Arise From Dark

Elizabeth's POV

I discard the cast wrapped around my arm, my injuries fully healed.

I have that healer to thank.

My gaze hardens as I stand in the waiting room that was once teeming with dozens of participants surprisingly reduced to just a few fighters.

Part of this is due to some of them losing but mostly because most forfeited during halftime, after witnessing Braun's win streak and fight against Isabella Mandrake.

Speaking of Braun where is he anyways.

Emma said he left to buy some snacks but he's taking suspiciously long.

"Ladies and Gentlemen due to the rules of the tournament that do not tolerate tardiness, Braun Astern who is currently nowhere in sight, has been officially disqualified." Talis Smith announces as the crowd mutter and boo in disagreement.

Good grief Braun, where on Esmeraldia are you...?

"We will now resume the tournament and begin our final half." Talis continues, visibly worried about the reception from the displeased audience.

I sigh as I watch the next few matches, time goes by incredibly fast and before I even know it, the semi final is to about to commence.

"For our second last match we have Elizabeth Felix vs Audrey Grayburn."

It's almost time....

I confidently stride onto the battle platform, my eyes trained on my opponent, dressed in a white dress with long green hair and emerald eyes.

"Audrey Grayburn, I look forward to our match." I state, pulling my sword out from it's sheath.

Audrey smiles in response before curtseying gracefully.

"Although I would've loved to fight your fellow Pazalian Braun Astern, I look forward to our match as well." She replies, her voice confident and measured.

"Begin!" Talis exclaims as I sprint toward Audrey with impeccable speed.

However just as I'm about to swing down my blade, Audrey summons massive plants and vines from the ground which spiral towards me.

So she can use her mana to control plant life....

I parry her attack with powerful slashes of my sword, using my mana to inflict more damage and hack the vines and massive roots.

"Your reaction time is impressive." Audrey compliments, shocked by my display of skill.

"I hope you haven't underestimated me." I say, slightly exhausted from my counter attack.

Not good...

"Guilty as charged." She says with a smirk before more plants and vines sprout from the battle platform below.

My gaze hardens, slightly annoyed at her repetitive fight style.

"I doubt that will work." I tell her but instead of the plants spiralling towards me once more, they encase around her and begin to form a giant humanoid construct.

"This was a nice match." Audrey says, her voice booming with an incredible deepness from within the giant construct made from plant life.

My eyes widen as it's fist comes crashing down, utterly destroying the battle platform as I narrowly dodge it by launching myself into the air.

This is getting problematic.

Before I can even land, I realize it's other fist is right above me, my eyes widening in fear and shock.

In a second, it's other fist comes crashing down on me, hammering me into the ground as I scream in pain.

I'm so close to facing off against Raymond, I can't lose now.

I groan in pain as I slowly get up on my feet and motion to pick up my sword.

"You know, it's quite a miracle you're still standing." Audrey speaks through the construct which moves to strike me once more.

"I haven't lost just yet." I reply, before grabbing my sword and evading it's attack.

I have to end this now.

Using the remainder of my strength and mana I quickly maneuver myself around the giant's body, racing towards it's centre.

"This was a nice match." I say back to Audrey before stabbing my sword into the construct's chest.

My mana ripples out across it's form before it explodes in a blinding green light.

Unfortunately, the blast sends me flying across the battlefield, eventually tumbling across the ground.

Did I do it...?

The dust clears to reveal a fallen Audrey, lie unconscious as Talis begins to long count.

"The winner is Elizabeth Felix!!" Talis announces as the crowd cheers.

I smile weakly as I can see Gabriel and Emma grin ear to ear from the audience whilst Audrey is carried out on a stretcher.

"I did it, I made it to the final match." I whisper to myself with a content smile.

After I'm treated by the healer, I quickly make my way back to the battle platform, ready for the final match.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we've come a long way, witnessing countless battles and brutal encounters all leading up to this very moment. I now announce that the final match of the grand Tournament Of Esmeraldia will finally commence!!"

