Date: Saturday November 24th 2017

  In a voice that Helo feels resonate throughout the entire arena he hears, “OHHHH, what a great first round between the combatants. Now we are on to the second round where it has turned into a two on one match!”

  Looking at Dorimer who is smirking and sneering at the same time, Helo thinks that his face seems a little disfigured. With a groan he takes his neutral stance and bears his naginata. His reserves are running low and even before the fight his aura felt strained due to Dorimers father putting pressure on him with his own aura.

  With a small flash of inspiration Helo draws energy from his boxers. Feeling his reserves fill back up he ‘Inspects’ his boxers and sees that they still hold around five-hundred-units of energy. His own energy reserves are ten times his vitality and wisdom stat so they are five-hundred-twenty.

  Still feeling sore and taxed, but filled with energy Helo gets ready to start fighting again. He can tell from Dorimer’s limp that he has low endurance and vitality. This is great for Helo but also means that his mana must be much higher than he initially expected.

  Watching the golem move carefull Helo tenses as he sees Dorimer’s hand flare with a golden light. Not sure if he should feel annoyed or relieved Helo watches as Dorimer heals his leg wound. That has to be all his skills, Healing, Lance, Bolt, Chant, Movement and Finisher. Helo thinks to himself as he rolls to the side. Now that Dorimer is no longer using the golem to stand, it is attacking him.

  Getting to his feet Helo bats aside a bolt and rolls back the way he came. He is moving around to keep the golem between himself and Dorimer. The golem seems to be a simple construct and only capable of physical attacks. For a mage like Dorimer it is a great meat shield. But against Helo its slow movements make it a shield for him as well.

  Ducking under a swipe of the golem’s arm Helo stabs his naginata forward in a thrust. Using just a touch of his bloodline Helo hopes to dissipate the golem. As the naginata spear tip gets wrapped in dark energy the body of the golem is obstructing everyone view. By now they all know that Helo has an aura, so he feels more comfortable using his bloodline’s abilities, especially if it is covered from sight.

  To Helo’s surprise the spear tip digs into the golem and stops abruptly. This is the first time that Helo has had issues with his bloodline attacks. This must be what Micah meant when he told me that it wouldn’t always be so easy. A while ago during training Helo was having issues cutting his enemy and complained that his naginata blade would be better if he was allowed to use his bloodline. In argument he was told that his bloodline wouldn’t always be all powerful and that it is only another tool to help him fight.

  Wincing at his failed stab Helo tries to pull out the blade only for it to catch. Shouting in worry he can feel as another blow comes around from the golem. Partially dodging the blow Helo loses his naginata and gets thrown away.

  “OH, and it seems like the first hit of this round goes to Dorimer, well his golem.” The commentator shouts out to the arena. “Don’t worry Helo, penetration issues are common among men. Well older men, sorry for your issues buddy.”

  With a fang filled snarl Helo gets to his feet and glares toward the commentator. “My bad.” He hears in an amplified but quite voice, before the crowd burst into laughter.

  As the crowd is laughing Dorimer starts another chant, this time he is using it to empower his barrage skill. Frantically looking around for his naginata Helo sees it about twenty-meters to his right. Activating ‘Dashing Lunge’ with everything he has Helo almost stumbles due to the skill. To his right an enhanced ‘Light Bolt Barrage’ is coming his way and Helo has to block a bolt on his bracer. While moving the world seems to shrink slightly and Helo arrives in front of his weapon with a stumble.

  Picking up the blade in shock Helo turns in time to duck another blow and step to the side. Behind him the barrage of light strikes the wall and grass. The residual heat lights some of the grass on fire and it seems to burn out quickly.

  Trying to use the last moments of his ‘Dashing Lunge’, Helo is surprised to find that whatever movement skill he used it was only for a single step.

  Narrowly dodging another fist Helo make it the side of the golem to see Dorimer charging another ‘Light Lance’. Grunting in annoyance Helo dives back the way he came to put the golem between them. This continues for another few minutes before Helo realizes that the golem is slowing, like the elementals he fought with his team his aura seems to be seeping away its energy and not allowing it to recover well.

