CHAPTER 73: [ HAVOC ]

When Alexander exited the inner maze of the stadium the first thing to hit him was the bright, blinding sun.

The morning was cold, but the sun made it tolerable.

His platform was just ahead, elevated by a few steps—a perfect square made of stone.

Several more lined up, other fights happening simultaneously for other guilds.

He could see in the neighboring stage flashing spells, bright explosions and projectiles flying everywhere.

A blue wall flickered every time they would’ve exited the confines of the stage, protecting the spectators in their seats and the officials walking around the arena.

The sound of the explosions paired with the increasing cheers created a truly epic feeling.

The spectators went wild once they saw him exiting the tunnel, a camera had zoomed in on him, showing him on the giant screens around.

His tired eyes looked around, he quickly found Sunder and Titan in the first row—Sunder cheering while Titan sat silently, hands still somehow in his pockets.

Alexander shook his head, walking up to his stage.

Next to the stairs leading up to the elevated stone platform was someone he recognized, wearing the event’s official white shirt and black pants.

She smiled brightly, tightly clapping her hands as she saw him approach.

Why is she here?

Stella, he recognized her from the previous day.

She looked excited, but her excitement slightly faded as he arrived next to her.

"Where’s your companion?" she asked.

"I don’t need her."

She had a slightly disappointed look on her face, before gesturing toward the stage.

"Best of luck."

Alexander walked up, the stage was larger than it looked. It was made of several large stone cubes tightly held together.

It was perfectly flat and leveled, and on its opposing side Silver’s team was already there, waiting.

Hunter held a two-handed sword, while Tricia, Shah and Silver all had a staff.

I know Silver’s a support. The two handed sword screams fighter, or maybe tank. They could also be specialists, so I should remain on my guard...

The announcer’s voice rose into a frenzy, hyping up the crowd like his life depended on it. He could see the various cameras pointing toward them, as if the other fights meant nothing.

Alexander remembered how much they promoted him as the center-piece of this tournament, it was most likely broadcasted live, he thought.

Let’s show them what a cultist is capable of.

An official walked onto the stage, screaming at both of them, trying to have his voice reach both teams despite the announcer going wild in the background.

"Until a team gives up, keep fighting. I’ll stop it if it’s too dangerous or clearly over. From the nature of this tournament, deadly injuries may happen at any time—remain vigilant and on your guard at all times until the fight is stopped. Using exaggerated force to try and kill an opponent is forbidden, use common sense or you’ll be disqualified."

He then nodded at both teams, who nodded right back.

The referee took several steps back, hopping off the stage onto a small platform allowing him to oversee everything easily.

The announcer started a countdown, the crowd chiming in as it went toward 1.

He could see on the opposite side how Shah and Hunter were surprisingly the most anxious ones, while Tricia seemed to simply be vibing.

Let’s get this over with.

The buzzer resounded.

They all clutched their weapons.

Hunter moved to the front of the group, his sword pointed at Alexander while Silver started casting spells in the background.

Buffs?

Alexander waited, perfectly still as he watched them prepare.

The announcer was going wild, the crowd yelling at him to start moving.

Even the other team frowned, Tricia, Shah and Hunter confused by his lack of reaction.

Silver suddenly stopped casting his spells, relaxing his stance before yelling across the stage.

"You’re just letting us prepare all we want? Didn’t you say you would finish this before we even realized it?"

Silver’s words echoed from the speakers amplifying his words.

The crowd loved the drama, their reaction instantly felt through the rumbling.

Alexander had a faint smile, then raised his staff and pointed it toward them.

Silver went back to casting his spells, light glowing at the end of his staff at each one he cast.

Let’s start slow, see what they can do.

The ground under Silver split open, yet the moment it did the whole group took several steps back, staring at the strange rift on the ground.

It opened like an eye, yet only darkness emanated from the other side.

A single tendril came out, quickly reaching out of the rift to slam onto the group.

Hunter took a step forward and in a single move executed a large sweep hitting the tendril head-on.

A strong burst of wind emanated from the strike like a shockwave, everyone’s clothes fluttered in the wind.

The crowd cheered even more, the action had finally started.

Alexander nodded to himself, focused on the fight.

All four of them are avoiding looking me in the eyes. I guess he took the tip I gave him to heart, but that’s not enough.

Alexander raised his staff, concentrating on all four of them.

[ Whispers Beyond ]

A connection linked him to each of them, he could feel the heat rising in his head as he pulled their minds into a tug of war.

The ground trembled, then tilted.

Before he could finish the spell, he was falling backward.

He tilted his head down, keeping the enemy in sight even as his body fell backward into the air.

[ Witness of All Paths ] was the only reason he could see it.

Tricia, hidden behind Hunter, cast a spell while holding perfectly still. Shah was right behind her, softly whispering while her hand rested on Tricia’s back.

If it wasn’t for his enhanced vision, he wouldn’t have seen it coming.

Hunter’s sword shone brightly, while a green magic circle appeared right in his back.

He jumped, launching off the circle like a spring.

Alexander could see the displaced wind as he left his allies’ side.

They’re not half bad, he thought.

Through the stage then bloomed a dozen rifts, tendrils appeared, cascading through the stage.