Chapter 181: Unchained (1/2)

Helios unleashed the volatile magic stored in his hand. The gray gialgathen convulsed, its mouth gasping out. From the inside of the creature, azure crystals grew from its body. Like a percussive beat, the expanding jewel resonated out a chilling sound. The shards sapped the creatures lifeforce, converting the beast into a gemstone.

A fog ebbed from these crystals. The mist sunk down onto the ground, hissing as it burnt stone. Red shards of frozen blood pierced out from the gialgathen's skin, the creature already dead. As the crystals finished gorging on the corpse, chunks of the gialgathen fell off.

The meat chunks shattered against the stone. Where the crystal touched flesh, the meat disintegrated into the fine mist. To call it ice magic didn't do the spell justice. The incantation evaporated, cooled, and ate the gialgathen all at once. It even enfeebled the monster, causing it to be softer than stone.

It was impressive, to say the least.

Without missing a beat, Helios pulled his hand back from his portal. As the void disappeared from beside him, he leaned back against the stone seat. He steepled his fingers, and his voice echoed across the arena,

”Let his body display itself as a lesson to all of you. Stand against my sister through unlawful means, and you will perish.”

The entire arena gawked at him, jaws agape and cold sweat running down several backs. I sat right beside the crystal, scooting away from it. As I did, Kiki Mosk flew in from above the cloud line.

On top of his trusty podium, he wore an iridescent plate mail. It reflected a multi-colored sheen, keeping Kiki's over the top theme going strong. Within it, charged gemstones ebbed with power. He already changed his strategy from the last fight.

He didn't stop there. Not by a longshot.

Two Sentinels floated down from the clouds right after. Armed with their dimensional slicing spears, the Sentinels struck an imposing scene.

Their gargantuan frames and faceless masks oozed intimidation. Even the gialgathens respected them, showing a rapt attention instead of boredom.

Kiki floated above the arena, keeping over the action. The Sentinel's landed on either side of the metallic pit at the center of the arena. Kiki raised his hands and announced,

”Now, due to the recent death of a valiant fighter, we've raised the security this time in the tournament.” Kiki gestured to the Sentinels, ”You'll find there's more than enough muscle to guarantee your safeties.”

The Sentinels pounded their spears onto the platform, ushering forth a shockwave. A burst of wind passed over us, the Sentinels' abilities indisputable. Kiki raised his hands, ”And now it's time for the first of three different days of amazing bouts. Who here is ready!”

The gialgathens remained quiet, too cool for cheering. Kiki sighed, ”And as always, you gialgathens give a warm welcome to the tournament. Great. Just great.”

Kiki coughed into his hand, ”Anyways, we've changed the setup somewhat from previous years.” Above Kiki, a massive zeppelin floated down from above the clouds. With mist billowing out from around it, thousands of people stacked up on its seats.

Every recipient along the windows cheered with excitement, bringing life to the fights. There was only one window along the zeppelin with one person in it. I glanced up at it, finding Thisbey staring down at the contest with his hands locked behind him. He wore a sleek, mahogany colored suit. It wasn't gialgathen leather, that much was certain.

Kiki pointed up to the blimp, ”And here we have a crowd of people who are actually excited for this year's fights! How about that?”

Kiki gave the gialgathen's a glowing grin. It covered his disgust with the beast's casual attitude. Kiki nodded,

”Now, let the first fight commence!”

I stood up, remembering I was the first contestant up for the day. Helios sighed, ”At the very least I won't have to remain here for long, or will I?”

I shook my head, ”I'll make it short. We both have shit to do.”

Kiki pointed at me, ”On one end of the fight, we have the Gray Giant, a crowd favorite for the espens. Everyone give it up for the mysterious, masked marauder!”

The crowds on the blimp went crazy as usual. I jumped from my seat, landing on the back side of the metal arena. With lava bubbling behind me, I planted my feet on the heated metal. I planned on showing Helios just how destructive I could be given some time.

With my mana charging, Kiki pointed at the other side of the arena,

”Here we have Daniel's opponent, the fierce and feared general of Emagrotha's third division. Let's welcome Krog Borom!”

A hulking gialgathen stood up, covered in Skyburner armor. With his many gemstones crackling with mana, he flew with his wings wide. Most of the gialgathens gave him a quiet bow instead of a loud cheer. The gesture felt fitting.

The gialgathen's black and red colored skin gave him an eerie, monstrous aura. Unlike other gialgathens, the marks along the side of his face and neck were smooth lines. The scarlet lines flowed with the pitch black hide, making him appear even more majestic.

With his head low, he glared at me with his vertical pupils. The beast grinned at me,

”I see a fellow warrior in the arena. Are you like the other dirtwalkers, parading in salvation's skin?”

I raised an eyebrow, ”Honestly, I don't know what the fuck you're talking about.”

The beast scoffed, ”You know nothing of your history then? Perhaps I'll teach you after our bout.” He cackled, his deep voice echoing in my mind, ”If you survive.”

I grinned, ”Eh, I wouldn't be worried about me.”

The air around me bent from my mana. It blurred, heat building around my entire frame. I leaned over while raising my fists, ready to charge,

”You better bring your best.”

Krog Borom leaned his head down, keeping his grin plastered to his face,

”Emagrotha be praised if you make this interesting.”

Kiki kept trying to promote the fight. As he did, I analyzed the general in front of me.

Krog Borom, Emagrotha's Offerer(lvl 11,021) - Krog Borom served a general during the civil war of the gialgathens. Siding with Emagrotha, Krog believed that every species should earn their freedom.

He fought for the espens to gain the right to battle or buy their freedom through action. In Krog's view, giving the espens freedom without any effort on their part sold the entire espen species short. Lehesion opposed this viewpoint, saying that the espens were incapable of achieving freedom on their own.

Aside from his extensive history of political alliances, Krog is ruthless in combat. He utilizes alteration magics to create illusions against his foes. This allows him to apply an unusual style of flowing combat against his enemies.

This also allows him to reconstitute his enemies should they be weak-willed. Even against the strongest of minds, Krog can apply high level, crippling debuffs. These include hallucinogenic images, scents, sensations, and thoughts. This mental warfare proves effective against almost any combatant.

Face him with your full strength or else you risk severe injury.

The status gave me the information I needed to know. I centered myself, preparing for the onslaught of mysticism magic. At the end of Kiki's elaborate introductions, my runes were saturated with mana. I could produce a singularity and then some. I was ready as I could be, and with the Sentinels guarding him, I didn't have to hold back.

Kiki raised his hand,

”Are both combatants ready?”

I growled, ”Yes.”

Krog nodded, keeping low and composed. Kiki slammed his hand down,

”Then battle!”

I molded Event Horizon over Krog, the unseen force causing him to wince. At the same time, I raised my hand and unloaded a singularity. Aimed at the center of his chest, I bent my knees. I kept my gaze sharp, preparing to dash whichever direction Krog ran.