Chapter 45: The Deadly Hiss

The next day at the Drunken Cyclops Inn, Jorael was preparing in the Goblin armor after a night spent focused on his goal.

"She just left her hand-mark on you last night..." Kimora whispered without being heard by Cyn'Thia.

"Ah ah ah! The mark of jealousy!" Bromur yelled, drawing eve­­­ryone's attention.

Cyn'Thia, who heard the Dwarf's comment, blushed and said embarrassedly:

"No! It was to help Jo wake up from the trance!"

"Tché... so that's what you meant by Hunger.

You assaulted the maid..." said Sulth'krag.

"I have not done it on purpose!

Kiran was showing me her technique, even though she don't know any moves of the School of Cat, I understood how they use those ancient techniques." Jorael explained.­­

"How?!" Kimora exclaimed.

"They use Magic to power up their punches or kicks and release it with their moves.

That's why Kiran was exhausted after showing me her skills several times, and then I laid her in bed..." Jorael explained.

"S-sure, I knew of that..." Cyn'Thia said still a little embarrassed, while Bromur laughed.

"So, what about today's rival?" Jorael asked changing the subject.

"I know everything ya need to know.

He is... "Kimora was saying before Salgh'krag finished her sentence:

"Bysmeh, tchà."

"So the Naga won...

Is he a Demonic Art user?" Jorael asked as Kimora was annoyed at the She-Goblin.

"Tchà ... Naga of Hradyr uses fast techniques." Salgh'krag explained.

"Yeah, snake guy is crazy fast...

I doubt ya'll be able to evade his attacks like previous matches." Kimora said.

"I have refrained from using other types of Magic aside from Arcane, so as not to arouse any suspicion, but from the last game, this will be useless.

If he's fast, I'll use Green Magic to increase my speed." Jorael explained his plan.

"Tchà... what is Green Magic?!

I only know Arcane for Demons and Red for Humans.

Who uses Green Magic?!" Salgh'krag asked confused.

"Green magic focuses on buff and debuff spells.

There are some spells shared with Red Magic, but most of the more powerful buff and debuff spells are closely related to Green Magic.

As for its use... nobody uses it.

Only Sages." Jorael explained.

"Tché... Green. Magic.

It should suit us green-skinned Goblins.

Tcha ah ah ah!" Sulth'krag joked but only he and Bromur laughed.

"Jo, please be careful.

I don't know what the Demons are thinking, but seeing you use Magic without enchanting formulas should have made it clear what you are but...

They seem to be too quiet about this." Cyn'Thia explained worriedly.

"Tchà... They are so happy to see such a show that many, especially the younger ones, do not know what they have seen.

Furthermore, the fact that we have reached the semifinals is very comforting for those who know…" Salgh'krag specified.

"Why is it comforting?" Jorael asked bewildered.

"Ah ah ah! Brother... we haven't told you yet because you were so busy with the catgirl!" Bromur teased as Cyn'Thia puffed up her cheeks in annoyance.

"You are one of the four new generals for the Demon Realm." Kimora had finally spilled the beans.

"W-what?!" Jorael exclaimed as everyone except Cyn'Thia laughed.

"So... you should be proud of it.

The semifinalists become the four new generals if they manage to survive." Sulth'krag explained as Jorael wore his helmet and just said:

"Let's go..."

As soon as everyone was ready and left the room, Jorael met the Cyclopes who were strangely waiting for him at the entrance to the inn.

There was no Polyanthus, but other Cyclopes spoke:

"Jorael, the Krypste- slayer.

If you are the one who is not to be named, follow us."

The one-eyed clan seemed troubled and their words were filled with sadness. They began to make their way to the rooms, and Jorael followed in silence, with his companions and the Goblins.

When they arrived in front of a closed room, the Cyclopes said before opening the door:

"There he is.

Please, if you can do something... just do it.

Pay no attention to his words."

Jorael entered the room alone and the Cyclopes closed the door behind him. When he saw a large figure lying on the bed, he heard a familiar voice:

"I told everyone to get out!

