Divine Beast Ascension

“Well said...” Dean Jarrit’s solemn voice sounded out. “You’re welcome to fight or forfeit as you wish. It won’t change the opinion we have of your abilities, though we see that at least your mind is astute and your tongue is sharp.”

“Thank you...” Bowing one last time to the hosts, the young man backed away from the platform and sat at the edge of the competitors’ area, as did most other losers that hadn’t joined the audience above.

“In that case, we’ll be welcoming our next one, one sure to not upset our expectations!”

Freele had seen it coming, sighing from afar. Her worries, however, would be vanishing next round as there would be no one left willing to forfeit unconditionally, at least she hoped.

At the same time, two people ascended the stage stairs. Their gazes met immediately and their feelings toward each other were obvious to everyone able to see their faces. Fulkar seemed more pissed off than usual, as if he was preemptively annoyed in preparation for what was to come. And Rowan showed a playful grin, which didn’t match his predatory stare seeking to end the match in absolute domination.

“The tension between these two is so intense! Without a doubt, this match between opponents we’ve rated nearly identical will be something we’ll never forget! Are you rea–”

.....

“I’m more than ready,” stated Rowan.

Fulkar spat, “Let’s get this started already.”

“Then, will it be the second son of the Dursdul Family or the third son of the Libarn Family that comes out on top? Now... we’ll find out. BEGIN!”

Without another word, Fulkar took off. Flashing through the air atop the wind, Fulkar rushed his opponent without mercy. His sword was already drawn and lashing out. “Just get out. It’ll save you time and injury.”

“Right back at you!” cackled Rowan, letting the ground underneath him light up as he retrieved an intricately designed, black staff. The metallic sheen was matched by the glistening blue gems lining the sides and top of the shaft. Blue light flashed as Rowan slammed his staff on the ground.

The icy slash of Fulkar’s blade collided with the emerging wall of water surrounding Rowan. Frost covered the wall but the raging waters weren’t easily overcome.

Backing off for a moment, Fulkar reassessed the battlefield to adjust his following strikes.

“Who’s too slow? Remind me!”

Another flash of light erupted from within the water wall, followed by a sudden change in the water’s behavior. The wall of water twisted and contorted into a body mimicking a giant octopus. Its tendrils lashed out against Fulkar and protected Rowan simultaneously.

But Fulkar seemed to be well-aware of his situation, knowing such a thing would happen.

With a frost-covered sword, Fulkar slashed any tentacle that dared near him. The blade froze anything it touched but only slowed the watery beast, which quickly thawed and regrew any tentacle lost.

“Where’s your confidence?” mocked Rowan. He was already prepping his next formation, using the gem-crusted end of his staff to draw on the ground with essence.

“Says the coward hiding behind a puppet...”

Fulkar kept his cool as he circled Rowan and the synthetic beast. It was the first time anyone could see him serious, no longer underestimating his opponent.

“Sorry, but you’re too slow.” Shaking his head, Rowan finished his new formation and pointed his staff toward the incoming Rowan. “Your blizzards won’t be useful here!”

While the frosty air around Fulkar was growing with each step, another watery beast came to life around Rowan. Fulkar suddenly dissipated the energy he was gathering as he jumped back, just in time to avoid a whip of the water serpent’s tail. But Fulkar wasn’t done evading, hopping from spot to spot as the speedy, synthetic serpent chased him across the open stage. And the worst part was the icy horns jutting out of the serpent, as well as the icicle fangs in its mouth.

“What will you do? As a talented, rising star I’m sure you can do more than dodge. Or am I wrong?” chuckled Rowan.

“Astounding! What will the prodigy of Libarn do?!” shouted the ref, piling on the suspense.

Yet Fulkar’s eyes were steady and his mindset was more calculative than ever before. His quick steps evaded the serpent’s fangs and tail, as well as the occasional tentacle from the octopus. Also, Fulkar was well aware of Rowan attempting to create a third summon amidst everything else.

After a few moments of evasion and profound thought, Fukar finally decided what he should try next. Though it surprised many, Fulkar stopped moving and sheathed his blade, still holding the hilt with care and poise.

“So you’ll take it head-on? Good luck with that!”

Ignoring his opponent’s taunts, Fulkar inhaled sharply and eyed the incoming serpent. Then, in a flash of blue frost, Fulkar unsheathed his blade for his fastest strike yet.

But it wasn’t enough to stop Rowan’s laughter. “Nice trick, but it won’t work on... What? What did you–”

To Rowan’s shock, the condensed aura around Fulkar’s blade was beyond expectation, proving that it had been condensed and not dispersed as he previously believed. This left his water serpent half-frozen and unable to move properly as Fulkar charged directly for the summoner, ignoring the summon. And before Rowan was able to say more, Fulkar sheathed his blade once more before drawing it again. Fulkar cleanly cleaved through the center of the watery octopus and reached Rowan as his next formation was being finished.

“No! You won’t win this time!”

As Fulkar’s drawn sword was arching toward Rowan, another burst of blue energy exploded out from under Rowan. Jagged, ice spikes erupted from the formation. Fulkar’s strike still reached Rowan but was greatly slowed and couldn’t deal anything more than superficial damage. All the while, the icy spike continued to chase after Fulkar with incredible speed, much faster than anything that the swordsman had anticipated.