Oversight

Chapter 7 A Champion is Decided

There was no formalities before the brawl. The two got to where Mark told them, everyone gathered around, and they were told to fight. Steven immediately vanished, leaving Noah confused and looking around. He walked around the 'arena', walking past trees and searching high and low. 

It wasn't until Noah looked up at Mark in confusion that he felt something hit him. A large tree had fallen down on him, the roots burning into ashes. Without his energy shield, he probably would have been crushed. He looked around keeping a close eye on the dancing flames. He stepped to them and placed his hand on the dying tree. Absorbing the escaping energy, he turned just in time to see another tree falling. He dived just in time and the tree hit the ground right beside him. 

He took the energy from the dying tree again and looked around, frustrated. He heard some laughter from the sidelines and finally found his objective. A near blinding light was starting to burn a nearby tree. The tree began to fall towards Noah but this time he pushed it back towards where the light was created. Steven popped back into view as the tree fell, clipping his leg. Acting quickly, Noah formed a ball of energy in his hand and threw it. 

Steven was faster. Causing a blinding light to form from the energy ball and forcing Noah to close his eyes. When he opened them, the scene in front of him was changed. He stood in a small room with concrete walls and no door. 

But something was off. His eyes told him that he was trapped in a room, but he smelled fresh air, heard the sounds of nature. He knew this wasn't real, but he didn't know how to fight it. He walked towards one of the walls, but the room moved with him, keeping him in the center. 

He stood there, thinking, when all of a sudden a man composed of stone ran from the wall, hit Noah in the face, and melded with the wall on the other side. Noah fell to the ground, but got back to his feet quickly. He stood with his knees bent and his hands up, ready to fight this mysterious foe. This time, it came from behind him and kicked at his calf. He collapsed to one knee as the figure vanished again. 

This action repeated again and again. Sounds of laughter erupted, probably from the spectators on the sidelines. Noah's anger grew with each appearance of the stone man. The long fight had given him time to think though. He knew what was going on, or at least he thought he did. He was in an illusion of some sort. The stone man was just Steven, trying to make Noah to tired to fight.  Every counter attack Noah threw, the stone man countered back, or vanished. 

Finally Noah had enough. He didn't know where it came from, but as soon as there was a hint of movement, a wave of energy erupted around Noah, like an explosion with him in the center. The stone man flew onto his back and Noah walked over to him. He grabbed him by the throat and lifted him, energy constructs forming around Noah's arm to help him lift. 

He could feel the large amounts of energy flowing through the stone body. It was Steven, Noah was sure of that. He began to take the energy out of Steven, and as he did the illusion crumbled. The stone walls turned to dust and the stone figure melted away, revealing the scared boy inside. Noah began to glow, a blinding light escaping from his entire body as he absorbed Steven's energy. So much, he didn't think he would be able to take it all. 

A sword appeared between Noah and Steven's face. Noah dropped Steven out of shock and Steven collapsed, exhausted. "That was quite enough." Mark said, looking down at him. "You have shown that you are the victor, proven that you are the strongest. Let him continue his life and grow stronger. Never kill out of anger, it if not your duty to kill."

Realizing what he had done, Noah's anger melted faster than room temperature ice cream in a microwave. "I...I didn't....I..." He couldn't get the words out. He didn't want to kill Steven, just beat him. He wanted to win, wasn't that what everyone wanted?

"I know, and it is alright. We have a champion!" Mark announced to the group. "And now," Mark looked down at him. "You will be given a task to complete. Because you are the strongest, I believe that you are the most worthy."

"Most worthy of what?"

"We have a problem with one of our people. He decided he doesn't want to do this anymore. He wants to live a normal life, but he does not want to lose his power at the same time. It's to high of a risk for us to take, and his refusal is causing chaos. You will need to deal with him."

"Well...um... what does he do?"

"He was one of our controllers of sound. He is fully trained though and is not to be underestimated. We do not have the man power to go retrieve him right now because we are... short staffed... as you might say. You will be sent to deal with him."

"Can I bring someone to help me then? If he's so powerful."

"No"

"No?"

"That is correct, no."

"Well...why not?" 

"That is not for me to know, if it was, I would tell you. All I know is that you must complete this mission on your own. Good luck, and don't let us down."

"But... what do I do with him?"

"Under these circumstances, the only option is to eliminate the target."