Chapter 16 – Semifinals

"The most anticipated matches of the whole tournament is the seventh week and seventh round of the Dungeon Selection Tournament. Four Royalty Realm individuals fight it out head-to-head! Here is the schedule:

Dungeon Shade Samson versus Ex-King Job.

Dungeon Shade Ahab versus Lizard King Hamon.

Last round, the sages were promptly annihilated, but now, we'll have the meat and potatoes of battles, the classics for years to come."

"Rarely do we get real and true footage of Royalty Realm individuals going all out Jasper."

"Ruby, it looks like you owe me an apology because my two picks from round one, two of the Dungeon Shades have made the final four."

"I guess I do Jasper." Ruby's red hair and red lips pursed. "Of the final four, only one of my predictions, ex-King Job made it."

"The dark horse of these four finalists has to be Lizard King Hamon. Hailing from a devastated beast nation named Tanzanite, Hamon seeks to represent the refugee populations and bring honor as a top finalist."

"Well, I'd say he's already done so Jasper. Anyone privileged enough to make it through to the top 32 and below has done a great service to their perspective countries and groups. I'm sure our sponsors will keep an eye on all the standout talent we've seen displayed in this tournament."

"Those of the 256 who don't enter the main roster will be given huge benefits for staying behind. That's for sure Ruby. The Dungeon Selection Badge advertised by Grand Councilman Ziphe during the second round of the Dungeon Selection will be given to anyone who does not enter the final roster, and the world will remember their time in the tournament in previous rounds for generations to come."

"When you put it that way Jasper, some might even be tempted to stay in Ryko even though they qualify to be in the main party roster."

"If it were me, I would take my badge, sell it, and retire at a young age. But, I guess that's why I'm an announcer and not a participant." Jasper joked.

***

Elsewhere, Job and Samson were preparing for their battle.

As the crowd cheered enthusiastically, Job prepared to fight seriously.

"Royalty Skill: Heaven's Peak," Job exclaimed, making the first move. A large hill representing Heaven manifested in the stadium with Job standing at the peak of the miniature mountain. Samson watched curiously; he had never seen a skill like this before. It was obviously a skill created specifically by Job and developed over years of trial and error.

"Climb Heaven if you can!" Job challenged. Samson tried to reach Job, but for some reason, he appeared to be struggling as he got closer.

"I understand now. How intriguing! You can't move, but the pressure of the mountain makes it so I can't reach you." Samson deduced. If Job could really move, his own sluggish movements would surely be punished.

"Who says I can't attack you though?" Job smirked. Suddenly, vines and shrubbery from the tiny mountain struck out at Samson.

"Oceanus Twelve: Number 9," Samson yelled in retaliation. Now that he was done probing the strange skill, Samson's aura surged. Able to move now, Samson fought off the plant life and tried to make his way up the stadium sized mountain. Meanwhile, Job watched at the small peak and attacked with his plant magic like a general.

"It's that skill again," Cheptah watched the blue ocean like hue of Samson slash the leaves and trees of the mountain. "What do you think about Samson's skill Gileon?" Cheptah asked. David listened intently and nudged Samcyra to pay attention to the conversation.

"It's weird for sure. It's like a water magic skill but also something else. I can't quite put my finger on it. What do you think Cheptah?" Gileon wondered.

"I think it's a summoner skill," responded Cheptah.

"How? It looks like it just enhances his water abilities. What a weird skill for a Shade." Samcyra commented. Shades were known to have an affinity with void magic and fire magic, not water magic.

"The name of it has the number nine in it. I think that implies there it's linked to another person or group." Cheptah explained.

"Makes sense," Aventi eavesdropped but agreed. Cheptah was normally a meathead; it was strange he was thinking deeply about skill mechanics.

"Maybe he's another member of the masked numbers. They only go up to seven right?" Omira weighed in on the conversation as well.

