The crowd continued to cheer after witnessing Brandon’s victory over Fate. They couldn’t wait to see the next match. Lord Alexander was even eager to see this match. Angel took his place in the center of the now damaged arena. “Okay,” Angel glanced over at Selene who was standing on the left side of the arena. Scythe took his place at the right side. “It’s time to begin the next match, are you two ready?”

“Yeah,” Selene tightened her hands into fists. “I’m ready.” She kept her pale blue eyes focused on Scythe watching his every move.

“I’m ready as well,” Scythe took out two of his swords. The tension between them was starting to build. Both of them were eager to prove their skills to each other.

“Alright,” Angel placed his bare foot in between them. A curse appeared that would explode after a set time. For some reason, Angel knew the second. That explosion went off, this fight was going to be intense. “On three,” He took a deep breath. “One,” Selene got in her fighting stance. “Two,” Scythe glared into Selene’s eyes. “Three, Begin,” He jumped back and the explosion went off.

Before Angel could even make it to the stands, Scythe and Selene were already exchanging blows in the smoke. “Whoa,” Angel blocked as Selene tossed a vial of her blood at Scythe, detonating it. The explosion was enough to even blast him back. -Damn,-

Angel started coughing being caught up in the smoke. The two of them could at least hold back until he got over to the stands. He performed a high jump up into the stands now able to watch the fight from a safe distance. “Come on, Selene, you got this.” His pale hazel eyes watched as Selene rushed through the explosion she made. She tried to punch Scythe. He dodged her fist and countered by slashing her in the stomach. -That’s not good.-

Scythe’s special ability. He can manipulate anything his blade cuts. It ranges from the wind around him to a person’s blood. He just needed one cut and the fight was over. However, Selene’s special ability acted as the perfect counter. Scythe was starting to manipulate her blood, before he could Selene’s blood exploded knocking him back.

“You’re going to need new tricks, Scythe,” Selene quickly charged at Scythe. She struck him with a flurry of punches. Scythe was able to dodge her every single one of her punches. He spun his blade in his hand creating a shield of wind that slashed up her fists and forced her back. While she was being forced back, several sharp wind blades were fired off at her like a huge wall. Scythe’s speed is incredible, he can cut that fast.

“I’ve got no choice,” Selene stood there overwhelmed by the wall of sharp wind blades. They were quickly approaching her. “I have to dodge it.” She ran as fast as she could and jumped out of the way at the last second. The blades hit the wall behind her leaving several deep gashes in it. One hit from that attack could slice her to bits. “Nice move, Scythe, but,” Selene reached into her pouch. “You’re not the only one with ranged attacks.” Selene threw a vial of her blood at him. The vial exploded creating a massive explosion.

Scythe emerged from the wide array of smoke clouds. His body was unscathed and he was already rushing at her at full speed. He was moving so fast Angel’s eyes could barely keep up. The number of cuts on Selene’s arms while she blocked were growing at rapid speeds. There was nothing she could do to counter him. Scythe is just too fast for her to keep up with.

“He’s so fast,” Selene kept blocking his cuts. Her pale blue eyes were searching for an opening. Perhaps a pattern to his relentless attacks. She was finally able to stop Scythe’s attacks by catching his blade with her forearm. Blood dripped from her arm as she held his sword in place. Scythe went to slash her with his other sword. She spun and kicked Scythe back, quickly stealing his sword after doing so.

“My sword,” Scythe bit his lip, drawing blood. “You will drop my sword or I’ll-,” Selene broke Scythe’s sword over her leg. “You’ll regret doing that.” Scythe glared deep into her eyes.

“One sword down,” Selene threw the broken sword aside. The sword laid there on the training ground floor. Now broken in half. “Three more to go,” She got back in her fighting stance. “What’s the matter, Scythe feeling a bit disarmed?”

“I was going to toy with you. But now, playtime is over.” Scythe kicked up Fate’s leg weight from his fight with Brandon. He cut it in half, slashing the sand inside it. He manipulated the sand creating a massive sand storm to blind Selene. He ran at her and began slashing at her repetitively. Selene continued to block his attacks. “It’s no use Selene,” He continued to slash her arms leaving more and more cuts. Her arms were dripping with blood. “Your body isn’t going to hold up against my attacks.” Selene continued to block his attacks.

