The Assassins Wrath

Chapter 3: Issues And Decisions

"Clyfe!" A loud scream would be heard from afar. Clyfe quickly looked towards the direction the sound was heard, as he held his claws around the chameleons neck. 

Suddenly, a light-like shot was making a splashing sound through the wasps brain, splattering all over Lepi. Lepi gagged. "Not again!" He exclaimed, cringing due to the gooey sensation. Valerie appeared, blowing the smoke from her gun, standing in a proud stance. "Another kill in my favor! And a disgusting one at that!" She said, proudly but disgusted. Lepi started crying. "I was so prepared to get killed by the wasp lady! Thank you so mu-!" "Shut up, larva!" Valerie interrupted him, rolling her eyes, awaiting for me to arrive. Clyfe felt the energy flowing through his veins, swiftly sliced the chameleons head off, watching it roll down the platform. He quickly kicked off the rest of the body down the dark surface.

"I'm so happy you guys are okay!" I said with a happy smile. "Yeah, yeah! Where is my credit?!" Valerie glared. "Fine. You are so amazing!" I said, rolling my eyes. "Anyway, how many left are there?" They all looked at the monitor, showing 25 survivors left. "Who is down to align together?" Clyfe said with a smug face. They all nodded, running towards the end, noticing a few people standing there.

"My, oh my!" One of them said, giggling. "Another victim in our killing streak, huh?" The girl said, clattering her heeled shoes towards them. She crossed her arms, putting her hand to her mouth, smirking. "Now then, how are you four alive?" She asked, curiously with a grin. "Who's asking?" I asked her, glaring. "Medina, I am the one to kill you four without even breaking a sweat." She said, with a threatening voice. "Ease it up, babe. These kiddos won't even make it through here." Malarch said, making a ball of magma in his palm.

"Didn't I kill you off?" I asked, staring at him. "You, killing me off?! Don't make me laugh. I simply just deflected it by making a decoy to avoid getting hit by your filthy sword." "It's kind of worthless that a small girl like you would be wielding one of The Ten Seals." A guy said, appearing behind Medina, with a cleaver resting onto his shoulder. "To think that she has the nerve to be certain that she can kill off a scorpion, a magma-user and an armadillo TransFuse is appalling." He said, punching his hard shell.

"Either way, this is the end of your so-called 'journey'!" Medina said, glaring. "No need to fight these people!" A mandrill would jump off a rock from the walls, landing in front of them. "We are the Reaper Souls. Our sole goal in this universe is to end everyone who is a waste of existence." He added. "However, the last part is where you will die. I looked into your souls and I saw nothing but a pure luck and stubbornness. Us four will be sure to look forward to die."

"Malarch, Medina and Dasyard, let's go through the gates." He said, walking off. "Oh by the way, I finished off the ladybug who was struggling to jump from rock to rock. All I needed was one word, and she decided to jump off and die." He said, with a stare towards Zydna, Lepi, Clyfe and Valerie. "Oh, one more thing-." "Get a move on, you damn ape!" Valerie said, annoyed. Mandore scoffed, walking off with the Reaper Souls behind his tail. "Way to go." I said to Valerie, with a sarcastic tone. She shrugged, walking through the gates.

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We all went through the gates, sitting by a table of four, talking. "So, what now?" Clyfe asked, confused. "All I want to focus on is to eat from the buffet, I am literally starving!" Valerie exclaimed, groaning. Lepi would come with a tray of leaves, dog food, croissants and spicy chicken ramen. "I got them all. They sure know what people likes." "Owh yweah! This ish sho gwod!" Clyfe said, talking while he ate the dog food he gobbled up. "Maybe you should consider swallowing before you talk?" I asked Clyfe, giving him a tissue, drying the drool that dripped by the corner of his mouth. He nodded gratefully.

