My Soul card is a Reaper-Chapter 902: Seven and half months later (Part-2)
With a string of marriage proposals coming his way, Azzy went through trouble for a while, and not being able to find that third option yet, he currently used the excuse of Leiza’s pregnancy, how he needs to be there for his wife and all, to run away from those. But, only a few weeks left till Leiza goes into labor, and Azzy, the strongest mortal to ever live, hadn’t found a solution to the problem.
But since the tournament is coming up, he could only tell them that he would give an appropriate answer after it. Everyone also accepted the answer, as by that time, Azzy’s second child would be born, and they were able to see the result of the first-ever child born of a male demigod. Based on the child’s potential, they can rethink their strategies too, like whether they can proceed with the marriage... if they do, which girl would be a better choice, etc...
As the Interclan Tournament was only seven weeks away, hosted by the Death Clan, the venue was decided to be the Grand Arena of Aquiloria, built in the neutral zone between the three great dominions. The arena itself stood like a coliseum carved from starlight and obsidian, capable of holding millions. It stood facing an open sky, but a natural translucent barrier existed between the stands and the field, ensuring the protection of the spectators. Also, the ground was imbued with skill cards in a way that with a specialized skill card, Azzy or anyone holding that item card can change its habitat, from the ground to a large pool of water with tiny islands and rocks between or to a barren island with mini tornadoes around or heated ground with pools of magma here and there, etc.
As for the tournament rules, the Elder Council had slightly restructured the format that Azzy had earlier decided on. The age limit — once capped at a thousand years— was now extended to three thousand. The reasoning was simple: He wants the hidden clans to send their true elites to represent them. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦
Of course, another reason is because of Zion and Fiona. Both of them have achieved a level that it has become impossible for those below 1000 years old to contest them. And since Zion won’t be participating in this tournament as he is not a part of the hidden clans, it will be like giving them a free trophy to Fiona, who is his own successor.
And fingers will be pointed at him for being partial. Hence, Azzy declared to host a tournament where the hidden clans’ best experts to fight against each other.
The number of participants per clan was increased as well, from eight to ten. The ninth and tenth position was introduced as a universal substitute, a tactical slot that could replace anyone disqualified or incapacitated during the team rounds. For the duo, only one of them could be replaced.
The solo cannot be replaced by a substitute. In the case where the original solo is unavailable, one of the original eight could be appointed as a replacement, and then the universal substitutes to replace their position in the team.
However, the new rule was strict — once the substitute replaced the original member, the said original (basically, the original who would not be participating in the match) will be officially considered out of the tournament. It was designed this way so that the clans don’t take advantage of the substitute rule.
Of course, a firm rule was placed that no Clan lord can participate in this tournament, and neither a pseudo demigod nor a demigod can participate. This way, Azzy gave them assurance that he would not be participating.
Within the Death Clan, the selection had already been finalized by Azzy, and the chosen ten were:
Fiona Garcia, the heir of the Garcia family.
Malgrim Garcia, the one who lost in the throne heir battles.
Avia Night, the current Commander of Aquiloria’s Shadow Guards.
Evelyn Starlight, Azzy’s maternal aunt and the new leader of the Starlight Clan, surprisingly is serving as team captain even though Avia was said to be stronger than her.
Irene Ash, the leader of the Ash Clan, and her twin brother/husband, Albin Ash.
Emiya Haze, the stoic head of the Haze Clan.
Emma Phanton, the newly appointed leader of Phantom clan (the clan of forsaken)
Affea Garcia, Azzy’s sister.
As for the two substitutes:
Ares Silver, the leader of the Silver Clan.
Orion Garcia, Azzy’s eldest son, whose participation is still unclear.
Over the past several months, Azzy had personally aided each of them in refining their spirit cores. The resources he shared with them had pushed several of them past thresholds once thought impossible.
Avia had ascended into the ranks of Supreme Beings, reaching the Peak 9-Star Realm.
The Ash twins, Irene and Albin, had both broken through into the 9-Star Realm together.
Emiya Haze had also stepped into 9-Star as well, her aura now sharp enough to distort visibility around her.
