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Chapter 11

Era looked about the arena. It was packed with spectators and whatever space was left was quickly being taken up.

"Lot's of people," Yusuke said with a whistle, "Probably about the same as in the Dark Tournament."

Era took her eyes from the stands to Yusuke, "People like fights?"

Yusuke nodded, "Most demons like to watch as others try to rip each other apart or just like to watch a good match. Some humans are the same."

"Why?"

"I have no clue," Yusuke said with a shrug, "It's entertainment of some sort, but I don't know why they want to watch as demons kill each other."

With a sigh Era shook her head. She was finding fault in this would that she did not like in the least, but she did see many things that she did approve of. This world is very different from the one she knew when growing up, in ways that were both good and bad.

Era and Yusuke looked out the doors of the contestant hold they were in when a voice filled the arena. The voice was of a male on a microphone, "Hello everyone and welcome to Ensuren's annual contest of strength."

"Reminds me of the Dark Tournament," Yusuke said with a chuckle, "Only the announcer was a female." His face turned grim, he was worried for Era even though he knew she was by far his superior in power. What played on his mind the most was what the fights could do to Era mentally since her morals were strong, as was her innocence.

Era caught Yusuke's grim attitude, "No worry 'usuke." Her smile made him feel less unsure about the upcoming events.

"The first contestants of today's contest are Yusuke and Killian," the announcer said into the stadium.

Yusuke took a breath, "See you soon Era," he walked out into the sun filled arena.

On the other side Killian was walking out as well. He was shorter than Yusuke by several inches, had spiked red hair and emerald eyes. He wore red pants and a black tank top.

"Fira," Era murmured to herself. In her native language that meant 'fire.'

The announcer looked at both contestants before yelling, "Begin."

Yusuke stood his ground as flame swirled around Killian wildly. When he threw his hand out towards the Spirit Detective Yusuke simply moved to the side to prevent being roasted. Killian repeated this attack several more times, but each time Yusuke escaped unscathed.

With a growl Killian formed a fireball in each hand before throwing them at the detective. Yusuke dodged one by jumping to the side and the other by jumping into the air. The fireballs exploded on the on the barrier, which cause the air all around it to ripple as a magical barrier revealed itself.

"As all of you in the audience can see the barrier is up and functioning properly, so you don't need to worry about your children's safety," the announcer said.

"Well that's different from the Dark Tournament," Yusuke said in slight surprise.

Killian fired a series of fireball at the Spirit Detective reminding him that he was still in the middle of a battle. Yusuke ran about the arena dodging them as they came at him.

"Well folks it looks as if Yusuke's still on the defensive. What will the infamous Spirit Detective do to get out of this mess?" The announcer cried.

Yusuke narrowly missed an on coming fireball by leaping into the air. In mid air he pointed his right index finger at his opponent, his left hand held the opposite wrist to steady it.

"Spirit Gun!" Yusuke cried. A beam of light blue energy that looked much like a small comet flew from his finger to his opponent. Killian had no time to dodge and was hit dead on by the attack.

Era looked him in wonder. He had defeated his opponent rather quickly and even though the announcer had not yet made any official notion she knew who the winner was.

When the smoke from around Killian started to disappear everyone could see him laying on the ground, not moving. The announcer somehow jumped through the magical barrier, which moved when he did so, and jogged over to the fallen fighter. "Killian is unable to fight. The winner is Yusuke!"

Some of the crowed cheered since they had placed bets in the Spirit Detectives favor and won money off of him. Others booed because they either dislike him or they had lost money by betting on the wrong person.

Yusuke smiled in triumph as he walked back to the door he had originally entered through. He gave Era the thumbs up, "Told you I'd be back soon."

Era giggled, "You did. You fight well."

"Thank you," Yusuke said thoroughly please with himself. "But he wasn't much of a challenge for me."

Era nodded, "But you win fast." Yusuke laughed boastfully, making Era smile and giggle once more.

The two were interrupted by the announcer's blaring voice, "Now that Killian has been removed from the arena will the next two contestants, Zahn and Tellena, report to the arena."

A young woman walked past Era as she headed into the arena. She had blond hair placed into a high ponytail. Cheering could be heard within the arena.

"No power," Era murmured to herself.

Yusuke raised a brow, "What do you mean?"

"She has no-"she stopped and though for the word, "No power like Touya."

"You mean an element?" Yusuke questioned, "Like water."

Era nodded, "Yes. No ele-element."

"How can you tell?" Yusuke asked curiously. He'd never heard of someone knowing a demon's element before they used, unless of course they knew of them before hand.

"I feel," Era responded.

"You mean you can tell a person's element from just their aura, the energy that surrounds them?" He had only explained what the word 'aura' meant so she would understand what he meant.

Era nodded and looked out into the arena, "Stupid fights."

"What number are you?" Yusuke asked, not hearing her last comment.

