The Tournament

Max nods and waves them goodbye. He heads back into the work area, the workers were asking him questions. ‘You’re a sorcerer’ was the main question. Eventually Colin told everyone to back off.

      “If he doesn't want to tell us then there is a reason.”

       “When the time comes, I promise I’ll explain.” This comment appeased the workers and everyone went back to working. Days passed by like normal. The shop was slowly growing fame because of Max’s style of swords. It was nearing Winter Festival time. Around this time workers take break to enjoy their time before the festival. Many people from the many nations come and shop during the week.

         Max decided to take a two week break. His customer’s orders weren't due for a while so he had enough time to explore the city and take a break. Max wandered the city. He went a few blocks away from the blacksmith to see a colosseum. Many people were walking in excited. Max went into the colosseum curious.

       As he got past the entrance he saw a huge crowd sitting around the colosseum. He was pulled by one of the staff. Since his face shield and hood was blocking most of his face the staff thought he was one of the fighters.

       “Why are you out here? Come!”

        Max was pulled into a room with the other fighters. There were swordsmen, martial artist and other styles of fighting.

       “What's your name?”

        “Max.”

        “No you idiot, your fake name. The one the crowd and announcer will refer you as.”

        “I don’t have one.”

         “White Phantom it is.” The guy wrote his name down on paper and handed it to another staff. “You’re a martial artist?” Max shakes his head. “Then where is your weapon?”

         “I left it at home.”

         “For god sake, you are worthless. What do you want to use?”

         “A sword would be fine.”

         The staff member handed him a sword and scurries off. Max grabs a drink from a waitress and sits down. Completely clueless he sits there and looks around. The fights were lining up. Eventually Max was called to stand in a line. One by one the fighters entered the colosseum. The crowd’s roar was not muffled by the walls. Every time the crowd got louder than normal signaled that the victor was decided.

         Finally Max was called out, he walked out the door to realize how big the colosseum was. His sword was strapped on his side as he walked towards the center. Blood from the past fighters painted the floor. They both stopped and the announcer introduced them.

       “The white warrior on our right is the White Phantom! And on our left is the wizard Anexius. A swordsmen and a wizard! Let's see who wins!” The crowd roared.

       The announcer started his countdown.

Max knew that against a wizard, closing in the space between them and ending the battle quickly was needed to win. In the crowd Evan and Ava Silva were watching. They were there because Ava’s friend was there competing.

       “Isn’t that the blacksmith that gave me my sword?”

       ‘That kid again, a good chance to see his potential.’ Evan Silva thought.

       As soon as the announcer told them to start the wizard threw fireballs at him. Max jumped out of the way. Anexius stared at the White Phantom, suddenly he appeared in front of him and slashed him. The crowd roared.

        “It appears that Anexius dozed off at the wrong time. The victor is White Phantom!” The announcer said.

         Max walks back into the waiting room to see only. Half of the fighters left. Some were bruised, others bleeding and even missing limbs. Max was one of the few who were unscathed. The tournament continued with Max destroying each of his opponents in under a minute. There were only four people left including Max.

       “Leo is up next!” Ava said. “Do you think he’ll beat the White Phantom Dad?”

        “I don’t know… White Phantom is certainly strong, but Leo has the advantage.”

        The announcer began speaking as the two fighters were walking towards the middle.

       “The semifinals will begin with the swordsmen who ended all of his matches in under a minute against Aquarius, The sorcerer who has dominated in long range battle!” The crowd roared with excitement. As the announcer began his countdown both sides were ready for an explosive start.

       Max gripped his sword which was still in its sheath and Aquarius readied his water magic. As soon as the countdown was done water was blasted towards Max. Max’s wind redirected the water and it missed. Aquarius touched the ground and water flooded the area.

       “Smart move on Leo’s part. The water will slow Max’s blinding speed.” Evan said.

        Max released a sudden burst of wind. He continued to do that while standing still. The water was moving due to the wind. Leo wasn’t going to let Max do whatever he was scheming, he controlled the water to surround him. The wind would continuous blow it away before it got too close. Leo knew was going to lose a long term battle because he had to keep the flood there or else Max would reach him. He lower the flood levels and gathered it.

        He then released it towards Max, the water pushed through the wind and swallowed Max. Max was thrown into the wall. Max stood back up and continued to release wind in intervals. Leo was slowly tiring himself. He had to end it quick. He stared at Max while thinking of the situation and how to defeat him.

        Max has been waiting patiently, figuring out the timing. Finally he figured it out, he stopped releasing wind and gripped his sword. He faced Leo and crouched down to a lower angle. Leo saw this and began to build up his defense. Water walls were created to slow him down if he tried anything. Suddenly Max disappeared and Leo was slashed.

       Leo fell down, his water disappeared. He no longer had the strength to keep that much magic going. Leo was losing blood and conscious. The last thing he said was;

        “How….”

         In the crowd Evan Silva was surprised. ‘The kid didn't just do that.’ He thought.

        “What happened Dad? How did he get to Leo so fast with the water slowing him down?”

        “Magic works like a heartbeat. It isn't constantly there. Though normally it disappears and reappears so fast no one can react, but Leo was exhausted from creating so much water. He timed his movements to the exact moment it would disappear. Something that one in a billion can do…”

        The final match was anticlimactic, Max defeated the swordsmen easily.

       “Congratulation to the White Phantom on winning the Winter Festival Tournament! Your reward for winning is to join the great Etra Army! The strongest military in the world, you have the honor to join it!” The announcer said.

      Max wasn’t interested in joining the military. It would not benefit him to join. When the soldiers tried to bring him with them, he denied them.

          “I’m not interested in joining.”

       “Listen here kid, it wasn’t an option. Now you better come with us before we kill you.”

        “I’d rather take the second option.”

       “Guards! Get him!”

       Guards came from everywhere and surrounded him quickly. They all started to run at him in an attempt to subdue him. They were sent flying with a burst of wind. There were so many guards that they kept coming in waves. Max slashed at and sent many flying, the crowd horrified at what was happening. Max decided to leave before someone who would make his leave troublesome appeared. He focused his magic and release such a strong wind that food, trash or anything left lying around was sent flying with the soldiers.

     Max disappears from the scene like a phantom. He appears in the blacksmith, grabbed his things and went down to the work area.

          “Colin?

          “Whats up twerp?”

           “I’m quitting.”

          “Wait why?”

   

           “I ran into some of Etra’s soldiers and now a few thousand soldiers are after me. To keep you guys uninvolved I’m leaving. If they come here deny I was here. Telling the truth won’t help. If you don't tell them where I’m going then they’ll keep you in prison.”

           “Your first day off and you manage to get chased by soldiers.” Colin says in disbelief.

           “I’ve left some designs of mine in your room Colin, and a note. Don’t open the note until you see my insignia in the sky.”

           “Wait wha-”

           “You’ll know when the day comes, just promise me you’ll do what the note says.”

          Tobias puts his hand on my shoulder and says;

          “You’ve helped us so much, you gave us a name that we didn't have before. You can bet on us to follow what your note says.” As Tobias says that the others nod and smile.

          “Aight, thanks guys. I’ll pay you guys back when I’m back where I should be.”

        Max waves farewell and disappears. Max walks along the borders of Arceae, he hasn't seen a single soul since he left the capital. The breeze comes and goes, his food supply is running low. ‘I’ve walked far enough.’ He thought. A voice in his head replied; ‘You don't say? You’ve walked for five f*****g days!’ Max heads towards civilization which he sees to his northwest.