Many were just watching the afterimages of the two as they came together.
They moved across the stage, exchanging blows with ferocious speed.
Dave felt a smile grow across his face.
Iswul and Ondae’s hidden faces under their armored helmets were covered in massive smiles. To find an opponent with which they could go all out gave rise to an excitement within them both.
Ondae’s hits and movements were strong and powerful while Iswul’s were slippery and seemingly delicate.
“Ondae is using his strength in bursts, isolating it to parts of his body,” Steve commented, his voice filled with respect. Ondae’s control over how he augmented his body’s strength told of a master of his Earth Affinity. He used it to augment different sections of his body instead of all of it to get concentrated power through every movement.
“Iswul is keeping the flow more constant but his strength is more than Ondae’s. I wonder if it’s because he trains in that armor,” Alkao commented.
“Even though he’s not moving his Mana around to buff his body as much, Iswul’s attacks greatly vary in strength. He might have a few weak attacks but still Ondae has to fight with all of his power because he can easily hide his weak and strong attacks. His ability to internalize and control Mana is impressive,” Deia said.
The others all nodded. They hadn’t been able to notice this as their sensitivity toward Mana was nowhere as close as Deia’s.
Ondae threw up a few earthen walls to block attacks, creating earth pillars under his feet to change the direction of his attack.
Iswul looked pressured but continued to dodge by the slimmest of margins, taking hits on areas he didn’t need to worry about. Knowing that he would be healed afterward, he was willing to take a few injuries.
Ondae increased his weight. Dropping under Iswul’s counterattack, he planted his feet and punched forward with the edge of his shield.
Even Iswul couldn’t stop the short ranged brutal attack. He spat blood out of his helmet as Ondae charged forward. This one hit wasn’t enough to take Iswul out.
A red mist seemed to gather around Iswul as his speed started to increase, his eyes glowing red.
“He’s activated his berserker racial trait!” Alkao said with alarm. This racial trait was the same one that the Demons had.
Alkao leaned forward, interested in how Iswul would use it to his advantage.
Iswul met Ondae’s attack, stopping his blade with his small shield. The attack’s power was so great that Ondae nearly lost his blade.
Seeing the new red haze, Ondae retreated, his blade ringing violently.
Iswul flowed forward; Ondae attacked—his blade and shield moved, making whistling noises as they cut through the air.
The Mana barrier trembled with just the air from these attacks, the dust and debris getting whipped up in the attacks.
Iswul lurched to the side to avoid Ondae’s blade, before coming back like a spring! He launched his sword at Ondae.
The air within the arena seemed to stir as those present took in an alarmed breath of cold air.
He had actually thrown his sword! Why would he do that? This thought resounded in everyone’s mind.
Ondae was forced to dodge as Iswul closed the three meters between them before he recovered.
His right fist and left small shield moved so fast that it seemed that the air was constantly rushing past Ondae.
Multiple impacts could be heard, blending together as one. It sounded as if they were in a smithy, not watching a fight!
Ondae attacked here and there. His sword became ungainly at this range; his shield was nearly pressed up against his body.
Iswul didn’t give him a moment to recover, to set his feet.
This was a Dwarven shield bearer’s nightmare—losing momentum. If they lost momentum and weren’t able to recover, then it was more likely that they would fall and open a hole within the formation.
Ondae’s body became covered in a green glow as he let out a cry. He pushed his foot forward a half-step as Earth Mana surged through his body, reinforcing his actions. Unlike mages, both he and Iswul reinforced their bodies with the Mana they controlled.
Iswul’s small shield slammed into this shield as it shot forward. Iswul let out a grunt of pain as he was thrown backward, actually flipping with the momentum imparted by Ondae’s blow. He landed in a three-point stance, his right hand and feet leaving deep scars in the stage’s floor.
Ondae hadn’t been standing idle. Earth columns erupted from the ground, tossing him forward as he picked up speed.