Just let me die... cough, cough!"

When Jorael approached the bed, he recognized that there was the Cyclopes' Champion lying on the bed, badly injured by his last match. Polyanthus's skin was badly burned and his face disfigured with his sole one eye blinded. He was constantly coughing up blood to the point that the white sheet turned red.

"Hey... I didn't remember you being so scorched..." Jorael said.

"Who is it ! This voice...

Is that you, Krypster-slayer?" Polyanthus asked recognizing the voice.

"Yes. What happened?" asked Jorael.

"Cough...

I knew from the start that this moment was coming.

You can say to make yourself look tough that you were prepared to face death.

But when you are left alone, in the agonizing pain that does not go away and at the same time does not kill you...

It's hard.

The other day I said your luck was out, but it was actually mine when I had to face Drak, Tongue of Fire, the first Draconid in centuries that could naturally breathe fire...

Cough…" Polyanthus explained.

"I can clearly see the effects of her breathing on him...

Do you want help? "Jorael asked.

"Cough...

Yes, please end my suffering..." Polyanthus pleaded.

"No, how could I...

Megaene!" Jorael cast unexpectedly.

The room lit up with the glow of the white heptagram, and the spell was immediately cast, miraculously healing the Cyclops' wounds. The burned skin tissue regenerated itself, as for the blinded eye with which Polyanthus resumed seeing.

"H-how is this possible?!" cried the Cyclops in amazement.

"Think of this as my gift for your kindness for offering us food and drink..." said Jorael.

"H-how can I accept such a gift without being in debt...

Who are you really, Krypster-slayer?" Polyanthus asked as he sat on the bed.

"This is something that I want to find out as I continue to win...

See you." Jorael said as he turned his back to the Cyclops who replied:

"I will remember this with my heart, Jorael.

May Atremis provide what you are seeking."

The Goblin Champion exited the room and returned to the others and said:

"He'll survive.

Let's go..."

The Cyclops began to celebrate and thank him, the Goblins and the Four left the inn to head towards the coliseum.

Oddly, while the streets were filled with Demons, as usual, the crowd paved the way for the Goblin Champion and his entourage. The Demons showed both respect and a bit of mistrust because the only taste they had of enchantless Magic was that of the Storm Witch, a Sage whose name was not to be mentioned.

"It's certainly more comfortable this way..." Kimora whispered looking around.

"Don't let your guard down.

We should expect retaliation." Cyn'Thia warned.

"Ah! Sister... to have the courage to face the Brother after what he showed yesterday, either one is arrogant or a fool... ah ah ah!" Bromur commented as they continued walking on the main road until they suddenly heard:

"HALT!"

The group looked around to find who had screamed, but it was only Jorael who lifted his head to the sky to see a horde of flying Demons swooping down.

"Caw caw!

Here is the impostor!" Yogurna the Harpy screamed as she led her clan to the Goblins.

All the Demons on the road watched the whole scene in silence as the Harpies slowed down and came over Jorael. Yogurna, the Fury spoke again:

"My body was badly injured by his spell at first, but then, when my clan came for me, I was perfectly fine.

The Goblins must have some weird sorcery up their sleeves, not to say as Krenkann said yesterday, the Queen must be behind it all..."

"The Orc from the first game was injured too, but he seemed to be fine when he came out of the coliseum..." some Demons in the streets commented and began to mutter among themselves, thinking of the Harpy's words about him.

"What do you want?" Jorael asked.

"Caw ...

I want you to drop this act and show your true colors.

Drop the mask! "Yogurna demanded enraged.

"It's too early for that.

First, I have to win and talk to the Queen." he replied.

"Lies!

Let's take him!" the Harpy ordered her clan to begin attacking the Goblins.

Just as the Demons were about to collide, the ground began to shake and a deep, powerful voice screamed:

"HALT!"

A colossal figure leaped between the Goblins and the Harpies, startling everyone.

"What the fuck is goin' on?!" Kimora exclaimed as she reached for her daggers.

