Aaron stood there staring at the demon trying to form some kind of plan as the Horn sounded. The demon lifted his sword off his shoulder with one hand while Aaron quickly Drew his swords and activated fire blade. The demon lunged forward swinging his sword forcing him to jump back. The force of from the swing sent him back further then he was expecting almost halfway across the arena his body changing back to Enae’s form.

Aaron quickly activated firewall to slow or even stop the demons movements. The demon swung it’s sword absorbing the flame’s from Aarons firewall.

Aaron stood there shocked, “Really!”

He quickly shook it off as the demon charged at him again. Aaron used shadow step lunging at the demon from the side and activated twin blade. His blades cut into the demons side as it continued its swing around.

Aaron quickly blocked but could not stop from being thrown through the air again. He landed on his back a few yards away as the demon brought his sword back to the ready. Aaron quickly got to his feet unsteadily as the demon began another charge.

Aaron used shadow step to get to the other side of the arena trying to think of what to do. Then he remembered the demon from earlier using the ink like slash. The demon came charging at him again raising his arm for another swing.

Aaron activated demonic slash sending out a wave of fire at the demon. He quickly stabbed his sword into the ground the flat of the blade facing the flames. The fire struck the demons sword bing absorbed but pushing him back.

Aaron continued to send demonic slashes at the demon pushing him back towards the arenas wall. Aaron stopped as his mana bar had just under twenty five percent remaining. The demon was against the wall the stones cracking behind his back. He pulled the sword out of the ground with both his hands while breathing heavily.

Aaron readied for his next attack as the demon raised his sword above his head. It began to burn brightly from the absorbed flames. The demon brought down his sword sending a massive wave of fire across the arena.

__ ___ __

Kraet watched as the fight went on worrying about Aaron. She watched he was sent flying blocking the demon’s sword. She winced as he crashed to the ground while her father laughed.

“This should be the lads last fight, I almost expected more from him.”

Kraet turned angrily towards him, “you are wrong Aaron will win…”

“I’m sorry but you are wrong my dear.” He gestured to the arena with his hand.

She watched as Aaron continued to throw demonic slashes at his opponent, the flames being absorbed by the giant sword.

"what are you thinking Aaron! He will send it right back at you…”

She continued to watch as Aaron stopped his assault. The demon quickly pulled out the sword and swung it launching a wave of fire across the arena. She almost turned away as the flame reached Aaron. It almost looked like he was engulfed in the flames but vanished.

The flames continued to burn across the arena as the demon began to laugh thinking it was his win. Suddenly Aaron appeared at the demons side already using his twin blades skill hacking away at the demons arms. He jumped back as the demon kicked at him while dropping the sword to the ground.

__ ___ __

The demon stood there with his arms limp at his sides starring at him with burning hatred. Aaron jumped aside dodging another kick while sheathing one of his swords and drawing a knife. The demon put his foot back down while readying his other foot for another kick.

Aaron quickly threw his knife at the foot supporting the demon as he threw another kick. The demon jumped back up into the air dodging the blade only to receive a demonic slash across the chest sending him rolling across the arena. Aaron walked forward and stopped in front of the demon as he was trying to get to his feet.

The demon looked up at Aaron shame crossing his face before spitting blood at Aaron. Aaron just shook his head as the demon’s blue blood landed on his armored boot before slamming the bottom of his swords hilt into the demons skull.

Aaron stepped back as the demon fell face first to the ground unconscious. He quickly looked at the crowded seats that began to boo again but with a few more cheers then earlier. Around his feet the black smoke began to rise again sending him back to his holding room.

Once back in the holding room he noticed the knife he had thrown was at his feet so he picked it up. As he was standing up again he noticed the massive sword from the demon also was in the room leaning against the wall next to the knife he had kicked into the corner earlier.

Enae appeared again standing next to him as he sat down at the bench.

“good work Aaron…”

Aaron nodded as he began to feel the games numbing pain from his hand. Aaron had barely managed to get away from the flames that were sent back at him. He quickly began using the holy hand spell but stopped as the ceiling began to glow. On the ceiling was another magic circle but made up of multiple layers of rings.

As it stopped glowing a piece of paper drifted down from the ceiling. Aaron stared at it as it landed on the ground in front of him.

“what do you think it is?” Aaron asked Enae.

“I don’t sense any magic from it.”

Aaron slowly grabbed the paper before unraveling it noticing that it was a letter.

To human pest,

If you have received this letter you have either tried to use holy magic or a potion to heal yourself. Well to bad you won’t be able to heal yourself for the entire tournament thanks to my magic circle. Oh and if you try to whine about it to our dear chosen or any other demon just remember this tournament has no rules. I hope you don’t disappoint me or the demon lord.