This is true, the more Scythe cut Selene the more blood she lost. If she didn’t start countering his attacks. She would lose by blood loss alone. Angel didn’t want to admit it but this fight wasn’t looking good for her. He had no idea how she was going to be able to turn the tides, the fight was starting to seem a bit one sided.

“You’re right,” Selene grinned. “I suppose it’s time I fought back.” She caught Scythe's arm before he could cut her. “You’re open,” She struck Scythe in the stomach with her knee. The impact forced him to arch over her knee. He backed up holding his stomach. She rushed at Scythe and began punching him while he was trying to recover. He dodged a couple of her attacks but was being hit by the others. “Take this,” She snapped her fingers.

“That won’t,” Scythe reached into his pocket. “Clever girl,” He gasped. The vial of blood Selene slipped into his pocket exploded. The explosion sent Scythe tumbling across the ground and left him fighting to get back on his feet. Selene must have slipped a vial of her blood into his pocket while she was defending herself. She’s more gifted than Angel thought.

While Scythe was trying to get back on his feet. Selene hit him with a powerful punch. The force caused him to violently tumble across the ground, his lip now busted. Selene dropped to her knees succumbing to the damage Scythe dealt to her body.

“Damn it all,” Selene cloaked her hand in a light blue aura. The gash on her stomach began to heal. She winced as blood continued to drip down her arms. “I can’t afford to let up not now, I’ve got to finish this.” She forced herself back on her feet. Her pale blue eyes lingered on Scythe’s sword as it laid there on the floor after she hit him. She forced herself to move to collect the sword and break it.

“I see,” Scythe got back on his feet. “You’re trying to fight past the pain.” He took out another sword. “Well then,” Selene began to force herself to move toward the sword on the ground. “Let’s see how well you dance.” He fired wind blades at her, Selene dodged them being pushed away from the blade. She jumped from the left to the right, having little time to dodge. She kept trying to get close to the sword but Scythe was protecting it. “You broke one sword but you won’t break a second.” He started walking to his sword that was on the floor. Selene continued to dodge his ranged attacks.

“I can’t let him get that sword.” Selene threw a vial of blood at him. Scythe shot a wind blade at it, cutting the vial and the blood inside it. The blood started to move being manipulated by Scythe. Selene detonated her blood in an attempt to stop him but the explosion struck her instead. She rolled across the floor being blasted back by her own ability,

“I think it’s time,” Scythe picked up the sword that was on the ground. “We put an end to this fight.” He put one of his sword’s away and cut the palm of his hand. “Not to worry,” Selene kept trying to get back on her feet. “This won’t take long.” Scythe kept his words calm. “I like to call this technique. Sacrificial Dragon.”

“What is he-,” Angel began to notice the engraving on Scythe’s sword. It was the engraving of a serpent-like dragon. Scythe’s blood was flowing directly into the engraving like it was being absorbed. Soon after, lighting emerged from the engraving covering his entire blade. It was as if Scythe’s blade had been turned into some kind of powerful lightning rod.

“You see,” Scythe’s sword released sparks of lightning from it. Each spark was like a flash of light so bright it could blind his opponent. “Not only can I manipulate whatever my blade cuts. I can use my own blood to change the element to whatever I please.” Selene got back on her feet forcing herself to stand. “Now let’s see how fast you really are.” Scythe swung his sword, a powerful blade of lighting was shot at her.

“Shit,” Selene jumped out of the way. A bolt of lightning struck from above forcing her to yet again dodge. “He can attack from above too.” Several bolts shot at her, she dodged each one however after she dodged them. Small craters were left in the ground where it struck leaving tiny traces of sparks on the ground. “You won’t beat me so easily,” She kept dodging his attack trying her best to get close to him. While she was evading his attacks, she threw another vial of blood at him, sneaking it past his defense.

“Smart,” Scythe dodged the explosion. “However, not smart e-,” He gasped as a second explosion went off in the cloaking of the first. He blocked being pushed back by it, Selene appeared out the giant cloud of smoke and punched Scythe in the jaw. “Damn you,” He kept trying to push Selene back but she wouldn’t let him. She kept throwing punches at him left and right. She kicked the sand from Fate’s leg weight into Scythe’s eyes, blinding him. She spun and grabbed Scythe’s sword. She tripped him forcing him to fall to the floor.

