Destroy the Flags

The Coliseum was even more packed than it was yesterday. Its facilitators have allowed more people to fit in at the stands for them to be able to watch the summit games' main event.

Each team would have a small triangular flag for every point they acquired by winning the events from the previous day. The main objective of the main event is to destroy each other's flags until one team remains and would be the victors for the year's summit games.

Every triangular flag was attached to a metal pole the height of a common man. Then, the pole is attached to a stone that becomes heavier the longer it is lifted from the ground. Participants are allowed to bring their flags with them or let them stay on the ground and defend it.

The circular arena was vast and surrounding its edges were mechanical devices attached to a sturdy pole which was then attached to another contraption with wheels at the bottom. A long and thick rope made of metal passed through each mechanism attached to every pole, enclosing the entire arena. Leaving the confines of the ropes would result in immediate disqualification.

With four flags, Arsen and his squad have decided to stand their ground near the edge of the arena. They placed all of their flags at the center while they stood back to back with each other, watching from all fronts. Far from them, the other teams were doing the same. Those with fewer flags to defend appeared more on edge as they observed everyone, worried that they'd be attacked first because they looked weak.

The Regali team, composed of three burly men, did the same. Their captain copied Arsen's strategy as he acknowledged his capabilities the previous day. Although he was of the age twenty-six, the Regali team's captain looked like he was the oldest in the arena.

For the remaining squads, the number of flags was as follows: Semperio, Akrisia, and Kankavi have three; two flags for the teams of Aakdan, Caprines, Nesmos, and Portaos; the remaining teams of Doscuri, Novis, and Meena has a single flag each.

Ten minutes passed and nobody still made a move against another squad. All teams remained vigilant. Observing each other while looking for a great opportunity to make their move.

Then came the sound of a whistle. Most of the contenders were surprised by the sound, swaying their heads to look for the direction it came from. But, it didn't take all of them a long time to realize what the sound of the whistle meant as the mechanical devices surrounding the arena began moving forward and pulling the rope.

The area of the arena has shrunk. This particular feature for the main event wasn't disclosed to the participants. Even though that was the case, most squads have thought about it from the start of the event while the others figured it was the case as it happened.

Combat has begun as the first shrinking of the arena ended. As soon as it did, someone from the Regali team, who has four flags, left his two teammates to attack the team from Semperio. Even his allies were surprised by his sudden move.

The man was their captain who looked like the oldest person in the arena even with the staff included because of his thick beard. He has long braided dark brown hair and was known by his generation as a 'musclehead' who always charged ahead without thinking no matter what the situation was. But, his fights always end up with him outpowering his opponents. And contrary to what people think, he was wiser than most of his peers. His name was Grim Ivarsson. The two squadmates with him weren't nobodies as well. A clean-shaven face that is said to be comparable to that of a bearer of the Fair Maiden but also has power only a few steps below his captain, Varin Unnsson. And their third squad member has a short brown beard and was chosen because of his unrivaled wit, and strength comparable to both of his squadmates, Grani Skidsson.

"What are you doing, Captain?!" Varin blurted out as he saw their Captain, Grim, charged ahead without looking back. He was about to follow him when Grani blocked him with his arm.

Grani shook his head, "We must defend our flags," he paused and turned to his captain for a second, "He must've seen an opportunity," he continued.

Their captain's move incited a series of similar ones against other squads.

Composed of two men and a woman as their captain, the Semperio squad drew their long bows within a second and began firing a barrage of flaming arrows toward Grim as soon as they saw him charging at them.

"Aim for their flags, Baldric," commanded the captain of the Semperio squad.

She was Adney Stewart, a child of the Semper queen. Adney's blond hair tied in a ponytail and complexion greatly resemble her mother's regal features. However, her natural sleepy-looking green eyes were far different from her mother's rounded ones.

"Should I also aim for their flag, princess?" said Ethbin, the remaining squad member of the Semper squad.

Adney shook her head, "That idiot with muscles would rush us if you do."

Grim stopped in his tracks and shielded his head with his arms when they started showering him with their flaming arrows. The Zeal of the Mighty Bull on his arm was glowing so bright.

