Chapter 19

When Lycurgus made his way to the contestant viewing area, the last fight between Kyril and Kilos was already underway. The only people who were in the viewing were the victors of each match, and when he saw Taezu he quickly deduced that he had won his match. When he saw Skorri however, he realized he had been talking to his father for a while.

"Tired of watching the matches with your old man?" Kaji asked.

Lycurgus turned to face him, he hadn't quite tossed his anger aside and glowered at Kaji. The fierceness of his green eyes gave a menacing look as though he had full intentions of murdering him. Kaji threw up his hands "Wow, calm down brother, I meant no harm."

Lycurgus blinked, realizing the disposition of his face and that he had caught everyone's attention. Straightening up and flashing a political smile he said. "Oh, I'm sorry I was just thinking about a lot." He glanced up at the area where all the chiefs had sat, where his father sat. His smile vanished, as he reflected back on the conversation.

"Well, just know I'm not your enemy Ly," Kaji said throwing an arm around his shoulder. "Well as long as you're not my opponent that is."

Lycurgus stared down at the fight between Kilos and Kyril, both clashing with short swords that looked to be made from the spinal bone of either Hilltai sharks or the snout of a Sawbite fish. He thought about the words Kaji had said and murmured "enemy" in a low enough voice that Kaji couldn't quite hear him.

"Huh, what did you say?" Lycurgus blinked himself out of staring into space and smiled again, this time real, "I don't think you want me as your enemy Kaji, better hope you lose before you fight me."

Kaji burst into laughter, throwing his head back "I already fought probably the best combatant here, I'm sorry but none of you guys could beat me."

"What about a woman?" said the voice of Hana from the distance.

Kaji, still laughing, calmed down a bit before saying, "Maybe if you had a channel point you could beat me, but your arrows don't have the speed or strength."

Hana frowned up at that comment, "I don't need those things, my power is greater than anyone else here."

Lycurgus' eyes darted towards Azarios who was busy watching the fight, something he noted that he should be doing as well, 'I wonder if father thinks Azarios has the rawest power?' Lycurgus quickly gritted his teeth at the thought 'No, he's, my enemy.' He thought at first then he sighed, 'What am I even saying? Knowledge is knowledge no matter what the source is.' He thought to himself as he ran his hand back, pushing his hair out of his face, only to fall right back in the way.

"You need something to tie it back like how me and Admetus do," Kaji said, Lycurgus at first was surprised he was watching him so carefully then remembered who it was watching him. He raised an eyebrow, teasing Kaji he said "Oh Admetus your best friend now?" Kaji laughed in response. "Well, we had a really nice chat after the battle. I'd say we've become good friends."

Lycurgus smiled "Uh huh, sure." Kaji's smile went away, understanding what Lycurgus was inferring "Really Ly? Don't be like that."

Suddenly Azarios jumped and pointed at Kilos "Wow did you guys see that, how'd he do that?"

Kaji and Lycurgus returned their view to the battle.

"What happened?" Lycurgus asked generally. His eyes trained on the bloody Kyril, in confusion.

"Kilos infused his blade and body with tarmata and completely outclassed Kyril." A voice said, Lycurgus turned to see who spoke and saw it was Taezu. He turned his head back to the battle to see Kyril struggling to get up.

"This battle is over," Skorri said walking away from the viewing area to the entryway.

"Where are you going?" asked Nikanor. Skorri stopped and looked at him snorting.

"Didn't I tell you this fight is finished; the first round is over."

"But he's still standing," Nikanor replied

"Yes, he is for now, but not everyone gets handed undeserved victories like you Nikanor." A smile came across Skorri's face as his eyes darted toward Lycurgus. Nikanor stood up in frustration, but Taezu placed a hand on his shoulder and shook his head no, settling Nikanor back down.

"Mhmm, he talks big for someone who isn't even going to get past the second round," Kaji said slyly as Skorri walked out the door and down the tunnel. Lycurgus turned his eyes back toward the fight.

"Well, as much as you'd hate to admit it, he wasn't wrong about the fight being over."

At the battlefield of the arena lay Kyril facedown as Kilos stood over him victorious.

Lycurgus and the remaining group of victors headed down to the waiting area, there stood all the chiefs of various villages. Dynami, chief of Navia, stepped forward and said,

"Congratulations on your victories, whoever wins this round will truly be the most elite warriors of the Malunid. We've arranged the battles to test each and every one to their maximum capacity. No fight should be easy. You will need both tact and strength to progress into the next round." With that Dynami outstretched a hand and the chief, Harika placed a rolled-up parchment into it.

He unrolled the parchment and blue flame-like letters appeared and danced their way into the air. The list of matches was before everyone to see, granting a smile on the face of a few.

· Hana vs Lycurgus

· Kaji vs Skorri

· Taezu vs Nikanor

· Azarios vs Kilos

This time when the scroll was closed, everyone looked at their perspective matchups. The first round had been filled with mystery to everyone's abilities, now everyone felt they had a real shot at beating their opponent.

Dynami rolled up the parchment and the blue flames vanished just as they did before. "The rules are still the same the order of names is the order of the matches!" Dynami said, and with that, the group of chiefs left the room.

Hana walked up to Lycurgus who was staring at his father walk away.

"You gonna let me win this one?"

She said teasingly, Lycurgus turned his gaze toward her and gave her a faint smile.

"It's not a part of my plans."