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Description
Veron Round 1

The burning sun had turned its focus onto Blaine as he and the shaded Zleet pressed on through the forest of Veron. Blaine paused for a moment to decide which way would be best to proceed and felt a gentle breeze brush across his skin, the cool air refreshed his body and Blaine lost himself in that moment. As it passed Blaine pulled himself back and continued onward through the thick green of the forest. Each step Blaine took was followed by the Zleet trailing closely behind but still maintaining its distance. “If you didn’t want to speak then why did you ask me to stay close on your journey?” asked the Zleet in its chilling voice. “You attacked me as I attempted to enter Veron, that doesn’t exactly make you a friend Tilah.” Blaine glanced a little at Tilah’s rippling shadow of a body before looking back at the path he had chosen to walk. “You have already explained you’re not here to help me win just to guide me to the treasure.” Tilah followed waiting for an extension to his statement upon realising one wasn’t coming Tilah reached out to take one “You haven’t answered my question.” Blaine sighed a little, rolling his eyes before he answered “Your desire for me to fight makes you a risk. You could scout out ahead and attract attention to me. At least if you’re close I can keep an eye on you.” Tilah laughed a little at Blaine’s reply and made its way up beside him to look in his eyes. Its hardened body floated on a cloud of blackened smoke as it drew closer. “You have entered a tournament to win the treasure of Veron blood will spill.” “I entered no such thing, my participation is involuntary. I’m here for the treasure and nothing else; your desire for death will have to be filled after I am gone.” “You don’t choose to enter the tournament you are chosen.” “Let the others fight amongst themselves, I just need to beat them to the treasure.” Tilah stopped a little ahead of Blaine “You don’t realize how this works yet do you.”

Blaine passed Tilah without answering and continued along his path, Tilah stared at Blaine as he passed watching him a little before floating away once again, this time it remained close as it spoke. “You are a coward Blaine.” Undeterred from his path Blaine pushed forward, his eyes never flickering from the point he was headed toward. “If choosing not to fight the innocent snared in your trap makes me a coward then so be it.” The forest had thickened around Blaine without his realising and he struggled to tell the path he had walked from the path he was walking toward. He finally stopped in his tracks and glanced around the dark green maze he was trapped in. He cursed a little and continued to look around desperately seeking some sort of clue. “lost?” Blaine’s skin crawled as he heard the voice of Tilah slither through his ear. He gritted his teeth and continued looking through the thick of the trees. The towering branches and canopies of green helped to shelter Blaine from the scorching fire of the sun but also blocked his view of the cliff that had once been his guide. He cursed at himself for getting trapped in such an amateur style, Blaine looked over at Tilah. More than once he considered asking the shadowed creature the way, but as he recalled there was a tournament to be had and his directions would most likely collide with that of a contestants.

Trusting his instincts Blaine picked a direction and moved himself toward it, Tilah following behind for a while before finally moving to his side. Its cold white empty eyes never removed from Blaine, it was a piercing look one not stopped by his toughened armour or robes. It made its way inside Blaine and saw him; it made Blaine uneasy to feel so exposed. Blaine focussed on something else as he walked, he focussed on the ground beneath him, the hard unmoving ground that defied all Blaine understood by floating so high into the sky. He focussed on the way the trees seem to thin as he reached the end of the forest, then he focussed on not letting his anger build up as he found himself standing on the edge of Veron once more looking down at the world below. Still surrounded by a lush green Blaine examined the rolling hills around him and cursed again as he saw the mountain peak far off in the distance. Somehow Blaine had made his way farther from the peak.

Tilah emerged from the forest shortly after Blaine he knew this shadowed creature could show him the way but he wasn’t willing to pay the price attached to such information. “I doubt you’ll beat them now. You’ll probably have to fight them off just to reach the peak. Let me help you Blaine.” Blaine sneered at Tilah’s unflinching stare before finally breaking away from the edge and headed toward the peak deciding that remaining in the wide open of the grassy hills would be the best way to proceed. “I know the quickest way to the peak let me help you.” Tilah’s voice followed on behind Blaine as he moved on, Tilah close behind. “Do you ever shut up?” As Blaine continued on Tilah began hovering closer and closer to Blaine finally prompting him to speak “I barely tolerate you as it is Tilah.” “Your contestant is here.” In one fluid motion Blain tore his sword from its sheath and pressed it against the rippling darkness that formed Tilah’s body. “I have no contestant!” “You should probably let her know.” With Tilah’s last word it faded to a black smoke and a loud bang rang out a powerful knock smashed into Blaine’s shoulder and spun him through the air. He finally collapsed, rolling, to the ground; he dug his hands in the cold soil to stop himself rolling off the edge. Wasting no time Blaine grabbed his sword, as his hand reached out another shot fired and just flew past Blaine. He felt the air tear apart as the bullet zipped past it was a little too close for comfort; he quickly got to his feet and outreached his hand toward the red headed woman taking pot shots.

