The Last Realm: The Blood of Clans

10: The Tournament, Round 1

Zale stood in the center of the courtyard and made sure both fighters understood the rules for this friendly tournament. He glanced over to where the Queen was seated and waited for her signal before starting things off. She dropped a pale blue handkerchief to the ground, which prompted Zale to raise his voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to introduce the opening fight in the first round of our honorary tournament for the bishop-heir." Zale boomed as he turned slow circles, addressing all of the crowd. "Each participant is required to duel with issued, practice weapons and intentional death will be set to vote by our judges. That leaves us with our first challengers."

The entire crowd was in an eerie silence, awaiting the start of the matches. I found myself holding my breath as well, both hands clasped firmly to the girls beside me.

“First off, we are treated to a holy war. The young squire of Kyzekia, Jace Calder faces off against the royal bodyguard Wesley Stocco of Altamira. Don't expect there to be any love today between these two, because they've never liked each other much to begin with. Set. Ready. Bow!”

Upon the command, the fighters squared off against each other and bowed. I watched as the first stone arrow found its way to Jace's bow as he eyed the overly large wooden backsword that might as well have been cut off a tree branch. Jace's eyes darted about methodically, analyzing where to place his first move of the match. Wesley started to lumber towards the slightly younger youth, as Jace sidestepped to the right and launched his first projectile.

Wesley reacted nearly on instinct as he swung his right leg backwards, leaning on his left as if taking a batter's stance. he had a unique style with his backsword as he held the handle opposite, letting the blade line up against his thick arm, instead of having it facing the target. With a large stroke and swoosh, the reverse-like grip managed to catch the stone arrow easily in its upswing and drop it to the ground. Wesley kept the leisurely, lumbered pace and kept walking closer.

Jace had continued his side stepping to the right, starting to arc in a circular pattern, attempting to keep the larger man from him into a corner. He needed space to be at his best. Another arrow set to his bow and a feint glance to the left shoulder of Wesley, his bow turning to follow, before his eyes and weapon turned as one towards the opposite shoulder. In that moment's swing, Jace fire his second arrow, pushing off the ground with his feet to propel him further as he automatically began to ready another.

This time though, Wesley rushed into the attack, grunting loudly as the stone shot thudded against the right shoulder but not overly slowing down the hulking man's charge. As he got within range of Jace, he arched his backsword swing skyward down at the same moment the third arrow met the bow, Jace breaking into a complete dive sideways to the right. With his bow almost horizontal to the ground, its string taut as he loosed the arrow at side of Stocco's head just moments before his dive turned into a roll and his feet propelled him back up.

Wesley gave out a fierce bellow, as Jace dove and rolled to evade the s***h. Jace's shot smack Wesley between the shoulder blades, causing him to flinch and both arms to swing inward to protect his spine. This caused the backsword to head directly for Jace in an accidental counter. Jace's eyes sprung open widely as he launched himself into a backwards handspring, his body twisting in mid air leaving him facing the back of his opponent.

With his feet hitting the ground firmly and his fourth arrow meeting the bow, Jace quickly rattled off another shot at Wesley. The stone shot dropped drastically as it seemed to target just behind the left knee. A slight grunt dropped the knee to the ground as Wesley just smiled back at Jace. Down on one knee now, the Altamiran thrust his sword down into the dirt of the courtyard and arcing it back towards his opponent.

"Is that all?" Jace grinned and a slight chuckle escaped from the young archer.

The two locked their gaze as Jace drew another arrow that familiarly met his bow in the middle, his legs shooting him into the air, as he aimed for more height and to out jump the dust and particle thrust that Wesley had used. Jace seemed to slowly sail backwards further, his aim with the bow once again seemed to focus on the knees. Jace looked as if he was trying to predict where Wesley might move to next, the arrow loosening itself as the bow fired off again.

