Chapter 134: The Solo Duel Finals!

The girls returned to school via the portal Bahamut opened for them. Tyler’s original gateway fizzled out after a day of being unconscious. They wanted to stay with Tyler, but Sophie and Nyx had their big finals match and Amanda, Sophie and Nyx were all in the Qi finals. Tyler scanned the room while his head buzzed with happiness from his familiars. They were glad he was back and they were finally able to read his emotions.

After they assured him his future wives were doing well, that he was eliminated from the tournament and Nyx got them to the round of 16 in duo duels by herself, Tyler felt bad but was pleased. He knew their wedding was in two days and couldn’t comprehend what just happened. He remembered every detail of his conversations with Nina, his parents and Athena vividly.

"That was a crazy dream. Was it really a week?" Tyler asked, still confused.

"Wasn’t a dream kid. You were probably in a space Athena created." Ash said calmly.

"Why now though? I was fine when I contracted Vox. I don’t see how 10 stat points could have pushed me that far over..." Tyler tried to rationalize his collapse.

"It was in each category and you went beyond the SSS limit. No one’s ever done that and you’re clearly a unique being. I think it’s time we go see my dad and demand some answers." Ritsu said sternly.

"Woah, where’s Ritsu?" Tyler laughed.

"The man could stop speaking in riddles and blessings if no one could hear us in that room." She said sternly again. Tyler realized she was actually agitated.

"Sorry Ritsu, didn’t realize this was actually upsetting you. We should head there now." Tyler said empathethically.

"What about the match?" Ritsu asked curiously.

"It can wait. I’d like to know myself what the hell I just experienced and what it means." Tyler shrugged.

Tyler walked to the throne room, slowly. He was nervous despite his familiars all giving him positive reinforcement. Bahamut and Asura were god and goddess, it wasn’t like he was going to demand answers from a professor or even the dean. They were on a different level but he wanted to know what or who he was recreated to be.

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

"Ladies and Gentlemen, who is ready for the finals?!" The Dean appeared as an AI figure in the heart of Vespa at a large stadium they rented out for the finals. Armitage 1’s captain won third place after defeating his peer and it was time for the main event. Sophie vs Nyx.

The crowd of over 100,000 people went wild. Sophie was in her new mythological set Asura gifted her and she had brand new mythological katanas.

"An early wedding gift. Use it well - Asura."

Nyx looked calm as ever. Kass, Amanda, Adam, CeCe and company all got to stand ringside to watch the match. The Dean hired one of the officials from the Pro Duelers League (PDL) as the head referee for the match. The others included Master Sanju, Master Fromm (Armitage), and Master Celtic (Bloodcrest) as assistant referees. Dean Pritchett felt comfortable using a host team assistant as both of the finalists were from Ability Academy.

Everyone worldwide tuned in as the PDL official read the rules and counted them down.

"3-2-1-BEGIN."

Nyx wasted no time getting right into a new form, ’71,’ as she teleported around Sophie in an unorthodox fashion. Sophie was using all of her mental fortitude and Qi to sense where she would appear as her katanas met her rapiers with each strike. She used mud to try and slow Nyx down, so Nyx changed forms again and shot blood strikes at Sophie, who used her katanas to block them in a X shape.

Nyx smirked, changed forms into ’32,’ and was all over Sophie again, using a combination of teleportation, blood skills and sheer power to exchange blow for blow with Sophie, who continued pushing back using her Earth and Ice magic. The crowd was absolutely silent as the sound of metal on metal echoed throughout the arena.

Sophie used everything in her arsenal to try to create space but couldn’t find an opening. The teleporting was annoying her so she finally just froze the ground around them. Nyx slipped and Sophie got a clean katana strike on her right arm, causing blood to smear on the crystalized surface.

Nyx didn’t bother healing herself and went into her goddess form ’37’ and swords started raining down on Sophie.

’This is my only shot, this is her form without armor,’ Sophie thought while sending a giant burst of flames, destroying most of the swords. The ground was scorched but the ice was gone, so she used her momentum to fling two more giant lightning bolts behind the fire. One of the bolts grazed Nyx’s cheek, causing more blood to drop but she quickly regenerated.

She darted down, Sophie embraced for the blow, but Nyx disappeared. Sophie couldn’t spot her even using all of her Qi, so she quickly drank a mana potion. The second she put it to her lips Nyx appeared behind her with a rapier to her throat.

"Gotcha." Nyx said as the crowd erupted in cheers.

"Winner, Nyxara!" The PDL official screamed. Streams worldwide had closeups of it all and no one knew where Nyx hid, aside from her father, who just sat in the stands and shook his head.

’Hiding in plain sight.’ He laughed, noticing the seat next to him was no longer occupied.

’Brilliant strategy. Teleport into the crowd where no one would look for you with Qi and Magical Energy swirling everywhere. Well done kiddo.’ He clapped.

"Damnit!" Sophie exclaimed.

Nyxara dropped her sword and fell to one knee, sweating profusely and breathing heavily.

"What do you need Nyx?!" Sophie shouted, worried.

"Blood. Bad."

Sophie noticed Nyxara was completely pale and her eyes didn’t look as vivid as they normally did. She gave her forearm.

"Drink." Sophie said sternly.

Nyx bit into her arm without hesitation and only drank what she needed. The medical staff quickly ran onto the scene and made sure they were both stable and well. Amanda and Kass smiled.

"Well damn Nyx, why didn’t you drink some blood or take a potion or something when you teleported?" Kass asked while Nyx was sucking down a blood bag.

"Didn’t want to give away where I was," Nyx smirked.

"That was a really good match!" Amanda smiled. "Seriously, how did you keep up with all of those attacks Sophie?"

Sophie smiled. "Qi. I just used my instincts and trusted myself that I would block. I’m just glad I got some good hits in."

"Hell yeah you did. Nyx was the heavy betting favorite and you went toe to toe with her the entire match. The internet is going wild right now. You already have like 10 viral clips of that fire and lightning attack you did!" Kass smirked while showing Sophie the phone.

"Woah, that’s crazy. They make it look so cool!" Sophie smiled. "Great match Nyx. Go get your trophy!"

"Thanks Sophie! I owe you one for the blood, I wonder how Tyler is doing?" Nyx asked.