The next day...
The teams were once more escorted back to the field and their respective pitches of the arena. The crowds roaring with excitement as the opening rites to the tournament were completed. The arena attendants brought out the aura crystal projector again as the board was set and matches as well placement of the teams and their total point count all being shown on the holographic board. The crowd roaring with cheers and excitement awaiting the first match of the day.
Juni's team against Juno Tower. Juni sighing as this just had to be their luck of the draw.
"Alright, this was always a possibility." Juni said dreading who would take this match only to be met with silence from the siblings who both looked at her perplexed
"You really have that little faith in us as a team?" Taiga asked flatly leaving Juni in shock
"She's right. We both chose to fight alongside you. We both know what we're getting into." Eugene agreed throwing even more for a loop as she never saw these agree on anything, making her sigh
"Alright then. Taiga, show us what you got." Juni said a little more confident making her smirk as she grabbed her sword
"I'll do more than put on a good show." Taiga retorted strutting out into the arena as the crowd roared to life
The other mage got join her on the field was a pale red haired woman in more oriental style armor while her weapon of choice took on the form of a machete crudely made from rough materials. It's rough shape and guard all one piece as it was seemingly stained black with only a sharp silver edge. She looked older and like she came from a seaside town, having spent her life on docks. She had those eyes of a parent, the way she looked at Taiga herself.
"Hm, well isn't that just my luck. I have to fight you. Someone's child." Vespera said chuckling to herself at the seeming irony
"I don't intend to go lightly because I'm still so young and naive." Taiga warned her
"At least you're honest with yourself. But you're still far outside your element, little one." Vespera warned Taiga inturn
The buzzer sounded as the match officially started, both beginning to move in opposite directions their weapons in hand, both sizing each other up. Taiga could still feel the lessons that Rin had put her through. Keeping two hands on her sword and breathing even, her mind clear.
She studied Vespera's grip, the movement of her feet, looking for an opening in her. Both swinging and locking blades, Vespera barely pushing Taiga back. Taiga gritting her teeth she forced the blades down and broke off before moving her blade in a flash towards Vespera's neck both moving again in a circle, the crowd even more in an uproar with how this fight was going.
"You had a good teacher. Seryn would be impressed." Vespera commented before moving her own blade in a flash
Throwing Taiga off and forcing her on the defensive, blocking high quickly before being parried and driving back with a low swing, just barely batting away this slash that curved out to the left and causing her to lose her balance momentarily as she spun on the balls of feet trying to regain her balance against the dirt.
Vespera now charged her, running at a low angle, she slashed upwards with one hand. Taiga meeting the blow with her own powerful two handed downward swing. She could start to feel it again, her aura coming to life again, like she'd been asleep for a long time but was waking again. That connection she always felt to when she held a sword, her aura coming to life, the power she always felt whenever Akina trained her and Eugene.
As their swords collided, both unleashed a tremendous amount of energy, shaking Taiga to her core, but refusing to waver in her resolve putting more weight against her strike.
Vespera could spot it, the subtle shift in her opponent's aura and it pouring into her sword, the faint golden hue it took on. She had the ferocity and tenacity of her name sake. She wasn't going to go down without giving her all. It made her smile a little as she broke off the attack with ease.
Taiga now genuinely confused as she studied Vespera still with cautious eyes and steady hands still keeping her sword at the ready.
"You're good. You were taught very well, I can see so much in you. The fire to fight on. The Tigress in your eyes ready pounce, and those hands have true control over the weapon you hold. You are strong, capable, but you're still young. Like my own son." She said her tone more sweet and caring
Taiga was not easily distracted, watching Vespera's shift of her feet as she moved in a flash as she brought her blade upwards. Taiga blocking instantly much her own shock and awe of how quick she was. But what was more off putting was her gentle nature and motherly smile that never seemed to fade.
