They poured the gathered essence into the gtoup's center.

  Colin flipped open a battered green school notebook, carefully placing each shard according to the record of the monster slain.

  People yawned in the silence he demanded, this was technically their night even though the white lantern signalled this was daytime.

  The sixth group had returned, giving up their watch as nothing was happening in the central cavern.

  To get any sleep in the White temple one had to cover their eyes because of the eternally burning torches, the nine legions were still located close to the edge of the temple close to the second exit.

  Colin was done counting barely holding back a frown, "Black hounds and the herbivores each drop a single essence. The swamp man dropped five?… unfair but whatever, we have twenty from the Dark forest legions"

  Jackson let out a triumphant whoop, and others joined in with barking noises and laughter. Colin shot him a glare until the noise died down.

  "The Dunes legions brought back six sand swimmers, three salamanders, and a wall crawler," Colin continued. "That's forty essence total."

  Parker jumped up roaring and the third and ninth legions were right behind him taking a victory lap while everyone cheered for them.

  The Dark forest groups booed them playfully but it was drowned out by the resounding cheers of the girls and the voices of the Dunes legions.

  Asha while jumping bopped him on the head before rubbing away. Matthew smiled, shaking his head.

  Colin rolled his eyes and waited till everyone quieted down, face growing grim as he looked around. "There should be sixty-one essence here but instead we only have fifty… I won't get into who I suspect but if I catch you. Well whatever"

  Colin signed and pointed at the new legions "The sixth, seventh, eight and ninth legions will each get eight which means thirty two goes out. Parker and Asha will get one each to draw another stat card"

  "The remaining sixteen i guess could be used to get some more level twos. Wish coins, well we got one from the dune cave and four from the dark forest… if anyone raises their voice i go back to my seat."

  Colin's face was neutral but everyone managed to stay in their seats, "Jackson's group found three, I know we wanted to stick with a kind of each group uses their own wish coins themselves but i would like it if you could arm the eighth legions."

  Jackson nodded his brown eyes alight with amusement, "Being the best legion isn't easy, man. Yeah we were going to give all three away… I guess giving one out is alright. Heck we don't have to give the First legion one too. They've got three level twos; so they're technically the strongest legion."

  Asha coughed noisily, "Third legion easily washes them"

  Joey, having heard her grinned, "Sorry what? I hope you aren't mistaken because you're level three. Matthew has killed more beasts than both of you… on his own."

  Asha huffed, waving her hands in her big yellow raincoat, "You can't feel the difference between a level two and three, Parker could beat three of you at once."

  Parker furrowed his brow. "Why me though?"

  Brian seemed offended by this, "Parker has fought a couple good enemies but he can't compare. Matthew beat a White ant… everyone let that sink in. Have you ever seen Optimus Prime? Yeah, Matthew could take him."

  Symbiotic pride is such an annoying thing. Matthew frowned and raised his hand, "Can you guys leave me out of this?"

  Jackson stood up excitedly moving his hands, "How about a challenge? The strongest from the Dark forest Legions against the Dunes legion."

  Jesse looked concerned, "Hey no fighting with sharp weapons. Besides, I think you're probably stronger than Matthew. If you're so eager to fight, why don't you volunteer?"

  "Not that I want to fight, but how rude can you be?" Matthew complained.

  Jackson shook his head and folded his arms across his chest. "Jesse, young one, you wouldn't understand. Men have to fight to grow closer."

  "Bullshit. I don't like this idea. Matthew's insane, something will go wrong." Jesse refuted.

  Colin, however, was actually considering this seriously.

  He stroked his chin offering . "I think we should actually christen a new level three, especially for the forest Legions to rally around. We have sixteen leftover essences from today and eleven from yesterday. I say if Matthew wins he goes to level three and if Parker wins he and asha get an extra essence to draw another stat card."

  Everyone was now invigorated by the thought of mortal combat:

  "That's sounds fucking awesome"

  "I would like some essence but i guess it's not a bad idea"

  "Parker, you can do it!"

