Chapter 5.1

“Welcome back,” David said exactly 30 minutes later. “Let’s get this tournament back underway. First fight in the second half, Valorie Sterling versus Travis Dulean.”

“Oh, keep an eye on this fight. Valorie is another advisor and she’s pretty strong.” Dirk commented.

Canopus nodded. Valorie was reasonably attractive, with chestnut brown hair that fell halfway down her back. She had a sky blue baby doll tee shirt and long white pants. Her shoes matcher her shirt, and she carried a wooden quarterstaff in her hand.

It was quickly apparent that she wasn’t using the extent of her power, but the battle against a scythe wielding half sheol. She still seemed to win easily, blowing kisses to the crowd before leaving the arena.

Nothing much of interest happened through the next few fights until Josh’s name was called. He headed down to the arena, opposite Julia Sur, a woman with fox ears and tail.

Kaye could tell he was slightly distracted by her outfit, which was pretty revealing. It consisted of a purple tank top with only one strap, and some short jean shorts.

David looked from Josh to Julia. “Everybody ready?” Both combatants nodded. “Then fight!”

Julia grinned. “Good,” she bounded across the arena, pulling a fireball in-between her hands, and firing it toward Josh. Josh dodged to the side; his hand instinctively going for his knife, which he quickly remembered was no longer on his belt. By the time he realized it, Julia had reached him, and was throwing a strong punch toward his face.
Josh bent over backward as the blow flew right over him. As expected, Julia was thrown off balance by the lack of resistance she was expecting. He righted himself and spun around, slamming his foot into her back, hoping to throw her even further off balance. The fox girl caught herself easily.

Josh backed off slightly as Julia turned back around. She looked him over quickly, then reached into her pocket and withdrew a hammer that could not possibly have fit in her pocket. Josh jumped back as she swung it at him. This is crazy, where did that hammer come from?

She swung at him several more times, but each time he was able to dodge away. Unfortunately the fight wasn’t going anywhere. If I can hit her stomach, she’ll drop that hammer, and then she’ll be wide open for another attack. Josh continued to dodge as she swung, until after a particularly strong uppercut, he saw a clear path to her stomach. He darted in, slamming his fist into her stomach, and Julia dropped the hammer, but not the way Josh had expected. She dropped the hammer straight down onto the middle of his back, and the teen slammed into the ground.

Before he could get up, he felt a hand grip his arm, and another grab his leg, and he was picked up into the air, swung around twice, and tossed out of the arena.

Josh hit the ground hard, and rolled several times. When he opened his eyes again there was a medic standing over him. He healed the wounds, and then helped the teen to his feet. Julia was waving to the crowd as David announced the next three fights.