Jace cursed as the shot completely missed. Wesley still knelt with one knee to the ground, both hands pressed flat against the cold dirt surface. It happened surprisingly as Wesley jerked forward with a burst of speed and quickly closed the gap between the two fighters in seconds. The right arm began an exaggerated swing as the large man pivoted his body to the left, timing the swung and turn of his entire torso with Jace's feet landing back on the ground. Wesley turned and swung, giving a grunt as he gritted his teeth with an animals snarl.

Jace frantically increased his pace, drawing two arrows at once, but nearly stumbling over his over nimble feet while he tried to push off on the ground to create the distance needed to dodge this mammoth of an attack. Holding the first of the two arrows as long as possible, the thundering upswing missing Jace's face by mere inches. That was the exact moment needed, the massive tree-sword passing by much too closely, Jace fired the arrow right into the gut of Wesley. The second was immediately loaded and launched, slamming the wincing opponent squarely in the head.

Wesley bared his teeth and snarled. "Pitiful." The larger man staggered a few steps forward, Jace drawing another arrow in precaution. Wesley's eyes rolled back as he dropped to the ground like a heavy stone, slamming the earth hard.

"There you have it." Zale screamed out loudly to the crowd. "Our first winner and advancing onto the second round, Jace Calder!"

The silence that had been held over the crowd, exhaled in one collective breath, before a burst and chorus of cheers erupted.

“Holy.. did you see that?” I stammered in amazement, more so for the display put on than the result.

“Yeah, that was sure something.” Kye whistled lightly.

“I have to admit,” Vahn started in. “I had heard rumors of Jace being a pinpoint archer, but wow.”

“A pinpoint archer?” I asked, an eyebrow raised slightly at the idea.

“I guess that means you've never seen him really fight before?” Kelicia joked, giving my hand a light squeeze which made me flush.

“Well, I have, but nowhere near anything like this.” I countered back, clearly embarrassed.

“Jace's skills are why he made a terrible pirate.” Kat cut into the conversation. “His acrobatics, footwork and ability to almost always place any shot where he wants it. Those unique skills are why he doesn't have another weapon aside from the bow.”

“You seem to have a rather personal opinion there.” Kye said with a cocky smile. “Regardless, he could still use a bit of work though.”

“That looked pretty one sided to me though.” Chey commented, giving my hand a squeeze and arm a tug as she shot a challenging glare at Kelicia.

“I agree with Kye on this one.” Aurelia smiled lightly. “I think Jace lucked out a little on the last shots. Wesley didn't miss him by much, that was an all or nothing attack.”

“Still, it was an awesome fight though.” I smiled, momentarily forgetting about my blushing embarrassment or the girls still vying for dominance.

“Yeah and the next one shouldn't let us down much either.” Kye winked and laughed lightly. “Looks like it's getting ready to start up too.”

Zale cleared his throat lightly, smiling and waving for a few moments out to the crowd. He took quick glances around before starting the next announcements.

“For our next match today, getting the task of following up such a stunning opening show. From the islands of Leontyne, Troy LaBelle. Opposite him is the young lady from Kasai, Touko Shimoda. Set. Ready. Bow.." Zale screamed out for all to hear.

Troy and Touko bowed to each other and the second fight officially began. Adding a touch of flourish in the gesture as he rose, Troy steadied the practice axe gifted to him for the event and glanced down the line of the carved wood at his opponent. Touko kept a closed hand on the handle of her short sword, as she carefully shuffled in a crouched stance towards Troy and the center of the courtyard. She ignored his extra showmanship and proceeded forward, a stern but cautious approach.

Troy kept on alert, focusing on every move she made with a careful eye, while Touko maintained her low crouch and stance. She seemed to be squeezing in tight for close range due to the length of her short sword. Troy struck out like a coiled sea serpent in a testing blow, which prompted Touko to use her lightning like draw and smaller size to launch into a quick one-strike blow that aimed at his slouching right shoulder.

