The Gods' Decree 218 Vengeful Eyes

He quickly became aware of how profoundly he underestimated his fellow disciples' thirst for markers.

Though freezing the night was actively lit in colorful explosions as conflict raged on its pitch darkness.

Explosions were heard and battle cries sung, as with each moment that passed markers illuminated the bitter gloom.

Safe havens that were previously vacant became filled to the brim. It seemed even the twenty-five percent deductions from their markers were not a deterrence.

Perhaps the general consensus was this was prime time. There was presently a need to make use of their current time within the forest before the top one hundred entered the fold.

What was the point of rest if by morning there will be no possibility of gains?

Currently, Squad Malgrey were safe within their bunker, but with continuous battles being fought it was inevitable their decline in the lower 30%.

Hence they were left with one option. Go out into the darkness and seek more markers. This meant they needed to be agile, quick, and meticulous with their movements.

Of the group, Malnor was the strongest ranked 125th. Followed by Ava 136th, and Malgrey 144th. This was quite the gathering of strength in comparison to an ordinary third-ranked.

It provided a huge advantage which was compounded also by having Niesha and Selena in the squad. They were resembling a fourth-ranked squad which was unexpected for all who faced them prior.

Malnor then looked to the weaker members of the eight.

There were many conclusions that could be drawn when assessing their trials throughout the day.

One which was obvious highlighted how the roles the three played diminished with each battle.

Even Cameron's benefits began to falter. On numerous occasions, he had to be rescued with him being the weakest of the three.

However by dawn tomorrow they will be but mere cattle before wolves with all the top disciples entering the fold. That meant their best bet was securing as many markers as possible with the night.

The three Lovren, Luke and Cameron were quite perceptive and knew this to be true. Cameron even more so than the other two saw the disadvantages faced by the squad. 

"We'll relinquish our markers. Even without any official announcement, I presume we are by far at a greater standing in the rankings than last year."

Cameron uttered though he could see the evident discontent on the other two's face. 

That was the best alternative as sooner or later it was a must for them to meet a squad of far greater strength.

At least when they were eliminated, though dejected, they would have known it was for the betterment of their squads.

Malgrey then proceeded to ruffle their hair. He was their squad captain and only wished for them to have gained some merit through the tournament.

Each one had given their all to the cause. With Cameron excelling even greater than expected. This made him proud but also he hoped it would be the catalyst for the three to push themselves to become more powerful.

It seemed the three were destined to give their marker as with the approach of the hour mark their markers lit bright red. while they were in the bunker their tallies had been swiftly passed.

The disbursement of markers previously collected was handed out based on how each individual had contributed. It goes without saying they had the least contribution so far. 

With haste, they ensured to hurriedly relinquished their marker to Ava, Malgrey, and Malnor. Now they were eliminated and as per the rule of the tournament had to make a prompt exit.

It was stipulated in ensuring that eliminated disciples could no longer play a role in deciding the faith of those still eligible.

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Under a moon a quarter of its size, four disciples could be seen scattered on the ground, brutally beaten.

Boom!

The last who still remained persisted in staggering on the spot before being viciously smashed against a rock. To his dismay, the marker illuminated sealing his fate in the tournament.

With blood trickling from his mouth he slowly drifting off into oblivion and all that was seen was his attacker's smirk.

Jacob a blonde male with brass knuckles slowly wiped the blood from his fist. He then cracked his knuckles while saying,

"Either that Kid is quite good at cover his tracks, or he isn't amongst them. So far no one has seen or heard anything about him."

With loathing in his voice, one of the Barker twins responded while clenching the handle of his saber,

"The bastard is as arrogant as ever. He sees himself above entering on the first day. A price that all who surrounds him must now pay."

With this statement, the evident leader Eto'o who had been missing in the previous battle shook his head. Something that was quoted by the Barker brother wasn't to his liking.

"Woooa., let me make this clear. You both only paid for us to seize this Mouse while you dished out your revenge. That in itself will be no easy task.

Therefore is it that the terms are suddenly altered with the inclusion of others?" He smiled while questioning as his subordinates also paused staring down the two,

"Guess our compensation will also be renegotiated?"

Evidently they had no intention to budge unless hearing something that was to their desire.

"Fine, we'll pay three times the previously agreed amount."

The other Barker interjected as though it was only a slight inconvenience.

In truth, this was what should be expected when a squad is formed from mutual benefits instead of brotherly kinship.

They felt so close to accomplishing their goal. It would be foolish to halt at this juncture. 

The hate they had for Taf knew no bounds. Not only did he trample on their body but most importantly the pride that drove them. 

As much as the thought of crushing him by their lonesome brought ecstasy. Their previous row told them otherwise, they knew this was a far fetched dream.

For some reason, this kid was extremely powerful and the two were but mere foot soldiers before him. In his presence, they felt lower than what the bottom feeder call trash. He even defeated the number ninety-seventh, Doan.

So in order to properly get their revenge, the Barkers knew their best bet was recruiting a few powerful comrades of their own.

For instance, Jacob with the brace knuckles is ranked 107th in the ranking. Those brass knuckles are his weapon of choice. An enemy would be ill-advised in underestimating his threat.

Merely by the quickness of his fist, he can match the speed of any drawn weapon.

Then there was the one with the most strength of all six, Eto'o. He is the 103rd ranked and can be said to be of equal strength to the other two above him in the ranking.

His only downfall in the last tournament was that he was one of the unfortunate few to meet someone within the top fifty. Individually they might not be Taf's match but combined defeating him was inevitable. 

Eto'o dusted himself off while wearing a look of expectancy as glanced in a certain direction and so too did some of the other members of this hurriedly made squad.

"Right.., now you're talking. Let's go and find out when this Mouse seeks to make an entrance."

Yet the Barker brothers had a bit more than expectancy on their mind. Their eyes were red with vengeance. They wanted blood and would do anything to ascertain it.

Unedited Version

To be continued....

Chapter end