The week of the tournament descended upon Bastion with excitement and tension, the tele hub was in full use as more and more guests arrived, paying the required gold and silvers per rank. Spaces for street vendors were now in high demand as most wanted to display their wares for the visiting ascenders and people who had come to witness the fights. All in all, over three thousand ascenders were to participate in the competition and as such, all the factions had a sizeable number of their people participating. The Bharat empire sent their initiates and acolytes, led by the three generals of the Bharat empire known as Trimurti, each with a path geared towards each of the deities Vishnu, Brahma, and shiva. The Trimurti were all in the early stages of advocate and would participate in that bracket. Devesh arrived with his ship, braving the skies over Bastion to land close by, the Bharat empire had been accounted for.

The next to arrive was the Luminian theocracy, led by archbishop Matthew along with his advocate bishops known as the seven wraths of Lumino, all advocates also in their early stages, along with a slew of acolytes and initiates. The federation arrived in their ships also, hulking men of muscles and bones with shaggy beards, a few large women among them with cold faces that spoke of a thirst for battle, and Perun, the winter’s rage led them. The imperial empire arrived a day before, their emperor William sun wielder leading the eight knights of the round table that represented the eight lower houses that supported the empire, their golden armor gleaming in the sunlight.

On the day of the tournament, the union and the glorious empire both arrived at the same time, a subtle message to the leaders of this new world about the alliance they had forged. The union arrived in what could no less be called a modified airship carrier made like a submarine on steroids but also flew, while the glorious empire led by the emperor Han arrived in their giant wooden ship with their contestants. Truthfully it was all a show of power, to display to the world their might, but everyone knew who was going to steal the show. The clan had yet to show themselves, even on the day of the first tournament, the initiate and fledgling rounds. The first coliseum was filled to the brim, and live video coverage floated over Bastion and on every continent, save the last three continents that were too far and too out of range.

On the large stone fighting arena, a large dome made of advocate rank force field covered the whole stage. Seeing as it was a round for initiates and fledglings, no one expected them to make so much as a scratch on the dome and it was in place to protect the audience. A man in a red suit made of some animal hide rose on a lone platform that glittered,

“ladies and gentlemen!, ascenders one and all, I welcome you all, to the first ever ascenders tournament!” he announced as a large roar filled the coliseum,

“you all are about to witness the result of human tenacity and determination!, after the disaster that was the archailect, we have grown stronger than ever before, all thanks to our valiant leaders!, may I have the privilege to announce them all to you” he continued,

“The commander of the remnant forces of the former country of America, the commander and ruler of the union, commander Frank!” he started as the box where the leaders resided opened up to show the commander in military attire, a large star displayed on his chest, he gave a light wave, a light smile and sat straight,

“The leader and emperor of the former Chinese country and emperor of most of the Asian continent now known as the glorious empire, emperor Han!” a roar reverberated as Han in shimmering red armor nodded,

“The emperor of the Bharat empire, formerly of India but now its continent, emperor Devesh!” Devesh in his grey robe and a red pagri, his turban waved also,

“The holy archbishop of the Luminian theocracy, archbishop Matthew!” the archbishop in golden robes with a staff waved, a light smile on his face,

“The ruler of the federation, the former territories of Russia, lord Perun!” Perun grinned widely, waving enthusiastically,

“The emperor of the imperial empire, emperor William!” William in golden armor with a golden circlet on his head waved to the crowd.

“Now- “the announcer started as a tear in space appeared right in the middle of the arena,

Moyo stepped out, clad in a dark purple robe with a sash tying it to his waist, on his back hung dominion on a leash, his dark braided hair adorned with red beads and with dark purple eyes that glowed, he surveyed the coliseum,

“Ladies and gentlemen, ascenders one and all, it is my pleasure to introduce to you, the first defender of humanity, he who lit the torch to glory, the titan on the path of the crushing blade, clan leader of clan titan blade and sole ruler of the Asa empire, ascenders one and all, rise in honor of the host of this tournament, lord Moyosore titan blade!” the crowd went wild, the chant titan blade suffused the entire coliseum.

