3 months passed too quickly for my liking. I still felt unprepared- still felt naked. I was about to enter the arena, covered by a soft fur coat from a bear. For the last 3 months, I trained to the point of passing out. I even started bleeding at several points. But that wasn't much for a person with a blessed body.
Rows upon rows of people had gathered for this event. Only held once a year, you're only able to enter it once in your lifetime. This is why most people enter when they are still greenhorns, to show off their uncapped potential. Yet many of these greenhorns have lost their lives to pride. Even last year's winner suffered critical wounds…
As people cheered endlessly, I took my first step out of the darkness, revealing my cloaked self to the world. "Welcome everyone! For the first round of the Continental Bout, we have a young student of the Everlong Academy! Mort Renee, aged 14, who has only awakened his eyes for less than 4 months! He is a rumoured genius, praised by Gizmo himself!"
I could hear certain voices from the crowd cheering harder than the other: it was the voices of my four friends and my parents. Eclissi said he would make an appearance later on as he had something to do.
"Ladies and Gentlemen…I have a large announcement. Mort, believed to be a user of Will, has recently become Imprinted!"
"What a twist!"
"How lucky!"
"No way!"
"What?" Adrien, Nova and Lucien were surprised, but Martin seemed less impressed. Well of course, what would be able to shock someone from another world?
****
Within the first month, I sought more ways to use my energy, which I dubbed DIfe. I discovered that my powers weren't as powerful as I realised, as Eclissi said that I hadn't reached a level of understanding where I could kill conscious beings. But, this didn't mean that I had no attacks.
For the first month, I tried giving Dife a physical form, something like a blade or a shield. The Continental Bout was a body-only competition, so weapons were outlawed. This didn't include weapons formed from Will or Imprinted energy. A shield was hard to form, but a shortsword was much easier, probably because my dragon tooth sword was similar in length.
But that wasn't all to this ash-grey sword. It appeared to have a unique property of applying paralysis the more I struck a person with it, which Lucien learned the hard way. "Mort! Don't you dare touch me with your Will blade!" Adrien and Nova would laugh as I teased Lucien.
Another ability that I was able to gain was Spirit manipulation. I decided to face my fear and poured out the condensed red liquid onto my palm, and it was soaked up. All those hundreds of souls attached to my body, happy to be able to be free from their miniscule prison. Now without needing the silver vial, I could summon countless ghostly hands to apprehend my opponents.
For other applications, I started being able to infuse the Life-quality of this energy into my eyes and was able to visualise the weak points of opponents.
Knock knock.
Someone unexpected had appeared at my door. "Hello Martin." Over the course of the second month, I got to see Martin more and we started hanging out too. My other friends would glare with such scary eyes at him when they'd see him.
"Ignore them" I'd say. As the end of month one approached, we started training with each other, but not showing any trump cards. Over those training lessons, we got closer. Close enough to share secrets, which Martin started doing first.
"Mort, you have seen me use this freezing energy until now…what do you think it could be?"
"Don't tell me you also became Imprinted!" I knew the chances were 1 in 100, but it would be too strange for nearly my entire group of friends to become Imprinted.
"No," he said as he laughed, "I'm not imprinted. I asked because I wanted to know what someone also in a peculiar situation would say…"
What? "Aha, what do you mean, aha…"
"Mort, my eyes don't glow when I use my abilities, yet I'm not Imprinted. This isn't a power from this world. I'm not even from this world."
"You can't be serious-" Before finishing my answer, I thought. I came back from near-death and awakened as the Avatar of an unknown element. Who was I to say what was possible? "Ahem, where are you from then? I mean, what was your original world like?"
"Sheol. I was in a place where those who committed crimes in their lives ended up. It was a Hell-like world meant to burn away the sins you accumulated. 'Your Death is your biggest gift'... that was a common saying."
"So this is, what, your third life?" One hell of a revelation overcame me. "Wait, did you die from freezing?"
"Heh you are a genius after all," Martin laughed, "Yes, I've died once. I died from a drop in temperature. My own ability reflects that." Martin poured some water into his hand, letting it freeze, then boiling it. "I control temperature change. Now…what about you?"
