Nemian Lion

Iris stared blankly at the box. His mind was racing, things were different from last time. This time he was prepared for his time during the academy, however, things were still going to be difficult. Iris' eyes drifted over to Luna. She was patiently waiting for her turn in the box. He chuckled to himself. He couldn't wait to watch her fight. The person in the box now was battling a scorpion. It was about the size of an average adult male. Its stinger struck the examinee, most likely shattering a few of the person's ribs. Iris shook his head. The man was too focused on the pincers. 

The third year got up and walked into the box. In one foul swoop he dispatched the scorpion. He dragged the poor soul out of the box and put him onto a gurney. The third year took out a small vial of liquid and poured it into the man's mouth. 

"Ah, you really should be careful of the stinger. They're deadly, especially the toxins." The third year said, giving the man a sad smile. He sent the man off once his wounds had healed. Iris stared intently at Luna, who was currently on the verge of entering the box. He paid no more heed to the injured fellow. He was more interested in watching her fight. Whatever she had found during her time at the Tower gave her the ability to send me back. Or maybe it was just a byproduct of the huge mana explosion. One couldn't quite be sure. 

The third year looked over at Iris. 'This boy, I've already warned the elders. He is a legend among his peers. I wonder what he'll do in the second test.' He thought to himself, feeling giddy at the prospect. 'The first years have no idea what they will be getting themselves into.' The third year said, letting a small chuckle out of his mouth. 

Iris looked away from Luna and peered at the box. It really was a mystery, even the elders didn't know where it came from. The sides of the box, an intricate enigma. Symbols lined golden hoops. Gears turned, some fast, some painfully slow. It was like a massive clock. Luna had finished climbing the steps at this point, and drew Iris' attention back to her. The massive longsword she had chosen from the armory strapped to her back. I'm sure it's a legendary weapon.

Luna's last fight had been a spectacle. She was one of the few gold rank spirits amongst the examinees. Her power trumped most of those gold ranks, if not trumped all of them. Her power had been enough to draw a legendary creature out of the box. A chimera. She had fought with it for over two hours before emerging bloody and victorious. The way they clashed gave her a greater reputation than some of the elders. Even the elders gave her respect, after all, if one could slay a legendary creature and come out with their life, they were by no means ordinary.

Luna approached the center circle of the platform and waited. The doors once again opened, the inside a black abyss. A loud roar came from the opening, shaking most of the examinees to their core. The creature slowly stepped out from the box, a golden glow coming off of its fur. 'Well that's new. It's the Nemean Lion. Tsk, this is going to be a difficult fight for her. Even if her weapon could cut through its fur, she would still have to get close to the beast.' Thought Iris, his face contorting in worry. 

"Well isn't that fun. She gets to fight the Nemean Lion." Said the third year, smiling to himself. He then laughed and waited outside the box. 'The fact she summoned this creature is enough to accept her into the Tower, let's just see if she can exchange a few blows with it before going down.' The third year thought. 

Luna saw the third year outside the box, smiling. She cursed at her luck and sneered. "Damn, I have to fight this thing." She said to herself. The lion approached, flashing its teeth in what appeared to be a gruesome grin. Each of its paws housed claws sharper than any ordinary weapon. Luna unsheathed her sword, taking stance. She couldn't let herself underestimate this foe. She attacked first, not wanting to be caught in a corner after it decided to attack. The lion slashed at her, missing her arm by a narrow margin after she dodged. She brought her sword down and hit the lion in the neck.

A sudden crack rang out as her blade snapped in half, the other half flying away. The lion let out a roar and backed off. His gruesome grin once again appeared, as if to say, "Poor you, seems your blade broke." Luna dodged an attack aimed at her jugular as the lion pounced. Its sharp claws dug into the ground. Luna sent a kick at the lion, pushing it back a few meters. Her foot had broken. "Argh, damn lion. It's hard as a friggin' rock." She said in pain. The third year suddenly appeared next to her. "Hello, there. Need some assistance?" He asked. She winced in pain as her foot throbbed. "That would be nice." She said, resigning to her defeat. 

