TALA'S CHOICE

Adasa knew that there were things he better not to know, but he wanted, really wanted to know this one thing. Even if it just this thing;

'Why me?' he thought.

To his disappointment, Tala didn't bother to explain. Instead, she pointed out her sword and said, "Get ready!"

"Huh!" No other option, Adasa called out his Vermilion sword. A red dust-like gathered in front of him forming a sword. Adasa grabbed it with his right hand as he awakens his heavenly senses.

He knew how Tala fought. He was been watching the fight after all.

Speed...One move...

Adasa launched an attack towards Tala.

Berseking energy busted out of his body and travel through his sword

Tala avoided it by taking sideways. She used her sword to attack Adasa's shoulder. Adasa defended, sending his heavenly energy to his shoulder and a plate-sized circle was formed. It takes the role of a shield.

Adasa swung his sword, launching a center cut towards Tala.

Tala avoided Adasa's sword in an inch distance and attacked his other shoulder. Adasa did the same trick, sending his heavenly energy to protect his shoulder.

Whilst Adasa lunged, Tala stepped back and grabbed the second pause of Adasa to thrust her sword. Clashing of weapons and energy reverberated inside the stadium.

Adasa moved swiftly, but Tala can keep up with him.

A moment later, Adasa emitted a shining red light, traveling through his word. His inner energy and heavenly energy feels like it bursting.

"Holy Alabaster Twirls!" Tala shouted whilst bursting smooth white energy coated her sword. She jumped high and swung her sword aiming Adasa's head.

Adasa's heart thumped rapidly. He involuntarily busted out almost all of his heavenly energy as he defends. A dazzling vermillion sphere spun around him.

Tala's offense met Adasa's defense.

Boom!

Violently disturbed air swept the dust around leaving the two hidden.

Silence came. No one dared to make sounds.

The dust gradually dissipated revealing Adasa who was panting heavily, and Tala who was standing unmoved.

Applause and cheers echoed inside the square.

Head Araw, the elders and sir Enix were amazed by the performance of the two.

Although feeling exhausted, a smile on Adasa's face was visible. His resort of defense had led him to break through to 3rd level. His daze was broken by the feeling of cold metal resting at his throat. He saw Tala standing emotionless in front of him saying, "You lost."

Adasa just gazed at her with a perplexed face. 'She knew that my energy was not stable. She had helped me this time again!'

The duo left the stadium.

"Tala won!" the umpire announced, "I will now announce the standing of the top ten.

10th Odie,

9th Eya,

8th Siya,

7th Dose,

6th Aide,

5th Sadam,

4th Asul,

3rd Tris,

2nd Adasa and

1st Tala."

The 5th class top 10 was instructed to gather in the center of the stadium.

"Today, we had witnessed another battle of our young guardians. Their young minds and green experiences did not hinder them to demonstrate their skills. My fellow guardians, I wish that this battle had motivated you to strive high," Head Araw stood in front of the 5th class, and continued, "My little guardians, you made us proud." He gestured his hand indicating the guardian behind him to come close holding a thin, flat rectangular wooden tray which was covered with fine fabric. The guardian slowly lifted the fabric, revealing silver tokens emitting cold energy; inside the tokens written the agreed rewards.

The tokens serve as proof of their rewards.

Head Araw passed the token to them from 10th rank to 1st. As he was in front of Tala, he said, "Here are the golden medallion and the key to the Heavenly Lake."

Tala clasped her first and bowed in acceptance.

Head Araw took a step back and face the 10 guardians.

"I assume that you have already agreed to who'll descend to the human world." Head Araw stated.

Silence came.

Hearing no voice, they gazed to Adasa in unison, except for one.

Adasa was ready to take a step forward detecting the animosity of gazes, but he suddenly heard a voice beside him saying, "Yes, we did and I am the one who volunteered." His jaw dropped and froze from surprised. Not only him but the other eight were not far from his reaction too.

"Head Araw, I want to use this token now!" Tala continued not paying heed to the incredulous expression of her competitors.

"Oh! Then, what is your request?" Head Araw asked unaware of the incredulous faces of the little guardians in front of him.

Tala breathed heavily and said, "I, Tala, a 5th class Guardian, wanted to request an alternating the rewards of today's event!"

"How will you do it then?" asked Head Araw.

