Chapter 55: First

Chapter 55: First

Surprised mumbles ran through the crowd, and even Analise was taken aback. After a few moments, she cleared her throat and her voice crackled back to life over the arena.

Ninety-three wins due to withdrawal. Ninety-three, please remain on the stage. Ladies and gentlemen, I am simultaneously pleased and disappointed to announce that we are coming up on the final match of the tournament. This will be quite an interesting one. The two final competitors are already familiar with each other. In fact, theyre from the very same Shikari training house. Ninety-two, please make your way down to the stage.

Chance spun as a golden path materialized, leading down from the rest room that hed been using and stopping just across from him. Yeo hopped out of the window, sliding down it and landing lightly on the ground before Chance with a huge grin.

Yes! This is it, Yeo exclaimed, grabbing and pumping Chances hand in a furious, excited handshake. Man, the adrenaline is killing me. You and me at the finals. Can you even imagine a better debut than that?

I thought your last fight was your debut, Chance said with a wry smile. It fell away, turning to a small frown. Are you okay? I mean, that fight with Jake

They gave me a healing pill. And this whole tournament is my debut.

Thats not what I meant.

I know, Yeo replied, flashing him a grin. But thats the only answer youre getting, especially when weve got a giant screen projecting our words everywhere. All these good people need to hear is that Chance is my rival, and this fight will be the first of our many vicious duels!

Seriously? Were teammates.nôvel binz was the first platform to present this chapter.

Every good team has a pair of frenemies. Besides, the crowd loves it. Am I right? Yeo turned, extending his hands. Somehow, he got a fair number of cheers and hollers. He beamed, spinning back to Chance. This really is perfect, Chance. Im so glad we managed to make it to the finals.

Im not entirely sure how that happened, to be honest. I am too, though. This will be really interesting.

As interesting as your last one? I doubt it, Yeo said with a chuckle. He pulled his kusarigama from his side and spun it. That was something else to watch, but its time we find out how that new style of yours holds up against my secret technique.

Youve already used it. Its no longer secret.

Hush. Yeo held a finger up to his lips and winked conspiratorially. The crowd chuckled and Chance shook his head in disbelief. Yeo really did have a talent for getting the people on his side. Maybe he really was going to get himself famous.

It looks like our competitors are ready, Analise called. One last time, lets give them a cheer! Now, get to some blood, boys. Begin!

Yeo or not, Chance wasnt going to hold back. If he had, his friend never would have forgiven him. He sunk into the flow of battle, enveloping the golden mist with a smile on his face. Yeo opened the fight with a whistling blow aimed at Chances chest.

Chance rolled to the side and came up, whipping his hand sharply to send the urumi biting for Yeos side. Yeo vaulted backward, then spun and sent the sickle nipping at the other boys heels.

That would have been a fatal blow when I released my stitching. I concede.

The metal strands dropped, falling around them. Chances urumi returned to its bracelet form and slipped around his wrist and he groaned, staggering as the pain of the wounds covering him finally caught up.

Cultivators appeared beside them, forcing healing a healing pill into Yeos mouth before he could let the stitching expire. No sooner than they had did he fall limp, letting out a groan as wounds bloomed and sealed all over his body as the pills started to work.

Chances wounds were mostly superficial, but the last attack had left a pretty large cut across his throat and there were several seeping cuts on his chest and arms. He took the healing pill from his cultivator gratefully, popping it into his mouth and letting the gold mist fade away.

What a brilliant end to the fight! Analise called. Two Shikari, going all out in their heartfelt fight to prove themselves. I think that might be one of the most exciting finals weve had in a while for this rank, at least! Make sure to come back tomorrow for the Knight tournament! If you thought this one was exciting, tomorrows will burn your shorts right off. Now, before I leave you all, a quick word from our sponsors.

Chance rolled his eyes and knelt beside Yeo.

That was a fantastic fight.

Damn straight, Yeo agreed. And, once I figure out how to use aura, you better get ready to lose. Dont you dare get taken out by someone else until I get a chance to get around to it. Public opinion of me will plummet if you do.

Im looking forward to it, Chance said, extending a hand and shaking his head in bemusement. Yeo grabbed it and he pulled the other boy to his feet.

Have you ever wanted to travel without worrying about more powerful cultivators tracking you? Analise asked. I know I have. And, with the Cloak of Nor-Vep, you can too. Itll protect you from any attempts to track you or your Essence, and it can even make a projection of yourself in another location to help throw your enemies off.

Chance was tempted to ask if anyone actually bought any of the stuff Analise advertised, but considering his voice was probably still amplified by the huge screen above them, he decided against it.

When do the awards show up? Yeo asked one of the cultivators beside them. He just won, you know.

I saw, the man said with a chuckle. Theyll arrive at your place of residence in a day. It can take longer for higher level tournaments, but this was still just a Squire ranked one, so weve got everything we need in hand. And, good fight to both of you. I cant remember the last time Ive seen such interesting fights between Squires, and it wasnt even just the finals. There were all sorts of impressive fighters this time around. I shudder to think whats coming if the universe is seeding us with such talent.

Probably lots of fame and money, Yeo said, puffing his chest out. Want an autograph?

The man burst into laughter. I love the persona, kid. I gotta ask, was the whole thing with the boy that claimed to be your brother set up as an act? I felt like I was watching a play. Really well done.

Yeo hesitated for a moment before pointing up at the screen and winking. Cant say. Ruins the mystique. If you want more, youll have to keep an eye out for me.

That elected another amused snort. Perhaps I will.

A golden pathway stretched down, offering exit from the arena and return to their waiting room where Bella was sitting. The crowd started to filter out of the stands above them, even while Analise continued to go on about some other sponsor. Yeo and Chance headed up the pathway to meet back up with Bella.