Moyo raised a hand to indicate silence, the coliseum became dead silent, Moyo dropped his arm and began to speak, his voice echoing around the entire coliseum,

“Today, we gather to test how far we’ve come and how far we need to go. Today we gather in celebration of what we’ve been able to achieve and to display our diversity” he started,

“We have a long way to go, and unless we sharpen ourselves against each other, our growth would be stunted, so I ask you all, friends and foes alike, fight to your heart’s content, unleash your inner selves, and show us the future humanity has to look forward to and blaze the path which has been lit for all, let the ascenders tournament begin!” he announced as a roar followed his proclamation.

“You all have heard it from the titan blade, let the tournament begin!” the announcer said,

The first stage was a whole round of group battles, the fledglings were allowed to pick their teams irrespective of their factions and fought in a battle royale. Skills and techniques flew around the arena where they fought. The first faction to fall out was the Bharat empire, their fledglings couldn’t keep up with most of the other factions. On and on the battle raged till the only two contestants who were left standing were a sword-wielding warrior from the imperial empire and a machine gun user from the union, the clan had not participated, entering only at the acolyte and advocate brackets.

After a whole lot of stabbing and shooting, the union fledgling ran out of intent and couldn’t crush aether shards fast enough to handle the skilled sword user who represented the imperial empire and house Lancelot. The crowd went wild again as the sword user, bloody and battered raised the bastard sword that he swung like a stick to the sky and roared as the announcer declared him the winner.

*******

Up in the enclosed box where the leaders of the factions sat, Moyo crossed his legs as he stared at the rest of his peers, Frank controlling his expression as the rest chatted amicably, William glancing at Moyo who shook his head slowly, not yet, it wasn’t the time yet for action. With a brief smile, he turned back to the rest of the leaders,

“Gentlemen, the initiate bracket is about to start” he announced,

“Indeed, wagers anyone?” Perun asked,

“My money’s on the theocracy,” William said as archbishop Matthew bowed,”

“You honor me, but surely the imperials, union or even the federation and the glorious empire have more…intent natured ascenders” archbishop Matthew replied,

“What say you, titan blade?” Frank spoke up, turning his gaze to Moyo,

He in turn glanced at Frank from the corner of his eyes,

“I’ve learned not to underestimate anyone” he simply replied and turned back to the arena,

“wise” was all Han said,

********

The initiate bracket began in the same fashion, but this time the priest initiates of the Luminian theocracy blazed to life with intricate golden runes that delivered beam after beam of concentrated light energy on their foes, plowing through rows of initiates as the acolytes on ground safely removed any initiate to injured too continue fighting. An initiate of the union transformed the intent around him into a miniature tank and returned fire against the priests with explosions that rocked the arena alone, only for an initiate of the federation to deliver a punch that carried both force and ice on the tank, and like all initiate constructs, it broke to pieces, the initiate was thrown out of his construct as it broke to pieces, gripping his head in pain as the backlash of having his intent shattered like that affected him. Before he could right himself, a knight from the imperial empire appeared and with one armor-plated fist, knocked out the initiate of the union.

Over somewhere else on the field a martial artist of the glorious empire battled a warrior of the Bharat empire, techniques were exchanged as the empire’s initiate produced flames after flames while the Bharat warrior used a silver sword that gleamed to defend and attack. In time only the warrior of the federation and a priest of the theocracy remained standing, both beaten and bloody, the arena slick with blood and sweat. The priest floated backward and with a murmur that somehow echoed around the coliseum, he said,

“First testament of Lumino, the burning judgment”