"I don't think so. His fighting style is nothing like the masked numbers or even that '11' girl Emerald. There also that 21 fellow who helped Clico and Stern. People just like to use numbers to hide their true identities." David countered.

On the fake Heaven mountain, Samson was making headway and was nearing the summit. Cameras and drones narrowed in on Samson's position throughout the climb for obstructed spectators to see and hear what was going on. The mix of advanced technology and medieval culture didn't bother the people of Ryko; it was common for the rich to have access to ancient, lost technologies. To them, it was just like another kind of magic.

Ten minutes had passed, and two thirds remained in the allotted time. Facing one another at the summit, Job used his next skill,

"King of Heaven," around him, a crown of thorns and robe of plants engulfed Job's body, boosting his power immensely. Samson reasoned the first skill was a defensive skill that bought enough time to properly cast King of Heaven, which looked more offensive. Job summoned a plethora of plants to fight alongside him, and he also conjured a longsword covered by the weeds of Heaven. The true fight began. Fist collided with sword as the two sent shockwaves on the mountain.

"So, this is a battle between mid-tier Kings…" people marveled. Mortals could fight at inhuman speeds, showcasing an enjoyable battle. Sages could use large scale magic, damaging their surroundings and creating epic scenes. Yet, Royalty Realm battles could change the very landscape of their battle; the only reason the spectators were not harmed were because of the exceptionally advanced runic barriers set up by the High Mage Council around the arena. As Aventi watched, she couldn't imagine the consequences of a Deity Realm battle if a King like Job could terraform the arena like this.

Water energy spurred off of the plant life, sending beautiful rays of green and blue rays into the atmosphere. An overwhelming percentage of the spectators could barely make out the direct fight since the two were moving faster than the naked eye, but the Sages and Royalty watching were speechless. Job appeared to have a slight advantage overall.

"Skill: Righteous Quest," Samson used his trump card. From the heavens, a blue streak of watery lightning struck Samson, enveloping him in blue light. His hideous Shade features melted away, and the depiction of a pale yet gentle young man descended.

"This must be what looked like before he became a Shade," thought Clico.

Fighting fervently, Samson and Job continued their clash. Evenly matched, the blue and green lights danced in the morning dew. Given another hour or more, a clear winner could be deciphered, but they didn't have hours.

"Tie!" Jasper called out, signaling the end of the match. Everyone had been so mesmerized by the fight that they lost track of time. Restricting their auras, the two shook hands at Heaven's Summit. It didn't matter who won and who lost; both didn't hold back and showed their trump cards to the world. The result was an era defining battle between members of the Great Dungeon Party.

"The coin toss is in!" a coin flipped on screen. "Winner! Ex-King Job!"

***

In the wake of the epic clash, a halftime break was implemented while the Council's cleanup crew removed the tall hill erected in the Pyrite Colosseum. Hours went by, and it was almost dusk by the time the stadium arena was ready to be used again. The match between Dungeon Shade Ahab and Lizard King Herod was about to begin.

Ahab had an interesting proposition for King Herod.

"I propose a game,"

"Do go on," Herod entertained. The mob watched curiously.

"My main skill is nearly identical to Samson's," he explained. David and Cheptah looked at each other upon hearing that, but Samson continued.

"Therefore, it won't be much fun for our fans if they watch the same fight over and over. The game is straightforward:

We each use one ability from the Seven Paths over seven rounds in a wrestling ring. I'm sure you're well aware that us at the Royalty Realm should at least have one skill in each magical branch, even if they are weak skills. Each round will be short, and ties are allowed. Skills that utilize multiple paths can be used again. What do you say?"

"You know what, this sounds interesting. I agree." Herod was intrigued. Virtually every mage specialized in one or two magical paths, and from the Mortal Realm to the Deity Realm, individuals that knew how to utilize more than three paths were considered rare. Higher realm individuals learned different paths to gain new perspectives for their main skills and very rarely did anyone utilize multiple paths organically in combat.

