THE BATTLE OF THE NEXT BETA LEVEL 1
ZARYA'S POV
"We'll discuss that later, King Ice." Higher King Oswald changed the topic by welcoming all the players of the Battle of the Beta. The symbol was a big issue at the Elemental Kingdom. The Ministers and other high born should solve the problem as soon as possible.
We fall in line as the guards were giving us the black uniform of a warrior. The representation of five elements was decorated on the chest. The symbol was a tribal name design of a colorful wolf.
I worried when my eyes touched my brother. He was at the line of the men, getting his uniform. When he gazed at me, he just smiled shortly. Even if I hated him for his decision. I could not do anything about it.
I looked to Colden's position. Raiden was whispering to him as if he was preaching to his brother. I moved a little to hear it. My ear was a good hearer though.
"You shouldn't tell them. You must consult me first before decisions. Do you know that the woman with a symbol will die, huh?"
"I'm sorry, King Lightning." Colden was humbly talking.
"Let's see what I can do."
Colden would face a trial for that. I hope his kind heart would save him.
*****
"Welcome to the Battle of the Next Beta. I am Seo Blood Drop, the organizer, ruler, punisher, and handling your life from now on." The man with a broad chest and shoulder straightly walked back and forth while looking around. Perhaps, he would be our company for this game, the superior of all.
"This is the celebration of the bravery of the members of the Elemental Kingdom. The uplifting ceremony to show your talent and skills; prove to them that you can survive in spite of different struggles that you might encounter. In this game… no royal, no high born, no low born we are all equal!" Seo slowly walked to the right side. Then, he walked again on the left side, to where was I.
"There are only two options: fight or die? The most determined player will win and the losers' last destination is underground, eating by the worms. You will gamble your life for the future of everyone." He stopped in front of me, tired his head as the smirk gradually wrote on his lips. "You will enter weakly, you will end the game strong, a fighter."
I showed him the coldest emotion I could do. Of course, everyone's eyes would be on me. I was the daughter of the Great Beta. They would expect something from me.
Seo stepped away from me. He paused at where my brother was, stared at him for a second, and then looked up. "Wolves of the Elemental Kingdom raise your fists if you are ready to run into the bloody gate of the levels!" Seo shouted loudly.
I raised my closed fist and joined all of the players to scream. "Ready!" The courage was written into my chest. "Ready!" We repeat that word so many times.
"For your first step, go to your respective room and change your clothes with the player uniform." Seo looked around, examining everyone. "Now!"
Before I moved, I gazed at Khal. I nodded at him and he did the same thing. I went to the girl's room and changed my clothes as fast as I could. All of the things we did from now on involved time. Hali told me that last night. When I finished, I hurried outside and stood bravely in the center of the front yard.
Seo's eyes settled on me, observing how I stood, the angle, posture, and face confident. "Someone's taught you to stand like a warrior, weren't you?"
My lips were stretched with a small smile. "He did."
I was in shock when he suddenly moved down, his knee was folded while his right leg was extended, and then he hit my knee to drop me on the soil. I jumped so high to avoid his attack.
"Zarya!" Khal was worrying about me. He ran faster to go with me. Seo hurried to meet him. I rushed towards him and kicked him on the hips, but it did not affect him. He just moved a little and track the two of us. I could not understand why he was doing this. Maybe it was a part of testing.
He uppercut Khal, resulting in him landing on the ground. I gritted my teeth, flying high with my kick should be touched his cheek. He was too fast, he grabbed my thighs and twisted them. I ground my teeth as my jaw clenched. The pain was running throughout my system. I did not shout or showed him my ache. I forced myself to stay calm and strong. He twisted my right leg even more. The ache increased.
"Zarya!" Khal attacked him by pushing him. He was not affected. He was stronger than anyone.
Seo gazed directly into my eyes and whispered. "Is that all you can? I'm disappointed." He threw me away. He quickly moved around to give Khal a strong punch on the stomach, the reason why he backed away. The wince was on his face. I hurried towards him as he landed on the soil.
"Zarya Wixx and Khal Wixx…" He looked back at us. "Passed the level 1."
My eyes widened as the surprise spread throughout my system. I watched him battling those players who came from changing their clothes.
"The game's level can occur at any moment. How many levels?" Khal stood up next to me and observed Seo.
"Six… symbolizes the elemental powers. The level 1 has nothing to do with it, I'm bothered." I examined my surroundings. They were afraid to move closer to him and fight back. Some were hiding in the room, some were just watching, and some were backing out. Most of the attackers were the low borns, they fought him without hesitation.
"Adraka passed the level 1."
"Gina passed the level 1."
Seo kept bursting out to those who passed. I could not see the exhaustion in his emotion, even though his sweats were dripping from his face.
"He passed those who fight undoubtedly," Khal whispered.
"Right."
I stayed where I was. To be able to succeed, I must be observant. The key to knowing the enemy's strengths and weaknesses. Seo was so fast like the Alpha King of Lightning. His moves were unknown and unseen like the Alpha King of Wind. I was startled when I saw he dodged professionally, he kicked one of them in the belly, and the fire was released. He was like the Alpha King of Fire. Then, he kicked the other, and the water spilled out from his feet, like the Alpha King of Water. Lastly, he showed his palm to the face of one of them and the ice melted his hand like the Alpha King of Ice.
The goosebumps covered my body. "He is the protector of the five elements," I concluded as the dread shocked me.
My fists were slowly closing. It would not be easy. Never. I should be more attentive. I must be reminded of all the things Hali taught me.
"Congratulations to those who passed." Seo Blood Drop just smirked, not a super wide smile. He gazed at us, one by one. "Eliminated."
The screams were everywhere when those who did not fight down their knee, their nose, eyes, and mouths let out blood. It did not stop until their body was not drained.
"Ahh! Please!" I wanted to knot ook at the woman, but I needed an act of courage, so I would always fight no matter what. Khal covered my eyes when the woman suddenly exploded. I panted as the worry scattered around me.
He is not just the protector of the five elements. He is also a Master of Elimination.
"The Battle of the Next Beta has no room for cowards." Seo marched forward. "Follow me."
We followed him, going far from the front yard of the Elemental Kingdom. I accidentally saw Hali and Pyro on the branch of a tree, they were watching us be away. I memorized every single detail of his face. Once my feet stomped out of the boundaries, five years from now on, I would not see him.
I looked away when it was too far to see him. No words. Nothing. Just a stare from him. I hope he didn't get married when I come back.
They were all halted, Seo Blood Drop said. "We are about to reach the boundaries! Note, there are wild animals and hunters waiting for us."