Last Man Standing

                                                                       Nicholas

It's difficult to keep up when your opponent's strength involves agility. As I flee from these annoying arrows, I can feel the muscles in my legs tense up. I could sense Randen's presence behind me, so I tried to pick up my pace.

When I reached the end of the pouring arrows and passed through the massive barrier, I noticed a large improvised tower. I slowed down when I spotted Liam crouching on the ground and Milla staring up at it with blood trickling down her left arm. At this point, I shouldn't be helping Liam because I have a battle to win.

I picked up the pace and climbed the tower. I managed to pass through the first floor, but a wooden flank smacked the side of my torso, causing me to stumble slightly. As soon as I had a thought, I leaped onto the wood and used it to climb to the third floor, avoiding the spears that were about to pierce my skin. For a few seconds, I look down. I noticed the others startled by the unexpected appearance of different sharp objects, wooden weapons, and swinging stuff like the wrecking ball earlier. It becomes even more difficult due to the tower's movement.

I lift myself to the third floor using the strength of my upper body. I swing my legs to hit the floor. Hugo landed on my side just as I was about to stand up. I dash to the opposite side, avoiding the moving things. I really need to be on top of the tower before the others can get there because the top of the tower is not very big. The tower shifted, and a horde of arrows emerged from the floor, followed by a rammer to my left. I dodge it by crouching on the ground. I saw that the chain is attached to the tower's summit. I waited for it to swing on my side before trying to run after it, but a hand from the floor restrained me.

"Not so fast, softie," Milla muttered as she grabbed my legs. I take advantage of the fact that she's hanging on the floor, her arms supporting her weight, to shake off her grip on my ankle. The wrecking ball is ready to hit me again, so I duck. Milla groaned as she tried to pull herself up on the floor. Another swing of the ball, and the tower shifted yet again, this time opening up the floor. I was about to fall, but I caught hold of the round wood connected to the wall. Again, Milla fell on the second floor. I smirked at her and prepared for the ball.

I tightened my grasp on the wood and jumped on it without hesitation when I saw the rammer approaching. I dragged myself up the chains and landed safely on the top floor. I let out a sigh of relief before being knocked out by a massive wood that broke through the wall. I managed to stop myself from falling. I tried to stand, ignoring the narrowness of the floor, and search for the rope that would lead me to the entrance of the arena, where the King and the others were waiting and watching.

When I saw the rope, I grabbed it and was about to slide down when I was yanked out off the floor by a pair of hands. I tried my hardest to find something that I could grab.

"Arggh! " I whimpered, feeling a pang on my palm as I reached for the only thing that could save me. I try to resist the pain in my palm by using the strength of my upper body. I made it back to the top and spotted Milla using the rope to get across the Arena. I followed her without hesitation.

When I landed at the Arena's entryway, the audience erupted. I smiled at them, then tore a piece of cloth from my shirt and wrapped it around the deep cut in my palm, thinking that it would help ease the pain in my hand as I walked straight into the center of the arena. Hugo and Milla, the other two contenders, are already situated in the middle. I was the third person to finish the second phase, and after a while, Ryner and Liam arrived, followed by Randen, who had wounds on his thigh and legs. Ryner appears to be unharmed, but he has a huge lump on his forehead and a few wounds on his chest. Liam, on the other hand, seems to be in a lot of pain, his right hand is on his left rib, and his left eye is closed with a lot of blood around it.

When he arrived at the center, I asked him if he could still continue, "Of course bro, a little fracture will not stop me from crushing you," he joked, attempting to lighten the situation. 

"Alright, then, good luck. I'll feel awful if you die quickly in this competition," I joked.

"Then give me a miserable death," he chuckled.

"You really have the nerve to laugh at this point?" Milla remarked as if she'd been holding it off for a long time.

"So what is the problem? At least if we die, we will die laughing, unlike you who looks gloomy every day." He retorted which made me laugh a little. Milla rolled her eyes and turned away from us, unable to conceal her displeasure.

"We've seen what the remaining six contenders are capable of. They can convince us that they possess the character traits necessary to overcome obstacles and challenges. However, only one fighter will be able to serve the Kingdom. Now the tournament's last phase will begin." The Director stated.

