Chapter 29 The Fated Fight
It was already dark before Starlight, Earthlight, and Grand Darkness returned. Starlight called for Mercury and Clover to meet the ‘new’ guest.
“Mercury, Clover, please greet our new guest Dusk. He will be staying with us for the next few days.” {Starlight}
“Hello.” {Clover}
“Greetings Elder.” {Mercury}
“Hello to you as well. Earthlight, I am impressed that your apprentice has already reached Hight Foundation Establishment at her age.” {Grand Darkness}
“It is Mercury who you should be really impressed with. If even you cannot see it, even no one can.” {Earthlight}
“What?” {Grand Darkness}
“Grand Darkness looked closely at Mercury.
“I only see Low Foundation Establishment.” {Grand Darkness}
Mercury revealed his Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivation before returning to ‘normal’.
“I… What? That was very impressive. How did you do that? Is Low or Peak your true Cultivation?” {Grand Darkness}
“Peak is my true Cultivation. My Cultivation Technique is about Colors. Clear is the natural Color and does not show any Aura Fluctuations. To have even this show I have to chance it to White.” {Mercury}
“Can you do Black as Darkness?” {Grand Darkness}
“I am not sure. I have not done it before but maybe?” {Mercury}
“Dusk, you should also know that Mercury is good with Formations.” {Earthlight}
“Really? Mercury is this true?” {Grand Darkness}
“I still have much to learn.” {Mercury}
“I should introduce you to someone I know. I think she would like you based on your name alone.” {Grand Darkness}
“I already have a Formation Master as my Teacher.” {Mercury}
“It is no problem. Who should only have one Teacher? I just hope you can meet her standards. She can be pretty strict when it comes to Formations.” {Grand Darkness}
“Wait. Isn’t she. Never mind. It will be funnier this way.” {Earthlight}
“Grand Elders, what is this really about. Something about this feels off.” {Mercury}
“…”
“See, what did I tell you, too smart for this own good.” {Earthlight}
“Mercury, this is hard to say. In about a month, you will be sent to the Darkside of the world.” {Starlight}
“WHAT!?” {Clover}
“How did this happen? Is this permanent?” {Mercury}
“In order to start working on peace between our two sides, we have come to the agreement that each side will get a number of hostages from the other side. After a few years, they will be returned. Hopefully this will be the start to the age of peace. I know this does not sound the best but know that I trust the leader of the Darkside completely with your safety.” {Starlight}
“What is their leader called?” {Mercury}
“They are called the Grand Darkness.” {Starlight}
“Here it comes.” {Earthlight}
“Mercury greets the Grand Darkness of Tenebrosity.” {Mercury}
“WHAT!?” {Clover}
“Starlight, I am very impressed with him. I would be upset if he became my son-in-law.” {Grand Darkness}
“Trust me. You do not him to be your son-in-law.” {Earthlight}
“Really?” {Grand Darkness}
“He gives me near heart attacks on the daily. Part of me is glad to be rid of him.” {Earthlight}
“Earthlight!” {Clover}
“But a bigger part wishes he would stay.” {Earthlight}
The next few days came and went. The day for Mercury’s and Torch’s battle arrived. The group of Starlight, Earthlight, Grand Darkness, Mercury, and Clover left for a coliseum like building. Earthlight took Clover to their seats. Starlight and Grand Darkness wen toff to there seats, while an attendant took Mercury to the ring proper.
When Mercury got there, he could see the ring and the stands. On one side were five sections themed for Cultivators of the non-Light Elements, each section held a better subsection for the Grand Elder and Elders to seat. In the Earth one was Earthlight and Clover. Mercury could also see Radiant Firelight and another man at the Fire Section. The man was glaring at Mercury with a vile hate. On the other side was one large section for the Light Cultivators, with one subsection for all the Elders and Grand Elders. This is where Starlight and Grand Darkness sat. All the stands were packed.
The ring itself was raised out of the ground. As Mercury climbed the steps leading up it, Mercury found Torch, still covered, waiting for him. Mercury could tell something was different by Torch’s lack of talking at all.
“Torch are you ready?” {Mercury}
Torch simply nodded. But before they started a referee stepped into the ring and spoke. It was not one of the Grand Elders but just an Elder.
