The Second Day

Akiol's eyes snapped open.

He got up and inspected his surroundings. Something felt off, but nothing was out of the ordinary. He turned on a nearby lamp to get a better view. The light flashed and Akiol suddenly froze.

A note lay on the nightstand.

-We're watching. Always.

Akiol picked it up and inspected it, he flipped it over and a picture of a sun setting in the horizon was shown.

He furrowed his brow, even if his sleeping had grown slightly heavier, he would have noticed if the door had opened. He sat there staring at the note before smirking.

He tore the note to pieces, "You're always watching? Come on now. Although you should know. . ."

He stared at a corner of the room, "I'm not one to be threatened."

~ ~ ~

A smile spread across a face. A teasing voice spreading across the large and mostly empty room, "James James James, you're quite confident aren't you? Though I suppose your real name isn't James."

Light laughter was heard, "Oh Akiol, your soul remains so bright. So strange. I want to tear it apart and study it! All of your souls! But you know of us don't you?"

The figure adjusted themselves in their chair, "Don't worry, we aren't threatening you. It's going to be a whole lot worse. Enjoy this moment of peace while you can. After all I want to study you a little more!"

~ ~ ~

The sun was shining brilliantly, rays of warmth descending onto earth. However barely anyone was enjoying the sunlight. Instead they flocked into a large building.

A hologram man spread his arms, "Welcome everyone! To those old and new! Is everyone ready to start the first round of today?!"

Cheers sounded, an odd response for many wouldn't scream for an answer.

As usual the process followed and the selected ones were:

Venturing Deities:

Blaze

Backbone:

Ankle

Arena:

Raging Thunderous Clock

The hologram man raised his hand, "Let the match. . ."

He swung it down, "Begin!"

The Arena was a city, dark clouds hovering above it. No rain fell, but thunder sounded occasionally. In the center of the city stood a large tower, a clock visible from four sides. The minute hand ticked and a thunderbolt struck a building.

Henry explained, "This is one of the few maps that have dangerous features! A strike of misfortune may land you into trouble!"

"With a troublesome map what are your predictions Henry?"

"Off the start Blaze already has an advantage. With wide range AOE spells there is a lack of space for one to dodge."

"However there is quite a bit of cover as well."

"For those unaware Blaze is quite known for his large amount of fire based spells. Ranging in all kinds of utility. No one has ever seen him using anything besides fire!"

"Meanwhile Ankle is a Variant of the Berserker Class called Rampager. Throwing everything away for sheer power and speed their health is quite lacking."

"With another case of two classes with paper thin defense it will be whoever strikes first!"

~ ~ ~

Blaze frowned at the Arena, his attention was dragged towards the large clock tower in the center. If he could get on top he would gain a large advantage immediately.

Problem was, he had no way of getting up there. While a few lucky people have obtained flying mounts hardly any players have achieved flight. Moreover even if he had a flying mount he certainly wouldn't be able to use it. For they were banned in the competition.

He pondered for a while before deciding on his first course of action. Blaze quickly found a stack of crates and used them to climb onto one of the buildings. Now obtaining the high ground he intended to burn his opponent. He then realized he could not see much of the ground. The buildings were too closely packed together, leaving him with a sight of only roofs.

The clock tower ticked and a sound rang. A thunderbolt descended onto a building and made it into rubble. Blaze wiped away sweat, for the house that was chosen was three houses down! With the close call he immediately aimed to find his opponent.

He jumped from roof to roof searching for his opponent. Yet there wasn't even a sign of them. He stopped on a roof to take a breath. Another house being struck by lightning as he did.

As the boom sounded a figure jumped onto the roof and charged towards Blaze.

It was none other than Ankle!

Blaze made a confident smirk, "Figured as much, [Firebolt]!"

A ball of fire shot towards Ankle with incredible speed. The Rampager swung one of their weapons and chopped the firebolt in half, causing a small explosion.

In Ankle's hands were two Kukri, blades gleaming under the dying flame's glow.

Blaze was aware he was no match for the speed of Ankle. As Ankle's blade carved into him his body rapidly turned to flames.

Blaze reappeared several houses away. Raising his staff he readjusted his sorcerer hat by its brim, "Burn away, [Hellfire Tulip]!"

