Chapter 15 - The One Man Army.

From the perspective of someone new.

Maxwell Lancelet, competitor number 16. Currently storming the Castle of Astora. I wore white armor, fitting my heroic status. I possessed a spear, and I can move it so fast…

My thoughts were interrupted as a guard approached; to the naked eye, it looked as if I didn’t move. Yet an entry wound appeared nonetheless in the Guard's stomach.

“How did you?” The Guard gasped as death began to take hold of him.

“Eyes are useless against me. For I can move faster than the mind can even perceive.

Several more Guards hopped from around the corner. I simply pierced them all with the spear. To my eyes, the very concept of speed was something that mattered little to me, especially with the encouragement I received from that kind Knight in Black.

I watched as Guards surrounded me, even with speed now, if they all came after me at once. I would be in trouble.

“Not to worry, for you see. I already won the moment you lot decided to show yourselves.” I boasted.

The Guards all looked at each other, the blue rose of Astora emblazoned on their chestplates, all signified strength. However, strength didn’t always matter in a fight. After all, if you can’t land a single attack, then how can you ever hope to put that strength to good use?

I simply said one word.

“Increase speed, maximum.”

The world turned dark. Small particles of light surrounded me as time itself froze. The Guards looked so confused, determined. I could do whatever I want, and nobody could say a word otherwise.

“Too bad, I need to make an example of my future subordinates.” Spear in hand, I poked holes through all of them. Armor chunks fell off of them and stayed in mid-air. It was like time itself stopped. Hell, they didn’t even bleed. There was no time for the body to even react that it had died.

I poked holes through each and every last one of them. One by one, I hummed a little tune to myself as I paved a way for myself and finished poking holes in every last Guard who confronted me.

As I moved the remaining guards out of the way, I even took the time to line them up and make them do a little salute to me.

“Hail to the new King of Astora.” I mused as I resumed my normal speed. The Guards all stood as tall as statues, dead before they even realized what had happened. Before their puny brains could even comprehend what I had done to them.

I laughed as I made my way; victory was mine. Nobody could stop me. As I moved down the hall, I found two elaborately decorated doors.

“Hello, your majesty!” I addressed the King as I walked through the double doors leading to the throne room. “I have come for your title, and I’m afraid all of your help is dead. If you play nicely and submit, then maybe I won’t have to make an example of you as well.”

The King sat on a singular throne, a good football field's length away from me. The room was similarly decorated with expensive furniture and colored glass windows depicting the Goddess and her ever-so-graceful existence doing good for the world. The only thing I can fault her on is making me number sixteen when I should be number one.

After all, nobody can compare.

The King's eyes narrowed as he examined me. His beard and hair were white with age, his face wrinkled, and his eyes grey with wisdom, having ruled for sixty long years. It’s quite a length of time, I’d say.

But it’s time someone a lot younger and capable took the helm.

“Are you deaf, old timer? I’ve come for your title, or are you gonna squint? I don’t do retirement home antics, but if you want, I know a really good game old timers like you love. Could keep yourself busy for a change and avoid a spear to the gut.” I chuckled. “It’s called bingo.”

“Besides, going back to what I said earlier. Getting stabbed with a spear, I hear that’s not very healthy for a man your age. Or for anyone.” I threatened. “Are we at an understanding?”

The King didn’t speak. At least not at first, I could see him squint even harder. I wondered if that was all he was ever good for.

Finally, he spoke.

“I am King Gladius Astora XVI. Current ruler of Astora. I have ruled for a total of sixty years. Do you know why?”

Oh, great, another lecture. Geriatrics sure love this stuff.

“Why?” I asked. “You’re old and wrinkly and definitely not strong at all. You’re a ruler because that was your birthright. However, birth does not guarantee success or perfection. Unless you’re me.” I charged at him, however, but he seemed to tell what I was doing, and with a small blade, he blocked my spear.