  Focusing his aura directly on the golem, Helo can tell that it is getting effected even more by the rays of light that are shining out of the golem. Due to his aura being focused it is no longer affecting Dorimer’s attacks. This forces Helo to start using his ‘AfterBlock’ technique to block and parry more of the bolts.

  While Helo is dodging for his life Dorimer is casually walking around the back of the golem and charging a ‘Light Bolt Barrage’ before stepping out and sending them. He repeats this process over and over thinking that he is going to wear Helo out. Dorimer doesn’t know that Helo has been using his boxers to recharge his energy. His body, mind, and aura are all strained. But he still has energy reserves.

  Blocking another barrage and stepping around the golem Helo slashes across its chest and uses his ‘Forced Still’ skill. This time Helo pushed his bloodline into the skill and he watches as the golem freezes in place. While frozen the golem isn’t able to fight against Helo’s aura and starts to disintegrate.

  Dorimer has no idea what Helo did, all he felt was a small wave of power before the golem froze. Letting his aura do it’s work Helo uses ‘Dashing Lunge’ and steps onto the frozen arm of the golem. Taking a hand off his weapon Helo digs his nails into the golems shoulder and leaps over the golem. Planting his feet on the back of the frozen energy construct Helo uses his ‘Dashing Lunge’ to push off directly toward Dorimer.

  He is moving to fast and at an awkward angle, to bring his weapon around, but Helo shoulder check Dorimer in the chest and Helo hears a loud “UMPFF” as Dorimer losses his breath. Up above Helo can hear the commentator going wild as Helo and Dorimer go sprawling across the ground.

  Quickly getting to his feet Helo has some lingering pain from the golem’s strike but with his energy reserves filled by his underwear, Helo is good to go. Using the final moment of ‘Dashing Lunge’, Helo lunges for Dorimer and sends out a wide arcing blow that is filled with his ‘Bleeding Cut’ skill.

  The blade slams into a ‘Light Screen’ that Dorimer used and after a moment it crashes through. The blade that was aimed for his chest, veered up from the screen and lands a cut along his forehead. The cut continues to bleed into Dorimer’s eyes and down his face.

  Feeling good about his strike Helo steps forward with a snarl. Feeling like victory is in hand he is forgetting about Micah’s training. His prey is on the ground and screaming, while holding onto his profusely bleeding face.

  As Helo steps forward he suddenly gets a warning of instinct and leaps back. A pillar of light slams down on Helo’s legs and sears through his joggers. Thankfully Helo’s boxers kept himself decent and safe. But the ‘Light’s Judgment’ did drain the last of the energy.

  Falling on the ground with a cry of pain Helo bites through his lip to keep himself focused. Looking down he can see his skin is burnt off and his legs are in terrible condition. They are not even bleeding because the heat from the skill cauterized his wounds.

  Curling up in pain Helo is about to lose himself when he hears Dorimer laughing from the ground ten-feet away. “HAHAH You think I would lose to a disgusting beast like you. HA!”

  Due to Helo’s split bloodline and the fact that in his natural state the dark aspect is dominate, light damage in incredibly affective against Helo’s body. The energy in his body that would normally fight against an attack, got quickly beaten by Dorimer’s light attack. A large skill like the one he used, is able to deal a powerful and continuous stream of damage.

  Hearing Dorimer laughing Helo snaps and his bloodline flares to life. Wisps of dark energy rise around him and his fangs and claws elongate, they went from the size that you might expect on a unique human, to something closer to that of an enraged beast-kin.

  Lunging forward before Dorimer can fully clear his eyes, Helo gets the drop on him and tackles him to the ground. His nails dig into Dorimer’s flesh and start drawing in small amounts of vitality.

  Over the course of a few seconds Dorimer is savaged by Helo. Helo is barely able to keep himself from biting Dorimer in his pain filled fog. But he has a fang filled grin as he hears his prey’s screams.

  His legs are starting to heal but the damage is intense and filled with light energy. Over the next few moments Helo starts to gain his sanity back and his eyes go from a deep red to a golden. The gold isn’t as bright but all the energy he is absorbing from Dorimer’s blood is going directly to combating the light energy.

