50 Chapter 19.7: A Game of Tag (1/2)
Alexandra quickly stopped all of us before we got the chance to rush in.
”Stop everyone! I will give the signal for the training challenge to begin. But, there are a few more things to consider before we begin. Mainly who the first ”it” will be.”
Everyone began looking around them in confusion. Not knowing why this was happening.
”What? Don't tell me none of you thought about it when I gave the name of the challenge?It's a game of tag... I don't want to drag this out for you guys for too long.Meaning I will appoint three ”its” in total
And just to be sure, I will explain the rules once more.
In the game of tag, one of you will be the ”it” during this time the ”it” will try to find and grab as many challengers as possible. Giving them one point per captured person. In turn, if the ”it” completes the challenge meaning they will catch everyone then their point value will double as well as their score.”
Geo's agitation could be felt when he began talking to me once more.
”Damn hag... stopping us just when we all got pumped... I don't like this, I don't like this all...”
I turned my attention to Alexandra as she continued to explain what the rules of the game of tag were.
”Now, the challengers their objective is to try and catch the ”it” in question. You may work together or even fight against one another. Beating another challenger will also award the other challenger a point, just like the ”it”. But beware, as this puts you and the other challengers in a tougher situation altogether.
When a challenger succeeds in catching the ”it” the challenge immediately stops. Giving them 10 points.
Quickly after the new ”it” will be appointed as we continue the challenge. Before each challenge, the challengers get the chance to create some distance between them and the ”it” allowing for a fair match. Before I forget, let me announce June as the first ”it”
The second one will be Ragnee and after that, the one with the most points is allowed to take their chances as the new ”it”. In an event where the one chosen last succeeds in catching everyone not only will their points
value double, they will also unlock the bonus event where they will be challenged by me personally.Now, are there any questions? No? Then let the challenge officially begin.”
Alexandra raised her hands signaling the start of the challenge. Simultaneously the flame in the middle of the room spiked upward briefly lighting up the entire room.
*kaboom boom*
In that brief moment, it became clear it was just a wide-open area, showing the occasional staircases and higher areas there weren't really many places for one to hide without the usage of the shadow principle.
Meaning... we really had to have faith in our own abilities. A few of the challengers immediately rushed towards the higher grounds hoping to get the chance to retaliate. While Geo just rushed towards the center of the room, I thought that was not such a good decision.
Quickly moving towards an area without light I began focusing on my essence. As I slowly blended with the shadows that surrounded me I could hear screaming around me.
the challenge had already begun...
One after another the challenger got beaten.Until only Ragnee, Geo, I, and someone I haven't seen before remained.
June rushed towards the center only to find Geo wanting to confront her. But instead of engaging in combat June quickly turned tail. Only to reappear close by where I was standing.
In shock, my heart skipped a beat and I almost jumped up as the unexpected arrival startled the hell out of me. I tried everything in my might to not give away where I was...
June came closer... now facing me staring straight at where I was standing she slammed her fist against the wall. I thought I was done for, that she had found my presence. Trying to calm down my skipping heartbeat it stopped for a short while as she slammed the wall next to my head in frustration.
”I really can't stand that man... doesn't he understand the purpose of this training?!It's so infuriating raaaaghhh!!”
Soon after her frustrating outburst, she vanished like all of us, in the shadows. No presence could be felt... not even the wind passing by.
”Was she... was she okay?? Hmm... to not have found me... she must be really frustrated,isn't she? And now... is she really gone?”
Preparing for the worst I held my breath while trying to regroup my composure. It seemed she had gone to the upper floors of the area. When I suddenly heard a voice coming from behind.
”She is gone, right?”
At that moment my heart stopped and I jumped a mile in the air. Almost screaming my heart out of my lungs. But before I was able to scream my mouth got covered with a small soft hand.
”Sssttt, it's okay, it's me. Don't you recognize the voice?”
When the person appeared in front of me the coin finally fell in place.
”Ragnee! What were are you doing? Thank you for holding back my voice,if you hadn't done that I would surely have been done for.”
”Michael, I have a proposition, knowing June she will keep Geo for last. We should bundle our strengths and I wish to suggest that we work together to take her down allowing you to take the first win.
”Knowing Alexandra either I or the winner will be the new ”it” taking that into account I will strike down as much of the challenger as I can before having a 1 v 1 face-off with you, just so you'll be able to catch your breath for a while. But... don't let your guard down, who knows,I might find you sooner than you will find me.
As for our battle plan; we will wait until she starts attacking Geo and then we strike with a pincer movement, I take left and you take right. Because I know that's the side you prefer.”
I silently nodded in agreement to the plan. Soon after Ragnee vanished,allowing me to finally breathe again.
Other than us three there was another challenger left standing. It appeared June struggled a bit against him as he managed to push her back, making her fall down from the higher grounds.
Crashing into the center of the lower grounds. Struggling to get up it was clear to see June had met her match. Now surrounded by the four of us, we couldn't pass this chance up.
Even Geo looked like he was in on the plan as we all took our sides to strike in unison.One after another she dodged only to be startled by how close Geo graced her face.
In a fight a true man always plays showing off his entire hand, not giving the opportunity for the enemy to prepare against it. I have found that catching them off-guard doing the unpredictable works best for me.
So June Serpentine, take on my challenge as we clashed our fists together.
Geo barely missed June's face, but unable to stop crashed into the male challenger resulting in a knock-out making it an easy win for June.
Still, Geo wasn't down for the count as he quickly jumped up and regrouped with us.But before we lost the momentum we slowly blended with the area trying to attack her once more.
Distracted by Geo June lost sight of our movements allowing us to strike once more.This time succeeding in our plan we had beaten June.
Ending the 1st challenge.
Alexandra called us all together to reveal the amount of points were accumulated.
”June 10 points as she has caught and beaten 10 of the 13 challengers. Michael for giving the last punch and beating June you are rewarded 10 points.”
Moving on, our next ”it” will be Ragnee. Seeing as how heated last battle was we hope you will be seriously participating in the training now Sir Birchwood. As for Michael,I hope you strive for another victory.”
Nervously I nodded hoping not to disappoint during the 2nd game of tag.
This time we got a shorter window of time to prepare, seeing how we had experienced the game before it was understandable. None of us had sustained any serious damage.
Looking around before the 2nd match was about to start. Several of the challengers got patched up if necessary.
Healers were dispatched from the church, in a sense... this felt similar to the tournament like they said. The only difference was that now, the focus was the nurturing of the pupils, both from the Rogues Association and The Church of Healing.
It felt good to see how close the community worked together in this town, would it be the same in bigger cities? I wondered as the 2nd match was about to start.
Ragnee and Geo came by to wish me luck.
And the others... well, since I had won the last match my point value was doubled,making me a target for most.
”This time I will give it my all! So don't hold back Michael!”
Geo said slapping the back of my shoulder full of confidence as he put forth his chest and raised his thumb.
”I second that notion, let's give it ours all during this match! Knowing I am the ”it” during this match I won't make it easy for you. You better be cautious as I know your cloaking pattern already haha.”
Ragnee too lay her hand on my shoulder hoping to break me under sheer pressure. Little did she know... that because of last match my anxieties had all vanished as if they were non-existent.