The Gods' Decree 230 Candles at the Mercy of the Wind-Monsters 2

They knew May's background and what her test had indicated. It seems that mysterious master of the two was indeed beyond their imagination. To have attained this growth in his disciple takes unimaginable resources.

As all tried to comprehend what was unfolding before their eyes they then saw ten names being successively dimmed. The names comprised of one third-ranked squad and astonishingly another fourth-rank squad. 

Rank #303 - [Marker points - 701] - Sara Green - Squad Cane - Eliminated

Rank #291- [Marker points - 734] - Marlon Trent - Squad Cane - Eliminated

Rank #270 -[Marker points - 753] - Marvin Brown - Squad Cane - Eliminated

Rank #230 -[Marker points - 820] - Zora Cane - Squad Cane - Eliminated

.....

Rank #463 -[Marker points - 587] -Shaun Strauss - Squad Stauss - Eliminated

Shaun was the #59th rank on the official rankings thus his strength could be imagined. This time however no one dared to make an estimation as to how this fourth rank squad had been eliminated.

They only looked to the board to see a name in flashing gold letters which previous was -

Rank #132 - [ Marker points - 901 - Tafari (No last name given) - Squad Malgrey - Active

-Now-

Rank #1- [ Marker points - 7100 - Tafari (No last name given) - Squad Malgrey - Active

If what they saw from May left them speechless the onlookers were now totally floored by what they witnessed.

They looked to the volunteer who had now received stardom for the most meager of tasks. Yet when saw Taf's record she dared not disclose it.

For some in the audience, they opposed knowing in order to keep some semblance of pride. But the majority had this pent up desire. Though their hearts perhaps could not take the answer their minds went against all rational.

"I'm sorry there is a need to double-check the information given."

The volunteer apologized before rushing to a man dressed in all black. Apparently he was the senior-most volunteer. He wondered to himself why did she not simply disclose the information.

Yet when seeing the information presented before him cold sweat instantly ran down from his forehead. Now he too made haste rushing from where he was seated to elder Zen.

This was quite peculiar behavior the masses thought. After receiving May's earth shatter record what could the Mouse's divulge that could make them react in such a manner?

He bowed to elder Zen who briefly assessed the information given. When seeing the report elder Zen could only wryly smile.

In his mind he wondered what was the grand elder thinking making these monsters compete. It seems he had far underestimated this youth and his companion.

Zen then shook his head indicated that all was right and that the information can be indeed divulged. If the grand elder approved the two's involvement there must be a reasoning behind it all.

The head volunteer then cleared his throat before divulging what even he saw as impossible,

"Tafari Age 15, Early stages of the eighth qi condensation."

"Fucking Hell? That's it, I'm done with this fucking world. Pass he a blade so i may slit these useless wrists of mine."

A grown man yelled as he heard the information. He was one of the many who had chided the mouse for being arrogant.

Yet with this talent, he would be asking the mountains themselves to bow in his presence. The ocean best part with the utterance of his name and ground dare not soil his feet with its dirt.

This child was beyond humble if anything. Now all was made clear by his previous actions. He didn't seek attention but was harassed by both the Barker brothers and Doan.

With his strength, he could have killed the two and there would be minimal repercussions from his action. Thus his warning that most thought was bread out of arrogance.

Would the sect care about such low talent in comparison to one whose brightness contends with the sun?

At only fifteen and at the eighth stage he has the equivalent strength of one at the full circle of qi condensation. This is the stuff of legends and fables. In their eyes, it was as though this child stood on the land and touched the skies.

Now there was no satire but admiration and fawning.

"Dumb me getting eliminated yesterday. If I had known such monsters existed I would have hidden and waited for my ass to be kicked by the two."[1]

A young man shouted out in dismay. It mind seem as though it was a joke but all took it dead serious.

The two were destined to make a mark on the lands wherever they went. Wouldn't it be wonderful to somehow tell their grandkids they once fought against such monsters?

In some ways, reality became twisted as those they previously saw in dazzling lights had somehow lost their luster.

As they lingered in their thoughts the board once more started to flash and within each minute than went by name became dim.

This was expected but wasn't was almost every one of them was either due to May or Taf. As the two seemingly made it a personal game as they battled for the number one spot.

One moment Taf was in the lead before being briskly surmounted by May. The list would just constantly flicker between the two. On the board, all others were candles at the mercy of the wind. Their flames extinguished.

It was almost as though inside it was a battle between everyone and the two tyrants. Yet they didn't know the half of it as this was indeed the case. 

Inside a youth had a pleasant smile as he was surrounded by four squads. Shockingly of the squads two were of the fourth rank. This was their final means of defense as this youth hunted without a care of their numbers.

They witnessed as he fell squad after squad with his bare fist. Behind them, the ground was littered with the bodies of unconscious disciples who had feebly attempted to battle. 

He cared not for status as in his eyes all that could be seen were marker points. With his action, he had caused the inconceivable as even fourth-ranked squads joined forces to content with one individual.

Now standing before him were the squads of the #53rd and 55th ranked. They looked hatefully at Taf but inside there was only dread. Nowhere in the rules did it say they were to contend against the horror of a fiend.

unedited Version

To be continued... 

[1] Ha

Chapter end