Aside from a single white arrow from each of them that would bounce off and return, all of the other flaming arrows that hit Grim would shatter on impact. The flames also die after a second.

While Adney and Ethbin continued firing their arrows at Grim, Baldric followed his captain's command and aimed for the Regali squad's flag which was far away. Most of his attempts were blocked by Varin and Grani, but in his fifth one, he managed to slip a second arrow past their defenses, burning down one of their flags.

The sudden development of all-out battles made the crowd even more excited. Most were cheering for the squad from their country while citizens of Decatris would either choose the squad from the kingdom where their ancestors were from or the underdogs that lit a fire within them.

Among the cheers, jeering towards the Regas squad, especially their captain, emerged from the sea of noise. All of them came from people who were also from Regas.

"Why aren't you using earth magic?!"

"Our squad's captain doesn't use his brain. If you're gonna charge, block their attacks with earth magic!"

"He shouldn't be the captain!"

The loudest jeer came from Runa, the Regali queen. "If you're not going to use your brain, just power through with strength!" she shouted with her right foot resting on the railing.

The Regali people's discontent increased when Baldric managed to burn another triangular flag of the Regas squad. Leaving them with only two.

The commentator added a boost of excitement to the audience. He made sure to announce all that he found interesting.

After minutes of attacking and defending that didn't appear to have an end, the first squad to have been eliminated was announced.

"With their single flag destroyed, the Meena squad is eliminated!" the commentator said.

It didn't take long for the other squads with a single flag to be eliminated as well. These squads were from the kingdom of Doscuri and the kingdom of Novis.

Then, the sound of the whistle made everyone halt. It took fifteen minutes this time before the arena's shrinking. While it happened, Grim saw an opportunity and rushed towards the Semper squad. Adney was startled but was quick to command her allies to attack him again. The other participants also saw a window of opportunity to take down some of the other squads' flags.

Since the shrinking of the arena was an unknown feature, there wasn't a rule that disallows the participants to attack while the shrinking happens.

Amidst the chaos and display of prowess, the Pantera squad remained guarding their spot. Some tried to attack them but immediately changed targets once their attempt was unsuccessful.

"Should I go on the offensive?" Azeus asked Arsen.

"Look at them. We'd win just by guarding our flags," Mnesus replied.

Arsen agreed with what Mnesus said.

Azeus sighed, "But, isn't it boring. I wish not to win without giving a proper fight," Azeus pointed at Grim in the far distance, "Look at that guy grinning with excitement," he continued.

"He does appear like he's having fun," Arsen said.

As they were having a conversation while guarding their flags, the announcer mentioned another squad that had been eliminated.

"They fought well, but the Aakdan squad was eliminated!"

The next squad that was eliminated was from the kingdom of Portaos.

"You two defend the flags, I'll join the fun," Azeus said as he charged towards the squad near them with a grin on his face and the Zeal of the Proud Lion glowing brightly.

Mnesus tried to stop him but it was like speaking to a wall.

It was the squad from Caprines that Azeus attacked. Only two members were there while the other one was on the offensive against a different squad.

They were startled, but bearers of the Savage Goat aren't someone to be taken lightly. Their Zeals glowed and thorns of earth made their way towards Azeus. But, it wasn't enough, the Panteran knight smashed their earth magic with his sword and didn't slow his charge.

One of the participants from Caprines dashed. His speed was comparable to Konon's.

Azeus predicted his attack, he dodged, ignored him and went for his squadmate.

The two tried to hold him off with an exchange of blows and magic. Even with both of them attacking Azeus, he was still fighting on par with them.

Then, when Azeus arrived at a certain location, he unleashed a great fire magic from his entire body. The two moved away and were late to realize that his target was their flags which were now burning to a crisp.

Despite losing to Arsen in the free-for-all all-match to determine the members and captain of their squad, Azeus showed the strength of the youngest knight with the rank of Chiliarch of Bronze to the crowd, and everyone was amazed.

"The Caprines squad has been eliminated!"