“How did an old timer like you do that?” I grunted. A little frustrated at my attack being blocked. Though I suppose it was no big deal. It just cemented the fact that I had to kill him.

“I ruled on being strong, for I possess the sword ‘Astora’s Might’, it is magic. Just like your spear. Its special ability allows me to…”

A pause, then suddenly. I found myself being overpowered. It seemed as if that old timer's strength was multiplying at a constant rate. That old lecture of his about his age, status. It was stuff I already knew, but he must be buying time.

“Speed means nothing, old man, but perhaps you didn’t get the memo earlier because you weren’t there. Strength means nothing if you do not have the speed to land that hit.” With that.

“Speed, maximum.”

Time slowed to a crawl as the world darkened. The familiar particles of light stood still; there would be no fight. I would not be bested by an old man, for I am Maxwell Lancelet. I am never bested.

However, the old man simply turned his head to face me, his strength resumed, and I found myself being pushed back. My pride stung; the Guards were only a formality, but I hated to think this guy forced me to use my ultimate technique.

“So you can also react and move faster than the speed of light. Big deal, however, I have more than just speed on my side. I have brains and power too.”

My spear began to glow with magical energy as time itself swirled into my spear. I could see various pieces of the future. I charged forward, and when Gladius swung after me in counter, I simply had to dodge and attack again.

Too bad for him, I saw all of his pathetic little attacks coming. My spear unceremoniously struck true and pierced his chest. I let his wrinkly old body fall to the ground as I parked myself on the throne. I leaned forward and grabbed the fallen crown, and placed it on my head.

“Servants!” The doors opened, and they expected their King, only finding me instead. “Clean the mess, and I have a new order in place. Consider it a decree from the crown itself.”

The servants looked at the body, terrified. But in this world, I was the best; nobody contested that, or else they learned what happened when they pissed off their betters. I held a written scroll that was tucked away tightly in my armor. I handed it over to them.

They nodded. “Right away, my liege. We will clean the mess and deliver the decree. The rest of the staff will be notified of your new claim.” Though I could tell they spoke begrudgingly. I would have to execute them later.

Now, I was the King. My plan was foolproof, and I would win the competition and live on forever here in this world. I could feel, however, an ominous presence.

The Black Knight would appear with a cold chill.

“Ryu Nakamura.” I grimaced as he showed. “Let me guess, you want me to do something for you? I don’t take orders from you anymore.”

Ryu simply said nothing in response. Was everyone trying to test my patience today?

“You wish to be number one, correct?” His question infuriated me. Was he insinuating I’m not good enough?

“I don’t wish, I am!” I declared. “Why would you ask such a stupid question? I ought to have you killed for that.”

Ryu simply shrugged. “Because you fail to be, you are not competitor number one; that honor falls to Razan Hamada. He should be arriving in Astora from Oren soon if everything goes as planned.”

This Razan Hamada interested me. If this was what the famed Ryu Nakamura himself had to say about who was the best.

“After all, he is stronger than me.” Ryu’s words struck a chord. He beat Ryu Nakamura? I couldn’t beat Ryu Nakamura. Not even with my powers or control over time, yet this upstart did it?

“Beat him, and then you will be the best. That much I assure you, and we both know my word is as good as the Goddess herself.” Then that set it, with those words, I had to kill Razan Hamada.

“Servants!” I called back, and one of them appeared right on the call and not a second too late. “Yes, my liege?” He bowed.

“Update the royal decree. There is one man in particular I want the amount doubled, actually, I want it quadrupled.” I demanded. I could see him wince as he bowed again.

“Right away, sir.” He meekly made for an exit before he pissed me off. A wise move, he was a smart man and knew his place.

“I’ll kill this Razan Hamada myself, and then you, Ryu!” I pointed at him. “Are next!”

As the decree was sent, no doubt Razan Hamada would be riding through the gates of Astora as we speak. He will learn that the world can be even crueler to him than he can imagine.

Remaining participants: 58/100.

Game status: In progress.

Razan Hamada Status: Alive.