The commandments were all getting ready to head out. Everyone was making sure that they don't get recognized at the tournament, each changing something to look somewhat different from their wanted posters. Gloxinia had activated Basquias' ninth configuration, Death Thorn, and wrapped down his wings to his body. All of which had to be covered with a shirt, surprisingly the part he hated the most. "Okay, Mela. Are they at all visible?" He asked. "Not at all." She answered. "It's a good thing you have Basquias, Gloxinia!". "Yeah but the shirt..."
"Would you rather wear one of the maid outfits?" Estarossa asked, arms crossed with a smirk. "Hell no!" Gloxinia barked; "I just don't like constraining my wings, that's all.". "At least no one will recognize you now." Melascula said. Gloxinia shrugged. "Speaking of which, Mela. What are you going to change?" He asked. "Oh, I almost forgot!" She spouted. She began looked upwards, then waving her fingers. Her hair began growing longer and lightly messy, donning a new hairstyle entirely. Its color changed from a light pink to a dark black. "I've been practicing transformation spells." She stated gleefully. "Nice, very nice..." Gloxinia and Estarossa muttered, the latter clapping softly. Melascula blushed lightly, looking away with an awkward expression. "Uh...W-Well, it's really not that..." She stammered before noticing Estarossa's face. "Estarossa, did you shave?"
He smiled proudly. "You like it? Did it myself." He said. "Oh, well...I do like it but..." Melascula started, her words struggling to form. "Not really that good looking, ain't it?" Estarossa interrupted, snickering slightly. Melascula's face turned a darker red, her arms waving to try and deny the thought. "Oh no no, it's not that it doesn't look bad! I just never seen you without a beard before a-and I...Uh...". She stopped with only a simple squeak with the Commandment of Love's reassuring pat on her head. "Don't worry, I'm just kidding with you."
Gloxinia, however, thought Estarossa's face looked almost ridiculous. He struggled gravely to not burst out laughing, only little cracks escaping. Estarossa's ears though caught him in the act. "Those better not be giggles, Gloxinia. Don't forget we sleep in the same room.". A chill went down the Fairy's back.
"Hey! Let's go see what Captain and the others are up to!" He called out nervously, then running out of the tavern. The fastest both Melascula and Estarossa seen him run on feet.
"Why do I have to stay at the tavern?!" Drole exclaimed, visibly heartbroken. "It's not your fault, Drole. Giants were banned from the Vaizel Tournament long ago and I doubt the rules have changed." Zeldris explained softly. Ever since Nebbie had successfully made it to Vaizel, Zeldris had been looking into the fighting festival and its rules. Some things he understood like no weapons but if giants were banned entirely, the damage must've been catastrophic. That or the arena could've been just too small for them. Either way, he knew Drole wasn't going to be happy. "It's going to be boring without anyone, Captain!" Drole complained. Zeldris sighed. Elizabeth, who was beside the Captain, looked up at the giant sympathetically.
"What's going on?"
Their attention turned to see Gloxinia and the other two commandments stepping up to the scene. "I'm not allowed in the tournament!" Drole exclaimed. "I mean, you're almost as tall as a mountain. People would for sure recognize you, big guy." Estarossa explained. "It's nothing personal, we promise." Melascula added emphatically. "I know..."
"If it's no problem, I can stay behind also, Sir Zeldris." Elizabeth proposed, everyone's attention turning towards. "Sure, I don't mind." Zeldris replied. The Giant's eyebrows rose. "Wait, really?" He asked. "Yeah, I wouldn't mind keeping you company, Sir Drole." She said sweetly. "Elizabeth, you're the greatest!" He exclaimed, his eyes gleaming. Zeldris sighed in relief. Now everyone can be happy! He then grabbed the bag right near him, putting the strap around his neck. "Alright, let's get-"
"Uh, Captain? Did you fix your hair?" Gloxinia interrupted, pointed up to Zeldris' hair due. His usual mildly frizzy hair had seemed to have been groomed, brushed downwards. "Well, no. I tried doing it myself but..." Zeldris replied, looking to the side. Estarossa's laughter began cracking. "Did you ask Elizabeth to do your hair?"
