27 Chapter 16: The Tournament of Beginning - Part IV - A Horrific Realization (1/2)

The Announcer eagerly slammed the gong signaling the start of the match. From all angles contestants rushed towards the center of the arena, fighting one another making many flies into the air as their fists collided with one another.

Geo jumped into the air slapping his fists onto the ground creating stone pillars from the impact. Instantly throwing out four contestants with one intense strike.

He quickly made his way towards the center of the arena as that was the place everyone would be most save.

On its way there his path collided with Draven. Wanting to keep the best for last, he decided not to attack right from the start, as they turned their respective ways. A huge bald boatman charged in on them wanting to take the best spot for himself.

Draven jumped over him wanting to avoid unnecessary conflict, but the Boarman struck towards him with his fist, wanting to grab him out of the air. Draven saw the gigantic fist coming and twisted his body around avoiding it in midair.

Landing with a curling motion he swiped the Boarman off his feet with a quick low kick. Not wanting to waste more time he left the Boarman laying on the ground as he headed straight for the outer part of the arena.

Geo not wanting to waste much energy for the upcoming struggles decided to make a stationary place of stone plates. Allowing him to collect his thoughts.

I, on the other hand, didn't know what the hell was happening... all of a sudden it was chaos as the now 996 remaining contestants launched at each other with their souls burning brightly.

Groups of people were fighting as I tried to stay away and come up with a plan. ”How to increase my chance of survival?”

Thinking about that I came up with an idea, I had allies! At least, Yami would be one of my allies... right?

”It's best to regroup and acquire allies to secure the survival through this round, but how? It seems I have to find out along the way.”

Knowing Yami could communicate through thought with me, even allowing herself to be summoned through my shadow. I tried calling out to her.

”Yami! Yami, are you there?”

Nothing...

Focussing on my surroundings to try and pinpoint where she might be I made my way towards the center. When suddenly a man ambushed me,

as he tried to attack from behind I felt his killing intent creep up on me, allowing me to dodge his attack.

Looking up to identify the attacker I noticed the man was short and chubby, frustrated his attack didn't connect he tried to attack me one again.

As I now saw the man coming I blocked his fist and threw him on his back. Startled the man stood up in the last attempt to throw himself at me. Now with both arms stretching towards me, he left himself completely open.

Hoping to grab me, he jumped towards me. Seeing as the man was really slow I countered him with a full-on blow to the liver, making him stagger and finally collapse to the ground.

I quickly made my way closer to the center hoping to find Yami. When she called back to me soon after.

”Master, you called for Yami? Where are you?”

Overjoyed I quickly responded to her call.

”Are you okay? I think it's best to re-group and make our group as big as possible, let me know when you are in range to be summoned from my shadow, as it seems we are too far apart as of now. I'm heading towards the center of the arena, the huge dome around us should give away where it is. Meet me there.”

”Yami will do her best master, please be save!!”

Determined to meet up with her master, Yami looked up, quickly finding where she needed to go as made lightning struck the ceiling of the dome. She headed to the appointed area. Activating her elemental magic lighting sparked all around her increasing her speed as she quickly headed towards the destination.

Closing in on the open space she got halted by a small group, a group of men, who targeted beastfolk. On the ground several beasts could be seen, knocked unconscious as they proudly grinned, closing in on Yami. They seemed like people with high status, aristocrats maybe? Why did they target beastfolk so specifically?

One of the men dressed in light armor spoke with a sarcastic tone. ”Little one, come along as we will provide you with a home.”

Yami annoyed by their actions frowned upon them.

”Me? Follow you? You must be kidding... Master is way better than you guys, just look at how you're treating other beastfolk. Let me guess, they didn't want to follow you either? You're just some punks who think they are better than us... so no thank you...”

The man who acted as the group's leader couldn't handle the way Yami talked to them, getting triggered by her, he lost his cool.

”You should have listened when you had the chance... we will beat you down, just like the rest... you filthy beastfolk, always thinking you're better than us...

but, think again... we will show you how capable we of the Ryuga clan are!”