The Battle of the Absolutes (2)

Malcom and Ben walked side by side. Both looked completely different.

Malcom has dark skin, black eyes and black hair, his pants, dark, and his jacket and hat black as well.

On the other hand, Ben, with his blond hair, his smiling face always in shorts and with very light-colored clothes, his white skin, and blue eyes, both expressed very different things, but within themselves, they shared the same burden.

Ben was another of the 16 young men chosen to carry the mark that would hold the horseman's prisoner. Ben was another of the Marked.

He, also had managed to move on to the tournament.

Malcom was used to people not considering him as a successor, but Ben was in a worse position.

Not only was he a Marked, but he was also an Elemental.

Because of that, he was often compared to Skyler, who was also an Elemental.

Ben really needed to step aside because of her.

Like all Elementals of that generation, they were destined for anything but being a successor because that position almost certainly belonged to Skyler.

"Malcom, for a person who is about to fight the scary girl, you seem very calm," Ben commented with a smile. He was trying to be as leisurely as Malcom, but his eyes could not hide his worry for his friend.

Malcom chuckled, "Because I just have a great idea. Don't worry, buddy, I will win that fight," he assured with enthusiasm.

Ben was stiffened, "With what? Will you use them?" He asked while looking at Malcom strangely.

Malcom stopped walking immediately.

"You think I should?" He asked seriously while looking at Ben thoughtfully.

Both young men stopped, and Ben put his hands in the pockets of his shorts.

"I don't know, dude. Maybe you'll have no choice," Ben replied honestly.

Malcom turned his gaze from him to the small hammer hanging from the side of Ben's shorts.

Ben, following his gaze, slapped the hammer twice and added, "You found them, and there is no rule that prevents you from using them. Even with them, it may be too much for you."

Malcom smiled and, leaning against the wall of a building.

"There are many fights, and using the treasures means losing the element of surprise," Malcom said while touching his shoulder.

"I know, but when the option is to lose, it might not be so crazy, don't you think?" Ben answered, feeling that his suggestion really made a lot of sense.

"You are right. But still, I don't think it's a good idea. I'll focus on winning without them in the meantime, and I think it is probably for the best," Malcom smiled and started walking again.

"Maybe. But what if she doesn't really give you a chance? Even if you already have this brilliant idea of yours?"

Malcom slowly turned on his heel and looked at Ben, who had a serious expression.

"Last semester, I fought with her. A practice section for her, various elemental of various elements to help her learn to face each element," Ben continued speaking.

"Did you lose?" Malcom said more like a statement than a question.

"You're kidding me?" Ben asked with a scowl.

He then shook his hair roughly, "That wasn't even a fight. She's the kind of person who keeps up with things, you know? She controlled the fight and made us go with everything we had. I can tell you that I have never fought as well as I did against her."

Ben released a heavy sigh as if he was exhausted, before he continued, "I fought like I had never done before. I managed to do some movements that seemed impossible to me before. Fighting her brought me to the best of me,"

"That doesn't sound so terrible," Malcom commented, smiling.

"No! But it is when the best of you is tiny compared to your opponent!"

Malcom frowned but let Ben continue speaking.

"No. It's not that we are not like the other mages. But you see… Skyler… I really thought that I had a chance. No, she lets me think that I had a chance to win."

Malcom nodded in understanding. "Well, I am sorry to hear that," He said with a smile before adding, "You say I can't beat her?"

"No!" Ben replied immediately, "I would never say that to you. You have made so many impossible things that I think that word means nothing when it's used on you."

Hearing those words, Malcom snorted in frustration and walked in circles with his hands on his head.

"Then what do you want me to do, dude? You are ranting a lot," Malcom was starting to feel annoyed.

"I don't know, brother," Ben said, trying to sound calm. "I don't know! What do you say when two absolute opposites collide? It is impossible for her to lose that is a fact. But it is clear that for you, nothing is impossible, so I do not know man."

They both looked at each other and smiled.

Malcom gave a big sigh and said to continue on his way, "I suppose we will have to see the result in that fight when it comes. But for now, come, I need your ice and one of those tower triggers. Let's go!"

And with those words, they continued on their way.

***

Two more days passed, and Malcom prepared all the strategies his mind could handle. He was as ready as he could for combat.

In the dressing room, his hands were sweating, and his heart was racing from miles away from the stadium. This time every soul in the stadium had come to see his fight, but not for him, of course.

No, everyone was waiting to see how long it would last. They wanted to witness how soon he would die.

Some had asked him if he would show up. They all knew Skyler would win.

That was the absolute one to beat.

The red light above the door turned on, he got up, and his legs calmed down, he began to walk, and his heart returned to his body, it resumed its normal beat, his hands dried instantly, and his breathing was stable. Everything seemed strangely calm.

He took his hat and put it on, his dagger in the sheath hanging from the back of his pants. His boots had wind marks.

Everything was in order, and everything was ready.

He took his jacket with blue flames and started to leave. Malcom walked slowly down the hall as the roar of the crowd made the walls vibrate.

Malcom was ready, and the time had come to break the Absolute.

It was time to face Skyler, the goddess of fire.