“I understand you both want to fight, but we need to go over the rules. First is no killing or permanent injuries. Any tools or pills may be used as long as they do not cause major harm to yourself or your opponent. You lose if you are rendered unconscious, knocked out of the ring, or give up. Do both of you understand these rules?” {Referee}
“Yes.” {Mercury}
Torch just nodded.
“Then you may ready your weapons and begin on my mark.” {Referee}
Mercury pulled out his short bow, while Torch readied his two handed sword.
“Starlight, I think Mercury has already lost. Torch has reached Peak Foundation Establishment.” {Sunlight}
“Just watch.” {Starlight}
“Brother… Starlight, I think Sunlight is right Mercury is only at Low Foundation Establishment. It will be hard for him to hurt Torch much less win.” {Lightspeed}
“Everyone just watch.” {Starlight}
The crowd was only here because Grand Darkness was here.
“Can you believe it? The leader of the enemy has made peace!?” {Crowd}
“I know right!? We get to see him simply by coming to this fight! Also, who is even fighting again?” {Crowd}
“It is because of drama from the Grand Elders.” {Crowd}
“Really!?” {Crowd}
“Yeah, but this will not be much of a fight. The one in full coverings is supposedly already at Peak Foundation Establishment.” {Crowd}
“I would hate to be that other one right now.” {Crowd}
“You may begin!” {Referee}
Mercury pulled back an arrow as his full Cultivation was shown for all.
“I Seek the Green, I say to you, FLY!” {Mercury}
“WHAT!?” {Everyone except those who knew already.}
Torch dodged and rushed towards Mercury. Mercury fired a few more arrows but each one was dodged.
“Starlight, how can he do that!?” {Sunlight}
“He made his own Cultivation Technique.” {Starlight}
“WHAT!?” {Grand Elders}
“Everyone, just shut up and watch.” {Starlight}
Mercury could see that this tactic would not work, so instead aimed at the ground in front of him.
“I Seek the Yellow, I say to you, TURN TO SAND!” {Mercury}
Mercury’s arrow turned the ground to sand as Torch was running towards it.
“Earthlight! He did my move!” {Clover}
“He did.” {Earthlight}
Torch did not know how to fight on sand, so he chose not to and used his Aura to empower his legs and jumped over it. Torch used his momentum to swing at Mercury. Mercury did not have time to ready another arrow so switched to his knife. Using it to block and using that momentum to try to gain distance.
However, Torch did not let up and kept rushing towards Mercury. Mercury could tell his knife was chipped and was going to break soon. He chose to do something unexpected and threw his knife at Torch.
Torch reactively used his sword to hit the knife where it shattered. Torch was stunned for a brief moment, before expecting Mercury to have used this moment to gain distance. Mercury instead got into a boxing stance and went in close.
“Earthlight! Why did Merc do that!? He is bad at hand to hand!” {Clover}
“He is bad at hand to hand only compared to you. Everyone is!” {Earthlight}
“Oh, right.” {Clover}
Torch was now at a disadvantage; his sword made it much harder to dodge at this close of a range. His coverings made it impossible to return his sword back to his storage ring. Torch decided to drop it and fight hand to hand.
Mercury seeing that Torch dropped his sword kicked it and sent it flying so Torch could not use it. At this point is was almost a stalemate. Both we just punching and dodging each other. Torch decided to do something risky. He started dodging toward the edge of the ring while raising his Aura, but it was hidden by his coverings.
Mercury punched once but instead of dodging Torch took it. Knocking his mask off but Torch was prepared, and this allowed him an opening to strike. Mercury did not think he would actually hit Torch and seeing Torch’s face truly left Mercury stunned. Torch hit Mercury squirely in the stomach. This dazed Mercury enough for Torch to grab him and throw Mercury as hard as he could.
Mercury quickly tried to stabilize in the air but could not and landed on his side but still in the ring. But Mercury found that Torch’s foot was already mid kick towards him. Mercury could only block the best he could.
“I SEEK THE YELLOW!” {Mercury}
Mercury’s body glowed yellow as Torch put all he had into this kick. The result was Torch having a few broken bones in his foot, and Mercury being sent flying off the ring.
“The winner is Torch!” {Referee}
Sunlight quickly appeared next to Torch and gave him a hug. The crowd started cheering for Torch.