"Go away birds of ill omen! Krypster-slayer's strength must be respected regardless of his identity." shouted the colossus who was none other than the Giant Thrarn, the Bonecrusher.

"Well, that's unexpected..." Jorael whispered as he stared at the Giant.

"Caw!

You even lost with his cheap tricks!

What the fuck do you want?!" Yogurna asked while her clan was on standby.

"It's not a cheap trick if Thrarn fell!" shouted the Giant threatening the Harpies with the tree trunk.

"You can die for him then, charge!" Yogurna yelled as all the Harpies began the attack.

Thrarn started swinging the tree trunk violently in the air, hitting some Harpies who fell to the ground with broken wings or bones.

All the crowd that watched in amazement, remained silent to follow the succession of the unexpected clash as if it were an extra tournament challenge.

"Caw! Hit him!" ordered Yogurna as she and other Harpies hurled many spears at the Giant, which dug into his chest and legs, thus stopping his attacks.

"Now go!" the Harpy Champion yelled as they flew towards Jorael.

"I've had enough of this shit...

Elektronvolt!" the Goblin Champion yelled, instantly casting the multi-target Arcane Magic spell.

From the glowing purple heptagram in front of his hand pointing towards the sky, a multitude of lightning bolts discharged, striking every flying Demon that was flying towards him.

The crowd gasped and many Demons whispered in fright:

"T-the Storm Witch..."

The Harpies fell to the ground like flies after the electrocution, and just at that moment Yogurna while suffering on the street had a sudden realization, and said:

"I-if you're really that powerful, why are you wasting your time here?!

Cawgh... cawgh...

Confront humans. Free our brothers and sisters.

Get even with the Witch who killed my parents...

Caaaw..."

The Harpy fainted, like her companions lying on the ground unconscious. As Thrarn removed the spears from his chest, Jorael approached him and said:

"I think I should say thank you."

"There is no need. You are strong, I am not." the Giant replied as he continued to remove the spears, opening the wounds from which blood oozed.

"Need help?" Jorael asked.

"No... Go fight and win." Thran replied.

"I will." Jorael said as he resumed walking with the others.

As they left the stage, they heard one last thing from the Giant who shouted:

"Anyone who meddles with the Goblin Champion, he will have to deal with me!

Wah ah ah ah!"

...

Later in the coliseum, everyone was ready for the semifinal.

Princess Drahnemys was introducing the contenders:

"...on the one hand, the Demon who amazed everyone with his mastery of Magic. A surprise from the Goblin clan:

Jorael, the Krypster-slayer!"

The Goblin Champion lay standing still in the ring, cheered by the crowd. The Princess continued with the introduction of the other contender:

"...on the other hand, the Demon who amazed everyone thanks to his speed and technique. Son of the outgoing general of Hradyr:

Bysmeh, the Deadly Hiss!"

The Naga Champion swirled nimbly with his serpentine body to the applause of the audience.

Jorael took a look at the snake Demon before the match began. Bysmeh as a Naga had a purple-skinned body similar to a snake, except for the upper part of him due to the two arms. He had a cobra-like head with a yellow texture, while he had fiery green eyes. As a weapon, he had a well-decorated halberd, with a snake design.

"Hiss...

I heard you had a sstreet fight thiss morning, I hope you're not too out of sshape…" Bysmeh said provoking his opponent.

"Don't worry, thanks for caring about me." Jorael replied.

"Hiss ss ss ss...

You may be sskilled with magic, but are you ssure you can hit me?..." the Naga Champion provoked again.

"We'll see..." said the Goblin Champion.

Meanwhile, Drahnemys was finishing his announcement, thus starting the match:

"...if you die, you die!

May Atremis lend you Her strength.

3... 2... 1... FIGHT!"

Amid the shouts of excitement from the audience, Bysmeh wasted no time and launched the attack with his halberd at maximum speed.

Jorael, could not keep up with the snake Demon's disarming speed, and could barely parry the blows inflicted by the opponent's long, sharp weapon.

'It's a blessing that demons don't know how to enchant Haste.

He would be almost unstoppable.