"You don't have to do this. You can live a normal life." Vespera assured her
"And I didn't ask for your opinion on what to do!" Taiga retorted blocking a series of well timed jabs
"You're young. Go home, live a life you can enjoy." Vespera said calmly as she clashed against Taiga's sword again
"I know what I'm doing!" Taiga said breaking off and going on the offensive driving Vespera back, her movement of her feet and timing of her swings well managed and clear control of the fight
"You sure act like it. Tough girl who can take on the world all on her own, you don't need anyone do you?" Vespera said goading her further as she allowed Taiga to continue to drive her back
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
"I know I can't do it all! I know my big brother can't always be there for me! I know my friends won't always be around! But I'm doing my best dammit!" Taiga said furiously as she sped up her strikes forcing Vespera to pick up her own pace now
"You're going to get yourself killed if you continue down this path." Vespera said moving faster with Taiga, before flipping the fight and driving her into the defensive again as she brought her blade down with both hands, forcing Taiga down on one knee
Thinking and reactions like she had been taught she spotted the opening she had been looking for at her leg. Without hesitation Taiga kicked out Vespera's right shin, causing her to topple into the ground in momentary pain. Before she could seemingly react she could feel the tip of a blade pointed at her neck.
"Yield." Taiga said in a low raspy voice
"Fair enough, but look down just a hair." Vespera smiled still as Taiga looked down in confusion at the ink black blade pointed at her midsection "You would join me in death for a killing stroke." She pointed outed further
"Maybe, maybe not. Who's to say who's faster. I may end up crippled, my pride certainly will not appreciate it. But it's something I can set it aside for something else." Taiga spoke honestly
"You'll die foolishly." Vespera warned her
"At least I'd have given it my all. Whoever said we were promised tomorrow?" Taiga said "Now, yield." She repeated her request
Vespera sighed softly and lowered her blade and the crowed was cheering and booing. The fight officially over, Taiga putting her sword away she offered Vespera a hand who gladly accepted.
"You're a good woman, keep it up. Just don't lose sight of what matters." Vespera said softly patting her shoulder before returning to her team's dugout
The crowd chanted and cheered as Taiga waved and smiled walking back to her team. Eugene having a big dumb grin as they hugged and laughed Juni hugging her as well.
"Well you certainly have changed little sis. But I'm proud." Eugene admitted
"Eugene, thank you." She said looking his way and smiling a little "We should all go out tonight. Celebrate." She added
"After, the day's matches end." Juni reminded them as they all turned their attention to the next matchup
But as she looked in the crowd, she couldn't believe what she was seeing. She could spot them easily by their aura even this massive of crowd. Both her parents and her little brother were here, they had been watching the whole match, they had finally made it. She smiled as they spotted her and Xylia waved energetically, it made her happy to know they were. But still deep in her heart, that ache of not truly belonging still clung to her...
The next matchup was between Sierra Feralis of Garden of Ligeria and Kiotaka Kanzaki of the Oronia Liberation Force. Kiotaka was just as well all flash and no true substance behind his sword style, his own sword not even truly one he could call his own, one he no doubt overpaid for and was not truly forged by a genuine blacksmith, but rather a faulty replica. Not having a proper fighting style either as he could not keep up with Sierra's brutal bare handed tactics, but could seemingly take blow after blow. Though it was not enough to win him the match as he was declared incapable of continuing and giving the victory in points to Sierra.
The third match of the day was between the Dwarven Lord Val Rok of Terra Spire and the Dark Elven Lady Nimara of Castle Tsukuyomi. Val Rok put up a terrific performance and fight with a powerful display of his Dwarven Eagle Axe harnessing great winds and powerful frost, as well as a healthy amount of earth manipulation magic. But Nimara was faster and far more nimble, despite the uneven and shifting terrian she kept up and was able to move faster than he was capable of manipulating the ground. His axe faired little better against her shield, her blade work precise and almost surgical, each jab and slash expertly timed. Driving Val into submission as he was unable to keep up with her giving Nimara the match a majority win by points as well for her skill and showmanship, but not so much for her etiquette.
The final match of the day was now Cole's team against Manaan Legio. Cole sighed as he knew this was coming.
"I can take it. I'll do it." He said going to move forward only to be stopped by Tigress
"Let me, Cole. I'm a friend after all..." Aaron said as this left Cole speechless and he continued on out into the arena
The crowd cheering even louder for the final match. The one chosen for Manaan Legio was a man in simple white robes, his long and wild hair tied into a ponytail, his dark eyes kind and smile that of a welcoming and kind man. But Aaron could feel his aura, it burned bright but now seemed more like it had lost all color.
Aaron couldn't recall much of his own life or who he was, he never could. No matter how he tried, his memories of his lid were always seemingly shattered pieces he could seldomly remember. They came to him in passing or when he met someone he could remember. It didn't always make sense for when the memories did come back to him. But what he could tell of his opponent he was not one who meant well.
