Chapter 200: The Strength Of Kings

Silence fell across the battlefield. Despite the smoke rising from the destroyed districts, and the crying of the injured being carried across Varghelm, the Wolf King stood in front of the assembled leaders with his sword drawn in the ground. A number of royal guards helped keep the area around them secure. Although everyone was still reeling from the destruction of the past few hours, Aldren had presented them with an idea to consider. Tanaka stood beside Raizen, with Sora and the others behind him. Lynessa stayed close to Nira, who had been tending to her injuries. Tanaka had only been lightly involved in the fighting. He looked around at the assembled leaders, waiting to hear what they decided. However, Aldren raised his hand.

"There is one more thing to decide." He looked towards the Eldoris delegation. "Tanaka Eldoris, you and your people have done more than enough. You tried to help mediate, you saved our civilians and those caught up in the fighting. However, this is a matter between the Beastfolk and must be decided by Beastfolk." Tanaka frowns slightly. "What do you mean?" "You will not be involved in this challenge. You and your subordinates will not fight in this challenge. We will not ask Eldoris to bow to whoever wins."

Garrath nodded. "It is our conflict, we shouldn’t expect someone else to decide who should lead us." Tanaka looked between them. Although he understood their reasoning, he didn’t like being excluded from something that could decide the fate of Bravelm. He had come here to establish peace, not to take over another nation. By forcing his way into the challenge, it would only cause more suspicion. "Fine. We won’t be involved." Aldren nodded slightly. "Very well."

Rules were set. Each recognised people would send one leader and one chosen second. They would fight together in an enclosed arena. No outside help would be allowed once the challenge had started. Alliances could be formed but they would end when it suited them. Most importantly, it was a fight to the death. No one would be allowed to back out due to injury. The last leader standing would be the winner and the other peoples would be expected to accept the outcome. Tanaka watched as the fighters entered the area.

Aldren Greymane, representing the Wolf Crown, and a scarred Frostmane warrior. Garrath Goldmane and his top battle commander. Tavren Raukhan and a Tiger warrior who had recently taken the place of his fallen right-hand man. Caelis and an experienced spirit mage. Queen Elowen and her second from the Rabbit Kingdom. The Bearfolk, Hawkfolk, Boarfolk and Deerfolk all entered with their leaders and chosen fighters.

They all had the authority of their people and their faces showed they wouldn’t be leaving without giving their all. A large circle had been set up around the area. A number of high level mages from different peoples had joined together to create the circle. They had combined their mana to create a clear dome over the whole battlefield. The dome shimmered as protective formations were set up to contain the energy and stop anyone from interfering. With the final formation set up, the fighters took their places. Aldren looked around. "Begin."

The Tigers made the first move. Tavren vanished as he charged forward with his spear. His second followed suit with a sweeping attack, forcing the Bearfolk leader to create a barrier of earth. The formation broke under the force but the Bearfolk retaliated by slamming his hammer into the ground causing pillars of stone to erupt. The pillar narrowly missed Tavren. He twisted mid-air and used one foot to push off another rising pillar. He flew towards the Bearfolk, his spear glowing with condensed fire mana. The Bearfolk caught the spear with his armoured hands and they struggled for a few seconds before Tavren let go. He spun around the larger mans arm and delivered a powerful knee to his stomach. The Bearfolk stumbled. Another attack from the Tigers. This gave him an opening.

Garrath had already charged into the fight with the Hawks. The Lion King charged forward with a flurry of wind blades. His golden mane swayed as fire mana surrounded his arms. A Hawkfolk champion flew overhead and fired a number of condensed wind projectiles from his wings. Garrath raised his hand and created a swirling ring of fire, consuming the projectiles. He jumped. The force from his legs caused the ground to shatter underneath him. His massive body flew high into the air to meet the Hawkfolk. He delivered a punch to their stomach, causing them both to crash down. The Hawkfolk twisted his wings at the last second. Garrath landed heavily and turned to face his next opponent. The battle had only just begun.

Aldren and his Frostmane second fought together. The Wolf King slashed his sword creating a crescent of wind, forcing the Deerfolk leader away from the centre. His second created an icy floor to limit the Boarfolk’s movements. They worked well together, creating openings for each other. The Boarfolk charged forward, his earth powered body breaking the ice. Aldren sidestepped. He slashed his sword, hitting the charging warrior in the shoulder and forcing him to collide with a pillar of stone.

Before he could follow up, a vine wrapped around his ankle. The Deerfolk leader had recovered and large roots erupted from the ground. Aldren’s Frostmane second reacted quickly. He slammed his weapon into the ground, causing a wave of ice to spread. This froze the roots and a few metres of earth. Aldren used the opening to free himself but the Boarfolk had recovered and was charging again. Aldren smirked slightly. "Persistent." He raised his sword. A powerful gust of wind swirled around him, causing dust and ice to fly from the ground. He moved. The Boarfolk barely had time to raise his weapon before Aldren’s sword hit him, causing him to slide across the battlefield.

The Foxfolk were fighting less aggressively. Caelis and his second had created a web of spirit formations around them. They had created a number of illusions to confuse their opponents. This caused them to waste attacks on illusions while the Foxfolk moved along hidden paths. This had worked well against the Boarfolk second as he attacked an illusion. He was surrounded by binding spirits. However, Garrath was a different story. The Lion King’s mana flared, causing a wave of heat to surround him. This caused the air to distort and a few of the illusions to break. He then delivered a sweeping attack of fire, causing the Foxfolk to break their formations. Caelis quickly altered his spell, creating spirit chains to bind Garrath’s arms.