Tales Of Elementia The Astral Return

Chapter 3: The Awakening of Power

It had been about a week after the shrine incident. Keado told everyone they must not go near it, for reason that he did not say. He seemed like there was some... reason. Blaze didn't really care. Neither did most anyone. He only cared about the dream he had. Was it real? If it was, how does he use this power? Blaze was sitting, pondering what it was when the sounds of cheers came from outside. Blaze remembered it was the first day of summer, and today was the gauntlet celebration. The first day of the summer season was a day people celebrated with a tournament with only fists and little gadgets. Whoever could beat five people in matches, wins. The winners were always the same people. Damian, Slash, Roren, or Keado. Blaze never really participated because he knew he couldn't beat any of them. The last time he did, he made it to the quarter finals and lost against Slash. Blaze slowly stood and walked out into the crowd, carefully looking at the roster.

Adieu vs Titus
Aqua vs Damian
Nyli vs Mark
Marie vs Hammel
_____ vs Trey
Nia vs Hunter
Roren vs Ken
Pheramone vs Bose
Mazzy vs Tiger Lily
Keado vs Sieg
Roushe vs Kaydel

Blaze looked at the battle arena. So far, it was Adieu vs Titus. Adieu, a proud gray wolf with red tuff's of fur was locked arms with Titus, a grey cat with blue splotches. They were equal strength with each other. Titus broke free as swung at Adieu. Quickly, Adieu ducked and uppercutted Titus. Titus stumbled back a bit before falling over. The crowd cheered as Adieu raised his arm in victory. Blaze rolled his eyes. Adieu was always cocky. He was constantly boasting about how strong he was, when really he has never won the gauntlet. Titus on the other hand was kinder, and funny. Always humble, he was a great person. "Blaze!" Blaze turned to the voice that called him. Aqua tan up to him. "You gotta participate!" Blaze looked at Aqua. "Aqua, I'll get my ass beat by these guys!" Aqua rolled her eyes. "Well, too bad. I signed you up just now."
"What!!!"
Aqua nodded. "Can't back out now. Your up." Blaze just glared at her. "I hate you."
"Up next we have the returning contender, Blaze!"
Blaze sighed and slowly walked into the ring. Almost no one cheered, except Nyli, Roushe, Roren, and Aqua.
"And facing him is last years semifinalist, Trey!!!"
Blaze looked ahead of him to see Trey. A cheetah who was decked out in camouflaged armor. The crowd cheered loudly for him. Trey looked at Blaze. "May the best man win!" Blaze smiled and nodded before getting into fighting stance.
"BATTLE BEGIN!!!!"
As the announcer called out, Trey charged at Blaze. Blaze quickly reacted by jumping out of the way. Trey turned and swung at Blaze with his claws. Yet, something seemed off. Trey seemed to move in slow motion. Blaze moved out of the way and struck Trey in the stomach. Trey gasped for breath and stumbled back. Blaze then round house kicked him in the side. Trey slammed into the ground and gasped. The crowd was a mix of cheers for both sides. Blaze raised his fists and closed his eyes.
"That's it! Your using the Astrals speed in your strikes. Focus on it."
Blaze opened his eyes after Kovu's words. This is how he was gonna get stronger. Trey once again charged at Blaze, but was struck in the neck by Blaze's kick. Trey gasped for breath, and Blaze took the chance to axe kick Trey in the face. Trey slammed into the ground, motionless. He was out cold. The crowd remained silent. Blaze looked around, Aqua's and Nyli's mouths were dropped open. Suddenly, everyone erupted in cheers. Blaze felt warm inside. "And Trey has been knocked out!!! Blaze is the winner!!!" Blaze looked back at Trey, still out. He walked over and picked him up. He carried Trey over to a bench and lay him there. There was a tap on his shoulder, and Blaze turned. A gray wolf with blonde and green tips was behind him. Blaze recognized her as Mazukura, or Mazzy for short. She was one of the popular warriors out of them all, skillful with her spear-bow. Her armor seemed to be more... revealing them the others. She war a crop top with shoulder pads, booty shorts, and combat boots, unlike others like Nyli, who wore a full sleeveless chest plate, leggings, and boots, or Aqua, who had a metal top of a chest plate and pads on her shoulders, knees, and elbows. Mazzy swished her tail and smiled. "Hey Blaze, that was some nice fighting." She smirked and grabbed his bicep. Blaze immediately felt butterflies enter his stomach. "Uhm. Thanks-!" Blaze kinda moved his arm away. "You're Mazzy, right?" Mazzy chuckled. "Guilty as charged, handsome." Blaze felt his face warm. This was the first time someone had actually flirted with him. But was this a trick? Or maybe just a hook up or something. Blaze gave a little smile. "Well, thanks, and I hope you win your match." Mazzy smiled back when suddenly, Adieu came behind her, carefully pushing her out of the way. "Yooo Blazeee. That was some pretty nice fighting. Hope we get to face each other, even though I'd win." Blaze's expression went from happy to a glare. "Alright Adieu, just get ready because your facing my sister or Damian next." Adieu's eyes suddenly widened in some fear. "Oh- right...! uh... shit." Mazzy giggled and Adieu glared at her. "Hey! You have to fight Keado or Sieg!" Mazzy rolled her eyes. "I know, but I'm most likely forfeiting." Blaze started to walking away as they continued to talk. "BLAZE!!!!" Aqua slammed into Blaze, giving him a bear hug. "YOU NEVER TOLD ME YOU COULD MOVE THAT QUICK!!!"
"Quick? What do you mean?"
Nyli walked up to him. "You were moving really fast... faster than I've seen from you. What was that?" Blaze thought of what to say. "Uh. Well... Training... Heh."