  To Helo’s surprise his joggers heal before his legs do. Standing on his now covered legs Helo can feel a burning pain in his legs. He didn’t drain enough blood to fully heal; it was only enough to return his sanity.

  Stumbling to his dropped weapon, Helo picks it up and goes back over the Dorimer. Standing over his Helo listens as Dorimer screams in pain and hatred. “You think this means anything! Your just some monster! I will never surrender to you! I won’t be your slave! I am a descendant of the Celestial Elves!”

  Locking eyes with his fallen prey, Helo can see the insanity hidden within his prey’s mind. He is convinced that Helo can’t kill him and his hatred is so great that he refuses to see any reason as Helo lifts his blade.

  With a shrug and very little fucks to give Helo’s blade descends toward Dorimer’s throat.

  Right before he is about to kill the elf an aura descends over the arena and a massive ‘Light Bolt’ slams into Helo’s chest. A loud crack resounds through the arena and Helo is sent back into the wall.

  Another aura overpowers the previous one and the tree’s come alive. Instead of smacking into the powerful trees like an egg on concrete, the trees bend and use their leaves to cushion Helo’s flight.

  Coughing up blood Helo looks up as a shadow crosses his vision. Micah is standing over him, with a wave of his hand a wall of spears surrounds the two. Cutting his hand Micah holds it over Helo’s mouth and squeezes. The drop of tier 3 blood hits Helo’s lips and a ravenous hunger takes him over. The amount of energy in the blood was more than anything Helo has ever felt. His need is pushed down by some innate survival instinct cause Helo can feel how that single drop of blood is almost overpowering his body’s ability to absorb vitality.

  His wounds heal in a flash of agony as the powerful vitality floods his body and then overwhelms it. It only lasts a moment before the blood is gone. Releasing the tension in his body Helo sighs in relief. Micah seeing that Helo is okay waves his hand again and the wall of spears disappears.

  Micah reaches down to pull him to his feet. With another burst of mana Helo’s destroyed haori mends itself. His undershirt isn’t as lucky because it doesn’t have the BrightMoon ‘Tri-Enchant’ on it. Looking down at the kid, Micah laughs before using some mana and transitioning his haori into a sweatshirt.

  The crowd is in uproar for a few reasons. First, Victious interfered and attack Helo. Second, the crowd assumes Micah used an extremely powerful potion to heal Helo. Third, the crowd now thinks that Helo is some kind of beast-kin. Fourth, the teenage women and cougars in the crowd as blushing and nodding at Helo’s bare chest.

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  Getting his bearings Helo looks around to see everyone watching the center of the arena with excitement. Victious and Graham are in another’s faces and yelling at one another. Bernard is standing between them and using his control within his domain to have the arena walls snake some of their branches between the men.

  Looking down at Helo, Micah says. “Well kid, this should be good.” Giving him a wink and turning with a shrug that could have been a concealed laugh, they both walk back to the center of the ring.

  The men in the center are arguing and Victious is pouring a vial down his son’s throat. Taking a look around Helo can see that they are being watched by the entire stadium and their images are being posted around the area.

  “I demand that you remove the recordings, this instant!” Victious whisper shouts at Bernard.

  Holding his hands out to his side in a ‘what can I do’ gesture he says, “Were in the middle of an arena, what do you expect.”

  Victious appears to get even more angry but he also seems to realize that Bernard is right. Turning to walk out he is stopped by his son, who is healed and now angry. “That wasn’t fair! I demand a rematch! I didn’t lose to that pathetic bottem feeder!” He shouts at Bernard as his father walks past.

  “The rules are the rules, you were about to receive a killing blow. You refused to surrender. Then, you were saved by your father.” Bernard says to him in a calm voice. “Any interference on behalf of an individual in a duel, means that individual forfeits and is declared the loser.”

  “You think those rules apply to me! I am above those rules! The fight never ended so I never lost.” Dorimer snarls back.