“That’s two,” Selene broke Scythe’s sword over her leg. The lighting around it dispersed once the blade was broken. “Two more left,” She threw the broken sword aside. She held up her fists as Scythe got back on his feet, The cuts on her arms were starting to heal.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“Clever,” Angel was starting to figure it out. The reason Selene has yet to pass out from blood loss. She’s relying on the second class healer ability. Rapid Regeneration. She was shutting on and off using it in small bursts. The amount of control that would require. It was insane not even first class healers are that good.

The Rapid Regeneration ability allowed the user to heal while they fought. Most Healers who would use this ability all in one go. The duration typically lasts a couple minutes at most. The healing occurs so fast it would seem like they were invincible. The downside to the ability is the aftermath. Once used it resulted in leaving the user completely exhausted. The longer it’s used, the longer it would take for them to replenish their stamina. In short, if they don't finish off the enemy before it expires. It meant defeat for the person using it, they became useless after it’s used up.

In Selene’s case, the results wouldn’t be the same. She was only using Rapid Regeneration to heal what needed to be healed and nothing more. By doing this, the time it would take for her to replenish her stamina would be reduced drastically. This allowed Selene to stay in the fight without becoming worn out. This tactic, it was no easy feat, most would deem it impossible. For Selene to have that much control over her healing abilities. Angel could hardly believe it even Lord Alexander was impressed.

“Fair warning, Selene,” Scythe took out another sword. “The moment I pull out my katana the fight is over.” He spun his blade. “So I suggest you stop breaking my swords.” He kept firing wind blades at her. Selene dodged them, moving closer. Scythe cut his hand, his blade became cloaked in flame. “Let’s dance shall we,” He blew on the blade, shooting a massive fireball at her. He used his second sword to create a dragon made up of wind. “Dance of Dragons.” Scythe smirked. “Wind Dragon,” He shot the serpent-like dragon at her. It moved so fast, it left gashes all over the arena.

“You’ve got to be kidding,” Selene blocked being hit by a powerful gust of wind. She was trapped inside a tornado being cut by the wind around her. “Damn you, Scythe,” Her pale blue eyes shot open. “No,” Scythe cut his palm. His blood turned into flames covering his entire sword. “Let me guess,”

“Fire Dragon,” Scythe created a huge dragon made up of fire. “Burn her alive,” He sent the massive dragon at her. Selene jumped out of the wind funnel as it was turned into a flaming wind tornado burning up everything in its path. The head of the flame dragon emerged from the burning tornado. Its jaws opened as it prepared to devour her in mid air. The blistering flames caught inside its mouth would incerante her in seconds.

“I have to dodge it.” Selene performed a backflip causing the dragon to miss. As a result, it struck the ceiling and exploded. “This is unreal,” Several boulders fell from the explosion falling down on top of her. She kept moving out of the way avoiding the boulders.

“I’m not finished yet,” Scythe jumped and slashed a boulder, cloaking his blade in sand. “Earth Dragon,” He shot a sand dragon at her. The serpent-like dragon opened its jaws unleashing a powerful sand storm to blind her. The dragon crashed into her exploding leaving her caught in a pile of sand. Selene climbed out of the pile, her body almost crushed by the sand. He cut his hand and water cloaked his sword. “Water Dragon,” Scythe created a huge dragon made up of water.

“You are such a pain in the ass,” Selene screamed. The water dragon let out a loud scream and charged at her. She blocked being hit by a massive tidal wave. Selene was forced into the wall being pushed against it by the impact. Her clothes were drenched in water, her hair soaking wet as water kept striking her in the face. She couldn’t move, she was pinned down by water.

“You fought well Selene,” Scythe cut his hand and lightning cloaked his sword. “However, I don’t think you’ll be getting up from this attack.” He smirked. “Now to end it, Lightning Dragon. shot a lightning dragon from his sword. The serpent-like dragon let out a loud screeching sound and changed at her.

“We’ll see about that,” Selene pulled out three vials of her blood. She threw all three of them at the dragon. The explosion was so powerful, it cancelled out Scythe’s attack. Once the dragon was gone. Selene rushed into the smoke using it as cover. She struck Scythe causing him to drop his sword. She picked it up and broke it. “One more sword to go,” She threw the broken sword aside. “Then,” She smirked. “I’m breaking that Katana.” She charged at Scythe.