The third year had watched what was happening. She had held up much better than he had thought she would. She exceeded his every expectation. However, it was time to intervene. He couldn't have such a prodigy die under the claws of such a foul beast. He stepped forward releasing an intimidating aura. He took out a blade and flew towards the lion. The lion lunged at the third year. 

The lion and the third year clashed together, letting out a flurry of sparks. Their respective weapons groaning from the attacks. The lion used its overwhelming strength to push back the third year. The third year swooped behind the lion piercing its flank. The lion let out an angry roar and threw the third year away from him, swatting out the blade in his flank. The lion let out an aura that matched the third years in menacing quality and flew toward him in rage, catching the third year off guard. He was sent flying into the shield. His body fell limp and he slumped down onto the ground.

Iris, who had been watching this the whole time was shocked. He flew toward the box at breakneck speed and entered the battle. The lion made its way towards the third year in a race to kill him. Luna managed to pick up the third year's blade, and in a bid to protect him parried the lion's claws. However, she was flung into the shield as well. She was still conscious, though, and tried to get up. Her body wouldn't heed her command, even as she desperately tried to get up. The most she could manage was getting up to her knees. 

The lion walked forward slowly, savoring the thought of being able to kill the two. The lion walked forward slowly, dragging its claws on the platform, making it let out a small screech. 

Iris made his way into the arena drawing his dual blades. He flew at the lion, however he was too slow. The lion had chomped onto the throat of the third year, crushing his windpipe. Iris flew into a rage. His weapons ignited, showing flames and ice. The lion saw Iris approaching and readied itself. It spat out the limp remains of the third year. Iris knew the elders would be there within a few moments, he just had to hold off the lion. 

Iris sped forward, letting out a battlecry exchanging blows with the lion. He slashed and the lion dodged. The lion bared its fangs and pounced at Iris. Iris narrowly dodged the attack and positioned himself between the lion and Luna.

Luna looked up at the person in front of her. He was the one who had been watching her earlier. She knew he was powerful, but at the extent that he could throw hands with the lion? She let out a small laugh, immediately coughing up some blood. She switched her focus to the limp body near her. 'Damn, tsk, why did he have to go and die? He was too cocky.' She thought to herself. 

Iris did his best to block the attacks of the lion. Each attack would force him back two or three steps. If he missed even one block, his chest would be torn into ribbons. However, as the battle started dragging on Iris got the feel of the lion's attacks. After some more blocking he managed to slice the lion, ripping some of its skin off. 

It roared in pain, its attacks becoming more violent and unpredictable. Iris felt his energy slowly draining as the fight went on. He started being pushed into a corner. This wasn't good. He was no longer in the place to protect Luna. Letting out one final roar Iris deflecting the claws of the lion and moved to its side. He swung both swords down onto its neck. Not soon after he heard countless bones crunch, The lion went limp and fell down. Iris had managed to break into iron rank over his fight. It was what gave him the much needed energy boost to prepare that final attack. Absolutely exhausted, Iris sat on the ground.

Luna looked over at Iris in shock. He had managed to kill that creature. She watched him suck in air. She knew that even though he had broken through the ranks during the fight, that he had no energy left. She looked down. She heaved herself up and walked over to the lion. She saw that the boy's swords were still stuck in the beast's neck. Luna knelt down, and sat beside Iris. 

"What's your name?" She asked. "Iris, and yours?" He replied. "Luna Eins, of House Eins." She said. "How did you do it? How did you kill this beast, even when you're a low rank." She asked in a light tone. "I've had a lot of practice. I've never tried to improve my soul power, but rather perfect the skills I know before." Iris replied, giving her a smile. 

Everyone outside the box mouths were slack, they had just witnessed the battle of the century. Not only did a third year student die, but a mere bronze rank killed a legendary beast. That wasn't something you see everyday. 

The elders flew in and landed outside the box. "Make way!" Yelled one of the elders. Everyone immediately parted and made a path to the entrance. The elders quickly filed into the box, expecting a massacre. What they didn't expect were two examinees sitting next to a dead lion. Some of their jaws went slack. It also appeared as if the low rank from earlier had killed it, maybe his powers weren't an exaggeration after all. 

Luna and Iris looked up at the elders. "Hey." Iris said, giving them a bloody smile.