The healers began sprinting onto the
field, faster than before now. Both fighters were gravely to injured and the
warding magic could only work for so long. Kuran’s healer had many internal
wounds to deal with, while Wilhelm’s had only one substantial wound, but a
grave one and a massive loss of blood. Both healers called upon their deities
and began to channel the devine energy into healing magic, closing wounds,
stitching bones, and restoring stamina. Both fighters were still uneven on
their feet even after the healing, but were able to stand without assistance.
Kuran lurched forward and stomped over to Wilhelm reaching out and grasping his
wrist, raising it up high above them both, the two basked in the praise of the
audience.
“Another good fight.” Kuran said,
grinning. “Now we are even. Next fight, we see who truly win.” She gave Wilhelm
a pat on the shoulder and turned.
“Now Kuran,” Wilhelm interjected,
reaching his hand out to stop her. “I do gotta say that was indeed a phenomenal
fight, but I got some umbrage with the fact that it seemed there at the end you
was honestly gonna take me down stone dead by skewering me through the brain
pan.”
“Yes, I lost my head.” Kuran said
with apologetically. Shrugging she continued, “It will not happen again.” The
two nodded to each other and Kuran continued on.
“Right, lost your head.”
Wilhelm stated. He looked down as he felt the hand of Brisbane against the
small of his back.
“Do we give ye what ye want ot do
we give ye what you want, eh?!” He called out with his magically augmented
voice. “Give it up for Kuran Tusk tooth! Second Runner-Up for this year’s
Tournament! She gave it her all and fer that she ain’t walkin away with nothin,
third place prize of fifty gold coins!” Brisbane took a step to the side,
drawing his hands up to gesture to WIlhelm.” And another round fer Wilhelm the
unyielding! Headin off to the final match! There, where he will face his
opponent to see if he will be deposed… or if he will remain this great cities
CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS!” He pumped his fist into the air, leading the crowd’s
chanting before gesturing for quiet. “All right all right, now then settle ye
down… settle, alright shut up now! We will be taking a fifteen minute break before
the second round of the semi-finals. SO go on and get some food in ye or piss
out ya, don’t you be waiting for the break between semi-finals and finals cause
I can say you do not want to miss tonight’s finale!”
Annice found herself outside of the
coliseum, breathing deep and feeling the cool ocean breeze on her cheeks. What
a show it had been so far, and now she would get to watch Wilhelm the
Unyielding in the Finals! She could barely contain her grin, this was going to
be amazing! Nothing could possibly ruin this moment.
“Novice Qileth!” Came a stern voice.
Oh, well that could. Annice’s heart
sank as she heard her and her eyes opened to find High Priestess Nim, a stout gnome
woman of advanced age, with feathered white hair, a stern wrinkleless face, and
happened to be the head of the Syrene Temple in Sapphire Cove. She looked over
Annice, and she didn’t look bad, moreso disappointed. That made it all the worse,
in Annice’s mind. Her face fell, and she steepled her fingers.
“Ah, High Priestess, how surprising
to find you here.” Annice let out, and attempted a wry grin.
“Yes I was going to say the same
thing.” Nim stated, her brow raising in an expression of incredulity. “Just
what are you doing here, young lady?”
“Oh, well I was just on an
afternoon walk, High Priestess.” Annice quipped, standing up from the wall she
was leaning on.
“Lies are wars we declare on the
mind, Annice.” Nim stated flatly, closing the distance between them.
“I was watching the fights, High
Priestess.” Annice stated softly.
“Annice…” Nim started, kindly. She clamored
up onto a rock and sat, gesturing to Annice, who leaned against the wall and
slid down to the ground, they now say at each other’s eye level. “Annice you know
this is not our way. Fighting is the very antithesis to peace.”
“We send plenty of our faithful out
to fight!” Annice jumped in… but stopped herself when she saw the look Nim gave
her.
“We send out Paladins out to defend.
And every stroke of a weapon for them is a sacrifice of self. That is also not
your path, when you came to the Temple to devote yourself to Syrene, she in her
wisdom set you on the way of the Cleric. The Clerics of our faith… heal.” Nim
reached out and placed her hand on Annice’s shoulder. “Our Goddess is the
Goddess of Peace, tell me child, does this display here seem peaceful?”
“Revelry and merry making, which is
what this is, is the ultimate sign of peace.” Annice said flatly. She winced,
ready to be reprimanded, though when she looked Nim was smiling softly.