Inside the arena, the weapons are delivered by the workers. There were several weapons, ranging from daggers to axes, as well as various shields. We were taken aback by the deafening sound of the gunfire. I remained standing for a time as the others also tried to understand what was happening. I expected we would be able to drink even just a glass of water.

As soon as I realize what has happened, I dash to the weapons and grab a long sword-breaker, and I flinch as I feel the stinging pain in my left palm. I hastily grabbed a shield to protect myself from the arrows when I saw Randen shoot them in my direction. I suppose I'm his first target.

In my peripheral view, I noticed Liam holding a pickaxe with Milla in front of him. Perhaps, she'll vent her anger by beating Liam.

I swing my sword-breaker at Randen, but his steal bow collides with mine. "I'm sorry, Nicholas, but I'm going to win this," he muttered coldly.

He didn't give me a chance to answer before swinging his bow, and when I deflected it, I jumped back because I was about to lose my footing. But it allowed him the opportunity to reload his bow and fire another stream of arrows at me. I quickly covered myself as I moved closer to his position. He moved away from me and kept shooting arrows. I grab a couple of arrows and the nearest bow to me.

I slung my shield over my arm and quickly loaded the bow, aiming for Randen, who didn't have a shield to protect him from. I kept shooting him with his own arrows until I ran out of them. I managed to hit his shoulder, which gave me an advantage. Fortunately, I had a shield on my left arm and was able to escape getting struck in the stomach by Ryner's mace just as I was about to throw my sword-breaker in Randen's direction.

I dash to the nearest weapon rack and grab a dagger to use against him. When I turn to face Randen, I notice him lying on the ground with a bloodstained head. The medic drags him to the corner before taking him out of the arena.

I also cast a glance in Liam's direction, only to see him fly as Hugo kicked him from behind while Milla fought him. I observed him try to get to his feet. Hugo didn't mind Milla, rather he went directly to Liam. When I was ready to assist Liam, I felt a searing pain in my legs. I discovered a hunting knife pierced on my left leg. I yanked it out and threw away the blade. The pain is excruciating, but I must continue because I need to win this battle. I take up a dagger and put a small bit of energy into it.

I surged forward, my legs throbbing, as I looked at Ryden, who was now carrying the same sword as mine. He stopped my strike and attempted to counter, but I had anticipated his movements and shifted to the side, thrusting my sword into his side. He blocked it, but I took advantage of the chance to step on his feet and smack him in the face. He staggered backward, and I grabbed the brass knuckles on the weapon rack before he could even recover. I punched him in the stomach, sides, and finally the jaw, and he immediately passed out.

I turn around to face Liam's direction. He's no longer there, so it's just me, Hugo, and Milla. They are still at war right now. I took advantage of this time to collect myself and concentrate on the battle rather than my wounds.

I noticed Milla clutching a stealth dagger and quickly immobilized Hugo by slicing the back of his knee. Despite Hugo's pain-induced groans, he tackled Milla, which caught her off guard. Hugo tried to punch Mila while she was pinned, but I intercepted him with my shield. Milla gave me a wide-eyed stare. Probably attempting to process the fact that I saved her. She then delivers a fatal blow to finish out Hugo.

As we both stood in the center of the arena, the audience cheered. The victory was only an inch away, so I did not pay attention to the discomfort in my body. I've been looking forward to this opportunity for a long time. I prepared myself for Milla's impending blow. I used my arm to deflect the punch that Imelda and the others had taken before. I moved backward to brace myself. 

"That was one hell of a blow," I complimented her, but she refused to answer and continued punching me. Because of Milla's constant attack, my forearms felt numb. I lowered my arms and prepared to attack when I assumed she was finished, but instead, I took a blow that made my ears ring for a while.

"Stand up, softie," I heard her mention. I tried to stand up, but I felt the pain of my previous wounds, as well as the metallic taste of blood in my mouth from her punch. I must succeed. Right now, that is the only thing that matters.

I swung my left arm towards her, but she avoided it. I focus the last of my energy on my brass knuckles. I tried to kick her, but the pain in my legs forced me to kneel. She stood in front of me and gave me a roundhouse kick, but I evaded it, allowing me to see an opening to land a blow on her stomach. The power on my brass knuckle has an additional effect on my punch. Because of the exhaustion, I can feel my body going numb. The last thing I remember seeing was Milla writhing in agony and spitting blood onto the ground.