Chapter 32

Ana, Zoey and Lucy stepped through the portal as they were in a dead forest as everything was monotone. The trees looked like the life was sapped out of them as the dirt in the ground was black, while Lucy used machinal arm from her chair to pick up a sample. She put on a pair of battle googles on as they analyzed the dirt quickly.

"This dirt is pretty much dead. No nutrients, minerals, nothing." Said Lucy.

"Even the atmosphere feels just wrong." Said Zoey.

"Come on you two. Let's find the beast." Said Ana as she lead the way.

The audience watched as the headmaster had their eyes on Ana, while a Merlin clone appeared next to them as Jorge was startled as he flinched.

"Ah! Please don't do that." Said Jorge.

"Apologizes." Merlin replied.

"Anastasia Van Helsing. Could you not have picked anyone perfect for this?" Said Clair.

"Yes, having her might as well be cheating." Said Alastair.

"First off, I'm abiding by the tournament rules. She is a student here. But she's not perfect. But she is one of the best student in the school. So I'm definitely having her participate." Said Merlin.

Back with Isaac and the girls, Brooke, Sabrina and Julia were acting giddy about Ana.

"They're very happy." Said Isaac.

"Yeah, what's up with you all?" Felicity asked.

"That's Ana Van Helsing! She's so awesome!" Said Brooke.

"She's someone I respect." Said Julia.

"She helps out so many people and she's so educating in hunting. She's close to perfect." Said Sabrina.

"Plus, she's so pretty. I wish I looked like her." Said Brooke.

"I like her hair." Said Julia.

"I know!" Said Sabrina.

"I wonder what she uses?" Said Brooke.

"I know Ana is a nice person. But is she that great?" Felicity asked.

"She the ideal student and person. And she kicks ass." Said Isaac.

"Hell yeah! She even has a fan club." Said Brooke as she pointed.

The seats in front of them had her fans as they were cheering for her. They had banners and posters that had her face on them. Back at the challenge, Ana held up her fist as Zoey and Lucy stopped as Ana closed her eyes for a second. Zoey looked around as her vision changed into different types of visions.

"I'm not picking up anything." Said Zoey.

"Same here. What are we facing?" Lucy asked.

Ana quickly opened her eyes as she held her hand out, while a repeating shotgun appeared to her hand. She quickly cocked the gun and pointed at the forest as Zoey stood ready, while Lucy rolled behind them.

"It's here." Said Ana as they heard heavy horse steps.

Ahead of them was evil looking monster that had no skin, all of its muscles was showing. It had the body of a horse but attached to its back was the upper body of a human like figure. It's head was large as it leaned to a side, while having long arms and claws that touched the ground. It walked towards them as it was turning the already dead trees into wither trees that broke into pieces as it made creepy noises from the human head.

"The fuck…" Said Zoey.

"This isn't good." Said Lucy.

"A damn nuckelavee. Zoey, I'm going to have to count on you on getting close to the thing. Me and Lucy have to keep our distance." Said Ana.

"Why?" Zoey asked.

"That creature releases out a smoke like gas from the mouth of the horse part of its body. It kills anything living. So breathing it is a big no. You're the only one who can get close to it since your lungs aren't organic." Said Lucy.

"And what will you do?" Zoey asked.

"Oh, staying back. Support. The usual." Said Lucy.

"Lazy ass. Alright, then. Kill switch…?" Zoey asked.

"Go all out, Zoey." Said Ana.

"Alright, kill switch…" Said Zoey.

She took off her coat as nanites quickly covered her body and turned into armor. They even covered her face as she had a protective mask as her eyes turned red and glowed through the eye openings of her mask.

"Engage." Said Zoey.

She then bolted to the nuckelavee as it swung one of its arms at her. But Ana shot the arm away and the shot the other arm. Zoey jumped at the human face of the nuckelavee punching it hard across the face. She then landed as her right arm quickly morphed into a plasma cannon, while pointing at it at close range. She fired at the horse head, but that only angered the beast as it stood on its hind legs and stomped down. But Zoey rolled out of the way, until an arrow was shot into the beast as it was beeping. It exploded as Ana had a crossbow in her hands as she was changing ammo. The nuckelavee let out a horrible whinny and yell as it charged towards Ana and Lucy. Ana used her life force and jumped far above and over the nuckelavee, while aiming at its back. She then fired an arrow that was connected to a metallic wire. But the nuckelavee human head noticed it as the horse strafed to its right, evading the arrow.

"Lucy!" Zoey shouted.

"Ugh, it had to charge this way." Said Lucy as she looked like she was getting up.

Her nanites quickly covered her legs, spin, neck and arms; making a sleek exoskeleton as she was able to stand up. The nuckelavee drew close, until four metal tendrils appeared out of Lucy's back as they stopped the nuckelavee in place.

"Damn, creature. Forcing me to use this. Move your ass, Zoey!" Lucy shouted.

"Shut up!" Zoey responded as he jumped towards the nuckelavee's back.

Her right fist increased in size with the nanites as she rammed a powerful blow into its back, forcing it down to the ground. It yelled out in pain, until its human head was hit in the head by a bullet.

"Both of you get out of the way!" Ana shouted.

They both jumped far back as a red barrel rolled towards the nuckelavee as it looked confused. Until Ana tossed a grenade at it, while smiling and waving goodbye to it.

"Sorry, for killing ya." Said Ana.

The grenade exploded as the barrel exploded, incinerating the nuckelavee. But it survive as it ran around screaming in pain, until Zoey dashed at the human head cutting it off and Lucy thrust one of her tendrils into the horse head. It immediately died as it body fell and continued to burn.

