Warmth

The next morning, everyone gathered to hear what Leva Veral had decided. On one side stood Leva, Estelle and their warriors. On the other, Michael, Darius, Tomas and Yona. A few minutes later, Veretta entered the room. There were dark circles under her eyes and she carried a deadened stare that did not meet the eyes of the others.

"Then we will begin," Leva announced," Three battles will take place. The first, Princess Estelle and Tomas. The second, my assistant Vincent and Yona. Lastly, myself and...miss Veretta,"

"That was not what we agreed!" Michael snapped.

"The young lady came this morning making the petition herself," Leva smiled.

Michael's eyes widened, infuriated, but still, Veretta said nothing.

"Then let us go and settle this matter once and for all," Leva added in the interlude.

Everyone turned to depart. Michael pulled Veretta aside. The other hung back equally concerned.

"Don't do this just to spite me!" Michael hissed.

"Have you considered that this is not about you?"

"Veretta, why would you ask to fight Leva Veral?" Tomas cried, "she is a Grand wizard!"

"She is a fierce warrior," Darius conceded.

"Let me talk to Veretta alone for a minute," Michael said In a low voice.

"Don't waste your breath, Michael," Veretta said flatly, "It is already decided,"

"No, it isn't!" Michael breathed, "take back your request now."

"Or what? You'll tell Shallow to erase my memories again?" Veretta glared.

"No," Michael sighed, "but can't you see this is ridiculous? How will fighting Leva Veral solve anything?"

"Am I getting in the way of one of your plans?" Veretta smiled coldly, " Or maybe this is your plan,"

Michael's jaw clenched, " I see there is no talking to you...Shallow, take her and go,"

Veretta's expression dropped and became vacant. There was a long pause, "Oh, it seems that isn't going to work this time. Looks like I'll see you on the battlefield, "

"No, no, wait!" Michael inhaled sharply.

Veretta looked back sceptically, " I used you and you used me like all the others. That's how this world works, right? Don't feel bad Michael, it doesn't suit you,"

"What if I told you something I never told those other women," Michael gritted his teeth, " would that change your mind?"

" I don't think anything you can say now will change my mind," Veretta dismissed apathetically.

"Veretta, " Michael said slowly, " I...I love you,"

Veretta's eyes widened and contracted with scorn, " And I loved you,"

With that she turned around and left...

*******

The first battle began that afternoon. All gathered at the courtyard. The ground had been marked with a white barrier. Leva stepped forward to address the crowd.

"This may be a battle, but we have had enough bloodshed. Thus, the rules will be as follows: two enter. If one is pushed out of the barrier, they conceded the match. Otherwise, the opponent can choose to submit. This is not a battle to the death. We will follow these rules. That is all. The first contenders may step forward,"

Accordingly, Tomas met Estelle on the battlegrounds.

" This isn't personal Estelle, " Tomas frowned.

"On the contrary, I asked for this arrangement, " Estelle replied coldly, "the boy who betrayed his country, and the woman who fought for hers. Ironic, isn't it?"

"Why do you hate me so much?" Tomas asked flatly.

"Because I grieved you, prayed for you and all this time...you were alive," Estelle replied sharply. She unsheathed her sword and pointed it at Tomas, " now raise your sword, traitor,"

Tomas slowly unsheathed his weapon stiffly, " I'm sorry,"

"Don't be. You're already dead to me,"

Estelle flew at Tomas, launching a blinding array of fiery swipes. Tomas raised his sword to block, but it wasn't enough. With one heavy blow, he went tumbling back, almost reaching the line.

Estelle held up her hand. A fireball exploded from her palm. Tomas rolled forward, avoiding it just at the last second. More flew at him at lightning speed. Tomas couldn't avoid the last. His hand was caught in the blast and he was forced to relinquish his sword.

Estelle marched forward raising her sword above Tomas' head.

"Concede," Estelle barked.

Tomas released a blast of wind. Estelle went hurtling back. She caught her stand and looked around expecting the next attack. However, the battleground was empty. Her brow furrowed as she glanced around. Suddenly, a black shadow passed over her head. Her eyes came up rapidly as her blade met against Tomas. The pressure of the attack flung Estelle across the battlefield.

Tomas followed instantly behind. He launched a kick at her gut. She immediately blocked, firing another shot of flame magic. Tomas back sprung away avoiding the blaze. He released another wave of wind magic. This time, Estelle was driven back to the outer perimeter. The fierce wind pushed her towards the line. She drove her sword into the earth to ground herself.

Tomas approached quickly and the skirmish continued in hand to hand combat, right on the edge of the line. It soon became clear, Estelle had the upper hand. Her moves were hard and heavy as she relentlessly attempted to beat Tomas into submission. With one fell punch, she struck him directly in the face and he fell back.

