Chapter 3
1843 Words
“Oh? I see you’ve been through quite a lot in the woods,” Bran said as he saw the wounds of Arth. He slowly pulled his sword, “Well that would make things easier for me.”
“I won’t let you stand in my way, Bran. I have my own reason why I want to win this competition so bad,” Arth replied unsheathing his sword. “Don’t make me do this, Bran.”
Bran laughed, “Are you sure? You cannot win against me with your wounds keeping you slow and vulnerable.”
I still have to try. Arth thought.
Bran charged to Arth holding his sword and swung it from above.
Arth tried to block the hit with his sword but his arms were too weak to give much force. The two silver swords tinged and shook.
Arth was forced backwards because of the greater force dealt by Bran. Arth jumped backwards and caught his breath.
Bran dashed and continued slashing while Arth was having a very hard time blocking Bran’s attacks. His arms felt tired and were already shaking.
“What’s the matter, weakling?” Bran said swinging his swords from every side. He turned, kicked Arth’s hips in the side and brought his big fist in Arth’s face.
Arth fell to the ground. Bran laughed loudly as he walked towards Arth.
He squatted looking into Arth’s face, “This will be your last warning, kid. I will definitely destroy you when you try to stand in my way again.” He stood up and faced the river.
Bran saw three warriors who tried to cross the big river. They jumped in to the water current and swam as hard as they can.
But the current was too strong so they were carried to the end of the river, the waterfalls.
“Pathetic fools,” he said. “They don’t actually understand the value of magic,” Bran told Arth as he faced towards the river.
Bran bent a knee and placed his right palm into the ground. “Everything will freeze in my way.” The ground his palm was touching glowed brightly and the path he was facing towards the river was frozen.
An ice path blasted towards the direction he was facing and the strong water current was frozen. Bran started to walk to the river with about 8 meters width.
Arth tried to stand up slowly. Then he walked to Bran and said, “I’m not done with you yet, Bran.”
Arth picked up his sword and charged towards Bran.
“You still don’t understand, Arth?” Bran dodged and moved side way. Arth slipped in the ice and lost his balance in to the edge of the river.
Bran kicked Arth in the back and so he fell to the current. The ice started to c***k and break because of the strong water force. “Good bye,” Bran said as he stepped into the other side of the river and walked away.
Arth couldn’t see. The cold water splashes all over his eyes. He inhaled heavily everytime his face goes above the water.
The river was so fast and so strong that it continued carrying Arth to the waterfall.
But there was something strange about what Arth feel. He didn’t feel any cold in the water.
It’s like his body wasn’t affected by the cold temperature. Many people were easily forced by the river not because of the strong current, but because of the very cold temperature of the water.
The cold water has made their body movements very slow and that is the reason they can’t make it to the other side.
But what Arth was feeling is different. It’s like he was swimming in the sea with normal temperature.
Maybe his body adapted to the cold North ever since he was a child. But Arth still felt weird and at the same time, normal. And he was still able to sense his surroundings.
With this, he was able to find a way to get out of the river. He found a big rock to hold on to the water. He grabbed the top of the rock and held longer.
He realized he was only 5 meters apart before he fell into the waterfall. His black wet hair in front almost covered his eyes.
Arth climbed in the rock and sat above. He could see that he is in the middle of the river’s width. He’s stuck in there and has to wait to catch his breath.
What to do now? He thought.
He can’t just swim through the river. He can still do that but it’s too risky and the current might drag him to the waterfall.
It is definitely okay if he was still far from the waterfall. But being 5 meters apart from the waterfall gives a lesser chance of success.
A few minutes later, he heard footsteps back from the dark woods coming towards the river.
“Hey Arth! Need a hand?”
Arth never felt so relieved his entire life after seeing his childhood friend, Robert. He has black hair and quite short in stature.
“I’m so glad you made it this far, Robert,” Arth shouted.
“What are you talking about? I am going to take victory in this competition.” Robert said as he approached into the river.
