Curse of the Crystals

Chapter 18: Start of the Tournament - part 2

Thanathos rushed at the Dwarves to go on a strong offensive, while Runar took a defensive stance. It resulted in the Dwarves getting to take them out one at a time. The shield-wielding Dwarf managed to block Thanatos' strike with the spear, although the sheer force from it made him stumble back a bit. A surprised gasp went through the audience. Pushing a well-trained Dwarf back with such a stab was quite a feat. Sadly enough for Thanathos, the other Dwarf jumped in and hacked at Thanatos' spear, before it could be drawn back. A normal person would be moronic to try breaking a spear with a wooden axe. The Dwarf wasn't, as the sole force of his swing made the spear snap in half. Thanatos was surprisingly quick to jump back and avoided the counter-attack from the shield-wielding Dwarf, but with his spear broken, he had no means to block the second swing form the axe-wielding one. Ambrose could almost feel pain in his own ribs from watching the axe collide with Thanatos' side, bending it in a rather unnatural way. The referee was quick to step in, as Thanatos fell to the ground while grasping for air. "He's out!"

"I surrender!" Runar yelled. Although the audience booed at him, Ambrose couldn't blame him. Thanatos was by no means an amateur, but these Dwarves weren't amateurs either, so the two on one advantage had given them a clear victory. The kid wasn't foolish enough to try to accomplish what the well-trained assassin had just failed to do.

One of the Dwarves, Torsten, who looked a lot younger than his companion due to having a lot less grey in his black beard and hair, called out. "Next time, give us a more worthy opponent!" He sounded annoyed and cocky in equal measure. The other one remind silent, as they left the arena to make place for the next combatants.

The announcer double-checked his list, and although Ambrose couldn't hear it, he was sure he saw him sigh. "The next battle will be between Itzal Fusun, an..." He seemed to be looking for the right word to use. "Informant from New Haven, who is currently employed by his highness prince Frode. He is working to investigate the various irregularities around the Kingdom. He's teamed up with someone that only told us to call him the Alchemist, and nothing else." He paused for a bit, clearly feeling frustrated. "They are up against Athanasius and Morana, who also gave us nothing more to talk about than these probably fake names."

Maiara spoke up. "If they are as well-trained as Thanatos, they might be a fair challenge. Especially now that Itzal and the Alchemist can't rely on their poisons and on their other tricks."

Ambrose shook his head. "Itzal's magic is too powerful."

Maiara was silent for a bit. "You're right. I first assumed he might decide not to use it during this tournament, but with how he's been acting lately, I think he will."

"Are you worried about him?" Ambrose asked.

Maiara shrugged. "I don't know. Are you?"

"Somewhat." Ambrose admitted. "Something is clearly bothering him, but despite all we've been through, I feel like we've somehow still not gotten close enough for me to figure it out. It also feels like we're still strangers at times, enough so for me to abstain from trying to actively help him with whatever is bothering him."

"I feel the same, but I'll admit that I never really cared much either. Even now, I somehow feel like it's best to let him sort himself out." She then showed a small, mischievous grin. "It'd be great if Earth's Grip defeated them though." Upon seeing a bit of confusion on Ambrose's face, she continued to explain. "While it might be better for the overall plan if our teams make it far into the tournament, an early defeat might help Itzal figure some things out."

"You think he's grown too much of an ego?" Ambrose was surprised.

Maiara shook her head. "No, not exactly. I just think that being on the losing end of a battle might give him the kind of perspective he needs the most right now."