Flames arose explosively, forming into the shape of a tulip. The flames a crimson red in color.

Blaze inwardly nodded, 'Beautiful as always.'

Ankle jumped out of the fire, flames still clinging to his clothes. He charged forward with great speed. Any normal player would be spooked seeing a flaming person sprinting at high speeds towards them.

Blaze swung his staff horizontally, small orange balls appearing behind the staff. He then pushed his offhand forward, "[Flaming Bullets]!"

Hundreds of small fiery bullets shot towards Ankle. The Rampager dodged as he ran, as if in a cinematic scene. The bullets whizzed past, harming only the innocent houses, as Ankle jumped and dodged between them. With a powerful leap he jumped across several houses and aimed for Blaze.

Calmly tapping the roof with the bottom of his staff he spoke, "[Rising Flame Pillar]."

Whooom~

Orange flames sprung upwards, spiraling into the sky. Blaze was consumed by the flames, as if he had sacrificed himself.

Ankle quickly executed a skill:

[Rotating Blades]!

Using the spin from the skill he turned mid air and dodged the pillar of fire. He landed on a building and stared somewhat incredulously at the spiraling flames.

The flames extinguished rapidly, a figure stood calmly pinching the brim of his sorcerer hat. His normally crimson outfit now had some of its edges alight. Glowing like embers. Besides this minuscule change he remained unharmed and unbothered.

He pointed his staff at Ankle, "[Firebolt]."

Unlike previously, four firebolts shot towards Ankle. With some quick strikes from his Kukri Ankle rapidly destroyed the projectiles.

Blaze tapped his staff and more firebolts shot forward.

~ ~ ~

In one of the private chatrooms…

-Anon627: Blaze seems to have this under control

-Anon901: Ankle isn't completely overwhelmed either.

-Anon555: Sigh, where is that know-it-all expert?

-Anon626: Ugh we are NOT going to get him in here.

-Anon555: That's because you took quite the loss that one time.

-Anon901: Let's call them, @Anon771

-Anon771: I was reading the whole time.

-Anon555: And haven't given your professional view? Give us that good ol' confident assumption that never is wrong.

-Anon771: . . .

-Anon626: This isn't like you.

-Anon771: ???

-Anon555: ???

-Anon901: ???

-Anon626: ?

-Anon771: Don't say things like that. Misunderstandings can happen.

-Anon626: FFF, you don't think I'd actually care?! I'm salty that the one I lost a bet too isn't doing what they normally do.

-Anon771: Since you all are adamant on hearing my personal opinion, I shall oblige.

-Anon771: Blaze is indeed controlling the rhythm of battle. Ankle is purely reacting to everything Blaze is sending out. Naturally that means

-Anon626: God I hate this, leaving us on the edge of our seats while you leave out info!

-Anon771: Complaining only further delays it. My wpm isn't what it used to be. Naturally I have to give the bait out to lure the fish.

-Anon555: Shhhhh, I want to see what they type.

-Anon771: Naturally that means Ankle is confident in something. This whole battle he has been constantly trying to gain the offensive. Not once has he treated Blaze with caution.

-Anon901: I don't get it. So what's the point?

-Anon771: Blaze isn't a threat, would you treat a level 50 dungeon with caution now?

-Anon555: So, he's confident that Blaze won't deal significant damage?

-Anon771: Anyone want to guess where this confidence comes from?

-Anon555: I'm coming up blank.

-Anon626: I'm not going into this trap again.

-Anon901: The flames?

-Anon626: That's dumb. That's exactly what Blaze does the most damage in?

-Anon771: 901 is correct. The flames!

-Anon626: . . .

-Anon555: Why is that?

-Anon771: Flames don't do massive damage in a single explosion. Unlike most spells. Fire spells specialize in DoT. However if you're already on fire, you can't alight again.

-Anon555: The beginning flames!

-Anon771: Bingo! While that move was flashy that short casting time meant it's actually a lower level Skill. Meaning it's overall damage won't be that much. After setting himself on fire with the weaker flames he charged directly towards Blaze.

-Anon626: So why does he dodge the other spells?

-Anon771: Because they still do damage. He's not a tank.

-Anon626: Sigh.