Arise From Dark

Braun's POV

I notice Elizabeth's hardened gaze towards the VIP room above and tilt my head curiously.

"You seem quite determined don't you?" I comment as she snaps out of her thoughts and looks to me, shaking her head.

"Don't worry, it's nothing." She says, clearly lying through her teeth.

"You should still get your injuries checked out though." Emma speaks before Elizabeth nods.

"There should be a healer next to the waiting room, get yourself checked there." I suggest before Emma helps Elizabeth walk to said destination.

Now, time to get back on my grind

I say to myself as I look towards the wreaked battle platform before me.

"For the next match we have Braun Astern going up against..."

I smirk as Talis announces the next fight, ready to face anything that comes my way.

The next dozen of matches go by swiftly, mostly due to my overwhelming strength.

"The winner is Braun Astern!"

Maybe my next opponent will be stronger.

"The winner is Braun Astern!"

Maybe the next.

"The winner is Braun Astern!"

Maybe this one...

"The winner is Braun Astern!"

I sigh to myself, the audience going wild over my numerous victories throughout a relatively short period of time.

"Now the last match before halftime, Isabella Mandrake vs Braun Astern!" Talis announces as my opponent walks onto the battle platform.

Interesting...

She's clad in a black dress with long black hair styled similarly to Arielle Ravonna.

I tilt my head curiously as she subtly glares at me, seeming more than determined to beat me.

This never gets old.

"Begin!" Talis says as he swings his right arm down.

"You're quite strong Mr Astern, hope you haven't grown cocky." Isabella states coldly, water-like mana swirling around her.

"Me, cocky?" I say chuckling before in the blink of an eye I'm right in front of her, ready to land a punch.

"I could ask you the same question." I continue but before I can strike, she creates a wall of lightning between us.

She's fast

I immediately pull back my arm and step backwards, nearly getting electrocuted.

"You're one to talk." Isabella replies slightly amused.

"I might've underestimated you." I sheepishly admit as she forms a massive water dragon with her mana.

This Arielle wannabe might actually be a challenge...

The water dragon absorbs the wall of lightning, charging itself up as it races forward.

I narrowly dodge it's attack as it breathes out a powerful lightning blast.

I propel myself into the air swiftly, using my mana to do so before landing a devastating punch on the creature causing it to explode, sending a burst of water in all directions.

However the lightning that once coursed through its body travels across the wet ground causing me to launch myself into the air once more.

Its been hours since I last had an exciting fight.

I could practically feel the adrenaline course through my veins as the water on the ground reforms into multiple snakes and dragons at Isabella's command.

"Thank you, for providing me this much toys to play with." I say smirking as I effortlessly counter all the water constructs whilst I free fall and unleash a burst of my electric blue mana, destroying all of them in one attack.

"Dont you dare call my constructs toys." Isabella hisses, scowling at me she readies herself for one more attack.

She gathers the water all over the vicinity and creates one last giant Dragon.

My smirk turns into a full blown grin as I plummet from the sky straight towards this dragon.

I charge my arm up with mana as my fist collides with it fiercely, creating a massive, breathtaking explosion.

Wonderful

My attack completely obliterates the dragon and spirals towards Isabella before striking her powerfully as she crashes into the ground.

Once I actually land, I smirk victoriously whilst Talis begins to long count.

"....5, The Winner is Braun Astern!!!"

The crowd cheers before I walk over to a wide eyed Isabella who's seemingly paralyzed with shock.

"First time losing?" I ask with an amused smile before her cheeks redden in embarrassment.

"Tsch, no one should be this strong." She mumbles as I help her up on her feet.

Well, when you're an Isekai protagonist, anything is possible.

Isabella walks over to the waiting room, a clear look of dissapointment on her face as Talis announces halftime.

The audience are served drinks and meals by servants, whilst some temporarily leave to buy their own snacks.

I too, eventually make my way to the waiting room to an excited Emma.

"Braun, I knew you were strong but I didn't know you were that powerful." Emma says wide eyed as I chuckle.

"Swooning over me now?" I say pridefully before Emma's awe turns into sheepish annoyance.

"Elizabeth, remind me to never compliment this scumbag ever again." Emma tells Elizabeth who smiles amusedly, her left arm now in a cast.

"Elizabeth, are you recovering well?" I ask, slightly concerned.

"Yeah, thanks to the healer, my arm and body should be fully functional by the end of halftime."

I nod, visibly relieved before Gabriel wheels himself into the scene.

"You think I can get my legs healed by the same person too?" He inquires before Emma replies.

"Well I heard the healer was strictly reserved for the tournament participants but maybe you can try."

"It's okay, I'm healing well anyway, so I guess it isn't as big deal."

The bustling waiting room filled with participants and their supporters immediately go silent as the Five Rulers along with Raymond Felix arrive.

All their heads are slightly bowed in respect all except for Emma and I, the former clearly defiant.

"We're here to congratulate you on a stellar performance thus far." Jayce Black, Ruler Of Raykor speaks, his face fixed in his signature nonchalant expression.

"Yes, you've all showcased promise and talent during the first half." Cedric adds, the Ruler Of Hawthorne forever stroking his white beard.

"We hope the remaining participants can continue to show promise and power." Sayro chimes in, being the most suspicious one of all.

His signature grin and consistently shut eyes adding to his mysteriousness and intrigue.

And with that, three of the five rulers leave the room, Arielle and Penelope staying behind to interact with the participants.

Raymond Felix leaves too before casting a weary glance towards Elizabeth, the tension between the two palpable.