Iswul jumped out of the scars left by his limbs and rushed to meet Ondae. Blue Mana circulated over his body as they clashed in mid-air.
The sound of metal hitting metal rang out as a shockwave of air from the two meeting blew out from between them, leaving a line of broken rocks in the stage and clearing the sky of debris and dust thrown up by their previous clashes.
Ondae got the upper hand, his sword coming down on Iswul.
Iswul got his small shield up in time to defend but his body crashed down into the stage, a crater forming where he landed.
Ondae rushed downward, increasing his weight.
Iswul jumped out of the crater, dodging Ondae. His shield slammed forward, hitting Ondae’s side.
Water met Earth. Ondae didn’t have time to change his Mana from increasing his weight to defense. He was the one thrown. He turned in the sky, his shield coming down, twin spikes digging into the ground to slow him.
Iswul and Ondae once again flashed forward.
These attacks contained their full power. The barrier around them shook with the power of the attacks.
Iswul got behind Ondae; his leg flashed out and the air seemed to crack as Ondae shot forward.
Ondae slammed into the ground and tore up the stage. He started to climb out of the pit as Iswul appeared in front of him. His small shield moved in a blur of light, hitting Ondae’s helmeted head.
Ondae slammed into the ground once again, a crater around him.
Dave let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. To get in that last hit, Iswul had created water jets under his feet to reach Ondae before he recovered.
The audience was quiet, looking at the destroyed stage and unconscious Ondae.
“And the winner is Iswul!” the announcer said.
Time seemed to start again as yells and cheers filled the arena.
Animals within miles of Aldamire heard the noise and fled. The audience had never seen something like Iswul and Ondae’s fight in their lives!
***
Josh and the Stone Raiders leadership walked through Aldamire. They’d just seen the end of the fight between Zela and Kiona. The two semifinals had been held at the same time. They were just talking about the fight between the rogue fighter and Air Affinity mage when a voice cried out.
“Who let you bums out of Terra!”
They looked over to a restaurant they were passing, the doors and windows were open with a filled patio. It wasn’t hard to see the metal idiot waving at them.
“Who brought this pile of bolts out?” Josh complained as the group moved to enter the restaurant, seeing Party Zero, Dwarven Master Smiths who worked at the Terra smithy and Alkao, Quindar, and Fornau.
They greeted one another and grabbed seats, taking up half of the restaurant as they talked about the matches that they had seen and the eventual matchup between Iswul and Kiona.
“I’ve got to say, I think Kiona has it,” Kim said.
“You’ve said she’s fast, and she’s got a good cutting ability with her Air Affinity. Though Iswul is armored as hell and while he might not be as fast as Kiona, his dodging ability is crazy.” Gurren waved a chicken leg to emphasize his point.
It had taken quite a lot of cajoling to get Lox and Gurren to show their faces.
Even the Dwarven Master Smiths were talking about the upcoming match instead of studying the new Weapons of Power that Dave had created.
&nbs
p; “But you should see this—she can control tens of different wind spells at the same time! Her chaining ability is crazy!” Dwayne took a deep drink from his tankard.
Josh drank from his mug and snorted.
“So, who do you think is going to win?” Dave looked to the others.
“I think Kiona. If Iswul can get close, then she’s going to be in trouble, but her movement speed is going to be significant. As long as she has the Mana pool and regeneration for it, this is going to be pretty one-sided,” Quindar said.
“It looks like he can control his berserker state, which means that he can gain an increase in his abilities for a period of time,” Alkao added.
“I’m just happy that I’m not fighting either of them,” Josh said.
“Reminds me of something the Chinese say.” Dave snorted and shook his head. “When you think that you’re the strongest, you’re really nothing more than a frog in a well. There are always stronger, more powerful people. Attaining the peak, it’s a never ending progression.”
“I have also heard a similar saying,” Jung Lee said. The strange man seemed to have a calming aura, his every action refined.
Josh studied the man as he continued to talk.