Behind him a miniature sun blazed to life, shooting beam after beam of raw light at the initiate of the federation who had encased himself in an armor of ice and despite the bulk, moved swiftly, twisting and dodging as he increased his speed, blitzing at least with the speed of an initiate to slam a punch on the priest who suddenly was encased in a golden orb shield that cracked a bit, even as more lances of light hit the ice-encased initiate, he kept on laying punched on the shield that protected the priest whose eyes widened in fear. The miniature sun blazed and with one finger pointed in the direction of the ice initiate from the priest, a large beam of light eradicated where the armored ice initiate, except he had opened the ice armor and dropped below, dodging the beam within a hair’s breadth and with a roar, with one arm encased in ice, smashed the already cracked the shield. It broke into shards, the punch hitting the priest and sending him flying to slam into the shield dome that covered the arena. His body slumped to the ground as he passed out from exhaustion.

The ice initiate inhaled and with the loudest voice he could muster roared to the very skies, the crowd joining him,

“Ascenders one and all, the winner of the initiate bracket, the ice shield of the federation, Dimitri ice wall!” the announcer shouted,

***********

Again, in the luxury room where all the leaders sat, Moyo glanced at Perun and smiled, sending a message to him through his HUD, Moyo saw the smile on the winters rage face freeze up, and rage roared to the front before it flashed away and he laughed out, nodding to those who congratulated him and glanced at Moyo, giving a short nod. Moyo glanced at William who also gave a short nod in reply before turning to archbishop Matthew and continuing conversion with him,

“Three down, two more to go,” he thought to himself,

Moyo glanced at them all before speaking,

“Now that the amateur brackets are out of the way, tomorrow marks the start of the main brackets, the acolyte bracket will show the true strength of each of us” he stated,

“Indeed, although I see no reason why the clan would want to participate, you guys have no point to prove,” Han said with a brief smile as the rest chuckled good-naturedly,

Moyo only gave a brief short smile, glaring fully at Han who to his credit didn’t lose his composure, his fingers gripping the armrest of his chair the only sign of him being a bit unnerved,

“My…people, seem to think we have to show the clan is not to be trifled with, even my sect leaders are participating in the advocate bracket, albeit only against the best advocates of your factions in a one versus one battle, I thought you guys were aware?” he asked with a look of innocence on his face,

They had been in fact aware of the clan participating, but they had all thought only the acolytes and the recently ascended advocates in form of the vice sect leaders were participating, the idea of the sect leaders participating was in truth, terrifying to think of, but no one showed it,

“And you? when does your fight take place?” Frank asked as he sat reclining on the chair, laser-focused on Moyo,

“As we agreed, I will be fighting only the sect leaders will battle against me, unless of course, anyone of you wants to join?” he asked, a challenging smile on his face,

“You think you’re that strong to defeat us all, arrogant, wouldn’t you say?” Han asked,

“Well, I doubt he would go free without a scratch or two, but it should be obvious, the titan blade would win,” Devesh said with a smile and a sigh,

“no one can tell now, can they?, we should spar sometime,” Moyo said,

“I would welcome that titan blade, without the eyes and politics of position in the way” Perun grumbled,

Moyo nodded at Perun whose blue eyes glowed,

“Soon then, let us reconvene tomorrow for the second day of the tournament,” Moyo said,

Standing up and flicking his hand as a spatial rip opened up, the rest staring at it in awe,

“It’s nice having peers we can trust, friends I can share my burdens with,” Moyo said as he entered and vanished.

**********

William, Perun, and archbishop Matthew left the coliseum together, flying under their advocate strength,

“I believe you all got the message of the titan,” William said softly,

“Indeed, I contacted my people and it was true,” Matthew said,

“Same here, quite disappointing, da?” Perun said,

“I agree, then, are we in accordance?” William asked,

“I’m in” Perun replied,

“The theocracy has hereby joined this triumvirate, sad as it may seem,” archbishop Matthew said,

“And what about the titan blade?” Perun asked,

William smiled,

“I believe we’ll see how strong the clan is tomorrow, I have a feeling we’ll see why he told us to unite and let his clan operate solo in the upcoming brackets,” he said,

Perun laughed and the three advocates separated and went their ways toward their lodgings.

