Achilles was made the Capital city on Loraths eastern edge for one prominent reason; the availability of resources present on this end of the island. In comparison to the western edge, life here was much more fulfilling. You could find just about everything you needed here in the capital, from weapons to restaurants to even bookstores. It wouldn't be a stretch to call this place the literal heart of the island. Given that a branch of the guild was also located here, it also meant that people looking to partake in the selection exams held three times a year would convene upon this city in droves. It was even more so in the case of those who lived on the western end of Cryoheim.
Seeking suitable employment to maintain a lifestyle in the capital, and even a promotion in their social status, it wasn't unusual to see people wearing winter clothing walking by on the streets, even when the season in question was months away. One such man walked by Cecilia on a now crowded street leading towards something that resembled a stadium; or more accurately a colosseum would be a better term for it.
The group of seven trudged through the crowded streets in no particular order, getting a whiff of the occasional scents and seasonings drifting through the air from nearby restaurants. Stopping by to have a leisurely meal would have been a great idea if the situation wasn't so tense. There obviously wasn't any time for that right now. They would follow the lead of the red-haired man currently weaving through the crowds until they arrived at their destination that was already in sight.
"Oh Leno!" Renard's voice disrupted the chaotic silence that previously loomed over them.
"Hm?" Leno turned towards the strange gathering with a confused look. There was something resembling a half-eaten shark fin on a skewer in his left hand.
"Did you decide to come looking for us?" Renard asked in a smug tone.
"Nah, I was just hungry. Smoking takes a lot outta me y'know."
"O-oh.... yea."
His initial smug demeanor was easily brushed off by Leno's lethargy. Leno was the only one in Linchpin who Renard didn't have a complete handle on despite knowing him the longest.
"So with a gathering like this, you guys must be up to somethin' right?"
Glancing over his shoulder with a smile Renard confidently answered.
"Yeah, we're in the middle of something right now."
"Is that why Marion's so quiet?" he asked, taking a small bite out of his strange meal.
"Huh? What was that?"
"N-nothing"
Her suggestive tone was enough for him to reconsider his words.
"We're heading over to the Colosseum right no-" Renard's abrupt farewell was cut off midway by Leno's deadpan voice.
"I'll tag along."
The members of linchpin were momentarily shocked at the fact, it was obvious judging by the expressions they wore, but they ultimately decided to question it no further.
"Heh, sure let's go."
**********
The sun had now completely faded from view, and a purplish hue was now starting to replace the once vibrant colors that had previously been dominating the sky. A few stars were now visible, as if right on cue, but that wasn't the best thing about this nighttime scenery.
Looking up, they were almost impossible to miss, the massive structures stretching across the sky seemed relatively close, yet absurdly far away. A layer of rings encircling the planet, all equal in length and diameter, had once again become visible, replacing the fading presence of the sun. They had a slight diagonal tilt, arching upwards like a planetary ramp, but because of that, you could vaguely see the divisions among their numerous sections.
Coupled with the increasing intensity of the gentle moonlight, the spectacle taking place amid the stars was quite the sight to behold.
The mismatched group had now reached a somewhat isolated section of the city even though they were still relatively close to its center. This district was solely dedicated to the massive colosseum and its subsequent proceedings. It was done in order to reduce the effects the events held here would have on the already densely populated city, as the spectacles held here attracted even an influx of foreigners to serve as spectators.
Right now however, this district was especially vacant, seeing as this particular stage was exclusively used for the guild's selection exams which were still two months away, there was a definite lack of human presence here. Finally arriving at their destination, they stepped inside the gladiator-esque colosseum dubbed "Pantheon." The outside of this colosseum bore the color of bleached walls, resembling a mix of brown and yellow, with the ever-occasional cracks running across its surface.
This alone was proof of the age-old testament, a tribute to its use. The place had truly withstood the test of time. The massive structure stretched about fifty meters high and had a diameter of around five hundred meters. There was a straight path leading towards it's center, along with numerous flights of steps that alternatively led to the spectator sections. They wasted no time whatsoever, taking the main entrance, the fastest route leading to the colosseum's center.
