“I know it’s been a long day folks but the battles are starting to wrap up. The final four of the tournament have been locked in. All that matters now is pride for winning this last chance qualified. Pride for your homes or for yourselves. We shall determine this starting with this match.”
Alec heard the crowd that somehow still had the energy to cheer and be excited for the fighting. The sun had long since started setting and torches were lit to keep light within the arena itself. He had gone through many opponents to get here and for the time being his body was aching but he was still full of adrenaline.
Not just because of the crowd but because of the man on the other side of the arena. Lee sat on the small stool that they were provided his head bowed and the long metal staff in his hands. Alec had been watching Lee fight and learned three major things. He was very fast, probably the reason he didn’t wear much armor, his staff was deadly at range and up close, and above all honestly wasn’t sure if he was stronger than him or not.
He was excited to test himself against him, but the longer he looked at Lee the more he just saw a shape behind him. The ghost of a man. Of Dio looking down on him with that same condescending glare. For a moment Alec scowled but the crowd got him out of his own head.
“You’ve seen these two go at it all night again all comers. And now for the pride of their homes and their own they’ll face off against one another. They’ve qualified for the tournament proper. This is for pride. Combatants if you’re ready then come forward.”
“You’ve been good about this up until now Alec. And you’re only two wins away from taking this whole thing. As your coach I’m giving you the go ahead. You can take off the weights for this one.”
Alec glanced at him raising his eyebrow and smirked. “He must really be strong then coach,” he nodded his head slowly and stood up. Picking up his shield and sword he approached Lee in the middle who was smiling eagerly despite his bruises and cuts. Alec looked the same way.
They reached out and grasped each other’s forearms and grinned.
“May the best man win,” Lee said.
“I intend to,” Alec replied
They took their steps back and raised their weapons preparing. Looking toward the referee he raised his hand into the air as the crowd cheered getting ready. “Begin!”
Lee moved so fast that Alec almost missed it. He brought his shield up just in time to block the first jab of the staff. It clanged into his shield hard enough to make him stumble backwards.
Lee swept with the staff, thrusting a barrage of blows at him. Again Alec did his best to block them but Lee was even faster than he had guessed. Lee stepped backwards and spun swinging the staff at maximum range aimed at his feet. Alec jumped backwards avoiding that but Lee met him in the air kicking him in the chest and driving him back to arena floor face first.
Scrabbling to his feet he took a step back readying the sword as Lee held his staff in both hands waiting for him. Alec readied his sword sliding the flat of the blade against his shield and got ready. Lee nodded slowly and darted forward again. He was still fast but Alec didn’t stay on defense. He lunged forward shield first and it hit the tip of Lee’s staff.
Thrown off, he slid slide backwards off balance and Alec cut down with the sword. The staff blocked the sword and Alec pressed his advantage swinging with the shield like a blunt instrument. Lee tried to block it but he stepped backwards under the pressure.
Alec chased him swinging his sword as fast as he rightfully could, forcing Lee back on defense. Pressing his advantage Alec smirked and swung with the shield first as hard as he could ready to attack when Lee blocked. But Lee never did.
Lee crouched all the way to the ground and avoided the shield entirely to Alec’s surprise. Dropping his staff Lee pressed both hands against the ground and kicked Alec in the chest with both feet. Lifted off the ground Alec hit the ground hard coughing. Lee flipped back to his feet grabbing the staff off the ground.
This time Lee didn’t wait for him to get back up. He lunged after him thrusting the spear forward like it was a spear. Alec rolled to the side bringing up his shield up first and blocking the blow and feeling it jar his arm. Lee kept thrusting with the staff as Alec did his best to protect himself from the onslaught.
Felix leaned forward shouting, “Drop the weights Alec! Get out of there!”
“No way!” Alec shouted holding the shield in front of his face. Striking out with his leg he kicked at Lee’s shin unexpectedly. He shouted jumping backwards limping slightly but it gave Alec the space he needed.
Jumping to his feet he picked up his sword and held it over his shield again. Lee got his footing together and glared at him, “You’re handicapped.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Alec replied. “Just bring it on!”
Lee narrowed his eyes sharply and then crouched raising his staff up with one hand and gripped the other end tightly. Alec watched him and felt something was different but he readied himself for it anyway. Lee lunged forward and Alec crouched as Lee swung the staff at him.
He brought his sword out and slashed back and forth deflecting each swing and lunging with his own but not getting any sort of advantage. Lee hopped backwards twisting his hand around the staff and came forward swinging it with one hand. Alec smirked and raised his shield at him first blocking the flat of the weapon.
And that’s when suddenly the staff broke into segments wrapping around on contact and hit him on the side of the head. Shocked Alec’s head snapped backwards. Lee stepped back and the staff snapped together again and he flipped it forward jerking Alec’s shield hand up. Finally, he lunged and jabbed him in the chest knocking him flat on his back.
Alec slid backwards stunned, his head slack. He tried to get up but grunted holding his chest tightly against the ground. Lee started and jumped ready to strike the final blow when Felix sprinted into the arena and stood over Alec. Lee stopped the weapon hovering in front of Felix’s face, Lee himself stunned by his appearance.
“Felix. What’re you doing?” Alec tried to ask.
Felix shook his head and spread his arm, “Alec and I concede this match. You win Lee.”
The Harlequin Library 