  "Deal with that little english boy"

  "I feel you're overhyping Matthew a bit. Jackson, are you sure you shouldn't take this?"

  Jackson marched over, pulling Matthew up he said. "Don't mind them, whoop that kangaroo lover's ass."

  "You mention once you like Kangaroos everyone turns you into a furry," Parker muttered as he crushed the single essence he had gotten absorbing it as he stood.

  Matthew grimaced, "You're picking another stat card before we fight?"

  "I mean you're insane, gotta be careful." The giant boy quipped, he brushed his brown hair back while he studied the screen—clicking his tongue after a while, "Vigor again… they stacked into a two star vigor."

  Colin patted Matthew on the back, "We still have a couple hours of daylight, so we can still heal injuries. We'll go for first blood or be disarmed as the win condition."

  Matthew shrugged but said loudly, "Other than the essence, we'll go with Adelina's idea as part of my reward."

  Everyone agreed as this was trivial compared to twelve essences.

  As he was preparing Jesse walked up glaring at him, "You should have said you didn't want to fight. Tsk you're just a boy i guess. Don't hurt Parker and be careful. Don't push yourself!"

  Parker smirked on the side, green eyes glinting with mirth, "Worry more about him Jes, i'm unstoppable."

  Jesse ignored him, maintaining eye contact with Matthew as if she could force the idea into his head.

  He looked away uncomfortable and signed, "Alright, leave me alone. I'm winning though."

  It had come to Matthew to just not fight, but that cowardice would affect the reputation he managed.

  After that, throwing the fight seemed very reasonable – but he wanted to throw a wrench in Jane's plan.

  I don't know when she got to Jackson, but it was probably through that Pearl girl. Sshe's trying to ramp up division for some reason.

  He had noticed the conversation Pearl and Jackson had before this, when the idea was proposed he didn't know but he was sure this had Jane's hand on it.

  The reason is hard to pin down, I can only guess it causes division between the different legions. For now what i have to do is just use it to my advantage against her.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Space twisted as he summoned Kinslayer.

  The crystal-white sword was as ephemeral as ever, it was a standard two handed sword and was almost two meters long, thin and lightweight.

  Parker summoned Green claw, it's lustrous green material shining.

  He held it like a throwing axe, though this was a metre long weapon of destruction

  Luke gasped, "That sword is wicked."

  "Fingers for a crossguard are insane, their nails are sharp too."

  Jamie raised an eyebrow pointing, "I guess that's what he meant but it holds on to him till he hurts someone."

  "Looks like a diamond sword," Pearl murmured, dumbstruck.

  "You don't get to be part of the First legion and not be tough," The girl beside her whispered. "Kinslayer."

  The word floated around the room, it was a treacherous sword and in the best hands right now.

  Kirk looked around stumped, "I guess this is the first time anyone's seen it."

  Jesse nodded her eyes fixed on the white sword, "It looks like something straight out of a story."

  Joey grinned, "That sword took off Vasilis' finger, cut down monsters and even led to the death of Four White ants. Matthew come on, time to clutch up."

  Parker moved first.

  Adelina gasped, "It's starting."

  Parker swung the axe languidly, he didn't attack too hard or fast just feeling out if this was okay. It was a very Parker-like way of doing things.

  Mathhew appreciated it though, this was a fight with deadly weapons. Of course he was also going to take advantage of his kindness.

  Parker had expected a block so he slashed horizontally, Matthew however had other plans.

  He dropped down just moments before the slash and stabbed at the side of Parker's leg hoping for a quick and shallow cut.

  Parker however was faster than he imagined, he dodged the stab and sent a sharp kick at his head which Matthew rolled back from.

  Parker hissed, "Hey I was trying to start slowly."

  Matthew shrugged, "I was trying to win."

  Parker pursed his lips and gripped the axe with two hands. However before he could attack Matthew was upon him.