The first thing of note here was a wide stone platform in the middle of the colosseum that was firmly placed, as if planted there. This would be their battlefield, on top of this concrete structure, lined with a dull array of squared stone tiles.
Cecilia let out a small sigh as soon as they stepped on to the circular stage in the arena's center. Nobody had said anything much up until now but Renard broke the silence once again.
"Alright, let's get the rules outta the way first." This'll be a team battle, the four of you will take on Kreig and Marion."
"Huh? Are you making fun of us? Why won't the two of you participate as well?" Dennis began flaring up, he only needed to quell his rage for a few more minutes.
"Hmm..... none of you are strong enough to take me on. It wouldn't even amount to much even if you came at me all at once." He said flatly, in a matter-of-factly way.
"I don't really care that much. I just came to watch." Leno, now fully focused on his meal, replied lazily.
"Seems like these guys are really underestimating us." Lucas remarked as he drew closer to the front of the group.
"I agree. It seems there's really no other way but to teach them a lesson." Winks replied as he removed something resembling a small wand from his coat pocket.
"Don't worry, I'll take you on if you manage to beat those guys." Renard gave a loud reply from all the way across the spectator section.
He had somehow stolen some of Leno's food and was fully committed to his spectator role at this point.
Of course, he was still ignoring the ever-present glare emanating from the man beside him.
"All right get ready!...Oh and killing isn't allowed Marion." He once again shouted across the oval space.
"I know!"
"Cecilia you and Winks are both mages, so you'll be our rear, while Dennis and I take up the vanguard." Lucas calmly gave out his orders.
"Alright!' The determined mage answered.
Both groups were now at an even distance of ten meters.
Dennis drew his shorts sword and Lucas brandished two jagged edged daggers -both eight inches long, crossing his arms in a type of "X" formation, ready to tear through flesh at a moment's notice.
"Alright begin!" The now spectating announcer gave the signal.
The battle had begun in that same instant. Kreig dashed forward like a mad dog, Dennis and Lucas both shifted to the side, opening up their formation to let artillery fire through.
"Lagros Nova"
"Septic wind"
A barrage of fire and wind immediately cut through the narrow opening, the titan of a man attempted a cross block, unable to evade in time. A torrent of explosions rang out upon impact, casting bright flashes across the arena like a Firework show.
Winks had used his spell to fire compressed flame bullets, and Cecilia had boosted their destructive capacity by coating each one in a dense bubble of air, maximizing the combustion effect of each blast. Now that Krieg was effectively pinned to one spot, Lucas and Dennis both dashed towards the haughty girl on the opposite end of the arena. Kreig, seeing through their plan, turned to intercept, opening himself up to the relentless barrage.
However....
"Dolor miinas!"
Winks, cancelling his previous spell, slammed his palm to the ground, the path Infront of him started moving like a viscous wave - heading straight for Kreig, it swallowed his legs up to knee level, trapping him in a makeshift swamp. Now free of their would-be pursuer, Lucas and Dennis angled themselves low and dashed towards the girl in a crisscross pattern.
"This is it!" Dennis declared his victory, jumping at her with a horizontal slash from his short sword.
She's got no choice but to use that case to block, and when she does, Lucas will exploit that opening – was what he had thought.
Up until now, Marion had simply been standing with the vertical case embedded in the ground next to her. Seeing the foolish move Dennis made, the girl smiled for the first time today.
She let go of the case's strap and dashed towards the swordsman with a cunning grin.
What?!
The swing of Dennis' elbow was halted with a forceful palm thrust, sending an erratic jolt of pain up his forearm.
NNgh!
Marion swiftly clashed her knee with his face, her skirt barely fluttering with the motion. Dennis was sent flying back the way he came, dropping to the concrete arena and rolling backwards like a rebounded tennis ball.
