Chapter 15

Lycurgus went up to the viewing area that was isolated from the others. He was hoping to work out some plans as he watched each fight. He preferred to think out loud, it worked better as he could hear the actual idea instead of simply thinking it. His plans however were thwarted by an unsuspecting source, his father.

The intimidation Hana had teased him about was in full swing as they stood silently watching Hana square off against Chara. Taryu spoke up and asked Lycurgus "Know anything about this Chara fellow?"

Lycurgus glanced quickly, seeing that his father still had his eyes on the battlefield. "Only a little bit sir. I know he's from Yfantis and that he's the son of a fisherman." Granted had he sat with Kilos he probably would have learned more than just that from him.

"Hm, Harika tells me that he has the promise to be a great warrior. She seems to favor him highly." Taryu said his voice a little more relaxed and leveled.

The match began, as Hana kept her distance firing bolts of tarmata arrows, Chara easily sidestepped them dodging with grace. The power of the arrow surprised Lycurgus as they tore apart the ground on impact and the walls of the arena.

"If this keeps up there won't be an arena left to fight in." Lycurgus chimed. Taryu snorted at his son's ignorance. "This arena is self-repairing. The minerals in the sediment are Sophagim crystals. They absorb Tarmata and repair the stadium over time. I also have them aligned to protect the audience from the combat should it get out of hand."

Lycurgus frowned up his face and looked at his father "What in the world could reach up here?"

Taryu without looking away from the combat simply let a chuckle then said, "You haven't seen true power yet son, there are some out in the world that are truly monsters."

Lycurgus turned back to the action to see Chara's long spear jab toward Hana, the fact he had managed to close the gap that quickly was amazing. Chara's long blonde hair flowed with each movement, then a single braid adorned with shells stood out even from this distance.

To any viewer, he had the upper hand, but Hana never lost footing, simply weaving each and every strike. Lycurgus notice that she was slowly closing the distance as Chara began to step back trying to maintain optimal distance with his spear.

"Ah, he's not used to using that spear in combat." Said Lycurgus realizing why Chara was starting to look less elegant.

"It's far different fighting a man than it is hunting a beast. From the way he thrust with the spear, I can tell he's never actually fought someone one on one." Taryu said adding to his son's point.

Hana had a clear advantage, and though not a single one had landed a blow yet, it was clear that she was the victor. Even if the majority of the crowd had yet to realize it yet. They were in an uproar cheering as the battle looked more like a fancy dance rather than an exchange of deadly force.

The flowing red hair and blonde hair, accented by Hana's fairer skin and Chara's dark chocolate skin, made it look like a painting of nature. Reminding Lycurgus of the mating dance of jinkaku koi during spring.

Lost in thought he heard his father say "Ah," snapping him back to reality as Chara went in for a dynamic lunge. Hana spun off the attack slamming her bow into his back. He slammed to the ground. He tried to recover quickly but was met with an energy arrow pointing blank in his face. Chara dropped his spear in a forfeit as the crowd erupted in cheers at the conclusion of the dance.

Taryu clapped "That was mildly entertaining, hopefully, the next fight will have a bit more attack. Eh?"

Hana helped up Chara and they both waved at the crowd together. When Hana spied Lycurgus, she gave him a smile as he waved back. At first, Taryu was going to say something but thought against it all things considered.

The two moved out of the arena and next followed Nikanor and Panias.

"Know anything about those two?" Taryu asked Lycurgus. "All I know is what Taezu told me," Lycurgus responded.

"Which is what exactly?" Lycurgus turned to face his father "I gave my information last time; you start first since you know their chief." Taryu laughed at his son's proposition "Fine, they both hell from Sokou. Panias is the son of a great warrior named Kanias, whom I have personally slain. Nikanor is the son of the best bowyer in the village, though Nikanor himself wants to be a Leviathan." Lycurgus raised an eyebrow "See way more information than I had." Taryu laughed at Lycurgus again, as Lycurgus turned back to the arena where the two young men were already clashing.

Panias attacked the ferocity of a wild beast, with his twin blades. To Lycurgus, they looked to be the teeth of a Mavrin Shark, but he wasn't quite sure. Mavrin Sharks didn't appear too commonly in their waters thanks to the Lancer Fish.

