Sacred Arts

13. Fierce Competition

The first match ended, and the second match out of twenty-five had started. Both warriors walked on the stage, and they were among the top twenty-five warriors from the previous year's tournament. Cameron Holden, who held the twenty-fourth rank last year, was now facing off against Carter Fred, who ranked sixteenth in the previous tournament. Cameron Holden was a young man with brown hair and dark black eyes. His hair was neatly combed, falling just above his eyebrows.

Cameron was tall and very fit for his age. Carter Fred was also tall, but he was a bit skinnier than Cameron. Carter had long blonde hair that he kept in a ponytail, dark blue eyes, and pale skin. "I don't think Cameron has a chance against Carter," someone in the crowd muttered. It was widely acknowledged that the top fifteen warriors were in a league of their own, and Carter was the only warrior outside the top fifteen that could at least fight on par with the warrior who was ranked fifteenth.

Cameron walked directly towards Carter until they stood face to face. "Just because you're a few spots higher than me in the rankings doesn't mean you're better than I am," Cameron said, scowling at Carter. "Today I will show you to never underestimate me again," Cameron yelled. "I don't care what you think or what you feel you need to prove," Carter replied nonchalantly. "These rankings mean nothing to me, I just know a weakling when I see one," Carter continued with a grin on his face.

"I'll show you weak," Cameron muttered, clenching his fist. "The reality is you are weak and because of that weakness you won't progress any further in this tournament," Carter said, glaring sharply at Cameron. "I've heard enough," Cameron roared, as he charged at Carter. "You are a fool," Carter whispered softly, as he closed his eyes and shook his head in disapproval. Cameron aimed a punch at Carter's abdomen, but Carter effortlessly evaded it while keeping his eyes closed.

With one hand, Carter grabbed Cameron's arm and formed a ball of energy in the other hand, and pressed it against Cameron's stomach. After releasing the blast and letting go of Cameron's arm simultaneously, Carter's attack sent Cameron flying across the stage. "Carter's a monster," remarked a spectator in awe. "He's the only one who can match the top fifteen, and maybe even the top ten," another onlooker added. "The only reason he placed sixteenth last year is that he was unfortunate enough to be matched against the warrior ranked number one, Barry," the onlooker continued.

Cameron struggled to get back on his feet, still suffering from the damage inflicted by Carter's last attack. "That won't stop me!" Cameron shouted, determined. However, when Cameron blinked, Carter vanished from his sight. Suddenly, Carter reappeared in front of him, surprising Cameron. Before he could react, Carter unleashed a barrage of powerful punches that struck Cameron with tremendous force.

The assault continued as Carter followed up with a kick to Cameron's chest, hurtling him off the stage and landing hard on the ground below. Carter bowed and was declared the winner. "Tried to tell him," Carter whispered, sighing while he calmly walked off the stage. The crowd marveled at the ruthlessness displayed by Carter, compared to his typical gentle nature. In a fit of rage, Cameron cursed and insulted Carter, but Carter walked away unfazed by the words.

The following matches proceeded, with the top ten warriors pitted against those having much lower rankings. From the third match to the thirteenth, victory came easily as the opponents admitted defeat one after another. The fourteenth match was about to start, drawing particular interest from the spectators. It featured two warriors who ranked in the top fifteen of the previous year's tournament. Kenzie Royale had walked onto the stage elegantly.

She held the eleventh rank in the previous year's tournament. Kenzie was short and petite. She had long blonde hair and dark green eyes with pink rosy cheeks. Aaron Brenton, who held the thirteenth rank, walked onto the stage shortly after Kenzie did. He was tall and very muscular for his age.

Aaron had short black hair and brown eyes. He was a confident young man that walked with a sense of pride. "Clearly, Kenzie is going to win," someone in the audience declared confidently. "I'm not so sure about that, the top fifteen are all very powerful and closely matched in strength," another spectator said disagreeing. "Let's get this over with," Kenzie started with determination, emitting a dominant aura.

"Yea let's hurry up so you can be humbled," Aaron said, replying with a powerful aura of his own. The clash of their auras created a fierce confrontation in the middle of the stage the moment the two auras met. Kenzie opened her hand, and a bright light flashed, conjuring a slender sword in front of her. "How cute," Aaron mocked, smirking as his long sword materialized before him. In an instant, both warriors disappeared out of sight.

Only a few people were able to keep track of the two warriors' movements. Sparks flew, and the sound of clanging metal reverberated as they relentlessly exchanged blows. Kenzie utilized her sword skills, launching a series of energy slashes towards Aaron. He skillfully dodged some of the slashes and blocked others, showcasing his own mastery of the sword. Over time, both warriors proved to be evenly matched, panting and sweating, their focus solely on each other.

Aaron charged at Kenzie, swinging his sword down vertically as though aiming to cleave her in two. Kenzie swiftly evaded the attack by stepping to the side, but Aaron immediately followed up with an upward slice, leaving her no room to counter. Once again, Kenzie effortlessly dodged. Adjusting his grip on the sword, Aaron exerted all his energy into a downward stab, intending to pierce her body. For the third time, Kenzie effortlessly dodged, causing Aaron's sword to embed itself into the ground beside her.

Siezing the opportunity, Kenzie countered and struck him with her sword, cutting deep into his side. Luckily for Aaron, he was able to slightly alter the course of Kenzie's strike just in time. After managing to prevent Kenzie's sword from causing further damage by stopping it with his hand, blood gushed from both wounds, the one on his hand and one on his side. Despite the pain he was in, he refused to let it hinder his momentum. He grabbed Kenzie's sword with a firm grip, immobilizing her, and unleashed a powerful energy blast at point-blank range.

The blast struck Kenzie instantly, sending both warriors flying to opposite sides of the stage due to the recoil. Aaron found himself on all fours, panting heavily and bleeding profusely, while Kenzie leaned on her sword to remain upright, also bleeding and gasping for breath. Despite their injuries, they both mustered the strength to continue the fight. "I need to finish this," Aaron whispered, breathing heavily. Aaron rose to his feet and summoned his sword once again, pointing its tip at Kenzie as he raised his aura and power to their limits.

Kenzie also raised her sword, emitting a fierce aura, pushing her power to its limits. "They must be preparing for their final attacks," a spectator observed. "Why did Kenzie close her eyes," Amon thought curiously. Without hesitation, Aaron charged at Kenzie with full force, utilizing all his power. To everyone's surprise, Kenzie remained motionless.

Aaron believed her reaction had slowed down due to her injuries, so he figured he had the advantage. "This is the end," Aaron roared, declaring his victory, as he swung his sword in a horizontal arc towards Kenzie's body. At that moment, Kenzie's eyes flashed open, and she swiftly lunged forward, slashing diagonally with her sword, ending up behind Aaron. "Yes you are right, this was the end," Kenzie proclaimed, putting away her sword. "Your end," she continued, walking off the stage as Aaron's unconscious body fell to the floor.

The crowd erupted into wild cheers and screams, applauding Kenzie for the incredible performance she had displayed. Aaron was taken to the healing rooms, so the medics could tend to all his wounds and help him have a better recovery. "She closed her eyes so she could focus on heightening all her other senses, so that the moment Aaron came into her range of attack she would have a swift and decisive victory," Amon thought as he broke down her successive strategy. "That was probably the best form of offensive and defensive I've seen so far," Amon thought, amazed. Kenzie sat cross-legged to recover her energy and tend to her wounds as the next match was getting ready to begin.