The monitor would be showing Arenda, starting to talk. "Good work, remaining 10! The final step is for me and the Lords of The Universe to decide your faith." She said, brushing her long fur. I stopped eating the ramen, all shocked. "Oh no." I whispered. Clyfe looked at me. "What's the matt- oh!" He stopped talking, realizing. "What is it?" Valerie and Lepi asked, confused. "Her father is one of the Lords of The Universe." He explained. "She hasn't talked to him since she was a small child. I'm sure she is really nervous." He said, looking at me with a worried look. "Don't worry, I can handle it. It will be a bit awkward for sure, but, I think it won't be too difficult." I said with a nervous voice, looking at my food.

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A few days later, half of the remaining 10 had their talk with the Lords of The Universe. Two of them got executed because their determination and high spirit wasn't enough for them to stay alive throughout the tournament. However, almost every member of the Reaper Souls made it through the talk and they were free. All it was left was Dasyard, me, Clyfe, Lepi and Valerie to go.

"Who is up next?" I asked, curious. "That would be me." Valerie said, checking the monitor. "Wish me luck!" She said, putting a fist up the air.

Valerie sat on a chair, in front of the Lords of The Universe. "Welcome Valerie Ternades." Arenda said. "Thank you very much, miss." Valerie said as her hands were shaking a slight. "Your Wurdes has grown proudly on you, has it?" Arenda asked, with a small smile. "Yes, it has. I'm lucky to have one of The Ten Seals. Father for sure chose the right child." "Of course, your family is one of the greatest, luxurious people in this world." Mathis said. Valerie nodded, blushing a bit. "So. There of course a few questions we have to ask you, and we need your complete sincerity." Arenda said, showing the golden dog bone. "You know how this one works, right?" She asked. Valerie looked at the golden dog bone with hungry eyes. "Yes, I do. It enhances your powers and gives you a bigger chance to awaken your true powers." Valerie said, swallowing her pride.

The Lords of the Universe looked at Valerie as one of them walked to her. "Say, what is your true ambition, little one?" The lady asked. Valerie gulped. "I-." She hesitated to say anything since she lost her words. "Thought so." The lady asked, caressing Valerie's cheek, giving her a soft smile. "She is very young, she must have had friends along the way with her, has she?" She asked. "Yes, she has. Two TransFusers and one girl we assume is a pure human breed." The elderly man said. "I see. Do we have a picture of them or anything so I can check how they look like? I don't want my hands dirty to get through the little girls mind just yet." She said, smirking, as she walked back to her chair. Mathis sighed. "That girl reminds me of someone.. but I cannot put my finger on it." He said, looking down thinking. "I'm sure you will find out when she gets in here." Kosmi said, giving him a soft nod. 

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Lepi and Clyfe was waiting nervously for their turn, as suddenly the gates opened, and Arenda appeared. "Did she make it?" Lepi asked, worried. "Yes, she did. She made it through. Now you may come." Arenda said, gesturing him to walk inside. He followed her inside.

Lepi sat on the chair, holding his prolegs. "You made it pretty far, haven't you?" Kosmi asked softly to Lepi. "Y-yes, I have and I couldn't have gotten this far without my newly found friends." He said with a shaky smile. "Now then, no need to be nervous." Arenda said, patting his shoulder. "We will just ask you a few questions and we will decide whether you will be executed or free." She added. Lepi exhaled, swallowing his pride as he looked at the Lords of the Universe.

Kosmi walked to Lepi, gently caressed his cheeks using her index finger and middle finger to go through his mind. "So, first question. Why did you do the tournament?" Lepi gulped. "To feel empowered, and not fear anything again due to being bullied my whole life." He said with a monotone voice. "Correct. That was what he had in his mind. Now then, what is your newly found friends names?" She asked him. "Clyfe, Valerie and Zydna." Mathis was in a small shock. "Zydna is here?!" He whispered to himself. The elderly man looked at Mathis. "I assume she is the daughter you chose to abandon? What was the reason again?" He asked, gently mocking him. "The time to explain that hasn't come yet. I have some unfinished business with her. Keep her last, alone with me." He said, with an annoyed face. "As you wish." Grenore said, grasping his tall cane.