Shit! I have to cast...' Jorael was thinking as he was about to use a spell, but he was taken aback because Bysmeh changed pace and suddenly said:

"Snake Bite!"

The Nagan while holding his weapon in his left hand, with his right hand in claw position charged his inner strength and attacked Jorael, giving him a heavy blow on the arm.

The Warg's bones and leather could not hold the power of the attack, and the Goblin armor on Jorael's left arm broke, revealing his skin.

"Hiss...

Lots of pink sskin for a Goblin." Bysmeh commented jokingly.

"School of the Snake, huh?" Jorael asked as he held his sore left arm as he thought:

'Shit, that was so fast!

And the Magic he emitted with that move was no joke!'

"Hiss ss ss ss...

It's only the beginning." Bysmeh teased as he laughed.

"I will not waste this opportunity.

Haste!" Jorael said as she cast the Green Magic spell to increase his speed.

The whole crowd went wild as the bright green heptagram formed to provide the extra speed to the Goblin Champion because, in 30 editions of the tournament, no Demon had ever used any Magic other than the Arcane.

The two semifinalists continued their fight, but this time Jorael was able to evade and parry decently. Meanwhile, on the Queen's balcony, Drahnemys who was enjoying the show asked her mother:

"It's pretty much confirmed now, isn't it?"

"Yes, he is undoubtedly a Sage.

A Demon... Sage.

Who would have thought of something so impossible that it would become possible right in front of our eyes.." Shaneh replied pleased.

"Now all that's left to know is his identity...

I can not wait anymore! " said the Princess excitedly.

Back to the ring, the situation did not change as Jorael tried to attack the Naga with his rusty sword, but Bysmeh was a tough opponent due to his fast and unpredictable movement.

"Thiss surprised me...

A sspell to increase sspeed.

Interessting." Bysmeh commented as he dodged his enemy's blows.

"This is not good." Jorael whispered as he suddenly backed away, and then shouted:

"Firebolt!"

The spell was cast instantly, throwing the fireball from the heptagram of Arcane Magic in Bysmeh's direction, but the snake Demon's agility granted him an easy dodge.

"Hiss ss ss ss...

I told you sso." he commented laughing as the fireball exploded outside the ring.

"Ahhhh... I'll have to think about something else." Jorael commented as his enemy returned to attack him.

Bysmeh was crawling towards the Goblin Champion when he suddenly dropped the halberd and shouted:

"Double Snake Bite!"

With a spring movement, the Naga sprinted towards Jorael with his hands joined in a claw-like shape resembling an attacking snake's head.

'Fuck! I will not be able to evade this!' Jorael thought as he realized that he had no way of escaping the attack.

Bysmeh struck Jorael's chest, making a hole in his cuirass and wounding him.

"GASP!" Jorael let out as he fell out of breath to the ground from the blow.

"JO!!!" Cyn'Thia screamed in apprehension from the Goblin stands.

"Thia... I'll be fine." thought Jorael as he fell to his knees trying to catch his breath.

"Hiss...

And now for the grand finale, we'll ssee who is really behind that massk." Bysmeh said cheering the audience as he took the halberd back from the ground.

"Not today." Jorael answered still on his knees.

"Hiss ss ss ss

Do you sstill have the sstrength to sspeak?" Bysmeh asked while laughing.

"I'm sorry to resort to this, but you are a very formidable opponent, and it is better that I stop you now.

Darkness! "Jorael said as he stood up and cast the Black Magic spell to restrain the target.

"Huh?" the snake Demon wondered as he found himself in a pitch-black puddle.

Black tentacles spawned from the abyss and immediately held back the Naga who dropped his weapon.

"W-what is this witchcraft?!" Bysmeh commented as he tried in vain to move.

The crowd gasped again, as Jorael was again using a spell unknown to them, while the Queen smiled smugly.

"Unfortunately, speed isn't all you know.

Especially if you get blocked. "said Jorael approaching the snake.

"Hiss ss ss ss..." Bysmeh suddenly laughed.