“Stop!” yelled Blaine, his words went unheard as Cath continued to focus her aim once more. As her finger twitched on the trigger Blaine released a burst of energy knocking her back into the tree behind. As her body rebound against the bark Blaine teleported in front of her and grabbed her arm forcing the end of the gun to face the ground, he grabbed her by the throat and held her tight against the tree. Another 2 shots rang out of desperation, unfortunately the bullets found themselves in the soil below as Blaine kept her hand pointing away from him. The thunderous roar o the gun now had Blaine’s ears ringing and he could hardly hear Cath gasping for air because of his vice like grip. “You don’t have to do this.” He barked, another Zleet appeared beside Cath “This is your opponent Cath, a trickster and a cheat. Don’t listen to his lies he seeks the treasure as you do and will do whatever he can to get it.” Cath grunted a little as she quickly jerked her knee to meet Blaine; the surprise strike robbed Blaine off his balance and the sharp pain prevented him getting it back in time, he crashed backwards and slid a little on the grass.

Cath wasted no time in raising her gun again but as she took aim Blaine vanished from view, he appeared again grabbing and twisting her arm keeping the gun away. Blaine moved in to disarm her but Cath slashed at him with her switchblade, she struck air as once again Blaine vanished. Appearing behind her Blaine released a kick and withdrew his sword; the kick was enough to knock Cath completely off balance and sent her colliding against the ground. In this moment of peace Blaine quickly examined himself, he found no wounds from the surprise attack, the bullet must have struck his armour, another reason he owed his life to this crafted metal. “Kill him Cath it’s the only way to reach the treasure.” Cath groaned as she got to her feet and sneered at the stalking Zleet she had hoped never to see again. It’s black smoking figure showed no signs of harm or fatigue from her attacks earlier and that added to her frustration. “I told you to leave me alone.” she hissed, the Zleet nodded and disappeared from the battle. Blaine looked over at his own dark stalker, Tilah was still standing there watching, waiting. It offered no help to him but thankfully didn’t cause any sort of hindrance either, still Blaine snarled a little and turned his attentions back to Cath. She stood before him already tired and worn but she had a rare strength that helped to drive her forward. He could see that strength surrounding her, supporting her in an instant he respected and feared her all at the same time. Cath looked over Blaine in much the same way and found someone she believed could relate to her situation she found an unspoken connection the two shared she couldn‘t explain it but she knew it was there.

Floating so high above her home, cut off from everyone else lost and alone she realised she would have to fight and she hated it. “I don’t want this.” Cath spoke as she slid the large bag from her back. “I didn’t ask to come here.” She dropped her knife ad gun as she gently removed her jacket and placed it beside her bag. She trusted Blaine not to attack but couldn’t explain why, as she picked up her weapons again she continued. “I didn’t ask to be hunted or stalked; I came here to end my troubles not to create more.” Blaine gripped his sword still ready for a surprise but replied to Cath none the less. “I understand, you became trapped by the choices you made.” Cath had another tear drop from her face as she spoke “I have a fiancé waiting for me at home. I’m here to ensure I still have a life.” Cath looked at the ground then back at Blaine “I can’t leave without that treasure.” “I can’t let you take it.” replied Blaine. Cath forced a smile as she looked on at him, the sun was beating down on the two of them its relentless heat added to the difficulty of the situation. The two stared at each other for a moment both statuesque in their stance Blaine’s waving banner being the only animation around. Blaine longed for another gentle breeze to pass but found nothing more than a bitter uncertainty of the events to come.