And Evelyn Starlight — who had recently given birth to her son, Aries — had returned to training under Azzy’s direct supervision. She too ascended, becoming a Supreme realm expert, and Azzy acted as her sparring partner.
The other clans also scrambled to strengthen their own candidates. Rumors spread among the hidden clans that the Kuru Clan’s Elite, named after one of their ancestors, the one Azzy fought in the Champions League back when he was a teenager, Karna, managed to find a 70,000-year-old ancient dungeon and received an inheritance from the spirit of a powerful demigod, the mantras of Astras, which are spells that could be invoked by natural energy combined with one’s own will power. A rumor said that he destroyed a Mountain in the Arcana world’s wilderness with an arrow. Another rumor said he turned a desolate, barren land into a fertile land with a continuous shower of rain. Some are exaggerated incidents, while some are mere rumors, but whatever the case may be, the Kuru Clan came into the spotlight, for sure.
There are also rumors, like in the Blood Clan, that someone managed to reach the pseudo-demigod realm... the Asgardians successfully made contact with their Ancestors, who all reached the godhood realm and left the mortal realm long ago. They were blessed by Odin and the old gods of Asgard.
While this wasn’t directly related to the tournament, the significant rumor from the Moon Clan is that Estella and Gideon are going through a divorce. Their separation only turned worse as, for the sake of the clan’s future, Estella intended to give one of her daughters, Luna, in marriage to Azzy, who was Gideon’s own best friend. The latter was completely against it. As a result, Gideon used force and brought Luna to the Tower of Abel. However, because of that, Luna was heard to be going under some serious training to prove her worth to the clan, just like her twin, Selene, who was a Supreme realm expert and is termed to be the next clan leader.
Things are happening here and there, but in the heart of it all, everyone knows that Aquiloria is going to witness something far greater than rivalry.
And when the tournament is concluded, they also know that things will change once again.
Present;
The night at the Garcia was quiet, especially for Azzy, despite patrols being seen around, far heavier than ever. The reason is that for the first time in a hundred thousand years, there was a night sky above the Death Clan village. It took months for even the elders to get adjusted to the night, and common folks of the clan still couldn’t adjust to the darkness. Only those who regularly go out for the missions and have experience in staying for the
Azzy stood on the marble balcony, his hands resting on the cold railing. Above him stretched an expanse of black velvet — no moon, no stars, only a half-visible planet hanging far away like a ghost light. The rest was nothingness, an endless void that mimicked night without ever being it. Yet, somehow, it calmed him. The emptiness gave him peace...
And it became a regular sight for Azzy to come out and just stare at the void for a while before the sleep time.
Just like usual, he was staring at it with a smile. And today, behind him came the soft rhythm of bare feet brushing stone, interrupting his thoughts.
Leiza stepped into the dim light, her form draped in a loose white gown, her dyed black hair catching the faint glow from the floating lamps inside. Her belly was big enough to show that she was atleast twenty-eight weeks. She came to his side without a word, resting one hand on her stomach.
Azzy turned, his eyes softening instantly. He slipped an arm around her shoulders, his other hand covering hers over her belly. "Not asleep yet?"
Leiza exhaled, her gaze fixed on the empty sky. "Couldn’t." A small, wistful smile tugged her lips. "I just... miss Orion these days. At first, he’d visit us every week. Then every other week. And now..." She trailed off, her voice quiet, heavy with both longing and worry. "It’s been five weeks since his last visit. I’m worried that he is becoming distant..."
Azzy’s smile was faint, but warm. "He’s just a boy who was trying to find his own path. Not to mention, after 18 years, he found freedom and powers. At such an age, it is obvious that he misses home and likes to explore his powers more."
She frowned a little. But before she spoke, Azzy’s hand gave hers a small squeeze as he smiled. "But he is still the eldest child of our family, dear. I’ll make sure he won’t miss his little sister’s birth, wherever he will be or whatever he is doing."
Leiza sighed again, leaning gently against his shoulder. "I hope it won’t come down to that," she murmured.
The two of them stood there in silence, staring into the void and conversing.