She held up four fingers since she did not know how to say the number, "This many."

"Four huh? You still have another fight to wait through then."

Era nodded, clearly not interested in the fight she would soon be participating in.

The announcer came on, "Tellena is down, but not out. Zahn himself is injured, but to no extent as his opponent."

Yusuke looked out into the arena. Tellena was kneeling on the ground with her left arm broken and bleeding badly. Zhan looked as if he had dislocated his shoulder and twisted his ankle.

"Seems like they've had fun thus far," Yusuke said with some interest.

"They hurt," Era said with a frown, "How is it fun?"

The Spirit Detective thought a moment, "I guess you can say that some demons enjoy feeling pain when in battle."

Era made a face, "That makes no sense."

Yusuke shrugged, "You're not from this world so I guess it would seem odd to you. I'm sure a lot has changed between five thousand years ago and now."

Era sighed, "I wish I was home."

Yusuke was surprised by this remark, "Era..."

"The fight is a tie," came the baring voice of the announcer, "Both contestants are unable to compete. The next round will begin shortly."

Era and Yusuke looked out to see Tellena lying motionless on her back and Zhan was the same, only on his stomach. The second round was now over and Era would be out after one more battle. She was worried, not for the sake of her life, but for the sake of the world. She was being delayed from her quest and Van-Gareth was undoubtedly closing in, but she had been thrown into this contest because of a mistake and she would have to deal with it.

Workers dragged Tellena and Zahn out of the arena. "Alright folks, round three will begin in a few short moments. So viewers don't forget to place your bets, you could win a lot of cash. Now will Daia and Damon please come forth."

A young looking demon with long black hair, a black tail, black dog ears, sharp nails and bare feet walked by. "He's a dog demon," Yusuke told Era.

"Puppy?" Era questioned.

Yusuke laughed, "A puppy is a young dog. He's older so he'd be called a dog demon, not a puppy demon," he scratched his head, "Actually I don't think there is a such thing as a puppy demon."

Era laughed softly, "I see. He's a dalgo," she said the word in her native language, "Dog."

"If you say so," Yusuke said with a laugh. "I don't know your language."

The voice of the announcer rang through the area, "Now that you're here, begin!"

Era sat down on the ground, resting her back against the wall. With a sigh she said, "I fight soon."

Yusuke nodded, "Yes, next round in fact." He sat down next to her, "You'll be fine. No, in fact you'll be great."

A smile formed on Era's lips, "Thank you 'usuke."

Yusuke chuckled at her bad pronunciation of his name. He was used to it by now, but he could not help but find it humorous. When Era looked at him oddly he quickly said, "It's nothing."

"You weird," Era said with a small giggle.

The Spirit Detective smirked, "Yes I am and I'm proud of it."

"Wow! Damon just tore off Daia's arm!" The announcer yelled into his microphone. "It's the first real blood shed we've seen since the contest started."

Era cringed at this announcement. Yusuke smiled wearily, he knew that the ancient being did not like fighting, much less blood shed. Unless of course it was caused because someone protecting someone else, like she had in the ice village almost two weeks after her awakening.

The fights during the contest were to be filled blood and pain, that was a given. Yusuke suspected that Era only wanted to cause pain to one person and that was the demon Van-Gareth. However to complete that task to the point of his death she needed to get to the forest of her goddess, Eralasea, for whom she was named after.

"Era," Yusuke began, "Why wouldn't you let one of the others take your place in the contest? You seem miserable with the idea of fighting here."

Era sighed, "I need learn to be more careful. It my fault I'm here, so I fight." She looked at Yusuke with a small smile, "Touya say the same thing as you before."

Yusuke nodded as he understood what she meant, "That's really cool of you Era, but just know that we want to help."

"I know," she told him, "But I fight my fights."

Yusuke chuckled, "You mean you fight your own battles."

Era blushed slightly, "Sorry."

Yusuke brushed the apology to the side, "Like we've said before Era, you're still learning our language. You're going to make mistakes."

Era nodded and looked down at her hands, "I fear Van-Gareth come."

Yusuke looked at her in shock, but quickly realized that she was worried for everyone in the city except herself. He knew that Van-Gareth could very well kill everyone in Ensuren, himself included, in moments.

"Well that was an interesting battle," the announcer said, "The winner, by death, is Damon."

Era stood with a sigh. She knew she would be called out to fight soon, but she wished she didn't have to be. She wondered who she would have to fight and hoped that it would be a quick and easy battle for both hers and her opponent's sake.

"Next match is between Kazura and Era."

Yusuke gave her the thumbs up, "Go get 'em girl."

Era smiled wearily and walked out into the sun filled arena and heard the uproar of cheering from the audience.


It would seem that Van-Gareth is always playing on the ancient beings mind....

Will the fight against Kazura go as easily as Era wants it to?

Find out in the next chapter!