“But if it is a friend that will be needing help, well you’re in luck,” Robert picked up the rope rolled in the right side of his waist.
Then he raised his right hand into the air.
“Ice Spear Demand,” he called. His hand brightened and when it faded, Robert was already holding a spear made of ice.
He tied the end of the rope in to the spear tightly. Robert stepped backward making ready to throw the spear in to the tree on the other side of the river.
With much force, he swung his arm to throw the spear and released. His strength is quite amazing. Arth thought.
The spear flew very fast that no one could see it. The next moment, the spear pierced through the tree.
“Your strength and skills greatly improved, Robert,” Arth said. “I thought that you leaving our village was all for nothing.”
“Well, yeah I’ve found a trainer somewhere in the village in Northrend. They’re good people. They taught me well,” Robert said as he tied the other end of the rope tightly in the nearest tree in the river.
“You first, Arth.”
“You sure about this?” Arth told Robert.
“Have you ever doubted my skill since we were kids?” Robert asked him.
“Of course not.” Arth held the rope and slowly sled in the stone to the water. With both hands holding the rope, he reached his one hand after another until he made it into the edge to the other side.
“My turn,” Robert said. He held the rope and jumped into the water. His eyes widened the moment the water touched his body.
“Oh shoot!” He cried. “I didn’t expect this would be so cold. I can’t move my body properly and it’s slowing me down.” Robert complained. He slowly reached farther to the rope using one hand at a time.
Strange, I haven’t even felt a thing. Arth said to himself.
Robert reached Arth’s hand and was lifted up the water. They both shook hands and Arth said, “Thank you, man. I didn’t know what to do until you came.”
“Are you kidding? You’re my friend! How could I ever leave one behind?” Robert laughed.
Robert saw Arth’s wounds. “What happened back there?”
“It’s a long story. The sun’s going down so we have to hurry.” Arth led the way to the trees. From there, they can already see the high mountain.
The track in the mountain was not hard. It’s because they were trained how to climb mountains in the north when they were kids.
A loud cheer came from above.
“The battle already started. Someone must have arrived first before us.” Robert felt a little disappointed.
“It’s Bran,” Arth replied.
“What? You mean Bran? Your Chief’s nephew?” Robert asked. Arth nodded.
“I somehow met him in the river. He punched me in the face and pushed me in the water,” Arth replied.
Robert burst into laughter.
“Look, it’s not funny, okay? I almost lost the competition.” Arth said.
“I just can’t believe you’ve got beaten by someone like him? You grew soft, Arth.”
“Stop it. Let’s just continue climbing. We’re almost there.”
Being near to the top of the mountain, the two saw stairs between two flags of the Casterfall Kingdom leading to a plain ground. They can hear the cheers and yells of the people.
“This arena was built after King Mornell challenged King Shedar of Riverwind Kingdom in a battle. After King Mornell claimed victory, he built this as an honor for his bravery and strength.” Robert discussed.
“Now that’s a story,” Arth replied.
The two finally reached the top and walked towards the stairs. The cheers grew louder as they were seen by the people.
“We have two more warriors coming!” the announcer shouted.
It was a very big circular arena. In the sides where large stairs but were used as the seats for the audience.
Arth’s face changed when he saw a warrior standing in the center, Bran. Two other warriors were already lying in the ground somehow got beaten and wounded after a battle.
“Well? If it isn’t the weakling whom I have thrown to the White River,” Bran smiled terribly.
“Since seven warriors lost in the dark woods, three warriors fell into the waterfall, and two warriors are defeated here. Only three warriors are left!” The announcer shouted. The crowd began shouting.
“The one who will remain standing will be the winner of the competition! And he will be sent to higher advanced trainings by Grand Master Tera in the high gardens of the Casterfall Kingdom!”
This is it. This is the time I was waiting for.
The two advanced to the arena towards Bran and the horns blew. The battle has begun.
- Writer