“If you surrender now I’ll help you back to your home.” Said Blaine, Cath laughed a little and looked at the desperate eyes of Blaine. “Will you surrender?” she asked “I can’t do that.” He replied “then how can you ask me to do the same.” Blaine understood Cath’s reason but hoped for another reply. Cath, even now knowing what was about to come she didn’t move, she didn’t even flinch. “I know I won’t win. I struggled to beat that thing that follows me. I’m tired, I’m hot, I’m struggling to even stay on my feet.” Cath released a nervous laugh before letting her smile fade from her face. “But I can’t not try, do you understand?” Blaine nodded his head and looked on at Cath, “whenever you’re ready.” Replied Blaine. “Thank you.” Said Cath, she clenched her eyes for a moment her breathing got heavy and she shook a little, when suddenly she stopped. Her gun was raised and another bullet burst free before Blaine even realised. It whistled past his ear and he twitched into action, he dodged Cath’s aim just long enough to reach her. The gun fired again this time Blaine’s hand had already pushed it out of harms way, he robbed Cath off her gun and cast it aside. He moved ready to defend from the blade and was surprised to find Cath’s fist in his face instead. The bitter warmth of blood tickled his tongue soon followed by a wave of painful tingles; Blaine released a grunt and struck back. His armoured hand smashed into Cath’s chest knocking her back, as she regained her balance Blaine once again removed it from her with a kick to her knee. Her crash to earth was then met with the cold metal edge of his sword pressed against her neck. “Surrender!” Blaine yelled. Cath spun the switchblade around her fingers “I thought you understood.” Replied Cath before swiping at Blaine’s unprotected thigh, as predicted he spun to his knee to avoid the razor edge. As soon as Blaine’s knee hit the ground Cath used her other hand to throw all her strength into his side, simultaneously pushing his blade away with her own.

Blaine swayed to the side and back to his feet, turning back to Cath he found another attack heading his way. He dodged and threw back an attack of his own, it hit. Cath flinched from the pain but didn’t hesitate to retaliate. A kick, a punch, another swipe with the blade, few connect and all are returned with a counter attack. Cath hits the ground again, she remembers the attack she had with the shadow and hates herself a little for not being stronger then. She doesn’t dwell too long as her head begins to bang with pain. She holds it tightly with her hands and ignores the warm dampness that now covers her hand. She pretends it’s not blood and wipes her hands on the grass. Blaine watches Cath struggle he, holds his sword and his stance ready for her return but refuses to help her back to her feet. He understands why she does what she does but he still hurts inside. With every punch and kick he forces upon her he feels double within himself, he hopes she’ll yell surrender, or that she can’t get up he hopes for what he can to make this end. He even looks back at Tilah, understanding now it’s capacity as judge, it shakes its head and Blaine curses again. The fight must go on; Blaine spits out the blood collecting in his mouth and wipes the sweat from his brow. As he uncovers his eyes again he finds Cath getting back to her feet.

She holds her side as she gets back to an upright stance, there eyes meet once more and Blaine realizes now what it is that pushes her. He nods his head at her and she to him they know this is almost done. Cath runs at Blaine an unknown strength collected in her body and her pain disappears for these glorious moments. He cuts her with his sword before she can get close, she doesn’t feel the sharp pain and continues running on. She throws a punch and as he blocks she kicks his knee hard, Blaine loses his leg and folds to his knees. Cath moves without hesitation and starts pounding on his face. Blaine’s lost in a moment of pain he’s proud of Cath and forgets to retaliate, as his focus slips Cath moves in with her knife. As the blade whistles through the air it meets a sudden stop as Blaine deflects the blade with his armoured hand, he‘s returned to his senses and decides an end must be found. He smashes his fist into her gut and she folds, another strike is made this time crushing across her face. As Cath spins through the air she’s stopped by Blaine as he uses his force to send her flying back into a tree she lets out a yell as her body hit’s the unmoving tree. The force shakes the leaves and the branches Cath struggles to recover from the blow. Barely back to her feet Blaine appears in front of her, she moves her arm again desperately swiping with her blade but this time Blaine’s sword smashes it from her hand. She makes a fist but Blaine’s crushing hand wraps itself around it. His sword is sheathed and he grabs her throat again, there’s less of a struggle this time to force Cath back against the tree. He moves in and forces Cath to look in his eyes his voice is barely above a whisper “You fought, and now you’ve lost. It’s time to surrender.”

