be updated, but don't want random messages coming into their inboxes. So feel free to visit the forum for news and then message me with questions. I'm usually quick to respond. The discussion one will remain open for everyone as I truly want to see more interaction there.
I wanted to know if you guys wanted to do birthdays. I know that sounds silly to ask for it so late, so that's why it's up to you guys. I'll do a poll for it and if you're interested then send in a date. Preferably not between October 13 and November 13 as that'll be kind of awkward seeing how we've already passed those days, but hey if you do pick one of those days we'll get back around to it eventually.
I'll reveal to you now my original intent for this story. I never intended to follow this story in a manner similar to Fairy Tail where….. Everything goes wrong in a consecutive order over and over and over again, then time skip and over and over and over again. That's not real life. There's gotta be spaces of good times and in Anime, these usually only last 24 hours. My original intent for the Brightholt Chronicles was to consecutively Chronicle (see what I did there) the lives of people in Brightholt, but to do so in gaps of time. So for example, this arc we are in would end and then there might be a mini time-skip where all was well and relationships have progressed and people have grown stronger. The next arc would start and I'd recap early on the major points of the time missed and reveal the rest as we went. So you might find that people in a relationship last arc are now no longer in one and vice versa. Friends had a falling out and enemies became family. So my job would be to show all of what changed in the time-skip while introducing a new problem. This design fed right into my impatience with waiting a year for a scene to unfold. But with other writers here as inspiration, I've gotten better at being patient and so I'll have a poll and you all will decide. Do you want the above set up or do you want me to write it in a way you're used to?
Origm2012 News
I have released a third story. This is a combination of the lore that I received from a lot of you. It's really interesting for me personally to write it and shout out to The Impostor for helping with it. So I hope to see you guys there.
Thanks for reading.