"What!" "What do you mean we can't all participate?" The Nightshade clan was currently about to register for the tournament. The woman sitting at the other side of the desk looked at them with an unfazed expression. "I'm sorry, those are the rules. A clan can have at most 5 participants for the tournament." Tyson slammed his hands on the desk. "But..." "There is no, but I'm afraid. Rules are rules. It was set this way to allow Braves that are not affiliated with clans and smaller clans to participate. The requirement is that you flash the hidden markings you get for solving the zodiac crypts.""I see." The ex-assassin finally gave up as he turned to his clanmates. He counted himself, Kaz, Ernie, Farrow, Maggie, Vladimir, and Lilith."Don't sweat it, dudes and dudettes." "Yeah, Sir Ernie said he wouldn't be participating." "Is it because of that thing?" Kaz addressed the guitarist. "Who knows?" Ernie shrugged off the question as he pocketed his hands. "That leaves six of u
"A lone brave, huh?" Jake remarked.Lone braves were those who tackled the zodiac crypts' trials solo, without affiliating with any clan.The exception was the first zodiac crypt, where a rule mandated teams of four.After that, they faced the trials alone."This won't be an easy battle for Chase," Lexi chimed in."Don't worry, guys," Rhea interjected. "We've all gotten better, right? Lone brave or not, Chase will impress!""The match is starting.""Hey speedster, ready to face the ripster?" Rip teased.Chase tilted his head, then shifted to a serious expression."They say you lone Braves pack a punch." Chase mused as his boots glowed. "Some even call you socially awkward."Tyson eagerly anticipated their clash, recalling their previous fight where Chase's speed had posed a challenge.As Chase and Rip faced off, Tyson reminisced about their encounter."I've been itching for a rematch with Chase at full power," Tyson mused, his smile turning into a frown. "Too bad he's going down.""Wh
"You're a lone brave, right? Say, Would you like to join my clan?""Ehhh!?" Tyson's unexpected offer surprised everyone."Hehe, it's typical for Tyson to do something unexpected," Ernie commented.Even the Dragon Constellar was taken aback by the ex-assassin's actions.She glanced at Maggie. "Is he always like that?""You have no idea, sister."Tyson confronted the Ice Mage. "So... what's your decision?"Jakeem burst into laughter. "You're quite the wild one, aren't you?"He jumped back, creating an ice wall. "I like your bluntness, but I must decline your offer.""Ehhh!" The crowd reacted in shock."He declined...""A chance to join the Nightshade clan!?"Jakeem conjured an icicle blast, causing the ice wall to rumble."Trouble," Tyson's senses warned as he activated his glider mode."Point One: Glider!" His dark Anima wings emerged.Farrow's eyes lit up at the sight of Tyson's new form. "Sir Tyson has improved without his shadow magic item.""That's expected of our captain," Vladimi
"So, that's it."The Nightshade clan was on the deck of the Mini-Cruiser, enjoying the food Tyson had brought from the Eastern continent.Vladimir had a mountain of food in front of him, diving in eagerly."Can't you eat slowly, big guy?" Ernie joked."A man has to eat fast if he wants to grow fast.""Preach on, brother!" The guitarist nodded in agreement, taking a puff from his blunt. "Also, congrats to all of you for making it to the second round." He gave them a thumbs-up."You all did well," Kaz commented."But it only gets harder from here," Lilith added.The Nightshade clan faced tough competition, and even though they were the only clan to have all members qualify for the second round, they might end up facing each other."Yeah, there are a tonne of commendable fighters who made it through the first round," Farrow added."There's the Enders, Red Souls, and Valhalla clans.""Rhea and Crimson, I hope I fight one of them soon!""You hope to fight everyone soon!" Kaz scolded."Leav
"Hahaha!" Vladimir bursts into laughter, impressed. "Amazing! You developed the mantra ability.""I've levelled up too, Sir Vladimir," Farrow responds confidently."Nevertheless, this match is mine for the taking... Blue Boomerang," Vladimir declares as he hurls his hammer at the archer.Farrow stands unfazed, stretching his hand forward."Impossible!" Vladimir grapples with the unexpected turn of events, while murmurs ripple through the colosseum.Farrow effortlessly halts the hammer with one hand, stunning everyone."How?" Vladimir asks, bewildered."This is the power of the mantra!" Farrow explains as strange markings emerge on his body.The mantra technique involves chanting phrases, granting the user the ability to drain the astral energy of non-living components, weakening them momentarily."With the mantra, every attack from a magic item or coated by animation is rendered nearly useless," Farrow elucidates.Vladimir realises that Farrow's mantra can drain the astral energy of m
The tournament kept progressing;; Tyson advanced after a brutal battle with his brother and mademade it to the final to face Zod.The bustling cheers of the crowd echoed more vibrantlyvibrantly than ever,ever, for today, the vagrant games shall end.The seats were filled. The streets of the city were nearly emptyempty as everyone was in the colloseum. Even previous participants wanted to see who would win the tournament. "Ladies and gentlemen, We have our two finalists ready!" Tyson and Zod were facing each other in the arena. They both hadhad wide smiles on their faces. "So, it's happening,happening, AstralEnergy, isn't Energy, isn't it?" "That it is, Tyson Bronze. I look forward to a memorable battle with you." Zod stretchesstretches his arm for the ex-assassinassassin. Much to the crowd's amazement, the two of them share a handshake. "I'm going to win,win, but, yeah, good luck, Zod." "Go Zoddy!" Kira cheered from the crowd. She was seated with the Nightshades and Enders. B
"What brings you here, Grim!?" Tyson's voice rang out, filled with surprise and disbelief."My, is that any way to address your beloved teacher?" Grim responded with a smirk, drawing everyone's attention towards Tyson."He's the most psychotic person in the House of Bronze. My father might lead, but Grim, he's pure evil," Tyson explained, his tone serious."Stop it!" Grim chuckled, gently touching his cheek. "You're making me blush.""Tck, Kaz!" Tyson turned to his vice captain.Kaz met Tyson's gaze and nodded. "Got it," he said, placing his hand on Tyson's, transferring some of his own energy."Thanks," Tyson said gratefully as he felt his powers replenish. It wasn't full strength, but it would do for what lay ahead."Three Dons, the strongest assassins of the house, using shadow or dark elements, and Grim, on par with them," Tyson summarised."Everyone," Tyson addressed his friends. "I can't guarantee our safety. If you want to leave, I'll understand.""No way am I missing this! I w
"I can't move." A man was drifting along the infinite blackness of space. He appeared to almost be completely lifeless with his back curved.He was clad in black and white tights with golden highlights on the sides. A name tag with the initials "Tyson" was pinned to his chest. "How long have I been drifting in space, hours, perhaps days? I can't tell. God! My mind is foggy, my Astro tech is almost fully drained and once it dries out, so will my astral skin, and I'll die from lack of oxygen." He tried to move his body in desperation, but to no avail... "This paralysis is that witch's hex. Is this how my story ends? Am I fated to die a loser? That too at the hands of the people I served for over a decade!?" More hours passed and Tyson's situation did not change. "It's so cold." He imagined hugging his body to stay warm, but alas, that was all he could do, imagine. "They dumped me way out here without a planet or celestial body insight." Lost in his thoughts, he felt regret. Reg