Chapter 4
A few days later, many angels gathered around the training arena of Valhalla. It was one of the few areas of Asgard where combat could be legally conducted, and because of this, it was also one Asgard's key spectator locations.
This open-air Coliseum was divvied into a numerous sections with separate rings so multiple people could duel or sparring sessions at once.
Typically, very few people come to watch fighters with basic skills spar with one another, but the rings that held exceptional fighters almost always attracted a big crowd.
On this day, two such exceptional fighters happened to be sparring in the center ring, sending the crowd of Angels into a cheering frenzy.
One of the angels was a wily young man with excessively spiky garnet hair, sharp charcoal eyes, and a stalwart body. His great wings were tinted a slight maroon. He wore a deep brown gladiator outfit and wielded a practice axe in his left hand.
The other angel had messy, bluish-brown hair and big grey eyes. He wore a light grey vest with black lining with a sleeveless white shirt underneath, a baggy pair of blue shorts, and some black gloves. Behind him were noble wings tinted with mint green. Grasped in his right hand was a moderate-sized practice sword.
The garnet-haired Angel let out a mighty laugh as he stared down upon his opponent.
"So, at last I meet the Wonder Rookie face to face in combat! I've heard a lot about you, but I'm not sure how much of the rumors I can believe looking at a runt like you! If it's true you've won a majority of your bouts this far, I'm thinking it was all pure luck!" he cried out.
His opponent shrugged. "It's possible. I've been running into a few kooks lately, so I couldn't tell if I was fighting at my best." he confessed in an embarrassed tone. "But I'm glad to spar with one of the stronger candidates! You go by the name Kain the Crusher, I believe?"
The garnet-haired angel nodded in confirmation. "That's right! And if our weapons were real, my mighty axe would split you along with your puny little sword in half!" he boasted. "I'm hoping at least you're good enough to match up with the rumors, because this won't fight won't entertain me other wise!"
The grey-eyed angel readied his practice sword. "Then I guess I better not hold back!" he declared. His eyes looked thoroughly focused as he anticipated the start of the battle.
"Ah, yes! The renown determination of Ein, the Wonder Rookie! I was hoping to see this so I can be sure that I've crushed you at your full strength!" Kain grinned.
Ein nodded to himself. "If I ever hope to catch up to Ledah's level, I better start challenging stronger opponents!" he thought.
The crowd around them roared as the two opponents stared each other down with only empty space separating them. After a few more seconds, a lovely angel with flowing silver hair that wore sky blue robe arrived close to the arena with a small golden bell and hammer in hand. She slowly rose the two objects together and prepared to sound the bell.
"Are the two combatants ready?" she announced.
Ein and Kain nodded to each other before nodding to the angel with silver hair, who nodded back. She then gently hit the bell, which rang out the start of their battle.
Both fighting angels lifted themselves off the ground with their wings in an instant, and charged at each other with their weapons ready to strike. Both of their charges proved to be equally swift as axe met sword in the middle arena. Since neither gained sufficient ground, both left back and held defensive positions.
"You're pretty tough for a little guy" Kain admitted with satisfaction.
"I'm glad to hear it!" Ein smiled back.
"Interesting that you're enjoying this so far. We've barely even started!"
"Then shall we continue?"
"You're on, kid!"
Kain rushed forward with his axe raised above his head, but Ein was able to anticipate the obvious attack as he sidestepped just Kain's practice axe came crashing down. Ein then leapt in and delivered a stunning counter slash to Kain's left shoulder, and followed up with a strike to the waist. Despite the strength of his blows, Kain was eager to move on with the battle as he lifted his axe and swing to his left, which Ein ducked with ease. He then retaliated with a low thrust towards Kain's ribs, but the stalwart angel choped down to counter the strike. Ein reacted by yanking his sword away from Kain's axe and leapt back once more. The two fighters once again faced each other as the crowd roared. Again, Ein was reluctant to make the first move, which allowed Kain to take the initiative and charge in with his shoulder. Ein leapt off to the side in order to avoid another charge, but then Kain swung in a wide arc in front of him, forcing Ein to block with his sword. He then followed up with a downward chop aimed towards Ein's head, which Ein barely managed to block. Due to the strength of Kain's swings, Ein's were left strained from the last block and was unable to retaliate. That left him on the defensive for awhile, as he forced his arms and sword to block Kain's brutal axe assault. Kain struck from all sides, but Ein was able to keep up with every single strike. After awhile, Ein's arms started to tire out as Kain remained in fresh shape. The struggling Angel finally decided to give his arms a rest as he back flipped Kain's final axe swipe and took flight into the air. Kain then eyed his opponent with a defiant glare.