“I’ve had enough of your games,” Scythe took out his sword and stabbed her in the stomach. He tried to remove his sword but Selene grabbed onto it refusing to let go. She started laughing as blood dripped from her lips.

“Boom, Bitch,” Selene’s blood turned into an explosion. Scythe let go of the sword in order to dodge. The explosion shot her off the sword and caused her to hit the wall. She clashed into it so hard, she bounced off hitting the floor. “I did it, I got ‘em all,” She started to crawl toward Scythe’s last sword as it laid in the middle of the arena. “N-Now I-,” Selene cloaked her hand in a light blue aura slowly healing the wound on her stomach. “J-Just need to,” She forced herself back on her feet. “Break that one sword.”

“I never expected you to push me this far,” Scythe rose to his feet. His body was covered in small bruises. Even after trying to dodge, Scythe was still caught in the blast radius. He placed his hand over his stomach. “No matter,” He cloaked his hand in a light blue aura and started to heal the bruises.

“No way,” Angel couldn’t believe it. Scythe can heal. He never thought someone like Scythe would invest in learning that sort of thing. Lord Alexander began laughing. It was as if the fact that Angel didn’t know this was hilarious to him. “Wait, you knew.”

“Of course,” Lord Alexander answered. “Scythe is what you would consider a jack of all trades. If there’s a skill to be learned. Rest reassured, Scythe’s learned it.” He added. “Though, he may not be as gifted at it as Selene or Fate. He still knows just enough to heal himself. That’s why he never flaunts it.”

“No,” Selene bit her lip in frustration. “You shouldn’t be healing.” She glared at Scythe. “Since when can you-,” She tightened her hand into a fist. “It doesn’t matter,” She took a deep breath. “Heal all you want but that sword is mine.” She ran toward the sword.

“I think not,” Scythe reached into his pouch talking out kunai. He hurled them at her, Selene smirked dodging them. Wait, Scythe’s tactic, Angel noticed each and every time Selene dodged she was moving further from the sword. While Scythe was throwing he was moving closer to the sword.

“I don’t think so,” Selene jumped to the sword. Scythe threw a kunai at another two Kunai while they were in the air. They bounced off each other and were redirected at Selene. She quickly picked shards of diamond that were left from Brandon and Fate’s fight and threw them at the kunai blocking them. Just as she was about to grab the sword, Scythe picked it up.

“Not fast enough, I’m afraid.” Scythe smirked.

“I’d expect no less from you Scythe,” Selene picked one of Scythe’s kunais up. “Still, this fight is far from over.” She charged at him. The moment he tried to catch her hand expecting her to punch him. He cringed as the sharp blade of the kunai stabbed his hand. After stabbing his hand. She spun and kicked Scythe back.

“That’s unfortunate,” Scythe clenched his hand. Hold on, Angel examined the kunais closely. They were cloaked in holy water, which means. Once hit by those kunais they would temporarily prevent the enemy from using their special abilities. Scythe was aiming to disable her but his plan backfired. Selene ran at Scythe punching him at rapid speeds. Scythe blocked with his sword staying on the defense. He went to counter her but she blocked Scythe’s blade leaving a gash on her forearm.

“You’re mine,” Selene drew her fist back and struck Scythe directly in the jaw. She took his sword from him and broke it. Soon after, she ran at him. She kept attacking him relentlessly, refusing to let up even for a second. Scythe kept dodging her attacks, he pulled out a smoke bomb throwing at the ground blinding her.

“I warned you,” Scythe reached back and pulled his Katana from the sheath. The blade was quite long and had designs of a dragon running down it. “This attack should finish you.” He closed his eyes as the sword started to shake.

“I have to stop him,” Selene ran at him, moving as fast as she could.

“Wrath Of The Steel Dragon.” Scythe’s Katana broke in his hand. A giant dragon made entirely of metal formed. It’s eyes were shining like silver, its fangs coated in sharp silver blades. The metal on the ground was quickly being absorbed. Scythe’s broken swords, Fate’s broken swords, and even the kunais.The dragon let out a loud screeching sound that shook the entire arena.

“What the fuck is-,” Selene screamed as another loud screech entered her ears causing her ears to bleed. The dragon charged at her, its jaws wide open. “Now,” She activated Rapid Regeneration the exact moment the dragon’s razor sharp fangs lodged into her stomach. It flung her body into the air, while she was falling. The dragon flew up above her body. “Oh shit,” She blocked as the dragon dispersed above her. It’s giant body turned into thousands of sharp needles, each of them pelting her body like an endless rain. Once the rain of needles finally came to a stop, multiple kunai flew down directly at her. The impact was so great it left a massive explosion, the crater left behind nearly engulfed the arena.