********

“he’s aware,” Han said,

“I very much doubt it, the process was flawless, we literally operated through proxies” Frank replied,

“Any info from the cells?” Han said,

“They were informed to maintain radio silence till a year from now,” Frank said,

They had left the coliseum and were in their suites deep inside Bastion, a tall building that played host to dignitaries from the factions. After Frank had used an acolyte of his with a path related to radio frequencies to scan the whole room, its sonic echoes would also weed out any supposedly disguised individuals in the room. Frank wasn’t stupid enough to think that the clan trusted him or Han for that matter.

“That means we have no idea if they’ve been killed or they’re still kicking?” Han asked,

“There are ways to find out, however, we run the risk of drawing attention to them, best we stay off the radar entirely” Frank replied,

“The empire doesn’t like to operate without knowing where all their cards are Mr. Frank, we let you handle this delicate operation as a gesture of goodwill, the glorious empire could have handled this issue without the intricacies you Americans put in place,” Han said, his advocate ranked guard behind him staring at Frank and his juggernaut of a guard who was also an advocate with a cold look that the juggernaut responded with.

“We?, I thought that the glorious empire had only one leader emperor Han” Frank replied,

Han smiled a bit,

“Mr. Frank, or rather, president Frank, the same way you hide the intricacies of your rule, I hide mine also, a little piece of info for you, the glorious empire is made up of cogs that keep the machine running, compared to your capitalist military outlook, the glorious empire merely changed its name president Frank, the same way your government did, so afford me the respect and let’s cut the bullshit as you unionists say,” Han said,

Frank gave him a brief smile also,

“Perhaps nerves are frayed, please, accept my apology, I never meant any disrespect towards the empire and all those it entails, but I suggest we refrain from any brash actions, I believe the titan blade is merely acting as he usually does, with overconfidence, if anything tomorrows fights would prove to the world at large that the titan blade behind the clan is the only reason the clan still stands” Frank explained,

Han stared for a second or two before speaking,

“It astonishes me how far you would underestimate the clan despite their overwhelming might during the landing, but perhaps you’re right, tomorrow would decide, until then our forces would lay low and the cells will keep sleeping as they were ordered to do, but realize we have less than a year to make these plans come to fruition,” Han said as he stood up,

“I believe our actions are just emperor Han, the world will be set free from the shackles of the titan blade and his clan,” Frank said

“President Frank, let’s not delude ourselves with the lies of the old world, what we both want is to extend our reach far beyond our borders, history replays itself as it has done of old, only this time the glorious empire would be among those doing the conquering” Han replied shaking Frank’s hand and leaving the room.

The door closed and Franks’ smile became a frown, producing a cigar from the pocket of his jacket, he placed it in his mouth and snapped his fingers as a small flame burst to life and he lit the cigar, taking in a deep puff,

“a shame not to unleash all our advocates on the bracket day, show them how real advocates fight,” the guard said,

“Easy Julius, a hidden card shouldn’t be played carelessly, let the clan believe they are the top dogs of the world, let the titan blade believe just because he’s currently the only expert on our world currently, he can boss us around,” Frank said,

“The advocates we would deploy on that day would prove their worth, patience my friend” Frank finished as he puffed out a smoke with a smile,

Soon again the eagle and star of the union would once again dominate the world….

***********

The second day of the tournament arrived and the whole coliseum that would hold the acolyte matches was already filled, over 1000 acolytes would be participating, the combination of the initiates and fledglings took a whooping 2,000 participants and the tournament had been left with a mere 1,500 participants and the bulk of them were acolytes showing the ascension rates reduced the higher you went. The announcer introduced the factions one by one and then the independent factions, explaining that a battle would start initially as a group battle royal, each faction would have their acolytes team up and battle the other factions that were arrayed against them. Everyone had expected the sects under the titan blade to field their own teams respectively, but to their surprise, the sects had banded together as one faction.