Zeldris leaped forward and grabbed his brother's ear. "Come on, everyone. Let's go." He said, tugging his brother along with everyone following him. "Ow, ow! It looks good, I didn't mean anything by it!" Estarossa exclaimed, trying to break free of the grasp on his ear.
"Goodbye, everyone!" Elizabeth called out.
Vaizel itself was a relatively small town, built up on a hill. What's definitely the most notable sight in town was the Great Vaizel Rock. Despite being half the size of Drole, it's where the fighting festival takes place. The group makes their way through, their eyes set at the top of the giant stone. "Alright, everyone. Some ground rules. Don't say anyone's names out loud, hold back enough to not kill anyone, and try your hardest as this is training." Zeldris explained firmly; "Lastly, you all know the rules, right?".
"Yeah, no weapons and no destructive magic attacks. Simple but sounds boring. Hopefully, some decently powerful guys show up." Estarossa complained. "Speak for yourself. At least flying's allowed or me and Mela would be out in the first round." Gloxinia cheered, Melascula nodding lightly with agreement.
"Well, that's the problem." Zeldris said before turning around with a thorny expression; "they don't.". Gloxinia and Melascula froze, then looking at each other with fearful looks. Both of them are powerful magic based fighters but physically they're absolutely puny. One hit and they're done.
"Uh...C...Captain, I don't think this is a good idea anymore..." Melascula stammered nervously. Zeldris put his hand lightly on her shoulder. "Come on, Mela. Don't start panicking! Remember, this is all so that we can get back into the battle feeling again." Zeldris explained. "Well, that and selling some booze." Estarossa added forwardly. "Secondary but necessary!" Zeldris argued back.
Suddenly from the back, someone had picked up Zeldris and Melascula by their clothes and held them up high. Someone a bit taller than Estarossa and incredibly beefy. "This ain't some competition for little kids like you, get out of here." He said. People nearby began watching.
Melascula stuggled to say anything, much less move. The unexpected grabbing had frightened her. Zeldris, however, wasn't very all that moved by the man's words. "For the love of all, we're adults." He murmured, rolling his eyes. Gloxinia sighed, also unamused. "Geez, the tournament hasn't even started and already people are getting aggressive. You would probably have fun with guys like him, Esta-". His words cut off when he saw Estarossa approaching the man, clearly roused at the sight of someone putting their hands on his brother and Melascula. "Oh boy..."
The Commandment of Love put his hand on his arm. "Hey, if you couldn't tell, the tournament hasn't started yet. You mind putting my brother and friend down?" He asked, leering. "Huh? And why should I take orders from you?" The man replied, looking down at the angered Commandment. "Because if I were you, I'd take this warning. Put them down now or I'm gonna crush this arm." Estarossa threatened, tightening his grip. The other Commandments only watched, this was about to get messy...
"Hey, hey, come on, guys." A voice suddenly called. A man smaller but having a similar physique placed his hand lightly on Estarossa's shoulder. His hair and most of his clothes were light green, matching his more positive tone. "This is a festival, just relax, alright?" He stated, keeping a calm demeanor. Estarossa made one last glare at the tall man before simply smirking. "Alright." He said, backing off; "My apologies, I wouldn't want to ruin the fun before it even starts.". "Hmph." The bulky man grumbled, dropping Estarossa's two comrades. "You do know my name's Taizoo, right? The winner of this tournament three times in a row? I don't recommend crossing me again." Taizoo added, then walking away. Zeldris and Melascula landed on their feet. Zeldris looked up at Estarossa with an annoyed expression.
"Brother, did you really have to start making threats? He really wasn't worth it." He stated. Estarossa crossed his arms, not ashamed in the slightest. "Dumb brute's all he is, sure but I don't tolerate things like that." He proclaimed, shrugging.
