The Summoner's Mark (First Draft) (Book One)

Thinning the Herd

With Sin's win, he had been sent to stand with the others that have won their own bouts and though it was currently only Castien, Lucius and himself that stood within this line; others eventually began to stand beside them. As time continued to pass, they eventually came to a point where one of them would have to fight twice considering that they had an uneven number to their class.

Considering that Sten's entire existence was designed to make his life as unbearable as it could be Sin assumed that he would be the one to do this though he was thankful that he at least has had some rest this time around. Preparing himself to step from the line the moment that Sten had called for him, Sin found himself quite surprised by the words that the older man used instead.

"Normally, I would have one of you fight again though this won't have to be the case today considering that Balor is still prohibited from joining in combat-oriented activities until she learns to keep her emotions in check..." Sten explained which prompted Sin to search the area for the being that had gifted him with the scars that adorned his back; this search revealed that Balor was currently the only first-year that wasn't present within the arena. Even though many thoughts about this ran through his mind, Sin didn't have time to think on it considering Sten's voice soon filled the area around them. "...for the first match of the second elimination round; I will be having the mutt face off against Harlon Carlyle."

Even though Sin was trying to keep himself from being harmed by the derogatory word, he still felt himself bristle slightly upon hearing it though instead of allowing himself to focus on the hatred that seeped from the older Mage; Sin instead forced his mind to still as he made his way from the line. From the noise that Sin could hear coming from the line beside him; he knew that his opponent was doing the same.

*

Blow after blow echoed throughout the arena as the two combatants took every opportunity to strike at their opponent. Feeling himself growing weary from the non-stop attacks that the two of them keep throwing at one another, Sin flung himself away.

As Sin landed upon the ground once more, he sent sand soaring around them and though Harlon looked as if he were going to charge at him once more; this wasn't what ended up happening which made Sin think that his opponent must be getting winded as well.

Taking this time as an opportunity to examine his opponent more closely, Sin noticed that Harlon seemed to be favoring his right leg. Unsure of the reason for this, Sin felt that this was the best chance that he had to get under Harlon's defense and as such, he charged at the other male. With each step that Sin took, he could still see that Harlon was playing on the injury that he had taken to his left leg though this quickly changed when he got close enough to the other male that it would make it difficult for him to escape.

Without hesitation, Harlon sprang upon him and as the other male tangled his body up in Sin's; both fist and sword was used to batter against Sin's flesh. To his mind, the brutal and efficient attacked seemed to last forever though thankfully; Sin was able to disengage from his opponent which revealed that he had become a mess of crimson from the wounds that were inflicted upon him.

Swiping his hand across his face to clear the blood that was trying to invade his eyesight; Sin could see that a sneer that perfectly matched the one that so often graced Sten's face when he looked upon him was plastered across his opponent's lips.

While Sin was trying to formulate a plan to counteract the movements of his enemy and allow him to gain his vengeance upon the other male, Harlon's voice fluttered towards him. "You have grown soft from your time away from the arena...its evident with every step that you take!" Harlon barked as his hands tightened on the blade that he held before him. These words were almost all the incentive that Sin needed to charge forward though he was able to manage his emotions as Harlon started to speak once more. "I have been training nonstop with the hope that I would be able to face you eventually and while I was doing this, you were crying like a calf awaiting slaughter! Do you really think that no one from our class would hear your pitiful scream when you were struck with that bolt last night?"