Divine Beast Ascension

“And second, we have two people betting on my candidate getting killed and one betting that my candidate will remain alive. For the sake of fairness, I’ll refrain from joining the bet regarding my candidate. But there’s one lord that still hasn’t decided to join or decline the second bet. Treeda? What are your thoughts?”

But Peimar suddenly spoke up, “Actually, I want to add to my bet. I’ll throw in a wind battle art, Static Flight, a low-king grade. Will Isaac and Isla dare to match me?”

“I’ll match you. Here’s one of my wind arts, Silent Laceration, also low-king grade.”

Sighing, Isla took out another scroll. “This is an earth cultivation technique, Liquid Earth. It’s only early-king grade, but it should be enough.”

“So, you’ve all raised the ante,” Toseko stated. “Treeda, what is your response to all this.”

“... I-” Abruptly, treeda stopped herself from talking. It was strange and unnatural. To the others, it was like someone had silently cut her off.

.....

Curious, Toseko asked, “Warak, did you say something?”

“No. Of course, I wouldn’t Toseko,” Warak replied.

“Good... Treeda, what’s your response?”

“... God Toseko, may I ask you something telepathically?” Treeda replied, more hesitant than ever.

“Hmm... Sure.” The god started with a blank expression but gradually shifted into a mad smile, then into a hysterical chuckle. “... Are you sure about that?”

Treeda nodded, despite her shaky confidence. “Like I said, right now is the time for me to take risks.”

“Very well,” sighed Toseko, “but should that never happen, you’ll be surrendering your bid to all three of them.”

“I understand, only, they’ll have to adjust their bids.”

“Well, present your bid, Treeda. Then we’ll see what adjustments need to be made.”

Still half-hesitant, Treeda took out an item that caught all of their gazes faster than their faces could twitch and change expressions. “This is my personal halberd, one of my clan’s greatest treasures. It’s the better of two halberds my ancestors created, our only early-god grade weapon, embedded with my strongest ancestor’s dissolving death essence. Do you accept the bid, God Toseko?”

“YES!” Toseko blurted, catching the crowd off guard.

While the crowd paid more attention to the lords and noticed the halberd in Treeda’s hand radiating ominous energy, Toseko looked at Peimar. “Should you three accept her bid and offer up something to equal hers and her bet fails, then the quadrant will accept the halberd and deliver each of you a peak-king technique, with the element or elements of your choice. Will you continue to participate in the bet?”

“... What did she bet on?” Peimar asked.

“I won’t say, but it’s something even more unlikely than either your bid or theirs,” stated Toseko. “So, will any of you three dare to increase your bid?”

Sighing, Isaac shook his head slightly. “I can’t match an early-god weapon, but I can offer a high-king weapon or art on top of my current bid.”

“That will do,” Treeda replied, “preferably the weapon.”

“Then... Here.” A double-bladed sword with a wide, dull tip and intricate, wind-like etchings appeared in Isaac’s hands. “This is my personal golok. It’s embedded with wind essence to deliver brutal slashes that have decapitated dragons many a time, and it’s high-king grade.”

Amazed to see Isaac go so far, Isla rethought her commitment to the bet. “I... I’m going to pull out.”

“Well, that’s a little unfair, now,” Toseko commented. “Perhaps, we should have you offer the early-king technique in exchange for backing out.”

“... Fine. I’ll accept that.” Isla shook her head and took back her Molten Fist Art, surrendering the technique.

Toseko stated, “Then, I’ll make sure to deliver a copy of this technique to both Peimar and Treeda fairly soon. Now, Peimar, will you up the ante or back out?”

The Thunderbird lord took a few extra seconds to ponder his response. “... I’ll up the ante. Will a high-king art do, Treeda, along with everything I’ve already included?”

“Which art? I would prefer a weapon if you have one.”

“As a dominating Thunderbird, I’m proud to only use my body with no need of extra help,” replied Peimar. “But I will add this lightning and wind art, Electrifying Cyclone, high-king grade.”

Treeda sighed but soon nodded, “... That will do.”

“Then, we have our bets placed!” Toseko was handed the final items, placing them all on his lap or leaning against his throne. “I wasn’t expecting such excitement to develop from all this, but I’m more eager than ever to let the matches continue!”

“Contestants!” Slazza shouted, demanding everyone’s attention now that Toseko was ready to move along. “It’s time for the first match of the quarterfinals! Each of these fights will determine if someone will enter the top four and earn a special gift from the quadrant! So, come down!”

“Vant, be careful,” Tilgron chuckled.

Nodding, Vant sighed, “Yeah... I will. But I have to do this.”

“You got this!” Korvik cheered. “Hurry back so we can all go whoop our opponents and take all semifinal slots!”

“Yeah, yeah, calm down, buddy,” Tilgron laughed while waving Vant off with his tail.

The Thunderbird eyed Vant carefully as the human approached him. Before Vant could speak, the Thunderbird stated, “I admire your abilities and your strength. But I recommend forfeiting when the opportunity eventually arises. I don’t want to leave lasting injuries on such a capable candidate before the actual tournament.”

“... I appreciate the concern. And I’m looking forward to a great match,” Vant stated, giving a quick bow before unsheathing his sword.

Slazza laughed. Seeing those two like that, Slazza was especially curious about what would happen with such a bet on the line. “Representing Thunder Prefecture, we have the grandson of Prefecture Lord Peimar, a legendary Thunderbird! Representing Toxic-shadow Prefecture, we have a human that has ended each of his previous opponents with a single strike while remaining completely unharmed! Will the great beast live up to legends or will this human’s sword slice through everyone’s expectations?! Are you two ready? ... FIGHT!”