The World of Emns 2: Arena

Chapter 3: Onto the islands

"Hit me again," Steven said, wiping the sweat off his forehead.

Olivia stomped her foot down, sending a growing wall of ice spikes his way. Steven covered his body in his lighting magic and rushed forward. He was fast. Way faster than a regular human. It must be the body augmentation Steven has spoken about many times.

Steven slid across the floor, barely dodged under another spike Olivia shot out separately, and tapped Olivia on her shoulder while dissipating the magic he wrapped around his body. He slid about an inch forward over the grass, still, though, making clear marks in the dirt.

Steven panted as Olivia could feel him use her shoulder as support. His breath was visible in the air. Even to her as she wasn't facing him.

"Let's take a break," Olivia suggested as she looked upon Steven's exhausted face.

Steven side-eyes her as if we were about to argue against her, before giving her a soft nod, and straightening out. Together they walked into the house, through the front door, and into Adria and Michael who were planning their trip at the dinner table.

"Finished training," Mrs. Denter asked as she peered over the glasses that sat upon her nose.

"Taking a break," Steven gasped as he plopped down on the couch. "We're setting out tomorrow. Need to get as much training as possible."

"For all I care you're way stronger than you were a month ago," Olivia spurred. "But you still keep pushing yourself to your absolute limit."

"It might be easier on you if you didn't carry that sword everywhere on your back," Michael added.

"I want to get used to having it with me," Steven retorted as he removed the scabbard from his back. He slightly pulled the sword out, staring at the black metal blade. The dragon slayer sword he was given by Siedrain mere hours before his death. Steven tried to return it to Sophia, Siedrain's daughter, many times, but every single time, she refused. He even tried to give it to the elven chief Estel, but she also condemned him for attempting to part with the blade.

"It's said to be a blade that never loses its edge," Steven said calmly as he palmed the sword's handle. "An unbreakable blade. One made for true warriors. To defend the elven forefathers from the dragons..."

Steven pushed the sword back into its covers and sighed. "It shouldn't be with me. I am no warrior."

"You're a fighter, aren't you," Michael asked with a confused smirk on his face. "I heard you rushed in to destroy a life draining crystal at the risk of your own health a few months back."

"Thanks, but I feel like stupidity isn't the same as being a fighter."

A slight blush formed on Steven's cheeks.

"What's wrong Sparky," Olivia grinned.

"It's so embarrassing to think back to," Steven uttered while trying to hide his face. "Just some teenager risking it all for some weird hunch."

"To be fair, Siedrain encouraged you."

"Yeah, until he told me to come back and I risked my life to go the extra mile."

"As a brave warrior would."

"I'm no..." Steven grumbled in disagreement as he laid the sword on the table in front of him.

"Tell you what," Michael spoke up again. "Let's make a deal."

"What kind of deal," Steven asked sceptically.

"You're going to participate in the tournament. Prove that you're stronger than the others and you get to keep the sword. Else you have to give it to me. And I'd love to have a sword like that."