Cath struggles to keep her head in line with his, as her eyes search Blaine’s again she says “I need this treasure, I’m not a fool. If I don’t get this then Thom and I have nothing. I’m sorry.” Cath’s expression of genuine regret fazes Blaine for a moment as he struggles to understand. In those moments Cath grabs his sword and tries to run him through, but as the blade draws ever nearer it’s quickly snatched from her hand in a motion Cath barely realized had happened. In that motion Blaine reacted out of instinct and drove the sword through Cath, it was a fatal strike. His arm froze as he realized what he had done and he felt a cold empty sensation wash over him, Cath shuddered as the blade pierced her skin. She looked down at the blade now shining crimson and slowly back up to Blaine. Her watery eyes looked into Blaine’s and she smiled a little Blaine couldn’t stop looking at Cath or the blade at his side as it slowly dripped onto the soil below, Cath held onto his shoulder and Blaine moved a little closer. They both looked at each other and said “I’m sorry.” Blaine wiped the blood from her face and said “you fought well.” Cath laughed a little and said “You weren’t too bad yourself.”

Blaine reaches out and brushes the hair from Cath’s face, as he reveals some more blood he gently wipes it away. Cath slowly brings her hand to Blaine’s, and she grips it gently with whatever strength she has left. She stumbles toward him a little and Blaine catches her, he holds her close to him and closes his eyes. “I…I feel cold.” says Cath Blaine feels Cath’s hand slip out of his and he squeezes her a little before helping her to lie on the grass. “It’s ok you’re going home now. Thom is waiting for you.” Cath smiles a little once more as Blaine gets back to his feet, her last breath slips out of her body leaving Blaine alone on these grassy hills once more. He stood looking over her his sword still in hand, the razor edge now tainted with crimson it sickened him a little to look at it. Blaine fumbled around in his robes a little before producing an already dirty cloth. He wrapped the blade in it’s soft embrace and gently slid the blade through it. Now wiped clean Blaine stared at the metal shining so brightly in the never ending sun before finally replacing it to his sheath. Blaine turned from Cath and headed away toward the mountain, as he did he took the cloth and wiped clean his armour but no matter how much he wiped or how much the armour gleamed he still felt dirty. When finished he replaced the cloth and tried not to look back, “good job.” In a flash Blaine had spun round sword in hand, slicing at the voice following behind. Sadly he hit nothing but black smoke, it floated in the air mocking him for a moment before reforming the shape of Tilah just out of reach of his sword. “Developing a taste are we?” Blaine glared at Tilah through eyes of burning rage, his mind played a thousand painful manoeuvres before he replaced his sword. “She should never have been here.” “but yet there she was. Just as your next contestant will be.” Blaine spun away from Tilah replacing his sword as he did walking off toward the mountain, “I will end this. All of this.” he said “Is that why you were sent here?” Blaine froze then turned to look at Tilah, it’s voice had prickled his curiosity, “how do you know I was sent here?” Tilah glided next to Blaine and forced its eyes to his “We are all here for a reason. I know mine just as Cath knew hers when she saw you. What is your purpose?” “How do you know I was sent here?” repeated Blaine, Tilah looked at him for moment before finally answering “because that is my purpose. It is why I’m here, I also know that your next contestant has finished there fight and is ready to face you.”

Tilah moved past Blaine and pointed to the left through the trees, “This is the way. I’m your guide and shall do so if you let me. I can’t bring you to your next contestant because that is in the hands of fate, surely you know that by now. You were the one who found Cath just as she found you. Neither of you accepted the assistance of your guide and still you found each other.” Blaine remained frozen in place looking back at where he had come then to where the Zleet was prompting him to go. “What else do you know Tilah?” “I know about your contestants their names, appearance and battle styles. I know what I need to.” “What do you know about me?” Tilah’s uncompromising glare remained on Blaine for what felt like an eternity before finally it’s voice said “What I need to.” Blaine hesitantly accepted that as an answer and proceeded to the left, he stared back at Tilah as he made his way past. He still didn’t trust this cryptic guide but he moved left none the less. Perhaps the tournament was out of the Tilah’s control in any matter Blaine could do no harm following its advice. The lush green and brown welcomed Blaine back to the forest and he looked up again at the canopy, “it’s getting dark.” said Blaine “you’ll make it through.”