"So you're the infamous Braun Astern." Penelope, Ruler Of Pazalia says to me, her innocent eyes blown wide in awe.

The fact that she managed to get this close to me without me sensing her mana is.... concerning.

"Oh, um, greetings nice to meet you Miss Penelope." I say to her sheepishly before she smiles and eyes me from head to toe.

"I can't believe such a strong warrior has been hiding right under my nose for so long, I couldn't believe it when I first heard you were from Pazalia." She compliments, her voice sounding soft and amazed.

All I do is nervously laugh in response, not wanting to disclose any part of my backstory.

"Neither did I." Emma says, joining the conversation with a mischievous smirk.

Good grief, this girl will end up exposing details of my origins that should be kept secret.

"Who might you be?" Penelope asks curiously, her tone harbouring no malice.

"I'm Emma, I live with this big oaf."

Once I notice the devious gleam in her emerald eyes, a bead of sweat forms on my head.

"Really how long have you lived with him?"

"For a few days actually, he's not from Esmeraldia suggesting he might be from The Outer World." Emma answers smirking as my eyes widen.

"Really!?" Penelope asks surprised, her mouth hung agape.

"No no!" I deny "I was only joking you know." I say, smiling at Emma through gritted teeth.

"Then where are you really from?"

I narrow my eyes, aware that Emma takes pleasure in the tight spot she's putting me in.

"That's the question, isn't it?" A familiar feminine voice says behind me before I turn to face a faintly smirking Arielle.

These women will be the death of me.

I chuckle sheepishly as they wait for my response.

"Seriously guys there are more interesting matters and topics to talk about than my native land right?" I try to convince them.

"You're probably right, but you've gained huge popularity so the spotlight will shine on you regardless." Penelope says chuckling before finally turning to leave with one last wave.

"You faired well against my pupil Isabella." Arielle reveals as I turn to face her.

"I knew you two were related somehow." I reply before Arielle chuckles lightly, her cold demeanor still present however she's more relaxed.

"I hope you know your publicity will only skyrocket from here, maybe then you'll finally reveal the secrets you've been so desperately trying to hide." She continues with a chilling smirk before turning away and joining Penelope.

So cryptic

"You heard the lady." Emma speaks, clearly pleased with the trouble she caused me.

"You really are trying to ruin me aren't you." I sheepishly hiss as I pull her by her cat ears.

"Hey watch it!!" She whines in pain as I continue to yank her ears.

"Are you trying to get me exposed."

"Let me go first!"

"After what you just pulled why should I!?"

"Ouch!" She complains "Look I figured you were hiding something especially since you were so vague about your past, teasing you was so fun you can't blame me, plus your publicity attracted many rulers, rulers I'd love to have connections to." Emma explains before I finally let her go and sigh.

"You really will be the death of me one day." I huff as Emma gently strokes her sore ears.

"Chill out would you, what's so bad about your background anyway?"

"It's not necessarily about what's bad, it's about timing...the reveal of my past needs to be suspenseful and well executed."

Emma looks at me with a deadpan expression before she bursts out into laughter.

"You're so full of yourself aren't you, now go buy some snacks."

"What makes you think I'll do you any favors for you after what you just did."

"Look, the meals their serving here aren't as good as the local pazalian street food."

"Then go buy street food yourself."

"But Elizabeth said she would fill me in on the latest weapons and trends."

"Too bad." I say sternly before Emma pouts and gives me her best attempt at puppy eyes.

Good grief.

"Please Braun, just this once." She pleads before I ultimately give in.

"Fine, I'll buy you some stupid snacks."

Emma's pout turns into a grin as she claps her hands together excitedly.

"Thank you so much." She thanks me as I roll my eyes.

"Whatever." I say before walking out of the arena and onto the crowded streets.

She has the audacity to get me into a tense predicament then ask me for a favor right after.

I don't even know why I agreed to do this for her.

Damned Emma and her puppy eyes.

If I remember correctly, their was a small shop a few miles away that sold the best food.

After crossing a few streets and travelling across multiple alleys I finally reach my destination, only to find....

Death.

The smell of fresh blood fills my lungs as I gaze upon the street littered with countless corpses.

What the hell happened here.

Civilians run and scream in terror, running away from a silhouette of what seems to be some kind of an army judging by their numbers.

Don't tell me...

My eyes narrow, taking in the sight of the infamous Goblin army wreaking havoc across the expanse.

My fists clench at my sides, however my eyes widen once I hear a wicked chuckle from right behind me.

I turn to see a Goblin step out from the shadows and swiftly stab my chest with a black dagger.

He must've been using some sort of stealth skill.

Judging by the dagger's ability to pierce me it must be made from Skyfaire or something just as strong.

Damnit.

I fall to the ground with a loud thud as blood begins to leaks from my chest profusely.

I can't believe I forgot...

That whether in the real world or in fiction, ravenous beasts who inflict harm to others for twisted motives will exist nonetheless.

Flashes of the abuse I endured on Earth play through my mind as I cough up blood in the present.

Whilst I was living my power fantasy I had forgotten about the existence of scumbags who seek chaos and discord for simply for the fun of it.

I had forgotten, the very reason I sought out to make Esmeraldia mine...

Blue mana flows through my veins as blue energy painfully seers the deep wound on my chest.

"You're strong for a human aren't y--"

Before the Goblin that stabbed me can finish it's sentence I've already sliced it's body in half with a blade I materialized with my mana.

Blue and black aura emerge from my shadows as I stride towards the approaching Goblin army.

I must rid this world of creatures such as these.

I have to....

Eliminate