Chapter 53: Little birdie

Chapter 53: Little birdie

A cultivator carried Yeo back up to their room, resting him in his chair. After assuring Chance and Bella that the boy would be safe and instructing them not to bother him until he woke up, he slipped away.

Several more fights came and went, but even though it was getting closer to the end of the tournament, they all felt flat compared to what had gone down between Yeo and Jake. Chances contemplation of his fighting style had come to a complete halt for the first time in the tournament at the revelation that Yeo and Jake were related, not to mention what theyd learned about his father.

Bellas expression had been unreadable ever since Jake had revealed his relationship to Yeo. She just sat, her hands pressed against the armrests of her chair, and watched the fights go by.

If the cultivator hadnt told them not to wake Yeo, Chance would have already shook his teammate awake to bombard him with questions. Instead, he took control of his emotions and sighed.

If Yeo didnt want to talk about it, then he didnt have to. And Bella clearly didnt want to address it either, so all he could do for the time being was leave the subject to lie until Yeo woke up.

Nearly thirty minutes passed before their window slid open again and Analises voice echoed through the colosseum.

Ninety-four, fifty-two. Youre up!

Bella practically leapt from her chair as she darted to head down to the arena floor. She hopped off the golden pathway near the bottom, shaking her arms off to get the blood flowing. Her opponent was a lanky boy carrying a wicked looking polearm, its smooth bronze surface covered with flowing engravings.

He raised the weapon in slight acknowledgement, then lowered into a fighting stance. Bella did the same. Above them Analise was still going off on a tangent about some shop that had sponsored the tournament, but she soon came to a conclusion and started the fight.

Ice wound around Bella, covering her body in a thin, translucent layer of protection. It seeped into the ground, expanding in a small ring around her. Her opponent waited, watching her evenly until the ice had finished its expansion.

Are your preparations done? he asked.

Yes, but that doesnt seem like the kind of thing you should be waiting for in a fight, Bella said, an icy axe materializing in her hands.

A fight is not worth my time if it is not fought when you are at your best, the boy replied. He lowered his spear. Then he vanished.

A clean ringing note rang out through the arena as the polearm scraped across Bellas armor. The lanky boy had appeared behind her and attacked with such speed that Chance hadnt even seen him move.

He squinted, watching the fight closer as it started in earnest. The boy kept at a distance from Bella, sending glancing blows toward her whenever an opening arose. In a way, it resembled Yeos fight with Jake.

Bella was far slower than he was, but the boys attacks did little to scratch her defenses. Shed still yet to land a single attack on him, and he didnt look to be getting tired. Still, as far as Chance could tell, the boy didnt have anything special in the way of defense.

One slip up was all that Bella needed to take the lead and the match. Despite that, though, Chance couldnt shake the feeling that she was the one at the disadvantage. It went against everything he could see, but that didnt change his gut feeling.

He watched closer as the boy twirled, spinning his polearm overhead and bringing it down on Bellas shoulder as he slipped past a blow. It rang out against the ice, once more failing to do any damage.

Chance paused. The note the weapon made almost sounded melodic. He listened closer, tuning out the rest of the arena as best as he could. That didnt help enough, so he closed his eyes as well to focus on listening.

The constant strikes the boy was hitting Bella with werent just random. They sounded beautiful, but moreso together than alone. He was playing music. Chances eyes snapped back open, but he was able to keep the tune in his head now that he was aware of it.

The harmonious strikes seemed to set a beat, and Bellas opponent was dancing to it. He flowed from one movement to the next effortlessly, often moving so quickly that Chance lost track of him. It wasnt that he was playing with her this was just how he fought.

Chance focused on his movements when they were slow enough for him to pick up, trying to see what he was doing. But, to his surprise, they didnt seem to be anything special. They were just steps like any other. It didnt look like he was using any techniques either. That only left a single explanation that he was aware of.

I didnt though, did I? Bella asked with a laugh, allowing the ice to pull back. I surrender.

Wren pulled the spear from her chest with a gentle flick of his hand as cultivators jumped down, offering both of them a healing pill. They started to return to their rooms, but one of the men put a hand on Wrens shoulder to stop him. While they spoke, Bella stepped back through the window.

That was still really impressive, Chance said optimistically. He fights

Beautifully, Bella finished, smiling at him as she sat down. Dont worry. Im not disappointed. Really, if I dont count the cheat that Vex gave me, Ive got no more cultivating than you do. Im proud to have gotten this far.

You should be, Chance said. He threw a glance down at Wren, who still stood in the arena. Id love to fight him. I think hes got what Im missing.

Ninety-three, please head down to the stage! You will be fighting fifty-two, Analise called.

Chance blinked. Bella let out a snort of laughter.

Looks like you got lucky.

Always, Chance replied, a tingle of excitement running through his body as he hopped over the edge of the window and descended the glowing bridge.

Ah. Just the person I was speaking of a few moments ago, Wren said as Chance stepped to the arena floor across from him. I was hoping we would both make it far enough to run into each other. I am lucky. I am curious as to what your Essence is. Youve gotten so far using just physical techniques.

Chance chuckled. Not on purpose. Ive been trying to figure out my fighting style, and I think youve given me the inspiration I needed. If anything, I should thank you.

You are training at a tournament? Wrens eyebrows rose. I am negligent in my studies, but to hear that I have helped another pleases me. You have perfected your style, then?

Nothing even close to that, Chance said quickly. Above them, Analise started rambling again. I just have an idea of what might work. I hope our fight is enjoyable for both of us.

Likewise, Wren said. Shall we begin?

Chance glanced up at Analise. She hasnt started the match.

Do we need permission? Wren asked, flashing a gleaming grin at Chance. Look. Shes not even listening to us talking, but the arena hears.

It was a pointless move, saving a few moments and possibly annoying the tournament organizers. Analise was currently in the middle of yet another advertisement, and they probably wouldnt have looked very positively on interruptions.

Lets do it, Chance said, drawing his urumi. Ready?

A warrior is always prepared.

They dashed at each other, and the arena cheered, cutting off Analises speech. She sputtered for a few moments, trying to get control back over them before giving up and just narrating the fight.

Wrens fighting style was nothing like what he had used against Bella. He shifted his polearm to match Chances twirling urumi strikes with swift flicks, moving quickly to avoid getting entangled by the blade.

He didnt use anywhere near the amount of speed that he had against Bella, and he didnt even attempt to attack. The boy just matched every move, knocking it away and forcing Chance to keep moving to maintain distance.

Wren wasnt even attacking him. He simply danced through the flurry of unpredictable blows and movements, grinning the entire time. Chance quickly realized why. Wren was trying to help him train.