26 Chapter 16: The Tournament of Beginnings - Part III - Battle Royale (1/2)

In the room, it became clear that only a thousand of the once three thousand remained. The announcer could now be heard crystal clear through the projection crystal in the middle of the table. A small version of him was even visible.

Fascinated by this Yami played with the image as it became all blurry and distorted. Geo laid back taking his sweet time, while we all focused on what was to come...

The announcer proudly grabbed his streaming crystal as he began talking.

”For all who made it through the first round, congratulations, but beware... more challenges are waiting ahead! As for the ones who lost... better luck next year!”

The announcer got interrupted by a colleague telling him about the infiltration that took place.

”It seems we have had some infiltrate this event, we won't let this stop us, but for the rest please continue with caution!”

*Ahem*

”Now as we have had our traditional cat and mouse game, I think now is the time for an all-out battle without objectives, none but one that is...

You see, we have around a thousand contestants, but before we can start the main event this number should be trimmed to 256. So... the only rule will be to not fall off the stage. Everything else will be permitted as long as it doesn't kill the contestants.

If you will all look to the screen, you will see they are constructing the stage as we speak. This will allow all of your contestants a short break before we continue.

The second round starts in three hours. Please make yourself at home during that time. You will be allowed to use the accommodations or even spar against one another in the open area in the middle of the building.

If you excuse me, I will take my leave now, as there are more contestants to take care of. I wish you good luck in the following rounds gentleman. Goodbye.”

Geo and I looked at each other and instantly knew what we wanted to do, seeing our powers first hand in battle got us hyped up. Wanting to experience them for ourselves.

”Let's spar against each other Geo!!”

Geo looked like he was about to accept the challenge to spar but then pointed confused towards Yami.

”Who might that girl be? Do you know her, Michael?”

I clicked my tongue against the upper part of my jaw and started laughing.

”This is my trusted companion Yami, Yami, this is Geo, the one who helped me keep those hooded men at bay.”

Geo got distracted by random thoughts as his belly began to rumble.

*Roar*

Nonchalantly Geo turned to the kitchen as he declined my challenge. Passionately stating the following;

”Do or do not! There is no try!! Or at least not on an empty stomach that is. Hmm... well... it's time to make some grub. Delicious!!”

Geo turned towards the kitchen again and began searching for edible stuff, eventually finding beans, onions, tomatoes, and rice.

As he put on the fire, the pans got heated up quickly while he prepared all the necessary ingredients.

My belly began to rumble as the aroma began filling the room. Disappointed we couldn't spar on an empty stomach I had to agree with Geo, that it's best to sit back, relax and enjoy some jows.

As Geo had prepared most ingredients by now it was time to make just the right broth. Hoarding the fridge Geo found an entire chicken, which he decided to make the broth out of. As the broth was being prepared Geo baked all the vegetables, giving off a sweet aroma.

After a while, the room was filled with a sweet and mouth-watering aroma. Walking into the room, Geo held three plates, one for Yami, one for me and one for himself.

Unable to resist I took the smallest of bites to sample the food. But... this... I had never tasted something like this before, it was DELICIOUS!!!

Completely replenished as we relished in the enjoyment of our meal. The counselor joined once again.

”Good day to you gentleman, madame. I would like for all of you to follow me, as of right now the three hours have expired. Well then, let us be on our way.”

Once we arrived, we were unable to take in all the diversity and splendor of the contestants.”

Multiple arenas were prepared as the announcer took the stage in the center,

”Ladies and Gentlemen, if you would be so kind.

Today of the 1000 contestants only 256 will remain standing for the third and final round tomorrow.

As they will finish the preparations of the fighting arenas I will explain the rules.

Each match will be fought in groups of four. Like our first round, everything will be permitted except for killing. Four contestants will be set off against each other in the period in one minute. There are several ways to secure victory. Either knock out your opponent, make them give up or make them fall off the stage. Either method is allowed.

Now... to decide who will fight in their represented groups, we will have all of you draw a lot, with a number on them. We will be having 250 group royals in total. Giving us a winner in each fight, making this the perfect method to create the starting roster.

Official workers of the announcer walked around distributing they lot system. I drew the number 8 meaning my match would be rather soon.

Geo appeared to have drawn #110 ad Yami drew #025.

”As all of you have drawn your lots I would like to call upon the stage group #01.

Three beastmen and dwarf walked upon stage eager to begin. As they all took a side of the stage, the dwarf stood in the middle of the stage without a care in the world, raring to go the gong finally signaled the beginning of the first match of this round.

The men all stormed towards the dwarf as it seemed he was drunk. But just before one of them could grab him with his claws the dwarf slipped through laying down on the ground. This caused the beastmen to crash into each other.

The dwarf quickly jumped up and gave each of them a quick chop in the neck as he continued to take a sip of his beer. Finishing his drink he took his sweet time to put the large mug down.

*Buuuurrp*

”It's time to finish this match, no?”

One of the beastmen tried to stand up, the dwarf then proceeded to grab one of the beastmen by its tail turning circles to create momentum, finally releasing its tail, making it fly out of the ring. As the other two were still not moving the dwarf was announced the winner, quickly moving on to the next match.

This time a tall dark-skinned woman wearing revealing white clothes stepped on stage, her hair was short and wavy, making me think of chocolate. Her eyes were dark blue kind of like the night sky. A smirk formed as she saw who stepped onto the stage with her. A tall slender man with long black hair, a long slender face and a desire for blood. Together with a young man who looked eager for combat and a small mouse-like creature who looked scared of the entire situation.