The Grand Tournament
Chapter 4
Koren opened his eyes slowly, cursing himself for waking up so early. He stretched languidly, and snuggled under the covers, closer to his bedmate. Heath still slept soundly; his mouth slightly open and breathing gently. Koren smiled and stroked a lock of silver hair from the Mirage Mage's face. Sighing happily, the Crimson Wizard closed his eyes in an attempt to sleep again.
Unfortunately, it was all in vain, as Angela came rushing in.
"Hey! Get up! Today's the..." Angela paused, then blushed, seeing the two bishounen in bed together.
"Mmph..." mumbled Heath, now awake, pulling a pillow over his head, "...Five more..."
"Minutes?" Koren asked, trying to sit up.
"...Days..." Heath whispered, sending Koren into a fit of giggles.
"Alright already! You guys have an hour before the fight starts! Get some breakfast and..." she huffed, her face still flammed, "And...get some clothes on!" The Magus slammed the door behind her.
"Look who's talking...stupid girl..." Koren moaned and rolled out of bed and onto the floor, yelping. Heath snorted into his pillow and sat up to get dressed.
~*~
Carlie was shoveling down waffles again as Hawk came into the dining hall. He took a seat across from Duran who was sniggering at Lise. Hawk glanced over and saw the Amazoness looking at Carlie like a horror movie, eyes wide and jaw dropped. Hawk snorted, and caught Duran's eyes.
"Hey you. You ready for your fight?" The thief asked cheerfully. Duran grinned broadly.
"No worries! I am the best swordsman in all of Forcena! The Kaioro guy doesn't stand a chance!" he proclaimed proudly. His laughing feel short though, feeling a cold presence behind him. Turning about sharply, he met his opponents smug face.
"Forcena? I heard that troop of boy scouts fell easily to the women of Altena," Kaioro snarled, grinning wickedly, "You're no match for me at all. Go back and help old ladies pick flowers." Duran glared.
"Take that back you bastard!" the Swordmaster growled, standing up and facing Kaioro face to face. The other warrior's purple eyes glinted maliciously, a maelstrom of a deep thirst for blood.
"If you want to settle this, wait until our fight. Until then..." Kaioro laughed, saluting Duran and walking off. Duran cried out angrily.
"Get back here! We'll settle this right now!" The Mana Hero pushed up his sleeve, exposing his muscled arm and clenched his fist. Hawk stood up and put a hand on Duran's shoulder.
"...Enough, Duran," The Nightblade murmured into Duran's ear. The fighter relaxed and sat back down, staring at his plate with sapphire eyes full of hate. Hawk sat down in time to see Heath and Koren walking in. Heath's hair was slightly mussed, and Koren's cape was crooked.
"Well, look who finally got out of bed!" Hawk greeted happily.
"...Give me coffee or give me death..." Koren groaned, collapsing into his chair and setting his head down on the plate. Carlie stopped eating and looked at him curiously.
"...You sick?" Koren looked up at the small girl.
"What?"
"You look sick. Eyes dark. Skin pale. You okay for fighting?" the half-elf asked innocently, leaning over and looking at the wizard more closely. Koren shrugged.
"I'm fine."
Duran coughed, making Koren shoot daggers out of his eyes at him. But in fact, while Koren was getting dressed, he had wondered the same question: had his illness made him so weak?
Three chimes sounded throughout the room, calling for attention and silence from the crowds. Once it was given, a voice came through the blue orb in the middle of the ceiling.
"Attention please," the female voice called, "Will all participants in the Grand Tournament please report to the stadium. I repeat..."
"We go now! Good day for fighting...good food...good friends!" Kevin cheered, clapping Duran on the back, making the Swordmaster wince slightly at the Beastman's strength. The warriors pushed back their chairs and headed out the south exit.
~*~
Duran fitted on the rest of his armor, then looked up at his friends, smiling.
"I can do this guys! Just keep on cheering for me, okay?" Duran said, winking. Everyone nodded, then waved goodbye and headed to their seats. Heath paused, then turned around to find Koren still standing, looking at Duran.
"...Hey, Duran," The Crimson Wizard said, smiling. Duran looked puzzled, "...Good luck. Kick his ass." The Swordmaster grinned and gave Koren thumbs up. Grinning back, Koren walked back to Heath and both continued their way to the arena.
The giant main arena seated every single crazy fan waiting for days to get a piece of the bloodshed. There were special booths for all the fighters, and the Mana Heroes and their company took residence in one together. Sitting down, Angela flipped her hair back and looked at the west combatant entrance nervously.
