The Horny Goddess

The Endurance Duel, one of the most grueling and highly anticipated events of the Festival of the Forgotten, was designed to test the Guardians of Aegis to their absolute limits. This segment of the tournament combined elements of stamina, skill, and mental fortitude in a series of sparring matches within a specially prepared combat ring in the Colosseum.

The combat ring, a stark arena enclosed by high walls and lined with sand, featured an array of practice weapons displayed along the perimeter. Swords, staffs, and shields gleamed under the harsh sunlight, ready to be wielded by the participants. The setting was both intimidating and awe-inspiring, a true test of the Guardians' abilities to endure not only physical exertion but also the psychological pressure of continuous combat.

Guardians were paired off for one-on-one sparring matches, each round lasting five minutes. The matches continued in rapid succession, with only brief interludes for rest. The duel was structured as a tournament, with winners advancing to face new opponents in subsequent rounds.

Points were awarded based on a combination of strikes landed and defensive maneuvers. Judges, seated in elevated positions around the ring, closely observed each match, evaluating the competitors' techniques, endurance, and respect for their opponents.

Participants could choose their preferred practice weapon for each match, allowing for a variety of combat styles and strategies. This flexibility required Guardians to be adaptable, as they could face opponents wielding different weapons in each round.

As the first pair of Guardians stepped into the ring, the atmosphere in the Colosseum became electric. Spectators fell silent, their eyes fixed on the combatants. The Priest of Aegis signaled the start of the duel with a resonant gong, and the Guardians sprang into action.

Sizwe, energized by shooting a few guns, had a dangerous gleam in his brown eyes. He was in battle mode. His face was blank, showing no emotion. He entered the ring with calm determination. His opponent, a tall and muscular Guardian named Thando, brandished a practice sword, his stance confident and aggressive. Sizwe, opting for a staff, knew he had to rely on his agility and precision to counter Thando's brute strength.

Sizwe was taught to go for the kill each time. Playing games in combat was not the way to go, as it could get you to the grave quicker. Looking at the mountain in front of him, he knew he had to act fast on his advantage; otherwise, he would lose. It was a shame that he got a tough opponent in his first match. He now had to show all his cards against his better judgment. Being underestimated was a great advantage, allowing you to catch your opponent off guard and spring for a win. But he could only do this once, and once he showed his cards, his opponents would be wary of him and not be careless. It was such a shame.

Sizwe took his stance. Thando, on the other hand, was looking at this shrimp he could crush with one swing. With his big stature and muscles, this Acolyte was not a threat to him. He wanted to laugh but knew he had to be respectful of his opponent.

The bell rang. Thando stood still, waiting for the shrimp to move so he could crush him.

Sizwe attacked as soon as the bell rang. As soon as he got into Thando's range, Thando swung his sword at him. Sizwe let it come down on him and, using his stick, guided the strike to the floor.

Bang!

As the wooden sword hit the ground, Sizwe stepped on it and swung his stick.

Bang.

Thando's world went black.

Sizwe went straight for the eyes. Although Thando had a lot of muscles, he still had weaknesses. If this were a battlefield with real weapons, he would have been a corpse for underestimating his opponent.

With Thando temporarily blinded, Sizwe had to go for the kill. He went for the Achilles tendons behind Thando's legs and struck with vicious force. The mountain of a man went down on his knees, but Sizwe was not done. He swung his stick straight into the man's throat. Thando gasped for air, but it was very difficult to breathe. He went down, and Sizwe was already upon him with his next strike.

This all happened so quickly. The crowd was confused. How could such a large man fall to a smaller opponent so quickly? It was like a dream. It was like a demon had descended onto the stage, striking viciously without remorse and with the intent to kill.

----

Within the Colosseum were VIP sections where the Men of God and high-ranking Guardians could watch the Tournament of the Righteous. Both the Men of God and high-ranking Guardians were amazed at the match. This Acolyte could take on a Guardian.

