The Storm of The Tribes

Chapter 8: The Ultimatum

Back in the arena, Akio and The Champion are still fighting, but they have discarded their bows, and are fighting hand to hand, with the excitement of the crowd rising. The Champion is advancing for Akio's flag. Akio charges him, but he gets caught by his hair in The Champion's clutches; He starts to punch him in his side, trying to break free. The Champion crashes his elbow into Akio's back, putting his weight into him. Akio falls to the ground, and The Champion continues to walk towards the flag.

Akio struggles standing up, but then runs towards The Champion, sending a flying knee into his shoulder. The Champion stumbles to the floor, and stares at Akio. "Why won't you just give up! I need this prize!" The Champion exclaims. "My prize requires this one. Stay down, or i'll have to do something I'd never want." Akio replies. The Champion scowls, and starts pacing towards Akio.

However, suddenly, a gasp emerges from the crowd, followed by screams. People start falling into the arena over each other, clearing a path. From the Kasai Tower, a guard is falling within The Emperor's arms. The Emperor lets go of him, and imbues his feet in flame. He boosts himself slightly upward, breaking the fall. As this was happening, the guard crashed into the seats, plummeting through into the dirt below. A figure also starts to slide down the side of the tower, in pursuit of the emperor.

The audience members have all scattered away, and only the four remain. "Look at what we have here. Three pieces of complete trash." The Emperor says. "You're the only one of those here." The Champion exclaims. "You should think more about your words, meatbag. You can't even provide for your little sister, without her worrying if you'll ever come home." The Emperor tells him. "You watch your damn tone! If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have to do this! Every single life I take is for her, and you may be next!" The Champion replies. Akio and Yoko both look at him in awe.

The emperor's eyes narrow into an expression of hatred. Pure hatred. "You're just another tree, grown just to be burned down with the rest." The emperor tells him. His hands start to glow in flame, and he creates a ball of it. The Champion starts to walk back, but there's no exit. "Goodbye." The Emperor utters. He fires the ball at The Champion. Before it gets to him, Akio raises his hands, creating a wall of water, blocking the ball. "Okay, you. I was going to let you walk away. But now, you have a choice." The Emperor tells him. Two guards, with silver seals on their armor jump into the arena, and restrain both Yoko and The Champion, holding swords to their throats. Akio grabs the bow from the ground, and aims it at The Emperor.

"Umm, you don't want to do that. If you let go of that arrow, Both of your little friends here will die." The Emperor says. "I don't even know this gu-" The Champion says as he is silenced by the guard. "Quiet!" The guard tells him. The champion stops. Akio lowers his bow. "You have three options. One: The Champion dies. Two: She dies. Three: You take my sword, and fall on it. One of you will die here." The Emperor says. Akio looks at Yoko, with a glaze on his eyes. "Promise me you'll do it. Promise me." Akio tells her. Yoko nods. The emperor hands Akio his Nodachi, and Akio unsheaths it. Akio digs the hilt into the dirt, and prepares for the worst.

"NOW!" Yoko yells. Arrows fly through both of the guards' armor. Akio picks up the nodachi, and swings at The Emperor. The Emperor catches the blade between his armored hands, and drags Akio across the floor. Yoko takes a kunai from a guard's belt, and flings it at The Emperor. He moves Akio in front of it's path, making it hit him in the leg. The Emperor starts to run out of the arena, and none of the three follow. Akio grimaces, as he pulls out the kunai. Yoko looks to the archer standing on the seats. "Meet us at the surface!" The archer tells her, as he runs away. "Who was that guy?" Akio asks. "You'll see..." Yoko replies.