"You seem like you're lost young man. A lost soul is no good, one must have purpose, conviction, a devotion to something." The man said looking directly at Aaron
"I think we both know who the actual lost one is. I may not know who I am, but I know a man's aura doesn't lie." Aaron fired back, feeling his opponent's very aura spike
"You have a mouth on you boy. Perhaps I will have to educate you after all." He said his tone a little more stern now as he snapped his fingers making a large ornate leather bound book appear and gracefully float into his open hand "Prepare yourself, for I am Count Drahonst, the Prodigal Sage." he added as well now enveloped by this almost inverted flame that was his aura
Aaron smirked at this crouch down and taking in a slow deep breath.
"Well you'll find I'm a slow learner." Aaron retorted his own aura swelling inside him the air around the them shifting and becoming more moist
Drahonst was amused as he studied Aaron's display of power. He would allow this boy to attack first.
Aaron began pulling water out of the very air around them, making them form into large orbs of water floating on either side of him as they rolled and rotated in the air. To have such control over an element was truly remarkable.
"I'm quite impressed boy, show me how well that shattered mind of yours can handle it." Drahonst said sarcastically a darkness in his eyes now
"Careful what you ask for..." Aaron growled as he thrusts his arms forward causing the orbs of water to explode out and in a flash were hurtling towards Drahonst
"Ligeria's Holy Light..." Drahonst chanted softly as a blinding light split the water causing to deflect away from him in an instant "You're going to need to better." He called out to Aaron now
"You talk too much." Aaron said flatly
He began pulling more from the sky as well as the ground now and began manipulating and hurling and whipping them around and at Drahonst to try to catch him and entrap him into the water. But Drahonst was far faster and more practiced hand than Aaron. Blasting away his water manipulation spells with his own powerful light spells, all the while barely having to even even move.
"You are not impressing me with these displays of parlor tricks." Drahonst said hoping to goad Aaron more
"It may seem like a waste. But it's almost done now." Aaron smirked leaving Drahonst confused momentarily before realizing too late
Rocketing towards him with a spike of aura as he was plunged into darkness of his own mind. The air immediately shift as the stadium was somehow instantly filled with water as he was sinking deeper into this dark abyss.
'Down here, you can't cast such light.' Aaron chanted
Drahonst let out a deafening scream as he pulled himself out of this trance-like state.
"It'll take more than that!!" Drahonst shouted look on his face even more crazed as he contorted his body forward
Disappearing in a flash leaving a crater, Aaron watching sharply for where he would return. In an instant slamming his own wrist against Drahonst's wrist as he collided. Drahonst immediately wrapping his arm around Aaron's wrist and yanked him forward, kneeing him in his midsection while slamming his left palm against Aaron's face.
Aaron momentarily stunned and taken aback by the immense pain, he only let out a deep growl as he reared his head back, head butting Drahonst while delivering a powerful kick to the knee, causing Drahonst to buckle in pain.
But he would give up so easily as he delivered a swift uppercut to Aaron's chest hitting his lung causing him to exhale hard and lose his balance more.
"You fought well boy. But you're not going to win this fight." Drahonst said sternly looking down at Aaron as he was in no condition to continue the fight
The buzzer sounding on cue as the match was now officially over the overall fight was impressive but the judges final ruling spoke. Aaron's performance was well and truly remarkable. But was just barely enough to score them into the next day's match...
Drahonst looked down in disgust at Aaron who remained lying in the dirt before leaving without another word. Aaron dragged himself from the dirt and returned to his team despite being booed by the crowd. Cole waiting they offered their hands and graduation, as Tigress made sure he was too injured.
"You did well. You were reckless, but well." Tigress said being honest "You're lucky you're so damn tough, otherwise he would have punctured your lung with that last punch." She diagnosed
"I'll be alright after a day." Aaron assured them looking out at the final score of the day's match
1. Garden of Ligeria - 100 points
2. Juno Tower - 90 points
3. Freelance team J.E.T. - 90 points
4. Castle Tsukuyomi - 80 points
5. Manaan Legio - 70 points
6. Freelance team C.A.T. - 60 points
7. Terra Spire - 40 points X
8. Oronia Liberation Force - 20 points X
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