AGAINST THE EIGHT 2
1218 Words
In an arena filled to the brim with cultivators of various ranks, eight figures could be spotted on an elevated stage. One stood apart from the other seven, they all had their swords drawn. Nobody made a sound for a while, everyone just stared at the stage shocked.
A figure was just thrown off the stage, the clash was just too shocking, no one had recovered yet.
"Who is next?" The figure standing apart spoke and the entire arena jolted awake, cheers could be heard from almost every corner. They all cheered out loud, the seven on stage looked like they were gripped by fear.
Two of the seven charged towards Matero simultaneously, their paths intwined as they ran, they crossed but never collided.
"The Fara twins."
"Can Matero handle this?"
"Pfft, this will finish the brat." Seeing the next assault, a lot of the spectating disciples and even some Elders began to discuss their doubts. Only the elderly present maintained a solemn look, Koi kept on yawning.
The Faro twins were very identical, no difference in any aspect especially during movement. They both approached Matero with an incredible speed.
"Twin death illusion." The siblings recited in unison, with their aura fully released they struck at Matero.
"Twin death illusion? A technique of such calibre?"
"Even Danny can barely stop the move unharmed."
"Eh eh, Matero is finished now." The observers still paid rapt attention, even as they discussed.
At first the two incoming swords looked plain and simple, so Matero was about to strike out to block the attack and neglect an evasion route. As he drew into the center of the attack, the pattern switched. Matero felt a pulse in his head, no pain but now the Faro twins were like a dozen. Of the twelve figures, he knew ten were illusions, two were not. Still he wasn't certain if the illusions couldn't inflict real physical damage.
Matero took a deep breath, one mistake could mean paralysis or even death. If he also failed to react in time, the attacks would still reach him and then he would die, painfully.
"Lightning ring, ultimate bang." Matero slashed towards the incoming figures, and immediately, a ring of lightning appeared around him and extended in all directions. A couple masters quickly raised a barrier that covered the stage and isolated it from the rest of the arena. The fact was that the lightning roared with suchda ferocity, it was certain it would kill low ranking disciples if not contained.
From a distance it seemed like it creeped, but it reached the twins before they could react, the threads from the main ring had already extended and dissolved the illusions the brothers created. The ring itself then collided with the twins. One second, two, three...
"Baaaaaaaam!!!" With a bang louder than the previous one, the two twins were blasted off the stage, they had little scorch marks on their bodies and a faint trail of smoke rose from their bodies. The ring went on towards the remaining five at the edge of the stage, using various means, they evaded the attack and the attack dissolved as soon as it collided with the barrier set up by the masters.
"Disappointing. Next person please." Matero spoke lazily, standing at his own edge of the stage. "Please start with your very best move."
"Damn you brat." The higher disciple ranked third dashed foward in fury. He was about thirty and was very huge. He ran towards Matero with his sword drawn.
"Ah, now Haku is infuriated."
"The higher disciple ranked third."
"Haku of the defense path. Hehehe." As Baku dashed towards Matero, the spectators discussed.
"Grand master, what do you think?" Koi was now standing directly behind the grand master, a couple Elders turned in the direction.
"I'm really concerned, although the strength of his attacks reflect his level, he shouldn't be able to use such attacks in the first place." Kerepa solemnly replied.
"True, he should reach at least the second step of the second realm before he can partly execute such attacks but, even now they are fully formed." The Elder seated beside Kerepa added.
"He is not a normal kid, I believe he knows too." Koi smiled at this, if he had the gifts this boy possessed, he would have left this continent for greater ones.
Back on stage, Haku was now fast approaching Matero, he had dropped his sword and folded his hands into a fist.
"Mountain body, appear!" Instantly, Haku's entire skin transformed. The colour turned stone brown and Haku was like a figure of stone. The spectators cheered at the sight.
"The greatest defense among the higher disciples."
"Even Danny can only manoeuvre round the defense."
"With this new depths of power, Haku will claim second place soon." Various discussions continued among the spectators.
"If I attempt to over power his defence, I might end up killing him." Matero quickly analysed the situation and decided not to use his lightning attacks. Some masters noted his change in stance and nodded in praise.
A terrifying aura leaked from Matero's body and struck Haku, only Haku felt it on stage. Haku's body trembled slighty, he felt like a sharp object pierced his chest. The grand master noticed something and he revealed a puzzled expression. Matero quickly concealed the aura, his eyes turned white slightly, he was like a ghost. Only Haku could notice all the quick changes and he panicked.
"Soul gaze, freeze." Matero gently whispered and immediately, Haku felt a breeze hit him and his consciousness began to freeze. His reaction slowed drastically and soon he stopped moving. No matter how hard he tried, his body failed to respond.
"What is wrong?"
"Haku looks like he is frozen, but no ice of any sort."
"This Matero is just too terrifying, doing all this by just staring."
"Is Haku acting?" Everyone was puzzled, most of the disciples had not seen an attack of such level.
"Grand master, these effects are akin to your secret soul technique." An elder said to Kerepa using his spiritual sense. He wouldn't speak but whoever he wanted to reach would hear his voice in their minds.
"It is master Kichi. It is one of the things I thought him." Kerepa replied with his spiritual sense.
Before the remaining four could draw near Haku, Matero already appeared before him and with a kick, sent Haku flying off the stage. As soon as Haku crashed to the ground, his movements resumed, but they were sluggish and slow. He would be that way for a while.
The disciples below cheered, just like that, Matero had sent out four of the challengers. He had also done so in just three moves.
"The rest of you will only stand a chance if you charge at once." Matero withdrew to his own edge of the stage and smiled. "And Please, use your best attacks."
- Writer