"Who is that Acolyte? And why is an Acolyte participating in a Guardian competition?" Casio asked. He was a Guardian Commander and only a step away from becoming a High Guardian. He was Thando's master and was proud of the specimen he had made him to be, but now he was embarrassed seeing how quickly he fell to an Acolyte. Men of God were known to be weaker than Guardians physically. They could scheme and be sly to obtain power through politics, but they were weak in physical abilities.

"Who knows? But this is really entertaining," another commander spoke.

"He's with me," a technomancer who was at the far end of the VIP section spoke softly.

"You? With someone? Were you not the one who called people monkeys and refused to have someone assigned to you?" Yara asked, looking at Cyprian.

"What can I say? You wanted to bring me stupid people."

"Are you telling me that Acolyte is smart enough to be approved by you?"

"That is yet to be seen, but he is good enough for now." Cyprian couldn't help but laugh sinisterly.

Within the room was a High Guardian who couldn't take her eyes away from the stage. Something was strange about this Acolyte; she couldn't place her hand on it. The way this man moved was too good; there were no wasted movements. Nara was not easily impressed, this was a pleasant surprise.

"Cyprian, who is this man?"

The room went silent when the High Guardian spoke. She hadn't spoken since she got seated.

"That man is Sizwe, my apprentice."

Faces around the room twisted. Cyprian didn't use honorifics when addressing High Guardian Nara. Cyprian didn't care for the looks of his peers; he had no loyalty to the church and only respected smart people. Guardians were brick heads with powerful weapons made by him.

Technomancers had different statuses in the church depending on their contributions to the church. Some technomancers were as lowly as acolytes or as highly regarded as elders. He, on the other hand, was no lesser than this High Guardian. He was not weaker either.

Nara was special in the sense that she was evolved. Although her power was simple, she was indeed dangerous. She was also extremely beautiful and graceful, akin to a goddess, contrary to the rumors about her. Nara was known for her sexual appetite. She was rumored to have a hundred lovers and couldn't resist strong men.

"I would like to meet him," Nara said with a serious, straight and unmoved face.

Cyprian's face twisted. "You are not getting him, Nara!" he said quickly.

"I just want to meet him, that's all. It will be up to him if he wants to share my bed or not tonight. I wouldn't force a junior into anything they are not comfortable with."

The atmosphere of the room changed when they heard this. Most of the priests and commanders in the room knew that Nara was lying. She was known for forcing juniors into nasty things. Some of the people in the room were victims of her lust.

"You know that you are ly—"

"I also would like to meet this promising Acolyte," Yara cut him off before he said something rude. Yara knew that Cyprian was unhinged and didn't respect anyone who was not smarter than him. He had no sense of hierarchy.

"Fine, we'll go see him after the matches are over. But I'm warning you, Nara, don't try to rot his brain with your nymphomaniac ways."

"You are bold, Cyprian, I like that about you. I would indulge in you if you weren't so weak."

Cyprian was baffled. "Weak? You use weapons made by me and call yourself strong?"

"I am strong; your weapons make me stronger," she said, breaking into laughter.

After a few matches, Sizwe was winning by a hair's breadth. The other recruits were nothing to be played with. His whole body was hurting, and he was tired. He got closer and closer to losing with every match. These recruits were really scary. His aggressive methods of attack first and ask questions later were not working anymore. His sly ways did not work either. He wanted to quit. He didn't come here for this tournament; he just wanted to pass time while gathering some ingredients for ice cream. Cyprian was also supposed to make him a few guns with the blueprints that he created.

Sizwe knew he needed a strong gun to survive here with all these dangerous creatures. He also found out that there were evolved humans.

"Damn it! I also want superpowers," he screamed in his head.

If he had some cool powers, maybe he wouldn't have to hide from the church. Or he could run much easier if he could fly.

Through all of this, he had one desire. Ice cream.