The sun was now slowly starting to set. The gauntlet was nearing the finals. Blaze had one every other fight he was in. He beat Hunter in a matter of minutes, where he knocked her out with a spinning moon kick. He struggled with Roren for a bit, but won with a strong punch to the head. Blaze was now in the semi-finals. He looked at the matchups.

Blaze vs Damian
Keado (free time)

Blaze felt his heart drop. Damian was one of the strongest warriors here. There was no way he was gonna beat him. Blaze turned when Roushe approached him. "You got this, just be strong and fast." He signed. Blaze smiled. "Thanks Roushe."
"Alright ladies and gentlemen! We have some news, Keado has had an injury and cannot compete for the finals. As of this, we are having the Finals now! So everyone, let me introduce our champions!!! Up first, we have our returning champion, the undefeated warrior in these games, the one, the only, THE FEIRCE, DAMIAAAAANNNNN!!!" Damian slowly walked out onto the battle field, his eyes fixated on Blaze. His indigo and white fur and indigo hair blew in the wind. The crowd erupted in cheers. Blaze felt as if Damian's eyes were piercing him through his chest. "And facing him, the secret weapon of this group, throwing punches and kicks faster than we can process, THE UNSTOPPABLE, BLAAAAAAZEEE!!!" More of the crowd cheered. Blaze stepped onto the field. "Best of luck to you." Blaze spoke. Damian gave a slow nod before raising his hands. Blaze raised his. "Fight!" Damian charged immediately. Blaze quickly tried to dodge but was struck down. Damian started to scratch at Blaze. Blaze gritted his teeth in pain. Quickly, he kicked at Damian's stomach. Damian flipped backwards and landed on his feet. Blaze stood, looking at his arms. Blood from scratches slowly dripped down his arms. Blaze rubbed the blood off onto his hand. He felt as if his body was on fire, but not in pain... he felt as if his instincts had doubled, and his palms of his hands felt warm. "My turn." Blaze quickly charged at Damian. Damian readied his stance, fists up and legs back. Blaze quickly slid on the ground as Damian tried to kick at him. Blaze took the chance to strike him in the side. Damian quickly turned but Blaze threw a punch at his face. A sudden flash of orange appeared with the strike. Damian launched backwards, landing on his butt. Blaze quickly ran at Damian and drew his claws. He slashed at Damian, cutting his shoulder. Damian yelled and clutched it. He quickly stood. "What the hell was that. That flash? It burned like hell!" He spoke, his is deep voice being assertive. Blaze looked at his hands for a second before clenching them. Damian stood and quickly struck. Blaze felt Damian's fist hit his face. Blaze quickly reacted by turning with the punch, striking him again with his first, which emitted an orange glow. Blaze continued to swing. Shoulder! Stomach! Face! Leg! Each one produced a flash. Damian yelled and quickly tried swing a kick at Blaze. Blaze quickly ducked, stood, and punched. His fist struck Damian in the throat, who was left gasping for air. Blaze quickly jumped, flipping over him. He then grabbed Damian's shoulders and flipped him over Blaze's back. Damian slammed into the ground. Damian slowly stumbled to his feet. Blaze raised his fists again, ready to continue. Damian gave a smile on his white muzzle. "I think that determines it. I forfeit..." Multiple people gasped, including Blaze. "What!?!" But I thought you wanted to-"
"I'm already one hit from knocked out, and you proved you are a formidable foe." Damian held his hand out to shake. Blaze walked over to him, giving a smile. He reached his hand out and shook it. "UNBELIEVABLE!!! Well folks!!! We have our winner!! The Unstoppable, Blaze, Okami, Ashfall!!!!" Everyone erupted in cheers. Aqua and Roushe rushed out and hugged him. "YOU DID IT BLAZE!!! I KNEW I WAS RIGHT TO SIGN YOU UP!!!" Blaze chuckled at Aqua's response. "Maybe next time, just ask me first." Aqua and Roushe stopped hugging him. Blaze then felt someone hug him from behind. He turned to see Nyli. "You did amazing Blaze!" Blaze smiled softly, feeling his face warm a little. "Thanks Nyli."

Blaze looked at the medal. It was a gold symbol of a fire, fitting for his name. He placed it around his neck and continued to walk to his tent. "We need to find who did it." Blaze froze as he heard Keado from behind a couple trees. He cautiously listened in.
"Yea. We need to protect this group." Spoke Slash.
"No! Whoever this is, is after me. I don't know who, but no one tries to kill me and get away with it!"
Blaze froze. Someone tried to kill Keado? That must have been why he wasn't able to compete.
"I have a few suspicions. Especially the Ashfall boy. He has been already acting strange recently..." Blaze froze as Keado mentioned him.
"We shouldn't point it to anyone, because it literally could be anyone." Blaze quickly rushed to his tent. Who the hell tried to kill Keado, and why does he think it was him? Blaze couldn't wrap his mind around this. "Psst." Blaze looked outside, spotting a pair of eyes in the bushes. "Blaze, come on. We need to talk." Blaze nodded and quickly followed the eyes into the woods.