NOVPUB
Chapter 461: Round 1: Fight!
Max could hear the murmurs and whispers of all the merfolk sitting on the floor and seats near them, discussing what he had just told them. 𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙥𝒖𝒃.𝒄𝒐𝒎
Even the council members took a moment to consider his story of meeting and defeating Jalnig Nuk.
“If he could withstand our King’s attack, surely that gives us hope.”
“Riletta, he can only fight once, and the other two must also win. How long has it been since that has happened?”
“Still this gives us hope! We should tell our people!”
Riletta seemed excited at the prospect of this fight while Coburn seemed to be the one who wasn’t. Nereid was silent the entire time they spoke, eyes fixed on the party.
“Do you know who we’ll fight?” Max asked.
Coburn’s head moved side to side for a moment.
“Each of us has individuals from our kind who train for these moments. Before it starts, they will be granted a potion that will transform them in power. The problem is… often, there is one who has won and chosen to stay here. Both races have such a champion. Each time they drink the potion, they grow stronger. They are truly frightening foes.”
“Do your people not have a champion like that?”
“We have not won in a long time. Many side with the Naiads or Aasaura. As such, our champions are defeated. The times a group of tower climbers has chosen us… we have not done well.”
“Wait,” Tanila said as she held up her hand. “You said we need to win two matches out fo three. How does this work? Do we fight one of the other races more than once?”
Shaking his head, Coburn used his tongue to pick at his teeth, wincing multiple times before Nereid cut him off.
“These fights are you against the other two races simultaneously. Three enter and only one leaves. It appears our foes have gotten smarter and played us for fools. Anytime a team picks us they ensure we lose. Anytime a group picks one of them, they work together to ensure the victory. Their losses have been mitigated by their gains, and our people have suffered greatly for it.”
Coburn crossed his arms and frowned.
“The chances of this being successful is still almost impossible. To withstand two opponents simultaneously with that kind of power isn’t a joke.”
“We’re not laughing,” Tanila replied. “Don’t worry. We’ll win this. Now tell me, how long do we have until the fight takes place?”
Rubbing his eyes, Coburn pointed at an hourglass on a table. It was as tall as Fowl and had pink sand running through it quickly.
“Perhaps two hours. Most likely less.”
She nodded and motioned for everyone to come closer.
“We need a room and some time to plan. I’ve got an idea.”
***
Tanila held Nereid’s gaze. “You’re certain this is the order of the fights?”
“Certainly. Each time, they put their strongest warriors in the last two. This first one is to make the whole tournament fun. Occasionally, one of our champions won because of this, giving hope to the others. Then, the next two matches become nothing but playtime for the races.
“The second fight will be the Naiads champion. The last will be from the Aasaura.”
“I appreciate your help and look forward to watching some of your people get to return home.”
Max watched as both women talked, knowing he was eavesdropping, but Tanila had told him he could. He could see the light returning to the merwoman’s eyes and was excited at the plan the love of his life had devised.
After the councilwoman had left, everyone gathered together.
“So this first fight is our easiest one. Someone has to go in there. It’s between you two, and I don’t care which of you goes.”
Fowl and Cordellia stared at each other, and they started laughing.
“Play you for it?” she asked.
“Donkey, Dwarf, Beer?”
“Of course!”
Each of them turned their back to the other and waited a second.
“Donkey!” Cordellia shouted.
“Dwarf!” Fowl yelled out.
“Beer!” Max called out, causing both of them to turn simultaneously.
Fowl was halfway bent over with hands on each side, mimicking a donkey, while Cordellia had her hands shaped like a cup, pretending to take a big drink.
“HAH!” their warrior exclaimed. “I knew it!”
“Bah! Why didn’t you pick dwarf?”
“Because only a fool of a dwarf picks himself. We’re all drunks, and we know it. So it’s donkey or beer every time for me.”
“Two out of three?” she asked.
Fowl shook his head and smiled. “Nope! Won fair and square. Now, I get to go fight some crazy arse bosses and hope to live.”
“If you die, Fowl Hammerfall, I’ll kill you,” Batrire stated as she grabbed his beard and pulled him close. “Do you hear me?”
“I do, babe, but stop that. You’re turning me on, and I need to get ready to fight.”
Cordellia made her gagging sound, and Max allowed himself to laugh as they knew what was about to take place was nothing to joke about. “You sure?”
Fowl nodded and puffed his chest out. “I’m going to kick both their arses, so go ahead and bet all the gold you got on me.”
***
Sweat ran from his forehead, and his mouth felt a little dry as Fowl stood there on the sand, watching the pair of fighters he was going to face.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Each was ten feet tall, and the one from the Aasaura was almost impossible to see even an outline of. Equal distance away in the weird triangle they started on was the one from the Naiads, and the warrior looked absolutely fearsome. She had two long curved swords and wore chain armor that almost looked like seaweed was growing on it. Her mouth looked big enough to swallow his head whole.
I’m an idiot… but I ain’t going to die.
