The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 30: Superhuman (Part 2)

Zen rung the bell by the door we came and instantly the door on the opposite end of the room opened. Two young women wearing tight dresses bowed their heads. Unlike Zen they seemed to have Asian roots.

"The great hall awaits your presence," they spoke in unison and smiled, gesturing for us to pass.

I followed Zen out of the room but as I passed the two, their eyes sharpened. They were the same colour as Zen's though not as vivid. A seep of Aura directed towards me, probing rudely. I replied tenfold and released the energy back at them causing them to flinch.

Zen smirked once they were out of sight, "Good. Don't let them look down on you."

"Of course not," I replied with a smile.

The great hall truly earned its description of great. It was easily fifty metres long and nearly as wide. The dark mahogany wood that made most of the grand structure was trimmed in gold and painted in the colours of yellow and red. In the centre was a lowered stage while on either side raised seating. There were dozens of them in the hall, standing to greet us as we entered. They wore formal attire from various cultures with no dominant ethnicity, each however was an Aura user and they made no effort to hide it. Their purple eyes followed me, or more appropriately Zen, as we moved. Finally, on the far end a throne sat flanked by smaller chairs. It was clear that they were the heads of the clan and the one in the centre the Clan leader. His greying hair showed his age, but his body had been honed to perfection. I felt a nervous chill crawl down my spine as our eyes met. The mountain of a man meant business and at my current strength, I immediately realised I would lose. Zen however stood beside me completely unfazed by the intimidation he poured forth. He was dressed in a simple yet lavish golden robe, baring much of his chest on display.

The man stood up, "Welcome back home, daughter."

Zen eyed him spitefully, "I am no daughter to this clan, nor is this my home. I won my freedom."

"True you won your freedom, felled the trial no other in our clan could and chose to leave. Yet here you are, back where you belong. With your family."

"You are not my family," Zen grit her teeth. "I've felt what a true family is like."

He laughed, the power of his voice reverberating through my body, "I always contemplated how you would return. To protect your supposed new family, is it? To protect the boy beside you?" His gaze met mine, "Boy, I am the leader of this clan, leader of the Violet Oath in it's current name. My name is Callus, now proclaim to me your own."

"Ardent Friend," I replied with conviction. "1st son of Arthur, Champion and disciple of Zen."

"Disciple?" he smirked.

"She is my Master," I bowed my head.

"Our dear princess, our dear Zen. You have raised a strong contender. Truly from his stature he is worthy."

Zen laughed, "Then may we leave?"

"What fun would that be?" Callus grinned. "We are the Violet Oath, mercenaries that bring victory through power. A fight was asked for and now it shall be played. Remove yourself from the stage dear Zen."

"Tch," Zen shifted her eyes to me, they became tender. "No matter what, I will protect you."

"I've got this," I smiled back.

"Then begin!" as soon as Zen stepped away Callus declared.

Immediately a heel descended towards my head. Kai dropped down from the ceiling with the full intent to end the fight. I glared back at him as he attacked, a smirk splitting my lips. I knew he had to be hiding somewhere and fully expected the outcome. I stepped to the side and as he fell beside me, I punched towards his chest. Kai gasped as the blow broke into his side and sent him reeling back.