Description
Veron Round 1

The burning sun had turned its focus onto Blaine as he and the shaded Zleet pressed on through the forest of Veron. Blaine paused for a moment to decide which way would be best to proceed and felt a gentle breeze brush across his skin, the cool air refreshed his body and Blaine lost himself in that moment. As it passed Blaine pulled himself back and continued onward through the thick green of the forest. Each step Blaine took was followed by the Zleet trailing closely behind but still maintaining its distance. “If you didn’t want to speak then why did you ask me to stay close on your journey?” asked the Zleet in its chilling voice. “You attacked me as I attempted to enter Veron, that doesn’t exactly make you a friend Tilah.” Blaine glanced a little at Tilah’s rippling shadow of a body before looking back at the path he had chosen to walk. “You have already explained you’re not here to help me win just to guide me to the treasure.” Tilah followed waiting for an extension to his statement upon realising one wasn’t coming Tilah reached out to take one “You haven’t answered my question.” Blaine sighed a little, rolling his eyes before he answered “Your desire for me to fight makes you a risk. You could scout out ahead and attract attention to me. At least if you’re close I can keep an eye on you.” Tilah laughed a little at Blaine’s reply and made its way up beside him to look in his eyes. Its hardened body floated on a cloud of blackened smoke as it drew closer. “You have entered a tournament to win the treasure of Veron blood will spill.” “I entered no such thing, my participation is involuntary. I’m here for the treasure and nothing else; your desire for death will have to be filled after I am gone.” “You don’t choose to enter the tournament you are chosen.” “Let the others fight amongst themselves, I just need to beat them to the treasure.” Tilah stopped a little ahead of Blaine “You don’t realize how this works yet do you.”

Blaine passed Tilah without answering and continued along his path, Tilah stared at Blaine as he passed watching him a little before floating away once again, this time it remained close as it spoke. “You are a coward Blaine.” Undeterred from his path Blaine pushed forward, his eyes never flickering from the point he was headed toward. “If choosing not to fight the innocent snared in your trap makes me a coward then so be it.” The forest had thickened around Blaine without his realising and he struggled to tell the path he had walked from the path he was walking toward. He finally stopped in his tracks and glanced around the dark green maze he was trapped in. He cursed a little and continued to look around desperately seeking some sort of clue. “lost?” Blaine’s skin crawled as he heard the voice of Tilah slither through his ear. He gritted his teeth and continued looking through the thick of the trees. The towering branches and canopies of green helped to shelter Blaine from the scorching fire of the sun but also blocked his view of the cliff that had once been his guide. He cursed at himself for getting trapped in such an amateur style, Blaine looked over at Tilah. More than once he considered asking the shadowed creature the way, but as he recalled there was a tournament to be had and his directions would most likely collide with that of a contestants.

Trusting his instincts Blaine picked a direction and moved himself toward it, Tilah following behind for a while before finally moving to his side. Its cold white empty eyes never removed from Blaine, it was a piercing look one not stopped by his toughened armour or robes. It made its way inside Blaine and saw him; it made Blaine uneasy to feel so exposed. Blaine focussed on something else as he walked, he focussed on the ground beneath him, the hard unmoving ground that defied all Blaine understood by floating so high into the sky. He focussed on the way the trees seem to thin as he reached the end of the forest, then he focussed on not letting his anger build up as he found himself standing on the edge of Veron once more looking down at the world below. Still surrounded by a lush green Blaine examined the rolling hills around him and cursed again as he saw the mountain peak far off in the distance. Somehow Blaine had made his way farther from the peak.

Tilah emerged from the forest shortly after Blaine he knew this shadowed creature could show him the way but he wasn’t willing to pay the price attached to such information. “I doubt you’ll beat them now. You’ll probably have to fight them off just to reach the peak. Let me help you Blaine.” Blaine sneered at Tilah’s unflinching stare before finally breaking away from the edge and headed toward the peak deciding that remaining in the wide open of the grassy hills would be the best way to proceed. “I know the quickest way to the peak let me help you.” Tilah’s voice followed on behind Blaine as he moved on, Tilah close behind. “Do you ever shut up?” As Blaine continued on Tilah began hovering closer and closer to Blaine finally prompting him to speak “I barely tolerate you as it is Tilah.” “Your contestant is here.” In one fluid motion Blain tore his sword from its sheath and pressed it against the rippling darkness that formed Tilah’s body. “I have no contestant!” “You should probably let her know.” With Tilah’s last word it faded to a black smoke and a loud bang rang out a powerful knock smashed into Blaine’s shoulder and spun him through the air. He finally collapsed, rolling, to the ground; he dug his hands in the cold soil to stop himself rolling off the edge. Wasting no time Blaine grabbed his sword, as his hand reached out another shot fired and just flew past Blaine. He felt the air tear apart as the bullet zipped past it was a little too close for comfort; he quickly got to his feet and outreached his hand toward the red headed woman taking pot shots.