"I request, to the name of the golden medallion, that the top 10 to 4 will be a disciple of the said Vice-heads, instead of receiving their guidance even just for the whole year. Instead of me, I want Eya to enter the Heavenly Lake. I also request, that 10 years from now, Tris will inherit the legendary bow of the archer faction. That's all!" Tala raised the golden medallion waiting for the approval of the Head.

In her previous life, the legendary bow only recognized Tris. He was not able to use its true might because it was given late to him.

Head Araw and the elders staggered to their feet. Their eyes looked at Tala incredulously. The legendary bow was only known of the ten of them. So, how and when did the young lass know about its existence?

Head Araw composed himself. He looked at Vice-head Nina, the head of the archer faction, seemingly asking her permission.

Vice-head Nina gave him a nod. If Tris will be recognized by the legendary bow, then it will be the honor of their faction. They were searching for the candidate anyway.

"As you wish!" Head Araw waved his scepter. A golden sphere of light was formed and it flew towards the golden medallion. The medallion shimmered. Tala loosened up her grip and it flew upward glimmering a golden light.

The token on the hands of the 5th class top 10 flew and shimmered above them, attracting the golden medallion. A minute later, the golden medallion vanished while the tokens came back to the owner. Oddie and the other nine looked it up and noticed the difference from before.

After confirming her request, Tala sighed in relief, then her face turned pale and she lost her balance. 'Damn, I overestimated this body.'

Adasa noticed the anomaly of Tala's action.

He extended his arms to catch Tala who was going to fall. Tala forcefully opened her eyes for the last time and found herself in Adasa's embrace. She forced herself to whisper something on Adasa's ear before she lost consciousness. Adasa kept silent for a moment unable to digest her words.

"Tala...Tala!" A worried voice was all she heard before she lost her consciousness.

Head Araw rushed towards Tala and immediately examined her condition.

His eyes opened wide and his hands kept shaking.

"How did she end up like this?" He murmured.

Eya, who was the most worried in the group heard Head Araw words. "What do you mean Head Araw? What is her condition?"

"Let's bring her first to the Physician Pavilion." Head Araw said grimly.

Seeing the anxiety of the Head, Eya can't help to worry about Tala's condition. Adasa's worry was not far from Eya either. He knew the reason for Tala's unwell condition or so he thought. He clenched his teeth feeling guilty.

The umpire dismissed the crowd.

...

At the Physician Pavilion, an old-aged guardian was taking care of his herb garden.

"Elder Lakandula, Head Araw seeks an audience!" Haba, his student, was panting saying those words. The smell of herbs permeated his nostrils relaxing his mind and body.

"Oh? Where is he?" Elder Lakandula hastily asked. He is second-in-command in the Physician Faction.

"I...I told him to wait at the main hall." Haba said stutteringly.

"You narrow-minded disciple. Why didn't you let him in?" Fuming Elder Lakundala asked.

"How did you oblige the Head to wait? Are you out of your mind?

"Take me there!" Elder Lakandula hurriedly steps out from his garden and head towards the main hall with his student.

At the main hall, elder Lakandula saw the Head with a bunch of guardians behind him and an unconscious girl in the arms of a young man.

"Elder Lakandula pays respect to the Head and Vice-heads." He clasped his fist and bowed.

His eyes caught a Silver Phoenix standing behind. He fell silent with his eyes opened wide.

"This is sir Enix. The guardian of the holy blessed mountain-the forbidden mountain." Head Araw stated.

"Ah! Elder Lakandula pays respect to sir Enix!" He then clasped his fist and bowed.

The Phoenix nodded in response.

"Elder Lakandula, can you help this little girl." Head Araw said anxiously.

Elder Lakandula snapped out of his dazed.

"I will do my best Head Araw," Elder Lakandula ordered the young man to lay the girl on the bed of one of the rooms in the pavilion. He then observed the physical condition of the little girl; too pale with her violet lips, seemed lifeless.

He then feels her pulse.

He heaved a sigh of relief feeling her weak pulse. Although it was weak, at least he knew that the little girl had a chance to survive.

"Head Araw, what did this young lady do these days?" Elder Lakandula asked.

"Elder, she's a 5th class student. One of the top ten who competed in today's event and achieved the first rank." Head Araw explained what he knows.

"Head Araw, the young lady exhausted her energy too much. It's a miracle that she is still alive until now. Preparing and fighting for that competition should not exhaust her energy this much." Elder Lakandula was perplexed.

Adasa wanted to say something, but the words just stuck to his throat as the reminder of Tala rang to his ears saying,

"Keep it a secret."