The Sea Orb

CHAPTER 20

Elijah, who was standing outside the ring, looked in front of him. He was given the basic information about the person he is about to fight with. Ronald, aged 25 and his fighting style was also similar to his. Elijah silently pondered.

It has been a long time since he fought in Arenas. Although he did continue to lift weights and did all the strength related jobs, he was still a bit stiff. Taking account of the age gap between them, his abilities tilted towards the losing side.

Clearing his head, Elijah looked at the people sitting in the Arena. It took him a few minutes to spot them in the huge crowd but thankfully Hopper never stopped waving his hands.

The person in charge asked both of them to stand inside the ring. Just as they did, the gong was hit and it's huge but dull noise reverberated in the entire Arena silencing everyone.

"Are you ready?" The person in charge asked both of them who nodded their heads respectively and took their positions.

Ronald stood with his left foot forward and his waist a bit bent and his hands fisted in front of him similar to a karate pose while Elijah moved a bit back and carefully screened the space around him.

"The 16th match of the day will now begin!" The person in charge announced and lifted the small white flag. It took Ronald a few seconds to cover the distance between them as he twisted around and kicked Elijah in the face. The audience cheered as the first hit landed. Ronald's foot just brushed Elijah's cheek before passing. Ronald didn't put the missed hit in his mind and swung his elbow at Elijah's ribs.

Elijah who had a hard time trying to coordinate his hands and legs got hit again. The crowd booed at him while some cheered at Ronald. Elijah aimed his fist at Ronald who nimbly escaped by ducking down and retorted back by punching Elijah's stomach. Elijah pushed Ronald back for some space. From an outsider's point of view, this match was set.

Even Xavier who didn't have much interest in brutal fights felt uncomfortable. He poked Marin's arm who just hummed at him but her gaze was still at the match.

"Are you sure, he's gonna be fine?" Xavier whispered in a low tone near her ear as if he was telling some big secret. Marin frowned and moved away from him as she felt ticklish.

"He will get better soon." She spoke with a small smile while Xavier shrugged.

All he could see was Elijah getting beaten up.

But that wasn't it. It wasn't that Elijah wasn't thinking. It was just that he was observing the other person. His moments, his habits in fights. Ronald frowned. Was it just him or his attacks seem to get blocked more and more?

He impatiently raised his fist to punch Elijah's face when Elijah caught hold of his hand and punched is stomach with the other.

Getting a straight hit Ronald felt impeccable pain as he moved back creating some space. Elijah swung his fist at Ronald's face who ducked down in response but was kicked in his side by Elijah who predicted his move.

Elijah's hits were hard inflicting more pain. He punched Ranold's face hard without giving a chance to retort. The force made him fall. But Renold was someone who won 15 successive matches. He wasn't easy prey. He effortlessly jumped back and kicked Elijah's foot to make him lose balance and then kicked his side to push him down. He caught hold of Elijah's collar and swung his fist continuously. Elijah used both hands to push Renold off him. They both stood up simultaneously.

Ronald signaled Elijah to come at him with his hand as he took his position. A series of punches were exchanged as the crowd sat looking at them in silence. A few of them cheering for Ronald and Elijah. But they didn't dare to disturb unlike in the other matches. Both the fighters were giving their best. Most of the people in the Arena loved to watch the power matches since they would be more interesting. Only some people liked to watched Random matches with enthusiasm. They usually only come to bet money. Only once in a while, there would be a match this interesting to watch.

Elijah still maintained a peace of mind as he swung his fist at Renold who blocked his fist and jabbed Elijah's side. Elijah kicked Ronald's stomach with all his strength making him fall back. Ronald held his stomach and stood back up. He rushed forward and raised his foot to kick Elijah who blocked his leg in time with his arm and punched his gut again. Renold showed a pained expression as he backed away slowly.

Elijah unconsciously wiped the blood at the end of his lips and stood in his position ready for another round when Ronald raised his hand.