"So, Little Ein! Fleeing already? I guess whatever worthy victories you gained were nothing but flukes!" Kain taunted.
Ein shook his head. "I'm not about to give up. So far, I'm the only one in this battle actually landed blows." he thought to himself. "What would Ledah think if I gave up under these conditions?"
He then wiggled his arms a bit to feel how they're doing. "Okay, I can manage some more strikes now. But since I'm up here, I might as well take advantage of this position." he calculated.
Kain made a menacing smirk as he spread out his wings. "How about I join you?" he proposed. Immediately, he took off and darted straight at Ein with his axe in hand.
Ein answered by falling feet first with his practice sword raised above his head.
Kain quickly gained altitude as Ein was plummeting fast. The garnet-haired angel prepared his axe to strike at Ein from the side, but the angel from above still left his center exposed. It did not take long for Ein to come within striking range of Kain's axe, but Ein swiftly shot out his foot and intercepted Kain's face. Ein then swung down his practice sword at full force, which swatted poor Kain out of the sky and sent him crashing down. He then flapped his wings to slow his descent into a smooth landing.
The crowd gasped as they saw the mighty garnet-haired angel trembling on the ground. He tried several times to lift up with a hand, but eventually he gave in and slammed his hand down.
Everyone roared at Ein's recent victory. The earnest Angel smiled bashfully as he gave a few respectful bows to the crowd to thank his fans for their support. He then slowly approached the defeated Angel with a welcome hand.
"H-hey... Kain, are you alright?" I'm sorry what I had to do back there, but you were coming in fast!" Ein exclaimed.
The weakened Angel barely managed a nod before plopping his face down upon the Arena floor again. "You did well, kid. Your skills are truly formidable." he uttered in humility. "You even showed up a born fighter like me."
"Uh... do you want me to help you out?" Ein asked politely.
"N..no... just let me rest awhile. If I get back up, I'll be stumbling over everything and it'll just cause more problems." he insisted.
"Eh... are you sure? I would think there's other Angels waiting to use this arena while were batling here." Ein commented.
"It's... okay... someone'll come and pick me up... when news of this defeat reaches the nursing home.." he insisted.
Ein nodded hesitantly. Fine...then... ah, would a healing solution be alright, at least?"
Kain barely nodded before plopping his upon the floor again.
Ein then looked around the audience and motioned for a healing item of some sort, but apparently, no one had any on them. Luckily, two angels in special white robes flew in with a stretcher and landed softly on the floor. They took their time lifting Kain off the floor, and they made sure to be gentle as they laid him on the stretcher. Finally they took off above Valhalla and went about their business.
"Defeating him with gravity, huh? That was a nice touch!"
Ein and the entire crowd turned their heads towards the ring to see an amazed Yuan spying the flying angels.
"Y-Y-Yuan! What are you doing here!" Ein exclaimed.
The ruby-eyed Angel grinned as he faced his friend. "I just came by hear to check out one of your usual bouts in the Arena. How many guys DID you defeat today, anyway?"
"Three" Ein answered back, "And I'd have to say that last one was the toughest. I had an easy time with the first two, but Kain provided a good challenge."
"THAT guy? He never laid a single blow on you. I'm sure you could handle tougher than him!" Yuan insisted.
"Ah... sure... thanks for your vote of confidence... I guess..." Ein answered reluctantly.
"Seriously! I know you can be better than that!" Yuan insisted. "You wouldn't be forming a respectable reputation like yours if you didn't do something to earn it!"
Ein gulped. "But... I'm still nowhere near the best. Ledah's still far more powerful and skilled than me, and I've seen what Malice can do---"
"Okay then, what about me?" Yuan interrupted.
"Actually, I was just about to get to that!" Ein cried.
"Good. Were you about to mention how easily I've taken her?"
"Yeah. I would say that's pretty accurate---"
"And I'm sure you're capable of doing the same if you realized it!"
"WHAT? Against THAT temper? Are you---"
"Yes I am. And I'm going to prove it to you!"
Ein was afraid to ask, but his curiosity got the best of him.
"Exactly how?" he asked nervously.
Yuan nodded with a smirk. He then withdrew the practice sword from his side and pointed it at Ein with his left hand.
"Etchel! I challenge you right here and now!" he proclaimed.
The crowd murmured amongst themselves as they heard the sudden challenge issued to Ein.
"Yuan? Against "Wonder Boy"?"
