Equestrian Requiem; A Hero's Return

The rest of the preliminary rounds went by similarly with the voice giving me hints and tips on how to beat each of my opponents and I had made it to the Quarter-Final rounds.

“Onii-Chan!” My sister called walking into the tent followed by Mom.

“Over here.” I said walking up to them.

“You were great Onii-Chan.” Emma said hugging me.

“Thanks,” I said bending down returning the hug.

“She’s right,” Mom said as I stood back up. “I’ve never seen you fight like that.”

“I was just following my instincts.” I said not wanting to worry them about the voice in my head.

“Would the contestants who have qualified for the Quarter-Final rounds in the Journeyman level competition please make their way to tent number 3A now.” A man said over a loud speaker.

“I got to go.” I said looking at the loud speaker.

“Right, good luck.” She said giving me a hug before walking back to the stands.

As I walked into the tent I took note of the other contestants that made it to the Quarter-Finals who were either sitting on one of the benches, standing by themselves in a corner or walking around the tent. Sitting on one of the benches was a girl with dark blond hair who was about my age and was wearing armor that looked similar to that of Xena; Worrier Princess. At her side she had what looked like a wooden Roman Gladius Sword. On another bench was a boy about a year younger than me who wasn’t wearing any armor but had three wooden Katanas. Standing near the door was a large, muscular boy, who I guessed had a bit of gigantism. He was wearing similar armor to me and was holding a large wooden broadsword that looked like it was from Final Fantasy. Sitting in one of the corners at the back of the tent was a girl with burnet hair and was wearing midlevel chainmail armor and had what looked like wooden replicas of The Master Sword and Hylian Shield from The Legend of Zelda. Sitting next to her was a red head who was wearing similar armor but had wooden Dual Dao Swords. Walking around the front of the tent was the other Quarter-Finalist from my cell block, a boy with brown hair and wearing what looked like paint ball armor. He was holding a single wooden Katana and was giving it a few practise swings. Standing in the other corner at the back was the hooded figure from earlier.

“So I didn’t just imagine him.” I thought as I began to walk towards him. Before I could get near him however the referee walked in and coughed to get our attention.

“Alright contestants listen up, first I would like to congratulate all of you for making it to the Quarter-Finals.” The ref said after making sure everyone was there. “Now just like in the preliminaries you will be given a number to determine which match you’re in and who you’re up against. The same rules apply but there will be no time limit for each match. The Match is over either when you score 4 clean hits on your opponent, your opponent gives up or when the judges say so. The Winner of this year’s competition will be given the title of expert swordsmen and be allowed to enter the expert level competition next year.” he explained putting a small box on a table. “Now, one at a time please draw your number from this box so we can begin.”

“I’d hate to be the one to fight the guy in the hood.” I heard the boy with the three Katanas say.

“Why’s that?” I asked as I drew my piece of paper.

“He finished all his matches in less than 2 minutes and afterwards all his opponents looked like they had seen death himself.” he explained, drawing his piece of paper.

I walked over to one of the benches and sat down to find out what number I had drawn this time. Looking at the paper I saw I drew number one, so once again I had the honor of fighting in the first match. Once everyone had drawn their numbers, the referee called my number and I walked out to the arena to fight not noticing who my opponent was until he was standing on the other end of the platform, his hood covering his face.

“Alright, ready? Fight!” The Announcer said into the mic as the crowd cheered.

Not taking any chances I quickly drew my sword in my left hand and ran up to him, trying to catch him off guard. However he saw it coming and, bringing a wooden scimitar out from under the left side of his cloak, parrying the blow before scoring his first point, cutting across my ribs.

“Always remember, right after your opponent strikes he usually has little to no defence so it’s best to counter attack before he has a chance to put one up.” The female voice in my head instructed. Doing as instructed I quickly slashed at his stomach scoring my first point. However as he began to backed away he scored his second point, stabbing me in the chest. Had I not been wearing armor that would have most likely hurt.

“Not bad,” He said rubbing his stomach. “You’re the first one to ever land a hit on me. Of course that means I’m going to actually start trying.” He then charged forward bring his sword down in a wide arch. We met in the middle of the platform both of us scoring a point on the other. Him leading by one. Our swords clashed as we turned around at the same time.

