Chapter Text
“I’m- I’m fine, Ren. Really.”
Though she appreciated the extra attention, it was a little embarrassing to have Ren looking her over. Sure he always had a few mama bird tendencies but this was ridiculous. She finally pulled his hands off her face.
“I’m okay, Ren,” she insisted. “I’m okay.”
He seemed to relax then, which in hindsight was a bit strange. He almost never got this worked up. His power was literally to remain calm no matter what.
“Sorry,” he said.
She smiled. “I’m a lot tougher than I look, Ren.”
He nodded, sitting back on the bench. “Yeah. I guess you’re right.”
It had only been a few minutes since her match with Menos, the kid having to be taken to the healing tent though he was only unconscious. For Nora’s part, she had felt the surge of energy gradually fading overtime. It still sparked a bit but she assumed she’d be back to normal eventually.
“Still, what was that, Nora?” Ren asked. “One second you were on the ground and the next…I could barely keep up with you.”
Nora blushed. “Was I really that strange?”
“Strange isn’t the word I’d use, Nora. Incredible, yes, but not strange.”
She flushed more at that. Way to give a girl a compliment, Ren. She wasn’t even sure where to begin to respond.
With her fight over Nora had returned to the stands with the other contestants, all of them waiting for the start of the next fight. The mace wielding guy against the armored up girl. The two of them were already making their way to the stage.
“Alright ladies and gentlemen!” the announcer came on. “I know that last match was a shock, but this next one promises to be a full blown slobbernocker! We all know why you’re here! Am I right?”
The crowd suddenly erupted much louder than Nora had ever heard them scream before. They were like a pack of rabbid hyenas. Though Nora couldn’t really judge as she also felt mildly curious. One of the two people fighting would be her final opponent. And clearly the crowd were just as excited to see who would win this fight. But why?
The guy with the mace looked pretty strong, though that was probably just because he was a giant. He towered over all the other kids and looked big enough to be a wrestler. Maybe he was too. But his opponent didn’t look to be a pushover either.
The gleaming bronze armor covering her from head to toe made it clear this girl was a fighter. But then, Nora could tell that much by the way she carried her short sword into battle. It reminded her of the warriors back home. Whoever this girl was, she lived and breathed battle.
“No need for a roulette wheel this time,” the announcer said as they both stopped in the center of the ring. “Ladies and gentleman, allow me to introduce our next combatants!”
He gestured towards the boy.
“In this corner…the apple doesn’t fall far from tree, does it? Making his official Mistral Tournament debut, and with his papa watching no-less, allow me to introduce….Cardin Winchester!”
Nora blinked, the crowd around her roaring to life while her attention immediately shifted elsewhere. As did Ren’s, both of them seeming to catch on at the same time.
Swall was seated a few seats down from them with the other volunteers, though he seemed to sense their stares as he looked right at them. And he even offered a smile and a wave. That was about as much confirmation as Nora needed. She was supposed to be fighting against the strongest guy in Mistral’s son.
“Well…second place isn’t that bad,” Ren offered.
Nora groaned. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Ren.”
Though she couldn’t really argue he was wrong. Unless Cardin shot her with the same power juice Menos did, it would probably be a very one-sided matchup. Not that she would just give up before it started, of course. Even if she had no chance, she’d go down swinging. That was Valkyries did. Most of them, at least.
“Alright alright,” the announcer came on again. “Sounds like he’s already got a ton of fans. But let’s not count out our other challenger yet. Also making her tournament debut…A girl that’s been making a name for herself. The one they call a genius. A child prodigy.”
He waved his hand towards the armored girl.
“Mistral’s biggest rising star! Amber!”
The crowd erupted again, several chanting the girl’s name into the air. It made Nora a little annoyed. Nobody chanted her name when she beat up Menos. Granted, that fight ended before they really could but the point still stood. What would it take to have her name being screamed out like that?
Probably winning the tournament. Sure her chances were slim to none but if she could, the popularity alone would be perfect.
“It’s sure to be a fight to remember!” the announcer shouted before giving a signal. The timer appeared on the ceiling as usual. “Alright contenders! Let’s get this party started!”
The buzzer sounded and the girl immediately rushed forward, sword swinging and slashing so fast Nora could barely keep track of it. Her jaw fell as she tried to watch. It wasn’t just Amber’s speed. As she reigned down blows, her eyes widened at Cardin’s reaction.
He wasn’t even trying to dodge! He just stood there and laughed! Did he even feel her attacks?
Amber doubled back, her expression unchanged as she seemed to be sizing up her opponent. The crowd was already in a frenzy, both their fans roaring and cheering throughout the arena. To hear it all and see it all left Nora completely dumbfounded. She noticed several people pulling out scrolls to record. Swall included.
“Oh!” the announcer shouted. “Looks like Cardin’s going on the offensive!”
Nora looked back to see the giant of a boy that was Cardin swinging his mace like some furious bull. But he was smiling the whole time. Was he even human? Was Amber? She ducked and weaved blows without breaking a sweat. And in full armor to boot. Nora looked to Ren, who seemed to be watching everything about as intently as she was.
“R-ren?” she asked.
He put a hand over his face.
“I really never stood a chance, did I?”
Nora’s only response was silence. If he was saying that, what hope did she have? Her tiny wooden hammer against those two monsters? Her heart sunk as she continued to watch the two fighters, their blows never seeming to let up on each other.
***
The sound of the buzzer finally put an end to the much anticipated death match. Nora simply felt numb as the victor was called. Since neither fighter had fell below fifteen percent, it was decided the one with more aura remaining would proceed. And in this case, that person was Amber.
Cardin didn’t seem to take that news very well, though Swall was quick to shout for him to take a seat.
“A warrior takes his losses with tact, son!” he called from his spot in the stands. “Remember that!”
Though he still seemed frustrated, Cardin reluctantly bowed and exited the stage to join everyone. With their match concluded, the announcer started giving his big congratulatory speech, but the words barely registered to Nora.
It was only a matter of time now. She would have to fight against a child prodigy. The child prodigy.
As everyone began to disperse for the second intermission, she felt Ren tugging on her sleeve, though his words only went in one ear and out the other. Her gaze had been permanently locked onto the floor. After all this time, she’d almost forgotten what real despair felt like. And it wasn't a feeling she had missed.