Chapter 24: Exemplary or Downfall Part 1

Artirian would engage in a few talks with the group saying that regrouping is a better idea than spreading their lines too thin, so that the enemy will not be able to use the strategy known as divide and conquer. Their shields were up facing the enemy; it has gone up to cover their face raising them would mean to protect themselves as they are determined to win. The tanker of the enemy in front would be grinning at them and would try to provoke one of them to lose the formation. But with determination they waited, the group stayed intact and as the instructors looked at the group of Artirian they were talking about how the strategy changed and how a young boy be able to notice that strategy.

As Artirian would gaze his sight into the open area of the arena; the enemy would try to spread out to engulf their position; then when it happens it would be the hint that they are going to attack and the waiting to annihilate the enemy one by one.Without the enemy forces noticing it. Artirian would still observer and looking now planning on the decisive move on how the team will knock the enemy without the need of spreading their lines and to stay intact.

As the group is intact they can see all the attacks within a larger range and with a small gap of minutes the enemy speed attacker suddenly appears in front of Garner hitting the shield by the enemy attacker that is a move to provoke Garner but even with a intense kick to the shield it won't fall down that easy as the enemy attacker continuously doing that but to no avail it not became successful. Garner would only push back a little on his footing but he was never pushed back too much. As the ground would create dust because of the wind it was time Artirian would signal the group to prepare.

Then the speed attacker would come back again. As the attacker would try to attack for an another round. But that next attack was very precise: the enemy tanker would then attack the two tankers simultaneously and taking their agro Garner and Leonardo would engage the enemy tanker. The strength of both tankers would exchange in a clash of swords and shields. As the hits of both of the clashers, it was abruptly intense the whole arena was observing the group like it was the finale of a game. The instructors was amazed especially John and Mondragon which earlier was getting bored of strategy.

As the battle became more intense and the two tankers were occupied the whole arena would be getting louder and louder as the sound of swords clash and swords hitting the shield would also be heard (cling clang swoosh bang dang cling clang) the repeated noises would echo throughout the arena. The other attendees would shout "WOOOO RAHHH" the place was so intense the fight between the 3 tankers would change the focus of the game. One of the main tankers of the enemy would also charge in now it became a 2 v 2 it became deadly as it continued. Then Artirian and the others would dash charging in and attacking the other speed attackers and flankers of the enemy.

Artirian ran towards the other speed attacker and as soon as he got nearer he would jump towards the enemy aiming his bokken sword to the enemy's head slashing it in half as blood would spurted out and enemy head sliced in two. The enemy attacker would see Artirian attack, but was not able to blocked Artirian bokken sword. Then comes the next attacker who is a flanker. The attacker would charge in forward as they clash with their swords their faces would meet; they both have an angry impression of each other. Then as the sword clashed both of them would keep exchanging their attacks. Artirian would swing to the left the enemy would block from the left the enemy would swing to the right Artirian would block from the right it continued.

Until Artirian would swing his sword up and hitting the enemy sword, making both their swords fly up in the air. Artirian would then give a straight punch to the enemy face as the enemy attacker wasn't able to block it. The enemy attacker would be surprised at the incoming punch and was also shocked on how fast Artirian able to pull a straight punch. As the enemy would not have time to dodge or be able to block Artirian. Then the enemy attacker would be knocked a few meters then landing on the ground and as the attacker lays down on the ground Artirian would look up and As soon as the enemy attacker slowly gets his consciousness back the attacker would be tipsy and unable to walk straight.

But the attacker still tried to move forward but only dropping on the ground a few inches. once the attacker drops on the ground it hitted face first making small dust when the attacker landed. And then the attacker would try to get up again and from that the attacker made it back walking surprisingly. Then the sword that was on the sky earlier is now falling with intense speed and then in the middle of them both swords would drop. Artirian and the enemy attacker would jolt forward to get their swords first. Meanwhile the two tankers of Artirian group would still be exchanging blows with the big muscles man of the enemy tanker. Then Artirian would clash again with the the attacker killing the enemy in the process. Artirian would be gasping as soon as the fight with the other speed attacker ended.

Artirian would sheath his sword and would check his surroundings it was almost over. The fight between the tankers was also taking its toll but it pays the price of knocking Garner out. Artirian would feel the uneasiness in his body. He can no longer stand properly, his eyes getting blurred before falling down on the ground. luckily Clara would hold his arm preventing him to fall on the ground and after that the battle was over. The whole arena ground would be astonished and amazed on how the group 8 perceived that kind of battle. They all thought that group 8 would be the team who can't get into the semifinals.

But as they survived all of the remaining teams would eye on Artirian and Clara the two most great fighters in team 8. Then after that the instructors would announce the following groups who were the winner of the first round. Then a new upcoming type of battle will commence later on the next round. Then one of the instructors would announced the next type of battle. Mondragon would announce the type of battle with a low tone and assertive voice "It would be a capture the flag battle simulation where each team would defend or attack the enemy flag first to get the enemy flag would win and all of those people on the losing team would be eliminated."

But before that John would stand in the podium " Dear attendees I know you all are tired but being a scout you need to have your energy, endurance and stamina in a highest level as possible" . After saying that John would smirk and look at Artirian who is tired and looks like he can't no longer move to fight in the next round. Soon as the selection would begin each attendees must pull out a rock from a black box.

If the rock is black its team A if the rock is white then its team B. When Artirian's turn was nearing he was going to collapse, hopefully Clara would grab his arm and let him drink a potion of endurance. After drinking the potion of endurance Artirian would feel a bit well and his eyesight would turn to a clearer one.

He would start walking towards the box and put his hand on the box. He then grabs a stone and slowly raises his hand then he slowly opens his hand and would see a white pigment and he knew it was white and then he immediately opened his hand. the team A would look disappointed as Artirian has made his way to the other team and not the team A on the other side would look celebrating because they have Artirian. Artiran became the center of lime light because of what he did from sword fighting the tanker of the enemy not all of those people can fight a head on with a buff tanker.

Artirian would walk towards the bleachair and sit resting his body from all the fatigue. They are given a rest for 2 hours to eat and rest. Then Clara would walk towards him and stand in front of him and said with a soft tone of voice "You are part of the Flying Daggers right. the infamous leader of Flying Daggers ".

Artirian would be shocked as no one would know that especially in the arena. He would look closely straight at Clara's eyes and replied "Where did you get that information from Clara?". Clara with a soft tone and a gentle voice "I was also there I was the hooded woman.." Her hands would shaking as she was nervous while talking with Artirian. While Artirian would grip his bokken sword and feel a bit of disappointed. He was surprised a bit of anger and disappointment that was he felt as Clara said she was the hooded woman. As Artirian was bit ashamed that the group was not able to rescue the other children. Artirian would say not looking at Clara's eyes ``If you were not there we would have already rescued the children and also reduced the damage.. But because of what you have done it became so chaotic. that even us, we needed to retreat and as we also lost one of our brothers in arms."

"Do you know how hurtful it is to lose one of your people?" Artirian would look at Clara's eyes with an intent to kill gazed as the bokken sword would emit a black and red mist aura. Clara would slowly back up a bit, as Artirian would stand up and look into her eyes. Artirian eyes turned red like being possessed of a beast.

Clara would get frightened because of an aura that Artirian is producing. Some of the people who would see what is happening would rather ignore. But they also want to point their nose on other peoples problems that's why they would rather walk away because they know they also have problems that other people would don't even care.