Kael stood with the 102 other brave hunters and knights. They watched the first fights nervously.
First Fighter: An A-Rank hunter stepped forward. He grabbed a dagger and shouted: "BURNING DEAD RISE!"
WHOOSH! Ten flaming skeleton monsters appeared! They charged at William, Varric, Erec, and the masked "Orion" (Sorcerer Silas).
William grinned at Varric. "You wanna handle this bug?"
Varric smiled coldly. "Why not?"
He raised one hand. "GLACIAL FREEZE!"
CRACKLE! Ice exploded from Varric's fingertips! It covered the ground, the flaming skeletons, and the A-Rank hunter instantly! All eleven became frozen statues in seconds!
The crowd gasped.
Hunter 1: "Holy shit! That's why they call him the 'Glacial Man'!"
Hunter 2: "He froze fire monsters?!"
William clapped slowly. "Wow! Nice one, Ice King!"
"Orion" (Silas) just watched silently, like stone.
Second Fighter: A Gold Knight charged next, swinging a huge hammer at William!
William stepped forward. "He's mine!" His fists burst into fire! "FIRE FIST!"
BOOM! William punched the knight's hammer.
CRACK! The stone ground split open! The knight flew backwards like a rag doll and smashed into a wall. His arm bent the wrong way. He screamed. Healers ran to help him.
Erec frowned. "William! Slow down! You'll kill them!"
William shrugged, looking almost sorry. "My bad. Didn't think he'd be... that weak."
Third Fighter: A Silver Knight attacked Erec next.
Erec moved like light. "LUMINA BLADE STYLE!"
His sword flashed – WHOOSH! FLASH! FLASH! – too fast to see! The knight froze, terrified. He couldn't follow Erec's movements at all! He only saw blinding streaks of light.
Knight 1: "What the hell?! He's a Crystal Knight! Did you think you could beat him, idiot?"
Knight 2: "We're screwed!"
SCHLICK-SCHLICK-SCHLICK!
Erec stopped moving. The Silver Knight's armor fell off him in thousands of tiny pieces, like broken glass. He stood shaking in his underwear.
The Masked Man Moves:
Suddenly, "Orion" (Silas) walked away from the other three. He stopped right in front of Kael. His masked face turned towards him. His eyes were like frozen metal. A death stare.
Everyone froze – William, Varric, Erec, the crowd. Even the King leaned forward in his VIP seat.
Silas: (His voice flat and cold) "You. You haven't fought. Are you scared?"
Kael's heart pounded. He just… called me out? Casually?
Kael shook his head. "No."
Silas: "Good. Your turn. Fight now." He pointed to the open arena. "I hate waiting."
Kael swallowed. What is this guy's problem? Okay… fine.
"Okay," Kael said. He stepped past Silas and walked into the fighting circle.
The Crowd Reacts:
Hunters whispered: "Who's that kid?"
William thought: Please, Kael… don't be a monster. Prove me wrong. He looked down, worried.
Varric grinned: "This might be fun."
Erec whispered to William: "We fight together. We know how strong he is."
King Aldric smiled coldly: Finally. Let's see the monster show itself.
The Four Prepare:
William, Varric, Erec, and Silas ("Orion") spread out around Kael. All four took deep stances. Their power began to rise.
William's fists glowed red-hot.
Varric's hands frosted the air.
Erec's sword shone like sunlight.
Silas just stood there… but the air around him warped slightly.
RUMBLE…
The ground started shaking! Small stones bounced. It felt like an earthquake!
Hunters screamed: "Earthquake?!"
Knights stumbled: "What's happening?!"
King Aldric gripped his chair: This power… it's them! All four are unleashing their full strength against HIM!
Kael stood alone in the center. He saw the flames in William's eyes, the ice in Varric's smile, Erec's focused glare, and Silas's cold, empty stare. Memories flashed:
Brad's fists.
His father's hateful words: "WORTHLESS!"
The knife in his hand.
Kael clenched his fists. A fierce, almost scary smile spread across his face.
Alright then. Bring it on.
"I'm ready," Kael whispered.
(Chapter 21 Fin)