Chapter 2

A Fight for a New Life

I trained for the next few weeks for the tournament. I went to the guild for quests and fought monster all day every day. I made some money on the side. I return to the basilicom and saw Noire standing there by the entrance.

" So where have you been going?" Noire asked me

" Why does it matter to you?" I stated with anger in my voice.

" I'm just curious. That's all." I saw Noire blush. Why though is all I could think of.

" If you must know Lady Noire, then I will tell you. I have been training for the tournament for the past few weeks. It's tomorrow correct?" I asked Noire in a serious tone.

" Yes, but why are training so hard for this Anthony?" Noire got curious.

" Noire, I'm a man with nothing to live for. I have nothing to my name. Nothing to lose. All I can go is up at this point. I desire a new life. A new way of living. Something worth while. That is why I'm training so hard." I stated as I looked into her eyes. I grabbed my sword and walked out. I decided to say one more thing more I left.

" Being your bodyguard just might be the change that I need." I stated as I finally left the basilicom.

" A man with nothing to his name and lost everything. He has the will to push on regardless. How admirable. I hope he really does win. I haven't seen such determination." Noire stated in amazement.

The day of the tournament is here. I entered a huge battle arena filled with monsters and other people.

" Wow. That is a lot of enemies in my path. I must reach to the top regardless." I told myself. I got called out into the arena. I saw a giant dragon in front of me.

" This is suicide! I have no choice but to fight this thing." I pulled out my sword and got myself ready for the fight before me. The dragon roared and charged at me. I barely evaded the dragon.

" Damn. He is really pissed off today." I saw Noire from a distance. I felt a sudden surge of courage pulsing through me. I ran towards the dragon, jumped on it's back, stabbed it's back and charged downward with full force.

" Vertical impact!" My sword glowed dark red as I blazed downward through the dragon's stomach and finished it off. The dragon falls towards me. I ran away for it to avoid being squashed by the giant beast.

" That's how you kill a dragon!" I laughed hard despite my lack of breathing.. I heard the applause from everyone. I saw Noire clapping in the fact she is impressed that I killed a dragon. The next battle was before me.

" I'm impressed that you killed that dragon so quickly. You must be quite strong." Someone stated as they walked towards me.

" I guess I just knew it's weak spot. I am here to win this tournament." I stated. I should expect to fight people here as well. After all the grand prize is a job in the basilicom.

" I assume now I have to defeat you now." I stated.

" You think you can defeat me? We will see about that." The dark knight draws his sword.

" It looks like you're ready." I drew my sword as well. The announcer taps on his microphone and begins to speak.

" The next match is about to begin everyone. This battle is between the dark knight to the left, Brian. To the right is a mysterious warrior from another land, Anthony! The best of luck to these powerful warriors! LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!" The announcer stated with extreme excitement. Brian charged at me with his dark long sword. I evaded his attacks.

" You're rather slow Brian. That will be your downfall." I said to Brian with a small laugh.

" I will still defeat you and get the top position!" Brian swings his sword fiercely. I parried all of his attacks. I looked for a weak point to attack him. I manage to see a opening from his sides. I jumped backward and charged to his right side. I managed to daze him when I hit him.

" Let's end this here Brian!" My sword is engulfed in a red aura and I attacked him with full force.

" Dragon Flame Combo!" I sliced Brian left and right. I saw pieces of his black armor coming off with each strike I connect.

" The hell is this power!?" Brian screamed as he is getting attacked. The final strike sends him flying.

" Sorry Brian, but I must win this tournament. This is my only chance that I have been given. I must take it." I stated to the knocked out dark knight.

" That is it! Anthony is the winner of this match! He will be moving on to the semi-finals." The announcer said.

So I have just two more matches until victory. I have to reach for the top. I walked out of the arena. Noire comes towards me. I'm a bit surprised that she is coming towards me.

" You're much stronger than I expected. I'm quite impressed." Noire praised me for the fighting I displayed today.

" Thank you Lady Noire. I'm glad I'm not weak in your eyes. I'm fighting this hard for a reason." I stated.

" Why are you fighting so hard?" Noire asked curiously.

" I want that top position. I firmly believe that being your bodyguard could be the change that will give me a fresh start in life." I smiled slightly.

" You honestly believe that Anthony?" Noire said in a haughty tone.

" Yes I do Lady Noire. I have no where else I wish to be than right here in Lastation." I stated in a cheerful tone. I saw Noire blush.

