Chapter 16 - The Incredible Mr.Gululu!

The first match of the semi-finals had finally come to end, in a rather controversial fashion. After Yakov`s despicable actions, the Zafisi`s clan spectators immediately vented out their fury, whilst they heavily demanded his disqualification! Elder Oliver was likewise deeply shocked by all this, because this match had ended with the worst possible outcome for the Zafisi clan!

However, the biggest loser was Charles. He laid there on the ground, looking at the clouds above him, with a completely dumbfounded expression. He couldn’t believe he had lost... he was in control of the entire match, and victory was just a matter of time. Who would have ever thought that he would be defeated by some cheap trick?

Today happened to be the first time he had actually used his heavy sword in a real duel. In past duels, he had always used smaller swords, which were always powered by tiny crystals, and he never had to worry about protecting the crystals! Not knowing the weak points of his sword has costed him dire! His pride was in tatters, because in the end he had failed, not just himself but also his clan. He ended up being humiliated by Yakov again. Charles was so close to victory, and yet so far.

Seeing that the atmosphere was becoming heated, the City Patriarch tried to calm down the situation. “I would like to remind all participants to keep calm and respect the rules of the tournament. I will not be tolerating any further transgressions.”

Meanwhile, Kane had just arrived next to Charles on the main arena. Kane was about to ask Charles if he was fine, but after seeing Charles deeply wounded and covered by blood, Kane changed his mind, because he could figure that Charles wasn’t fine. “Charles! Are… are you going to be well?!”

Charles weakly replied, “No need for concern Kane… I have experienced countless of wounds like these back when I was training in the mountains… and injury like this will not kill me. However, I have suffered a mental wound that will never heal!”

“I just can’t believe… I have lost… I was so close…,” Charles now couldn’t hold his tears anymore, and began crying like a little child.

“Move away kid, he needs treatment!” Two medical officers arrogantly interrupted Kane as they grabbed Charles body and placed it on a stretcher.

Charles struggled to turn his face towards Kane, “Kane, please… retire from this match… retire now… while you still have the chance! I don’t want… any harm to befall you! You can’t do a thing to Yakov with that sword…! Kane…!”

Kane observed caringly the departing Charles, who was being carried away by the medical officers. Upon first observations they quickly realised that Charles wounds were severe, so they decided to head straight to the Medical Lab located inside the arena, under the spectator stands.

Kane felt sorry for Charles. Kane had only known him for two days, but they clicked so well together, it felt like they knew each other for years. He was aware of how much effort and time Charles had dedicated so that he could do well and win this tournament.

Kane then turned his angry gaze towards Yakov. When Yakov noticed him, he let out a short funny laugh, then moved slowly towards the medical area. He too had suffered some injuries that required medical attention. Fortunately for him, his injuries weren’t severe, so there wasn’t the need for him to visit the Medical Lab. He remained on the medical platform, as three medical officers attended to him.

Whilst everyone attentions were focused on Yakov and Charles, Diane Rodgers had walked towards the Judge Panel Area, and was presently busy conversing with the Judges. Shortly after, she left and walked gracefully outside of the fighting ring towards the spectator stands. Afterwards, an announcement from the Judge Panel was heard.

“CONTENSTANT DIANE RODGERS HAS DECIDED TO RETIRE FROM HER NEXT MATCH! REASON CITED WAS BECAUSE SHE DOESN’T HAVE ANY WISH TO WIN HER NEXT MATCH, ONLY TO RISK SCARRING HER DELICATE BODY IN THE FINAL MATCH. SINCE SHE IS NOT ALLOWED TO RETIRE IN THE FINAL, SHE HAS DECIDED TO DO SO NOW. HENCE, ZAFISI`S MR.GULULU IS BEING DECLARED AS THE WINNER OF THE SECOND SEMI-FINAL!”~~~~

“WE ARE NOW GOING TO STOP FOR A TWENTY MINUTES BREAK. THE TOURNAMENT WILL THEN BE RESUMING ONCE THE BREAK IS OVER!”~~~~

Kane frowned, as he sat down on the main arena cross-legged, then rested his sword horizontally in front of him on the floor. He closed his eyes and patiently waited for the start of the final match. It seemed that he had forgotten about not competing in a match for the second time in a row, and about how much he hated his tournament`s name.

Meanwhile, the spectators in the arena…

“I have seen all sorts of luck, but this kid`s luck is just…incredible!”

“Isn’t he a new servant that just joined the Zafisi clan? They must be surely proud that one of their warriors has reached the finals!”

“This Mr.Gululu has really done it now! Regardless if mentioned in a positive or negative way, his name will be on everyone lips for the days to come!”

