Chapter 14 : Bring it on

It was decided. The match would happen in 3 days. The participants were to not to see anyone else, especially each other.

I stayed in a room that was provided for me, locking the door. But they forgot about something. Venus. Her soul was connected to mine, so without seeing me physically, she could telepathically reach me. That was what I thought. She did not speak to me even once, all my whims responded with complete silence.

I tried to do what she would want me to do, practicing flow. "A good flow crushes the best technique" she would always say. On the second day, I discovered something.

I could replicate fights. Not exactly replicate, but with enhanced flow, extreme concentration and a noiseless environment, I could perfectly replay a past event. That was of course subject to my memory. I also realized that since navitas was the purest form of energy, the same one used to create life, it was flawless when it came to replicating objects. If I used enough, I could condense it and alter its flow to fit a particular shape. I also figured out why it navitas was in a watery form. All energy has a 'flow' which is the way it moves. Some are 'rigid' meaning they move a lot less and some are more 'fluid' meaning that it could take up more space without altering its original composition. The more fluid it is, the purer the energy. And since navitas is the purest form of energy, while still maintaining its state, it would have to manifest in a water kind of manner. 

I revised my fights with Anne, fixing my form and correcting my mistakes. I re-discovered my anger problem. I had to work on that too. I practiced having a calm and poised demeanor, keeping a straight face and the sort.

Just like that the three days passed.

I was led to an arena, full with noise and cheer. The arena had many seats to accommodate the peoples, and was huge, Marse becoming nothing more than a sprite. Everyone was yelling Marse's name. Although that was off-putting, it was mostly expected. How would a human beat a guardian? A being existing thousands of years before earth was created?" I could hear these words through their continuous cheer and mockery.

I looked around the arena, and I saw her. I waved, but she looked the other way, angrily. I could almost hear Mercury's laughter. 'Father' was not present, his massively ordained throne empty. 

"Participants must choose the weapons provided in the corner. The match begins five minutes form now. May the strongest, the fiercest, and the bravest conquer!"

The voice echoed, bringing back reason to my head. Before common sense could take hold of me, I regained madness. "This should be easy".

I stood before the weaponry, the variety of wicked looking blades confusing my choice. I had seen Kyle practice a lot with his sword and shield so much, that I felt I could replicate the moves. So that was my choice. I picked a huge blade, a cutlass because I was familiar with it. The blade had a hole on the handle, of which I thought of a purpose of. The shield was a huge piece of metal, diamond in shape. The front end had a handle that when held in that way, turned the shield into a blade or a claw. Nice.

"Competitors, come forward! The match is a mutual match between warriors, he conditions include the following; If the puny human wins, Marse will bow down, with her head to the ground five times! Very impudent! If our beloved Marse wins, the human will never set foot in the depths again, and he will split souls with Venus! Overly merciful! Tell me my dear audience, who will win?"

Like clockwork, with so much determination and oomph in their voices the audience yelled;

"The human is weak! Show him what happens when he cannot pick his opponents! Destroy him!"

"Dont put him down too much!" the host said with laughter evident in his voice.

"Since it IS a human, we have limitations! Marse can only attack and defend with energy three times! She can only use advanced-1 levels of energy! 

I inhaled, exhaled, and looked to Venus one last time. This time, I could see her face. She had a mixed expression of anger, silence and sadness. I turned back motivated, ready to crush the obstacle in front of me. 

"The match will begin in 3!"

How am I going to win?

"2!"

Marse lifted her palm, facing it in my direction. I could see insane levels of energy form around it, even as she maintained a cool, unbothered demeanor.

"1!"

"I miss you"

BOOM

The noise from the explosion deafened me, all the cheer and mockery now gone. What happened to the blast? I redirected it. The looks on their faces were priceless. Seeing a human stand to them must be something.

"That was one attack. 5 more moves to go and I win"

I did make a fatal mistake though. She could only make moves with energy 6 times, now 5. That doesn't mean she cannot attack physically without any energy. I should have added that to the game plan As soon as I was done self-gloating, Marse disappeared. Then I felt a tap on my shoulder. When I looked back confused, she punched me in the face. I flew far, crashing into a near by boulder. I got up, taking off the heavy, but now completely destroyed amour. My left arm holding onto my shield was disjointed, so I pushed it back into place. I could barely see out of my right eye. My left ear had turned to nothing more than a mush of flesh, broken cartilage and blood. My head pounded. My heart beat louder than ever. But one thing was different. Now, the arena was silent. The host not knowing how and what to comment, was forced to watch along with the audience. Marse herself put on a face of awe.

I was smiling.

I bent forward, using all my energy to dash forward. I made contact with Marse, cutting something. She dodged downward in a quick motion. Her long and flowing black hair was now history, victim to my blade.

I leaped backward, throwing my shield at her with full force. She caught it, crushed it into a ball, and threw it back at me, the crumpled steel ball failing to reach me.

I looked at Marse and now, she had a different expression. One of anger.

"You brat, I go easy on you, plead with you, and you--you dare do this to me?! I wont just make you leave, I'll make you never think of coming back!"