Reverence (A gothic Romantasy)

Chapter twelve

The days leading up to the tournament were intense. Josie balanced her regular studies with the grueling training sessions with Creed and her magic training with Corbyn. Each day, she felt herself growing stronger and more confident, however she could not shake the relentless feeling to find the key.
Finally, the day of the tournament arrived and a palpable sense of excitement buzzed through the air. All the students gathered on the Kraven training grounds, a sprawling area meticulously prepared for the grand event. Colorful banners fluttered in the morning breeze, each emblazoned with the crest of the academy and symbols representing the different matches, magical and combat. The vibrant colors added a festive atmosphere to the otherwise utilitarian space. Large mats were laid out in neat rows, creating designated areas for the various competitions. The mats were thick and durable, designed to withstand the intensity of the bouts that would soon take place. Each mat was carefully marked with boundaries and starting points, ensuring that the rules of the tournament could be upheld with precision. The students milled about, some stretching and warming up, others chatting excitedly with their friends and teammates.

Stands had been set up around the perimeter of the training grounds, providing ample seating for both students and teachers. The teachers' section, elevated slightly above the rest, offered a commanding view of the entire field. The seats were filled with instructors and mentors, all eager to see how their students would perform. Their faces ranged from stern and analytical to proud and encouraging, each one invested in the success of their charges. The anticipation was almost tangible as the headmaster of Kraven academy stepped forward to address the assembled crowd. His voice boomed across the grounds, welcoming everyone to the tournament and reminding them of the values of sportsmanship, honor, and courage that the academy upheld. He emphasized the importance of the event as a culmination of their training and a test of their skills, setting the tone for the day's competitions. As the headmaster concluded his speech, a cheer rose from the students, echoing across the training grounds. The first matches were announced, and the competitors made their way to the designated mats. Josie and Creed exchanged a knowing glance, both feeling the weight of the moment. The tournament was not just a test of their abilities, but a stage upon which they could prove themselves and their dedication to their training. With the sun climbing higher in the sky, the tournament began in earnest, each match a display of strength, strategy, and determination.

The headmistress of Blackmore stood and called out, "Jane Valero versus Josephine Carmine." The announcement was met with an eruption of applause from the gathered students. Josie turned to look at Jane, a smile spreading across her face. Jane mirrored her expression, their mutual respect and camaraderie evident. Together, they made their way to the mat in the middle of the field, their footsteps steady and confident.
As they reached the mat, Jane extended her hand, and Josie took it, shaking firmly. "No holding back, first year," Jane said, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. Josie appreciated her friend's insistence on a fair fight, understanding that it was a mark of respect rather than condescension. She nodded in response, her determination solidifying.
The horn blew, signaling the start of the match. Josie immediately adopted the stance Creed had drilled into her during countless training sessions. Jane approached swiftly, her fists poised and ready. She launched a flurry of punches towards Josie, who deftly dodged each one. Taking advantage of her agility, Josie ducked low and swept Jane's leg out from under her, sending her tumbling to the ground. Jane was back on her feet in an instant, a smile tugging at her lips as she pulled a dagger from its sheath on her thigh. Josie relished the challenge and drew her own weapon. They began to circle each other, eyes locked, each waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Josie saw an opening and threw a punch aimed at Jane's face. Jane dodged and countered with a blow that connected squarely with Josie's right cheek.

The taste of copper filled Josie's mouth, and she spat blood onto the mat. Jane taunted her with a manic smile, "Come on, first year, show me what you've got." The words ignited a fire within Josie. She knew it was now or never. With a fierce lunge, she swung her dagger at Jane, slicing a shallow cut across her friend's face. Blood sprayed from the wound, and Jane's reaction was swift and brutal. She sent a flurry of punches towards Josie, one after another, but Josie managed to dodge and retaliate. She kicked Jane's knee, causing her leg to buckle, then followed up with a powerful kick to Jane's chest. The force sent Jane flying backwards, her dagger clattering out of her hand.
The horn blew again, signaling the end of the match. Josie walked over to Jane and extended her hand, pulling her friend to her feet. Jane spat blood onto the mat and looked at Josie with a mixture of surprise and admiration. "Well, I'll be," she said, tapping Josie on the shoulder. "You may survive us yet." Josie beamed at the praise. "Sorry that it had to be like that," she said, genuine concern in her voice. Jane's brows furrowed for a moment before she responded, "I would have hated you if it was any other way." The sincerity in her voice was clear. They shared a smile, the bond between them strengthened by their clash. Together, they walked off the mat, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, both as competitors and friends.