Should I impart knowledge of my powers to this visitor from another world? I took a deep breath and decided to tell him. "I'm Imprinted. I've been imprinted for a few months now. But it's not by one of the 6 Elementals. I've been imprinted by a 7 unknown element, the element of Death."
I touched a bug next to me, killing it, and bringing it back to life. "So far, I've been able to bring bugs back from death, and stop the process of death entirely for me."
"Woah." It was quite a shock for Martin to find out his friend had such a terrifying ability. "And the eyes to see Will?"
"..." I wasn't sure how to answer. "I, I transplanted my eyes for those of a Conjurer from the past. To my knowledge, I am the only Imprinted person capable of seeing Will."
****
During the second month, I learned a new property of Dife, Decay. I could place my hand on plants, or any organic material, and cause it to start rotting. Power and spread of decay differed between species and was affected by the size of the target.
I could apply this effect as an enchantment to my energy shortsword and my dragon tooth blade. I could also apply it to my own body. This and the life quality of Dife could make weird combinations. If I applied Decay and Life to my hand, I would be able to fling decaying material at my opponents, while my hand healed.
"Absolutely disgusting," Eclissi said as he saw me using it, "Fit for the Avatar of Death. Your body is your best weapon. Learning to utilise it in such creative ways is perfect." His words resonated with me. Was there any way for me to form a sharp and accurate projectile?
Near the end of the second month, I was able to do just that. I had figured out a way to launch my finger bones by using a combination of Decay and Life, and body manipulation to increase the tensile strength of the muscles around the bone, essentially functioning like a firearm.
Although cool and very strange, it wasn't efficient at all. The strain this put on my mind wasn't worth one small projectile. Bone Shot was put aside as a concept while I focused on 'Decay' and 'Soul-Sword'. 'Stop Death' and 'Soul Manipulation' were efficient enough to be usable in a fight. The only other ability that I needed to get the hang of was 'Weak Eyes'.
****
The third month arrived, and I had perfected 'Soul-Sword', now having a definite shape with an unbelievably sharp blade. 'Decay' also was a reliable ability, and comboed well with the blade's passive paralysis. During this last month, all I did was train by myself, isolating myself from my friends, from the academy, and even my own family.
Eclissi came into the little shed that I had his myself, meditating and trying to look further into Dife- an element of Deathly energy that allowed for Life. The more I tried to ponder it, the more conceptual and theoretical this power became.
"Mort, tomorrow's the report. Stop your training here and enjoy at least one night of peaceful rest. I already made an appointment with the King. You need to be presentable," he said while pointing to the bags under my eyes.
I soon found myself kneeling in front of a large golden throne with a large audience of high status all covered in a cloudy mist. "I can't…observe them." I even tried 'Weak Eyes' but I still couldn't make out any facial features.
"Don't mind them, that's just how most of the upper class present themselves," Eclissi whispered to me, "Now, plead your case to the Emperor."
I would, but I wasn't sure what to say to the Emperor of Dawnbreak. Should I salute both gods, just one or neither. "Ahem, you're loyal subject has come before your majesty, as part of their duty, to announce my Imprintment." From behind me, some of the crowd showed hesitation.
"Another one? Isn't this generation too lucky."
The Emperor, in his immense golden aura, raised his hand, and all chatter stopped. Such an imposing gesture that even I stopped thinking for a moment. So this is the power of the head of a nation.
"Mort of Aube of Dawnbreak, according to the Continental truce instilled by my ancestors, and with the power bestowed to me, I ask you to raise yourself. State the Element that has Imprinted on you and show the pattern that developed on your body."
All of a sudden, the tension increased. I was originally going to lie and say that Wind had Imprinted on me, but now that seemed like a bad idea. I had to be truthful in this situation. "Your highness, I have been chosen by-"
Eclissi placed his armoured hand over my mouth. "Your holyness, Eclissi greets the guiding light of this nation. I would like to make a request."
"Such insolence! Execution for the rude one!" More of the crowd became agitated, while a certain few still held their silence.
Once again, all it took was a gesture for the people to quiet down. "Ecliss, Eclipse of the Empire of Dawnbreak, the Dark-Day Knight that serves this nation for the people. Seems you still are yourself after all these years."
What?
