Chapter 166 - 162: Riddlehoeven-Lammermoor Versus Milian

Chapter 166: Chapter 162: Riddlehoeven-Lammermoor Versus Milian

My fur and whiskers stand up from the sheer energy and primal animal power in the arena.

The screens on both sides of the arena showcase pictures of the competitors,

On one screen: Lobo, Ophion, Zuba, and me. Images of all of us in battle throughout the tournament. On the opposite screen: Moonbeam the hippogriff and Wildstorm the hyena-buffalo. Two utterly massive creatures facing us four.

Blue and almost carved out of stone for all the emotion he displays, Moonbeam raises his regal head in a proud, haughty way, his beak like a knife. Meanwhile, Wildstorm’s spotted hide and magnificent buffalo horns make a powerful impression, but his cunning hyena eyes say: Don’t turn your back on me.

House Milian stands next to the platform on one side while we face them on the opposite side. The vast arena floor is empty of all other contestants. On the floor, an elven orchestra plays a soaring and somber tournament theme while a choir of eliminated birds from the tournament warble. A single elven soloist sings the closing song:

"Come together, tooth and claw,

Enemies for the games, but we unite,

Beast instincts run wild and raw

But beast hearts will always do right."

Lightning’s commentary zings through the mind-link. [A lovely message of unity. I wonder why System allowed it.]

Lobo is philosophical. [Fooling the players? There are so many false messages of unity and "it’s all in the game" that it’s not even funny.]

I see it differently. [Unless Mushroom Man made them un-ironic and a subliminal message to players and to the major beast taming houses. Think about what he told us last night.]

Lightning and Lobo agree with me. Mushroom Man has definitely put his stamp on the game. And his call for unity might be the thing that saves us all in the end.

Once the last haunting strains of the song and anthem fade away, the audience applauds. They smell eager, on the edge of their seats.

The announcer calls out, "Welcome to the final match of the Beast Taming Elimination Tournament. In the next hour or so, we will finally learn which house will go home the victors. Which beasts have the courage and strength and skill to prevail. And which beasts and tamers have the most unbreakable bonds."

Applause. Zuba grooms me by picking nits and assorted dirt out of my fur. [Are you ready?]

That feels good, so I let him do it. Besides, millions are watching. [Ready. Are you?]

He flashes a gummy baboon smile. [Born ready.]

Ophion wriggles restlessly. [Peridot told me that you two do not choke when survival is on the line. I hope that that is true.]

[Peridot knows us.] Lobo boops Ophion on the nose. [We can do this.]

The final stats for all of us flash across the screen.

___________________

[Name: [Blaze]

[Class: [Expert]

[Race: [Common Tiger

[Level: 10/10 [XP 40/100 STATUS: Full

[HP: 6/6 [MP: 0/0 [Stamina 100/100

[Strength: 98

[Defense: 97

[Magic: 96

[Resistance: 95

[Speed: 94

[Charisma: 97

[Luck: 96

[Skills: [Bite (Attack Skill] [Pounce (Attack Skill)] [Sprint (Skill)] [Camouflage (Skilll) [Escape Power (Skill){Divine Vision/(Skill)[Telepathy](Skill)[Procreation (Skill)[Super Jump (Skill)]

___________________

[Name: [Lobo]

[Class: [Expert]

[Race: [Common Wolf]

[Level: 10/10 [XP 50/100 STATUS: Full

[HP: 6/6 [MP: 0/0 [Stamina 100/100

[Strength: 97

[Defense: 94

[Magic: 96

[Resistance: 93

[Speed: 96

[Charisma: 95

[Luck: 97

[Skills: [Bite (Attack Skill] [Pounce (Attack Skill)] [Sprint (Skill)] [Camouflage (Skilll) [Escape Power (Skill) [Super Jump (Skill)][Telepathy(Skill)]

___________________

[Name: Ophion]

[Class: Expert]

[Race: Northern Python]

[Level: 10/10 [XP 45/100 STATUS: Full

[HP: 6/6 [MP: 0/0 [Stamina 100/100

[Strength: 96

[Defense: 95

[Magic: 93

[Resistance: 96

[Speed: 92

[Charisma:95

[Luck: 94

[Skills: [Bite (Attack Skill] [Crush (Attack Skill)] [Flying (Skill)][Telepathy (Skill)] [Camouflage (Skill]

___________________

[Name: Zuba]

[Class: Expert]

[Race: Baboon]

[Level: 10/10 [XP 35/100 STATUS: Full

[HP: 6/6 [MP: 0/0 [Stamina 100/100

[Strength: 95

[Defense: 94

[Magic: 92

[Resistance: 94

[Speed: 96

[Charisma:97

[Luck: 96

[Skills: [Bite (Attack Skill] [Crush (Attack Skill)][Telepathy (Skill)] [Using Tools (Skill)] [Camouflage (Skill]

___________________

[Name: [Moonbeam]

[Class: [Expert]

[Race: [Hippogriff]