“Stop!” yelled Blaine, his words went unheard as Cath continued to focus her aim once more. As her finger twitched on the trigger Blaine released a burst of energy knocking her back into the tree behind. As her body rebound against the bark Blaine teleported in front of her and grabbed her arm forcing the end of the gun to face the ground, he grabbed her by the throat and held her tight against the tree. Another 2 shots rang out of desperation, unfortunately the bullets found themselves in the soil below as Blaine kept her hand pointing away from him. The thunderous roar o the gun now had Blaine’s ears ringing and he could hardly hear Cath gasping for air because of his vice like grip. “You don’t have to do this.” He barked, another Zleet appeared beside Cath “This is your opponent Cath, a trickster and a cheat. Don’t listen to his lies he seeks the treasure as you do and will do whatever he can to get it.” Cath grunted a little as she quickly jerked her knee to meet Blaine; the surprise strike robbed Blaine off his balance and the sharp pain prevented him getting it back in time, he crashed backwards and slid a little on the grass.

Cath wasted no time in raising her gun again but as she took aim Blaine vanished from view, he appeared again grabbing and twisting her arm keeping the gun away. Blaine moved in to disarm her but Cath slashed at him with her switchblade, she struck air as once again Blaine vanished. Appearing behind her Blaine released a kick and withdrew his sword; the kick was enough to knock Cath completely off balance and sent her colliding against the ground. In this moment of peace Blaine quickly examined himself, he found no wounds from the surprise attack, the bullet must have struck his armour, another reason he owed his life to this crafted metal. “Kill him Cath it’s the only way to reach the treasure.” Cath groaned as she got to her feet and sneered at the stalking Zleet she had hoped never to see again. It’s black smoking figure showed no signs of harm or fatigue from her attacks earlier and that added to her frustration. “I told you to leave me alone.” she hissed, the Zleet nodded and disappeared from the battle. Blaine looked over at his own dark stalker, Tilah was still standing there watching, waiting. It offered no help to him but thankfully didn’t cause any sort of hindrance either, still Blaine snarled a little and turned his attentions back to Cath. She stood before him already tired and worn but she had a rare strength that helped to drive her forward. He could see that strength surrounding her, supporting her in an instant he respected and feared her all at the same time. Cath looked over Blaine in much the same way and found someone she believed could relate to her situation she found an unspoken connection the two shared she couldn‘t explain it but she knew it was there.

Floating so high above her home, cut off from everyone else lost and alone she realised she would have to fight and she hated it. “I don’t want this.” Cath spoke as she slid the large bag from her back. “I didn’t ask to come here.” She dropped her knife ad gun as she gently removed her jacket and placed it beside her bag. She trusted Blaine not to attack but couldn’t explain why, as she picked up her weapons again she continued. “I didn’t ask to be hunted or stalked; I came here to end my troubles not to create more.” Blaine gripped his sword still ready for a surprise but replied to Cath none the less. “I understand, you became trapped by the choices you made.” Cath had another tear drop from her face as she spoke “I have a fiancé waiting for me at home. I’m here to ensure I still have a life.” Cath looked at the ground then back at Blaine “I can’t leave without that treasure.” “I can’t let you take it.” replied Blaine. Cath forced a smile as she looked on at him, the sun was beating down on the two of them its relentless heat added to the difficulty of the situation. The two stared at each other for a moment both statuesque in their stance Blaine’s waving banner being the only animation around. Blaine longed for another gentle breeze to pass but found nothing more than a bitter uncertainty of the events to come.