“The Creators must surely be helping this young warrior! To allow him to arrive to the final without even having to lift a finger!”

Amongst the crowds there were mixed feelings of jealousy and joy. The stand of Zafisi clan was thrown into complete ecstasy and disarray, as the various members of the Zafisi clan instantly celebrated this unexpected success! One of their warriors has made it to the finals!!! This meant that they have ranked at least second best in the whole tournament!!! Even Elder Oliver couldn’t believe Kane`s luck as he took out his communication device and delivered this exciting news to the Zafisi clan`s Palace.

Inside the Palace, the Matriarch was presently resting on a chair in her room, when two guards came to inform her about the Servants Sword Tournament. “Lord Matriarch, we have just received news about the Tournament.”

The Matriarch eyes instantly glittered excitedly, “Please tell me… How are our two warriors doing?”

The guard replied solemnly, “Charles has lost the semi-final against Yakov. To complicate matters, he was badly injured during the match, so he isn’t in a position to participate in the 3rd/4th ranking match either. He is confirmed as 4th placed in the overall ranking. Fortunately, his injuries aren’t life threatening and he should be able to recover in just a few days.”

Matriarch Tracy instantly felt depressed and worried for Charles` well-being. “Thanks for updating me. You can depart, I now wish to stay here alone by myself.”

“Please Lord Matriarch, there is another news, one that I am sure you would like to hear!” The other guard responded.

“Other news? Please speak.” The Matriarch asked curiously.

“It is about the other participant, Mr.Gululu has made it to the finals! He will be fighting against Yakov very soon!”

The Matriarch was left completely stunned. “Kane… in the final…? Is he that strong!?”

“Lord Matriarch, we don’t know if he is strong or not, because he didn’t engaged himself into any fights! It so happens that by a series of freak coincidences, Mr.Gululu was lucky and advanced up to the final without fighting anyone!”

The Matriarch instantly opened her eyes wide. “He arrived at the final without fighting anyone?” She remained staring blankly for a while, and shortly after she started laughing weakly from her nose. She found all this "arriving at the final without fighting anyone" slightly hilarious, as she kept tittering softly. She felt bad for laughing whilst knowing that Charles was currently injured, but she just couldn’t hold her laughter anymore.

“Fine, you can leave now.” The Matriarch ordered the guards, whilst she kept giggling weakly. She felt very happy, and shed tears of joy.

Back to the arena, time was slowly passing by, and now only one minute remained before the start of the final match. The crowd was still lost discussing Mr.Gululu`s luck.

Amongst the crowd, a particular man was fuming furiously. “I can’t accept this! That Bastard!! He made it to the final! At my expense! No, this is just too much! I can’t bare myself any longer! This is unacceptable!!” Clinton was on the verge of a mental collapse from his anger, but then he apparently remembered something.

“Right! How can I be so stupid! Even though he made it to the final, his now against Yakov!” He grinned evilly and rubbed his hands together, “I just hope Yakov will lay waste to his body… yes Yakov… show him hell!”

“THE RESPITE IS NOW OVER. PARTICIPANT YAKOV DORBA IS BEING CALLED BACK FOR THE FINAL ROUND!”~~~~~

Yakov walked with a victorious pose, as he saluted his supporters. Everyone had already acknowledged him as the champion of the tournament, and this match was just a formality to honour the remaining fixture. Even though some of his supporters were disappointed by his earlier actions, when they realised that he was minutes away from being crowned champion of the Servants Sword Tournament for the 11th consecutive time, they instantly forgot about the incident.

On the other hand, they also knew that this was the end of the road for Kane. No luck could save him now. Even Oliver was lost ruminating about the possible outcomes of this match. He was worried that Yakov might inflict intentional injuries upon Kane.

Yakov finally arrived at the arena, as he placed his sword vertically on the floor, whilst resting both of his hands on its grip, in a somewhat cool and tranquil posture. A mocking smile could be seen on his face.

Kane then opened his eyes like a hawk, as he too grabbed his sword and coolly rose to his feet.

Suddenly, Yakov took in a deep breath and shouted.

“AS A SIGN OF GOODWILL OF MY PART, AND TO PERMIT HIM TO ENJOY FURTHER HIS REPUTATION AS THE TOURNAMENT`S MOST LUCKY PERSON, I AM ALLOWING THIS ‘MR.GULULU’ THE OPPORTUNITY TO RETIRE FROM THE MATCH!!!!”~~~~

The whole arena, excluding Kane, was surprised by this sudden declaration. The eyes of the various members of the Zafisi clan flashed with hope. They knew that Kane didn’t have any chance of beating Yakov! This was truly a miracle!

