Adventure of Astral Part 50: Fates

The tense silence filled the air as Astral let out a heavy breath while letting go of Tina. She raised her staff at him as he began to speak. "Sora challenged me to a duel, I do not know when, or why, other than he wants it for his own gain. I must ask you to follow his lead and his orders until I give a command not to."

The three of them paused as a cyan aura engulfed the room. They all looked at each other as they were very wary of what was to happen. "What if we are tasked to kill you?" James asked as Astral let his face rest somberly.

"Fret not, I will only become stronger from here. I trust in you three to support his efforts and to aid him. Don't kill for him." The three nodded as Astral scratched the tops of Angel and James' heads. "Besides, if you do attack me with full force. It would be great training for you all." they all quietly laughed as Astral cracked a small smile.

"Are you sure you can handle all three of us at once old timer?" Angel snarked back as the four of them began to laugh together. The four sat down for a moment on the floor as Astral was happy.

"So, all I ask is for you all to stay by my side until that time. I encourage you to convince Sugar and Sanguine to also follow their lead, but just be careful. I do not know what even he is capable of. Physically he is not nearly a threat. But his mind games are where he is best." Astral nodded as the three agreed. They left the room as they were sworn to magic to follow suit. They went to the dining hall to feast as they gorged on all sorts of food. Before returning to the throne room to sleep on an expanded bed that fit all of them.

The sun creeped into the room as Astral was the one to pop up first. He noticed an alligator tail wagging softly under a blanket as he smiled. 'She came to join us for him, I can only hope for her.' His eyes darted to the doorway as Lilac, Sanguine and Sora stood there. 'fuck.' 

"Astral I challenge you to the duel today!" Sora yelled at the top of his lungs as the rest jumped upwards from the loud noise. Astral rolled out of bed as he went over to his standing closet looking for a wardrobe appropriate for himself.

"Your challenge is accepted." Astral put on his black coat with the gold trim as he matched it with his pants. "Just don't be sad when you lose." Astral put his necklace on as he stood still on the other side of the throne room. Something felt very off. The others got dressed and ready as James carried Sugar on his back. They all worked their way to the stadium where the fight would be held as whispers and worry filled the streets as they walked by.

'I became far too detached and let Sora go freely.' Astral listened in only on James and Sugar as she became aware of the true situation. She looked over to him as she gave a soft nod. Sora and Astral walked down to the bottom of the stadium as the others all sat down in the front row.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMAN FROM ALL ACROSS THE WORLD WHERE WE HAVE OUR TWO FEARLESS LEADERS FACING OFF VERSUS EACH OTHER!" The crowds roared with approval as a bat hybrid announced from overhead. "YOUR POLITICAL FACE SORA VERSUS THE RULER OF MEN ASTRAL!" The crowd roared in excitement and preparedness as Astral stood still. Sora was already loose as the bat held a flag. Throwing it down into the dirt he shouted. "Begin!"

Sora closed the gap in an instant as Astral batted a kick from the right away from his body. Sora sent a flurry of kicks as Astral parried each and every one of them. He could care less for the show of strength and the spectacle it caused. "THE CRAZED KING WILL NOT EVEN FIGHT BACK. THE ISOLATIONIST IS ISLANDING HIMSELF TO THE DEFENSIVE!" Sora would shout as the barrage began to speed up.

Astral saw where this trick was going. He knew what the visible process was. He wanted to drive a shaft between him and the people. He continued to sit on the defense as Sora started to throw punches, shrouded by the cape. Astral hopped back dodging each and every punch as he knew even one blow could result in a loss of the people. 'Why does it feel like I already am lost.' Astral slid below his next punch, Sora sent a kick directly at him as Astral teleported behind Sora with use of the pocket dimension.

Sora turned around with a high kick being aimed at Astral's skull as he stopped it with one finger. Sora was in a state of shock as he jumped off the ground and sent an upward kick directly at Astral's skull to remove it. Astral tilted his head upward to avoid it. Sora landed on his hands as his cape covered his body. Astral waited for Sora to reorient himself. As he stood up he decided to yell once more. "YOU HIDE AND FIGHT LIKE A COWARD. FIGHT LIKE A MAN WHO HAS NOTHING TO LOSE. YOU ALREADY HAVE LOST!"

Astral shattered the sound barrier with one single punch and sent Sora through the stadium's wall and through the lower sections of town as Astral looked around for any threats. He scanned the area with his eyes as all the area was filled with his boo's and slurs being thrown at him. Calling him useless and a worthless person. Astral walked out of the stadium as he walked back to the throne alone.

James and Angel tried to follow him, he raised his hand as it was his mission alone from here on out. They stayed behind as Astral marched back. He turned to the main gate of the castle as it was raised. Astral raises his hand, lowering it with his telekinetic powers. He walks through as the guards swarm to attack him. He shrugged them off as he put them into a state of stasis. He sat on the throne to await the revolt to his front steps.