Episode 26: Evil Within

The day passes as many more matches come and go.

Sable grins in the middle of a newly constructed arena. He takes a deep breath and shouts. "These matches are really heating up. Let's proceed with the fourth match!"

On one side of the arena, a thin, tall female walks on to the stage. Her short, spiky orange and black hair caught the audience's attention. She wore a tank top with short shorts which complimented her athlete like body. On the other side of the arena, a young male entered the stage, his short blue hair that parted at his unusually long bangs reminded many of the audience of a time traveling hero from a popular anime. On the young mans back sat a gigantic sword almost the length of his body. It's steel blade was a hue of dark blue with a moon carved into the center of the blade. The young man rolled up the sleeves of his black hoodie up to his elbows. Don looked over at Duke. "Does he have an artifact?"

Duke places his hand on his chin. "Perhaps, You never really know with miracle users, it seems. He might just have a miracle that's complemented by a weapon, but from the uniqueness of the blade, I'd say it's a safe bet to assume it's an artifact miracle."

Sable raises his hand and points at the female. "On this end, we have Sitall Dela'fuga!"

Sitall cracks her neck back and forth. "You ready for a good fight, kid?"

Sable points to the young man. "And her opponent Leonardo Dunworth!"

Leonardo sighs while reaching for his blade. "Whatever you say, luv."

Sable chuckles as he thinks. 'I love British accents,' Sable jumps back as he yells. "Begin!"

Sitall's eyes glowed bright red as black strips formed around her body. Her canines grew sharp and wild. "Okay kid, let's dance!"

Leonardo took one glance at her and scoffed. "Bloody hell luv. This isn't even worth my time."

Sitall grimaced fiercely before dashing at Leonardo, claws ready to pierce his heart. Leonardo grabbed her wrist and throat and slammed her down with such force it cracked the arena. The crowd fell quiet as Leonardo looked up at the stands. His gaze met with one person in particular. Ryan's eyes widen as he realized Leonardo was looking at him. "What the hell is that loser doing?"

Leonardo raised his hand, fist clenched except for his thumb, and before anyone could comprehend he gave Ryan an aggressive thumbs down. The stadium erupted as they understood what had happened. Leonardo had just called out the number 1 participant. Ryan, clearly aggravated, smiled and flipped him off. "Big talk from a scrub!"

Don looked across the stadium at Ryan. Duke tapped Don on the shoulder. "You scared you won't meet Ryan in the tournament, since everyone's gunning for him?"

Don shook his head. "No, Ryan is a monster and call it a hunch, but he seems to be hiding a trump card, so I doubt he will lose to anyone in this tournament. It's me I'm worried about. I want to fight him so badly. Not even to win, I just think it would be fun. However, I don't know if I can make it to him."

Duke slightly chuckles. "You know if I make it to the semi-finals, I'll be the one fighting him, right?"

Don suddenly realized he told Duke he had no chance of winning against Ryan. "I forgot you were in the same bracket as him."

Duke shook his head. "Don't worry about it. I know that he's a scary opponent in a fight, and it will be an uphill contest."

Don looks at Duke, concerned as he thought. 'A uphill contest doesn't quite give Ryan justice. He didn't get a chance to fight that much in the last test. However, from the little I've seen from him, he's a natural born warrior.'

Sable chuckles as he thinks. 'Woah, Leonardo didn't show this much promise during the other tests. Is he the type of person who doesn't waste energy unless he needs to? If he is, though, why did he go out of his way to provoke Ryan? This is gonna be interesting.' Sable lightly coughs into his hand before shouting. "We have a winner! Leonardo!!!!"

Caleb ran up to the stage. "Hey Sable, you have been called."

Sable looks at Caleb, confused. "We are in the middle of the exam. Who would call me at a time like this?"

Caleb nodded his head, flustered. "It's the Board."

Sable stood speechless.

The Board is a group that takes their orders directly from the Bishops. They are not the best the inquisitors have to offer. Yet they are the most loyal, almost to the point of being called zealous.

Sable nodded his head. "Caleb, watch over the tournament. I'll go deal with this."

In a corridor outside of the Bishop's council chambers. A man with white hair and a black suit stood admiring a painting of The Creation of Adam. Sable stops next to him. The man glances at Sable before re-focusing on the painting. "What do you think of this piece?"

Sable glances at the painting. "It's a beautifully done piece of the rendition of the birth of humanity."

The man scoffs. "That's what you see?"

Sable looks at the man, confused. "Why, what do you see?"

The man stares at the painting with contempt. "It's a brutal reminder that humanity has fallen."

Sable frowns at the man. "In what regard?"

The man clinches his fist. "Humanity used to be essentially the closest thing to gods ourselves. We used to roam a land of beauty and joy. Now all we have is a dying existence. Try as we may, our accomplishments, our advancements, our very existence means nothing. It's only a distraction as we wait to die and hopefully find peace in the next life. The only thing I see from this painting is that all must pay for the sins of the few. It makes you wonder if God is truly just"

Sable sighs, displeased. "What do you want.... Damon?"