“Mm, well…” Nim stated. “You’re not
entirely wrong.” She leaned in, and patted the girl’s shoulder. “But the nuance
of violence as a celebration of peace in Syrene’s name is a little more theologically
weighted a discussion for a corner wall at the Colosseum, yes?” She stood from
the rock, and with a hop that would be normally ill advised for a woman of her
advanced age was again on the ground. “We will discuss this at the Temple, it
will be one of many discussions.”
“Do… Do I have to go now?” Annice asked,
daringly.
“Excuse…” Nim started, turning back
to the woman. She caught herself on her words and let out a breath of slight
exasperation. “Oh, so you intend to finish watching the show then?”
“I did pay quite a price for my
ticket, High Priestess.” She dared a grin.
“Hmmm.” Gin shook her head, but
then followed up with a nod. “In for a Copper…” She turned from the Half-Elven
cleric. “I suppose if you’re going to sin, you might as well go all the way. We
will be talking when you return.” And with that, Nim began walking away.
Annice slumped into the wall, her
entire body going slack. Syrene could take her now and it would do little to
effect the woman. She let out a gravely sigh, this was not great. Was she being
punished? Surely not, she had never felt a rejection from Syrene in her morning
prayers, Annice’s connection to her goddess was as strong as ever! Well,
regardless of Syrene’s views on her clerics watching blood sport, Annice was
sure to get an earful when she returned. Might as well enjoy the rest of the
night.
As she stood up she heard a rumble,
looking back to the Colosseum she realized it was the roar of the crowd, Three
Hells! She was missing the second match of the semi-finals! They must have
started while she was talking to Nim. Annice sprinted back towards the entrance
to the colosseum and pushed through the crowds to get to the Arena. As finally managed
to force herself through a group of very rude and quite obstinate Firbolgs, she
made it back to her seat. She saw the flash of a Ward and two figures in the
arena spill back away from each other and her heart broke. She missed the
fight! She pouted and slumped againt the podium, not even being able to get a
glance at the contestants with the disturbed dust and their healers running out
to obscure the view. Brisbane came into view once again.
“By the Gods and Goddesses above did
ya see that slobberknocker? I tell ye people, feel sorry for the poor cuss who
missed that one!” Brisbane began.
“Oh shut up.” Annice grumbled.
“Alright folks, we have our semi-finals
decided, and we’re going to take our final break for the night. But don’t ye go
too far now cause when we come back we will be finding out. Champion! Of! Champions!”
The crowd let out a cheer, and Brisbane walked off. The crowd began to mummer amongst
itself, with a large amount of the crowd exiting the arena to find food or air.
Annice did not, that’s what made her miss the match! She was gonna stay right
where she was, and not move a muscle.
That was a lie, for quite a few
muscles moved when she looked up and spotted Wilhelm standing against the wall
across the arena. She bolted to her feet at the sight of him. He was out of his
armor… and wow he was still huge! She smiled, excited at the opportunity to see
her favorite fighter fight in the Championship match. Her smile started to face
though, as she saw a man approach Wilhelm, his healer if she wasn’t mistaken.
They began talking, and Wilhelm started to become visibly agitated. He started
waving his arms at his healer, glaring at him, shouting now. He was screaming
in the man’s face, the smaller man shrank away, and Wilhelm gestured at him
with… Annice gasped, well it wasn’t a very polite gesture. Annice felt crushed,
she had only ever seen Wilhelm as a performer, never in person. Was he… rude?
Did he treat his healer with disrespect? That would be majorly bad! She couldn’t
be a fan of someone who was a jerk. Annice scowled now, This night was souring
quickly.
As the crowd started to gather
again, Annice watched Wilhelm, who stayed in the arena, he was visibly angry
and paced back and forth. Brisbane had eventually approached him, and they had
a long discussion. Brisbane said something to Wilhelm and the human shouted,
loudly enough that Annice could hear it. Brisbane seemed apologetic, and tried
to calm Wilhelm down, who just gestured wildly and rubbing his face into his
palm. Finally Wilhelm hauled off and punched the stone wall, when he brought
his hand back Annice could swear she saw a crack there, but she couldn’t be
sure it wasn’t already cracked. Good, that’s what you get for being rude to
your healer, she thought.
“Eh… Lasses and lads.” Brisbane
began, quickly quieting the cheers before they could even really start. “I am
sorry to say, ah…” He cleared his throat, the magical amplification meant everyone
heard it. “That is it is at my great regret to inform you that Wilhelm the Unyielding’s
healer has… left. This leaves Wilhelm without any healer, which is required by
regulation rules. Therefore unless he is able to find a healer, which he has
already told me he cannot at this hour, he will forfeit the match. Therefore I
must declare that this year’s Champion of Champions is-“
“I’M A HEALER!” Annice shouted at
the top of her lungs, and she wasn’t really sure why?
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