Episode 17: Ranking Ceremony Part 4
"I'm going to take you down!" Ven yells and covers his entire body in flames.
The Madrigoat roars and charges at Ven at full speed. Right before the beast makes contact, Ven summons a wall of fire that towers over the beast but it doesn’t stop it! It charges right through it and lowers its head and attempts to stab Ven with its deadly horns. Ven raises his hands and grabs onto the horns and raises himself. He then shoots fire from his feet to catapult him over the beast. He flips and twists his body and sends a blast of fire at the beast’s neck. The beast roars in pain and shakes its head rapidly. It then takes its tail and swings it at Ven. Not caught by surprise this time, Ven maneuvers himself in the air to avoid the tail and lands right behind the beast. He then plants his feet, charges a blast and shoots it at the beast. However, the beast raises its legs in time, and avoids Ven’s blast. It then kicks out its legs, aiming for Ven’s stomach. He blocks the kick just in the knick of time by crossing his arms but gets sent flying back due to the force of the beast's powerful legs. He skids to a stop.
"Ok." Ven huffs and puffs. He lowers his arms and locks eyes with the Madrigoat.
The Madrigoat smacks the ground with its tail and roars.
Ven takes a deep breath and takes one step forward. He takes a look at the sky.
*I don't have a lot of time left*
"This ends NOW!"
Ven lets out a roar of his own and covers himself in fire. The Madrigoat stomps its hooves and charges at Ven with its horns lowered. Ven closes his eyes.
*Listen....Wait for the right moment, then STRIKE... unexpectedly!*
Ven replays the words that Nyx has spoken many times during their training sessions. He opens his eyes just in time to see the Madrigoat coming up on him. He lets out steam from his nostrils. Ven then crosses his arms, forming an "X", uncrosses them and then disappears, leaving nothing but a wall of smoke.
The Madrigoat comes to a screeching halt.
*Blast!*
The beast is then hit on the top of its head by a fireball. The beast looks up and sees nothing but a sword of fire greeting him.
"Easy," Ven says.
Ven brings the sword down onto the beast, cutting off its head with a clean swoop.
*Ven's room*
"I've got to say Ven, I'm impressed! The ALPHA!"
Nyx pats Ven on the shoulder and smiles a cheeky smile. "I was sure you would die during this round!"
Ven rolls his eyes and says sarcastically, "Well thanks for the support!"
"I kid! I kid!"
Ven, Nyx and Kia are in Ven's room, having dinner. Fish, rice and veggies with a savory sauce with Nyx and Kia enjoying a glass of red wine.
"The last round, it's going to be tough. This is where you really have to show the results of your training," Kia says. She takes a bite out of her food. "Are you ready?"
Ven nods.
"Be careful of Lox, Ven. Merrick is no where near his level," Nyx comments.
"Nyx is right. Lox is on a completely different level. Merrick is formiddable himself and..... you did a number on him. Broken jaw. I'm all for violence but that was a bit much, don't you think?" Kia says and rubs her jaw.
"Your temper Ven. You must not let it get the best of you," Nyx warns.
Ven sighs. "I know. I don't know what came over me but I won't lie to you. It felt good."
"Ya well, Merrick's a prick and he had that beat down coming. Weirdo. Tasting blood," Nyx shudders. "Besides, even if you win, it won't matter. You will still have to work with Lox anyway since you both will be on the team and be part of the future Council. You two will have to get along at some point, whether you like it or not."
"Correct. So please, whatever you do tomorrow, don't kill him. Just hurt him, a little bit." Kia takes another bite of her food. "You have my permission to do so. I've been wanting to slap that little shit for a LONG time."
"Likewise," Ven replies. He takes a bite out of his food and chews. "I don't think I am truly capable of actually killing someone, really."
"You might be put into a position where you might not have much of a choice." Nyx says and takes a bite out of his food.
"I know but I don't think I could actually take someone's life. I can't fathom going that far."
"It's not always a good feeling but some people, deserve it."
"Do you like doing it?"
Nyx bites his bottom lip. "Sometimes. I'm not a psycho killer like the crazy one over there," he nods towards Kia who sticks her middle finger up at him in response. "But I'll do what I need to do if it's for the greater good. The more you do it, the easier it gets. You'll experience it, one day."
"I must ask, how do you even feel about all of this?" Kia asks changing the subject. "You've never been put in a situation like this before." Concern plastered all over her face.
Ven looks at her and then at his food. He twists his mouth. "I don't know."
"Are you tired at all?" Nyx asks taking a sip of his drink.
"No. I don't even think these challenges are all that tough if I'm being honest."
Nyx cuts his eyes at Kia.
"What do you mean?" Kia asks carefully, pouring more wine into her glass.
Ven looks at the two of them. "I don't feel as if I've been really challenged nor do I feel as if I even used any of my power. It feels like a normal training session but I do feel SOMETHING.... bubbling within in me. Just waiting to be truly unleashed I guess. It's a bit hard for me to explain." He tugs at his ears.
"Fascinating," Kia says. "Tenari." She cuts her eyes at Nyx, and he nods.
Ven's ears twitch a little. He then smiles. "I know you two are worried about me but trust me, everything is under control. I promise. No matter what happens tomorrow, I promise I won't lose control." He takes another bite out of his food. "Where's Enishi by the way?"
"Meditating. He's nervous for you," Nyx says.
"He's like a worried grandparent, I swear." Kia rolls her eyes.
"A lot is riding on your performance tomorrow Ven." Nyx takes another swig of his drink. "Ezreal has put A LOT of pressure on him. It would be the perfect IN YOUR FACE moment when you come out on top of this thing."
"I know. I won't let him down. Any of you. I promise." Ven looks at Nyx and Kia and smiles.
*Enishi*
"Nish."
Enishi turns his head and sees Kia walking up to him. He's sitting by the river, under the moonlight, listening to the sounds of the night. Kia sits next to him.
"You OK?" She asks with worry.
He nods but doesn't say anything. She rests her head on his shoulder.
"You're worried about tomorrow. You can't stop what's about to happen."
Enishi sighs. "I know. I just don't want to lose anyone...Not again."
"Hey."
Kia takes her head off of his shoulders and takes his face into her hands and stares into his eyes. "It's going to be OK. We've been preparing for this. Just have to be patient for a little longer. Everything is falling into place. Nyx is itching."
"I know. He can't wait to do it."
"I can't wait to watch him squirm."
Enishi chuckles. "Let's just hope Ven doesn't lose it too much."
"There's a killer within him, that is true but....we'll be there to stop him, if necessary."
She gives him a soft kiss on the cheek and then places her forehead on his. He sighs and then closes his eyes and then places his head onto her lap and stares up at the glistening stars in the night sky.
*The Next Morning*
The remaining ten competitors stand infront of Nyx, Kia, Enishi, Ezreal and the rest of the Masters outside the doors of the training grounds. They're all dressed in their battlesuits, eager to partake in the last challenge. Nyx, Kia and Enishi are also dressed in their battlesuits while Ezreal and the rest of the Masters are dressed in their ever so elegant white robes.
"Congratulations to all of you that have made it this far. This is your final challenge. The last three standing, will be the future faces of The Tower of The Republic. I hope you all do not disappoint," Ezreal adresses the competitors.
Comments (0)
See all