“I think that Iswul has not yet used all of his moves. From what it sounds Kiona can do, unless she has some trump cards then Iswul will quite possibly win this.”
Everyone had thoughtful looks on their faces.
So this is the man that Dave and Party Zero saved from the Six Affinities prison. When trying to sense the man’s aura, Josh seemed to be stopped by a metal wall. There was no getting past it and understanding the man beneath. It was alarming because even people who had the ability to hide their aura, a part of their aura leaked out. Jung Lee seemed to be a Mana-less child.
That kind of abnormality made Josh frown as he took a drink from his mug.
As time went on, they relaxed more, drinking and sharing stories. Even the Dwarven Master Smiths came to join their group, as well as a number of other Stone Raiders who had also come to see the tournament.
By mid-afternoon, they were happily buzzed as they all headed for the third match of the day: the finals between Kiona and Iswul!
***
Alkao smiled as the big group entered the arena, quickly moving to the boxes that they had gained access to.
Everywhere they went, they attracted looks of interest and mutterings.
“Is that a Demon? I thought they were all up in Devil’s Crater,” someone commented.
“Look at those Dwarven smith necklaces! I’ve never seen so many Dwarven Master Smiths together!” another said.
“Those are the leaders of the Stone Raiders! The number-one Player-run guild in Emerilia! I heard that they have equal alliances with the adventurer’s and mage’s guild!”
“Is that an Aleph automaton? It’s huge, and talking!” The speaker sounded confused as Alkao snorted and shook his head at this comment and the others that rose in the group’s passing.
They were allowed through a guarded section of the arena. There were many powerful men and women who were watching the Dwarven tournament. As such, security was high in these places.
They quickly entered their box, the majority moving to get closer to the action.
Deia, Fornau, Quindar, Malsour, Suzy, Induca, and Lucy quickly took seats to the back of the box. Although they might be fighters and this was indeed an interesting event, they didn’t have the same hot blood as the others.
Alkao felt a small but powerful arm squeeze him from the side as they stopped next to the banister. He looked down with a wry smile at Anna’s perky ears and her tail that swished from side to side.
“Someone seems to be happy today,” Alkao commented, looking at Anna’s tail.
She made a noise of complaint, making to pull back her arm.
Instead, he snuck around her and held her tight.
She struggled half-heartedly before giving up. She looked up at Alkao with a frown. Her hair had fallen down over her eyes, a glow on her cheeks from the drinking. She sighed, causing the errant hairs to shift slightly. She looked back to the fight and leaned into him.
“It’s nearly perfect.” Her words were quiet; it was only with Alkao’s hearing that he was able to pick up what she said.
A wide smile spread across his face as he relaxed. Slowly but surely he was breaking down this stubborn wolf’s walls.
The sound of a bell rang through the massive arena. Silence descended as everyone waited with anticipation.
“And now for the final round of the Dwarven tournament: Iswul versus Kiona!” The crowd’s cheers were like a wall of noise.
From opposite sides of the arena, Iswul—wearing his massive armor—and Kiona—wearing a simple shirt and pants—walked out. A white staff with a clear orb nestled in its peak rested in her hands.
Kiona waved at the crowd with her free hand and the cheers increased. Iswul’s steps were light but there was a power behind him as his hulking armored mass moved toward the stage like an unstoppable juggernaut.
Alkao felt his heart stir at the sight of these two competitors.
Everyone at the front of the box looked at them excitedly. There was no way that they could even try to talk—the volume was too much.
Kiona floated from the ground. The air around her moved as if it were a familiar coat. A Mana barrier enclosed the stage and the contestants.
“Let the final battle of the Dwarven tournament begin!” The announcer’s voice was barely audible over the crowd’s cheers.
Kiona opened her eyes, holding her staff to the side as the air was whipped up into a storm around her. Her eyes glowed white and her face became impassive and cold as power surged through the arena.
Iswul let out a low growl, flipping his longsword so it ran along his leg as he crouched. His small shield faced forward; blue lines and runes formed over him as he called down buffs onto his body.