"That's insane! Even if Ein's been working his way up, he's nowhere near THAT level!"
"Is that boy trying to humiliate him?"
"But I hear Ein's been considered as a top candidate!"
"To be... A Grim Angel?"
"Maybe Yuan's trying to show to people how unworthy Ein really is."
"Perhaps... if the rumors were true... and they ARE reinstating the Grim Angels... Yuan would HAVE to be one of them..."
"And Ledah! Those two are practically equal rivals!"
"Man, what I would give to see those two go at it again..."
The ruby-eyed Angel managed to pick up some of the comments made in the audience. "Oh, come now! Now THAT's being a bit harsh on the little guy, isn't it?" he thought to himself.
"Now Etchel! Do you accept my challenge? Or do you doubt your edibility?" he announced.
Etchel trembled slightly before he reached his conclusion.
"...alright! Fine! Let's do this!" he cried reluctantly has he readied his practice sword for combat once again.
"Good. If you ever want to prove yourself to Ledah, you knew you'd have to be able to handle me as well. This battle was inevitable." Yuan told Ein in a somewhat solemn voice.
Ein nodded, but still felt uncomfortable with this confrontation.
"By the way! How's Ledah doing now? I haven't seen him outside the temple latley!"
Yuan scratched his head. "Ah... I THINK he's doing better now. I've seen him going out a little more often..."
"That's good to hear... I guess..." Ein said.
The silver-haired angel gazed at both contenders curiously before raising the bell and hammer once more. Both Yuan and Ein gave her a nod, so she rang the bell to start their battle.
Ein immediately went into a defensive position as Yuan prepared to strike.
"Yuan's specialty is going to make this a bumpy ride..." Ein thought with great concern.
Right after he thought that, Ein's practice sword was hit hard with a thrust aimed at his midsection. He managed to block his lightning-fast attack, but it pushed him back substantially and left him open to a swift, hard strike from the side.
"What's the matter? You managed to block the first one! So you knew a second one would be coming!" Yuan reprimanded with sincere concern. "Okay, let's continue!" he cried has he readied the practice sword at his side for another attack.
"Oh great... I know that stance..." Ein thought.
Yuan moved in with a quick slash, but it appeared as though Ein blocked two strikes at once. Then Yuan proceeded to slash at Ein without any hesitation. Ein struggled heavily while trying to block the combining onslaught of physical attacks and phantom strikes. After barely keeping up with so many attacks at once, he was finally overcome by a strike to the shoulder. Yuan then went in for a powerful upward slash, which Ein avoided by jumping back, but Yuan transitioned into a huge leap into the air and crashed down with a mighty downward slash to his head. Luckily, Ein managed to block it yet again, but the great impact of the clashing blades caused Ein's own practice sword to collide with with his forehead, causing him to stagger. Noticing the easy opening, Yuan went for the finishing blow and picked him straight into the gut, knocking him down.
Poor Ein's pupils swirled around as the crowd cheered for Yuan's exhibition showing.
"Ah, hey pal... are you alright?" Yuan asked sincerely.
Ein nodded slowly. "I'll... be... okay... as soon as everything stops spinning..." he groaned.
"Okaaay..." Yuan answered slowly, "How about I help you up then?"
"That... would be nice." Ein answered.
Yuan then stretched out his hand for Ein to grab onto, but the poor Angel's dazzled state had him missing again and again. Yuan decided to snatch Ein's hand himself and helped him up, while trying to maintain Ein's balance.
"See Ein? You've definitely improved! This time you actually sensed my attacks and were able to keep up with them! Now you just have to improve your reflexes a smidge and then work on your offense. I'm sure you'll get the hang of it soon enough!" Yuan said with a friendly grin.
Ein groaned as he tried to steady himself. "Did you have to humiliate me in the process of your teaching?"
Yuan pointed up a free index finger. "Humility is an important component in the teaching process!" he preached.
"But not like THAT!" Ein complained.
As though he did not hear Ein's whining, the triumphant Angel pat Ein's head casually.
"Believe Me! You did a good job out there! You wasted some energy sparring with three other trainees, then held your ground against me. I'd have to say this is a record for you today!" Yuan said.
Ein shook his head. "You make this sound like a daily chore..." he groaned.
"Isn't it? I thought this is the kind of stuff serious warriors live for..." Yuan uttered aloud.
"Yuan... you can be really twisted sometimes..." Ein groaned frankly.
"Oh well! I guess I better reevaluate this way of life sometime!" Yuan chirped.
He then looked back at Ein rather curiously and muttered something to himself.