“If you surrender now I’ll help you back to your home.” Said Blaine, Cath laughed a little and looked at the desperate eyes of Blaine. “Will you surrender?” she asked “I can’t do that.” He replied “then how can you ask me to do the same.” Blaine understood Cath’s reason but hoped for another reply. Cath, even now knowing what was about to come she didn’t move, she didn’t even flinch. “I know I won’t win. I struggled to beat that thing that follows me. I’m tired, I’m hot, I’m struggling to even stay on my feet.” Cath released a nervous laugh before letting her smile fade from her face. “But I can’t not try, do you understand?” Blaine nodded his head and looked on at Cath, “whenever you’re ready.” Replied Blaine. “Thank you.” Said Cath, she clenched her eyes for a moment her breathing got heavy and she shook a little, when suddenly she stopped. Her gun was raised and another bullet burst free before Blaine even realised. It whistled past his ear and he twitched into action, he dodged Cath’s aim just long enough to reach her. The gun fired again this time Blaine’s hand had already pushed it out of harms way, he robbed Cath off her gun and cast it aside. He moved ready to defend from the blade and was surprised to find Cath’s fist in his face instead. The bitter warmth of blood tickled his tongue soon followed by a wave of painful tingles; Blaine released a grunt and struck back. His armoured hand smashed into Cath’s chest knocking her back, as she regained her balance Blaine once again removed it from her with a kick to her knee. Her crash to earth was then met with the cold metal edge of his sword pressed against her neck. “Surrender!” Blaine yelled. Cath spun the switchblade around her fingers “I thought you understood.” Replied Cath before swiping at Blaine’s unprotected thigh, as predicted he spun to his knee to avoid the razor edge. As soon as Blaine’s knee hit the ground Cath used her other hand to throw all her strength into his side, simultaneously pushing his blade away with her own.

Blaine swayed to the side and back to his feet, turning back to Cath he found another attack heading his way. He dodged and threw back an attack of his own, it hit. Cath flinched from the pain but didn’t hesitate to retaliate. A kick, a punch, another swipe with the blade, few connect and all are returned with a counter attack. Cath hits the ground again, she remembers the attack she had with the shadow and hates herself a little for not being stronger then. She doesn’t dwell too long as her head begins to bang with pain. She holds it tightly with her hands and ignores the warm dampness that now covers her hand. She pretends it’s not blood and wipes her hands on the grass. Blaine watches Cath struggle he, holds his sword and his stance ready for her return but refuses to help her back to her feet. He understands why she does what she does but he still hurts inside. With every punch and kick he forces upon her he feels double within himself, he hopes she’ll yell surrender, or that she can’t get up he hopes for what he can to make this end. He even looks back at Tilah, understanding now it’s capacity as judge, it shakes its head and Blaine curses again. The fight must go on; Blaine spits out the blood collecting in his mouth and wipes the sweat from his brow. As he uncovers his eyes again he finds Cath getting back to her feet.

She holds her side as she gets back to an upright stance, there eyes meet once more and Blaine realizes now what it is that pushes her. He nods his head at her and she to him they know this is almost done. Cath runs at Blaine an unknown strength collected in her body and her pain disappears for these glorious moments. He cuts her with his sword before she can get close, she doesn’t feel the sharp pain and continues running on. She throws a punch and as he blocks she kicks his knee hard, Blaine loses his leg and folds to his knees. Cath moves without hesitation and starts pounding on his face. Blaine’s lost in a moment of pain he’s proud of Cath and forgets to retaliate, as his focus slips Cath moves in with her knife. As the blade whistles through the air it meets a sudden stop as Blaine deflects the blade with his armoured hand, he‘s returned to his senses and decides an end must be found. He smashes his fist into her gut and she folds, another strike is made this time crushing across her face. As Cath spins through the air she’s stopped by Blaine as he uses his force to send her flying back into a tree she lets out a yell as her body hit’s the unmoving tree. The force shakes the leaves and the branches Cath struggles to recover from the blow. Barely back to her feet Blaine appears in front of her, she moves her arm again desperately swiping with her blade but this time Blaine’s sword smashes it from her hand. She makes a fist but Blaine’s crushing hand wraps itself around it. His sword is sheathed and he grabs her throat again, there’s less of a struggle this time to force Cath back against the tree. He moves in and forces Cath to look in his eyes his voice is barely above a whisper “You fought, and now you’ve lost. It’s time to surrender.”