From he Demon Lords hand,

Spaazara

P.S. I hope you last long enough so I can kill you myself

Aaron stared at the letter as furry began to build.

As he looked back at the paper it burst into flame making him drop it and jump back.

[“That bastard… just wait…”]

[Kraet worriedly asked, “what is it Aaron?!”]

Enae continued to read the letter over his shoulder her face turning red.

[“Spaazara rigged my holding room with a magic circle…”]

[“What kind of…”]

[He created a magic canceler! Aaron can’t heal himself now…” Enae shouted with rage through their connection]

[“What!”]

Aaron attempted to use the holy hand again his hand glowing and mana dropping but nothing else happened. He quickly stopped to let his mana regenerate the rest of the way.

“It wont work Aaron.” Enae said sadly.

“I was just making sure…”

“I should have noticed it earlier… it must have been inactive or detection canceler.”

“don’t worry about it…”

“Don’t Worry! Aaron you wont be able to heal for the rest of the tournament.”

[“Aaron I’m sorry we cant enter the holding room once the tournament has started.”]

He listened to them a while longer as they continued to worry about him Kris even hopped in and gave her spiel about not trusting demons. Eventually they quieted down as Aaron continued to wait for his next match his anger continuing to grow.

After another hour or so the magic circle began to glow again. Aaron got up and stepped onto the circle transporting him to the arena again. Across from him stood a demon in soldier’s armor that was dented and missing its helmet.

Aaron drew one of his swords while the demon readied a spear. The horn sounded and Aaron used shadow step getting within arms reach. This surprised the demon giving him enough time to grab the spear with his free hand. While kicking the demon between the legs with his armored boot a hidden knife sticking out.

The demon released the spear howling in pain and reaching for the wound. Aaron quickly spun the spear slamming it into the side of the demons head sending him to his back. The demon stared up at Aaron in fear as Aarons eye glowed a bright red.

Stepping forward he quickly struck the demon in the forehead with the bottom of the spear. The demons eyes rolled up into his head falling unconscious from the blow. Aaron stepped back still holding the spear.

This time the crowd did not cheer or boo they were deathly quiet as the two Aaron and the demon vanished in black smoke.

__ ___ __

Sitting in the crowed Crazed sneered having watched Aarons match with pure joy from Aarons hatred. Next to him sat a cloaked necromancer and one of Mots demons disceyesedd as one of the city’s merchants. Crazed wore pure black armor under a cloak and covered his face with a demonic mask.

“I can’t wait till she is mine.”

The demon turned to him, “whom are you talking about sir?”

“oh that women that just won the match of course.”

The necromancer chuckled, “that woman seems like the weakest…”

Crazed stared angrily at his companion.

“would you like to face her since a number of your companions have fallen to her blades.”

“ah no sir I would leave her to you since you wish to own her.”

“Good man there may be a chance for you yet.”

The demon shook his head, “I’ve heard that the tournaments been rigged by the this pathetic clans demon lord so that she faces the top contenders in every match.”

“well if I cant have her alive I could always keep her around as a undead slave.” Crazed chuckled.

Crazed looked back to the arena and watched as Spaazara chopped a young demon to pieces. Spaazara lifted the dead demons head off the ground shaking it in the air as it disintegrated the crowed roaring with cheers.

Another demon passed by handing the group a note while continuing on down the steps.

The demon opened it and read before handing it over to Crazed.

“Looks like we have our way into the Demon Lords pathetic party tomorrow night.” The demon smiled.

Crazed sniggered, “Yes it sure does.” He quickly ripped apart the note before burning it.

The necromancer nodded, “it also looks like my order is finished and ready with our undead forces.”

“perfect.” Crazed said with anticipation.

__ ___ __

Kraet Sat there staring with bitter hatred at Spaazara who was just rapping up his match. The demon lord silently clapping at her side.

“A great match is it not?” he asked Kraet.

She sat there quietly staring at the Arena.

The demon lord looked at her, “He would be a splendid partner for you.”

“I will not accept him!”

“You have declined all the other’s offers, but this one is the last one you cannot turn down.”

“I will not accept it, I will choose my own partner.”

“Ah is this about that human that you found the other day.”

“Father…”

“This human shall die today.”

“why Father he is a chosen?!”

“That is precisely why! If the chosen are brought back together there will we another great war…”

“There already is war father.”

“Do not question me!” he sighed, “you are just like your mother…”

“We are both chosen.”

He nodded while watching the next fight, “yes you both are chosen but…”

“She would also wish…”

“Silence! You will do as I tell you… one day you and your selected partner will rule the clan and…”

Kraet ignored him watching the fight finish with the wining demon flying around creating a small tornado in the arena slicing apart its prey.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

__ ___ __

Aaron continued to wait for his next match watching the match and talking to the goddesses. After a while the magic circle began to glow again and Aaron quickly followed the routine stepping onto it and being sent to the arena.