"Duran...I know you can do this..."
A young girl, looking the age of 10, stepped up to the fighting stone platform, holding a microphone. Silence filled the stadium.
"Hello all! My name is Shichi, and I'm the Caller of Fights!" she cheered, her high pitched voice sqeaking throughout the stadium. The crowd cheered, but the Mana Hero booth just stared.
"...SHE'S the referee?" Lise choked, startled. The Darkshine Knight shrugged.
"Don't judge by appearances..." he replied, and set his eyes on the small girl, "She might be something else. Same with that Kaioro guy."
"What do you mean? That guy looked like a male model, what the hell is he doing in this tournament anyway?" Lise retorted back, crossing her arms.
"...You aren't so observant, Lady Amazoness." Darkshine commented calmly, "You didn't see the sign on the back of the man's neck." Lise blinked.
"What sign?"
"A scar. A scar shaped exactly like the ancient Pedan word for 'curse'. That boy has somethin' mean in his system. And I don't like it. Duran might be in for his money this time." The Dark Knight explained. Lise kept silent and turned back to the ring.
"Today's fight," The girl continued, "Will be Duran Starknight of the Grasslands Kingdom against Kaioro Mekayoi from the village of Mintos!" She threw her hand into the air, and both respectable fighters came out at opposite sides of the arena. The crowd went wild, cheering for both fighters with hoots and screams. Duran waved to his fan base and saluted the Hero's box. Kaioro smirked at the crowd and simply crossed his arms upon reaching the fighting platform. Shichi met both warriors as they reached the middle.
"The main rules are simple!" she giggled, "When you knocked out of the ring, you have ten seconds to get back in! Both combatants will now set their own personal rules."
Kaioro smirked, "Fight to Death." Duran blanched; was this guy really that confident?
"...Fine." Duran snorted, and the fighters headed back to opposites to prepare.
"Alright then! Let this fight begin as soon as both fighters are ready..."
Duran drew his sword and took a deep breath.
Kaioro simply stood where he was, smirking.
"...BEGIN!"
Duran ran towards his opponent, sword lifted in rage. Before reaching his opponent, Kaioro disappeared only to reappear in mid-air behind the Swordmaster.
"You're too slow..." Kaioro taunted, and sent his fist hard into Duran's neck, sending the Forcenan down on his knees, choking. Kaioro landed and began to laugh, but soon found his laughter joined by his opponent's.
"...You idiot." Duran chuckled, and swept his leg under himself to knock Kaioro too the ground. Caught off-guard, the mysterious warrior succumbed. Duran lifted up his sword again and brought it down swiftly aiming for Kaioro's head. The young man rolled out of the way just in time to only let a few black hairs get sliced off. Standing back up, Kaioro faced Duran.
"...I'm not here for you to give me a haircut...time to really fight." Kaioro growled, and took out his own sword, a katana. Duran smirked and twirled his broadsword challengingly. Kaioro took a fighting stance and began to seemingly concentrate. He began to shake, his eyes going milky.
'What the hell is he doing...?' Duran thought in surprise, tightening his grip on the hilt of his sword. Blood began to dribble down Kaioro's chin, and his mouth opened to reveal a blood-covered tongue.
~*~
The Darkshine Knight's eyes widened significantly, full of fear.
"...Oh no...he's a berserker!" he shouted, standing up and pounding his armored fists on the table, "Duran! Get out of there!"
"Wait...wait...what's a berserker?" Heath asked innocently. Koren exhaled.
"A special kind of warrior that improves his strength to amazing ability by tasting his own blood. When Kaioro reaches his full potential, it will be enough to slice Duran into ribbons with no effort." He explained, slight tension in his voice.
"Duran needs to be able to evade properly..." Darkshine continued, "Or else he's as good as dead already."
~*~
Kaioro's eyes changed from milky white to dark red as a strange crimson aura surrounded his body. Duran backed away.
'He's...he's going berserk!' he finalized in his mind, his eyes widening in complete fear. Kaioro noticed and laughed, splattering blood in front of him.
"Now begin to taste my full potential!" he hissed, and raised his katana high in the air. Duran quickly raised his broadsword, and prepared for the attack.
*~*
The first fight of the Grand Tournament is underway, and already it seems it might end quickly. Will Duran's skills be enough to match Kaioro Mekayoi, the berserker?