Cath struggles to keep her head in line with his, as her eyes search Blaine’s again she says “I need this treasure, I’m not a fool. If I don’t get this then Thom and I have nothing. I’m sorry.” Cath’s expression of genuine regret fazes Blaine for a moment as he struggles to understand. In those moments Cath grabs his sword and tries to run him through, but as the blade draws ever nearer it’s quickly snatched from her hand in a motion Cath barely realized had happened. In that motion Blaine reacted out of instinct and drove the sword through Cath, it was a fatal strike. His arm froze as he realized what he had done and he felt a cold empty sensation wash over him, Cath shuddered as the blade pierced her skin. She looked down at the blade now shining crimson and slowly back up to Blaine. Her watery eyes looked into Blaine’s and she smiled a little Blaine couldn’t stop looking at Cath or the blade at his side as it slowly dripped onto the soil below, Cath held onto his shoulder and Blaine moved a little closer. They both looked at each other and said “I’m sorry.” Blaine wiped the blood from her face and said “you fought well.” Cath laughed a little and said “You weren’t too bad yourself.”

Blaine reaches out and brushes the hair from Cath’s face, as he reveals some more blood he gently wipes it away. Cath slowly brings her hand to Blaine’s, and she grips it gently with whatever strength she has left. She stumbles toward him a little and Blaine catches her, he holds her close to him and closes his eyes. “I…I feel cold.” says Cath Blaine feels Cath’s hand slip out of his and he squeezes her a little before helping her to lie on the grass. “It’s ok you’re going home now. Thom is waiting for you.” Cath smiles a little once more as Blaine gets back to his feet, her last breath slips out of her body leaving Blaine alone on these grassy hills once more. He stood looking over her his sword still in hand, the razor edge now tainted with crimson it sickened him a little to look at it. Blaine fumbled around in his robes a little before producing an already dirty cloth. He wrapped the blade in it’s soft embrace and gently slid the blade through it. Now wiped clean Blaine stared at the metal shining so brightly in the never ending sun before finally replacing it to his sheath. Blaine turned from Cath and headed away toward the mountain, as he did he took the cloth and wiped clean his armour but no matter how much he wiped or how much the armour gleamed he still felt dirty. When finished he replaced the cloth and tried not to look back, “good job.” In a flash Blaine had spun round sword in hand, slicing at the voice following behind. Sadly he hit nothing but black smoke, it floated in the air mocking him for a moment before reforming the shape of Tilah just out of reach of his sword. “Developing a taste are we?” Blaine glared at Tilah through eyes of burning rage, his mind played a thousand painful manoeuvres before he replaced his sword. “She should never have been here.” “but yet there she was. Just as your next contestant will be.” Blaine spun away from Tilah replacing his sword as he did walking off toward the mountain, “I will end this. All of this.” he said “Is that why you were sent here?” Blaine froze then turned to look at Tilah, it’s voice had prickled his curiosity, “how do you know I was sent here?” Tilah glided next to Blaine and forced its eyes to his “We are all here for a reason. I know mine just as Cath knew hers when she saw you. What is your purpose?” “How do you know I was sent here?” repeated Blaine, Tilah looked at him for moment before finally answering “because that is my purpose. It is why I’m here, I also know that your next contestant has finished there fight and is ready to face you.”

Tilah moved past Blaine and pointed to the left through the trees, “This is the way. I’m your guide and shall do so if you let me. I can’t bring you to your next contestant because that is in the hands of fate, surely you know that by now. You were the one who found Cath just as she found you. Neither of you accepted the assistance of your guide and still you found each other.” Blaine remained frozen in place looking back at where he had come then to where the Zleet was prompting him to go. “What else do you know Tilah?” “I know about your contestants their names, appearance and battle styles. I know what I need to.” “What do you know about me?” Tilah’s uncompromising glare remained on Blaine for what felt like an eternity before finally it’s voice said “What I need to.” Blaine hesitantly accepted that as an answer and proceeded to the left, he stared back at Tilah as he made his way past. He still didn’t trust this cryptic guide but he moved left none the less. Perhaps the tournament was out of the Tilah’s control in any matter Blaine could do no harm following its advice. The lush green and brown welcomed Blaine back to the forest and he looked up again at the canopy, “it’s getting dark.” said Blaine “you’ll make it through.”