Fate of the Beast-Folks

After setting up the newly established rules and terms, the first champion was Holy-Land, and his wish was to have Beast-folk attend houses for the people of Holy-Land. This dramatically changed the status of Beast-folk from refuge to servant and after the next tournament all servants attending house must wear a device on their collar.

A device that was created by an old man called himself the ‘Engineer’ that lived in Holy-Land for many years. One of his many bizarre inventions, a collar could alter the appearance of the Beast-folk into human features no matter what their size and could also damper their ten-fold physical strength. His gigantic workshop was made into a dome shape building on the outskirts of Holy-Land Port-Town. Very few people got the chance to visit the workshop as the area was heavily guarded with high thick metal walls and electric barbed wires around perimeter; only a small fraction of the top dome could be seen from a distance while surrounded in thick trees.

Allak was angry at how Beast-folks were treated after they became human, but Nead would encourage Allak to train his Beast-folks harder so that once he has a champion, he or she could save them with the wish. Allak could only do his best, but the dragon ring he processed was something he could not imagine. He was now the keeper of Dragon’s Ring: Shield, and the data were very little and unhelpful in combat use during his transcending.

The conclusion was that King of Weapon rarely used defence technique so as an attacker, blocking or parrying was the use of the shield when manifested. Allak could only pray that the soldiers would have a different angle of using the shield than the training he gave them. But in the end, each would lose their match against the heavy blow of the claymore. The destructive power of a heavy claymore plus the unique techniques style could push back a Beast-folk soldier with a shield easily. During any battle between the two weapons; it would take three strikes from a steel claymore to shatter or to crack a steel shield and usually the shield holder would be forced to surrender.

After so many tournaments, Allak finally had some light of hope, and maybe the Beast-folk could reclaim the statue they once had.

Present Day

“Arim, are you ready my son?” Allak looked down at Arim, expressionless but suddenly kneeled and hugged him. “Please, son. We’re all counting on you”

T-rab pulled Allak standing up as she too gave Arim a tight hug and whispered, “Do your best Arim and whatever the outcome, we are here for you”. Arim smiled back, “Don’t worry father, mother, I have a feeling we will win this time. Please go take your seats and watch me win”

Arim’s parents both nodded and left the waiting room where other Beast-folk participants were waiting to be called.

The commentator was holding a glowing mic device that would amplify her voice. “MADAMS AND SIRES, HUMAN AND BEAST-FOLK, WELCOME TO OUR SEVENTH TOURNAMENTS” The crowd from both races were applauded, some of them was excited others were in silence, their eyes were fixed on the arena waiting for the participants to enter. Again, the female commentator continued,

“FIRST, OUR HOST AND OUR CHAMPION-MAKER NEAD OF HOLY-LAND, THEN WE HAVE LORD ALLAK OF BEAST-FOLK SANCTUARY AND HIS MADAM T-RAB OF BEAST-FOLK SANCTUARY, NEXT WE HAVE ADVISOR EIDDAM OF SKY-CITY WITH HIS TWINS NEDIA AND EINNOC, NEXT IS SAINTESS REVILO OF KINGDOM OF NEMOW, NEXT IS THE STRONGEST GUILD IN HOLY-LAND, GUILD MASTER NAIK OF THE HOLY-LAND GUILD -THE SAINTS AND FINALLY OUR GREAT HONOUR, GENERAL ROUF OF THE CELESTIAL KINGDOM”

The crowd went wild and Nead stood up from his seat with open arms, “Let the game begin”. Nead gave a wide smile, and he returned to his seat. He gave a slight hand gesture, and a servant carrying a tray full of different drinks was brought up to Nead for him to choose. He grabbed the first one that touched his hand as he looked down on the stage. The rest of the people on the upper balcony were also serving with beverages as each guest would have a servant of their own. Everything went smoothly until suddenly a cup of wine spilled on General Rouf clothes. “You fool”, Nead burst in anger, but the general smiled and replied, “No need to get so angry. She was probably too nervous”. The female servant was already dropped on the floor, lowering her head down as she was crying and shivering. “Let me show her how things should be done as a servant”, General Rouf grabbed the female arm up, “I won’t be too long with my special discipline”. Nead nodded, “As you wish General Rouf”

Allak and T-rab could only remain still, bearing an unfortunate sight but unable to do anything against one of the four generals of the Celestial Kingdom. Even the other guests remain silent and only have their eyes on the stage.