To be continued...
Chapter 4
Koren opened his eyes slowly, cursing himself for waking up so early. He stretched languidly, and snuggled under the covers, closer to his bedmate. Heath still slept soundly; his mouth slightly open and breathing gently. Koren smiled and stroked a lock of silver hair from the Mirage Mage's face. Sighing happily, the Crimson Wizard closed his eyes in an attempt to sleep again.
Unfortunately, it was all in vain, as Angela came rushing in.
"Hey! Get up! Today's the..." Angela paused, then blushed, seeing the two bishounen in bed together.
"Mmph..." mumbled Heath, now awake, pulling a pillow over his head, "...Five more..."
"Minutes?" Koren asked, trying to sit up.
"...Days..." Heath whispered, sending Koren into a fit of giggles.
"Alright already! You guys have an hour before the fight starts! Get some breakfast and..." she huffed, her face still flammed, "And...get some clothes on!" The Magus slammed the door behind her.
"Look who's talking...stupid girl..." Koren moaned and rolled out of bed and onto the floor, yelping. Heath snorted into his pillow and sat up to get dressed.
~*~
Carlie was shoveling down waffles again as Hawk came into the dining hall. He took a seat across from Duran who was sniggering at Lise. Hawk glanced over and saw the Amazoness looking at Carlie like a horror movie, eyes wide and jaw dropped. Hawk snorted, and caught Duran's eyes.
"Hey you. You ready for your fight?" The thief asked cheerfully. Duran grinned broadly.
"No worries! I am the best swordsman in all of Forcena! The Kaioro guy doesn't stand a chance!" he proclaimed proudly. His laughing feel short though, feeling a cold presence behind him. Turning about sharply, he met his opponents smug face.
"Forcena? I heard that troop of boy scouts fell easily to the women of Altena," Kaioro snarled, grinning wickedly, "You're no match for me at all. Go back and help old ladies pick flowers." Duran glared.
"Take that back you bastard!" the Swordmaster growled, standing up and facing Kaioro face to face. The other warrior's purple eyes glinted maliciously, a maelstrom of a deep thirst for blood.
"If you want to settle this, wait until our fight. Until then..." Kaioro laughed, saluting Duran and walking off. Duran cried out angrily.
"Get back here! We'll settle this right now!" The Mana Hero pushed up his sleeve, exposing his muscled arm and clenched his fist. Hawk stood up and put a hand on Duran's shoulder.
"...Enough, Duran," The Nightblade murmured into Duran's ear. The fighter relaxed and sat back down, staring at his plate with sapphire eyes full of hate. Hawk sat down in time to see Heath and Koren walking in. Heath's hair was slightly mussed, and Koren's cape was crooked.
"Well, look who finally got out of bed!" Hawk greeted happily.
"...Give me coffee or give me death..." Koren groaned, collapsing into his chair and setting his head down on the plate. Carlie stopped eating and looked at him curiously.
"...You sick?" Koren looked up at the small girl.
"What?"
"You look sick. Eyes dark. Skin pale. You okay for fighting?" the half-elf asked innocently, leaning over and looking at the wizard more closely. Koren shrugged.
"I'm fine."
Duran coughed, making Koren shoot daggers out of his eyes at him. But in fact, while Koren was getting dressed, he had wondered the same question: had his illness made him so weak?
Three chimes sounded throughout the room, calling for attention and silence from the crowds. Once it was given, a voice came through the blue orb in the middle of the ceiling.
"Attention please," the female voice called, "Will all participants in the Grand Tournament please report to the stadium. I repeat..."
"We go now! Good day for fighting...good food...good friends!" Kevin cheered, clapping Duran on the back, making the Swordmaster wince slightly at the Beastman's strength. The warriors pushed back their chairs and headed out the south exit.
~*~
Duran fitted on the rest of his armor, then looked up at his friends, smiling.
"I can do this guys! Just keep on cheering for me, okay?" Duran said, winking. Everyone nodded, then waved goodbye and headed to their seats. Heath paused, then turned around to find Koren still standing, looking at Duran.
"...Hey, Duran," The Crimson Wizard said, smiling. Duran looked puzzled, "...Good luck. Kick his ass." The Swordmaster grinned and gave Koren thumbs up. Grinning back, Koren walked back to Heath and both continued their way to the arena.
The giant main arena seated every single crazy fan waiting for days to get a piece of the bloodshed. There were special booths for all the fighters, and the Mana Heroes and their company took residence in one together. Sitting down, Angela flipped her hair back and looked at the west combatant entrance nervously.