"Your excellency, I would like for my disciple, Mort, to show his Element and allegiance during the Continental Bout. Let us raise tge stakes, to show to the proud Day nation and the humble Night nation that Dawnbreak is a powerful land that cultivates talent."
The emperor raised an eyebrow. This was the first time when I was able to see a facial feature from any of these people. "Under normal circumstances, the person asking such a question would have been hanged and quartered. But, because it's you, I am inclined to accept."
This time the audience remained silent. Not a singular individual spoke up, and I wouldn't have realised why until much later on.
"Thank you Emperor of coexistence." All that stress that I had all vanished away as we left the room.
"...Were your words yesterday only to scare me?"
"Yep. I couldn't have you show more pride than the leader of a nation."
I thought about the titles the Emperor said, as if it was a warning to the audience, and potentially a clue for me. "Eclissi, I don't know your reasoning, but when the time is right, please tell me about yourself."
Eclissi didn't turn to look at me, as if he too was lost in thought. "Very well, young man. I promise. "
And thats what transpired over the 3 months. Training, more training and opening up to a friend. Oh, and meeting the emperor too.
"Folks! In a parcel that came straight from the Emperor of Dawnbreak, I received these news. During this first fight, Mort will show his skills and at the end announce his Element."
The crowd cheered incredibly loud, to the point where even I, down in the arena, thought the noise was deafening.
"Mort, the rising genius of the Everlong Academy, whose genius could rival that of Don Contrer! And his opponent is…" The commentator went silent. "I don't believe this!" There was a hint of stress and fear in his flawless voice. "Ladies and gentlemen, introducing you to an infamous person in the Day Kingdom, Bradnen the Barbarian, 19 years of age."
WHAT!?
From the other entrance emerged my opponent fully covered by scars and wounds which he proudly displayed like jewellery. His hair was long and braided, while on his was an immense amount of engravings, each one vibrating with Will.
"Child, surrender now. This isn't a fight you can win, even with your special little blessing."
For some reason this remark resonated deep with me. Up until now, I believed that I was recognised for my talent…but if people only saw me for my blessings, all my effort would be obsolete. Every drop of blood, sweat and tears would have been for nothing. All that pain and ridicule I had to endure!
I was seething with rage
"Let the first match of the Continental Bout begin."
As those words left the presenter's mouth, I used 'Soul Manipulation', restricting the opponent for just a moment, catching him off-guard, and expelling all the energy I had within me into his body, with the sole intent of causing harm.
A large explosion of smoke and debris surrounded the two contestants. Bradnen and Mort seemed motionless and as the dust settled, the view shocked people. The bear fur that once covered Mort had been eradicated, revealing the intriguing pattern on his back that was in the shape of a snake eating its tail.
Mort's hand was badly burned and his bones could be seen. Before the commentator could comment on it, Mort raised his hand and showed to the world his regeneration.
"What about Bradnen?" Martin asked. Bradnen was still held in place, still in the shape of a crucifix, blood pouring from his mouth.
"Folks this doesn't look good for Bradnen! If he doesn't move in the next 10 seconds he will be deemed incapacitated."
The crowd counted with the commentator. "4, 3, 2, 1!"
Bradnen' eyes opened, revealing bloodshot eyes as iron tears fell from them. He struggled and was able to escape ghostly limbs, but his legs gave up before he could regain his standing. "I was wrong, child, I shouldn't have shown mercy in this fight."
Bradnen traced the markings on his body, reforming the Will circles that Mort's attack destroyed. He finally stood up, and to everyone's surprise, he slammed onto his chest, where the largest circle was.
"Folks with children, you should have stayed home! This is what the infamous barbarian was known for, total control over his body!"
In return for sacrificing his Will reserves, Bradnen was able to reconfigure his body and specialise it for each opponent. His bones broke, pierced through his skin, and reformed stronger than before. .Over his skin, a beetle-like carapace grew. It resembled heavy iron armour.
"Cute," Mort said, "I've killed beetles before."
"Your words are harsh, child. That attack of yours must have been your ultimate move. No way could you use it again!"
Mort clenched his fist and tensed his entire arm. "Want to try that hypothesis?" The same grey energy was given off by his body. After viewing the abilities of his opponent, Mort was excited to push them to their maximum, to see to what extent his opponent could manipulate Life. Maybe even try replicating it using Dife.