" OH. I see. Well I wish the best of luck to you Anthony. Rest for today. Tomorrow is going to be a life-changing day for you." Noire stated in a serious tone.

" Of course Lady Noire. I will be going back to the Basilicom to rest. I will see there. . .right?" I started nervously.

" Y-yes of course you will." Noire stated nervously.

I go back to the basilicom. I open the doors and saw a short, white-haired business woman.

" Hello young man." Kei said to me.

" Oh. Hello there. Are you the oracle?" I asked her.

" Yes. I am Kei Jinguji, the oracle of Lastation. It's a pleasure to meet you. What is your name?" Kei said in her usual business tone.

" My name is Anthony Cooper. It's nice to meet you as well." I bowed before her.

" There is no need to bow to me. Please raise your head." I raised back up.

" Noire told me a little about you. You seem to have potential Anthony." Kei stated

" Potential to do what?" I got confused.

" The potential to fight. Please show what you're made of tomorrow in the semi-finals and the final match as well." Kei smiled.

" The final match? You think I would win?" I got more confused.

" I believe you will win. When I saw you fight; I saw fierce determination in your eyes. That's why I believe it." Kei stated with a smile on her face.

" Thank you for believing in me Kei. I will win this tournament tomorrow Kei. I will see you then Kei. I must rest." I went back to my bedroom that I'm staying right now.

" He could be the one we are seeking for. Let's see what will happen tomorrow." Kei stated to herself.

The next morning I got woken up by someone knocking on my bedroom door.

" Who is knocking on my door this early?" I said as I opened my eyes.

" Time to get up Anthony. If you want to see me really angry, then you can stay in bed." Noire giggled.

" Oh shit. . . I better get my ass up now." I got out of bed and put my uniform on and opened the door.

" I'm up Noire. I'm up!" I stated in fear for my life.

" Good. Breakfast is ready for you downstair. Go on and please eat." Noire stated. I notice anger in her voice, but also a bit of embarrassment.

I thought nothing of it and went downstairs to eat. I leave for the arena grounds shortly afterward. I saw my next opponent for the semi-finals. It is a dragoon. I kept telling myself that I'm going to win this match. I heard the microphone being tapped stating that the match is about to begin.

" The semi-finals are here people! Today's match is going to be an epic one! On the left is Michael the dragoon! and to the right is the mysterious warrior, Anthony! These warriors will fight to be in the finals with Blake the berserker! NOW LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!" The announcer stated with burning passion. A spear is thrown at me and I dodged it.

" Look's like you're serious Michael." I said to the dragoon.

" You can't defeat a dragon knight" Michael charges at me with the spear he picks back up.

" Allow me to prove you wrong then!" I charged at him. My sword glew red as I attacked him with flurries of sword slashes. He blocked all of my attacks. He jumps into the air to prepare for a brutal attack.

" Big mistake there dragoon." I jumped up and charged at him. I uppercutted him with my sword following with another flurry of sword slashes. I smash him to the ground with a special move.

" Dragon's Impact!" I hit him with a charged downward slash. I charged downward with his body to the ground creating a small crater. I come out of the crater as I saw a knocked out dragoon.

" I was hoping for you to be stronger than that." I stated in disappointment.

" Anthony is the winner of this short intense fight! Our final match will start shortly!. LET THE STAGE RISE!" The announcer stated. The ground below me started to rise and I saw Noire standing from a distance.

" Congrats Anthony. You have made it to the finals. I will be watching this final fight myself. Your final opponent is Blake the berserker. Do your best Anthony." Noire stated to me.

" Good afternoon everyone! Your goddess will be hosting this final match. To your left is Blake, the ravaging warrior. To your right is the mysterious warrior, Anthony. Best of luck to both of these fighters. The match will start in a few minutes. Prepare yourself warriors." Noire stated to the audience.

This is it. I have one more match and I win. This fight will change how my life will go here in Lastation. This is my only chance that I got. Let's do this and win this fight. I looked at Noire and blushed for a mere second.

" That can't a reason. No way." I laughed it off as I thought to myself. I pulled out my sword.

" Let's get started with this fight." I said in a serious tone.

Author's note: Your Noire chapter of the week people! So how the story so far? Good? Bad? Well let me know with reviews :D Anyways I'm working on chapter 12 of Reborn and should be out by this saturday. If you haven't read it yet then READ IT :D. Anyways That's all I have to say. Until the next chapter guys.