Book of Mors: Summoned

Arc: Out of the Ashes

Chapter 17, Part 4: Quiet before the storm

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The spectators watched with morbid curiosity, their murmurs quickly turning to a deafening roar as a first stage, demon imp, usually known for being cunning but physically weak, brutally dispatching his opponents without a shred of mercy or restraint, leaving some barely alive.

It was not the level of violence that drew everyone's attention, as it was not uncommon for this kind of event, but his merciless, preditor-like hunt that did not even give a slither of face or respect to his opponents.

In a world dominated by magic, differing species with unique abilities and where the gods often intervened, needlessly making enemies was seen as incredibly foolish. This line of thought had grown to such an extent that an unwritten code, one of showing honour and respect towards your foes, had become commonplace.

This rule, which was deeply embedded in all societies on the continent, was one of the only reasons why the Huntsmen and the Sun Council had not dragged the Federation into a bloody all out war decades, if not centuries, ago and attempted, where possible to keep their war private.

Seeing this rule being flouted so openly in a none lethal competition, and by a first stage evolution, vastly different from the growth types like humans, was setting the crowd ablaze. Everyone wanted to know who was backing this unknown entity, especially seeing as he seemed to be fearless of any consequences to his actions.

It was also painfully obvious that the imp was trying to eliminate his opponents in the quickest, non-flashy way possible, creating a mysterious air about him as if he was trying to keep his identity a secret.

This was far from the truth, and in reality, Mors wanted to end the competition as fast as possible and continue consuming the fire mana stone's Verz had given him, seeing the battle as a waste of time.

The blue robbed noble, shuffled to the edge of the guest spectator box, never taking his eyes off Mors and leant towards one of the huntsmen, now standing to see over his peers. "Excuse me, sir, do you know anything about the imp? We got a briefing on all the competitors last night, but I seem to have forgotten."

A deep, gnawing chuckle emanated from the white mask as the huntsmen's azure eyes locked onto the man. "He is just participating as a matter of formality. He's already a Huntsman so forget about him."

The man could only nod, a glimmer of hope fading in his eyes. "Ahh, of course. He is pretty much perfect assassin or ranger material; I was just wondering why we haven't heard of a tamed demonic imp fitting his description. It doesn't look like he is one to keep his head out of trouble."

"Tame?" The Huntsman couldn't help but burst into laughter, causing his peers to curiously look over. "That demon has been personally selected by the Bloodhound herself. Our captain hasn't chosen an adept in four hundred years. Even with his bad reputation, we all expect great things from the little devil."

"Devil?" The word had snapped the noble from his thoughts.

"Just a nickname," chuckled the Huntsmen, turning back to watch the fight, ending the conversation abruptly and leaving the man even more puzzled.

It wasn't just the crowd that was focused on Mors, on the balcony above the entrance, Verz and her team were watching intently.

"Seems like the runt isn't completely useless," grumbled Kelora, her face a stone mask.

"Come on now, how long are you going to keep blaming him for Eth's death? He obviously has a big grip with that fox bastard, like most of us. If I saw the damned, fluffy eared mongrel that destroyed my village, I couldn't say I wouldn't have done the same, even with my experience." said Rock, small stones flying from his mouth as he munched on a boulder, spraying the irritated demoness.

Kelora let out a deep sigh as she rested her head in her palm, her red, flowing hair covering her face. "Sin. Can't help it."

"You demon's have it tough," responded Rock, nodding as if in confirmation as he swallowed the remainder of the rock in one gulp. "Makes me wonder what it's going to be like for him. Not only does he have two sins, the worst two by the way, but he has dragon's blood and that angelic blessing."

"Not really a blessing. That vulnerability will get the boy killed," interjected Velcea, clearly bored. "We all know the legends. The first few generations of demons were incredibly powerful but had too many weaknesses that could be exploited. They didn't last long, and the only reason they survived as a species was that the angelic traits were more and more submissive as the blood diluted. Those traits in certain species can be considered a bonus, but for one with devil blood, it's nothing but deadly."

Rock's brows grated as he frowned. "But the drag-"

"Dragon this dragon that, why don't you go and marry one, you lump of earth," hissed Kelora. "If anything is going to save the brat, it's going to be the devil markings."

"Or his God's blessing." said Verz absentmindedly as she sat on the edge of her seat, watching every movement Mors and his opponents made.

The comment caused the rest to freeze, and after a few seconds, slowly turn towards Verz, their eyes filled with disbelief.

"What do you mean?" said Velcea, almost shouting.

Kelora was less restrained and reached out and grabbed Verz' arm. "How can he have a blessing? Didn't you see what that holy fire did to his body? He is nothing like that dragonkin?"

"Of course his body would over-react to fire blessed by the Goddess of Light, also known as the goddess of life. Our little demon down there represents a certain old god, one that the new gods could not depose when they took over." A light-hearted chuckle emanated from behind Verz's mask which caused the others to shiver violently, knowing full well what that sound often foreshadowed.

After a few moments, realisation appeared on everyone's face as they turned to look at Mors as he rapidly made his way towards the golden dragonkin who had gathered a small party around him in preparation to assault last year's champion.

Verz voice was almost hoarse with excitement. "Now, shall we shut up and enjoy the show? Two new species, Dragonkin and Draconic Demon are about to lock horns and all you want to do is gossip like a bunch of water wisps.