Chapter 10: Peacekeeper’s Shield
The she-wolf’s ears perked as the creature’s opponent’s name was called. Oust was of a noble bloodline, and a well known one at that.
Stahl admittedly felt a bit put off by the odd beast’s recent coldness and silence towards him, and he considered remaining quiet, but as the creature behind the disguise stood to take his place on the stage, the she-wolf gave him both a bit of advice, and a warning. "Don’t let him close enough to grab you. You will lose. The Candori family is not to be underestimated."
The beast halted a second, nodded in thanks towards the experienced she-wolf’s warning, and walked onto the stage opposite of an imposing white tiger. All eyes in the stadium were on the pair.
Aster knew of the Candori line from his studies per Javis on the famous houses of Alora, and so he knew of their renowned severity in battle. Most of the family fought with their hands, and by the looks of the tiger’s studded gauntlets he was wearing, it seemed that held true for Oust as well.
Oust was an intimidating opponent. The large cat towered over Aster, nearly as tall as Stahl, but far more stocky. The tiger’s arms were like massive pillars, rippled and corded with powerful muscle.
The tiger’s well defined body was covered in a white fur, with black stripes running horizontally along his arms, tail, and back. Along the nape of his neck, and up to the tips of his ears, the tiger’s white fur took on an orange tint, Something that had plagued the warrior since his birth.
Aster took a different stance this time, spreading his feet apart and bending his knees a bit, bracing himself as he held his staff in front of him at an angle. This match-up HAD to be taken seriously, and the human planned on giving it everything he had.
"May the superior reign. Fight!" before the judge’s outstretched arm had even finished dropping, the tiger had began advancing. He closed the gap between the fighters at lightning speed, swinging his left fist directly at the human’s helm.
Aster barely avoided the blow, only to be caught in his midsection by the cat’s right gauntlet, the bluntness spell spreading out the force of the blow as it landed, sending searing waves of pain over his ribcage.
Aster was rocked backwards by the attack, barley able to keep himself on his feet by taking a step back along with the force. As the judge called out the tiger’s point, the human was still trying to get some of his breath back, a bruise was already forming where the impact landed. If the tiger got in another hit like that in a vital area, Aster knew he would lose.
The judge gave the command to continue, and the boy immediately found himself being rushed by the tiger again. Aster managed to dodge his first blow again, and brought his staff down with both hands just in time to knock away the second fist.