Josie could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins as she prepared for her last match, she was to face Celeste in the magical and combat matches. Odessa be with her.  The first few rounds went smoothly. Josie's hard work paid off as she successfully defended herself against her opponents. Her confidence grew with each victory, and she could see the pride in Jane's eyes. As the tournament progressed, Josie and Celeste walked onto the field the final round. The crowd hushed as the two girls squared off, their eyes locked in a fierce stare-down. Celeste smirked. "Ready to be humiliated?" Josie took a deep breath, centering herself. "We'll see about that."
The match began, and the two girls clashed with a ferocity that had the crowd on the edge of their seats. Josie used every skill she had learned, her movements fluid and precise. Celeste fought back with equal intensity, but Josie could sense her determination wavering. "You think you're some warrior?" Celeste panted. "You're nothing but a lying, weakling, first year. All that nonsense about being a light wielder." Celeste gave a small chuckle and summoned an orb of crimson magic that crackled in her hand, Josie steeled herself and prepared herself for the worst. Celeste threw the orb and it hurdled towards Josie, she ducked down and the orb passed over her head with unnerving momentum and crashed into a tree on the sidelines of the field, and the large tree burst into flames and Josie stood. Josie could feel her power ebbing, coming to the surface without being summoned, if she was to reveal her power, now was the time.

The energy within Josie surged, and she felt an unfamiliar but powerful force coursing through her veins. Her body began to glow with a radiant white light, and white flames burst from her palms, dancing with an intensity that mirrored the ire building in her blood. Her hair levitated, floating as if caught in an unseen breeze, adding to the aura of power that surrounded her. Taking three slow, deliberate steps forward, Josie saw Celeste's face pale and her eyes widen with fear. Celeste instinctively took three steps back, her confidence visibly shaken. The grounds had fallen into a stunned silence, and Josie could feel every single pair of eyes on her. She smirked, her voice ringing out clear and strong, "What's wrong, third year? Afraid of a little light wielder?"
The students gasped and murmured among themselves, the revelation of Josie's power spreading through the crowd like wildfire. A few teachers rose to their feet in shock, their faces reflecting a mixture of awe and concern. Josie could sense Creed's protective presence nearby, ready to intervene if necessary. But this was her moment, and she intended to see it through.
Before Celeste could respond, Josie summoned her power and sent shards of light hurtling towards her opponent. The shards cut into Celeste's legs, arms, and face with precision and relentless force. Josie's approach was unwavering; she stepped forward with purpose and kicked Celeste to the ground, her movements fueled by a raw and unyielding determination.

As Celeste lay on the ground, Josie's fists flew. She struck Celeste's face again and again, each blow fueled by the adrenaline and power surging through her. She could feel the blood coating her hands, but the sight and the sensation only spurred her on. The horn blew, signaling the end of the match, but Josie did not hear it—or perhaps she chose not to.
The next thing Josie knew, she felt strong hands grabbing her and pulling her off of Celeste. It was Creed, his grip firm and unyielding. "Enough, Josie, you won," he said, his voice a mix of authority and concern. The words penetrated the fog of her rage, and slowly, the white flames in her palms began to subside, the glow around her body dimming.
Josie blinked, her breathing heavy as she looked down at Celeste, who lay on the ground, bloodied and beaten. The full weight of what she had done began to settle in her mind. She stepped back, her hands trembling slightly, the adrenaline ebbing away to leave a hollow feeling in its wake.
Creed stood beside her, his presence steadying but also a reminder of the boundaries she had crossed. He didn't need to say anything more; the look in his eyes conveyed both his pride in her power and his concern for how she had wielded it. Josie's gaze turned to the crowd, seeing the mixture of awe, fear, and respect in the eyes of her fellow students and teachers. The silence that had settled over the grounds was thick with tension. Josie felt a mix of emotions swirling within her—triumph, guilt, and a newfound understanding of the responsibility her power carried. She had proven herself, but at what cost? The question lingered in her mind as she took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.
With Creed's hand still on her shoulder, Josie turned away from Celeste and the crowd. She had shown what she was capable of, but she knew she needed to learn control, to balance the raw power within her with the wisdom to use it wisely. As they walked away from the mat, the realization of the journey ahead became clearer. Josie had unlocked a part of herself that was both awe-inspiring and dangerous, and now she needed to learn how to master it.