Page #35

“Alright ladies and gentlemen looks like the challenger made quick work of team spirit. The first round of the bloodbath goes to team Kota who earned a rest until tomorrow. We will have a short intermission while a crew cleans up the bodies until then we ask that you all head to the main dining room on the fifth floor for a feast. The next battle will begin after the meal.” Kota glared at the girl with batwings as he passed her something seemed overly familiar about her. Victor and Azelf followed Kota out of the arena and up to his room. Atlas was waiting on them leaning against Kota’s doors. “You three did much better than I anticipated. Kota you are a born leader my boy I was so impressed I had some of my other slaves redo your room.” Atlas reached behind him and opened the doors. Inside almost all of the candles had been removed and the one moldy bed had been replaced with three newer twin beds that all had sheets and pillows. A fire was lit and glowed warmly in the hearth and a small table had fresh fruit and bread stacked in the middle. “Well boys welcome to your new room. The three of you will stay together until the tournament is over or until Kota fails. Also in the trunk over next to the wash room door I have provided new armor for all three of you.” Atlas stated as he twirled around pointing at the new touches Kota sighed and walked over to one of the beds began to strip till he was just in his underwear and went to the washroom. Before he entered he turned to Atlas and said, “Master I’m taking my leave of you. You can give me all these gifts and challenges but I will just ignore your affection and overcome your warriors. I do your will only as self-preservation not to entertain you.” Victor and Azelf struggled to keep straight faces as Atlas’ fury rose to the surface he opened his mouth to say something then closed and walked out saying “You will regret that boy.” After he exited Victor and Azelf erupted into laughter and collapsed into a giggling mess. Kota could not hold back hearing their chortles and snickers he began to laugh heartily. 

Page #34

With the phantom distracted and Azelf about to lock into battle with the reanimated corpse Kota ran right up the middle avoiding flying stones as the golem hurled them at the phantom. His hatchet an extension of his arm Kota wielded it to deflect a projectile being launched at him from across the field. The shaman had cast brimstone storm a spell that hurls sharp stones at a foe in rapid succession. Kota did his best to dodge the flying stones and the ones that came close to him he deflected with his hatchet all while running straight at the shaman gaining ground quickly. Off to Kota’s left Azelf’s blade was cutting through the corpse like butter and to the right Victor’s golem was locked in battle with the phantom knocking the phantom around like a ragdoll. This battle was close to over. Kota pointed his hatchet’s rifle at the shaman. The shaman shocked he instinctively reached out for his phantom with is mind and telepathically pulled the phantom across the field from the golem’s grasp and as Kota shot the phantom’s physical body absorbed the gun fire. Kota struck the knight through the breast plate a stream of blood shot from the other side him as he fell to the ground. That’s when the shaman made his move his eyes rolling into the back of his head he began to chant another spell. Kota felt the familiar pull of magic behind him so he simply stepped to the right and watched as a beam of light struck the shaman in the chest and shot through the other side. Victor had shot a lightening pulse spell from the other side of the stadium and struck the shaman dead center. Kota turned and began to walk away as the crowd roared in their victory then the crowd let out a collective gasp as Kota felt something wet hit his neck. Turning he saw Azelf with the phantoms blade slicing into his arm and his sword removing the phantom’s head. “Stupid human you never turn your back on an undead opponent.” Kota pulled the trigger inside his gauntlet and aimed the palm at the phantom. “Gehennam.” <Hellfire> Black flames erupted from the palm of Kota’s gauntlet and struck the phantom knight in the chest sending his body flying into the air landing in the arena’s seating just below Atlas’ private booth. Atlas looked down with a sick smile; he was obviously pleased by how easily Kota’s team took out team spirit. Kota looked at the wound Azelf was clutching. “Are you okay?” Kota asked standing over Azelf. “I’ll be fine I just need some blood. I haven’t drunk fresh blood in weeks.” Kota offered him his hand and said. “Thank you Azelf come on I’ll give you some fresh blood.” Azelf ignored the hand and stood on his own, puffing on his pipe he blew smoke out of the side of his mouth then said “Thanks but I’m not sure you want me to drink from you, I might not want to stop.” Azelf emphasized this by flashing his fangs at Kota in a smile. As Kota and Azelf walked up to Victor walked up and touched his stone golem and in a flash of light the golem disappeared. 

Page #33

A lone man walked out of an iron gate on the opposite end of the arena. The man was of short stature and seemed to be dragging a much larger man behind him. “Hey atlas one man against the three of us this really is going to be a bloodbath!” Kota yelled the crowd went into an uproar of laughter. But behind him Victor had a worried look on his face. “Introducing, John Stone leader of team spirit!” The girl with bat wings announced. “The first fight of the Demon Atlas’ Bloodbath begins in three, two, one Fight!!” The demon girl flew off and Kota put on his goggles. Behind John there was a swirling mass of cloudy energy and Kota’s heart began to pump furiously as he realized what John Stone was. “Azelf, Victor watch out he’s a Shaman he has a phantom behind him.”  The little man on the other side of the arena began to giggle as he shot a tendril of magic toward the swirling energy and the phantom took corporeal form. The mass of energy slowly gained legs and arms as it passed through the veil cut open by the shaman. Soon after a phantom knight suit of armor, shield and sword was standing next to John; but there was still more energy flowing through the veil and into the man that John had dragged onto the field. Kota gripped his hatchet in one hand and his fingers wrapped around the trigger inside of his gauntlet as the man began to stand. Kota suddenly realized in horror that is was a reanimated corpse wielding two oversized cleavers. “Okay that’s better.” Kota said as a smile spread across his face. “Azelf, you take the corpse dismantle that thing. Victor I want you to summon something to keep that phantom occupied. I’m going after the shaman we have to close that veil before he summons more spirits.” Swifter than the wind Azelf sprinted across the field with his hand on his sword and his pipe hanging from his mouth. As Azelf rushed the field the phantom charged as well but he was not able to intercept Azelf before the ground began to quake beneath the arena shook as a stone golem burst from underneath the ground. With a bead of sweat dripping down Victors face he finished a chant commanding the golem to attack the phantom knight. Azelf ran up beside the golem using it as a distraction as he made his closer to the reanimated corpse that was slowly making its way into the field. Kota looked at Victor who had exhausted most of his energy summoning that golem. “Rest for a moment let your creature do the work as soon as you catch your breath I want you to aim your most powerful elemental spell at the shaman.” Kota said as he ran off to join the fray. Leaping over the field Kota ran almost as fast as the phantom had.