Kiona gestured with her free hand; following it, a blade of Air whistled through the arena, carving a line in the stage’s rocks.
Iswul tilted to the side. He exploded forward and a crater appeared under his feet as he dodged the Air blade.
Another was quickly thrown out.
Iswul dodged this as well. He was like a boat in a storm, rolling over these attacks.
Kiona’s hand blurred as blades tore clean lines through the air and stage, leaving it in ruins.
Iswul made it within ten meters before he was hit by an Air blade. There was a shrieking noise as the Air blade cut into metal. Iswul appeared five meters back from where he had encountered the blades.
Since Kiona’s first attack to Iswul’s leap backward, Alkao had only taken a breath. Their speed is incredible! Alkao thought.
There was barely a pause before Iswul charged in once again. His body wove through the attacks Kiona unleashed.
Air blades shredded the stage apart while Air lances formed. As they passed over the stage, rocks were shattered and torn apart, leaving a path of destruction as the debris was thrown away wildly.
The Mana barrier stopped the whizzing debris from hitting the audience.
Iswul dodged one of these lances. His body blurred as he moved bonelessly through oncoming attacks. A shriek tore through the arena, making Iswul momentarily lose his concentration. A blade hit him as a lance surged forth. He used the momentum of the first blade to toss himself aside. He landed prone on the ground. With a growl, he slapped the ground, once again returning to his feet to meet Kiona’s blades.
The lines and runes that covered his armor glowed brighter as he increased the power of the buffs on himself and on his armor. His speed increased dramatically. He surged forward. His body turned into a blue blur; his sword and armor glowed similarly. He used his blade to forcefully parry the Air blades, and divert them.
The corner of Kiona’s mouth twitched at this sight as Iswul hurled himself forward.
A wall of Air blades met with Iswul. With his unnatural dodging abili
ty and using his sword and shield to divert the blades or to take the hits on his bulky armor, he was closing the space to just a meter.
She raised her staff up and down. The air that surrounded her surged in power. The angry breeze that surrounded her before spun faster and faster. A tornado not dissimilar from the lances that she had thrown out grew around her body.
Iswul held up his shield. Thin wisps of air outside the tornado marred the surface of the shield as he was pushed backward by the tornado’s force.
“Break for me!” Iswul yelled. A red aura covered the blue Mana that flowed through his buffs. A layer of water covered Iswul, mingling with this red berserker aura to make it look like fresh blood.
His sword flashed forward, covered in the mixture of aura and Mana. It slammed into the tornado. Water and Air Mana fought each other as the forces of Kiona’s spell competed with Iswul’s strength.
A shockwave exploded outward, and silver scars appeared where Iswul’s armor had been hit.
Iswul let out a yell. Holding his sword into the tornado, Mana surged through his body. The surge of Mana broke the carefully constructed spell formation Kiona had created to hold up the tornado.
The tornado exploded outwards, quickly dissipating and revealing Kiona.
A bow and arrow made from air rested in her hands as the wind around her dissipated an arrow shot forth from her bow. Iswul barely had time to react as he raised his shield.
A loud noise rang out through the arena with the arrow’s impact.
He was forced back half a dozen feet as once again the air around Kiona was stirred up into an angry tempest. Lances formed around her; her staff floated beside her in the air as she pulled back on her bow string again. An arrow once again turned into a spinning cutting wind.
Iswul moved out of the way of the arrow, a deep gouge in his shoulder armor.
Attacks rained down on him, faster and more furious than before.
The spells over Iswul’s body disappeared, the Mana falling away as he jumped and twisted to escape and attack. As he was moving in the air, blades of water cut out from within his armor. His armor fell away. A lance turned his shin guard into scrap metal as pieces rained down from his body, revealing Iswul himself. He wore a simple cotton shirt and shorts with padding strapped to him to stop his armor from chafing. He held just his sword and shield.
Time of Change (Emerilia Book 7) Page 46