"For our last match, we have Elizabeth Felix vs Raymond Felix, our guest of honor and winner of last year's tournament!!"

This is it, the day I've spent years training for....

Raymond Felix effortlessly glides down from the VIP room, a wicked grin plastered across his face.

My eyes narrow in hate as I grip the pommel of my sword.

The man responsible for my parents death is standing right in front of me.

"Why the scowl dear Elizabeth?" Raymond inquires tauntingly, his grin widening.

"You're a heartless beast." I hiss causing him to chuckle.

"So feisty." He mocks, clearly enjoying every second of this exchange.

"Let the final match begin!" Talis commands as red aura emanates from Raymond.

"I'm glad I'm not facing that obnoxious Braun Astern, I would much rather fight you."

"And why is that?" I ask, my voice dripping with disdain.

"He was a potential threat to my plans so I had him dealt with."

He was related to Braun's dissapearance...?

My brows furrow in confusion as my eyes continue to narrow.

"Wait, what do you mean?"

Raymond smirks and hovers towards me, whispering into my ear.

"It means, I hired the same goblins who killed your dear parents to deal with him too."

In an instant, the battle platform is lit ablaze as I attempt to strike Raymond with my sword.

I've had enough of this scumbag.

My eyes widen in shock when Raymond emerges from the crimson fire unscathed.

"Aw, did I hit a nerve?" He asks mockingly before I charge forward and rain down numerous attacks.

I have to end him right here and now.

"This is quite....amusing." He speaks whilst dodging each and every one of my attacks before sending me staggering back with a single mana blast.

I fall to the ground clutching my stomach with one hand and gripping my sword for support with the other.

He's too powerful...but I have to carry on.

"Raymond Felix, I'll keep the promise I made to my parents and protect the ones love by ending you." I announce as blood trickles down from my chin.

"And how exactly do you plan on doing that?"

I scowl and get back up on my feet, ready to die fighting this bastard.

"Do you seriously think I don't know that you were the one who arranged the death of my parents!!?" I scream out causing the audience to gasp in unison.

Raymond smirks as I scoff, realizing that with no evidence to back up my statement, nothing will change.

"Yes, I did kill your parents didn't I." Raymond admits causing the crowd to gasp once more.

I'll be honest, I never expected this man to outright admit his heinous actions.

He's planning something...

"So you finally admit you're responsible for the murder of Arthur and Sarah Felix?"

"Yes I do." He proudly speaks, his smirk never leaving his face.

"Uh, s-sir I'm going to have to ask you to step off the battlefield." Talis, who was watching the exchange from right outside the battle platform, stammers out.

"I'm going to have to decline." Raymond says before blasting Talis with red mana, sending him crashing into a nearby wall.

The crowd scream and run off into different directions, attempting to escape the hectic scene.

"Where do you all think you're going on?" Raymond asks, before creating a red dome around the entire arena, trapping everyone inside.

"You shall all bear witness to my glory." Raymond announces before creating a red prison cell entrapping all the Ruler's within the VIP room above.

"And no one will stop me." He continues darkly, begining to walk towards me with a murderous glint in his eyes.

"Raymond Felix, I'm willing to die fighting you." I tell him as I get into a fighting stance.

All he does is laugh coldly and in the blink of an eye close the distance between us.

"Say hello to mom and dad for me."

I feel a chill run up my spine as he motions to strike me with his red claws.

Is this....the end.

Memories of my time with my parents and Gabriel play like a video through my mind as a sardonic smile graces my lips.

Mother and Father....

I'm glad I could die attempting to avenge you.

However before the attack lands a yellow blur tanks the attack.

What just happened....?

My eyes widen once more as I realize Emma is responsible for saving me, her usual green eyes now glowing gold as she grips Raymond's hand.

"Elizabeth...let's face this bastard together, shall we?" Emma speaks, the unwavering determination in her eyes inspiring me as I nod.

Today is the day I make good on the vow I made to myself to avenge my parents.

For Arthur and Sarah...