The Rival of Gods

Chapter Five: The Tournament

The tournament, so far, had been spectacular. Many samurai fought in battle, yearning to bring glory to their Lord. One by one, pairs of them entered the ring and did battle. Sword met swear and axe, and as one was defeated, another advanced.

The flowing banners of their houses were taken down little by little. Now, there were only a few left.

Belosh watched as Cadas caught Alkela's mace with one gauntletted fist. A shockwave ensued, and Cadas brought around his other fist. Yet Alkela leaped into the air, flipping over Cadas and freeing her mace. Bringing the weapon around, she drove Cadas back with rapid strikes.

The crowd went wild as the huge man fought against the blonde. Finally, Cadas stepped back and smashed both gauntlets together. Alkela raised her mace, and the sun glinted off her armor. Then she leaped into the air, bringing down a two-handed strike. Her mace was surrounded by a reddish glow.

Cadas met the battle head-on.

There was a clash, and both fell back. Alkela landed on the ground while Cadas flew back beyond the ring. He landed hard and tried to rise. Cheers deafened.

"Alkela is victorious once more. Cadas is defeated," said Sahshir.

Oresa ran forward toward where Cadas was lying and summoned her healing. Orange radiance was sent forward to surround Cadas, restoring his health. Belosh drew out his listening stone and tuned it to where she was. He heard her voice then. "Cadas!

"It's alright, Cadas, I have you."

"Oresa, take care of him," said Isamu, coming forward.

Cadas was the first among Isamu's group to be defeated. He'd always had the back luck to end up against the strongest enemy in each tournament. However, he had not faced Asim, so that was fortunate. Even now, Belosh could see the black-armored warrior observing. He ended up glaring at Isamu, who returned the gaze.

He'd defeated every enemy he'd faced with absolute ease. His strikes had been brutal, and one of those he'd faced was dead.

"She wields a mace with a savage beauty I have hardly seen," said Belosh, looking to Alkela. Were she not one of the tainted of Zigilus, Belosh would have loved to have her as one of his consorts. Glancing to Sahshir, he saw the masked King was observing with equal fervor. Had he truly fought and defeated Asim?

"She is a veteran of Zigilus and hunted demons before the wars," said Sahshir. "Cadas seems a formidable warrior in his own right as well."

"A distant cousin of Isamu," said Belosh. "His family are also descendants of Rammas. But his blood is several generations diluted."

"Blood is but the physical matter we inhabit," said Sahshir. "Who we are is defined entirely by what we do and nothing else."

"Is it true you first drew blood within Zigilus?" asked Belosh. There were a great many legends about that battle. The land in that region had become a nightmarish, untamed jungle of monstrous beasts.

"No, it was before that, in a duel with Tuor," sad Sahshir. "My first kill was when Garacel attacked the capital.

"Alkela and Narcissa accompanied Garacel in an assault on this place. They were hoping to steal the Blade of Chaos. In that, they were, unfortunately, successful."

"I'm told Garacel still possesses the blade," mused Belosh.

"He does," said Sahshir. "However, there are more important considerations at the moment. One should never focus on faraway threats at the expense of the moment.

"Asim is next, fighting Urus.

"This will be worth seeing, I think."

"Not really," said Belosh with a shrug. "Urus has always been weaker than Isamu, and Asim is nearly a match for him. Urus does not have a chance."