This time a female demon stood a short distance away with a sword whip in hand. She wore a skimpy outfit making her look lake a succubus Aaron thought. He quickly slid his swords out of their sheaves and activated fire blade.

She grinned and started to do a weird dance causing Aaron to stare for a moment in confusion. He quickly used shadow step to get to her side and kicked her legs out from under her. She fell back but used her hands to flip back to her feet almost two yards away going for her whip.

Aaron quickly cast fireball while charging at her. She quickly dodged it jumping to her side while flipping her whip out and back towards him. he quickly jumped to the side trying to deflect the blow with his sword but it still cut into his cheek.

Aaron continued to fight her dodging her whip and using shadow step to get in close but never managed to get in a good position. After a few more of her attacks he received a few more small cuts until he finally nocked the whip from her hand. She continued to back away from him until he used shadow step to get behind her and hit the back of her head with his hilt.

He continued to fight like this throughout the day with the time between fights getting shorter and shorter. He continued to receive injuries through out the day but never had his health drop bellow seventy five percent. Until in the late afternoon his match with Spaazara came.

Aaron had just appeared in the arena and saw Spaazara standing in front of him smiling. Aaron’s anger grew once again while he quickly drew his swords and activated fire blade.

Spaazara laughed, “it looks like you found my little present.”

Aaron continued to stare at him.

“ah don’t give me that and here I was trying to make it easier on you so you don’t have to suffer as much.”

The horn sounded and Aaron was about to use shadow step when Spaazara vanished. Aaron was about to turn when he was sent flying from Spaazara’s kick. Aaron slammed into the ground before continuing to roll across the arena. He quickly got to his feet as Spaazara walked towards him.

“your this weak and you made it this far what a joke.”

He vanished again so Aaron used Shadow step to get above the arena in a free fall trying to spot Spaazara. He spotted him as he looked up and vanished Aaron quickly activated Shadow step again and to get back down in the arena his back against the wall. Spaazara appeared to his left and threw a jar of poison. Aaron jumped to the side as the jar shattered against the wall.

Aaron turned to face Spaazara but he was not there. Aaron turned in time to see Spaazara swinging his sword at him. he quickly brought up his swords to block the swing. Aaron was slammed into the wall as one of his swords broke. Aaron shadow stepped across the arena to get some distance.

“Keep running pest.”

Spaazara appeared right in front of Aaron as he was drawing one of his long knives to replace the broken sword. He quickly dodged another swing from the great sword. Aaron continued to dodge and block swing after swing as Spaazara came at him. slowly Aaron was able to read his moves allowing him to get a few of his own swings in.

Spaazara vanished again and Aaron jumped while turning to face an oncoming attack. He managed to dodge Spaazara’s surprise attack giving him an opening. Aaron quickly tackled Spaazara while trying to stab him with his long knife but was unable to brake through his armor.

Spaazara grabbed him with both arms and began to knee his exposed stomach causing him to drop his weapons. Aaron tried to break free before he spat in Spaazara’s face. He quickly started to head butting him repeatedly gouging Spaazara’s face and neck with his new horns.

__ ___ __

Kraet watched worriedly as Aaron’s match with Spaazara started. She watched in horror as he was kicked across the arena. The demon lord laughed watching as Spaazara beat Aaron in Enae’s form to a pulp.

“this look’s like it will be a short fight.”

“Aaron will turn this around.”

The demon lord turned to his daughter.

“He is going to lose and this fight tournament will finalize your partnership with Spaazara.”

“I will do no such thing.”

“watch as the human pest is finished off.”

Aaron dodged a vile of poison before blocking an attack from Spaazara. Soon Aaron was being forced back blow after blow.

“it will be finished any moment now.”

“Not the way you think father.”

He looked away from the match for a moment looking at Kraet before turning back. Aaron was now head Butting Spaazara repeatedly gouging him.

“See Spaazara is going to loss this.”

The demon lord stared at the scene in anger.

__ ___ __

Spaazara continued to back up holding his throat and chanting something. Aaron readied to use Shadow step when three death hounds were summoned. He quickly took a few steps back beginning to worry about what to do next.

The death hounds began to circle around Aaron as he looked back and forth looking for the first attacker. The first hound behind him lunged at Aaron aiming for his neck. He quickly jumped to the side while cutting off one of the hounds legs with his long knife. As the hound landed in a heap the next one lunged at him.

Aaron quick ducked under the hound bringing up his sword to cut open its stomach. As the hound went over him it intestines landing on Aaron covering him in rotting flesh. He quickly got to his feet as the next one came at him.