  “Sorry kiddo, thems the rules.” Micah says with a smirk. He gets a side eyed glare from Bernard because he isn’t helping the situation. “That might be how things work in your clan territory, where everybody is too scared to tell your pompous ass no. But here, your daddy can’t save you.” Micah’s tone started mocking and ended in a slight snarl. He vanishes and reappears in front of Micah with a blade to his throat.

  “Nobody can save you here.” Micah whispers in his ear. He can feel Dorimer shudder at the pressure he is giving off. Behind Dorimer, Victious steps forward with a furious expression and send a tier 3 version of ‘Light Lance’ at Micah’s head. He follows that with a tier 3 ‘Light’s Judgment’. This upgraded version sends light toward Micah from every direction.

  As the arena center flashes with a bright light, Bernard and Graham cover Helo. Inside the light spell hey can hear the sound of an explosion. As the light clears Micah is standing in the same place with Dorimer on the ground and cowering at his feet. Four ‘AfterBlock’ projections are spinning around them both and fade away into whisps.

  Victious is standing in shock as a spear is materialized from the ground and pressing under his chin. “You’re going to kill your own son? Or did you just trust that I’m that much of a better fighter than you, that I could save him.” Micah says as he steps over the cowering elf. Getting in Victious’s face he says. “Don’t forget who I am.” Turning around Micah vanishes and appears behind Graham’s left shoulder. This is the side his back would turn if he draws his bow.

  Stepping forward Micah starts to speak in a loud and clear voice. “Well now that is taken care of. We need to speak on numerations. Your son might have lost, but you also attacked a member of my daughter party, without cause.”

  Victious steps in front of his son with a stomp. “Without cause! That thing you call a child was about to kill my son!”

  “Your son, who challenged him to a duel to the death. Your son who refused to surrender even after you got the rules changed because you threatened Helo in his locker room, and realized that he had a chance to win.” Micah says with a smile. “So, let’s not forget about that part too.”

  Bernard appears to vanish into a root that came from the trees around the area. Reappearing in the box he watched the fight in he speaks to everyone. “What an interesting way to finish a dual! The winner is Helo Vital!!!!” With his voice going back to a more normal noise he says. “For anyone who is interested in what remunerations that the Starhaven clan will give out, you will have to find out from gossip.” He than vanishes again and reappears out of the same root that, it sinks back into the ground as he steps away.

  “Well follow me.” He says as he turns toward the exit. The spear that was still in the Starhaven clan leaders neck vanishes and Micah, Graham and Helo follow after Bernard.

  Victious watches them walk away and then shakes his head. Turning to his son he tells him to shut up and follow. Dorimer finally stops talking about the unfairness of the world and how everyone is out to get him. Both men vanish under the stadium.

  Back in the arena everyone is surprised and excited by what just happened. They all have their phone out and are posting videos and images to the Mana-Web. Two of the main clips that are being shared is one of Helo going rabid, the other is of Dorimer whining.

  Back under the arena the group follows Bernard to an elevator, up the elevator they get off at the top floor. Walking out they are in a massive conference room and lounge. Off the the side there is a massive wooden desk. Walking up to it Helo can tell that the tree the desk is made from is still alive.

  Turning to look at the druid Helo is shocked by his control over plant life. Beranrd can see Helo’s look and speaks up. “This is my main office. The arena is in the center of the compound so it makes for a good place. This is also the tallest point on the compound.” He says that and waves his hand, looking around Helo can see that every wall is made up of windows, and looking down he can see the entire compound. It even sits next to the arena and can act as a viewing box.

  “This place is amazing.” Helo says while looking around in awe. For some reason he can feel that his instincts love it. It is on the high ground and surrounded by nature.

  To his left Doirmer just snorts and under his breath says. “Pathetic.”

  Everyone ignores him and they look at Bernard. He casually goes to take a seat in the loung area and motions for everyone to join him. Ringing a bell and calling for refreshments he waits quietly. A few minutes later they are joined by Cheyeene, Hinata, Allie, Kiyoki, Yuki and Akira.

  Helo is surprised that all the women joined them. Not due to some sexist ideas but because this meeting seems like it will be short. Allie ignores everyone else and runs up to hug Helo. Grabbing onto him and falling into the couch he was sitting on she says, “You did so great! You kicked that snotty elf’s butt!”