Quickly, the Council accommodated the proposition and conjured up a wrestling ring. Jasper announced which path would go first.

"First path: Natural Realm!" This meant any skill from bloodline and physiques to elemental magic was allowed.

"Shade Skill: Dungeon Born!" The raw power of the Shade oozed out of Ahab.

"Bloodline Skill: Lizard Royalty."

The two wrestled violently, but in the end, the power of the Shade overpowered the Lizard.

"1-0 Ahab, next path: Scientific Path!"

"This is all I have, Blind Artifact," Ahab put on a pair of goggles he had bought during the tournament. The goggles blinded him but powered up his muscles.

"Tanzanite Heirloom: Lizard Royalty Robe," Herod put on his artifact that helped his defense.

"Skill: Royalty Robe Bloodletting," Herod's robe of lizard skin grew rough, and spikes pushed into his skin. The robe responded to the blood and caused Herod's aura to grow exponentially. Instantly, Ahab lost the round.

"1-1 Herod, next path: Spirit Path!"

"Skill: Oceanic Echoes," Ahab chanted. Around him, blue specks danced around him, created a mist like environment.

"Skill: Ancestral Rage!" Herod growled. His eyes turned red with rage, and the spirits of his ancestors strengthened him.

The mist slowly damaged Herod, but there wasn't enough time. Herod's rage consumed Ahab and the round ended.

"2-1 Herod, next path: Shade Path!"

"Shade Skill: Dungeon Born!" As a Shade's body was technically also a physique as well as an inherent Shade skill, Ahab could use it for both categories.

Likewise, Herod could use his skill, Ancestral Rage, as it used a mixture of spirit and shade energies. Yet again, the raw power the Shade possessed overwhelmed Herod, their vicious auras dazzling the audience.

2-2 Ahab, next path: Summoner Path!"

"Skill: Oceanic Echoes!" Ahab tried his spirit and summoner hybrid skill again.

"Use another skill! That one isn't working," Herod mocked. "Skill: Lizard Army!" Borrowing some of his subordinate's aura, Herod grew in size and power. Herod was right; Oceanic Echoes was not the right move. With one slash, Herod overcame the poisonous area of effect skill casted by Ahab.

"3-2 Herod, next path: Runic Path!"

"Runic Skill: Tier Two Potential Seal!" Ahab ripped his shirt off to reveal a mid-tier potential seal over his heart. Clico was impressed because Ahab was well trained. The Tier Two Potential Seal was a staple as the most common seal among the intermediate runes.

"Runic Skill: Tier Two Potential Seal!" Lizard King Herod was just as impressive, but it was more likely than not that the King had a runic specialist inscribe it onto him. Ahab didn't have subordinates to help him, so he probably did it himself. Regardless, the next fight was one of raw strength, and Ahab prevailed.

3-3 Ahab. Wow, it all comes down to this! Final path: Authority Path!"

"Oceanus Twelve: Number Five!" The blue aura mimicked Samson's identically.

"Huh, it looks like I lose. Skill: Royal Flush!" A deck of cards flew around Herod. It was a party trick skill that couldn't harm anyone above the low-Sage Realm.

"4-3 Ahab! Winner of the Seven Paths' Cage Match, Ahab!"

"Wait, they aren't in a cage?" Stern turned and asked Clico. The crowd didn't seem to care. Ahab would face Job in the finals while Samson and Herod would fight for third place.

"Tune in next week for the Grand Finale of the Dungeon Selection Tournament! Matches like these don't happen often. Next week we will know for sure who will take home the prize of being the strongest member of the Dungeon Party Selection that will be remembered for years to come.

When the party returns from Hell, the winner will also be given exclusive rights to a movie and book deal as well as the incentive of having an extra choice among the eighteen spots still in the air. All remaining four candidates fighting for first and third place have something to prove. Who will win and who will lose? Find out, next week!"