Nathan vs. Rune

After the fourth match, there was a thirty minute intermission for the participants to rest up. Since those in the next round would be fighting, they would have to wait a little longer for lunch, but they could still get a snack or a beverage. The matchups for the semi-finals were:

1st match: Nathan of the Heaven clan vs. Rune of the Clite clan,

2nd match: Kate of the Heaven clan vs. Lin of the Glaize clan.

Though Kate should have been facing Rune, Kalos argued that it wouldn't be right if the two strongest participants faced off in the semi-final so it was rearranged. Nalos knew that Kalos had some sort of scheme in mind when he did this, but since Kaitlyn had given her approval for the rearrangement, he had no choice but to follow along with his plan.

During the break, Kate cheerily ate a kebab while talking with Shui. Bartos was speaking to someone nearby while Lilia had gone to water the flowers so it was just the two of them. Shui was slightly worried her performance would be affected by the 'snack', but he didn't say anything. He was sure that Kate would still be able to win even if it became a handicap.

"So lil' bro, do you have any requests?"

"Huh? What kind of requests?"

"Like how do you want me to win my next match?"

"What?"

"Should I finish him in ten seconds, beat him with 'sweep the trash', stretch out the match for as long as possible?"

Though Shui didn't doubt whether or not Kate was actually capable of what she was saying, he wondered if she was taking her opponent too lightly, and he was rather close. Kate didn't even remember the name of her next foe, all she thought about was how to use them to cheer up Shui.

"Well, why don't you try to win as perfectly as possible?"

"Perfectly?"

"Yeah, don't get hit, don't miss a chance to attack, don't show weakness."

"Ohh, that actually sounds fun! I'll do it!"

Similar to Kate, Shui also looked forward to how she would subdue Lin.

Once the break was over, the time for the first match of the second round came. Before he went on stage, Kran had a talk with Nathan.

"This is going to be very hard for you, so don't forget what I've taught you. It doesn't matter if you need to use a few tricks, do whatever you can to win, you have no choice. If you win, you will be the first in the last fifteen years to have reached the last round in the ten and under category and you will solidify your status as the future Patriarch."

"Yes Master!"

"Good. Don't disappoint me!"

Over at the Clite clan, a similar scene was occurring. Kalos looked down at the boy who knelt down in front of him.

"I shouldn't have to tell you what to do, correct?"

"Of course not, Patriarch."

"Good."

On the stage for just the two, Rune and Nathan faced off against each other carrying the expectations of their clans as well as their own resolve.

"Begin!"

Nathan started off first. He pounced from the opposite side of the stage towards Rune, and without killing his momentum he spun his leg towards Rune's head. Nathan knew the chances of winning against Rune were small to begin with, so he tried to finish him quickly with a surprise attack. When he felt the solid impact from his heel, the tiny hope that he could win nearly exploded inside him, but the sight that he then witnessed was like a bucket of cold water dousing his flame.

With Nathan's feet at his left temple, Rune stared coldly at the child in front of him. He knew that this match didn't have any meaning, it was merely an extra warm-up before he rested. Therefore, there was no reason for him to humour the boy too much. Rune's iron grip latched onto Nathan's leg and then he swung his back to the ground. The impact was enough to blow away Nathan's consciousness for a moment but he almost instantly returned to the pain. Even though he wanted to scream, it couldn't come out of his mouth, he could only wiggle on the ground like a caterpillar.

'No, it, can't be like this.'

Nathan eventually managed to flip over and attempted to return to his feet, but Rune stomped on his left leg.

"Ahh!"

He could finally scream but it wasn't making the situation any better. After stomping on him, Rune kicked him like a ball to the centre of the stage. There were three responses to this act of brutality. The Clite clan members smiled, the Glaize clan was indifferent while the Heaven clan couldn't bear to watch. It was obvious Nathan was no match for Rune, yet this farce was allowed to continue. Even Kran who encouraged Nathan before the match regretted that decision. He wanted to help the boy but he knew the other clans wouldn't allow his interference. Instead, he tried to appeal to them directly.

"Isn't this too much. Can't we just consider it Rune's win?"

"What are you saying? How could you give on the boy so quickly?! This is his fight, let him decide when it ends and respect the result."

Kalos shut down Kran's words without even considering them and his response caused snickers from the Clite clan and some old women from the Glaize clan. Though he wanted to argue back, Corin put his hand on his shoulder and shook his head. They knew they could only wait.

When Rune reached Nathan as he vomited on the stage, he kicked him once more and then repeatedly stomped on him. When blood spurted from his body, many cries to stop the match rang out from the Heaven clan but nothing changed. Nathan was still conscious, he hadn't given up and was still onstage so the match wasn't over yet. Though he knew he should give up, the very shame of that thought made Nathan hesitate. Only when the pain of broken bones was too much did he scream and beg Rune to stop.

"Winner: Rune of the Clite clan."

As soon as the match was over, the Heaven clan rushed towards Nathan and carried him back.

"This is horrible..."

As they examined his body, they discovered several broken bones and heavily bruised areas. Though they had the resources to heal him, it would be impossible for him to compete for third place.

"Those bastards! This was obviously on purpose!"

"Can't we get him disqualified for this?"

"No, nothing he did was against the rules."

Neither of Nathan's parents were present so clan elders and other adults took care of him. As Nalos saw the miserable sight of his grandson, he clenched his fists so hard that they bled. When he noticed this, Corin patted Nalos' shoulder.

"I know how you feel. But we can't fight them in our present state. We have to endure a little longer."

"And how long will that be?"

"..."

Nalos knew that Corin was right, but that didn't change how upset this incident made him.

Nathan's condition managed to move even Kate's heart. She always thought he was a pest, however that didn't mean she was alright with someone else hurting him so badly.

"He'll pay."

By the side of Kate, Shui looked at Nathan indifferently. To him there was no reason to feel pity or sympathy. After all, he would still live, his cultivation would still remain, his family would still be there for him. He only lost because he was weak, simple as that. But he wouldn't force his way of thinking on Kate, he already knew that he was different from other children.