Children of the Archangels

CHAPTER 26: THE DIVISION OF HOUSE URIEL

Okay, so Luke was not good at archery. Not everyone is born with such a talent. Maybe he's better with a gun instead?

But after shooting a pistol and watching the recoil bounce the pistol off of his hand and clang onto the floor, they crossed that off.

Sword? Well if wars are fought with fencing swords, then maybe Luke would have a chance.

Axes? If he wanted to kill someone behind him, then maybe Luke might survive since the ax usually made him tumble backwards whenever he managed to raise it in the air.

Knives? Luke cut himself more than the dummies.

Okay, so Luke was not a weapons kind of guy, at least not right now. How about survival?

Tejero tried teaching him to make a tent from leaves and branches. Sirius and Alpha made passible huts. Luke's hut looked like it had just barely survived a tsunami.

Skinning meat? Luke always left patches of fur on his fake squirrel. If he had been real, the squirrel would've come back from the grave to slap Luke for degrading his corpse.

Plant selection? Luke ended up eating poisonous berries and only survived a case of the runs when Tejero did the Heimlich maneuver on him.

Following a map? Luke was wondering where the GPS was and got lost finding his way to the bathroom.

Okay, so Luke was pretty pathetic.

Except, he did know how to make a fire. Of course, some would say he cheated by summoning a flame in his hand, but hey, survival of the fittest—right?

Before he knew it, over an hour had gone by and multiple houses had been called down to train in the sim. Finally, the moment he had been secretly dreading had arrived.

"House Uriel, please report to the battlefield simulation floor. All other houses continue combat and survival training."

"That's us," Sirius said.

"Did we figure out who I'm supposed to be fighting?" Luke asked.

"They'll tell us once we get down there. Come on."

Sirius lead the way downstairs, with Luke, Alpha, and Tejero following. Once they reached the first floor, the Dean had walked into the arena and stopped Luke.

"I always come to watch new students battle for the first time. Good luck out there."

The Dean went off to the sidelines where he sat by the viewer section where some House Raphael students as medical personnel stood on standby.

Sirius led them to a monitor where their names appeared on an old ticker machine that belonged in a 1960s train station. Next to match number 2, field A was Sirius V.S. Alpha. The next line said: "Match 1, Field B, CENTER: Luke V.S. Tempest."

"Guess that means me," Tejero said.

"No, it means me," said a cocky voice from behind. Victor stood behind them with red eyes that looked like he hadn't slept in years. He also smelled like had survived a bushfire in Australia. "You got to return to guard duty."

Tejero sucked his teeth as if he was looking forward to fighting Luke. "Good luck Luke. I would've been nice on your tushy. But now, you can kiss it goodbye."

"Fighters, take positions," the announcement roared.

"Good luck," Sirius patted him on the back. "We'll be rooting for you."

"Aren't you going to be fighting too?" Luke asked.

Sirius shook his head. "Newbie fights are front and center. All eyes will be on you. We'll fight after you." Sirius gave Luke a hug. "Try not to die. I like my new roommate."

"Thanks," Luke said sarcastically although he was touched by Sirius's affection. "I'll try."

Luke and Victor were led by a referee wearing a black and gold striped shirt to an assortment of weapons. The ref told him to choose his weapon, but before they could, they had to leave all outside non-approved weapons here. Luke had none, but Victor left his slingshot and exchanged it for a school issued one. He also grabbed a knife, some pellets, and a large round ball that he pressed to his chest and it sprouted out fiber-carbon-like armor painted black with the symbol of an anvil and forge over his chest.

Luke knew he sucked at using every weapon here. But he tried going for the lightest shield and sword he could find. He also reached for a similar armor sphere that unfolded into a white suit with an electric flame resting atop a scroll.

"Fighters take your positions," the robotic announcement spoke.

Luke hesitated on the edge of the field. It looked like a soccer field made of sand. A white line met down the middle.

Victor shoved Luke into the arena. "Don't get pussyfooted now. Not when I'm about to teach you something valuable."

The ref dressed in black and gold strips stood in the middle of the field and reminded the two of them of the rules. "There are 2 rules: no outside weapons, and no killing. A fight is over when a person is down for more than ten seconds, or if I call the match. If you want to surrender in the middle of the match, I suggest you stay down. Any questions?"

Luke raised his hand. "Can I surrender now?" As much as Luke would love to punch Victor, he didn't want to risk dying in the process.

But then again, how else will he learn to fight?

Victor couldn't contain his laughter. "I'll promise to make this quick for you."

"Now, go to your far sides and commence battle when the bell rings," the ref said. "Good luck."

Luke turned around and marched across the sand about half a football field's length away from Victor. He was kicking himself for choosing a sword since they started off this match at long range. Victor would have the upper hand with his sling.

Before he knew it, he was staring like a goalie upon an empty field. To the stands on his left he saw the Dean sitting down alongside other teachers and paramedics. He recognized Mr. Faustin amongst them along with Mr. Fillay and even Father Quique. He looked up and saw a couple of groups training, but some had taken a rest and was staring down at him from up above.

The pressure was on. The gong of the bell rang, and Luke stood there waiting for Victor to make his first move.