A Tale of the World **HIATUS**

Chapter 10: Queen of Bullets and Swords

Lizzy eyed Nina. She is so small. Easy prey. Why would she wear a mask?
"Go Alicia! Show them your power'" Lizzy commanded. A light formed at Alicia's right hand; the light crawled up forming a silver sword in her hand. With one step, she blasted herself in front of Jack. Jack taken by surprised, still managed to dodge the sword she swung. Although it was direct impact, the wave of the attack flew past Nina to the wall, embedding a long streak inside the wall.
Jack pulled out his boomerang and tossed it. He tossed with with enough force to have it bounce off the barrier and scrape the side of Alicia's silver helmet. He analyzed perfectly where to throw his weapon allowing it to curve a different path at a specific angle that's different from its original path. Clever, Alicia observed.
She gripped her sword, "Do you think I cannot cut through this piece of wood?!" She yelled. The boomerang came from behind; she quickly turned and slashed her sword in a upward position. But it didn't cut in half, The weight of the boomerang changed?! Instead, the boomerang had Alicia pinned pushing her backwards. What kind of wood is this? It's not cutting and it's pushing me back! Then she saw it. The coating was peeling off. This boomerang-! She forced it back. Jack caught the boomerang.
He pulled out another boomerang, completely identical. That was the first one he threw. Don't tell me, he switched them within not even a second, Alicia came to understand calmly.
"You must've grasped what had happened right?" Jack responded to her reaction.
Alicia gritted her teeth. Alicia lunged at him, so did Jack. Both Nina and Lizzy stood at the opposite ends of the arena as their spirits fought in the open between them.
When Alicia thought she had the chance to slice the wooden boomerang, Jack would switch it with the iron one. "This boomerang isn't made of just ordinary iron, but the strongest out there, Aries!". The fight between the two celestial spirits continued.

............

In the audience were some well entertained spectators, especially those who accompanied the king. They were at the side view of the arena; saw both opponents.
"Hm, not bad, for a little kid," Man#1 said.
"Which one?" Man#2 asked.
"The one with the mask obviously. Her opponent on the other hand, is a full grown woman," man #1 said. "And besides, No. 13's celestial spirit seem stronger, don't you agree, Steele?" Man#1 said turning his head to the side talking to the person in the back, although it wasn't a person. It was a celestial spirit. The same species as Jack, Rabians. (Rabians are a specific species that look like rabbits, but not exactly. Their face is a little bit longer like a wolf. They have longer limbs but similar body structure as rabbits. They can talk and walk like humans and have special abilities. They are apart of their own kingdom in the celestial world, Rabia Kingdom, but still under the power of the Celestial King. Rabians are all the the same height around 5 ft. tall; however only the Rabian king stands to be 8 ft. tall.)
Steele had grey platinum fur and striking black eyes. He was different from Jack. He was a royal guard. He had gotten stronger, but, not strong enough, Steele examined. It's been awhile since I last saw him.
"So who do you think is going to win?" Man #2 asked excitedly.
"Without a doubt, No. 13 will," Man#1 said confidently.
I hate to admit it, but you will lose, Jack, Steele said to himself.
"Shut your mouths, everyone is trying to watch," King Damon said gracefully, and the two men swallowed their words.
It's the first time I've seen someone wear a mask into the arena. Usually they would want their face to be known, King Damon thought to himself. Well, it shouldn't mean anything.

............

Jack was getting exhausted, Damn it! She must have been aiming for this! Jack grunted. Alicia continued pressing forward swinging her sword down pushing him back. Jack continued to struggle. Alicia smiled, Jack furrowed his eyes at the sight of her devilish smile. Her lips moved but nothing came out, but Jack understood completely what she said: [Apparently you forgotten that I have another power].
Suddenly, a portal opened behind Alicia and guns appeared and began shooting at Jack. Jack pushed back doing back flips. Bullets continued flying towards Jack. He used his Aries boomerang and deflected all the bullets, but some slipped through. The bullets flew past him hitting the ground near Nina. He gasped and panicked.
"Keep focus on your opponent! Don't mind me. When your opponent is before you, do whatever it takes to make sure you leave the arena without regret," Nina calmly said to Jack. Jack nodded his head. She's right. I have to stay focus.
Alicia was now fighting Jack with bullets and swords. With her new weapons in action, she did not leave anymore openings. Jack was tiring out, exactly what Alicia had in mind.