“The fight’s over,” Lord Alexander spoke. Angel stood there in disbelief. The amount of damage dished out by that one attack. It was incredible as strong as Selene is he just knew. There was no way she could get up from it. It hurt to know Selene failed at attaining her dream. Still, she tried but Scythe’s just too powerful.

“You’re right,” Angel let out a defeated sigh. “I should go ahead and,” He was just about to jump down and call the match. The pile of needles left behind from Scythe’s attack began to move little by little. “Can’t be-,” He watched the needles closely.

“Angel,” Scythe spoke. “I believe the match is,” He stopped. His pale jade eyes trapped in shock as Selene came out of the pile of needles. “I’ll be damned, you survived.” She coughed up blood forcing her body to stand. “Still,” He pulled out a smoke bomb. “You’re on your last legs, this’ll be over quickly.”

“D-Don’t count me out,” Selene plucked the needles out of her arms. “Just yet,” She ran at Scythe. “I’m not losing this fight.” Scythe tossed a smoke bomb. The smoke cloud was large enough to cover the entire arena. Angel quickly used a curse that would allow him to see through the smoke clouds but blocked out everything he saw around him.

Inside the smoke, Angel watched as Scythe and Selene exchanged blows. Scythe being reduced to only hand to hand. This put the fight largely in Selene’s favor, however. Selene could barely move, her punches were slower. As each second dragged on, she got weaker and weaker to the point Scythe could easily dodge her attacks. Even so, she wasn’t giving up, she was determined to defeat him.

“Enough,” Scythe spoke quietly. A hidden blade emerged from his sleeve and was pointed at her throat. He had her pinned, the fight was over. Once the smoke cleared, Angel would have to call the fight in Scythe’s favor. However, Scythe had something different in mind. He brought his lips to her ear. Angel used a curse to enhance his hearing so he could hear the words Scythe was whispering to her.

“You fought well Selene, better than I expected.” Scythe’s lips formed a sweet smile. “You’ve earned my respect and my loyalty. I look forward to working with you.” He lowered his blade from her throat. “Commander,” He sheathed his blade. Selene raised her knee striking him lightly in the stomach.

When the smoke cleared, Angel dispelled the curse that allowed him to see through the clouds. Selene stood there while Scythe’s body rested on the floor. To the spectators it would appear that Selene had beaten him. Angel knew the truth, he could speak against it if he wanted but this was Scythe’s wish. He’d honor it.

“The winner of this match is Selene,” Angel lifted Selene’s arm. While Scythe was lying on the ground. He saw a smile appear on his face. He crouched down while Selene left to treat her wounds. “Let me guess, you never wanted to be commander did you?” Scythe forced himself to stand.

“No, that was never part of the plan.” Scythe answered. “I was only participating to make sure whoever got it was worthy of my services.” He dusted himself off. “It may not seem it but we too have a choice as to who we serve.” He placed his hand on Angel’s shoulder. “You may not know it but even you were tested long before we met.”

“Scythe,” Fate ran up to him. “I know what you did,” He pointed at him. “I saw that smile.” Scythe began laughing like he thought Fate was telling a joke. This came as no surprise to Angel. Fate being Scythe’s most seasoned student. It made sense that he would be the first to notice when Scythe is faking defeat.

“What smile?” Scythe asked. “Selene beat me.”

“No, No,” Fate shook his head. “She did not. You threw the fight,” He pointed at Scythe. “Admit it.” Scythe let out a yawn. “I know you and if you really wanted to. You could have beat Selene.” He crossed his arms. “Scythe,” Scythe started walking away from him. “Don’t you walk away from me.” He walked after him. “He could have avenged me and kicked Brandon’s ass. This is some bullshit.” He yelled. “I swear you are the worst, you can’t even defend your boyfriend’s honor.”

Now that Selene’s fight against Scythe is over. That only left one more match, the finals. Brandon vs . Selene. Brother against Sister. The match was bound to be intense. Neither one of them were good at holding back. Especially when it came to fighting each other. Angel knew he was going to have his hands full watching this next fight...