Melascula, meanwhile, lightly stepped up to the intervener. "Th-Thank you for that..." She stammered, finding the ability to speak again. "No worries." The man said, smiling chivalrously. The rest joined in. "So are you entering this tournament too?" Estarossa asked. "Oh yeah! My job took my chances every year but now's the day I finally get to enter!" He answered with giddiness. "Oh? Well then, I hope to see you in the finals." Estarossa stated, holding out his hand for a shake. "You too!"
They both shook hands and the man went off.
Zeldris crossed his arms, smiling. "Seems like a nice enough guy." He stated. "May wanna keep a close eye on him though." Estarossa stated, his eyes locked on the man walking away. Everyone turned to him with concerned looks. "Why's that?" Gloxinia asked. "Felt his magic in his grip, that guy's definitely a Holy Knight."
After making the group made their way up to the arena, they were listening around. Murmurs of excitement and competitive banter. Gloxinia however was more focused on Zeldris' bag. "Hey, Captain? What's in there?" He asked, pointing to it.
"Oh, this?" Zeldris replied, taking off the strap. He opened it to reveal a little sign, reading "Vampire's Blood Tavern". Also in it were plenty of bottles. "I was planning to have the first person out take care of selling the beer." He said with a smile. Gloxinia gasped, counting all the bottles in his head. Around 30! "Better hope no one finds out about it and steals it..." He then whispered. "I'm more worried about Estarossa finding out how much is actually in here so just keep quiet until then." Zeldris whispered back. "Alright."
The crowd's ambitious tumult was slowly silenced with the referee stepping into the arena. "Alright, we will now begin the elimination round. All fighters step into the arena!" He called out. Everyone did as they were told, each making their way into the arena. Gloxinia hopped up while Zeldris and Estarossa helped Melascula up by her hands. They all each looked around to the various people surrounding them.
Zeldris noticed a rather bigger figure running up to the arena, then tripping on its own feet. Falling into the arena, the well clothed being quickly got back up. From the build of the figure within the cloak, he seemed to be a man. The cloak was pure white along with the cloth covering his head. He was also wearing a pitch black suit, one similar to Zeldris's, that seemed to have been torn by his own muscles. Around his neck was a sloppy put on ribbon, clearly not even an attempt to be tied. Along his arms were gloves, also having little tears. Whoever he was, the besuited fellow seemed to be incredibly giddy.
Gloxinia, at the corner of his eye, caught a glance at a shadow like figure, suited in purple and greenish armor. Standing near the side of the hut right close to the arena, a fierce but familiar aura emitted as an elusive purple gleam came from the helm. Gloxinia blinked with confusion but once he opened his eyes again, the figure was gone. "I must be seeing things..." He murmured to himself, getting focused again on the tournament.
Estarossa and Taizoo made a quick glare at each other, both wanting to brutally humiliate the other. Melascula however wasn't as brittle. Such a competitive and fierce crowd she was in. This was nothing like how she lived in the Forest of White Dreams for so long. She knew had to get used to it again though. "It's only training...All for Elizabeth!" She reassured herself, her hands fiddling behind her back.
"The rules of this round are simple, knock your opponents out of the ring. Any type of fighting is allowed, as long as it's barehanded. The eight contenders that are left will move on the finals! Now, let's begin!" The referee called out.
Punches immediately started flying! Whether heavy or quick little jabs, people were already flying out of the arena. Estarossa joined in, running around and knocking some people out with bare punches. Zeldris was keeping his cool, patiently waiting for others to approach him instead. "Come here, Kid!" A gruff looking man called from behind as he was going to rush attack. Zeldris reacted accordingly, jumping up and kicking the man in the chest. His foot sending him flying back.
Gloxinia and Melascula meanwhile were trying to avoid the larger crowds. If they were going to make it through this round, they needed to be as cautious as possible. Melascula stopped for a second to look around but realized two large men were coming right for her at two different directions.
"Lights out for you, Lady!" The one with blond hair stated.
"You're mine!" The other with a black mustache yelled.