He's exhausted, Steele observed. If this continues, he'll lose. Does his Summoner not care?
Jack continued blocking Alicia's attacks. She managed to push him back. Jack stumbled. Got him! Alicia thought to herself excited. She drew her sword in a upward motion. The sword slashed Jack from his right hip to his left shoulder; a deep cut, his stashes fell to the ground.
Jack stumbled back putting his paw up to his open wound. Rolan and Gin focused their attention on Jack.
What will you do now, Nina? Have Jack continue training or abandon the battle? Gin wondered. He shifted his gaze over to Nina and let out a soft chuckle. Well, I should know you better than anyone else.
Nina observed Jack's movements from behind her mask, He runs out of stamina too quickly. She watched as Jack tried to get close to Alicia in order to throw punches at her, but she moved quickly dodging his punches. Seventy percent. Jack stopped himself and twisted around ball up his paws into a fist leaping towards Alicia. Sixty-six percent. Jack threw another punched, but Alicia easily danced around his fists. She didn't even have to use her swords or bullets. Fifty-three percent. His power in both speed and strength are decreasing, Nina kept track observing his every move.

............

"Aw, that Rabian has no chance left to win," Man#1 said with pity.
"That's true. That attack he took earlier had a strong impact on his body. If he doesn't get it treated, he will die," Man #2 added.
"Let's make a bet. I bet No. 13 will win," Man #1 said.
"Obviously you would choose the winning candidate, fine. I'll go with No. 104," man #2 replied disappointed.
"Ten gold pieces?"
"Sure."
Steele and King Damon didn't say anything. Steele was fixed on Jack. Focusing on Jack, Steele thought back 6 years ago before their separation...

"I heard you are gonna be a royal guard for a King," Jack smiled.
"Yeah. What about you? What are you going to do?" Steele questioned.
"Hm, I've decided that I'm going to leave Rabia Kingdom and travel the celestial world until I have my own summoner who I can call Master, summoning me to the human world. That's what I've decided," Jack said excitedly.
Steel smiled back, "That's pretty big."
"What?"
"What you plan to do. That's a lot compared to mine," Steele chuckled.
"Quit lying. Being a royal guard, someone strong must've acknowledged your skills. I envy you Steele," Jack said with admiration. "Well, I'm gonna head out. Hopefully we meet each other again in the future."
"Yeah. You bet," Steele smiled.
And that was the last time they saw each other.

Steele stared intensity at him, Jack...

What am I suppose to do? Jack's thoughts scrambled. He looked to Nina for clues, but no clues, no hints.

Nina looked over to Lizzy who was relaxed. Lizzy had one hand on her hip and she flipped her hair.
"Alicia, that's enough playing. Finish him," Lizzy waved. Alicia smiled devilishly.
Alicia extended her arms to her side and called out, "Portal open!"
Behind Alicia an even larger portal opened glowing brightly. One filled with guns and sword. With one signal, all the swords and guns were pointed to Jack. He panicked. Alicia smiled, "Release."
Everything from the portal was released. Smoke from gunpowder spread. The swords that stabbed into the dirt made dust scatter. Jack tried his best to dodge, but it was impossible; he got hit. He crashed into the floor, vision blurred. I can't do this anymore, and it's just as I thought, I'm not worthy of a spirit for Nina. Suddenly, chains appeared around Jack's wrists.

"He's down!" Rolan shouted.
Gin furrowed his brows together as did King Damon. Steele watched. Man #2 handed a bag of 10 gold pieces to Man #1.
Nina ran over to Jack who laid wounded, but she was not in any panic. She kneeled in front of him calling his name. Jack heard his name being called muffled. He saw Nina but blurred. Jack closed his eyes.