The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 23: Playtime (Part 2)

Aria Friend:

"Hold on, how is that fair?" I argued to no one as we watched Crozen depart from the stage. "Crozen just got to see all my brother's abilities and the field doesn't even reset? Erin practically destroyed all his cover!"

"Right?" Endi agreed with me. "Crozen's being too sneaky."

Vanter however laughed, "It's alright. Your bother wouldn't accept the duel if he couldn't win. He expected this."

"He expected Crozen to challenge him?" I questioned confused. "How could he do that?"

"Because Crozen is an arsehat. Though a moderately entertaining one," Vanter continued to chuckle. "Just watch."

I folded my arms and frowned. I had faith in my brother but also knew Crozen was no push over. Without having to wait long, Crozen appeared on the screen, standing confidently on his side of the tournament stage. He wore an open robe that covered most of his body and beneath it, shining silver armour.

Crozen's voice came from the screen as the view zoomed into them, "You're quite brave Friend for accepting the duel."

Ardy replied, "Brave? Maybe. Confident? Yes."

"You really think you'll win like last time?"

"Maybe not so much like last time, but I will win."

"I've prepared a lot for this," Crozen grinned.

"I see you have," Ardy simply nodded. "It's good to see you're putting your stream donations to good use."

Cher interrupted them, "Are our two players ready?"

Crozen took his position, a crackly of lightning flashing in his hands, "Ya boy's ready."

"Same here," Ardy smiled. "Let's have a good match."

The countdown began. 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... BATTLE. Immediately Crozen began to cast a spell. My brother drew his gun and fired. The bullet struck Crozen's head but did little damage.

"Ha!" Crozen laughed as he ascended into the air. "Lightning storm!" Snaps of lightning sprang from his hands and struck towards Ardy. He leapt away using what remained of the rocky outcrops as cover, but soon they too began to be chipped away by constant lightning strikes. Despite the pressure my brother smiled and pulled something from his inventory and released it. A cloud of white burst open and covered his side of the stage.

Crozen frowned, "You're not getting away." He began to pull more mana and clapped his hands, "Fire storm!" A massive whirlpool of fire whipped away the cloud, charring the land black. There were only few places Ardy could escape to now that the cloud cover had been dispersed. Crozen pointed to them and spears of fire launched from behind him. In as little as half a minute, Crozen had took apart more than half the stage.

Out of nowhere however Crozen's grinning expression turned to shock as suddenly his head jerked back, a digital red mark appearing on his forehead. A bang erupted a split second later. The display showing his health dropped to next to zero, and my brother's remained almost full. Crozen had been shot but no one could tell from where. It was only when Crozen who was looking up gasped that the cameraman realised and zoomed out. From above Ardy descended and Crozen stunned from the damage could do nothing as my brother's feet ploughed into his body taking him to the floor and ending the fight.

The hall was silent as the crowd was stunned at the sudden change in events. Endi was the first to cheer and from it so did everyone else. My brother, Ardent Friend, had won once again.