Chapter 2
Remember that last remark about how much fun this was going to be? I was right! The trials turned out to be more like a tournament and less like boot camp. The prize for the top three? Seats in the C.o.K. Chamber.
I blew through my first few opponents, making it all the way to the final, or "elite" if you will, eight. Things got a little tougher here, but not much. I mean, come on! I've got the original keyblade master as my teacher! Of course I'm gonna smear everyone into the ground!
The crowd in the arena began to grow as we neared the end of the tournament. One could feel the anticipation in the air. People began to chant the name of their favorite combatant. My name was cheered loudest over all. The cheers of the onlookers could almost make one deaf.
Now I was in the semifinals. The cobblestone beneath my feet was already beginning to wear down from some of the fierce battles that had taken place before. I approached my opponent who was already standing in the middle of the arena, waiting for me. He was about average height and had shoulder length black hair. His build was much more muscular than my own and he looked like a fierce combatant.
I reached out my hand to wish him luck and he stared at it. Annoyed, I made up my mind to completely embarrass him in front of this crowd. When we summoned our keyblades to our hands, the kingdom key appeared in mine, but in his, a key shrouded in darkness appeared. It looked as though Hades from the Olympic Coliseum had given it to him.
The fight began and I quickly discovered that I was not invincible. He landed a few blows on me and on one occasion sent me flailing across the arena. Now I came at him with a vengeance. I issued three consecutive blows at him, each of which found its mark.
Now he was beginning to breath heavily. I allowed a slight smile to cross my face and came at him again. We fought for much longer than I expected to and I soon enraged him. He swung his keyblade at me so hard that it made me slide across the cobblestone. Now pointed his key at me and a ball of fire was discharged towards me. I quickly rolled out of its path, but it followed me. I kept running and rolling until the fire finally dissipated.
At this time, King Mickey came out onto the field and halted the fight. I stood up and dismissed my keyblade. I was enraged. If there was one thing that you weren't allowed to do in the trials, it was use magic. I soon found out that my opponent was dismissed from the competition and I would move on to the final round which would take place tomorrow afternoon. 'He better hope that he can find a ride off world today. 'Cause I'm gonna have a word with him if he's still around after the fight tomorrow.'
Tomorrow came faster than expected. Once again we were all in the stadium with the deafening roar of the crowd who was, once again, cheering for their favorite combatant. I was feeling excitement. At this point, it was just a fight to see who gets a higher seat. I was already guaranteed a place, but I wanted to be placed high.
I strolled out to the center of the arena, waving to the crowd as a went. My opponent stood in the middle. I couldn't see what his face looked like because of all the armor he was wearing. As I approached, it was he who held out his hand. I shook it, glad that this wouldn't be a repeat of yesterday.
The call to summon our keys was made and we did so. My opponent summoned a key that looked very similar to the key that my opponent yesterday fought with. It had the same shape, but it was radiant with light. It was white with a sort of yellow and blue tint towards the teeth.
We walked away from each other and then turned to face again. The fight began with each of us taking a combat stance. My opponent attacked first with lightning speed and I blocked a series of thrusts and slashes. After studying my opponents attack pattern, I found a slight flaw and utilized it. Catching him off guard, I turned the fight in my favor. I attacked with a balance of speed and power, the way my key was made to be used. This time it was my turn to be taken off guard. As quickly as it had turned to favor me, the battle turned to favor my opponent.
The battle continued in this way for some time, looking as if it would simply be a battle of endurance. We were both winded and the battle was currently in my favor. I unleashed a flurry of attacks and finally landed one on my opponent. From then on, went downhill for him. I landed more blows on him and soon he was on the ground, beaten. After he dismissed his keyblade, I dismissed mine. My opponent stood to his feet and removed hi…. My jaw dropped. That entire…. I fought that hard….. Against…… A girl?! I nearly fell over from the shock.
The King and my dad walked over to me. "Axel, we'd like you to meet Lior." I put my hand on the back of my head and I felt my cheeks turn red. "H-hi." I managed to get out. She was beautiful. She had shoulder length blonde hair and a smile that was so bright, it could make a Darkside go into hiding. "Good fight." I said without stuttering. She held out her hand and I shook it. "I don't think I caught your name." She said to me. "I-I'm Axel, Sora's son." We talked together for a while longer before heading off to the swearing in ceremony and even then we walked together. I smiled to myself. Life was good.