THE STRENGTH OF MATERO
1375 Words
It was finally the match day between Matero and Gao. The news of the matchup had already spread to all corners of the institution. Fights between core disciples was already a rare sight and now, they would finally get to see the much feared disciple of the grand master. Matero was a name that sent shiver down the spine of other disciples, no one had seen him in action since he became a core disciple, but everyone knew his strength would have surpassed their imagination.
Official matches are fought in the arena and it is always supervised by a master, that of two core disciples was supervised by Elders. This particular fight was to be supervised by a very skilled Elder and all the disciples chanced came to spectate.
A couple fights between top inner disciples had already held and the atmosphere was tense. Gao was first to arrive, dressed in purple, he moved with an air of nobility and as soon as he arrived on stage, he drew his blade. Battle intent surged from him, he was the core disciple that would have tested out Matero during the latter's screening exercise but couldn't due to the Grand master's intervention. Back then he himself had witnessed the fight between Matero and Wato, since then he had longed for a fight against the boy that impressed him.
About a minute passed and Matero had not yet arrived, murmuring rose from the edges of the arena, according to duel regulations, not showing up after five minutes would lead to disqualification. Four minutes had passed and the regulating Elder was already about to leave the arena, some disciples were slowly leaving the arena, everyone had disappointed looks.
"Looks like he is a no show."
"So much for the strongest core disciple."
So many disciples were already disappointed, especially Gao who had requested for the duel. He never thought Matero would not appear, not for once. He clenched his fist and stomped the ground, right before him, the hour glass was just about to run it's last grains.
"Paaaaahhh" The sound of lightning rocked the arena and a figure covered in smoke was on stage. The smoke cleared off and underneath was Matero, he folded his arms and stared at Gao expressionlessly.
"Such speed, this has passed the boundaries of humanity."
"When did he get such mastery over lightning."
Some of the elderly around exchanged puzzled looks, the Elder in charge quickly mounted the stage and seeing that the matchup would hold, Gao smiled.
As soon as the signal to begin was given, Gao fully released his aura. He was at the first step of the second realm and he remembered that Matero was still at the third step of the first realm. He directed his entire aura to crash down upon Matero, to restrain Matero's movements as well as reflexes.
Matero smiled and released his own aura and every one was startled, Matero was now at the fourth step of the first realm and his aura was superior to that of other disciples in the same step. The pressure exuding from Matero's body was not any weaker than Gao's own.
"This kid is a monster."
"Wasn't he at the third step weeks ago?"
"Such monstrous cultivation speed."
The cultivating spectators knew what such speed entailed, only sons of heaven who were born as gods could achieve such speed. This was way beyond incredible talent, it was legendary. More disciples trooped in into the arena, Matero's entrance had already surpassed all imaginations and no one wanted to miss seeing him move.
"Aargh" with a yell, chakra engulfed Gao and he dashed towards Matero. It could be seen he moved with all the speed he could muster and it was near inhuman too. He slashed Matero at his head and Matero turned to an after image. Matero had evaded just before the hit landed, in a flash he pulled his own sword and lightning accompanied the tip of his blade.
"Clang, clang, clang." The two disciples collided and entwined in mid air, the sound of their swords colliding was all some disciples heard, they couldn't see the two move. Each time the blades struck each other, sparkles would flash from the clash, the energy from some of the collisions sent a couple disciples flying.
"Pffft." Gao hissed, each time their swords collided, the lightning coating Matero's blade would rush into Gao's body, he was already performing an incredible feat by not dropping his sword from the shock he recieved each time.
"Ripping fingers." Gao yelled in anger and struck out, chakra condensed from the s***h and sent out various purple finger like masses towards Matero. They pierced the air and bore a great feeling of extreme danger.
"Hmmmm, that is his trump card."
"No disciple has successful countered that move unharmed."
"What will Matero do." Everyone had separate analysis.
Matero evaded the projectiles but they turned and still came for him, Gao also released more and they were like a swarm of flies.
"That is why my attack is so troublesome." Gao licked his lips and smiled. "They have to be dealt with at some point."
"No out running this then." Matero stopped evading and a new aura burst out of his body, it was fiercer than the first one and it came with a deep mythical feeling. Gao felt like he was in the presence of an ancient master, that feeling of helplessness that engulfed him each time he saw Matero move was overwhelming.
"What is going on." Gao was confused.
"Is Matero still stronger?"
"How come he has such perfect techniques."
"As expected of the student of the Grand master." Various people were startled at Matero's actions.
Matero slashed towards the incoming projectiles, lightning extended out of thin air from where he slashed, it extended like branches and birthed more crackles, it was so bright all together that the other sources of light lost their radiance. They collided with the incoming barrage of projectiles from Gao's attack and dispersed them into nothing, that wasn't all, it doubled in speed and travelled towards Gao. It covered a huge area and each thread of lighting was huge, birthing several others every second, they locked in on Gao and struck him.
"Such monstrous technique."
"Such mastery, no part of the hit is heading outside the stage." The Elder in charged was moved by Matero's control.
"First stage, thunder blossom." Matero finally said calmly and with a loud bang, the hit struck Gao.
Gao felt immense pain, the shock was not just why, he felt an eroding force hit his consciousness. Like the attack carried an effect that transcended the physical. The burning sensation was both on his body and inside his mind.
With a trail of smoke, Gao was blasted off the stage, he had already fainted and even his blade was charred. The shocking thing was that there was not a single burn or cut on Gao's body, his robe was only even ruffled and not burnt nor torn. It was like nothing touched him.
"Mon-monster."
"Is this still the ability of a samurai at the human realm?"
"What just happened."
Everyone drew cold breaths, they became even more weary of Matero. Nobody made a sound, some disciples even trembled. The aura surrounding Matero instantly died off, his presence disappeared just like Kerepa and finally he smiled, then he slowly descended from the stage and leave the arena.
The lightning prowess he displayed and his incredible level of strength was all due to his previous discovery. Four days ago when the fight was fixed, Matero discovered a secret that would change his life. A technique he calls "Soul retrieve."
- Writer