Lepi shed a tear. "I-It hurts..." He said, silent. Kosmi giggled. "Oh my, I apologise." She patted his cheeks, making him snap out of the hynotization. He shook his head, rubbing his temples. Kosmi sat down on her chair. "Now, what is your main ambition? We are aware of you being bullied, but what made you dedicated to get this far?" She asked, crossing her tall legs. "I want to be beautiful and powerful. No one likes a caterpillar that eats leaves and taps it's million legs." He said, looking down. Mathis examined him. "Your emotions are strong, but it isn't anything special. You may sit there for a short moment. Guys, let's have a discussion." He said, gesturing to the small room over yonder.

Kosmi, Grenore and Mathis sat down by a round table, discussing Lepi's faith. "I'd say, if we give him a chance to try to awaken his true powers early on, he might have a slight chance to survive the second tournament in two months." Kosmi said, tapping her long, crystallized fingernails onto the hollow table. "True, but what if he will die during the training they are forced to do during the months?" Grenore asked, thinking. Mathis groaned. "I guess. Medina and Malarch was two we was unsure to let through, but they still showed their empowerment and ambition." He said, sipping on his earl grey tea. "Shall we have a vote, then? Let's just think for a few minutes and then we come to a conclusion? For my case, I'm sure that if we let him through, he will pay us back by awaken his true powers and be even more empowered and not be a small crybaby when it comes to be punily bullied." Kosmi said with a small grin. They all nodded.

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They went back to the chairs in front of Lepi, and sat down. "All three of us has come to the conclusion to let you through." Lepi shone with happiness. "But! One thing we require you to do, though." Mathis said, with a small glare. Lepi nodded. "Anything!" He said quickly. "You must awaken your true powers before the second tournament that will be held in the Cragulous Mountains. The difficulties are set high. Can you do that for us?" He said, staring at him. Lepi gulped, thinking for a second. "I-I will! I want to be stronger and prevail!" He said, pulling two of his prolegs to the sparkly stars on the roof. They all nodded. "Very well. You may go through the gates behind us and start your training." Grenore said. Lepi nodded quickly. "Thank you!" He said, as he ran to the gates.

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A few hours went, and the gates opened, as Dasyard made it through as well. "Now, Clyfe may come now." Arenda said, gesturing him. Clyfe nodded, looking at me. "I'll wait for you." He whispered with a gentle smile, walking away.

"Clyfe. The handsome TransFused labrador that might as well charm the skirt off of me anytime." Kosmi smirked, teasing. "Heh, if only I would succeed." He said, scratching his head. Kosmi smiled softly. "Now, jokes aside. We got a few questions for you." Mathis said, staring into Clyfe's eyes. Clyfe exhaled, giving him a strong nod. "Alright. I may start." Grenore said, grasping onto his cane. "What brought you here?" He asked. Clyfe gave a moment to think. "My determination and ambition to be strong to protect the people I love." He said, clenching his fist onto his other hands palm. Kosmi sighed. "Is that special someone Zydna you met at the cliff a few weeks ago?" She directly asked. Clyfe got stunned. "H-how di- oh.. yes, that's correct." He said, realizing her powers. Kosmi nodded. "Dogs may be dirty, but you sure have determination." Clyfe nodded quickly. "As a TransFused labrador, and a dog for that matter, my main duty in life is to risk my own to protect the people I love, so the ones I love can live freely. I sense strongly that Zydna is struggling a whole lot in her life. Dog's noses are more than just excellent sense of smell, we can even smell emotions easily. And I can easily feel that Zydna need someone to protect her from any danger. I want to be the one who risks it's own life for her, so that's why I want to have the golden dog bone, to enhance my chances to awaken my true powers." He said, shedding a small tear, landing onto his lap. Arenda cried a bit. "Dogs are such beautiful creatures, aren't they?" She said, fixing her wet nose. Mathis grid his teeth a bit. "How is Zydna doing now?" He asked, as his eyes started to turn pastel blue. Clyfe made a small shiver. "She is doing decent, actually. Her Hagendresh seems to be getting really strong. I never believed at first that she would have one of the powerful weapons." He said, fascinated.