"Duran...I know you can do this..."
A young girl, looking the age of 10, stepped up to the fighting stone platform, holding a microphone. Silence filled the stadium.
"Hello all! My name is Shichi, and I'm the Caller of Fights!" she cheered, her high pitched voice sqeaking throughout the stadium. The crowd cheered, but the Mana Hero booth just stared.
"...SHE'S the referee?" Lise choked, startled. The Darkshine Knight shrugged.
"Don't judge by appearances..." he replied, and set his eyes on the small girl, "She might be something else. Same with that Kaioro guy."
"What do you mean? That guy looked like a male model, what the hell is he doing in this tournament anyway?" Lise retorted back, crossing her arms.
"...You aren't so observant, Lady Amazoness." Darkshine commented calmly, "You didn't see the sign on the back of the man's neck." Lise blinked.
"What sign?"
"A scar. A scar shaped exactly like the ancient Pedan word for 'curse'. That boy has somethin' mean in his system. And I don't like it. Duran might be in for his money this time." The Dark Knight explained. Lise kept silent and turned back to the ring.
"Today's fight," The girl continued, "Will be Duran Starknight of the Grasslands Kingdom against Kaioro Mekayoi from the village of Mintos!" She threw her hand into the air, and both respectable fighters came out at opposite sides of the arena. The crowd went wild, cheering for both fighters with hoots and screams. Duran waved to his fan base and saluted the Hero's box. Kaioro smirked at the crowd and simply crossed his arms upon reaching the fighting platform. Shichi met both warriors as they reached the middle.
"The main rules are simple!" she giggled, "When you knocked out of the ring, you have ten seconds to get back in! Both combatants will now set their own personal rules."
Kaioro smirked, "Fight to Death." Duran blanched; was this guy really that confident?
"...Fine." Duran snorted, and the fighters headed back to opposites to prepare.
"Alright then! Let this fight begin as soon as both fighters are ready..."
Duran drew his sword and took a deep breath.
Kaioro simply stood where he was, smirking.
"...BEGIN!"
Duran ran towards his opponent, sword lifted in rage. Before reaching his opponent, Kaioro disappeared only to reappear in mid-air behind the Swordmaster.
"You're too slow..." Kaioro taunted, and sent his fist hard into Duran's neck, sending the Forcenan down on his knees, choking. Kaioro landed and began to laugh, but soon found his laughter joined by his opponent's.
"...You idiot." Duran chuckled, and swept his leg under himself to knock Kaioro too the ground. Caught off-guard, the mysterious warrior succumbed. Duran lifted up his sword again and brought it down swiftly aiming for Kaioro's head. The young man rolled out of the way just in time to only let a few black hairs get sliced off. Standing back up, Kaioro faced Duran.
"...I'm not here for you to give me a haircut...time to really fight." Kaioro growled, and took out his own sword, a katana. Duran smirked and twirled his broadsword challengingly. Kaioro took a fighting stance and began to seemingly concentrate. He began to shake, his eyes going milky.
'What the hell is he doing...?' Duran thought in surprise, tightening his grip on the hilt of his sword. Blood began to dribble down Kaioro's chin, and his mouth opened to reveal a blood-covered tongue.
~*~
The Darkshine Knight's eyes widened significantly, full of fear.
"...Oh no...he's a berserker!" he shouted, standing up and pounding his armored fists on the table, "Duran! Get out of there!"
"Wait...wait...what's a berserker?" Heath asked innocently. Koren exhaled.
"A special kind of warrior that improves his strength to amazing ability by tasting his own blood. When Kaioro reaches his full potential, it will be enough to slice Duran into ribbons with no effort." He explained, slight tension in his voice.
"Duran needs to be able to evade properly..." Darkshine continued, "Or else he's as good as dead already."
~*~
Kaioro's eyes changed from milky white to dark red as a strange crimson aura surrounded his body. Duran backed away.
'He's...he's going berserk!' he finalized in his mind, his eyes widening in complete fear. Kaioro noticed and laughed, splattering blood in front of him.
"Now begin to taste my full potential!" he hissed, and raised his katana high in the air. Duran quickly raised his broadsword, and prepared for the attack.
*~*
The first fight of the Grand Tournament is underway, and already it seems it might end quickly. Will Duran's skills be enough to match Kaioro Mekayoi, the berserker?
To be continued...