Ophidian Arenas • Chapter VI: The Beginning of the Ascension - Part 2

2343

… he lands right on Prince of Gates’ head, stopping him from ending the life of his friend. With that strike, the Prince falls to the ground and Kronnax keeps hitting and hitting the 4 VP Gladiator until an Ophidian Referee intervenes.

On one side of the Arena there was a medical crew helping Prince of Gates, and on the other two Ophidian Keepers and an Ophidian Referee were trying to calm down Kronnax and remove him from the Arena.

* * * * *

On the next day Mike was called to see Slithers, one Ophidian Lord…

"Wellss Mr. Fehrss what you did in the matchss lassst night isss not to be repeated! Although I think that youss shouldss be banissshed from the Ophidianss Leaguesss, my peersss and the crowd, had a different opinion. So, I will be precise, it wasss againssst myss will, but I willss give youss a 2 VP by yoursss defeat of Prince of Gatesss. But I warn youss, ifss youss try another thing likess that, you willss be banissshed from the Leaguess."

"Yes Sir. And thanks."

"No thanksss to me Mr. Fehrss, thankss yoursss fansss, Andss if the Prince wantsss a rematch againssst youss, he willsss have it."

"Yes Sir."

And with those last words Mike left the Ophidian Lord’s presence.

. . . . .

On the next morning Mike went to the hospital where Wildfire was…

"Hey, I heard about your promotion. Congrats." Said Finkle to Mike.

"But how? I wanted to tell you first!" and then he remembers who was taking care of Finkle, "Let me guess… it was the old rag?"

"Yep, Nurse Chapbel told me as soon as I woke up."

"I’m gonna have a serious talk with that old woman today. But now, let’s go for what took me here."

"Laura Tex?"

"Of course not, Finkle!"

"Noo?"

"Why? I can’t come here only to see my best friend that was injured yesterday?"

"Hey, of course you can, but I know that you’re here also for Laura."

"Finkle, how are you?"

"Mentally? I’m fine. Physically? They told me that my spine was broken in three places and that I was lucky to be alive. Behind that, I will not be able to walk again."

"I’m sorry."

"Hey, forget about it! I know that you gave Prince of Gates a big kick in the ass!"

"I tried to defend you, but again I wasn’t in time."

"Mike can you stop that? Don’t feel any guilt for what happened. I knew the risks and so did you."

"Of course, it’s my fault; I once again failed saving someone I love."

"Mike?"

"Yes?"

"Fuck you!"

"Sorry?"

"Screw yourself man! You can’t save the world! Put that in your hard head!"

Then their magnificent talk was interrupted by the entrance of another familiar face…

"How are you lad?"

"Well Trainer Kyroswolf, I’m as good as you see. But why are you here?"

"Did you think that I wouldn’t come to see one of my boys?"

"But Sir, we didn’t get along all our time in the Academy?"

"Don’t be silly lad! And don’t confound discipline with a lack of concern. You two were some of my best students, so I care about you!"

"Thanks that means a lot." Replied Finkle.

And the three of they kept remembering their time in the academy, during the visiting hour in that afternoon.

After the visit the hour ended, Mike went to see Laura.

* * * * *

2344

"Ladies and Gentlebeings welcome to the Galash Arena. Tonight, the main event is a Grunge match between Prince of Gates and Kronnax. And the match is prepared for one fall, if you remember last year in a Reinforcements vs. 4 VP match, Kronnax intervene to save Wildfire life, one of the Reinforcements on that night, and defeated Prince of Gates. Tonight, on a one-on-one we will see the revenge of the 4 VP Gladiator against the 2 VP Gladiator. Who will fall, we will find out later this evening. But for now, let’s enjoy the rest of tonight’s matches…" and with the silence of Raffi, the announcer, an explosion of cheers started as Schwartimo entered into the arena to start the first match of the night.

. . . . .

Schwartimo won his match, but in the end,  he announced his retirement from the League. Many Gladiators headed to the Arena applauding the old Gladiator, even though many of them had fought him, they admired the work that he had done for the League. Although that had been the final match of Schwartimo, that wasn’t his end in helping the foundations of the League, as he was invited earlier to become a Manager for Ophidian League.

On that night and before the main event we had a Two-on-Two match leading by the Team Impressive staring Captain Impressive and Johnny Alpha. And a One-on-One 1 VP match between Boom Boom vs. Daniel Grace.

But what the crowds were expecting was the main event: Prince of Gates vs. Kronnax.

The match was in favor of Prince of Gates with his minion horde, but the skills of War of Kronnax managed to surpass all the Prince’s minions. So, both man and demon went one-on-one in strength combat. The prince was almost twice as large as Kronnax, but in a gauge of strength in the last second Kronnax was able to spot a weakness. They say that demons don’t have weaknesses, but Kronnax discovered one. He kept hitting it and hitting it until he was exhausted. Prince of Gates fell to the ground as a result. So, for the second time, Mike defeated Prince of Gates.

"My God, two times straight, Mike Fehr is on fire!!! My guess for this Gladiator is that he will become champion in no time. My name is Raffi, and this was the end of today's Arena’s Time."

After that match the team of Prince of Gates placed second in the Ophidian Championship, and in the next year Prince of Gates didn’t compete at all for unknown reasons, but most believe that was due to his two defeats by Kronnax.

* * * * *

2345

Andalorin Village, Andor Prime, Justich

One day after Mike Fehr gained his 3 VP…

Saint Peter Cathedral

"We are gathered here to celebrate the union of Mike Fehr and Laura Tex…" started to announce the reverend C.J. Ostrand celebrating the wedding of one of his friends.

The Cathedral was full of guests with Gladiators, some old friends, some new, some Arena nemesis, and some Ophidian keepers on the side of the groom. On the side of the bride, we could see several nurses, doctors, and friends.

Of course, the noisy side was the groom’s side, as several old familiar faces showed up to Mike´s wedding. There we could see General Edward Kyroswolf, his Academy trainer, J. Finkle, his best friend, Agent P, and much more old friends. Even the priest was an old Gladiator and was the one that first showed astonishment to hear the silence on the Cathedral as soon as the wedding vows started.

"There were times I was lost, and you found me.

There were days which were heavy, and you lightened my heart.

Through it all, since the day we met, there was you for me and me for you.

That hasn’t changed. That will never change.

Times have been good, and times have been bad, and still, 

Our love has endured and triumphed.

I take Mike Fehr to be my lawfully wedded husband.

I take Laura Tex to be my lawfully wedded wife.

Through pain and passion, through sorrow and hope, through death, and through life.

No matter what tomorrow may bring, we will face it together.

I now pronounce you husband and wife."

And with a pause C.J. Ostrand continued…

"You may kiss the bride!"

And as the kiss went by the crowd broke the silence with hoorays and applause. The hoorays were started by Wildfire and the applause was by Nurse Chapbel. And the congratulatory sound of clapping rose, louder and louder, as everyone joined in the beautiful spirit of the moment.