Estelle yanked her sword out of the earth and came towards him. Tomas held up his hands.

"It won't work this time," Estelle smiled icily.

However, to her surprise, the wind didn't push her back. Instead, she found herself flying forward. Tomas caught her in his arms. Immediately, he thrust forward driving them both oher the line.

The moment they crossed it, he released her, wiping his bloody nose. "I guess it's a draw," he smiled.

Estelle threw down her sword, enraged and stormed off. The match was declared over and Tomas returned to the group.

"I'm sorry," he said dismally," that was the best I could do,"

"She was an experienced warrior," Michael patted him on the shoulder, "you did well,"

Tomas reddened surprised by the uncharacteristic praise. He approached Yona. She gave a warm smile.

"You fought well, " She raised a rag to his nose dabbing the blood away.

Tomas leaned in and kissed her on the cheek," Please be safe," he entreated.

Yona was next to step forward. She approached the boundary finding an elderly man dressed in white. He gave a crooked smile as reached him.

" What a pretty demon you are," he smiled," I am Vincent. Assistant to the Grand Wizard. Long have i waited to see a live demon specimen myself. You can imagine my joy when I was called to participate,"

Yona gave no reaction. The battle commenced. At first, the old man did not move. Yona did not hesitate, she threw a fist straight at him. With startling agility, he easily dodged the blow.

"Speed... yes, this is to be expected," He commented eagerly.

He caught Yona's wrist. With one kick, she knocked Vincent Back. However, instead of falling, the old man simply dusted himself down and straightened up once more.

"And strength!" Vincent exclaimed fanatically," it's all as the books say!"

Yona's jaw clenched. This time, she attacked with a barrage of blows. The old man deftly avoided each attack. Suddenly, he threw out his wrinkled hand catching Yona by the neck. She let out a cry as her flesh began to sear.

"He's a holy magic user," Tomas gasped from the sidelines.

"I suppose Leva Veral planned this, "Darius said gravely.

" We have to stop the fight!" Tomas turned to Michael apprehensively," he'll kill her,"

"Not necessarily," Michael said gravely," Why do you think Ace was able to resist Silthus' magic before he had the necklace?"

"What do you mean?" Tomas questioned anxiously.

"In a fight against demon magic and holy magic, it is still a battle of wills. Demons have the power to consume magic. A powerful demon can resist the effects of holy magic with enough perseverance,"

"But Yona doesn't have the kind of magic that Ace has!" Tomas protested.

"It doesn't matter," Michael replied stiffly, " her desire to save might be enough,"

Tomas slowly turned back to the battle with trepidation.

Yona was still struggling under Vincent's grip. With difficulty, she wrapped her hand around his.

"Ah," Vincent's eyes widened ecstatically," my magic... I can feel it being drained. All the research was true!"

Yona managed to break from his grip and jumped back.

"I've been researching your kind for decades,"Vincent squirmed with perverse delight," what a blessing to find one of your kind still alive!"

He suddenly burst forward with uncanny speed. He began to trade blows with Yona once more. This time, each strike sizzled across Yona's skin. She fell down weakly panting for breath.

"Why not give up the battle?" Vincent Ioomed," become one of my test subjects!"

Yona's eyes shot up viciously. She launched a swift low kick catching the old man off guard. He keeled over with a grunt. Yona caught his jaw on a fierce punch, launching him backwards. He trembled rolling side to side.

" What beast!" he cried spitefully.

Yona hurtled after him. She was about to give another kick when he caught her by the leg. He swung her around, sending her crashing into the dirt. He crawled over her, punching and punching relentlessly.

"Vicious, vicious creature!" He spat.

Yona felt her strength dwindling. She could hear Tomas calling her name from the sidelines. Her vision was beginning to blur. All of a sudden, a faint memory floated into her mind.

A tall dark-haired boy was holding out his hand.

" Come with me, Yona, " Ace smiled widely, " this is no place for a child,"

Yona could recall vividly the warm sensation of taking his hand. She realised for the first time, this was what warmth felt like...

Yona's eyes shot open. She kneed Vincent on the side. He clutched his ribs breathlessly as she launched another into his back. A loud crack penetrated the battlefield. Vincent fell straight down, not moving.

Yona stared down coldly as a medic rushed forward. He pulled Vincent's wrist up.

" He's dead,"

A crowd formed around. Leva Veral looked down sadly. Then her eyes came up icily.

" You've broken the rules. You are disqualified, " she stated coldly.

" What was she supposed to do?!" Tomas exclaimed, " he was going to kill her!"

"Instead, she killed him," Leva said sharply, " these are the rules we all agreed to - don't tell me you plan on reneging on our agreement? "

"No," Michael said flatly, " we will concede this battle to you."