  Across the table Dorimer’s hate filled glare deepens he is about to speak up before his father smacks him with his aura. The rest of the group sits down and they all start the meeting. Victious seems unfazed by the group arrayed against him. His natural pride and superiority make him see everyone here are beneath him. The only person that can give him pause is Micah. He even sees the fact that he is alone as a sign of his strength.

  Sneering at the group he says. “Fine, the orphan won. But I will make no concessions on anything else. His victory is already more than he deserves.”

  Bernard speaks up before Micah can. “And what about interfering in a sanctioned duel?” He looks at Victious with a raised eyebrow.

  Everyon can see the internal struggle happen on his face as he says. “Fine, yes I will owe you a minor favor.”

  Bernard takes a moment to think before nodding, “Agreed.”

  “And what about my family. You attacked Helo twice.” Micah says.

  Victious looks at him with a glare. “I owe you nothing. Your family of animals deserves nothing from me.” After he says this everyone sits in silence for a moment, Cheyeene leans over and whispers into Micah’s ear.

  Staring at Victious’s sneering face Micah smirks and turns to look at Bernard. “You owe me a favor from when I saved your pie.”

  Everyone but Cheyeene looks at the two friends with bewilderment. “Are you talking about when my mother asked me to take out the pie, but I was already gone. So, I called you to take it out for me, because you were in town.” Bernard says with shock.

  Shrugging casually Micah says. “That was the only instance I can remember us actually saying that you owed me a favor. Normally we just help each other out.” Micah says.

  “We were 12.” Bernard says with a straight face. He and Micah stare at one another for a moment before Bernard sighs. “Fine, what do you want.”

  “I want to use my favor, to ask you to set the rules of the duel back to their normal punishment and prize.” Micah says with a smile.

  Bernard looks at him and laughs. He honestly accepted the favor from Victious because he had no idea what to ask for. Turning to look Victious, Bernard can see the shock and anger on his face. “Well, I am calling in my favor.”

  The elf stands abruptly and tries to pressure everyone with his aura, it doesn’t work. “You dare! This is against the rules. You’re a neutral family! You can’t take sides.” He shouts at Bernard.

  “I’m not. Someone called in a favor, now I’m using the one you owe me. The change of the duel’s prize was a word-of-mouth deal, that you forced onto everyone. Righting that wrong is worth a minor favor.” Bernard says with a nod. In his head he is thinking Where is Micah taking this. He can’t actually expect that Victious will go along with this.

  Before anyone else can speak Cheyeene coughs into her hand. “Well, I think…”

  Before she can finish Victious cuts her off. “This is no place for a woman to speak up." He says dismissively.

  “Oh well that’s fine.” She leans back before saying under hear breath. “Helo mentioned how he was looking for someone to follow him in the dungeon and dig out cores.”

  The adults understand what she is referring to. If someone surrenders in a duel to the death. Their life is forfeit to the winner as a slave. This is because the winner doesn’t have to accept the surrender. They are a slave until they make enough to buy their body weight in their new master’s tier of coin. Mana stones might weigh a lot, but tier 1 coins barely weigh anything.

  Cheyeene covers her mouth and smiles at Victious. “If that is your attitude, I’m not surprised Grace ran away.” She says all that with a soft smile. Vicitous’s expression changes to rage before he forces it down.

  Sitting back down he says to the group in a strained voice. “Fine what do you want.” Cheyeene smacks Graham before he can speak and looks at Helo.

  As all the attention turns to him, Helo is surprised. He didn’t expect to be able to make this decision. About to open his mouth Helo stops before speaking, closing his mouth and looking at his clasped hands, Helo listens to Micah’s teachings. He taught him to control his instincts, be patient, and think things through.

  After ten seconds of silence Victious speaks up. “Just choose something! Damn it I don’t have all day.”

  “Patience Elf.” Graham snarls out. His words take Victious by surprise and he is about to argue but stops himself as he see’s everyone glaring at him. Everyone but Helo who is still thinking.