"Okay, where the hell did you get that barrel?" Lucy asked.

"My arsenal orb. Where else?" Ana replied.

"Dumb question. Why a barrier fuel of explosive liquid?" Lucy asked.

"To kill it, duh, sis?" Said Zoey.

"I wanted to give you both an opening and it worked. Why? Too flashy?" Ana asked.

"For my tastes, yes." Said Lucy as she sat back down on her chair, while nanites receded.

"Well, I thought it was awesome, girl." Said Zoey as she Ana high fived.

Salem students cheered on as the three of them walked out of the portal and back into the arena.

"Team Salem clocked in at 4 minutes and 31 seconds!" Said Merlin with joy.

Students at Salem cheered with joy as the magical hologram showed the places the schools were.

"In the lead with 4 points is Thunderbird. And second with 3 points is San Teresa. Third with 2 points is Salem. And in last with 1 point is North Winchester. I hope you all had an incredible time folks, because that will be it for today's challenge! We will see you tomorrow in our next challenge!" Said Merlin.

Alastair looked annoyed as Clair stood smug and Jorge was sliding away from the both of them. Chase, leader of North Winchester, looked furious as he looked at the hologram.

"Can't believe we lost to a bunch of lowly monsters." Chase thought to himself.

Until he saw Isaac in the crowd with Felicity as his furious looked changed into sinister smile. Isaac, Felicity and her friends were walking out of the arena entrance together as they girls were overjoy.

"That was so awesome!" Said Brooke.

"I know. The way they think quick and act on instinct is incredible." Said Sabrina.

"Watching them makes me want to get stronger." Said Julia.

"Do you think we'll get to that level?" Brooke asked.

The three of them looked at Isaac as Felicity looked at them and then Isaac.

"Uh, well. This may sound cliché. But with a lot of practice and hard work. I don't doubt it." Said Isaac.

"Yeah, that was pretty cliché." Said Brooke.

"But he's right! I've been practicing punching with Isaac's team. And now, I can throw a punch." Said Felicity as she flex her right arm with her left hand on her bicep.

"Watch out, girls. Badass over here." Said Brooke, while Isaac's device rung.

"Oh, sorry, Felicity. But have to get going." Said Isaac.

"Work?" Felicity asked.

"Yeah. I will see you later. Bye, you three. It was nice meeting you." Said Isaac.

"The pleasure was ours." Said Brooke.

"Bye." Said Sabrina.

"See you." Said Julia.

Isaac walked off, until he noticed Chase up ahead of him as he looked at him. But Isaac ignored him and tried walking another way as Chase was offended.

"Atwood! Or should I say—" Said Chase.

But Isaac glared at him, forcing him to stop out of fear.

"It's been a while, Atwood. How's the brother doing?" Chase asked.

"Crazy as all hell. What's it to you?" Isaac responded.

"Nothing. I'm just worried about your family line. Since you do hold on of the strongest weapons known to man. I don't know if you heard, but there are rumors about your brother plotting to bring back a certain powerful being. A being who killed your parents." Said Chase.

"Damn, I forgot how much a hate your ass. Funny that you're a knight and you treat a loyal knight like he was commoner." Said Isaac.

"True, but last time I remember…you're a filthy half blood." Said Chase.

Isaac was about to react, until Yuko appeared and accidently tripped and slapped Chase across the face. Christine was with her as she stood with Isaac, but surprised by Yuko.

"Oops! Did I hurt you? I'm so sorry. I hope my little hand didn't hurt you?" Said Yuko.

"No, it did not." Said Chase.

"Isaac, is he bothering you?" Christine asked.

But Chase was mesmerized by Christine as she looked beautiful to him.

"Because if he is, I don't mind kicking his ass. He looks pretty weak." Said Yuko.

"What did you say!?" Chase responded.

"Take another step. I dare." Said Yuko.

"I'm sorry, but who the hell are you!?" Chase asked.

"My name is Yuko Takahashi. But that's just my regular name in your eyes. But my family's true surname is Mikoto." Said Yuko.

"M-Mikoto? I…" Said Chase.

"What's wrong? Can't speak in front of a royal blooded Great Knight? Do yourself a favor and walk away and never bother him again. Because he's my rival and only I can fight him! Understood, knight?" Yuko asked.

"Y-Yes. Apologize, ma'am. Another time then, Isaac." Said Chase as he left.

"I totally forgot about that guy. He was such freaking jerk to you. I guess nothing has changed." Said Christine.

"You alright, Ai?" Said Yuko.

"Um, can I ask why are you two together?" Isaac asked.

"Oh, well, me and Yuko are friends now!" Said Christine.

"Yeah. She's pretty awesome. She's been helping me how to read English better. I can see why you were on that date." Said Yuko, jokingly as she nudged him.

"Stop. But that's good to hear. I appreciate the help. But don't you think you exaggerate on your rank a bit, Yuko?" Isaac asked.

"Maybe, but who cares. He's gone. And if my mom finds out. Tell me because that woman is fast and I want to have a heads start. Also, who was that jerk?" Yuko asked.

"Just a jealous brat who wants Excalibur, to put it simple." Said Isaac.

"Ah." Yuko replied.

"Well, I'll leave you two. I have some important things to take care of." Said Isaac as he left.

"See you." Said Yuko.

"Take care, Isaac." Said Christine.

Isaac soon arrive at the lair as Mr. Guerrero was there waiting for him, while Isaac was change his jacket into a sweat jacket.

"You ready to continue?" Mr. Gurerro asked.

"Yes. Don't hold back." Said Isaac.

"You sure about that? I'd hate to hurt you." Mr. Gurerro responded.