Looking between both men, she didn't know what to do without her magic! If she tried striking one, they'd deal with her instantly. There was too many people around to run! They were getting close, getting ready to tackle or grab her! Suddenly, her knees she could've sworn acted on their own as she quickly ducked. The facial haired man's fist slammed into the other man's face, knocking the blond back a little. "Why you..." The blonde muttered before they both started to beat each other down. Melascula quickly stepped away, a little surprised in herself. Gloxinia saw the whole thing nearby. "Atta girl! Keep it up!" He called out to her. Melascula blushed a little bit but it retracted when she noticed someone coming after her. She dashed away, leaving Gloxinia to ponder. "Hm..."
Gloxinia eyed someone throwing a weaker looking man out with only a hand, then looking to a pair fighting behind him. He smirked. He had an idea, thanks to Melascula. "HEY!" He called out, catching the man's attention. "I bet you couldn't break a stick even if you tried." He exclaimed, crossing his arms with a teasing look. "Oh, it's on, puny!" The man roared, rushing towards the disguised fairy. Gloxinia began walking backwards, minding the man coming to knock him silly but leading him straight to the brawling pair. "You running now?! You coward!" The man exclaimed, launching a punch. Gloxinia quickly ducked, letting the swing send one of the two behind him flying out. "Hey, you little..."
Zeldris swooped in and pushed the other two out. "Hey, if you're going to be playing it safe, at least make sure you're not near the edge of the ring." Zeldris instructed. "Oh, don't worry, Captain. I should be fine for the rest of this round. Besides, when you're as disadvantaged as I am here, might as well enjoy myself." Gloxinia explained. "If you say so." Zeldris muttered, crossing his arms. "Hey, guys!" They heard Estarossa near. He was currently throwing a few people out before stopping to talk. "How are things for you, Brother?" Zeldris asked. "I'm having a ball!" BAM! BAM!
The three of them turned their head to the cloaked figure sending a huge tubby person flying back with only two punches. They both watched intently as the fat man began to take a few others down with him as it just became a domino effect.
Melascula sensed something right behind her, then turning to see the whole tumble heading right towards her! It was moving so fast and so large compared to the other men. She tried moving but her legs froze. BOOM! "Gah!" She yelped, getting slammed into. The crowd dispersed, all completely out of the arena. Gloxinia winced, he knew that definitely hurt. "Oh, Mela..." He muttered, facepalming himself. "Eight contestants remain! The elimination round is over!"
Zeldris and Estarossa quickly rushed over to the pile of people, looking around for their friend. As everyone was picking themselves up, Melascula did the same, although a bit dizzy. "Mela! You okay?" Estarossa called out. "Y...Y-Yes..." She stammered, dusting herself off. She looked around, her eyes shot open when she realized what happened. She was out.
Her demeanor sunk as she hung her head low. "I'm sorry, Captain...I panicked..." She stated somberly. "It's alright, Mela. We'll just have to work a bit harder on it. Just rest for now." Zeldris replied before taking off the bag of beer on his shoulder and lightly handing it to her; "Also while selling some booze, of course.". Melascula then giggled, smiling softly. "I'll t-try my be-best."
"Don't let anyone push you around!" Estarossa added before the two brothers backed away. Melascula then sighed, looking down at the bag. Gloxinia was right, she had gotten way too soft. Perhaps even grown cowardly. How could she ever hope to help Elizabeth like this?
"Ahem..." She heard. She looked up to see the cloaked man, looking straight down at her. She timidly clammed up, unsure as to why she was getting stared. "U-Um...C...Can I help you?" She forced out. His left arm reached inside the cloak, then pulling out in the same second. He seemed to be holding something. Melascula, shy but also a little curious, slowly stepped up to see what he was giving to her. The hand slowly opened to reveal...No, it couldn't be. An incredibly tiny Elizabeth?! "Melascula...?" Elizabeth said, looking straight up at her. "El...Elizabeth?!" Melascula squeaked, her eyes open and her jaw dropped. "Hey, Mela. Sorry about that huge clump of people knocking you out." The cloaked man said before lightly lifting up his cloth mask to reveal his face. Sapphire skin donning a soft smile. "Could you take care of Elizabeth for me?"
"D...Drole...?"