The Campagna Adventures

Chapter 35-Maximum Bellum Suscipere

All was quiet as Phil and Denny meditated with the creek bubbling and gurgling peacefully behind them.  It was the day of the Maximum Bellum Suscipere, which would begin later that afternoon, at five, only two hours from now.

After another hour, Denny and Phil left to go to the arena.  When they got there, everyone but Phil and Blazer went through to the spectator's entrance, to meet up with Rachael.  However, all combatants used a side entrance to a waiting room, where they would be able to see the battles unfold from.  Unless of course they were part of the battle.

Fourteen other people were already there, he was the second to last to arrive.  One guy sat with an Alakazam, meditating, another was sparring with a Hitmonchan, and others were practicing with their Pokemon.  Except for a couple of combatants, another guy, and the only woman in the room, alongside a Lucario and Greninja.  Phil and Blazer joined them.  As he got closer he noticed that they both seemed to be in their late twenties or early thirties.

"Hey there, I am Alexander, and this is Roxana."

"Hello, nice to meet you," the woman, Roxana, said.

"It's very good to meet you as well, I am Phil, and this here is Blazer.  What are the names of your Pokemon?"

Alexander raised an eyebrow, "It is not often that someone bothers introducing their Pokemon or inquiring about the names of another's.  The change is a pleasant, if unexpected, one.  My Lucario here is Lucky, both in name and literally."

"My Greninja here goes by Anna."

"So, are you the Master of Arms I heard about?"

"You have heard of my husband already!  I told you that you had a reputation," Roxana replied.

Alexander chuckled, "Yes, and if I have such a reputation then I can assure you, there is a reason for it.  Although Roxana is usually able to give me a run for my money.  Though, you yourself have a reputation, Phil.  I have heard of your exploits against the Dark Users, and Anakin has made his anger against you clear."

Phil's smile disappeared, and his hands clenched into fists of rage, "If he is so upset, he can come and take it up with me, and my fists too if he wishes."

"I heard that your spirit was as fiery as your partner's breath.  Have you considered Pro Pugna?"

"I heard Joseph mention it to Denny the other day, but Denny cut him off."

Alexander glanced at his wife, "Pro Pugna is similar to this, but it means something else.  It means 'Battle for Love' and is used if someone contests a betrothal and wishes to take the other's betrothed for their own.  We rarely use it here, as betrothals and other old traditions are less common here, but in Hereditatis, such things are common."

Phil growled, "So what?  All that does is force Rachael to marry me at some point.  It does not give her a choice."

"And what if she were able to choose?  Who do you think she would choose her abuser, a random stranger, or her savior.  You saw Anakin's reaction for her simply speaking to you, do you think she knows any man well besides Anakin or her family?  My wisdom that his beyond my twenty-eight years tells me not to tell you outright, but to hint.  So I will say not more."

Phil sat down, "Yeah, but we are just friends."

Alexander and Roxana shared a look, but Phil ignored it.  Especially when several cracks sounded behind him and the smell of rotten eggs drifted towards him.

"Ah, you came just in time.  A somewhat tradition of combatants in the Maximum Bellum Suscipere is to throw rotten eggs at the last to arrive," Roxana explained, shaking her head, seemingly at male stupidity.  Which only increased when Alexander nodded, and handed Phil an egg before tossing one of his own towards the entrance.  Chuckling, Phil joined in.

After a few more minutes, the battles began.  Phil would be in the final match of the first round.  Alexander was in the first match, which he won, Hitmonchan boy won the second match, Roxana the third, Alakazam man the fourth, a young man with a Gallade the fifth, a teenager with a Luxray the sixth, an older man with a Zoroark won the seventh over his much younger opponent, and then, it was Phil's turn.

The Aura Guardian stepped into the sandy arena with his Arcanine.  Across the field, a young man with a Doublade entered the coliseum.  Two Kalosian Rapiers rose from the ground, on previously hidden pedestals, along with leather gauntlets and a leather cuirie, which protected the entire torso.  Phil slipped the armor on, and it adjusted itself to fit him very well, as though it had been made just for him.  The rapier did the same, adjusting its hilt to fit his right hand perfectly, which would make it easier to adjust his grip for thrusts and jabs to slices and slashes.  All of the arms and armor was perfectly balanced and extremely well made.

Phil sliced the air and held his sword in front of him, his opponent, Harry, did the same.  The main judge and referee, Chief Miles then shouted, "En Garde!"

Both human combatants took their stances, the Doublade simply float to face Blazer, while the Arcanine crouched as if about to pounce.

"Pret!" Miles shouted, and the match began.

Phil lunged forward, and his opponent slashed down towards the blade, both blocking the blade and forcing Phil to twirl out of the way before Harry's blade could connect.  All the while, flashes of fire and explosions of shadow sounded from the Pokemon's battle.  Harry brought his Rapier up for an overhead slice, Phil blocked it before the sword could even move.  With his opponent's sword locked in place, Phil threw an Aura Sphere with his off hand.  Which was difficult and resulted in a less powerful attack.  However, it was still enough to cause his opponent to take several steps backwards.

Harry recovered quickly, feinting a jab to his knee, but adjusting in last few seconds to Phil's torso.  The Aura Guardian smiled as he blocked the thrust by bring the flat of his blade to that of his opponent's, and then twisting and flicking with his wrist.  Which caused his rapier to yank his opponent's away and airborne.  It landed several feet away as Phil poised his weapon over the heart if his opponent, who raised his hands in surrender.

The Aura Guardians looked over at their Pokemon, just in time to see Blazer pounce and pin the Doublade to the ground.  When it struggled, the Arcanine opened a flaming maw as a warning.

"Match eight of round one goes to Phil Lewis and Blazer the Arcanine!"

After shaking Harry's hand, Phil stepped back inside the waiting room to rehydrate and rest for his second match.