“Father, should I intervene?” Einnoc leaned over to his father but stopped by his own sister, “It’s not the time brother. We will get our chance but not today”

Einnoc sat back up straight to his seat in silence. Already, Nedia could see the sad expression from his brother, knowing too well that her brother was fuming in anger and itching for some action. “I’m sorry brother. I know you want to help that collared Beast-Folk, but your action might put Sky-City in trouble with Celestial Kingdom. We’re not here for that, not now anyway. Don’t forget the main purpose of why we are here with father” Nedia was leaning her head over to Einnoc as she whispered and slowly returned to her position, still speaking in a soft mellow tone “This is the best seat to keep our eyes on the girl from Sae and any of her devoted goons” Neida’s head turned, looking down at the crowd and soon, Einnoc followed the same. He looked down, already spotted X-ela in the crowd and spoke with a smile, “Yes, little sister, you’re right. Like you always do, thanks for holding me back or I would cause another uproar”

Their father only gave a slight stern look before recollecting himself and returned looking back at the stage. However, he had noticed Guild master Naik took note of the twins and smiled back to Eddiam. She slowly turned away and grab her fifth glass of a strong alcohol she could smell. She took the smallest glass and gurgled it down easily.

“Guild master Naik, I am surprised that you could still join us after I gave you a task in your care. Or have you forgotten what you had promised me and decided to forfeit the task? Does that mean you are going to find a new replacement to take your seat?” asked Neal with curiosity.

Guild master Naik gave a short laugh before she replied, “As am I, as I cannot see Madam Karm with you on this special event. She is probably still in shock after what happened a few months ago. No matter, the task is handled by some of my finest guild members as we are currently speaking. I assured you, my great ruler. You have nothing to worry about, and you will get result soon. So please be patient and enjoy the tournament” Lord Nead remained silent for moment, he was unmoved by the answer but kept his silence.

Not long, general Rouf finally returned to the upper balcony, but the female was not with him. He grabbed a drink from another servant and returned to his seat. Nead held his cup high to General Rouf and exchanged a smile with a sarcastic tone, “Thank you General for your generous time to discipline my servant”. General Rouf smiled slyly towards Nead as he exchanged his cup to him.

Allak clenched both his fists and shot a sharp stare at the general. He was about to enrage and wanted to go on a rampage; his first target would be the general. But when he heard his son’s name, his beast rage subsided and he turned to look down at the stage.

Six matches have already finished; four winners from the Holy-Land and two winners from the Sanctuary. The commentator was now announcing the names for the seventh match.

“ARIM OF BEAST-FOLK SANCTUARY, PLEASE ENTER”

“HARAS OF HOLY-LAND, PLEASE ENTER”

As the two young participates walked up to the stage, crowds were cheering. A few moments later, the referee commenced the seventh match after making sure that their weapons were made of wood. Arim used his agile ability to dodge many swings until he got one or two chances to knock Haras off balance. Haras was still holding his ground; he held the wooden claymore tight with his two hands as he tried to find Arim’s weak point. Clearly Arim was gaining the upper hand of the match and not long Haras was panting hard. The crowds were cheering for fighters and even the people on the upper balcony were caught interested in Arim’s match.

“You, stinky Beast-Folk”, Haras muttered under his breath as he slowly pulled out something from his side pocket. Just when Arim was about to take a final swing with the wooden shield, Haras opened his palm and Arim frozen like a statue. Hara swung his wooden claymore and for the first time in the match, Arim didn’t dodge. Arim took a left cut in the ribcage and soon landed on the floor. Haras slowly walked up to Arim and said, “Didn’t really think this little creature would be any help but guess what, it did”, Hara’s struck again, this time on Arim’s leg. The crowd grasped as Arim gave a loud howl in pain. Arim’s facial expression was in pain and still managed to plead to Haras, “Please, you win. Just let the creature go”.

“Oh, I will after you take my final blow”, Haras smiled as he whacked Arim’s head and he fell unconscious.