Kosmi gave a soft nod. "I have my mind up." Grenore nodded. "So have I." Mathis held his hand onto his chin. "One final question." He said, looking at Clyfe. Clyfe raised his ears to prepare to answer the question. "If I killed you right now, would you let Zydna take your place?" He said. Clyfe looked down. Kosmi and Grenore stared at Mathis. "Don't be too hesitant." Grenore said, shaking his head slowly. Kosmi agreed. "You need to let him thi-" "Yes, I would. She is my future. I may have only known her a few weeks, but she is the one I want to protect until the day I die when my duty is completed. As a dog, no, as a TransFused dog. Our main goal as TransFused dogs is to find the true one to have a future with, a life, and be with them to make sure they will have the life they surely deserve." He said, gripped his sleeve, tearing it off. "So, to answer the question. Yes, I would let you kill me to let Zydna live on without me, as long as I will be notified she will have the life she wish to have." He said, dropping the fabric on the floor. Arenda started bawling. "S-so true! True love! True ambition! TRUE DETERMINATION!" She screamed with teary eyes. Mathis clicked his tongue. "Fine, you may go through. Arenda, give him one of your golden dog bones now." Arenda nodded, giving Clyfe one of the golden dog bones. "Thank you so much. You won't regret it!" He exclaimed. "Trust me, if you keep on staying here, we will drown in Arenda's tears, so get a move on, will ya?!" Mathis slightly growled. Clyfe nodded, running off.

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I was sitting on the bench, awaiting for my turn. "I sure hope they all got through.." I said, biting my tongue, as I looked at the gates.

"When are they gonna open it?" I asked to myself, walking towards the monitor, as Arenda popped up. "Hello Zydna! Change of plans! Would you please go to the bigger hall behind you and go through the grey gate? The Lords of the Universe and I are awaiting for your arrival." She gave Zydna a rushed smile. "See you! Tahtah!" She ended the monitor. "Oh, uh, okay?" I said.

I did what Arenda said, went to the grey gate, as I felt someone held the door shut. I started tackling the door, getting a bit bruised on my shoulder. "Let. Me. THRO- WOAH!" I screamed, falling through the gates, landing in front of the Lords of the Universe. "Hello Zydna, been a while, hasn't it?" Mathis asked me, looking down. I looked up, noticing my very own father, who abandoned me when I was a small child, looking down as if I was another random stranger who got through the tournament. "Hello, father. Yes, yes it has." I said, rising up, dusting my clothes.

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20 minutes passed, and we all sat by a table, looking at each other. Mathis rose up. "So, my very own daughter chose to face the tournament, to do what? Fight her father at the end? How despicable!" He exclaimed, slamming his big hand onto the table, growling. "I did not face the tournament for you, I am here for a difficult task. To avenge mother and my siblings to fight the Reaper Souls." I said, glaring at him. Mathis scoffed. "Their leaders was in this tournament, and they all passed! What makes you think you are capable to beat them when you don't even have the right ambition to do so?!"Mathis exclaimed once more, clenching his fist. I exhaled. "I have the right ambition! I have the power! I need to get stronger! It is the right ambition! Mother was the sane one in the family!" I screamed, shedding a tear. Mathis shook his head. "I still don't believe you." He said, walking off to a platform. "Now then, if you believe you want to be stronger, then face me!" He yelled. Everyone gasped. Kosmi stared at Mathis. "You cannot be serious! You will kill your own daughter!" She shouted. "Not unless she manages to beat me, which she most likely won't!" He said, as sparkles would appear from his hands, revealing a shiny, golden lance with a blue scythe. "Get up on the platform, and bring Hagendresh out!" He yelled, pointing at me. I was in shock. "I-is he even serious?!" I whisper yelled to Kosmi and Grenore. "Sadly, yes. He actually faced Zyd and Zekus. But we managed to prevent him to kill them off, so they are off to do the tournament like you." Grenore said. I sighed. "Then I have to fight my own father, huh?" I asked them. They both nodded.