"I surrender," Ronald spoke while the person in charge lifted a blue flag showing the end of the match. Everyone was still calm looking at the ring. No one moved. Xavier too was astonished by the match. It was a tough one.

Elijah walked down the ring not before shaking hands with Renold. Only then did the crowd cheered loudly. Marin smiled happily and stood up. Renne and hopper followed the suit. Xavier looked at Marin and tugged her clothes who turned towards him with a frown.

She really doesn't smile at me. Not once.

He thought before shaking his head.

"Where are you guys going? Aren't we watching the next one?" Xavier asked while Marin nodded in a no.

"We don't have that much time to waste. Come on, get up. Uncle John will join us outside." Marin spoke holding his arm as she looked at the crowd at the entrance.

"Don't even think about escaping."

"How can I escape like this?" He pointed towards his arm which Marin was holding.

"Then do you want me to let go? I don't mind but there are a lot of people who would like to sell such an exotic black-haired boy for decorations." Marin spoke loosening her hold on his arm when Xavier immediately linked his arm in hers tightly.

"No, no I was just joking," Xaiver spoke licking his dry lips while Marin rolled her eyes.

~.~

Renne dabbed some alcohol on Elijah's wounds with a frown. Although they had a match again, Marin asked Elijah to forfeit it. One was enough for today, he could go tomorrow. So they came back to the ship.

Renne took great care of the wounds. There weren't that serious because of his strong build. Just some bruises. Elijah was given 25 gold for winning the match which was for him to keep. While Jonathan who came back a little late than them had a big smile on his face.

"When I went to check the odds in the middle of the match they were about 10:3. After the match ended I went back to collect the money. The odds were at 25:5." He spoke while Marin smirked.

"This is the total." He spoke handing the 2 bills and 10 gold to Marin.

"First, let's pay the wood cost after Dominic comes. Uncle John, can you handle it?" Marin spoke returning the two bills while Jonathan nodded.

"I have some work to take care of. I will be back before dinner." Marin spoke while Jonathan nodded his head and headed out.

I need to know what he's up to.

Marin thought leaning back into the chair.

~.~

Ian looked at the empty shore and sighed.

That girl didn't visit him again. He thought shaking his head.

This is for the best. Anyway, he didn't want any contacts with pirates. He leisurely looked at the map of Raefiya.

I need the safest sea routes.

Her voice echoed in his mind.

He put his index finger on the no man's land and traced a few paths. He knew the sea like the back of his hands even though he never went into it.

His finger stopped all of a sudden. He shook his head and closed the map.

At a distance, Marin looked at the scene and sighed.

It was a pity. It would be nice if they could get him on the crew though.

She thought as she disappeared into the sea of crowd.

~.~

The rain-soaked path was irregular and deserted. The man in black walked along the familiar path into the basement. It was dark, dimly lit with oil lamps such that one could only see the outline of other people. This was done so that other's couldn't divulge the appearance of his accomplice even if they were caught.

The place was fully packed with bodies of men doing their designated work. Some were discussing in groups while others were drinking. While the gazes of some curious people followed him.

The hood on his head had covered half of his face to minimize the minuscule of the possibility to identify. After entering a certain section the crowd exponentially lessened. This was the inner sect. The core of their organization or so they liked to call. Doesn't matter.

He settled on his spot looking at the stiff subordinates and then at the man in front of him.

The man was fully covered in black too which almost included in the surrounding darkness. The wooden table in front of him carried a goblet of wine and an oil lamp of low efficiency.

He could only see the scarred hands of the man in front who is his chief. He gulped his saliva in an attempt to calm himself before he spoke "Chief, I entered the prince's room as you have ordered."

He paused looking at the chief circling his fingertip on the rim of the goblet. "There was no crown."

Everyone present in the room took a sharp breath unable to digest the information.

"The crown is missing." He spoke affirmatively looking down.