Ascension: Cursed Blood-Chapter 41: Unsuitable Ability

Gradually, the fainted youths opened their eyes, rising from the ground, only to feel deceived.

Morbia and Sylvia were preparing for battle.

"What, they're going to fight?!" the young man exclaimed irritably.

The girl beside him frowned. "I thought everyone would have a chance!"

"Yeah! Let us prove ourselves!"

Zoran lifted his chin, a shadow falling across his face as he glared at them as if they were pathetic worms.

"You had your opportunity. You couldn't stay on your feet in front of my aura. Look at yourselves! Your robes are filthy, and your faces are covered in dust! You better watch and learn if you don't want to spend your whole life watching the borders!"

No one dared to object.

Kain smirked, leaning on the pillar.

"Well, well. Yesterday, Loir interrupted us, but today, I'll see what you're capable of." his eyes traveled from Sylvia to Morbia. "And, not just you."

Zoran raised his hand - the fight was about to begin.

"Wait."

Morbia glanced at him, pointing at Sylvia.

"My ability is not suited for a duel. May I ask for a Tier I artifact? Temporarily, just to show a decent match."

Sylvia's eyes went wide. "WHAT? Why the fuck did you come out to fight if your Codex is useless!"

The other young men shared Sylvia's displeasure, but not Zoran.

"Hmm." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Let me think... Spear or sword?"

"Sword."

Morbia replied promptly.

"Bring it," Zoran waved his hand.

Less than a minute later, the man returned with a sword wrapped in black cloth, tossing it to Morbia.

She deftly caught the weapon untying the knot revealing a dark long blade of unusual square shape. The sword was short, more suited for defense than reckless attacks.

Morbia's hand tightened around the hilt as runes flashed across her eyes.

"Not bad, not bad at all." She took a few test swings. "It's even a shame I can't keep this sword."

"Tsk," Sylvia snorted. "Are you ready to get started?"

"Sure, show me what you can do - a Golden Contender."

Sylvia's eyes went wide at Morbia's words, but she didn't have time to think. Morbia tore forward, moving like a valkyrie.

Slash.

The dark blade slashed Sylvia's shoulder, coating her white robe in blood.

"Fuck! Don't you dare think you're better than me!"

Runes ran down Sylvia's arm as she activated her Codex.

A disk of golden light soared in front of her hand, finding its way in front of her fingertips. The golden disk followed her every move.

"Die!" Sylvia exclaimed as a burning beam shot out of the golden disk.

Morbia flicked her sword into her other hand, reflecting the beam and plunging her knee into Sylvia's stomach.

The beam slammed into the pillar, leaving a dark, smoking spot crusted with embers.

"Gha...!" Sylvia gasped in pain, but wasn't about to stop, aiming the disk at Morbia.

Morbia tossed her wrist aside, simultaneously kicking Sylvia right in the calf. A muscle spasm caused Sylvia to crumble to the ground.

Before Sylvia realized it, the sword was pointed at her face, a sharp glint running down the blade.

Sylvia gulped, the situation was not in her favor, she already lost, but she couldn't let that happen!

"This isn't over!" she exclaimed, kicking Morbia in the stomach.

Oddly enough, Morbia didn't have time to react and ended up on the ground. She grabbed her sword as the golden light from the disk fell on her face.

One move and Sylvia would make a hole in Morbia's head.

"Shit, I lost."

Morbia raised her hands with a nonchalant expression.

Some were cheering for Sylvia, some wanted Mobia to win, so the crowd erupted in moderate applause, to the quiet clapping of Keepers.

"Good, good job, both of you," Zoran nodded deeply. "Sylvia, cancel your Codex. Losing either of you in a mere duel would be a great blow."

Without a word, Morbia returned her sword and headed into the crowd, standing at the far pillar with a defeated look.

"Why?"

Kain's voice came from behind.

Morbia flinched, but running away from their talk was no longer an option.

"Tsk, you decided to do it after all," she snorted. "What are you speaking of?"

"Why did you lose to her?"

Kain glanced at a pleased Sylvia.

"You defeated her without the Codex and without using the artifact's ability. I'm sure that sword had some powerful Enchantment. Losing to a simple kick? Judging by your movements, you'd rip her head off with your bare hands if you had to."

Morbia grabbed his wrist, pressing firmly against his chest.

"Shut up..." she hissed. "It's none of your business what I do or why I do it. What I was forced to do at the Astral Dimension was simply a path to my power. Nothing more!"

Not a hint of understanding appeared in Kain's eyes.

He didn't believe her, not a word she said.

Why?

Morbia looked too capable to risk her life for no valid reason.

'She protected me, not because she wanted to save me, but to get the Ascension Rune. I was just her target, and that part of the story is true,' Kain pondered, staring into her ruby eyes. 'But, there's more than that.'

'And, you're going to tell me what it is.'

Kain got out of her grip, stepping aside.

'But not now.'

The opening battle ended, and everyone gathered in front of Zoran once more, awaiting his final words.

"Those of you who could not withstand my aura should think carefully about your future. You must decide whether you will remain under the dome, working for the glory of mankind, or whether you will decide to go to the Astral Dimension again."

Coldness filled his gray eyes.

"Perhaps, you are not ready, and it is best for all of us if you do not let the call of the Arcane Scripture kill you. As for those who withstood the pressure. Do not think that you are special. The Arcane Scripture spares no one, and every single one of you can die, even under the domes - from Rifts, let alone the Astral Dimension.

"Either way, the choice is yours. All I ask is that you remember the burned robes, the impact of my aura, the hundreds of other dead Contenders, and make an adult decision."

One young man stepped forward, his knees dirty.

"What do we do next?"

Zoran waved his hand.

"For this week, until the next group of new Keepers arrives, you will stay here at the Stellar Fortress. You can train, rest, and generally do whatever you want."

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Then, Zoran pointed downward, as if there was something deep underground.

"Who knows? Maybe we'll even select you for the next expedition. After all, you're Keepers now."

Kain's eyes went wide for a moment.

'Expedition? Is he talking about the abyss?'