Divine Beast Ascension

Chapter 357: Surprising Outcome

The sphere of wind expanded more and more, to nearly triple the size of the first. Vant’s eager eyes closed as he began running around the arena floor.

“Interesting...” Kraz quietly commented to himself.

Tilgron chuckled and elbowed the wyrm. “It’s a concentrated version of what you tried. But will it work...”

No one else spoke as the swordsman searched for his opponent.

Suddenly, Vant swung his sword and created a blade of wind. But there was no register.. He continued his searching while gradually throwing one wind blade after another. Soon the winds were lashing out sporadically, almost at random.

Vant’s eyelids flickered for a moment as he concentrated his efforts in a certain direction.

Footsteps weren’t heard but the vanishing fox finally came into view, evading the ensuing tempest.

.....

That was all Vant needed as he hurled himself through the air to confront the fox before she could disappear yet again. “Can you handle a direct combat?”

Netra then charged the swordsman, accepting the challenge.

Both elders charged their essence and exchanged blows. They were eager to see who had the best offensive power. Was it the wind-covered sword? Or the bloodthirsty claw?

Pushed back, both combatants eyed each other carefully. Each did their best to reassess their opponent as quickly as possible.

Vant was the first to move again. He hastily recreated his sphere of wind, to not lose his sense of accuracy and awareness. His lunging attack reached out for a second clash.

With a nod, Netra accepted the challenge, noticing the bead of blood in the center of her paw. Calm, she waited for his arrival this time instead of charging. Once his blade was one krin away, a sphere of dark mist rapidly engulfed them both.

For a brief moment, most spectators weren’t able to see or sense the clash. But something quickly caught them all by surprise.

A peculiar breeze emerged from the dark mist as if something had been thrown out of it. And it took a split-second for that thing to become visible again. Smiles appeared on everyone’s faces as the sword reflected the morning sunlight as it spun through the air and quickly lodged itself in the dirt.

“I lose.”

The mist cleared, letting everyone clearly see Vant with his arms up and Netra with her claw aimed at his throat.

“Amazing!” Zelsh yelled, rising to his feet with booming applause. “Both of you, well done!”

“Hmmm... So she was taking it easy on me?” Kraz quietly asked himself.

“Who knows...” Tilgron chuckled, brandishing an eager grin.

Vloz and Zelsh both descended to the arena floor, congratulating and consoling their student. In seconds, they were again wrapped up in silence barriers and the other spectators joined their respective side’s meeting. Except for Bradok, who raced to congratulate Netra before anyone else could.

“Nice job!!!” shouted the old gorilla, catching Netra completely off guard.

“Um... Thank you, sir.” Netra wasn’t sure what to do or say to the man. “Are you, perhaps, related to Masters Ania and Rathe?”

“OF COURSE! Why else would my daughter be so strong, if not for my teach-”

SMACK!

“Forgive my Father... He’s too loud for his own good,” Ania apologized, bowing her head to Netra while ignoring Bradok’s harsh, face-first landing in the dirt.

Immediately, Netra’s eyes twinkled and an uncommon smile flashed across her face. “Oh! He’s Oli’s grandfather?”

“No! Don’t-” Ania lifted both hands while trying to stop Netra from saying too much, but it was too late.

“GRANDFATHER?!?!?!?!”

Bradok had been knocked out of the barrier but that didn’t stop him from shouting with all his might in shock. Jarrit sighed and chuckled from the sidelines. Zelsh groaned quietly but quickly shook off his reaction. Vloz and Puula blinked and shook their heads at Netra, who instantly realized she had yet again said too much.

“I... I have.....”

“Dad, now you-”

“I. HAVE. A GRANDSON?!” Bradok shouted again, amidst hysterical laughter. “And you... DIDN’T TELL ME-”

Before Bradok could say more, a war hammer crashed into his gut, launching him more than a dozen krin into the arena wall.

“QUIET!” Ania yelled, furiously glaring at the balding, unfazed gorilla. “If you had just been quiet and waited then I would’ve told you all about it. But now-”

“Now what?! You won’t show me my mighty offspring!?!” replied Bradok, walking off the hit without batting an eye.

“No, I won’t-”

Bradok interjected, “HOW DARE YOU?! You both promised to inform me immediately! Not only did you get a territory and not come get me, but you’ve already raised a son without me?! Without his granddad’s help and enthusiasm?”

“Dad, that’s not how-”

“At least tell me you gave him a strong name, like MINE?! Since you were young, you promised-”

“SHUT UP, DAD!” Ania leaped, cocking back her hammer for a full swing. “More has happened than you know, so let me explain properly-”

“Explain what? You’re disloyalty to me? How you broke your promise as daddy’s little girl?!?!”

Ania’s hammer came crashing down with full force, but Bradok was unmoved. Essence covered his huge hands as he grabbed the hammer mid-swing and stopped the blow.

Water welled up in his eyes. “You really... wanted to leave me out of my grandson’s life? You... How could-”

“That’s why we’re here! To bring you to the territory!” Ania yelled in response. “We’re here to bring you home.. And to teach that idiot a lesson as soon as possible...”

“Then why didn’t you say so?!!? Let’s hurry back so I can throw my little boy up and-”

“Not yet!”

Caught off guard by the still cold tone, Bradok dropped his essence and hugged his daughter. Now, everyone’s attention was on them and not the students readying to spar.

“What’s wrong, baby girl? You can always tell daddy.”

“I-I don’t...” Caught off guard, Ania began to fight the rush of emotions beginning to overtake her. “There’s... There’s so much that’s happened... I can’t.. Now’s not... This isn’t the place to talk about this.....”