Sentinels, storm bringers, dawn archers, and the hammers had created a full squad with over 200 acolytes together, the other factions fielded their acolytes according to the rules and before their eyes the landscape shimmered to become a lush forest, the tangible illusion catching them off guard,

“The rules are simple!” the voice of the announcer said,

“Each group is to defend their base, in the space of five minutes, a loud gong would sound and they are free to go hunting for the other factions or sects, after 30 minutes, those that are left would have qualified for the second round. However, if a faction can successfully drive another faction off their base, the entire faction has forfeited the right to move on to the next round!” he explained,

“Take your positions!” the announcer instructed as the factions all moved to their positions where their banners stood, the independent acolytes banding together also under a white banner,

Soon enough the gong sounded and the entire landscape lit up with attacks, up above in the secluded quarters of the leaders of each faction, silence prevailed, this time they didn’t sit together but in different quarters along with their people, and Moyo sat with his sect leaders,

“The union and glorious empire seem to be moving towards our location,” Mrs. Martha remarked,

“As expected, who leads our forces?” Moyo asked,

“a young woman named Genevieve, a sentinel, Josh personally hand-picked her” Idris replied

“The imperials are doing quite well against the forces of Brahma, William did a good job,” Ayo remarked,

“The Luminians seem to be content with the individual faction coming for them, it would be a messy affair,” Annika said as she winced,

“Perhaps we should focus on our faction?” Boyle suggested,

“Indeed, we might have to tell them to hold back during the second round,” Moyo said with a smile,

The union perhaps in their hubris had brought their heavy-hitting acolytes down on the clan acolytes with a fury, most of their acolytes had heavy artillery and tanks paths, and as such, heavy tanks appeared around them as they prepared to fire against the acolytes. Except there was one simple problem really, the sentinels all excelled at bashing heavy things, seeing as they had a force path and dealt disruptive force damage. In the blink of an eye, sentinels had descended on the tanks like the crushing hand of the titan, bashing and crushing the tanks and artilleries of the union before their glorious empire colleagues could interfere.

Then the skies grew dark as a thunderstorm hovered the forest, flashes of lightning descended, storm bringers flashing around as they laid into the martial artist who barely had any space to protect themselves, and when they were bundled together with both the sentinels and storm bringers descending on them, flaming arrows appeared from within the trees to shower them with burning flames on the sharp edges of the arrows, only a quick-thinking acolyte from the union with oddly enough a bunker path had erected one, saving what was left of the unions’ acolytes. The imperials had retreated immediately after they saw the overwhelming might of the clan, only to fall into the hands of the imperials that laid on them like predators.

The imperials put up a fight, actually cutting down the empires numbers, but taking heavy losses too. At the end of the first round, the numbers stood at a staggering 50 fighters left, the independent factions had 2 acolytes left, the Brahma empire had only 5 left, the Luminian theocracy had 5 left, the imperials had 9 left, the glorious empire had 6 left, the union due to the valiant effort of that particular bunker path acolyte had 6 left, the federation had 7 acolytes left and the clan had a whooping 10 acolytes left. The illusion of the forest created by Samantha cleared away as the numbers were announced and healers from Bastion stepped unto the arena to clear the injured away.

Moyo turned to his sect leaders, a smile on his face,

“Well that went well, transfer all our acolytes who lost into intense training, red zone style,” Moyo said as Mrs. Martha nodded, they had performed well, but they had been going up against acolytes who hadn’t seen as much battle as they had, they shouldn’t had lost that way,

“So, we wait for the pairings for the next round,” Annika said,

“Yh, ten gold coins we are up against either the union or the glorious empire?” Idris remarked as they laughed, imagining the looks on the faces of the other leaders as they saw what the clan had done to two factions that went up against them.