Lucas, still slightly behind him coated one of his daggers in a violent swirl of wind, now giving it the vague shape of an arrowhead.
He braced himself, and with perfect form he threw the boosted weapon like a javelin, it cut through the air with the speed of a fighter jet, giving off a slight whistling sound before ultimately bursting into flames from the friction with the air. Marion flicked her index finger, and the heated attack was easily deflected to the left, destroying part of the arena in the process. She had paid no heed to the shimmering orange glow that shot past her.
How? - The thought instantly crossed Lucas' mind.
The girl had summoned the metal case to her defense with a mere finger flick. It carved a path through the concrete platform along an arc like it was being called by a strong magnet. Lucas collected his thoughts and decided to press on.
Her visibility must be obstructed by that thing too, I just need to get around it and-
Clank
He heard a metallic noise, as if the hinges on a door were being ripped off. The sprawling case she carried swung open, revealing the terror lurking inside.
"GAAAAAAH!"
Lucas' body was flung through the air like a frisbee. He crashed into the wall lining the spectator area with a loud bang. Seemingly unconscious, the cracks in the wall behind him served as proof of the deadly blow he was dealt. Renard's eyes narrowed in glee as he watched the spectacle unfold.
"Lucas!" Cecilia shouted in a worrisome wail.
The barrage of attacks she had been performing in tandem with Winks had lost its initial intensity.
Turning to winks, she was about to suggest a change in tactics.
"Winks, we have to-"
Before she could finish however, the scenery that stunned winks also caught her eye.
The door to the case Marion carried had been flung open. Extending from it was a pale white hand, about the size of an average container. Protruding from it were some rather peculiar structures, they were neither hair nor spikes but rather; bones. They had been dyed slightly red in the hue of long dried blood.
Dennis, now finally back on his feet recoiled at the sight, his eyes quivering wildly, as if they were about to pop out of their sockets.
"A- ah ahhhh!!!"
He hurriedly skimmed along the ground until he finally regained his balance. Running towards Ceciliaand Winks while clutching his dangling right arm. Marrion had apparently dislocated his right elbow.
BOP
Marion lightly knocked on the metal container.
"Alright Goliath, you can go back now."
The gargantuan hand slowly faded back into the darkness of the metal case, like it was gently being submerged in water. The door to the pandora's box once again shut with a loud bang, then a series of clanking sounds that were reminiscent of steel hinges being fixed into place.
"Alright Kreig, time to finish up."
With a backward swing of her arm, the metal case was once again sent flying through the air, Krieg merely reached his right hand behind him, stopping the momentum of the two-ton metal case with only one hand. Dennis' limping strides had unfortunately brought him right within Kreig's range the moment he caught the heavy object.
Cecilia realizing this, tried to up the intensity of her barrage, but it was too late.
Shi-
BANG!
A loud noise once again rang out from within the spectator area. Kreig had slammed the heavy object into Dennis' side with full force, knocking the literal wind out of him.
"Hey Kreig watch it! I'm eating over here." Renard shouted on behalf of Leno as well.
"Apologies." Kreig responded in a low tone.
Immediately continuing his assault, he swung the case overhead, and then downward in a vertical arc. The two mages were forced to dodge to the side as a result. The impact of the heavy attack shook the very platform on which they stood. Pulling back the case, he aligned it with the bruised girl now leaning forward on all fours and thrusted the edge of it with enough intensity to fracture her bones.
But it never made contact, not even a hair on her head rustled from the impact. Cecilia had placed both hands in front of her and summoned a massive wall of compressed air, stopping the deadly thrust in its tracks.
'Winks do it now!"
"Lagros No- Gah!"
Before he could finish, Marion crossed the distance with blinding speed and delivered a backhanded blow to his throat. The man was now hunched over and gasping for air.
She's fast. Carrying that case around must have really developed her leg muscles. Cecilia could barely even process the girls swift takedown.
"Looks like you need my help after all Krieg."
