Arise From Dark

Isaac's POV

Braun Astern

How foolish could this man possibly be.

"You're pretty strong." He says, blood trickling from his forehead.

An utter imbecile

"I suggest you surrender now or prepare to face the consequences." I warn, but Braun only chuckles.

"I'm hoping to see this fight through until I win."

"After my display of unique ability, you seriously think you stand a chance?" I ask rhetorically, my eyes narrowing in annoyance.

"Let's find out shall we?" He says before a bright blue light emanates from his body as he sprints towards me at incredible speed.

Quite fast I'll give him that.

He swings his right fist forward, his arm charged with blue lightning I repel towards him, sending him flying back painfully.

However Braun chuckles once more as I furrow my brows.

Is he mentally deranged or something?

He races forward again but this time instantly travels behind me using his mana to enhance his speed.

"This is a fight you can't win!" I exclaim as I block his powerful kick and reflect the mana from it back to him, creating a massive blue explosion.

That ought to teach him.

The dust clears only to reveal a grinning Braun, the excitement in his eyes evident.

Just what the hell is this man made of?

"This is such a thrilling experience don't you think?" He says hoarsely, sending shivers up my spine.

This isn't how this fight was supposed to go, he was supposed to forfeit and let me win.

I was supposed to absolutely dominate every single fighter on this battlefield, so why the hell is he still standing!?

"Braun Astern!" I hiss before gritting my teeth as he charges towards me, bloodied and battered.

"From this moment forward I won't hold back." I announce whilst Braun unleashes a barrage of mana powered punches, never missing a single beat.

I repel each and every one of his mana attacks but he continues relentlessly, every time I reflect he throws another punch continuing the cycle.

The battle platform is lit ablaze by our endless exchange of blows in a bright blue fire.

I have to win, I can't lose after getting this far...

"You're an obstacle to my goals Braun Astern, I can't let this go on." I say, the ground beneath us shattering with each passing second.

The crowd erupt into gasps and cheers as I ready myself for one last powerful attack to end this battle once and for all.

I charge my fist with my own mana, combining it with the mana I repel to deliver a swift and potent strike to Braun's chest, temporarily creating a blinding light in my wake.

I let out a breath of relief once I witness Braun's bruised body indented onto the ground motionless.

I finally did it.

Talis the ref and announcer, along with the rest of the audience are stunned when a pool of blood begins to leak from Braun's seemingly lifeless body.

Talis begins to long count as I let out a sigh, the sight of this all too familiar with me.

Ever since that day...

The day my father was wrongfully accused of embezzlement, the day he took the fall for Jayce Black, the day my childhood was stolen from me the moment I gazed upon my father's dead corpse.

I have to win this tournament, get stronger and build my reputation, all so I can replace him....

Jayce Black, Ruler Of Raykor.

I cast a hateful glare towards the VIP room perched high above before turning my attention to Braun's seemingly deceased form.

A blonde lady from the audience let's out a blood curdling scream as she tries to rush to his side, however the royal guards hold her back and prevent her from stepping a single foot on the battlefield.

"BRAUN!! You can't die on me you daft moron!!" She exclaims, tears freely flowing from her emerald eyes.

Yes that's right.

You've been nothing but an obstacle to my plans and serve as a mere stumbling block.

So die Braun Astern...

Unfortunately for me, I notice his fingers twitch before he lets out a low and gruff chuckle.

This bastard!?

The blonde lady immediately stops her cries as the low chuckle turns into full blown laughter.

What the hell is wrong with this man.

With each passing second his laugh grows deeper, more otherworldly as it begins to echo like a choir of trumpets.

Dark blue mana emanates from his form, instantly evaporating his own pool of blood as he slowly gets back on his feet, abruptly stopping his own laughter. 

"That was a close one..." He states, his dark scowl a far cry from his usual smile.

"The darkness called out to me....to rest...but I can't do that anytime soon right?" Braun inquires chillingly, his glowing blue eyes bore into mine.

J-just why am I, t-trembling...?

"You have the power to repel your enemies mana right, then I simply have to stop using it."

As soon as he says this, I can see the mana flow from within his body come to a halt, my eyes widening in surprise.

What does he think he's doing?

"Over here." Braun says coldly from right behind me but before I can even react he sends me flying across the battlefield with a mighty punch.

No...this can't be.

I gasp for air as I struggle to get back on my feet but all Braun does is walk towards me slowly, the sound of every step nearly driving me mad.

How can anyone be this powerful without using mana in their attacks.

At this rate, I might--

--No!

I can't lose, I can't back down after all I've been through to get here.

I have to reach the top of the societal hierarchy and dethrone Jayce Black.

"Don't think you've won this just yet!" I shout, as I charge my body up with immense energy.

If I can't repel his own mana, then I'll just use my own.

I dash forward and land an incredibly powerful punch on Braun's stomach, sending shockwaves across the vicinity.

I'm sure that will--

"--Is that the best you can do, how utterly....pathetic." He says coldly before sending me staggering back with a single backhand.

The force of this attack enough to fracture my jaw as blood leaks from my mouth.

No,no,no,no,no

"I'll have mercy on you and end this quick." Braun says before in the blink of an eye, he's already positioned in the air above, ready to land a devastating kick.

"It was a fun match." 

The sheer detachment in his voice intimidating as he lands an earth shattering blow on my face, further breaking the ground beneath us as the crowd gasps once more.

So this is the power of Braun Astern...

My vision becomes blurry as lay on the ground defeated.

I can't believe I lost ...

"1.....2.....3." I hear Talis count before everything around me gradually fades to....black.

Braun's POV

The crowd erupts into cheers and shouts of joy once Talis ends his long count.

"The winner is, BRAUN ASTERN!!" Talis announces before the audience goes wild.

I can't believe that idiot actually tried to kill me.

I turn my head to see Isaac Costello carried out on a stretcher, his form motionless.

I made sure to hold back significantly so he should be fine.

Guess the tournament is off to a good--

My thoughts are interrupted as Emma abruptly hugs me, probably having sprinted to my location.

"Where'd you come from?" I ask amused but Emma only sniffles in response.

"Braun....y-you almost...." She begins to silently sob into my chest as I smile.

"Don't tell me the tough and unforgiving Emma actually cares?" I inquire chuckling but she just tearfully glares at me.

"Stop messing around, you and James are the closest thing I have to a family and losing you would--"

I pull her closer to my chest, the weight of the situation finally dawning on me.

"I'm right here." I assure her before she slowly breaks into sobs once more.

"Promise me, you won't leave me j-just like all the o-others, promise me you won't just dissapear like my real family." She asks, her voice muffled by my chest as I gently pat the back of her head.

"While I can't promise I'll always be here, I intend to do whatever I can to stay by your side and protect you."

"...That's good enough..." Emma sniffles as I smile at her sympathetically.

This mana coursing through my veins, I'll put it to good use and protect what's most dear to me.

I'll make Esmeraldia a world where the people I love can thrive in.

Now that, is a promise.