Chapter 3: The Tournament

Before the sun would peak over the mountains in the distance. Before carriages and shop keepers could be heard. When only the birds that chirped in the dawn could be heard is when I awoke. Sitting up in my bed and looking at my scarred hands reminded me of the horrible i nderwent for this day. I remember markus always teling me that i had to trrain ten times as hard as anyone else. I had to be stronger, quicker, and creative with my birth. I was woken up with the moon still hovering over the distant mountains every morningM. We didn't even do anything with my birth until Markus was convinced my body was strong enough to use it effectively. I ran, lifted rocks, and trained in hand to hand combat everyday. Then after everything I worked in the shop. It was a miserable existence, but looking back now it was all worth it. I learned to control my darkness as if it was an extension of my own body, and I can even use it during the day. Markus taught me all that he could, but I would have to learn the rest in the academy. The only problem was that unless you were born a noble getting into the academy was very expensive, and not to mention extremely difficult. Luckily each year the king holds a tournament for 10 spots in the academy. The top ten users of their birth are granted access to the academy and access to officers rank in the kings military. There is no limit to the age of the participants, but I was already told the odds of someone as young as me getting into the top fifty, let alone top ten, is very unlikely. Sadly with those odds many people my age don't even try to take on the tournament, but I'm not them. It's about time for someone to break the mold.

I got out of bed and walked over to the mirror in the corner of the room. It was a gift from Markus a year ago. It was for the strides I'd been making in using my gift. I closed my eyes, and pictured my room in my head. The table that lie against the wall to my left. The bed that was behind me with it's white sheets, and red pillows. The closet filled with my clothes. Markus told me that I had to use a gimmick in order to be noticed by some of the nobles. He told Me to play into the whole darkness thing. So black shirt that I tuck into my boots, and a blackunder a cloak are my trademarks. On the bright side no one really bothers me, but I do turn heads when I walk down the road. I finally stopped procrastinating, got dressed, and bounded down the stairs into the bakery below where the sweet smell of fresh baked goods hit me. I breathed it in like it might be the last time i ever smelt such things, and called out to Mikael.

"Mikael! It's about time for me to go!" I shouted towards the back room.

"Good luck boy. Go kick some ass, and if you get the chance mention the shop. It doesn't hurt to advertise a little extra." He said, laughing so hard his cheeks began to turn scarlet.

"Any advice for me? I can't lie I am really nervous." I asked.

" I'm not a huge fighter, but if I did have any advice….it would be...to not lose focus no matter what. You have a goal set in mind, and you worked very hard for it. I barely recognize you looking back on the day I ffound you sleeping in front of my shop. You'll do great." He said embracing me in a hug.

"wNow go on. Seize your future Tenebris."

I began walking towards the door before I was stopped by mikael.

"I forgot to give you something. Wait one minute I'll be right back. he said turning and running back towards the counter.

" you dont hav eto give me anything Mikael. Youve already done so much for me i dont think id be able to repay you ever if you gave me something else." i said watching mikael retrieve a long package from behind the counter. He walked back towards me, and handed it to me.

"This is for you. I had it specially made for this day."

"What is it ? " i asked him.

"Open the damn thing and find out." he said with a smile beaming from his face. So i ripped off the brown paper covering it to reveal probobly the most beautiful thing i have ever seen. It was a sword, but it wasnt just any sword. This thing had to have cost Mikael a fortune to have made. The sheath was gray with a black stripe running down the middle. When i removed the sword from the sheathe it was even more goreous. The blade was jet black, but it had this swirling pattern upon looking at it closer. The hand guard was also black but frormed an upward V shape that led into a red handle. It was an amazing looking blade.

"I figured youd love it. They allow you a blade if your gift does not allow you to create one. So i thought why not get it for you." Mikael said with a massive smile stretching form ear to ear.

"So what do you think? Think this will be good enough for you to fight with ?" he said clapping me on the back. At the time i couldnt say anthing. I was still admiring th eblade, and just how mikael even got it made. We have only been together for just a few years, but he was like the father i never had the pleasure to meet. Instead of giving him a verbal answer, i sheathed the sword. I then turned to him with tears running down my face and hugged him. I was much taller than him by this point in time, and so i rested my chin on top of his head, and tears just fell upon his bald head. He hugged me back, and i could feel his tears going through my shirt.

"Go on now boy. Its about time you left.when you win dont forget to visit my shop. Its gonna be awful lonely without you here." he said with tears running down his face, and boogers coming down his round chin.

"I will Mikael. Wish me luck!" i said laughing as i fastened my new sword on my hip, and began walking towards the colleseum in the middle of the city. It was too far of a walk, but it was more than enough time to have people whispering about the tall tan skinned boy with a sword walking down the street in all black. I paid them no mind as i focused on the tall task ahead of me this day. When i finally arrived at the colleseum it was awe inspiring. It was unbelivably tall, and had many carvings on the side of the stone. Its said that every king we have ever had was carved into the side of the stone. There were also many different kinds of animals and gods also carved into the walls. While looking up my eyes locked onto the stone face of the first king. His long flowing beard, and hulking mass with his trident in his hand. The first king that unified the kingdom. It was alot to live up to. While i was day dreaming i was knocked over suddenly. I fell to my knees, and spun on my knee to face the purpetrator with my hand on my sword.

"Watch where you stand boy." the man said looking down on me. " nobility is passing through." as he walked and was followed by a tall boy with long flowing blue robes. He had long blonde locks, and had the crest of the Ferranima family. the crest had an anvil , and swords in an X behind them facing downward.

" what you staring at boy?" said the noble with venom in his voice. I looked at him in his deep blue eyes, and smiled.

"Oh nothing, Sir." i said getting back to my feet and getting to eye level with the noble.

"You dont know to whom you speak boy. Know your place." he said raising his hand to strike me. He swings his hand to backhand me, but before he can even get the motion started. I grab him by his wrist get behind him, and push him down on this stomach, and place him in a shoulder lock. As i do this his guard begins to unsheathe his sword so i release the nobles arm, and place my knee on the nobles back. I then place my sword right under the guards chin and place my free hand on the back of the nobles head.

"You move you die." i said to the guard as i bent down towards the nobles ear. "I couldnt care less who you are, but before you go to strike someone at least try to think about the consequences you spoiled brat." as i said this i got up off of the noble, and sheathed my sword and started walking back towards the colleseum to check in. i briefly glanced over my shoulder just in time to see the noble get to his feet with his face red with anger. I smile as i walk into the front gate of the massive stone structure towards a woman.

"Hello sir, what is your name, age, and gift or gifts." awoman said behind a counter.

"My name is Tenebris, i am 15 winters old, my gift is Darkness." i said,

"Alright. Walk through the doors behind me and wait for your name to be called. Good luck." she said with a smile.

"I dont believe in luck." i said pushing the doors open on the next obstacle of my life.