CHAPTER 48(Perspective)

Please read the author's notes. (Examples and explanation of moves and appearance+ Monster Sources)

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CHAPTER START---

The pattering of hastened footsteps could be heard throughout one of the many corridors of the labyrinth. Yang could be seen running with vigor and purpose following the wall toward what he hopes is the prize for this challenge. Still trying to shake the memories of blood on his hands, the scent of burnt flesh in his nose, and the look of the battered amazon he left behind not long ago.

If not for the adrenaline provided by his situation he may of very well lost his breakfast after such an event. Now he simply wishes for this challenge to be over.

---With Pock

*CLANG*

*CLANG*

*CLANG*

The sound of metal slamming into metal can be heard as spear meets sword. Standing with a lesser replica of Finn's Spear Rolan in his hand in his hands, blood dripping down the handle. Pock sports a silver helmet and pieces of layered plate over his usual attire, clearly fully equipped to take home the win in this challenge.

His opponent stands with a broadsword in one hand as his other hangs limply at his side, his left arm sporting a deep gash from shoulder to elbow as it hangs limply slowly leaking whatever blood remains in his body. In his right, he feebly holds his sword as he grits his teeth at the young pallum across from him.

'C'mon, just surrender, I don't wanna kill you in front of Finn',

"Just surrender, I don't wanna hurt you," Pock says to his opponent as he adjusts his spear, clearly preparing to perform on more spinning thrust and end this fight.

'To think I couldn't even beat a kid, better than dying right' Sigh, "Fine, you win. I surrender" the man says out loud. His grip falls loose as his exhausted eyes finally relax. Between the fighting and blood loss, he was far past his breaking point anyway.

"To be a hero, like Finn," Pock says as he continues his journey into the labyrinth.

Disappearing in a shroud of divine light the man appears back in the arena on the Ganesha familia insignia. Hanging his head in shame he is quickly rushed by his familias' healers. As they quickly provide him with a potion he can't help but look over at the amazon to his left stumbling off of Ishtar's insignia.

Witnessing the burns on her body, deformed skin, and the state of the battered face, the man can't help but wince and feel grateful that he got out with just some cuts.

"What happened to her?" he asks the healer, giving in to his curiosity.

"Elementalist"

"The kid? Seriously?"

"Yeah, messed her up pretty good, Ishtar's pissed"

"Hmm, didn't think the kid had it in him," the man says before hobbling out of the arena toward his familia.

---With Elfy

*BOOM!*

Flames rush through the corridor and engulf the 2 men in their path. As one man feels his hair get singed and in some places burn away he braces by putting his shield up. His metal armor heating up by the firey attack only adding to his discomfort.

The force of this attack blasts him away almost 25ft before it stops and allows him to catch his breath. Looking up he sees the back of one of his opponents. A man almost 30 years old standing inside of a magic shield standing opposite the originator of the attack. Elfy Colette standing staff in hand with wisps of flames licking at the top of her arcane focus. A newly purchased staff gifted to her by Riveria crafted from fine wood, what she believed to be a symbol of her idol's faith in her.

"Damn mages" the man says, being only level 1, standing against 2 level 2 mages is beyond him, especially without any magic of his own. "I surrender" he barely mutters out causing himself to be enveloped in light and disappear.

As Elfy sees one of her opponents disappear a small grin appears on her face 'I DID IT!' she mentally cheers for herself before locking eyes with her last remaining opponent, for this fight at least.

As if they had a formal agreement. Both mages draw their arcane foci. Elfy with her staff and her opponent with his wand. As they quickly chant, to her dismay, he's faster. Abandoning her chant half way Elfy decides to cast a shorter chant for her shield spell. A yellow barrier appears around her and protects her from the flames of her opponent as they wash over her barrier.

"You can't win with just your shield kid" The man snarkily says at the young elf before him.

Hearing his words Elfy can't help but agree.

'He chants faster than me, maybe I can outlast him with mana? Mmmm, what would Ms. Riveria do?'.

Scrunching her face Elfy thinks over her options as the man casts another spell and batters her shield once more.

'I got the jump on them earlier, If I can catch him off guard again, maybe I can win this'

Clutching her goliath robe Elfy steels her resolve as she considers what seems to be her best plan to WIN.

As her opponent begins his 3rd consecutive chant the young elf decides to make a bold move and mirror him. As they both begin to chant the man is surprised. 'Ha, she's actually throwing the fight' he thinks as a smug grin takes over his face.

Across from him, Elfy furrows her brow as she holds her staff in her right hand and tightens her grip on her goliath robe. 'I really hope this works, no. This has to work, for my friends'

Outside of the arena in the stands Riveria couldn't help but focus her glare on the divine mirror showing Elfy's fight. "I don't like this" she mutters, just above a whisper. As some of her allies who aren't completely tunneled on the fight hear her, her captain is the first to respond. "It's honestly the best choice. Better idea?"

"It's not worth the risk, she can surrender and avoid this"

"Would you?"

"Mmmm" a low hum is her only response to her captain's question.

"What's she going to do, she's chanting slower than him " Lefiya says as her gaze remains locked on the divine mirror.

"She's using everything at her disposal, clever girl" inputs Loki to this conversation, "look at her hands " she says as she takes another sip of her drink.

As Elfy's opponent finishes his chant just a second or 2 before her, he fully expects her to cancel her chant and immediately erect a shield just as she did before. This time, however, she braves the flames.

As the torrent of flames engulfs the corridor the young elf woman stands her ground. Quickly pulling her goliath robe across her body to protect her from the flames she uses The fire as a blinding screen to finish her chant.

As she finishes her chant she removes the robe from blocking her and allows the flames to hurt her in exchange for one good shot.

From within the flames, the man hadn't expected a volley of flames to crash down onto him and tear at his body. Feeling his skin burning and the pain searing his mind he can't help but yell out, dazed, hurt, and confused as to what the hell just happened.

"ARGGG!" he cries out for a few seconds as he tries to withstand the flames engulfing him before he screams "I SURRENDER!". In a moment of white light, he appears on the floor of the arena still screaming from the pain of his skin burning as his clothes are still on fire.

As the members of his familia come to his aid to stop the fire and help him heal. The spectators within the arena and all of Orario have their eyes locked on the divine mirror once more. On the screens, they see a young elf girl. Hosting burns all over her face. With parts of her outfit burnt off such as the ends of her skirt and her knee-high socks, exposing the vicious burns on her body for all to see. Her hair completely free, parts burnt and others singed as she pants, knelt down in the middle of the corridor, still on the very spot from which she launched her attack, and begins the process of changing her healing spell.

"For my friends" She mutters to herself once more as her healing spell begins to take effect.

---With Van

Within another part of the Labyrinth, a half Pallum man can be seen extracting his sword from the skull of one of Ishtar's charmed competitors. Walking past his dead opponent before the body even hits the floor, a young man brandishing the Freya insignia walks confidently further into the labyrinth.

"For my goddess Freya " He mutters as a sly grin dominates his face at the idea of pleasing his goddess.

As all the competitors push onward, Orcus sees the progress of the competition. Thus he raises his hand once more, and with this singular action. The second wave of chaos spreads out from the center of the labyrinth and washes over all the adventurers within, further strengthening their desire and calling them to the mark.

CHAPTER END---