Me and my father stood 20 yards away from each other, standing in our positions. Arenda walked to the podium. "Dear audience. There has been a slight change of plans. Normally, we decide the survivors faith by either executing them or letting them past, but, Mathis, one of the Lords of the Universe, chose to face his own daughter to see if she is deemed to be having her soul still intact. Let the fight commence!" She exclaimed, her fur flying up, fireworks started blasting. 

Mathis swung his lance, giving a blinding-light quick dash, stabbing me. I managed to deflect the first stabs, but his speed was overbearing to catch up. He managed to grasp my sides, squirting blood onto the ground. I'd cough due to the pain. "This is one of the Ten Seals, Shainedyr. I have the power of light! One touch by my lance, and you will be infested by the burning suns light. Feel the pain, Zydna! Feel it good!" I fell onto my knees, holding onto the bruise, gasping. "I-I do n-not concede just yet, father!" I exclaimed, swinging Hagendresh towards him, easily missing him. He managed to pummel my gut with the shaft. I fell onto the ground countless of times. "Give up already! Or you will disappoint Clyfe!" I heard Clyfe's name, looking at father. "Clyfe?! Is he okay?!" I exclaimed. "Oh yes, he did make a pretty emotional speech about protecting you or whatever. But! Don't try to bother about something like that! Taste Shainedyr! The God's Lance!" He shouted, throwing beams from Shainedyr, landing by my feet, forcing me to jump over them. "I. Will! Not! Give up!" I screamed, swinging Hagendresh towards the sky, making a lightning strike blasting down onto the arena, making sparkles fly around. Mathis stood calmly. "So you have awakened Hagendresh's powers already?" He asked, looking into my golden eyes. "Yes. Yes I have, father. And I do not want to fight you! I want to be with my friends and save the universe!" I screamed at him. Mathis fell down onto his knees, looking down. "So alike Jynra. Your mother's ambition broke her weapon due to the large amount of high spirit and determination she had." He said, walking towards me. We both stared at each others eyes for a few minutes. "Father.. you need to understand.. you abandoning us was despicable! How could you leave us like that?!" I yelled at him. He stood there, taking it all in. "I had to protect you, my family. My duty is to be one of the Lords of the Universe and in the meantime I had to take care of you guys. But your mother was persistent enough to force me to leave you three in her own hands. She was devastated to the fact that I chose to still be a Lord. I hope all of you four choose to forgive me. Zyd and Zekus did, leaving this place. Will you?" He asked, holding my shoulders. "In one condition." I said in a monotone voice. He nodded. "Anything." He said. "Let me through this tournament. I want to face the rest of the tournaments to make sure the Reaper Souls are taken down! If you resist. I will end my own life and give you the blame of my death to mother in the skies!" I exclaimed. 

He sighed. "Fine. But, in the end, when we are forced to fight, I am not gonna hold anything back, got it?" He said, giving me a tight hug. "I promise, father." Arenda started bawling again. "This is so sweet! I am a beautiful dog and I cry?! Here is the golden dog bone! Use it with care, sweetheart!" She said, giving me the bone and a tight hug. "Thank you so much, Arenda. I'm glad to meet all of you." I said, giving them all a bright smile. They all gave me a smile back. I ran out from the gates.

Mathis exhaled. "Bring Bulera." "Bulera?! The Emperor of the Reaper Souls?!" Grenore asked shocked. "Yes! I am not letting her off that easily. She has 4 tournaments to go, and then there are the certification battles which makes that additional 8 and then she will face us three. She needs to prove to me that she is capable to handle those goals!" He said sternly. Grenore nodded in agreement. "Very well, Mathis." He walked off to the Portal of Destinations. Kosmi followed right after.

