The assembly of knights gathered for roll call, aligning themselves with military precision in the center of the training hall, aptly named "Valor." Marina stood among them, her wings folded close to her back.
"Lieutenants, hear me well," Isabel addressed them, her voice commanding authority. "The tournament is upon us in less than three weeks. You will train with unparalleled fervor and earn the right to partake in the most crucial missions of our guild. Give it your all and fight as if your very lives depend upon it."
"YES, MA'AM!" the knights shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the hall.
In the final week leading up to the Valiant Souls tournament, the knights were granted a period of rest. Marina, however, remained wary of this respite. Entering Valor, she found the room brimming with knights engaged in vigorous sparring and training.
That night, she could not sleep. Instead, she plotted strategies and tactics, mapping out every possible attack and counterattack. Her walls were covered with notes, diagrams, and mind maps. As dawn approached, the guild's clock in her room shifted from deep blue to orange, signaling the break of day. She ate quickly, sipped her coffee, and, grabbing her silver sword by the door, ran to the Colloseum of Souls.
She entered a wooden waiting room filled with rows of white chairs and massive mirrors that displayed the arena grounds. Knights began to fill the room, taking their seats. Marina scanned the crowd for Isabel, shaking her head in disappointment when she found no sign of her. She seated herself next to a burly knight. Minutes later, the room was packed, knights either seated or standing near the mirrored walls.
The announcer finally appeared on the screen—a figure clad in white and blue full-body armor, helmet, and wielding a sapphire-encrusted microphone. "Welcome, noble warriors, to the annual Valiant Souls Tournament!" she proclaimed, the crowd erupting in cheers. "It is time, my friends, to witness those who shall fight for glory and justice!" she continued, raising her fist. The cheers grew louder, filled with fervent agreement. "The victors shall earn the honor of the gold medal and serve under the direct command of Arthur!" she declared, as applause thundered through the room. The camera shifted to Arthur, who waved cheerily, seated beside Isabel and other dignified figures—commanders of various divisions, Marina surmised. "Let us discover our top five valiant souls of this year. First, we have the commander, Isabel Arnaud, the grand mage of Celestia!" the announcer exclaimed. Marina's commander entered, donning exquisite deep purple armor, accented with light violet details. She carried a long purple scepter, intricately crafted with regal designs.
"Those two, they're betrothed, correct?" another knight inquired.
"Fiancés," a female knight corrected.
Marina watched the screen as a massive armored knight entered the scene. Moments later, Isabel stood victorious before the defeated knight, smiling and waving as the crowd applauded. The bouts passed in a blur, with dozens scheduled for the day. Finally, Marina's name was called.
"Logan Wolfe against Marina Angel. Do we have a Marina Angel?" the announcer asked.
Marina rose swiftly, making her way toward the door of the waiting room, leaving the mirrored walls behind her.
Marina stepped into the brightly lit colosseum, the cheers of the crowd ringing in her ears. She faced her opponent, a silver-armored knight with blank, galactic eyes.
"BEGIN!" the announcer shouted. The knight vanished from sight, reappearing with a swift punch. Marina dodged just in time, his fist striking the ground with a thunderous impact.
She regained her stance and drew her sword. The knight charged, their blades clashing with a resounding clang. He tackled her, but Marina parried and slashed his chest, driving him back.
They exchanged fierce blows. The knight lunged, but Marina sidestepped, using his momentum to grab his arm and throw him down. He rose quickly, blades sparking, until he slashed hers out of her grip and landed a punch that sent her skidding across the arena.
Marina sprang back, charging him. He grabbed her collar and slammed her into the wall. She threw sand into his eyes, blinding him briefly, and stabbed him in the stomach with a dagger, pushing him away.
"Yield," she urged, "I can heal you." He lunged again, striking her jaw and flinging her across the floor. She rolled away, groaning. He lifted her and slammed her into the wall again.
Summoning her strength, Marina glared at him. "Very well, we shall do this the hard way." She punched his jaw, following with another powerful blow. He staggered back, finally collapsing as she charged forward, slamming her palm over his chest and chanting a spell, foreign letterings appeared; an explosion threw him back against the colloseum wall, cracking it as he collapsed.
"It's over," she muttered, rushing forth and pressing her foot to his head. His eyes closed, and the colosseum fell silent.
"Marina Angel is victorious!" the announcer proclaimed with a resonant voice that echoed through the colosseum. The crowd erupted in a cacophony of applause, cheers, and jeers. Marina's fierce warrior demeanor softened into her usual expression of compassion as she knelt, her hands aglow with a green light as she tended to her fallen opponent's wounds. Four knights, clad in gleaming silver armor, approached and gently moved her aside, lifting the unconscious knight onto a large white stretcher, and carried him away. Marina sighed and made her way out of the arena halls. Isabel caught sight of her and offered a small smile. Arthur, standing nearby, smirked, prompting Marina to roll her eyes and turn away.
Marina turned, hearing strange sounds... Gruff, soft growling amidst the loud cheers of victory. She hesitated, then moved closer to the colosseum's holding cells, entranced. Her pulse quickened, her skin prickled with unease, and her heart pounded in her chest. Why? Why do I feel like this? Whilst the loud applause surrounded her, she felt compelled to walk only in one direction. No one had yet noticed her sweaty palms, wide gaze, shaking legs move closer–
Suddenly, she froze in her tracks.
The arena torch flames lining the pathways had flickered and turned off.
YOU ARE READING
The Angel Fell Twice
FantasiaThe fallen angel Marina moves to Stormfell, a town where murder is legal. She confronts their greatest killer: Ragnar the devil. He was a despised "monster" by the townsfolk, including Marina herself. Yet, as she delves deeper into his world, she un...