Panias' aggressive style bore down fiercely onto Nikanor who used a short lance with a small shield. As Lycurgus watched a thought itched his brain, but the more he tried to push it away the more it popped back up. The power of each of Panias' strikes carried such rage and vigor that he finally asked the question.

"Dad, why did you kill his father?" Taryu's eyes stayed glued to the match, just as Lycurgus' did. He went a moment without answering before saying "Kanias was my biggest rival in conquering the islands. The ferocity you see his son fight with is the same as his father's."

"When we first landed in Sokou, I thought I was the chosen one, the person to unite the villages due to my strength. Kanias thought the same. I had the most battles with Sokou, which is why you've never been to the island or know much about it. One day it came down to just me and him and I bested him."

Lycurgus never took his eyes off of Panias, now watching his movements with careful eyes. The flashes of strength that pushed Nikanor back were astounding. He tried to imagine what the greatness of his father had been. 'Dad mentioned monsters I wonder if his father was one such monster.'

Being so focused on Panias, the next maneuver Nikanor did shock him. Spinning, catching Panias' ankle with his spear, and flipping him onto his back. He stabbed down at Panias who parried with his blades as he scurried backward, trying to recover.

The crowd erupted into a loud cheer.

"Is it impossible to conquer the islands?" Lycurgus said in a low voice. Taryu's eyes tightened in focus at the words of his son.

"I spent my youth trying to conquer the islands only to create this fragile peace we now see. I did not have the foresight to conquer the islands, not the brain for diplomacy. I knew not when to strike peace and make war. For me it is impossible but for you Lycurgus. I put nothing past your mind."

Lycurgus peeled his eyes away from the fight and looked at his father. Everything was thrown into question now. Had he been so fool hearty to follow his mother that he threw away greatness? He turned back towards the fight, clenching the rails. What was he thinking? This was his mother he was talking about the woman that meant everything to him. She needed him, he needed her, but did dad? He let out a deep breath.

"Why didn't you keep us?" Taryu closed his eyes. He feared for that question to be asked, but he knew it was coming. No matter how hard he tried to prepare himself he wasn't ready. He still wasn't ready to answer that question.

He looked down, in his hand a symbol of Lycurgus' mother, a cloth she weaved him when they were young. It would always clean itself as long as there was water present. He then looked to his finger a symbol of Le. A ring, ornate in the bone of a jinkaku koi wrapped in a braid of her hair. He sighed.

"I couldn't, I…" The great leviathan brought to be speechless, and to his pride and joy Lycurgus no less.

The crowd erupted in cheers again as Panias landed a decisive slash on Nikanor's shield arm making him drop it. Panias spun around slashing at the back of his legs. Nikanor fell to his knees, using his spear to hold himself up. Panias began to walk away as Nikanor, willed himself to stand thrusting his spear into Panias' shoulder. Panias leered forward while turning and slashing back, slicing Nikanor's face. Panias screamed out "Stay DOWN!!!" silencing the cheers of the crowd. Panias raised a blade toward Taryu "I am Panias son of Kanias, Leviathan of Sokou, and I will have my vengeance for my father!" Nikanor grabbed Panias' leg and attempted to pull himself up while saying something.

Panias turned and struck Nikanor in the back with the hilt of his blade. Suddenly the voice of a man cried out "To end the battle he must forfeit, or you must kill him, Panias son of Kanias." Lycurgus looked up and saw Kyden chief of Sokou, his long locks pulled out of his sea-green eyes. Panias looked down at Nikanor and raised his blade.

Everyone watched intently to see whether or not Panias would slay his village mate or not. The silence was unsettling.

Tears flowed down Panias' face "Nikanor, please forfeit." He whispered. Nikanor looked up and smiled, his short locks falling in his soft brown eyes. "I can't do that Panias, Taryu will kill you." He let out a violent cough before continuing "I promised your mother I'd bring you home safely." Panias lowered his blade. The sun gleamed off his chestnut-brown skin, the dirt from the battle caked in his wooly hair. Blood spattered across his face and into his goatee. He shut his eyes tightly and yelled the words "I FORFEIT!"

The silence stayed within the crowd as Panias picked up Nikanor. Slowly a clap was heard, it came from Kyden and was followed by other members of the Sokou village then the whole assembly. Panias covered his face as tears flowed down his eyes, a dam holding back much sorrow and hatred had broken as the two returned to the waiting area.

"The spirit of your son is even stronger than yours Kanias," Taryu whispered.