Chapter 255 - Scarlet Temple Challenge (1/2)

Phoenix Phire BotwaCazador 50870K 2022-07-21

An instant later Jun Li appeared on a gating platform. Rock walls and a torchlit room led her to believe that she was underground. Beneath her feet was a black mat that matched the one she had stepped on in the Cabal Chamber. ”Maybe these mats have a limited range.”

/Inferno: Donri: Still okay Jun Li?

/Inferno: Jun Li: Yes. The mat brought me to a gate. Back in a bit.

Jun Li stepped onto the gating platform and disappeared once again. Her arrival seemed to take several seconds in her head. Was her destination that far away? She had been in Oliphia. That meant that the Cabal had an interplanar gate like the one in the Gemini Temple.

A wide expanse of clear blue sky and bright sunlight caused her to shield her eyes. She was standing on an elevated platform in an empty stadium.

[Welcome to the Scarlet Arena: Today's matchup is Gemini vs Scarlet]

Jun Li glanced at the empty seats and then as the barren stage, she was the only person around. ”The hell is this?”

An instant later that changed, dozens of guests appeared at their seats in succession giving the stadium a strobe light effect as it began to rapidly fill up. A lean man wearing all black appeared in front of Jun Li. He approached her with his hands spread wide. ”Gemini Champion Jun Li?”

Jun Li nodded, he definitely looked like a stealth-type class. ”Are you the Scarlet Champion?”

The man's handsome face broke into a smile. ”Goodness no. I'm today's official for the Arena.”

Jun Li tightened the grip on her blade just in case he was lying. ”Do we need an official?”

The self-appointed referee shook his head. ”Not for this matchup, but sometimes the fights have rules.”

A woman appeared on the opposite side of the stage. She wore sleeveless red silk robes that announced her as a magic-user. A flame aura hovered around her, reddish-colored skin and a body covered in tattoos made Jun Li instantly cautious.

”I am Ri, the Scarlet Temple Champion.” The woman bowed slightly. Jun Li decided she was beautiful, despite being completely bald.

”Jun Li, Gemini Champion.” Jun Li held her sword up to her face in a fighter's salute.

”Hmm... That's a nice sword Gemini Champion. Would you care to wager it on the outcome of our match?”

Although Jun Li loved the sword, to her it was just a tool. She had grown up in a Traditional Martial Arts Dojo owned by her family. Her father would often tell her, 'your mind is the best weapon.' ”What do you have to offer in return?”

Ri held up one arm and displayed a rather beautiful image of a large cat that closely resembled a tiger. ”This is a Saber Dire Cat. Do you like it?”

Jun Li shrugged. ”It's lovely, but I've no interest in tattoos.”

Ri placed a hand over the image and a moment later it jumped onto the stage. It was nearly double the size of a normal tiger, however, this one was long razor-sharp fangs protrude from its mouth. ”She can fight and makes a fine mount. My pet against the Gemini sword.”

Jun Li glanced at the cat, trying not to let her excitement show. She was definitely a cat-person irl. ”Done.”

The Arena Official clapped his hands loudly. ”The wager has been recorded. Betting Venues are now closed. Champions move to your designated areas.”

A small circle with the image of a Gemini lit up, Jun Li stood on it and waited calmly.

The Offical raised his hands and glanced at both contestants. ”Fight har..” The air next to Jun Li seemed to distort slightly, making him stop his words.

**************

Nix sat comfortably at the table Hyai had pulled into the Inn's kitchen. They had just finished eating when he received a notification.

/Gemini Temple Message: Your Champion has accepted a challenge from the Scarlet Temple Champion in the Everspire Continent.

”Scarlet Temple?” Nix opened his hud and moved to the Gemini Interface. He could locate the Gemini Sword no matter where it was. It was something he learned from Delyn Xai who had done something similar in order to keep tabs on his apprentice, Raine Xai.

”Something up hun?” Hyai watched Nix's reaction, he seemed more curious than concerned.

Nix nodded. ”Junie is at a place called the Scarlet Temple Arena. Let's take a trip.”

/Expedition: Nix: Taking a small trip. Hyai and I will be back shortly.

The tall redhead walked around the table and held out her hand.

[Create Breach: Everspire: Scarlet Temple Arena]

The couple stepped through the Breach a moment later. Nix spotted Junie right away, he also took note of the other two people on the stage.

”Sir! This is a private match. You'll have to find yourselves a proper seat.” The official stared at the man who stepped through the breach. He knew exactly what a Breach Commander was, so he purposefully kept his tone respectful.

Nix nodded in reply. ”As you say. This is my Champion so of course, I'm here to observe.”

”The Gemini Lord?” A voice spoke from the nearby box seats. ”I am the Scarlet Temple Lord. Please join me as my guest.”

/Inferno: Jun Li: Hey guys. Thanks for coming.

/Inferno: Nix: Wouldn't miss it. Besides... when there are two Gemini...

[A second Gemini has been located in your vicinity. Gemini Bond has been enabled.]

/Inferno: Jun Li: Hmm? Oh right!

The Scarlet Temple Lord was a shirtless red-skinned man covered in tattoos. Like his champion, he was completely bald. ”Please take a seat Gemini Lord.”

Nix nodded. ”I'm Nix and this is Hyai.”

The bald-headed man offered them both a smile. ”I'm Dhala, welcome to my Temple.”

Once the newcomers were seated, the official raised his hands again. ”Fight Hard!”

Jun Li brought her sword up and waited. The tiger would be hard to deal with, traditionally beasts were very strong and some nearly impossible to kill.

The tiger wasted no time, immediately it sprang at Jun Li.

[Darkness]

A shroud of darkness has been pulled over the eyes of Ri.

A shroud of darkness has been pulled over the eyes of Fang.

[Ghost Step]

Jun Li's form blurred and she appeared behind Ri, slashing at the back of her legs before using the same step to retreat.