Troy ducked to the right of the wooden wakizashi with a small effort, making no noise to accompany the dying pain from where one of the wolves had sunk its teeth. He came up quickly in a diagonal blow aimed at the somewhat exotic looking young woman before him, his feet tensing and bracing for the next move. Her body contorted as she tried to spin at an almost ninety degree angle to intercept the diagonal slice, but the awkward twist lent her to catch the incoming attack across her left forearm.

"Urg.." Touko coughed as a sickening crack could be heard as her bone shattered, letting the arm hang limply.

She winced as she withdrew in a quickened backwards shuffle, while she maintained her low crouch and repeatedly tried to shake off the pain in her arm. Troy wasted no time in launching himself forward into a pounce, his wooden hatchet moving in a defensive posture as if expecting a strike from the girl. Touko kept crouched low and waited again, this time much longer than the first, before she backed up a few more shuffled steps.

Troy landed with a pause, staring awkwardly as if trying to figure out the girls movements with no success. Having no course of action he gave a half-hearted attempt at an attack, using a light swing to her good, right arm. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, she was mere inches from his thighs and attacking with a horizontal s***h. Her lightning quick draw and movements caught Troy across his right thigh as he vainly attempted to sidestep to the left, the smacking sound of the wood and the pain that followed after almost breaking his focus.

He brought his hatchet up horizontally before pushing it forward and slightly down in a shoving attack, intending to knock her off her feet with a jab. Touko bared her teeth and hissed at Troy, as the tip of the longer wooden axehead struck her in the chest and she skidded backwards a couple feet. All of the crowd gasped together, myself included, as Touko used her dead arm like an anchor. Her knuckles bloodied quickly as it kept her body upright, while still in position to defend in case of a sudden follow up attack.

Our breaths were held tightly as we watched the much smaller, lighter girl get battered by the young pirate. Troy proceeded more carefully now, as if dealing with wounded prey. A pause drifted between the two before he lanced out a lunge, his entire body acting in concert in either to triumph or to folly. Touko grunted and swung her body at Troy's direction, her limp left arm swinging and deflecting his attack. The girl yelled in pain and immediately twisted her blade vertically from the ground up, aiming for his right shoulder once again.

Even as Touko shocked him by blocking with her broken arm, her counter blow snuck through and landed solidly in his right shoulder for the second time since the fight began, but with a much greater force this time.

Troy was knocked back off his feet and managed a few panting breaths before struggling out the words. "I yield."

Touko bowed politely at Troy's concession, before she tossed the wooden weapon into the dirt with disgust and offered him a hand up to stand.

"That was quite a good blow." Troy admitted with a weak smirk spreading over his lips.

Zale burst back into the center of the courtyard, while the combatants were escorted back through the palace safely to rest and recover. "What a match everyone. Who would have thought that the young samurai girl from Kasai would provide such a daring display in the match. Bravo to both our fighters. Let's have another hand for our second match winner, Touko Shimoda."

We all sat there in silence after the second match, nobody quite trusting what to say. I for one, was completely taken with the female fighter and her sheer toughness. Not much time passed before the third match was preparing to start and Zale was again making his pre-fight announcements.

“These matches just keep turning up the excitement, I can't wait to see how the next one delivers. Our third match pairs up the talented martial artist Makuda Fukuoka of the Yamamoto clan, against one of Tasard's very own mysterious lady knights in Kokin. Set. Ready. Bow.”

After the pair bowed in traditional fashion, Kokin dazzled with her half-c****d smile, standing a good twenty feet from her monk-like martial artist opponent. Almost immediately after the two squared each other up, Kokin threw her wooden dagger. She sprang off her feet and rushed like the wind, suddenly seeming to appear behind her opponent and strike a vicious backhand to Makuda’s neck from the side. The next instant as the young man begins to topple over, the incoming dagger catching its target square in his stomach, sweeping his body flat before he thudded unconscious into the ground.

“Uh..” Zale stammers as the crowd looks between him and already finished match. “The winner of our third match, is the young lady knight, Kokin.”

Zale quickly ran over to the thrones and darted right back into the center of the courtyard, beginning to announce the next and final match without delay.

