Chapter 10: Dante' Excepts the offer

Lyss Walked into the hospital wing and passed out on the table. Dante' had helped her walk because she was still in a lot of pain. Dante' stayed a while, but left to go on a walk. He wandered once again into the woods hoping to meet Tenomas again. He walked deeper and deeper until he was back where he first met him. Dante' notice a twinge in his senses and saw something move in the bushes. He drew his sword and walked over. He looked in bush and saw nothing. The twinge got stronger until it was clear Dante' wasn't alone. Tenomas sprung from a tree and threw a blue glowing bomb at Dante', who it in two. Both halves exploded against a tree, wiping it totally out of existence.

"What are you trying to do, kill me?" Dante' was fuming and the sneak attack from Tenomas wasn't helping his explosive temper.

"That wouldn't have killed, I was just testing your speed, you've gotten stronger since you've been here", Tenomas said, as he touched down on the ground after is dash a Dante'. "But you still have much to learn, have you considered my offer?"

"Yes, but can you really train me by the finals, I've met who I'll probably fight." Dante's face was a mix of anticipation and inpatients.

"I can, we can train during the 6 month rest period. Before the finals, the four remaining contestants get 6 months to rest or train, whatever suits them." Tenomas was smiling and Dante' knew why.

"What makes you think I'll let you train me old man?" asked Dante'

"Because you have no other choice, Akeo will tear you apart if you meet him in your condition." Dante' was right about to speak, but Tenomas knew the question. "Yes, I knew him; I was the only man to ever defeat him. 25 years ago we fought in another tournament on Dangdra. The stakes weren't as high, and I didn't kill him, but I could have. Our battle was one that went into the record books. I used all of my tricks and still hadn't knocked him down." Tenomas was gazing into space and Dante' felt a little sympathy. Dante' had called him old man and felt as though he was a waste of time. As Tenomas thought of his memories, Dante' saw the strong young fighter he once was.

"So, you think you can train me to beat him", asked Dante'.

"No, I can't. I doubt I can make you strong enough, but I can show you to take advantage of every dent in his armor like I did. So will you train under my tutoring for 6 months, do everything I say, and never argue my authority." Tenomas put out his hand and Dante' shook it.

"Agreed, but one question, how did you focus your power into a solid ball of energy?" Dante' could only make invisible waves of pressure.

"I'll teach you when you come back for your training, but I will teach you one thing now." Tenomas taught Dante' an easy trick to make his sword more powerful. Dante' could charge his sword to have a slight glow. Tenomas grabbed his sword and ignited the entire blade into a bright deadly glow. After only 10 minutes he had taught Dante' to do the same.

"Thanks, see you later." Dante' started down the path and turned, he felt a surge in Tenomas' power. Tenomas just smiled back and Dante' turned and walked back to see Lyss' room. The paramedics had suggested that she stay an extra night, so he figured he'd check on her and then go to bed. Although the next round was looming, Dante' was only thinking of the finals. In Dante's mind there was no competition anymore; the only thing that stood in his way was Akeo, and he knew it.