  He kept his distance, sending out slashes at Parker's forearms. The boy blocked them with his axe, the first two being successfully parried.

  However once he tried to get his wits Matthew locked their blades and attempted to push him off balance.

  However he was met by a great force, it felt as though he was pushing a heavy cow.

  Parker grinned, "Come on mate, i told you i played a sport that had people trying to constant run me over"

  Parker was only pushed back a step and immediately started pushing Matthew back multiple steps.

  They wrestled about trying to turn each other off balance.

  Parker grunted, "The Sand swimmer is really good at grappling like this."

  Matthew had to agree to this, he wasn't done yet though.

  He pulled the chair between a hard struggle causing Parker to pitch forward.

  Matthew had wanted to cut the boy while he passed but was too slow and missed the short edge cut.

  Parker quickly recovered not falling but using his right arm to push off the ground and stumbled away for distance.

  "Almost got me there, what the hell was that?" Parker asked, matching the way Matthew stepped sideways.

  Matthew considered just attacking, he signed, "My mum loved fencing especially older archaic styles. They had more flair and spirit, can't remember exactly where i learnt it but i used that a lot, a deceptive strike that cuts with the short edge after an atajo"

  "No idea what any of that means"

  "Just lose then," Matthew said as he attacked.

  Parker was stronger and had far greater stamina due to vigor. I need to end this fast without allowing him to express his strength.

  Matthew rained a few blows on the inexperienced boy, testing his defence. It was sorely lacking but he compensated with his speed with was on par with Matthew's.

  Time to end this. He had been holding his sword in front of him maximising space while always being a threat but now he held the sword in a high guard like a horn and struck the great strength.

  Parker blocked this placing his hand against the flat part of his axe, groaning under the pressure before pushing back.

  Matthew once again employed atajo to place pressure on him.

  This time however Parker was weary of Matthew pulling the chair again and tried to fight against it angling his sword upward.

  Matthew smiled then closed in further with an offline step forcing Parker to turn.

  He settled the flat of his blade right at the shoulder of Parker's axe and then turned violently using his enemy's force against him.

  Normally this would have disarmed him. Parker, however, held on and stumbled and pushed off the ground again with his hand to stop himself from falling.

  Matthew was flabbergasted, lowered his sword and frowned disappointed. "Let me guess, they drag their prey into the sand so your grip increased."

  Parker looked a little embarrassed and just laughed softly. Outside the circling people had been cheering loudly and the entire temple gathered to watch their fight.

  Jackson sneered, "This is so unfair, he's getting manhandled but hasn't lost."

  "Saved by essence, how pitiful." Jamie signed.

  "Matthew! Don't move so hard, what if you hurt him." Jesse warned, her forehead was wrinkled with worry but she smiled.

  "You're doing great! Take him out!" Joey yelled.

  The others looked conflicted, Matthew's ferocity and attempts at victory were impressive, but they had been rooting for Parker.

  Jane however was cheering him on, Matthew sent her an even stare before turning back to Parker.

  "You hide it well, but you're tired." Parker was grinning, placing his axe over his shoulder carefreely he explained, "A person can only perform their best while they have energy. When the chips are down and you need a golden point then the real killers are."

  "I don't speak aussie bro, in any case it's not over yet." He said breathing deeply to try and manage his energy was fading.

  Parker this whole time had been relying on his essence and the perks that came with it. Matthew needed to do the same.

  He reached into himself trying to find the strength of the monarch or its durability, but couldn't feel it.

  Yet he felt something, a rolling ball of energy in his belly. He tried using breath control to control it, but felt no change.

  Then he remembered Jane and why this fight had started and the fire grew, a portion of it moved along his body.

  Parker attacked and Mathhew didn't bother trying to control the axe, he focused on the shoulder of the axe where the axe head met the shaft.

  He channeled all his displeasure into a single thought visualising the heat flowing around his body striking that point.