Aaron quickly leaned to the side the hound’s claws grazing him his health dropping bellow fifty percent. He quickly dodged the third hound while swinging for the split open hounds neck. The blade severed the hound’s head killing it.

Aaron turned back to the next hound coming at him but instead of dodging he brought his sword up in front of him. he quickly stabbed it into the hound as it was charging him. The blade buried itself deep into the hound’s chest while sending Aaron to his back.

Aaron quickly rolled out from under the disintegrating hound while pulling his sword out. The hound with one of its legs missing tried to jump at him but missed allowing Aaron to cut another of its legs off.

Aaron was about to finish off the hound as Spaazara appeared right next to him bringing down a dagger at his chest. He quickly jumped out of the way into the oncoming hounds charge.

It lunged at his throat sending him to the ground and his sword flying. Aaron was pinned as the hound continued to snap at his face. He began to stab into the hound repeatedly with his long knife as it clawed away at his armor and exposed flesh.

Aaron finally stabbed his blade into it’s chest again guessing it was near the things heart and twisted the knife. The dog howled in agony before dropping down on him. he quickly pushed the dog off him and struggled to his feet.

Aaron quickly looked around seeing the last hound trying to crawl with two leg’s but not Spaazara. He was beginning to turn when he felt something stab into his back. Aaron quickly shadow stepped to behind above Spaazara and stabbed into his neck while forcing him to the ground.

Aaron noticed his health bar was now flashing an orange red as he prepared for another swing. Spaazara quickly elbowed him nocking the blade from is hand. Now weaponless Aaron rapped his arms around Spaazara’s neck and tightened his grip chocking him.

Spaazara became frantic elbowing and trying to toss him. Aaron quickly locked his legs around him and continued to receive the blows. Soon they rolled and Aaron was starting to be crushed by Spaazara’s weight. He quickly tightened his grip even more until Spaazara’s blows and movements began to slow and eventually stop.

He kept his grip around Spaazara’s throat a while longer to make sure he wasn’t faking it before releasing his grip. Aaron quickly lifted Spaazara up as much as he could before sliding out.

Aaron quickly took a few steps back and began using holy hand to heal himself but it also burned him from his new demonic traits. Looking around he noticed the last hound had bleed out and was now disintegrating.

Slowly he looked back at Spaazara black smoke began to rise around him and Aaron. He quickly stepped forward but found himself in his holding room. Aaron began to curse at himself for not finishing him.

__ ___ __

Kraet covered her mouth with her hand to keep herself form shouting out to Aaron as she watched him struggling against the death hounds. Her father sat there smiling away as he watched.

“I told you my dear it was only a matter of time.”

She didn’t say a word back fearing what would happen next. She almost cried out as Aaron was sent onto his back for a second time. But was happy to see him finally get back up from the hounds attack.

Then she noticed Spaazara appear behind Aaron while drawing a knife.

This time she cried out as Aaron was stabbed in the back.

“Aaron no…”

The demon lord was about to shout something at her but stopped seeing Aaron vanish and appear above Spaazara stabbing his own blade. They fell on the ground, which began a short brawl leading to Aaron chocking the Spaazara.

The Demon lord growled, “you fool you almost had him.”

Kraet smiled as Aaron got out from under Spaazara and stood as the victor.

“I told you father Aaron would win.”

“he was lucky… besides he wont make it through the final rounds with those injury’s.”

Kraet watched sadly as Aaron once again vanished.

__ ___ __

Enae appeared as he let himself fall onto the bench. Her face was covered in fear and worry.

“Aaron there… there’s a knife sticking out of your back.”

Aaron quickly looked over his shoulder while feeling around for Spaazara’s dagger. Once he found it he pulled it out howling as the games numbing pain increased. Dropping the dagger he quickly rummaged in his pack and grabbed out his remaining bandages.

“My dear Aaron…” she tried to comfort him but her arm went strait through him.

Aaron looked sadly at her as he quickly began to bandage his wounds the best he could but it was still awkward. As he finished he looked at his health bar, which was now over forty fiver percent. Looking across the room Spaazara’s Great sword was now added to the collection against the wall while his sword and long knife sat on the ground in the magic circle.

“I actually beat him…” Aaron said to himself.

“barely Aaron it was practically a draw.”

He quickly picked up his blades and put them back in their Sheaf’s while listening to Enae.

Aaron barely waited almost ten minutes when the circle began to glow again. Aaron completed another to matches against opponents that weren’t even close to being as strong as Spaazara. During the beginning and before they were surrounded by the teleportation smoke Aaron healed himself to just over eighty percent.

When the second match ended only the demon vanished in smoke giving Aaron a bit more time to heal. Then Aaron froze where he stood as the demon he watched earlier with fascination appeared. The demon that used a ink like demonic strike.