“Nooooooooooooo…. This can’t be! This can’t be true!!!!” Clinton cried desperately as he placed both of this hands into his hair, seemingly trying to pull it out. He had now lost all of his senses, as he stared lifelessly, like a wild beast on the verge of death.

Kane, remained calm for a while, and afterwards he casually replied. “I’ll be fighting this match.”

Instantly the Match Judge shouted.

“THE FINAL MATCH: YAKOV DORBA VS ZAFISI`S MR.GULULU SHALL COMMENCE!”~~~~~~

The entire arena went dead silent. The faces of the various members of the Zafisi clan fell in disbeliefs, and Oliver felt dizzy as he started to faint. Even the various spectators and Patriarchs present were left completely dumbstruck! This Mr.Gululu was a complete idiot!

Yakov was completely stunned at first, but afterwards he burst out in laughter. “Ha ha, oh dear! Oh my! You actually want to fight me with that sword of yours! This is beyond funny! I first thought that only Charles would be this foolish, but now I am going to start believing that the servants of the Zafisi clan are infected! Infected by some kind of weird disease that spreads stupidity!!!” Even the spectators in the arena started making fun of Kane as they shouted several taunts at him.

Kane ignored everything, as he started running towards Yakov, holding his sword only with his right hand. Yakov kept his cool pose, as he pushed forward his chest funnily, seemingly playing down this match. However, when Kane arrived within striking distance, Yakov instantly broadened his eyes wide open. He was a veteran and an experienced fighter. He had fought many battles and he could tell when a strike is dangerous or not. The moment he felt Kane`s sword approaching, he could immediately tell, that Kane`s attack was very, very dangerous!!!

Yakov desperately used all his strength he could master, as his eyes bulged out, and thick veins popped all over his face. He barely managed to hit the point of Kane`s sword, and with great effort he succeeded in parrying away his strike. Kane`s strike instead landed on the ground.

BOOM~~~~~ CRACK~~~~~~

When Kane`s sword hit the ground, a huge explosion was heard, as a ten metre long fault appeared on the ground. He then casually retracted his sword again as he started chasing the now running Yakov.

There wasn’t a single person in the arena that hadn’t his mouth open, and nobody dared to utter a word. Even Marcus, who was resting his cheek on his palm sleeping, suddenly opened his eyes with curiosity.

“Damn it to hell! Dammit! From where did this monster came from!!!?” Yakov completely terrorised kept running stupidly as he tried to avoid going near Kane at all costs. However, Kane was very fast, and it didn’t take him long to corner Yakov. Kane then swayed his sword horizontally, barely missing Yakov by a few inches.

BOOM~~~~~~~~

Ten tiles from the floor were instantly cut and thrown away flying for several metres by the same strike! Kane made it seem like he was cutting through a piece of paper!!! Yakov stared at the strike in disbelief. If the strike had landed on him, forget about him losing, he would have been chopped in half!

The eyes of Jackson Dorba twitched, and instantly went into fury. “There is no way this kid is a cripple! Something`s amiss here!!!

“This is rather strange indeed… but Jackson, I have scanned this guy for several times, and I can’t sense his magnetic core!” Jeffrey replied dumbfounded.

Meanwhile, Marcus who was busy observing the kid with his tranquil expression, grinned and whispered into his heart, “So… that`s how it is eh?”

The remaining spectators couldn’t believe what they were seeing. Never before it was the case that a servant using a green crystal powered sword would be winning against someone using a blue crystal powered sword! And the one wielding the blue crystal powered sword was the current champion!

Oliver`s mind was thrown into complete disorder! The countless emotions experienced before and during the match had completely exhausted him, and his mind was now blank. Kane had completely exceeded his expectations!

Meanwhile, Kane was still chasing after Yakov, until finally trapping him near a corner. When he noticed he was at a death end, Yakov screamed in despair. “I surrender!!! I retire!!! Please stop I beg you! I am willing to give you anything! Here, come take my sword!”

However, Kane ignored his pleas as he coolly uttered, “It is only proper that I finish you with the same technique Charles used.” He then ran towards Yakov, whilst Kane span on himself and landed a powerful strike on Yakov.”

“Nooooooooooo………..!!!!!!!!!! arrghhhhhhhhhhhhh………!!!!!!!” The only thing Yakov could do was scream, as he fell on the ground defeated in a pool of blood.

CLANK~~~ CLANK~~~

Kane coolly removed the blood stains from his sword, then he uttered to himself. “It seems cutting swords in half is slowly becoming my own speciality!”