Path of the Berserker-Chapter 50Book 5:

Fia hiked the hem of her mummer’s robes as she raced through the densely packed streets of the Golden City. The trip down from the Pai Fang platform had taken much longer than expected, having to wait in line for nearly half an hour just to find a skiff that would ferry them to the surface.

Little Princess

Iron Marshal

I grinned.

Even as an Imperial Marshal the [Odds were still Against Me].

Which was fine by me.

I cultivated the added Frenzy as the Chairwoman addressed us directly.

“Standard tournament rules will apply,” she said. “The match shall begin as soon as you touch down upon the surface below. While aerial combat is of course permitted, each of you must land at least initially after leaving the court platform. There are no boundaries to the arena. The entire planet may be used. Control of the match shall be now handed to the arena officials. Once an outcome is reached, whether by elimination or scoring, we shall declare the final verdict on that outcome. Good luck to you both.”

As she gave a bow, the cheesy voice of an announcer boomed through the air.

“A monumental match up for this enormous crowd at Luxor stadium. There is bad blood between these two, which should only heighten the spectacle here today. The Iron Marshal, a native newcomer, but a legend in his own right, being the first Imperial Marshal seen in over a century and opposite him, the far more well known ‘Little Princess’ of the Lu Shui system. A prodigy for reaching the Sacred Soul Realm at only 12 years old, but today she stands on the cusp of true godhood and I’m sure she’s not going to let the Iron Marshal stand in her way.”

“That’s right, Sakumo,” a second announcer joined in the conversation. “I’ve followed the short career of the Iron Marshal Max Chun and one thing that remains consistent, is his ability to punch above his bracket. As an Imperial Marshal he will be bringing a wildcard element never before seen in tournament combat. This shall be a treat indeed.”

“So true, Master Yang,” the announcer Sakumo said. “But still a realm difference is nothing to sneeze at, and taking into account the terrain, the Little Princess will have another advantage. Ice being within the Water aspect will certainly give her the edge when it comes to Qi affinity.”

Their banter on our match up continued, the odds slipping up and down with each comment pitting us against each other.

Rhe Su Long turned to look me up and down. “The day has finally come. You will pay for humiliating me, Bull Man.”

I huffed out a laugh. “Sorry to say, but the feeling is hardly mutual. You’re not the big fish I need to fry today, but I’ll enjoy kicking your little weirdo ass all the same.”

A spike of anger flared within her.

I was about to laugh it off with [Indifference] when I suddenly sensed something else.

Dark Frenzy.

She saw the look on my face and was the one to let out a laugh now instead.

“That’s right,” she said with a leer. “You can sense the strength of my Dantian. I’m about to become a god. And you’re about to taste the fires of hell.”

There was something way off about her.

Demonic cultivation?

Or were those traces of I’Xol’ukz I was sensing?

No…couldn’t be.

But it reeked of something familiar.

A hint of the stars perhaps?

“I’ve already tasted the fires of the Hell Worlds firsthand bitch. Ain’t nothing you can throw at me that I haven’t handled before. Even killing a damn god.”

As I said the words with [Struggler’s Resolve] and [Fear the Flame] it had the effect I had hoped for, wiping the shit eating grin right off her face as her insides trembled with uncertainty and fear.

“The proxy’s now have five minutes to make final preparations before the match begins. Each to your starting positions please.”

I huffed out a scoff. “See you on the surface, princess.”

I turned my back to her and headed to my side of the ring.

Five minutes.

Then the battle of my career would begin.

* * *

Fia sighed exasperatedly as her father Hei Dong went back and forth with the Imperial Guards. They had pushed their way successfully to the front of the line, but now they were paying the price in doing so, it seemed.

“There is no damn mummer performance scheduled,” the guard said. “Now for the last time move to the side! You’re not getting in here!”

“Please!” Fia cried. “We must get in!”

“Keep it up and I’ll have you all arrested!” he shouted. “Next!”

Fia’s insides unraveled as their entire plan came undone. She cursed herself inwardly. She should have been patient. The line was moving now, but they were no longer in it. They were pushed to the side and barred by a guard who eyed them with a mixture of distrust and disdain.

“What the hell are we going to do now?” Jian Yi said.

To hear Jian Yi, the eternal strategists say something like that caused her insides to double over again. A bell sounded and one of the guards shouted loudly for all to hear.

“One minute warning has been given. The match will soon begin!”

That caused a greater push from the crowd as people barreled forward, eager to get inside.

Fia watched them with a forlorn helplessness as her soul came undone.

She looked to her mother and father, but they seemed as lost for an answer as she was.

Bryce began to cry.

“It can’t end like this,” she said. “We need to find another way inside.”

Theya all looked at her, no doubt feeling the same way she was, yet having the same question lingering in their minds.

How?

* * *

“One minute!” the announcer cried.

I cycled my frenzy as I took a step towards the edge of the platform. They had lowered it some, bringing the planet’s surface to barely a hundred feet below now. I removed my outer robes and the cold chilled my red-painted skin. I donned my signature Bull’s helm which caused a disgusting swoon of delight from Lunalah.

“One last match,” she reminded me. “Win this, and I shall be your bride.”

“Thanks for the motivation,” I said with deadpanned [Indifference].

But inside I was burning with a conviction of my own.

It was down to this now.

One last match, just like she said.

One last match and I would be on the world stage, ready to reveal my true bride.

Don’t be late, Fia.

I manifested my Axe and Glaive as the seconds counted down, blue steeled fury forming with lightning in my hands. As the gong sounded, I stepped off the platform into the icy winds of destiny as the announcer’s voice echoed across the realm.

“Commence!”