29 Chapter 16: The Tournament of Beginnins - Part VI - Living For The Hun (2/2)

”I'm okay, but I could use your help with someone out there.” ”Who?” Geo asked confused.

”He should be arriving any second now, just wait.”

I gently padded Geo's shoulder and pointed towards the huge fire sphere that approached us. As we jumped away, the impact struck down and blew away all other contestants present halving the selection.

The moment Akano made is the grand entrance the announcer announced something shocking, which was useful at the same time.

”Only 15 minutes remaining, the total amount of remaining contestants; 300, good luck to you all and may the goddess of victory smile upon you.”

”So you're telling me we only need to hold out for 15 more minutes? I'll be giving it my all!! Thanks for the challenge, Michael!!”

Overjoyed and enthusiastic Geo readied his stance as Akano stood up from his insane crash landing.

Geo waved his hand towards himself showing he was ready for combat while taunting the big guy at the same time. Annoyed Akano jumped towards Geo.

”I will bash your skull in you fucker!!”

The moment their arms collided they both came to a standstill... as the others watched in anticipation of combat Akano suddenly struck towards Geo with fire in his hand. To counter this, Geo quickly covered his other arm with rocks blocking the impact.

Both slides back as the fore of the impact were too strong to withstand. As they came to a standstill once more they both raised their fists towards each other laughing an idiotically loud laugh.

”You”ve got ball kid! I like that, this should be fun!”

Akano slammed his fists together summoning a huge ball of fire as runes formed on the ground where he was standing. I couldn't make out what they stood for, but I understood the fact that this could be his ultimate technique.

The ball became bigger and bigger when he finally tossed it towards the entire group. Geo tried to shield us from the impact by carrying us in a hole of dirt. Elena helped him with this? To speed up the process. Aqua, on the other hand, did what she could be summoned as much water as she could muster.

As a huge ball of water formed above her she too tossed it, as the ball went towards the other, the two collided creating an explosion of white smoke.

Fog filled the entire area making it unable for us to see, the only good thing about this was the fact that Akano couldn't see in front of him either.

Now blinded by the fog he needed to watch where he was going. Unable to see he fell in a puddle of soft sand. Moving forward he struggled to get through.

Frustrated by the fact that he couldn't move he tried to jump out, but couldn't... a feeling of fear and frustration crept in on him as he realized where he was standing in.

The puddle of soft sand... was quicksand!

Now even more frustrated than before he tried to force his way out as all attempts showed to be futile.

”FUCK!! NO! This isn't how I wanted this to end!!

No, no, no, no!! Raaaaggghhh!”

As terror finally seized his heart he began hurling fireballs left and right. Finally one hit the spot where he was standing sending him sky-high.

He was finally out... Landing on the ground face-first his actions didn't do his character any good as Rage, Anger and Frustration bundled up inside him. Knowing it was something Geo, Elena and Aqua worked on he instantly rushed towards Aqua. Hurling an almost invisible wind orb her way.

The moment she saw it, it was already too late, as a tiny spark ignited the orb causing a huge explosion only inches away. Aqua tried to counter the blast creating a shield from ice, yet she still got hurled away by the impact slamming into the ground.

Hurt... she struggled to get up, but couldn't...

Shocked her newfound friend got so easily defeated Aileen cried out as frustration overpowered her... she let one of her friends get hurt... again...

”No... this can't be happening... please make it stop... No!!! STOP!!!”

The moment she cried out light began shining around and above her, magic circles formed like it was nothing as a defined power showed itself for the first time in centuries.

”I... Will... Not stand... to let this happen again!!”

As if the movements came naturally she raised her arms waving them left and right, as her hands passed the shining light the radiant light rays turned to shape.

Slowly form crosses? No swords!

In frustration, she brushed away her tears and pointed her hands towards Akano.

”Goddess of the Sacred Realm, lend me the strength to rain down on these sinners, sinners who deserve to be shown the light of retribution!!”

As she finished her incarnations the holy swords began raining down on Akano. From high and far this sacred light could be seen, leading every single contestant to the center of the stage, to behold the glory of the Sacred Realm.