“Don’t limit yourself to standard attacks, use the unorthodox!” The Voice said when he started to block all my attacks. I then parried him before throwing my sword into the air and rolling behind him. I then grabbed my sword before it hit the ground and scored my third point, slashing him across the back, making us tied. “How often must I tell you? Control your opponents’ central line!” The voice said as he tried to move away from me which I quickly blocked. “Faster, destroy his focus!” It said as I speed up my attacks. “You're holding the sword too tightly... Now too lightly.” The Voice said as my sword flew out of my hand and landed behind me. I quickly did a back flip before my opponent had time to deliver his final blow, and grabbed my sword.

“You’re really good at this.” I said as I got back up.

“Thank you; I've worked hard to become so.” The hooded figure said he parried one of my attacks.

“I admit it, you are better than I am.” I said with a smirk as he backed me into a corner.

“Then why are you smiling like that?” he asked.

“Because I know something you don't.” I said as he tried to push me over the edge.

“And what is that?” He asked as our swords met again.

“I am not left-handed.” I said as I pushed him back and moved my sword to my right hand, gaining an advantage.

“You are really good.” he said as I managed to keep pace with him.

“I ought to be, after three years.” I said as I backed him into a corner.

“Oh, there's something I ought to tell you.” My opponent said as he parried my attack.

“That being?” I asked.

“I'm not left-handed either.” he said pushing me back and moving his sword to his right hand as well. Then with two quick movements he knocked my sword out of my hands and pushed me onto my back. “Now, though I admire your skills as a swordsmen I’m afraid I have to kill you.” he said as he put his sword at the side of my neck and it magically turned from a wooden sword into a real one.

“What?!” I said in surprise. “Why? You’ll be disqualified!”

“Well you see some very powerful individuals see you as a threat so they sent me to kill you. It’s nothing personal just business.”

“Hold up ladies and Gentlemen, It looks like one of the contestants has a real sword!” The Announcer said in surprise as the crowd gasped.

“Onii-Chan!” I heard my little sister cry.

“That’s an instant disqualification! Would the Security Guards please escort him from the platform?” The Announcer said as two Security Guards stepped onto the platform.

“Stand back you fools!” The Hooded Figure said, as four throwing knives flew out of his sleeve and pinned the two Security Guards to a nearby wall. “Now for you.” He said as he raised his sword to kill me but stopped when he heard a noise.

“Mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine,” A female voice chanted quietly before starting to get louder, like it was getting closer.

“Do you hear that?” He asked looking around slightly.

“Yeah, and sounds like it’s getting louder.” I said listening to it.

“Whatever, say good bye!” The hooded figure said as he began to swing his sword to talk my head off.

"Mine, Mine, Mine, Mine, Mine, Mine!” A rainbow haired girl wearing a cyan t-shirt and shorts said, flying down from the sky and kicking the hooded figure in the side of the head before the blade could touch me. “MINE!” she said standing over me. “You alright?” The rainbow haired girl asked.

“Uh, yeah I think so.” I said still in shock.

“You little bitch!” The hooded figure said standing back up. Suddenly everyone gasped as his hood fell from his head to reveal that of a Minotaur.

“WHAT THE HELL!” I yelled seeing that he wasn't human.

The Minotaur then tried to swing his sword at the rainbow haired girl but it was deflected by a purple energy ball.

“RAINBOW!” A girl with dark purple hair yelled as she and four others girls climbed onto the platform.

“He’s alright,” Rainbow said picking up my sword.

“What’s going on?!” I asked as the other girls helped me up. It was then that I noticed that the Rainbow haired girl had wings that matched the colour of her shirt.

“No time to explain! AJ!” The Rainbow haired girl said nodding to one of the girls who had her blond hair in a ponytail and was wearing a cowboy hat.

“Right!” The Cowgirl said with a southern accent. “Come on partner we got to get you out of here.”

“What?” I asked still not sure what was going on as I was pulled along by the group of girls.

“Not so fast!” The formerly hooded Minotaur said trying to block our escape.

“Hey you still got me to worry about!” Rainbow said whacking him on the head with my sword, buying us time to escape.