Chapter 107 Tournament begins
Milo Pov
The 1st tick of the click rang,
And like ferocious beats that have been unchained, the five rushed me in a coordinated but explosive manner.
Their formation was flawless, it was like I have ever seen, rowdy at first, but every step and action complimented each other.
Tick 2, tick 3…
The sound of the two whip breaking the air barrier echoed in my ears, sending warning signals throughout my body, before the main danger even arrived.
I barely had time to think, my body moved before my brain could catch up to its surroundings, I ducked at the last minute, the sound of the whip whizzling across my head sent goosebumps all over my skin. Warning bells rang again. And without thinking i rolled away, sparks flew as a chain smashed into the ground i was standing a few seconds ago.
The 4th tick sounded, like a thunderclap inside my skull.
My heart rose and fell rapidly, my muscles screamed in pain from over stretching them to the max, the screams from the crowd intensified, chanting for my blood.
A bitter smile tugged at my lips again as I blocked out the crowd chants and my entire surrounding. All my focus was trained on the 5 shadows that stood far away from me, even through their mask, I could see their shock and unbelief on what just happened.
I had escaped their full coordinated attack, even though it was barely.
“Try and survive till the 100th tick.” James' words before the fight kept on echoing inside my head.
Apparently i only need to survive till the 100th tick, to be qualified to answer a shadow. And just in a space of 1st to 4th, I was almost cornered by my attackers.
I swallowed hard, my hands curling into fists. The urge to stay alive at all means flooded my mind, I have come a long way to just lose now.
The clock ticked for the 10th time,
The shadows looked at each other, then like an arrow set free, they charged for the second time, faster than before.
“Fine,” I whispered. “If I die… so be it.” different techniques Damon had taught me for inside my head at the same time, the world slowed for a moment, and in that time I could vaguely perceive the likely movement of the shadows as the advanced crossing the huge arena in just a hair's breath.
The second strike came like thunder, from my right, instead of the middle I had first predicted, but instinct saved me before I could react, scampering to get up, fast before the hammer descended where my shoulders were. Hot pain flared up from the slight nick, as I rolled away from the deadly weapon that almost dislocated my shoulders, at the last moment. My palms scraped at the stones, as a whip missed my head just by meer inches. I staggered.
20th Tick ranged immediately. The crowd roared in fervor.
The evil voice boomed in my head, taking advantage of my situation to whisper devilish thoughts.
“They will break you. They are out for your blood, Burn them. Tear them apart…”
I clamped down on the voice, gritting my teeth hard. As I tried to focus on the danger ahead of me. But the voice was a distraction I couldn't deny.
I totally missed one, until it was too late to do anything about it. Pain exploded from my side, that throbbed from where the whip had landed. An inhuman grunt filled with pain tore through my throat.
My head swarmed from the blow, as I tried to find my bearings, at the same time, the 40th tick sounded like a cold judgment announcing my fate.
Every strike was a question of life and death. With every second that passed, I could see my life flash in front of my eyes. Although this was a test, it looked like a gruesome death match where the opponents all wanted the same thing…, my blood.
Duck, Step, side-step, step, dodge… Damon's insistent training continued to ring in my ears, as I continued to run around the large arena that was easily half the size of a football field.
The crowd’s roar folded over me like thunder. For a second I felt nothing but the pounding of my own blood rushing in my ears of blood, every beating of the clock felt like a hammer that hammered down in my chest.
“You are small, and a weak little omega…” the voice continued to chant in my head, no matter how hard I tried to stop it. I could feel the heat rise up inside me, spreading throughout my body.
The 50th tick rebounded against my head.
“Let's see how you would escape, little one.” the one with the hammer hissed, a wicked smile tugging his lips.
My blood ran cold, I realised that they have indirectly cornered me into a tight spot when I was being distracted by the voice in my head.
The long blade came at my ribs before I could react, slicing at my skin and enough to draw blood. A yelp tore through my throat, as I tried to escape their hold. But then, my hairs stood up in attention, warning bells rang inside my head. I snapped my head to the side just in time to see a hammer immediately heading towards the only place I wanted to run to. I froze, watching the attack press on. I could see the vicious smile behind their mask. They know that I have no chance of escape.
“Allow me, milo”
Something snapped inside me. My wolf lior howled in my head, surging to the surface for the first time since the evil voice took over. I acted on pure instinct, stretching my hand, I moved towards the direction of the sharp blade, the attackers eyes widened, but there was no stopping back, I was not the one in control, but lior. at the last minute i managed to change direction in the air catching them off guard. A crashing Sound of blade meeting hammer echoed in my ears, but i was not yet done, led by pure instincts in using the momentum to my advantage, i timed a precise back kick on the attacker with the hammer, sending him stumbling backward, the sound of the hammer clattering to the ground rang throughout the room, the same time the clock rang for the 100th time.
“One down, a silver badge has been obtained.” The announcers voice boomed kike a verdict in my ears, mixing with the adrenaline that was pumping through my system. My lungs burned. My legs felt like they were filled with lead. My bandage that was still a little raw throbbed in a dull pain.
I almost wanted to laugh in excitement. I had managed to disarm one of the shadows. At the same time I had passed the 100th mark, bronze badge, and even obtained a silver. I was an official shadow now.
But nothing beat how relieved I was in hearing lior again. I closed my eyes, savoring the feeling of connecting with one's wolf. I could feel his happiness also.
“Is Shadowborn willing to end this trial and get crowned a silver shadow, or wishes to risk his current badge, to aspire for more glory?.” His question was followed with a hushed silence. For once the shadows were not making any moves, the crowd where attention was fixed on me, waiting for my response.
My eyes widened at the announcement.
I could end this dangerous test now if I wanted to. Just a tap was all it would take to end this life and death trial, and take the silver badge home.
I could finally become an official silver shadow now, if I want to.
But then I paused, the dark small evil voice whispered in my head, “don't end now, you will be seen as a coward, they will easily forget your name before the fire dies down. But if you continue… if you take more… if you burn them where they stand… you will never be forgotten."
I trembled, my nails digging into my palms.
“Remember, you just need to survive till the 100th tick, nothing more.” James' warning floated inside my head like a word of caution, conflicting with a small voice that continued to urge me to go on.
“You have 6 seconds to make your choice.” The announcer snapped me out of my mental battle.
“One more badge. One more victory. Prove to them you are not prey… but predator."
I could feel the crowd’s eyes on me, waiting. the announcer’s voice echoing faintly, counting down seconds I could barely hear above the war that was going through in my head.
“5…4…”
I clenched my fist, forcing my trembling body to stand up.
“3…2…1…”