“I knew you could do it.” {Sunlight}
“…”
“Why are you not saying anything?” {Sunlight}
Sunlight pulled away and looked at Torch’s face for the first time. Sunlight was horrified. He even almost wanted to throw up. Torch did not focus on healing his face or skin more than what he needed to fight Mercury. The other Grand Elders and Grand Darkness used their divine sense to see what was happening. They went silent after seeing Torch’s face. The crowd went silent as well.
“Torch… Torch, who did this to you?” {Sunlight}
Radiant Firelight finally came down from the stands and brought Refulgence with him.
“Fa…her.” {Torch}
“Faher. Father… FATHER! REFULGENCE DID THIS TO YOU!” {Sunlight}
Sunlight turned to Radiant Firelight and Refulgence, putting Torch behind him as he did so.
“Refulgence, did you do this!?” {Sunlight}
“Aren’t you proud of me Father?” {Refulgence}
“Wa… what?” {Sunlight}
“Look at this. We have won against that bitch. I can come home now.” {Refulgence}
“How… how can you think this is okay?” {Sunlight}
“What? I DID ALL THIS FOR YOU! I MADE SURE TORCH WON THIS! I MADE SURE YOU WON THIS!” {Refulgence}
“I… I never wanted this.” {Sunlight}
“YOU! YOU SENT ME AWAY! TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME! YOU SAY THAT YOU NEVER WANTED THIS! I SUFFERED BECAUSE OF THAT B*TCH AND I SENT ASSASSINS AFTER HER AND IT DID NOT WORK BECAUSE OF YOU! I HATE YOU! YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER!” {Refulgence}
“WHAT!?” {Grand Elders}
“Refulgence, you sent assassins after Pristine?” {Sunlight}
“DON’T YOU SAY THAT SLUT’S NAME! SHE TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME.” {Refulgence}
“…”
“I am sorry Refulgence.” {Sunlight}
“Really!? Then I can come back!?” {Refulgence}
“I sent you away thinking that it would help you. To straighten you out. To make you better. I can see that I have failed you.” {Sunlight}
“THEN!?” {Refulgence}
“Refulgence, you are no longer my son. I see that now.” {Sunlight}
“What? WHAT!? HOW DARE ” {Refulgence}
Sunlight appeared behind Refulgence and knocked him out. Sunlight then turned to Radiant Firelight.
“We will be having a conversation about how this happened.” {Sunlight}
“It was my mistake. I thought he and Torch could use some father-son bonding time. It went out of hand. I had thought that Refulgence had gotten over his obsession by now.” {Radiant Firelight}
“Like I believe that. Torch, you will be living with me from now on.” {Sunlight}
“Hold on now.” {Radiant Firelight}
“What!?” {Sunlight}
“Torch is still a member of my Family. I have put a lot of time and effort into him. You simply cannot just take him away.” {Radiant Firelight}
“WHAT!?” {Sunlight}
“Perhaps if you repay the resources I spent on him, you could take him away.” {Radiant Firelight}
“YOU!” {Sunlight}
Before anyone else could move, Grand Darkness appeared in front of Radiant Firelight, his Aura was intense and there was pure hate in his eyes.
“Good, show everyone that is peace will not last!” {Radiant Firelight}
With a shaking hand, Grand Darkness held up a storage ring.
“Will. This. Be. Enough?” {Grand Darkness}
“Parden?” {Radiant Firelight}
“You. Want. To. Sell. Him. This. Enough?” {Grand Darkness}
“What!?” {Sunlight}
Radiant Firelight took the ring and scanned it.
“It is a little low, but I can accept it.” {Radiant Firelight}
“Good. Leave before I kill you.” {Grand Darkness}
Radiant Firelight took Refulgence and left. Grand Darkness just stared as he left.
“What do you think you are doing!?” {Sunlight}
“You can take him away. That was my plan.” {Grand Darkness}
“You think this will get me to like you!” {Sunlight}
(“No. It was just given one more second with him and I would have killed him.”) {Grand Darkness}
(“You really think that would make me feel better!”} {Sunlight}
“Forest Fire should have some medical knowledge on how to help heal burns. I hope that helps.” {Grand Darkness}
Sunlight just took Torch and walked away.
“What just happened?” {Crowd}
“THIS FIGHT IS OVER!” {Daylight}
Thank you for reading.