"Have you gone mad?!" the Goblin Champion asked confused as he was close to his enemy.

"Never go near a cornered ssnake..." Bysmeh whispered as Jorael's sixth sense warned him of something dangerous.

As the Naga was opening his mouth wide, Jorael sensed the danger and as he tried to back away he shouted:

"Firebolt!"

Bysmeh spat a green liquid from his mouth directly into Jorael's face as the heptagram of Arcane Magic emitted a ball of fire that hit the restrained Demon and exploded.

Jorael suddenly fell to his knees to the ground, with his face covered with the green liquid that passed through the helmet.

"Cough...

W-what the hell is this?!" Jorael screamed as he released the containment spell on his enemy, who was damaged by the blast and fell to the ground nearly unconscious.

"Hiss...

You may have won, but I'm knocking you down with me." Bysmeh said before passing out.

"Cough... Poison?!

I can't feel my face anymore!" Jorael shouted as the Princess announced the winner:

"Jorael has won!

...if he can resist the poison."

The audience began celebrating the victory, amidst a few laughs as they watched the Goblin Champion struggle.

"Cough...

Fuck this shit.

Esna!" Jorael said as she cast the white magic spell to remove the poison.

The glowing heptagram provided the spell to heal Jorael, and in front of the whole coliseum, he stood up again, as if nothing had happened.

The crowd, once again, fell silent when the magical ability of the Goblin Champion was shown, and seconds after he stood up the Demons began to murmur:

"White Magic?! So he really is a Sage!"

"First Green, then Black and now White...

The Magic of him from him seems infinite and unstoppable! "

"With him as General perhaps we can free our species from the grip of the Empire!"

As comments about his true identity and abilities began to circulate in the stands, Jorael unexpectedly fell to his knees again worrying his companions.

"Huff... Huff...

As expected, healing Polyanthus and meeting the Harpies didn't help today…"Jorael whispered.

On the Queen's balcony, Drahnemys panicked and turned to her mother and said:

"What is happening?! Has his spell failed?!"

"No, it's the other way around.

He suffers from magical exhaustion." Shaneh replied.

"Ohhh... right.

So he's not invincible after all..." Drahnemys said before turning to the arena and announced:

"The winner is Jorael!

Please help him leave and take the loser away."

Tournament attendants quickly arrived to get Bysmeh and helped Jorael get up and leave the ring. After going underground, Jorael sat down and already began to feel better. As Bysmeh was taken to the infirmary, a ruckus was heard from the underground entrance.

"No! You cannot enter unless you are a Champion or a staff member!" a Demon shouted as Jorael headed for the entrance.

"BUT I'M FROM THE GOBLIN CLAN AND I HAVE TO CHECK THE CHAMPION!" cried a familiar female voice to the attendant.

When Jorael finally approached them, he saw a familiar figure. He sighed at first, and then he said:

"I'm coming out, everything is fine..."

The attendants calmed down and Jorael left with his companion and said:

"What is it, Thia?"

"I was afraid you might pass out!

If you passed out who can stop if someone wants to take off your helmet?!" the Elf whispered worriedly.

"Yes, you are right... as always.

But I didn't pass out, so problem solved." Jorael replied nonchalantly.

"Sigh... it's not even the last fight.

Hope this ends soon enough.

If you hadn't healed the Cyclops, you wouldn't have taken these risks." Cyn'Thia whispered annoyed.

"How could I refuse to help a dying Demon?" he asked rhetorically.

"I know, but I'm afraid that one day in the future you will collapse and never wake up..." she said worriedly.

"I will not do that." he replied.

Cyn'Thia just sighed and shook her head in disappointment as they walked towards the Goblin stands.

Once they arrived, the next match was about to begin and the Princess was introducing the last two Champions:

"...from Storm's End, the Draconid Champion who roasted every single enemy he faced. But beware that his flames aren't the only thing to keep an eye on from him, it's:

Drak, Tongue of Fire! "

Drak flew over the ring and suddenly landed as the audience cheered on the contender, then spitting fire into the sky for entertainment. Drahnemys then introduced the latest semi-finalist:

"...from Drahyr...

