12

Kevin breathed a heavy sigh of relief when his final challenger appeared. It was Fire, but a different man than the one he talked with.

The man started by bringing his hands together in front of his chest and bowing.

"Are you always so formal?"

He came back up. "Usually. I felt it would be a good show of sportsmanship. And to keep up appearances about your loss."

"Yeah, about that, I kinda have to win this time."

He gave a huff. "I should have expected the Wind to change directions. You just can't stand the thought of lowering yourself willingly."

"It's not that at all," he pleaded. "If I don't win this match, I'm dead. I can't come back. So I need to stay alive. I'm the only one who can help the rest of you."

The two stared down. "And you are still willing to help us?"

"Yes. We all deserve to get out of here."

"Very well." He lowered himself into what looked like a Tae-kwon-do stance. "Let's just have a good fight and see who comes out on top."

"Fire is all about honor." He kept Princess' words in his mind. If he fought well, maybe they'd still help him. He returned the bow and began to bounce. "May I ask your name?"

"Searing Flametounge." He took a step forward and threw a punch from the other side of the arena. A rush of flame leapt from his fist and barreled towards Kevin. He brought his hand down and a wind pushed the flames to either side of him. Sear smiled. "It appears we will be having an elements battle."

Kevin nodded, beads of sweat forming on his brow from the heat. But it would be hard winning with just air. He'd have to use a similar trick to the one he used on Great Goron.

But Sear threw the first attack again. He swept a foot along the floor and fire propelled out. Kevin jumped into the air and the flames passed below him. But Sear launched another flame jet straight for him.

Anyone else would be doomed without something to control their movement. But Kevin had the air. He tucked his body in and spun, creating a twister of air that spun the flames outward around him. Even before his feet hit the ground, a rush of air was propelling him forward. A rotation of air formed around his fist.

Sear leaned his body back, but wasn't fast enough. Kevin brought the hit forward and released the air. The area seemed to explode. Sear flew back, spinning in the air, and smashed into the wooden wall, splintering the boards and leaving a small impact crater. He'd completely missed the death machines.

Kevin groaned. He'd put a lot into that attack and hadn't gotten anything for it.

Sear fell to the floor heavily and slowly pushed himself up.

Or maybe not. Sear looked weak from that smash. Perhaps it would give him an advantage in the rest of the fight. He was about to rush in when Sear held put a hand, causing him to stop.

"Stop." He started to teeter but caught himself. "I forfeit."

Kevin stopped and wondered for a moment. It could be a trap. But Fire didn't double-cross, it completely went against their code. "Why?"

Sear smiled. "You fought even when you easily could have lost your life forever. I respect such bravery. Claim your prize. Save us from the tyranny." His body began to lean to one side. Kevin watched in horror as it fell onto a rapidly rotating blade.

"I will. On my honor, I will save you all."

The light overtook him and the arena was replaced once again by the blackness of the Nexus. He stood at the exact center once again. The other players cheered, but mostly half-heartedly while the Bosses looked down on him. He could almost feel the malice emanating from them.

"So, Phantom, you have triumphed once again. You don't know how lucky you are."

"But as are the rules of the tournament, here is your prize."

The Crozius Arcanum shimmered before him, the cross at its tip glowing brightly. Kevin reached out and clasped a hand around the shaft.

"I doubt you will fare so well again."

The light started to grow around them.

Kevin acted fast. He pulled the long staff up and thrust it down into the ground, directly where the six lines of light crossed. Blue sparks jumped across the ground, following the multicolored paths. The energy flowed out and around every team until with a crash, the very light seemed to shatter.

The light faded and the players looked around in wonderment. None of them knew at all what was going on.

But the Bosses knew very well. "What are you doing?!"

"The Nexus is broken." Kevin pulled the staff from the ground. "We will not be your playthings any longer."

The players looked really confused now. They looked at each other and at the orbs for answers.

Kevin turned, looking at each one. "You've suffered long enough! Do you want to be free?"

For moment there was silence. No one answered. He continued moving his gaze to every being. His eyes finally settled on Princess' and froze. He wasn't sure, but he thought he saw something there in her eyes. Was that…fear? No, it was strength. She hardened her face and walked out to the center to join him.

The others watched. No one had ever left their section of the Nexus.

But her act seemed to spread strength to the others. One by one, they stepped forward, until everyone but the Metal team was standing with Kevin.

The Metal team just sneered.

The Bosses were furious. "How dare you rise against us!"

"This shall not stand!"

Another light began to build from the glowing orbs. Kevin had seen this before. It had happened to one other before him. But now he could defend against it. He held the Crozius over his head, and it too began to glow brightly.

A dark wave shot down from above. The ground below them shook as the wave contacted the light of the Crozius. But the darkness dispersed around them and it was still again.

Princess chanced a look out. The Metal team was gone. Where they had stood lay three piles of bones.

"You can't harm us any more!" The other players joined Kevin in rebuking the Bosses, shouting and spitting up at them.

For a moment, the Bosses remained in silent fury. Until the light blue one began to pulse lightly and laughter filled the space. The players fell silent as the laughing grew to a roar. "HAHAHA! How can you possibly hope to defy us?! We rule the Games!"

"Perhaps. Perhaps not." Kevin paused. It may not have shown on the outside, but he was shaking from fear. This next step would completely put him over the edge. He was already in deep, but others had been here before and survived. If he went the full Monty, there would be no turning back. He pointed the Crozius Arcanum up at the light blue orb. "You were hailed as the greatest of the Bosses. So I, ONI PHANTOM, CHALLENGE YOU, PHANTOM, FOR THE RIGHT TO RULE THE GAMES!"