[Level: 10/10 [XP 55/100 STATUS: Full

[HP: 6/6 [MP: 0/0 [Stamina 100/100

[Strength: 98

[Defense: 97

[Magic: 96

[Resistance: 95

[Speed: 94

[Charisma: 97

[Luck: 96

[Skills: [Bite (Attack Skill] [Flying (Attack Skill)] [Sprint (Skill)] [Camouflage (Skilll) [Escape Power (Skill){Divine Vision/(Skill)[Telepathy](Skill)[Procreation (Skill)[Super Jump (Skill)]

___________________

[Name: [Wildstorm]

[Class: [Expert]

[Race: [Hyena-Buffalo]

[Level: 10/10 [XP 50/100 STATUS: Full

[HP: 6/6 [MP: 0/0 [Stamina 100/100

[Strength: 97

[Defense: 94

[Magic: 96

[Resistance: 93

[Speed: 96

[Charisma: 95

[Luck: 97

[Skills: [Bite (Attack Skill] [Stampede(Attack Skill)] [Charge (Skill)] [Stealth (Skilll) [Escape Power (Skill) [Super Jump (Skill)][Telepathy(Skill)]

___________________

The announcer’s voice is a final verdict somehow. "Our champions! First, for House Riddlehoeven-Lammermoor...Minette Riddlehoeven and Lobo!"

Wagging his tail, Lobo howls and Minette holds out her hands expansively. Wild applause for this First Lady of beast taming.

Minette is so well liked that I can’t think of anyone who has anything bad to say about her. The only one who ever treated her badly was ex-Lady Rosabel, and she has apparently faded from the game along with her disreputable husband.

Next, the announcer shouts, "Kaline Riddlehoeven and Blaze!"

My girl holds out her hands in the expansive gesture while I roar.

The answering roars and beast noises and applause are vibrations that I feel in my very bones. People and their beasts are cheering for me. Lightning’s, Finn’s, and Leonie’s roars reach me above the din.

Kaline, while young, has a maturity and wisdom beyond her years. I feel almost possessive of her. That’s the beast bond. However, I want her to shine. I want both of us to shine. Together. Remembering how she held me when I got sick from the potion, I feel a warmth in my heart that will power the Amulet of Beast Power into infinity.

The amulet human around my neck, vibrating. Maybe it responds to love! That would fit with what Mushroom Man said. Maybe love is the key to its advanced powers.

After Kaline takes another bow to the delight of the audience, the announcer calls out, "From House Bottomsley, Terrah Bottomsley and Zuba!"

Both Terrah and Zuba spread their hands, welcoming the adulation. Terrah is regal and aristocratic and, I realize now, the only person who can make Zuba smile agreeably like that. As well, the two of them have hyperfocus when they are in combat. The crowd loves them.

The announcer pauses. "Martyn Bottomsley and Ophion!"

Stately and not as irritating as I first thought, Martyn stands proudly with the dignified Ophion, his hand on Ophion’s scaly skin. The crowd looks mesmerized by Ophion’s shiny skin.

Deafening cheers. Martyn and Ophion are apparently more popular than I thought, but otherwise, they wouldn’t be here in the final round.

House Milian awaits its moment of significance. Moonbeam stamps his feet. Wildstorm stamps her hooves as well.

The announcer draws out the names. "And now their competitors! From House Milian, Eneko Milian and Moonbeam!"

Mysterious, red-robed, Eneko raises his hands to the ceiling and offers a dazzling smile. Moonbeam tosses his head. Loud cheers and applause. The feathers on his wings fluff out.

Finally, the announcer brings this buildup to its finale. "Nazaret Milian and Wildstorm!"

Powerful and athletic, Nazaret Milian looks small beside the mammoth Wildstorm, but there’s a power in her eyes. Wildstorm tosses her head.

Even more deafening applause. People respect and revere House Milian, as much as they do us. And why not? House Milian is here, fighting the final battle.

[It will all end for you here.]

System. Naturally. Of course it has to lord everything over us.

My answer is simple. [It’s not over yet.]

[So endearingly amusing. So delusional.]

I refuse to give it the satisfaction of hearing me growling or roaring. Instead, my four paws propel me up onto the platform. Behind me, Lobo hops up. Ophion slithers up while Zuba joins us with a vigorous vault.

Stomp. Stomp. Moonbeam and Wildstorm tromp onto the platform, wings and horns gleaming in the bright glare of the arena.

"Winner take all," the announcer proclaims.

Soundlessly, we’re rising. All eyes tracking us. Not just here but in the real world. In W City and everywhere. Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I can feel that energy. I can feel the hearts and minds focused on us.

The platform reaches its height, and my heart hammers in my chest. Lobo wags his tail, ears forward. We’re ready now.

The area holds its collective breath. Waiting for the final match. Winner take all. No pressure.

The announcer’s voice kicks off the match and ignites destiny. "Three...two...one...BEGIN!"

We’ve nailed down our strategy. We’ve got our opening. Moonbeam stomps forward, wings raised, magnificent and full.

Ophion lances out, going for Moonbeam’s front legs. Meanwhile, Zuba clambers toward him and swings toward him. Ophion tries to sweep Moonbeam’s legs.

With shrewd eyes, Wildstorm charges toward us, stampeding...