Chapter 7

Rainer felt an odd presence behind him, he quickly turned around, ready to fight. The silver knight with an onion shaped helm stood floating just above the water.

“Impressive. Not many retrieve the prana I steal from them to make those copies. That scarf on the other hand is different. A physical embodiment of your own prana. That is indeed unique to only you.” explained the knight.

Rainer was cautious. Remembering what had happened when he was caught by the knight the first time. “Rainer.” whispered Bahamut.

“There you are. Where have you been?”

“Your prana and mana are almost gone. I had to break communication to keep you from wasting it. Now that this scarf is providing you with additional energy, I can come back to assist you.” Bahamut explained.

The knight stood still as the tentacle from before began to protrude from his back once more until it was completely out of his armor. “I will kill you here. If you are able to defeat a copy, then you might be trouble in the future.”

“What is with this tournament. Everytime I finish a fight, another one begins.” Rainer quietly said to himself in frustration.

“This one will be tricky. You’ll need something more effective than fire to win this one.”

Rainer dodged an incoming attack from the tentacle. The heavy impact from the tentacle splashed water all around the area. “So that thing is pretty versatile but it still looks like soft flesh. Alright I think I know what to do here” Rainer claimed with a smile on his face.

The knight lifted his tentacle from under the lake and prepared to strike once more. Rainer dodged the attack and froze the water as the wave began to form. The tentacle was frozen in place.

The knight merely waved his arm and the ice melted under the flame spell he had cast. “Did you think that would be enough to hold me?”

“Wasn’t expecting it to, but now I have a good sense of what to do here.” Rainer responded.

Once more the tentacle arose from the lake to strike him. Rainer leaped into the air and froze the tentacle once again.

“Clearly you have not learned anything.” Said the knight.

Rainer landed on the frozen tentacle and ran up the icy surface towards the knight. Shocked by Rainer’s new approach the knight waved both his arms and blew heavy wind toward him. With more mana being channeled to his feet. Rainer was able to run through the spell and pierce the armor with the tip of his sword.

The knight fell from the sky and landed on the water. Knowing his foe was still able to stand, Rainer landed on the water and used whatever mana he could muster to freeze the entire lake. The knight was trapped under the surface, unable to move or make a sound. His body finally disappeared in a burst of blue light.

Rainer made his way to land and fell to the ground with heavy breathing. “Finally over.”

“It’s not over. There are others here who are still able to fight. And you used the remainder of the energy stored in your scarf.”

“I can’t even get up, let alone run. I’m exhausted. Just give me five minutes to take a breather.”

“No time, get up and go unless you want to be killed after just gaining experience in battle.”

Frustrated that he was being forced to get up and continue, Rainer stood up and began walking towards the forest. After only a few minutes of walking he had found a small tunnel that led to the other side of the mountain.

As he exited the tunnel, Rainer was greeted by a snowless trail that led down to a small town.”You’re kidding me.” He whimpered. A mountain that’s freezing on one side and warm on the other. Just what kind of planet is this?”

He made his way down the trail and noticed people were living in the town. The device on his wrist beeped and confirmed Rainer was now in a safe zone.

“Now you have a place to rest.” Bahamut sounded excited about the idea of a safe zone.

Upon entering the town, Rainer felt his body beginning to heal itself at a faster rate. A man with two sharp horns and gray skin walked over to him with a transparent clipboard in his hands.

“Welcome to the safe zone.” He greeted Rainer with a bow.

“This place is crowded, can people just stay here until the end of the tournament?” Rainer asked with excitement.

“I’m afraid that is not an option. Competitors may stay here for two days and then must leave. To further keep competitors from cheating, you are not allowed back into the same safe zone for thirty days. After all you may only bask in the healing bubble of the town to replenish strength and put on a good show.”

Disappointed at the notion of not being able to stay permanently, Rainer sighed. “Two days is better than nothing I guess.”

“Very much so, sir. Please allow me to give you a tour of this haven, we will conclude the tour with the area where you will be able to rest.” The guide motioned Rainer to walk with him, and Rainer complied.