Author’s Note: Warning - This is a LONG one! And I don’t really remember what some of the special attacks look like, so I’m forced to just refer to them by name. Sorry. But get ready everyone. It’s Tournament Time!
Chapter 16: The Tournament
Savander was wide awake by the time the group reached the coliseum for the tournament. Everyone in the city again seemed determined to fit into the stands, laughing and chatting with each other, and the look in Zentor’s eyes at seeing elven, Sir-Kai, and humans intermingled together was impossible to miss: proud, joyful, and hopeful.
It was when they passed the list of combatants that the Bretheren discovered that someone had signed them all up for the Mega Duel. They playfully glared at Zentarou, who just laughed and said it’d be fun.
First up for the day was a ‘Battle Royal,’ when Zentor and his brother and sons, the eldest Prince of the elven Forest, and the eldest son of Syn’Rae’s emperor competed against each other. The elven Prince easily won, out maneuvering the heavier, slower Cats and out-experiencing the younger emperor-to-be. Zatana mentioned that it had been years since a Cat had won that event.
Next came the novice battles, mostly for the Daggers and older children who were aspiring to be Daggers, both eager to prove themselves. A panther named Ranegar won, and everyone noticed that Edgar looked smugly proud.
When those who signed up for the Casual were called to make their way down to the waiting chamber within the coliseum, Zidane voiced a concern,
“How do we keep from hurting each other?” Zentarou pointed to a gem above the entryways.
“When you pass under those, a spell is cast on you. It’s a gift from the elves that’s only a few years old, and very useful. No hit will actually cause any wounds, but when you’ve reached your limit, when you’d normally go down, it gives a mild shock and renders you immobile, so everyone knows who won. Plus the two Daggers with the flags on either side of our box will raise their flag for the winner, depending on which side they came out of.”
“Cool!” He eagerly scrambled down, followed by Steiner, Freya, Beatrix, Adam, and Edgar. For some reason, Orko was quietly chuckling.
“Trolly-Molly, this should be good.” After a few rounds between other combatants, Steiner stepped out from one side, and from the other came…
Beatrix!
“Oh boy!” Zantar laughed, his ears going back in a sympathetic wince. “This could be very bad, if he loses, or wins!”
“That’s why I never compete,” Zatana teased. “Wouldn’t do for me to defeat Zantar in front of all of Northern.”
The two knights looked at each other, got into a combat stance as the signal was given… and then Steiner straightened, sheathing his sword. He bowed to Beatrix, then called,
“I forfeit!”
“Smart move!” came Zidane’s call from the tunnel, as everyone laughed. Beatrix sheathed Save the Queen, and went up to her love to give him a kiss on the cheek, then they left the arena together. Steiner returned to the stands a few moments later.
The next match was Zidane, who showed-off by back-flipping into the arena, and Freya. This time there would be no forfeit, and everyone was eager for the match. Alaya shifted eagerly, watching her fellow Dragoon. The signal was given, and the match began.
Frey got the ‘jump’ on Zidane, literally, by leaping high to attack. Zidane barely dodged in time, and the crowd cheered. Then, as Freya landed, Zidane gave a rather cheeky grin. He started things off with a bang, with Lucky Seven. Freya got clipped, but recovered. They went back and forth, both even Tracing, until Freya used Dragon’s Quest. Zidane was unable to dodge, and his body jerked as he got hit, then he fell prone. After a brief moment, he got back up, rubbing his head. Alaya cheered loudly as they left the arena.
Next Adam stepped in, wielding a borrowed hand-and-a-half sword, and Edgar appeared as his opponent. Even after the signal was given, they circled each other, sizing each other up. Adam knew he’d have to contend with the extended reach of the panther’s halberd, and Edgar knew he had no idea of the human’s fighting prowess. They gave each other a few experimental jabs and feints.
“It’s been quite some times since we had a real drawn out match,” Zentor commented.
“I pity your friend,” Valron said to Orko, Cringer, and Teela. “Edgar is an excellent fighter, very strong and fast.”
“I’m honestly wondering what possessed Adam to do this,” Teela admitted. “He never seemed to take much interest in martial training before.”
“Oh, I think Adam might just surprise you,” Orko responded. Cringer discreetly smiled, seated between Shanti and Shamzar and now comfortable with them.
Back and forth went the cautious fight until Edgar decided it was time to turn up the tempo. He hade a dart forward to back Adam up, then jabbed the blade of his halberd into the ground as he dropped to his hip and slid forward, clipping the human’s leg with his boot heel, then sweeping him prone with the other leg. The slightly bent halberd then straightened, pulling him back along the ground, and a small tug with his arms was all it took for Edgar to pop upright. He dislodged the weapon and attacked.
But Adam, much to Teela’s surprise, had seemingly expected the attack, and was already rolling away as the halberd came down to thus into the dirt. After a couple more tumbles to a safe distance, he took the offensive. Their weapons met with a loud ringing.
“Ah! They gave him elven steel,” Rycharde praised after hearing the noise. “Good. Regular steel gets easily damaged by elven steel.”
“I’m impressed,” Teela gasped. “He’s doing very well!” Orko just chuckled.
The crowd was thoroughly enjoying the bout, and Adam - if he could gain a moment to listen - would’ve noticed he had the support of many of the human spectators, and several groups of elves and Sir’Kai besides. There was just something about him that drew the people to admire him. Hit after hit struck home on both, nearly trading strike for strike, but still neither went down. Then they each swung, both hands on their blades for added clout, Adam low and stepping in past Edgar’s blade, Edgar high. Sword and pole hit simultaneously… and both combatants reeled, stumbling backwards to fall into the dirt.
“A double knock-out?” asked a stunned Zentarou. Slowly the two got up, as confused as the crowd. Zentor blinked.
“This has never happened before. Um…” Everyone was watching the royal box, waiting for Zentor’s judgment on who won. He scratched behind an ear, then grinned, stood, and motioned to the two Daggers, so both lifted their flags to signal an unprecedented double win. Zentor grinned as he sat down. “What’s the fun in being king if you can’t set a few new rules every now and then?” he joked.
“Picking on your little brother who’s also a king,” Rycharde replied smoothly, putting Zentor into a playful choke hold and ruffling his fur.
Freya went against Beatrix next. Kest jokingly gave a cat call, causing both women, Steiner, and Elfalon to mock-glare.
“I’m not sure how to take that,” Zantar laughed, playing a baffled face. Quatrill yanked Kest down into his seat amidst good-natured laughter, as the fight began. It was very energetic with thrilling dodges and close calls. But at last, Beatrix fell. Zentarou grinned.
“Since normally there’s only four left, there will be a break so all the fighters can be equally rested. And guess what event takes place in the break?”
“It is okay to say I don’t wanna?” Dregan joked as the mages left their seats.
“Yes, but you’re still competing. C’mon.” They followed, laughing, as Zentarou led them down to the entryway below where they were divided, Zentarou and Vivi going left, Dregan and Orko right, for the Mage Duel!
-------------------------------------------------------
Post Author’s Note: Hehe, I actually used a method to determine who would win: I flipped a penny. And I thought that it was high time Adam began to show he was something more than the pampered Prince role he was forced to take on Eternia (check the cartoons and you’ll see what I mean). Next: Mage Duel, with a twist!