His mind raced at what Tanila had told him, and with everything he had, this fight would be his first real test.
Around him, a stadium with at least four hundred thousand spectators was packed. It reached so high above him that he couldn’t see the top. Large screens were placed all over, and he knew they would show his potential win or almost guaranteed defeat.
Glancing across the sandy floor, he saw where Batrire and the others waited behind a gate. Each of them gave him a thumbs up or smile, trying to encourage him.
I shoulda picked Dwarf…
The announcer had finished whatever speech they were giving, and the crowd's roar shook the ground of the quarter-mile-wide arena floor.
A loud gong sounded, and the Aasaura disappeared completely from view, leaving him with a very hungry-looking Naiad.
Keeping with the plan, he moved as fast as his stubby legs would let him, racing to the gate where his friends were.
Laughter came from the crowd and behind as his opponent made her way toward him.
“Where you going my little snack!? I want to suck the flesh off your bones!”
A shiver ran through his spine as he considered what that might feel like and found a burst of speed, stopping right before the gate and bringing his shield and hammer to the ready.
“Good, you’re good,” Max said. “Make them come to you. I’ve got you.”
Nodding, he banged his hammer against his shield, waiting for the warrior to come.
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him and then the rest of his friends behind him.
“They can’t help you! No spells can be cast through the gate! Instead they’ll get a front-row view of–”
“Shut your ugly mouth! I came here so they could watch me kick your skinny white arse!”
His shout made her blink a few times, and he smiled, glad that his helmet could be hidden and that she could see the look he was giving her.
She charged, apparently upset at either his taunt or his being cut off. Both swords moved with a precision he had witnessed many times.
The sound of metal on metal rang out and a pained cry escaped those ugly lips with so many teeth behind them.
“What… what is that!?”
Chuckling, Fowl swung his weapon at her. She had paused, and it appeared she was trying to figure out why she was bleeding and burning slightly.
His hammer struck a glancing blow against her foot that wasn’t covered in armor and caused her to leap back. Letting out a grunt from his attack.
“Left! 270!”
Without hesitating, Fowl spun to his left and followed Tanila's plan.
Thank the gods his sonar works.
[ Juggernaut ]
He streaked forward, shield out, and slammed into a shape just a few yards away, driving it backward and turning until he was facing the already close wall.
While he charged, he pulled out a potion Max had given him, smashing it against his face and feeling his body grow.
Gods, these goblin potions… it’s been so long!
Stronger and taller he now pinned his opponent against the wall.
A howl came from the Aasaura he couldn’t see but knew was hurting from the impact. Droplets of clear liquid ran down his shield onto the sand below.
His hammer struck repeatedly against something, causing more rivulets of liquid to appear.
“NOW!”
Max’s shout told him what was coming from behind.
[ Ring Activated ]
He became incorporeal, and the Naiad ran right through him, both of her swords slashing into the Aasaura he had already injured.
“The oath!” it cried out.
“I–”
No movement was seen but suddenly large chunks of ice began to form on the woman’s arm and a howl of pain reverberated near him.
Fowl didn’t wait as he put distance between the pair, storing his shield and pulling out the last item he had to use.
One sword was still being swung as the other appeared to be frozen solid, and Fowl heaved the cask at the pair, glad to have practiced throwing things for his whole life and turned, running again as fast as he could.
Heat washed over him a few seconds later, but he didn’t stop to look back. He continued moving for another twenty seconds, and the warmth of the fire that blazed behind him dissipated.
Finally, he turned to see the handiwork he had unleashed.
Two forms stood there, each struggling to walk, covered in a flame they all knew too well from a previous tower floor.
One fell, and then, after a few more seconds, the second dropped to the sand in the flames that had spread out.
Smoke rose upward, and he realized that the arena had gone silent.
A gong sounded. And then it sounded once more.
Cheers came from a smaller section of the space around him, the place where the race they had chosen to represent was.
He looked at them and saw smiles. Each of them shouted his name and danced in their seats.
A warmth, different from the still-burning inferno, formed in his chest, and a few tears began to appear.
Sniffing he quickly wiped them away.
Not now… otherwise, they’ll learn you’re a softy at heart!
Holding up both hands, Fowl joined in the celebration.
“The winner of the first Match is Fowl Hammerfall, champion of the Merfolk.”
“What? That’s it?! You rambled on about how great the others were before the match! Where is my love?!”
The announcer never answered his shout, yet he didn’t care. The sound of his side grew louder as he was announced the winner.
***
“When we get somewhere private…” Batrire said in a low growl. “You were amazing babe!”
“I know… I know… but still, we owe this to Tanila and Max. They put this plan together.”
“Yeah, but it wasn’t them out there showing all these people who the real man is.”
Puffing his chest, out Fowl nodded and struck a pose.
“You’re right babe. I am the real man.”
A giggle came from their healer as she grabbed his beard and began kissing him.
An elven archer began puking on the other side of the room, just a few yards away.
