There was a stare down between Brendan and my unit, the tension in the air had increased and the temperature was still relatively low because of Ibiki. I couldn’t help but wonder why some were gifted with the raw power to channel the very nature of the elements and others could use sacred powers from talismans.

“Rex, Lin, combo, like you did on Fang,” ordered Ibiki. “Finn boasters and slow that Ursus down.” He was thinking very hard how to take down Brendan, but it wasn’t going to be easy

Rex scraped his polearm against the ground, practically carving the giant boulders he’d used on me. Lin summoned more daggers, throwing three on each, compared to the single one she’d used on mine; this was going to be big.

Rex just tapped the now floating boulders, and they went flying, that was some manipulation ability he had, each one sparking with Lin’s power, as they got closer, it exploded, but Brendan didn’t move. Then a second one and a third, in fast intervals of each other.

Brendan lifted his claymore, slicing each one in half, neutralising the lightning aspect which was the main explosive element.

Finn’s body glowed green as Rex and Edge went into attack, their movements were faster, but only by a small fraction and even so for Brendan as his movements became sluggish. It was obviously a strain to cast multiple targets with his ability.

Brendan’s movements may have been slowed down, but he was still vastly powerful, swinging his claymore was all he really needed to do as Edge tried to defend, not the smartest of the bunch as he soon went flying.

Rex on the other hand, jumped back a little, then thrust with his polearm, a much longer reach then most, but Brendan’s claymore wasn’t exactly a short sword. He twisted forward on one leg, rising his claymore high, then smashing it down. Rex avoided the physical attack, but the earth shook rising in pillars, catching him off guard, and sending him off flying too.

Brendan glared at Finn with the usual kill glare of the Ursus which shut him down. Kiba and Ibiki came in next. Ibiki swiping at him, left, right, then moved back a little for Kiba to come in. Kiba twisted round, catching his attention as he purposefully struck the claymore, Ibiki’s ice formed at his feet, preventing him from being thrown aside. He then reached for the ribbon, inches away.

“Again Edge!” Shouted Ibiki.

Edge ran at Brendan; in response he summoned forth earth to stop him from getting closer, Edge jumped over it and Brendan.

I watched strangely fascinated, there was a large aura of fire building around his entire body, then there was a huge explosion. I wondered why he hadn’t used that against me, but unlike my fight where everyone was quite close, everyone was some distance from Brendan and Ibiki had summoned a thick wall to protect Kiba. Were they waiting for this?

Everyone jumped into the smoke, thinking they could take Brendan by surprise.

“You know that advance skill Brendan was trying to master?” Athena casually asked.

“Which one?” I wanted her to verify.

“The earth technique where you can sense vibrations through the earth,” she smiled as I nodded. “He figured it out yesterday.”

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“Oh.” Both Athena and I flinched as we heard clangs, bangs, and crashes. “What the heck is he doing to them?”

“You’re not worried about Brendan?”

“Nope,” I responded. “Ursus are brutes and Brendan is no different when he does fight.”

“Only thanks to you,” commented Athena. “He’s become so strong just for me.” I glanced at her, was she blushing. “I think it is over.”

The smoke cleared before I could come up with a response. Brendan was stood proudly in the centre unmoved, my unit all knocked out at his feet.

“Good enough for you Fang!” shouted Brendan.

“You could have left them conscious,” I descended towards him, Athena just behind.

“What fun would that have been,” smirked Brendan. “You did say there were no rules, that I could do anything to them as long as I stopped them from getting their hands on this ribbon.” He pulled it loose and handed it over. “I won.”

“It wasn’t a game,” I sighed.

“Looked like it to me,” shrugged Brendan. “They should wake up in about an hour.” He let out a little laugh.

“I suppose it’s my own fault. I should have been more specific,” I said, realising my mistake.

“I would have still knocked them out,” admitted Brendan. I let out another sigh. “That was fun, if you need me to beat them up again just ask.” Brendan laughed again before heading off. “I’m heading home for some lunch.”

“Thanks Brendan.”

“Later Fang.” Athena followed after Brendan.

“Wait.” I reached my hand out, but he wasn’t going to stop. They’d get to have lunch with mum, while I had to wait for them to wake up. I let out a long sigh knowing I couldn’t leave them. I sat down at the centre of the carnage Brendan had wrought. “Mila check them all over.”

“Yes master.” Mila appeared, sat next to me, holding out her hand as water moved around spreading all over their bodies.

“Well,” I glanced at her.

“They are unharmed master, at the peak of their physical fitness.” She looked up at me with the cutest smile. “Want me to check you next master?”

“No thank you Mila.” I smiled giving her a hug, she was just so cute.

“Master.” She innocently looked up at me.

“Yes, Mila.”

“Are you sure your happy with just giving Tigra your betrothal gift?” she questioned.

“For now, yes,” I nodded.

“But you’re both tied together through the fates of destiny, through the past, future and the present,” said Mila.

“What do you mean?” I asked wanting her to verify, her words weren’t simply a comment.

“Mila,” hissed Raziel.

“Sorry,” she bowed before disappearing.

“What was that about?” I raised an eyebrow.

“A secret for future events master,” responded Raziel.

“So, you’re not going to tell me?” I said, he just shook his head. I glared at him, but he still did not budge on the matter. “Fine.” I snorted.

“There are many things our first master told us to keep secret until the time comes,” added Raziel. “Unfortunately, it may be some time before you understand your true purpose.”

“You’re talking about the awakening.” I didn’t need to hear anymore to know what he was talking about.

“Indeed,” he nodded.

“I wonder when it’ll happen?” I was frustrated that everything revolved around this awakening business. Perhaps if dad was here, he could have helped me uncover why I had not received it. “What to do now?”

“Wait,” smirked Raziel.

“Right.” I let out a little laugh as I remembered I couldn’t go anywhere without my knocked-out team.