"But seriously, you did a pretty swell job fending me off not too long ago. I just know you'll pass these mysterious trials and be in the running for whatever prize they planned!" Yuan insisted.
"They're saying that the Magi are reinstating the Grim Angels! Are you sure that's something I'm worthy of?" Ein asked.
"Uh... right... Grim Angels... sure..." Yuan answered skeptically. "Alright. Then I'm sure you'll earn the privilege of becoming a Grim Angel!" he improvised cleanly.
"Still... it might be awhile before I can prove myself to be worthy of such honor... let alone match Ledah's abilities." Ein moped.
Noticing his friend's lowered spirits, Yuan let out a hearty laugh while giving him a pat on the back.
"Come on, now! Don't get like that! Maybe there's more to being a Grim Angel than kicking demon ass, like possessing a strong sense of justice, or a good heart. But most of all, they're likely expecting strong dedication to the will of the gods, and a strong desire to pass judgment on the ignoble and corrupt. I think all those things fit your description perfectly!" Yuan exclaimed.
"Really?" Ein asked hopefully.
"Yeah! If choosing someone to be a Grim Angel was all about power and force, then that creep Malice could make the cut easily! Could you just imagine what it would be like if SHE was one?" Yuan exclaied. "Just trust me! There's been plenty of news about who'd make it as the top candidates, and you're always part of the gossip in a positive light!"
"Okay..." Ein said with a renewed spirit. "Then I'll just have to work harder!"
"That's the spirit!" Yuan cried as he gave Ein another pat on the back. "You have so much potential dormant in your blood! You just have to get it boiling, and you'll practically be overflowing with prodigal talent like the rest of us big boys!"
"Er... thank you..." Ein answered.
"Isn't he laying the flattery on a little to thick?" he thought to himself in embarrassment.
Suddenly, a golden-haired Angel slowly made his way into the Arena.
"ANGEL YUAN? I HAVE AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR YUAN!" he shouted in an authorities voice.
The messenger Angel easily caught the attention of everyone in Valhalla.
"YOU ARE NEEDED IN THE GREAT HALL! THE SEVEN MAGI REQUEST YOUR IMMEDIATE PRESENCE!"
Yuan felt shocked by this sudden call. "The Magi themselves?" he asked himself. "Does this have to do with my candidacy in the trials?"
"Yuan! You should go!" Ein suggested. "Maybe they're through evaluating you already... and they've already decided for you to become a Grim Angel!"
"Me? Already? So soon?" Yuan questioned in dubiously. "If that's true, it sounds like a rushed decision. They've yet to announce the official end of the trials to decide who the overall top candidates are."
He then looked up at the sky with an uneasy gaze.
"Besides... the Magi already know how I feel about the will of the gods. It would be a joke to let me become a Grim Angel if those rumors were true!" he thought to himself.
Ein gave Yuan a pleading look, who responded with a shrug.
"Well, the Magi ARE the foremost authority of Asgard, being the proxies of the gods. What choice do I have in refusing their request?" he sighed.
"Don't worry. If it's a bad thing, I'm sure they won't be too hard on you!" Ein mentioned.
Yuan was about to collapse from his friend's next assumption. "Gee... that's a really nice way to think about your friend." he thought sarcastically.
"I'm not too worried about having judgment passed on to me spontaneously. I haven't done anything that bad to upset them, so I'm assuming it's a good thing." Yuan answered.
"Whatever it is, I doubt it has anything to do with me becoming a Grim Angel. If that was the case, I would be more than happy to turn down an honor like that." he thought to himself. "All that will bring me in the long run is more violence..."
He then made his way out of the Arena and straight towards the Great Hall, where the Seven Magi awaited him. Right before making his grand exit, he gave Ein and the audience a friendly wave goodbye.
"Keep kicking butt, Ein! Just keep showing these guys what you're made of, you got it?" Yuan shouted.
"You bet!" Ein cried back. "I will catch up with you and Ledah one day! You can count on it! And thank you!"
Yuan faced forward with a satisfied grin as he finally left the Arena, whose cheers intensified as they were filled with Ein's burning spirit.
"Etchel, you have a long way to go before you'll be able to fill the shoes of Grim Angel Konan, but I know you have what it takes to fulfill the legacy of one of the legendary heroes of Ragnarok. You've got plenty of heart and determination at your side, so you'll be a formidable fighter against all odds. If there's anyone in Asgard who deserves the power of the Grim Angels, it would definitely be you."
Preview
Chapter 5- Granada Fortress
"Come now, Hector. Even you are aware that you can't possibly face the might of a former god."