Bhaal."

As the crowd laughed at the introduction, the Beastman Champion in the ring was unhappy and demoralized replied to the Princess:

"W-why the half-assed introduction for me, Drahmy?"

"Shut up and fight for our clan!

And if you die it will be better...

...and stop calling me that!" Drahnemys shouted furiously.

"I'll happily die when you go out with me, Drahmy!" Bhaal replied.

"Sh-shut up, you idiot!" cried the Princess even more furious.

In the Goblin stands, Bromur whispered:

"Here they go again, with their lovers' quarrel.

It must be nice to be young. Ah!"

"She is older than ya. Much older." Kimora pointed out.

"Shit! It's true ... the leopard Demon must have a fetish for older women." said the Dwarf.

"What's wrong with older women?!

Also, that's rich coming from you, since we got here you've been drooling after the Queen..." Cyn'Thia said.

"Guys stop, it's starting..." Jorael said as Drahnemys announced the start of the third match:

"...if anyone has to die, it's Bhaal!

May Atremis lend you Her strength, Drak.

3...2...1... FIGHT!"

The match quickly began at great speed as Drak promptly started firing fire at his opponent from the mouth.

"Whirlwind of Swords!" Bhaal yelled in reply as he began to spin with his two swords, forming a vortex with which he was able to defend himself from the flames, which could not cross it.

"Woah, is this a demonic art?!" Jorael asked.

"Tché... I have heard that he is an anomaly since he uses the swords with techniques that he has purposely created." Sulth'krag replied.

The Draconid Champion stopped his breath of fire and spread his wings to fly. He gained some altitude and swooped down, screaming in his mighty voice:

"Dragon's Claw!"

Drak quickly pounced with his claw on the opponent, and just as he was about to strike Bhaal, the Leopard Demon avoided the blow and said:

"Thousand Cuts!"

The Beastman ran swiftly, quickly cutting through the enemy's body still in midair with his two swords, and then stopped.

Drak who was still flying apparently well suddenly crashed to the ground in pain. Slowly everyone began to notice the effects of the Beastman's attack, as a multitude of wounds began to appear on the body of the Draconid, with little blood oozing from every single cut.

"You're really tough if my swords only scratch your skin," commented Bhaal.

"Ugh... how can a spotted cat be that strong..." Drak whispered in pain as he tried to get to his feet.

"Hey, I'm not a cat..." the Beast-Man said apparently offended.

"I summon Thee strength, of Her who awakened us, Elektro go!" The Draconid Champion enchanted.

As soon as the purple heptagram was created, the lightning was directed towards Bhaal who in response threw his sword at the lightning, stopping its run.

The leopard Demon ran towards Drak and picked up his sword, but when he was close to his enemy, the Draconid Champion screamed unexpectedly:

"Dragon's whip!"

Drak turned quickly, using his huge tail as a weapon, enhanced by Magic.

"Beast Slice!" Bhaal yelled as he cut through the air with his two swords in response to Drak's attack, forming an airblade that propagated towards Drak's tail.

The two techniques collided with each other, causing a massive Magic explosion to the bewilderment of the audience. As a result, half of Drak's tail lay severed on the ground as he began to lose a significant amount of blood. Then the Draconid Champion first roared in pain, and then said something unexpected:

"...useless to continue.

I surrender to the strongest. "

It took the crowd a few seconds to realize what had happened, before some of the Demons started whistling and booing at Drak. Drahnemys intervened to calm the waters and asked:

"Draconid Champion, are you sure to give up?"

"Yes, I recognize the strongest and I will gladly take my position as General." Drak replied.

"Are you really really sure that Bhaal will win?!" the Princess asked again.

"Yes." solemnly answered Drak.

Drahnemys let out a loud sigh and announced:

"Sigh... Bhaal won.

Demons!

Tomorrow we will finally have the final of the 30th Demonic Tournament.

Jorael, the Krypster-slayer vs Bhaal, of the Sword Dance!"