  Turning his gaze to Graham he says. “Don’t patronize me beast. I am the leader of the Starhaven family. Prince Victious. I am also the CEO of the Starhaven corporation. I have the most wealth in the world. Show me some respect. What are you? You’re the leader of a bunch of farmers and crafters.”

  Raising his eyebrow Graham is actually surprised. Is that truly how he views us? Our army is twice the size of his. We have some of the greatest crafters and I don’t have an unawakened conglomeration because there is no need for me to. Plus, he has the most American dollars but I have warehouses filled with mana cores and crafting resources. “You have wealth because you bully with magic and money. Now let the boy think. He is showing far more patience than you.”

  While the men continue to argue Helo sits in silence and thinks about all the things he could ask for. Money, Resources, items, and anything else. While thinking he is surprised as he feels two hands grab his own. Looking up he can see Allie and Hinata smiling at him. Having a hint of inspiration, Helo starts thinking about what Micah has told him about the integration.

  He said that there are only a few years left and they need time to grow before it starts. They will be fighting against the other families that they are not aligned with. One thing that he remembers is Micah mentioning that Helo needs to be cautious at the school. Both Hianta and Allie are prime marriage candidates. The other heirs and anyone with money or power will try to get to them through him. Nodding his head Helo looks around with a gleam in his eyes. “I have it.”

  “Well spit it out!” Victious says, turning away from Micah and glaring at Helo.

  “I want your son to leave us alone.” Everyone stares at him in surprise. After a moment both Bernard and Micah burst into laughter.

  “WHAT YOU CAN’T KEEP MY AWAY FROM MY FIANCE!” Dorimer yells from his spot on the couch.

  The older elf narrows his eyes and says, “That is impossible, you will be going to school together in a few months.”

  Graham on the other hand is upset because he wanted to dig into Victious’s bottem line and take his resources. He is going to speak up, but Cheyeene stops him with a soft smile.

  “No, that. No more of that.” Helo says while pointing at Dorimer who is raging about his fiancé. “For the entire duration that we are at school, Dorimer will not attempt any action that will negatively affect us. We get four years of your son leaving us be.” Helo says with a smile.

  Victious wants to argue but he looks at Bernard and then Cheyeene. Thinking that this is better than his son becoming a slave for a time, he nods his head. “Were leaving.” He says and grabs his son. His son can still interact with them. He just can no longer work against them. In the end this might increase his odds at getting the BrightMoon Princess’s bloodline mixed with his own.

  As Dorimer is getting pulled out his is yelling and angry. Looking back, he sees Allie and Hinata smiling and hugging Helo. With hatred in his heart, he swears to kill him.

  Back in the room with everyone present Hinata’s father Akira slowly nods his head. “Helo-Kun, that was probably the greatest gift you could have asked for.” Everyone is surprised by Akira’s use of ‘Kun’. They would have expected him to use ‘San’, especially since at the moment his daughter is hugging Helo’s arm.

  Instead, Akira Kashiwagi is smiling at the two of them with a fatherly look. Allie notices this and looks at her own father who is scowling at her action. Looking at him with a glare she sticks her tongue out and gets a laugh from her mother and Hinata’s mother Yuki. Kiyoki instead steps up behind their couch and pulls them all into a hug. “Your so smart Helo-Kun. What a great idea.”

  Graham is scowling at his daughter and still a little annoyed that Helo didn’t ask for more. His wife looks at him and pats his arm. “Calm down, this is good. Now Dorimer can’t toe the line, because this is the only thing he was asked for.”

  Micah who is standing behind Graham speaks up. “This is the best thing for them aswell.” Getting a weird look from the room he keeps speaking. “The only thing that they could get from him, that our two families can’t provide is Celestial Metal. But he already won a few pounds worth. Now the only thing they need is time to grow. A year from now Dorimer is going to be normal fight for Helo, two years and he is a simple fight, three years and they forget who he is because he is insignificant.”

  At this Micah nods. “With the integration starting in about three years… Yes this is a good thing. The Starhaven family has a lot of wealth and likes to hire mercenaries. But when it comes down to it, our family is stronger. All they need is time to grow.”