"Yea, sorry."
"Well, there's only one left now anyway."
Cecilia gritted her teeth. The sense of being powerless in such an overwhelming situation was all too familiar to her now.
"ZEPHYR!"
Krieg and Marion were both blasted to the other edge of the arena by a powerful gust of wind, case and all. Krieg was now finally liberated from the makeshift prison that was slowly submerging him by the second. He grabbed Marion by the wrist, before slamming the all-purpose weapon into the ground, using it to divert the powerful winds around them.
"Where'd she gets this sudden surge of power from?" Marion wondered aloud.
"Heh Heh...she's stronger than I thought." Renard watched in amusement.
"I refuse to be beaten so easily. Not again." In the center of the swirling vortex of air, Ceciliaaffirmed her resolve once more with clenched fists and gritted teeth.
"!!"
"Looks like their attacks won't easily get through with that dense wall of air protecting her. She's quite the mage, being able to dual wield elements so easily." Leno calmly responded with his mouth half full.
"Hm? dual wielding?" Renard asked
"Look up."
Following Leon's directive, Renard momentarily froze upon his discovery.
"Marion, above you!" He shouted across the oval space.
Marion slowly tilted her head backwards, and her eyes widened in the shocking realization. She hurriedly issued her orders. "Krieg, start getting ready to use it...RIGHT NOW!"
The swirling vortex of air surrounding Ceciliaand towering into the sky wasn't just for show. It easily surpassed the height of the colosseum and was now breaching the clouds, forcing them to coalesce, making the nighttime sky look like a haphazard storm was on the way. In retaliation, the mercenary duo also began prepping their counter. Krieg bent his fingers and slammed his hand into the concrete stage.
After a few seconds, he forcefully pulled his hand from the depths, and a plethora of small shrapnel like rocks began clumping together in the air, forming something of a Jagged sphere.
"Its done, Marion."
"Alright!"
The floating mass of rocks slowly descended to her level, still picking up fragments like a magnet. Marion placed both hands on the jagged sphere. A sizzling sound could be heard as smoke was seen intensely wafting from the core of makeshift boulder. Soon the innards of the structure were lined with a bright orange light. The girl had imbued her only attribute, fire majic into the already imposing attack.
'Hybrid Majic?!" Winks watched in shock.
"Winks, don't move." Cecilia gave him a command, fierce determination emanating from her body. She then began chanting:
"Aqua marina, waves so vast and grand, from depths unknown, heed my command. As torrents rise, in your depths I entwine, with power untamed, Form a mighty beast, strong and true. From river, lake, and ocean's core, Merge and coalesce, obey my pleas. By ancient waters' ancient flow, In the name of oceans, lakes, and rills, Shape and form forevermore, Esos Pectos Lagros!
(Tidal Leviathan)
In the case of average mages, without the use of runes or other supplementing measures, the strength of their majic attacks were limited to the length of their chants. Cecilia had neglected not one word in the chant for her most powerful water spell, meaning that her opponents would now be faced with the full force of the devastating attack.
A bellowing roar could be heard in the skies above Achilles, making it seem as if a vicious beast had just descended from the heavens.
From the center of the coalescing mass of clouds, a massive jet stream of water shot out, taking on the appearance of a dragon and reflecting the blue moonlight off its glistening surface, before splitting into six different draconic fragments - the menacing attack descended upon them with an aura of impending doom. The mercenary duo however, smiled at the sight.
"Bring it on then! Cluster Bomb!" they shouted in unison.
With a forceful kick, Marion sent the molten sphere towards the deadly mass of water now being assisted by gravity.
"OOOOUUUUUHHHHHH!!!!"
"HAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"
For a single instant, their vigorous battle cries breathed new life into the desolate colosseum.
"Alright that's enough!" The spectating voice shouted.
There was a bright flash of purple light, as if a sphere of it had suddenly began covering the entire colosseum.
HUH? - The thought crossed the minds of the four combatants simultaneously.