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Meanwhile, at the Reaper Souls base. Bulera sat on his throne, drinking red wine, growling.

"Where is Medina, Dasyard and Malarch?!" He yelled. Medina ran into the chambers. "Emperor Bulera, we just finished the Tournament of Faith to achieve information about Lord Mathis's daughter, Zydna." Bluera make a gurgling smirk. "And is the other tasks completed like I asked you to do?" He asked, staring at Malarch and Dasyard. "Of course, Emperor Bulera. Mathis's other child, Zyd, is in her cage, all chained. The plan is in a complete motion! What are we to do for you now, sire?" He asked, bowing for Bulera. "Search for Zydna and kill her o-" "Emperor Bulera!" A servant shouted. Bulera growled. "What now?!" He exclaimed. The servant panted. "Lord Mathis has a request for you." He said, panting. Bulera groaned. "Tell me already, you wheezing trashbin!" The servant took a few breaths. "He wants you to give his daughter Zydna challenges by trying to kill her off." Bulera murmured. "That was what I was about to tell the leaders, you f*****g i***t!" He yelled, standing up. The servant whimpered. "P-please! I'm sorry, sire!" He exclaimed. Bulera stood up in his 12ft tall posture, stomping the servant flat with no hesitation. "Clean him up, and throw him to Zekus. And get a damn move on!" He screamed at Malarch, Dasyard and Medina. "Yes, sire!" They all said in a choir. They ran out of the huge underground cave. Bulera chuckled. "That girl will for sure be mine." He said, with a evil grin.

Outside Tournament of Faith:

I walked out of the area the tournament was. I noticed Valerie, Lepi and Clyfe waiting for me. I quickly ran to them. "You guys waited for me?" I asked happily. Valerie nodded. "Took some time, so I rented a room at the hotel while waiting for you three doofuses to get out of the building with ease. As for myself, it went great! I gave a speech of my past and they let me through." She proudly said, fixing her whip. Lepi rolled his eyes. "Some words has more actions than you think they have." He said, nodding. Clyfe snickered. "Either way, I am happy we all made it through!" He said with a happy face, full of dog treats. I smiled at them all, then I looked at Clyfe. Clyfe noticed me staring at him. "Do I have something in my face?" He asked, curious. I shook my head, but Valerie beat me to it. "Yes, you got one right on your cheek. Let me take care of it!" She said smiling, giving him a loud smack onto the cheek. The slap made a red mark on his cheek. Lepi gasped. "That is so rude, Valerie!" He shouted. Valerie shrugged. "Be more obvious next time." She said, pouting.

"So, what will we be doing now, anyways?" I asked them. "I need to train for the next tournament next month. It's a must, actually." Clyfe said, scratching his neck with an awkward smile towards me. I nodded in understandment. "I need new outfits and a better whip next month. You better expect a prettier and a cuter survivor next time we meet!" She said, making a high jump, punching the air. Lepi smiled, agreeing. "I need to train a whole lot. I don't want you guys to carry me all the way next time. So, I hope I will look more powerful to you guys next time!" He said, slightly empowered.

I gave them all a smile, waving them all goodbye.

Valerie was at a city, training at a dojo and martial arts club, enhancing her focus and aim.

Lepi was at his home, in the forest, training for the upcoming tournament.

Clyfe was at his grandfathers house, training his claws sturdiness and punched threes and rocks to get more hardening in his fists.

And me? I actually trained a bit with my father. I contacted him, wanting to have a father-daughter time and we bonded a bit.

So, there was this arc on The Tournament of Faith. What do you think they will be doing after a month? Will Valerie still act like a brat. Will Lepi smell like wet gym socks? Or, will Clyfe wow even the strongest woman like he did in the acceptance round in the tournament?

And will I manage to persuade my father that I will make the goal come true and be the strongest Protector of Souls?

Dont miss the next arc: Tournament of Destiny in the Cragulous Mountains.

To be continued...