Akano flinched and didn't know what to do, falling on his butt. ”Please spare me, I don't want to die!!” He cried out in absolute terror for his life.

”Imagine how many begged for their lives before you ended them with pleasure... No... there will be no mercy for you today!! It is time you paid... with your life!” Aileen screamed in frustration.

The swords kept raining down as if there would never be an end to it.

”Shit!!”

Akano screamed in terror for his life cowering away in fear. Knowing this was the end, he realized he had become the prey... like he always wanted... he finally met his match... realizing this was the end, he calmed down falling to the ground on his back embracing his fate with open arms.

As the swords struck down on Akano, just before impact the entire area for enveloped in darkness.

Impacts of the swords hitting the ground could be heard. *insert countless slashing sounds*

As the light of the swords filled the darkness it became clear they did not hit their target.

”Where are you?! Show Yourself, COWARD!!!”

Aileen screamed out in frustration that even her trump card didn't work. When suddenly a familiar voice could be heard behind her.

”Well, well... little Aileen shows promise after all.”

A white-haired young man with pink eyes revealed himself from the shadows behind her.

”Dra...”

Just before Aileen could tell out his name he struck the side of her neck knocking her unconscious.

”We can't have you beat my potential party member, I'll help him out so that he owes me, it's nothing personal.

Just then the announcer updated the list of dropped out contestants.

”Contestant #2999 knocked out! Better luck next year!”

June and her group arrived at the center as well as Raven and the rest of the summoned ones.

When finally the gong rang signaling the end of the challenge. As the round had ended the darkness faded away revealing the results of the match between Akano and Aileen. Aileen was found unconscious by Elena as Akano walked up to the center screaming his lungs out of his body.

”Oowww Yeeaaahh!!! I survived... I survived I tell you.

You over there.” He yelled towards Elena.

”I know what I did against your friend, she gave me a fight worth remembering, I will be waiting for you in the finals, you have my words as a warrior.”

He jumped off the hill and started walking towards the exit, stopping shortly after and turning around.

He then walked towards Aqua, helping her up as he thanked her and hoped they could fight once more in the upcoming rounds. Soon after he walked towards Elena who got put with her back against a wall, not knowing how to react because of her grudge she clenched her fist ready to strike. As soon as Akano was in the striking distance she let her fist fly...

Akano didn't even care to allow her to strike his face with the full force of the movement. His jab got fractured in an instant as blood began dripping out of his mouth.

”I know I can't atone for what I have done to your friend. I hope this evened it out a bit...”

Akano said feeling regret for his actions.

”I tend to lose myself in battle when the opponent proofs to be a real challenge, I know this isn't enough to atone, but please... find the strength to forgive me when all of this is over.”

Akano kneeled in front of Elena as his final act got forgiveness.

As he stood up he said one last thing before bowing down in respect and leaving.

”You have found worthy friends you can trust,

don't let them down as I have done... I hope we can fight as equals during the finals... and... before I forget to let the little one in your arms know how precious she is to you. Not to mention how insanely strong she is!! She is a real warrior with heart and soul and I am proud to have been able to battle her here.”

Tears began welling up in Elena her eyes as she realized she had neglected Aileen for far too long...

I helped Aqua up as I guided her to the medical ward to patch up for the coming rounds.

As we all left the stage, Helena, The Goddess of Victory, Trading and Prosperity had one last thing to say.

”For all who made it through this round today, I want to personally congratulate you, as for the ones who've lost... your brave actions won't go unnoticed as the entire nations have been watching you all fight for survival. Guilds, Deities and more will be contacting you soon to help you prepare for the Adventurers Examination if you are willing. Please follow their guidance as this will prove most helpful.

As for the ones who won... you all have earned the right to fight in the upcoming round. This will be taking place in a few days to make sure everyone is in their best fighting condition. So rest up for now until called upon. That is all for now, I wish you all a pleasant rest, during the days we will be fully preparing for the next round. Details on this will be made available during the day of round 3.

The last round before the finals.

Helena bowed down as she took a glance at me, being too busy with my wounded friends I did not notice as we all went our separate ways for now.