“In our final contest of the opening round of this ceremonial tournament, we have two seasoned warriors and heavy favorites facing off. We have the young knight of Dohania, cousin to the fame General Kraus, Chike Runihura. His opponent is from the desert of Villaluz and looks like he was forged in the sand fires itself, Andrew Biha. Set. Ready. Bow.”

Chike stepped up into the center of the courtyard, his opponent was from Villaluz and used strictly hand to hand combat. The Dohanian knight smiled and waved out to the crowd, ignoring the small distance he placed between Andrew and himself. Andrew smirked and gave the customary bow, even though Chike did not. His short red hair spiked up and despite the cold temperature, he still wore only his shorts for the fight. Andrew slammed his fists together and his bulging muscles rippled violently as if laughing.

Chike sneered down at Andrew with little expression, before rolling his eyes and giving a flippant salute, in his feeble attempt to abide by formality. It seemed quite apparent that Chike had no regard or concern whatsoever about his large, beefy opponent.

"If you're done showing off, I'd like to get this over with rather quickly so I can fight a real opponent." Chike said as a haughty smirked crossed his face.

"Ha.. you think you're worthy of fighting that girl?" Andrew laughed at the remark, referring to the next opponent for whichever of them won, the female guard Kokin. He then cracked his neck back and forth before getting into a pummeling like stance. "All bugs get crushed beneath the sand of the desert, including vain little cockroaches like you."

Chike seemed to be waiting for some start signal, as he stood there tapping his foot impatiently. "Another meat head who thinks with his biceps instead of his brain." He mused beneath his breath, but loud enough to hear the taunts still. "I take it you're the type who wouldn't think twice about shoving his hand into a scorpion nest just to crush a few bugs?"

"Seems the little man is all talk." Andrew growled as he rushed Chike head first.

Chike raised an eyebrow curiously as the oncoming onslaught as Andrew barreled full speed straight at him. The arrogant sneer quickly turned into a delayed surprise as Andrew skidded to a stop and firmly planted his feet in front of Chike. The club life fist of the red headed behemoth began to rotate like a hammer as it plowed straight into Chike's midsection.

"Raaaagh." Andrew roared loudly, while the crowded erupted in cheers.

Chike gasped and sputtered, spitting blood onto the ground as he dropped to his hands and knees from the single blow. The faint sound of a crack shot over the courtyard and he tried vainly to get to his feet. Andrew slowly stalked around his prey, while Chike's face registered a look of panic. With a loud grunt a massive leg swung upwards toward the freshly cracked sternum as Chike raised his wooden sword to defend the attack. It did little to stop the powerful kick and was instead flung off to the side before the blow connected squarely with little resistance left.

Chike cried out in agony, his teeth gritted together tightly. Andrew just grunted from the sting of the wooden sword and proceeded to reach down and grab Chike by the scruff of his collar and lift him into the air.

"Tell me why you deserve to live, worm." Andrew spat harshly into the frightened face of his opponent.

"Y..you bastard. Do you... do you have any idea who I am? Who my fam.. family is?!" Blood dribbled a bit down from his mouth as he gasped for air.

Andrew smiled, loading up an iron fist and swung with a closed back hand that was aimed for Chike's head. "You be silent!"

The blow made a loud snap as a couple teeth fell to the ground along with even more blood. Chike closed his eyes and spit in Andrew's face, blood and saliva spewing everywhere. Andrew sighed lightly, grabbing at both sides of Chike's head and giving him a firm twist and snap.

"Yes, silent." Andrew closed his eyes and exhaled deeply.

The sound resonated in the air as the lifeless body was held by Andrew's massive hands, dangling for all to see like some toy rag doll.

"Uh, we will take a slight break to assess the results of the last, immediate fight and then proceed into the next stages of the tournament from there." Zale called out nervously.

Andrew dropped the corpse coldly to the ground before following his escort into the throne room. The Queen, the court and quite a few guards followed shortly after. None of us who were watching had dared to make a noise, let alone seem to be breathe as we all awaited the outcome.