The Champion's Shadow

The Tournament Part Two

Daria

   Uncertainty rose in her chest as they proceeded down to the arena floor. She watched as several other blue Ardoni made their way to the bottom as well, all of which were older-looking and more experienced. Also, Daria took notice that there were no female Ardoni among the ones proceeding downward. She was alone, and she had to fight for her rights to be there. Uncertainty was replaced with determination and a fire to prove to her mother that she could handle being in the outside world. She lifted herself a little higher and marched down to the bottom. Her pride was similar to her brother's but different in the lack of experience to back it up. She truly had no idea what she had managed to get herself into. All she knew at this point was that she had to triumph in any way possible.

    In time, they reached the bottom and Thalleous turned to an arena guard to ask for a spare spear. The guard nodded his head and gestured to several similar-looking spears lined up against the cave wall. She snatched one of the iron spears and followed her twin brother onto the arena floor. She could feel the daggers of eyes from the other Sendaris piercing straight through her as if they had already started the match. Daria lifted herself up once more to act as if she had the confidence Thalleous had. She also began spinning the spear, feeling its weight distribution. The weapon she had was rather top-heavy and awkward to hold with one hand.

    Without warning, the battle horn sounded once more, signaling a start to the arena match. Daria quickly got into a battle-ready stance. Her eyes darted from one Sendaris to the next. She could see in the corner of her eyes, the first moves being made. Two older Ardoni around the age of 120 double-teamed against her brother.

    Thalleous grinned as they approached him. Daria was waiting to see what he would do as he let them get closer and closer. The older Sendaris were nearly on top of him as they both lifted their swords in the air. Thalleous took the chance not to swing his own sword but to run his fist into the ground.

    A red shockwave surged from his contact point and knocked the attackers backward and to the ground, defeated. Daria was in utter amazement. He never told me that he had a song of his own... she thought to herself.

    This display of his strength only had averted her attention from a sly and cunning attacker. Daria got kicked in the side, which sent her tumbling to the ground. The wind was knocked out of her, but she couldn't be taken out of the match that quickly. It had only just begun!

    With her resolve to stay in the fight surging her strength, she rolled out of the way as her attacker stomped his foot into the ground. Daria jabbed the inner knee of her attacker, which sent him to the ground as well.  Without a moment's hesitation, she popped up from the ground while he was still trying to recover. Daria held her staff up to his throat. He held his arms up in surrender.

    "Don't you mess with me," Daria warned the Sendaris with a triumphant smile on her face. "I might be young, and a girl, but that won't stop me from getting far in this tournament." She then turned and looked at the remaining Ardoni. 2, 4, 6, 8... there were still 14 left. 14 more left that she couldn't possibly fend off by herself. She searched for her brother on the arena floor.

    To her left, Thalleous was holding his ground. It looked as if people were beginning to avoid him after the display of his song from earlier. His eyes darted around the arena, looking for the next opponent, but there wasn't one. Everyone was locked in their own private duel. No one wanted to deal with Thalleous.

    Daria raised her arm in hopes to attract his attention, but then lowered it. Her gaze hardened as she realized that she was calling for his help again.

I have taken down one person already. I don't need his help. I can do this on my own! I thi- I know I can. Let's do this.

    The words of encouragement kept on filling her with determined energy. Daria clenched her fist and lifted her head higher. She spun her staff and gripped it with both of her hands. As one Ardoni defeated his adversary, Daria dashed in. She started by leaping in the air but only getting a foot off of the ground. The staff, even though she was getting used to its weight distribution, was still heavier than she had ever used before.