Zataria's Last Light
Chapter 52: The Final Challenge!

Chapter 52: The Final Challenge!

As Ohma and Mako prepare for their turn, they move to the next area, which features a ring with épées on both sides.

Junko: Alright, we are now proceeding to the next challenge: fencing! The rules are straightforward: Ohma and Mako will be using épées. Your objective is to land five hits on your opponent to win. You must also stay within the ring; stepping outside will result in a point for the opposing competitor.

Daru: The rules sound straightforward.

Himitsu: Hey, Ohma.

Ohma looks at Himitsu.

Ohma: Huh?

Himitsu: Do you know how to use any weapons besides nunchucks?

Ohma: Oh, I know how to use other weapons. As a knight, I’m trained in various weapons like swords and axes.

Zodiac: Hmmm, that’s interesting.

Gram: (Looking at Zodiac) Looks like you’ve got some competition, Zodiac. (chuckles)

Zodiac: Just shut up. He’s nowhere near my level.

Yoshi: Well, either way, Mako will still beat you, right? (Looking at Mako)

Mako: (Nervous) U-umm, yeah! This should be easy for me.

Souta: You have to win this. We can’t afford to lose another.

Sai: Like she said, you better win this for us.

Lith looks at Mako with a serious expression.

Lith: Remember, Mako, if you lose this, you’re finished. Got it?

Mako: (Sweating) Yes, Master Lith! I will not fail!

Kono: Man, what’s up with him? He looks so tense.

Junko: Very well. If you both could retrieve your weapons and step into the ring, we can start this challenge.

Kono: Good luck, Ohma!

Gram: Go show them who’s boss, Ohma!

Himitsu: Yeah, we believe in you!

Daru: Do your best out there.

Zodiac: Hmmm.

Ohma: Thanks, guys! I won’t let you down!

Ohma and Mako make their way to the ring, retrieving their épées and stepping onto the mat, facing each other.

Ohma: (Holding the épée) It’s been some time since I’ve wielded a weapon like this, but that should not pose a problem!

Mako: I’m just letting you know right now that you’re going down! You hear me?

Ohma: Oh, thank you! I’ll make sure not to hold back!

Daru: (Slaps his forehead) Why is he saying thank you?

Both Ohma and Mako take their stances, prepared to engage.

Junko: Alright, let us begin in three, two, one, begin!

Ohma and Mako charge at each other, wielding their weapons. Mako aggressively swings his epee while Ohma calmly deflects each strike.

Himitsu: Wow! Ohma is really skilled with other weapons!

Kono: He’s putting on quite a show, isn’t he?

Daru: What do you think, Zodiac?

Zodiac: (arms crossed) Ohma’s technique is decent, but that other kid is flailing like a headless chicken. It’s painful to watch.

As they continue their duel, Mako thrusts his epee toward Ohma, who successfully blocks it and swiftly counters with a jab to Mako’s chest, scoring a hit.

Junko: Ohma has landed his first hit!

The Mavielance Crew begins to applaud and cheer.

Kono: Nice hit, Ohma!

Himitsu: Let’s gooo!

Yoshi: Are you serious, Mako?

Souta: Get it together and stop fooling around!

Sai: Don’t you dare lose this!

Mako: (muttering to himself) Tch, you’ve got to be kidding me!

Ohma and Mako reposition themselves to resume combat.

Junko: Okay, starting in three, two, one, begin.

They rush at each other once more, with Mako becoming increasingly agitated and swinging his epee more erratically.

Ohma: (muttering to himself) What the heck is he doing? He’s not even focusing on defense.

Gram: You guys see what I’m seeing, right?

Daru: This Mako kid isn’t thinking straight.

Ohma evades another one of Mako’s strikes and identifies an opening at his abdomen. He strikes, landing another hit.

Junko: Ohma has scored again, bringing the score to two.

Lith, visibly frustrated, yells at Mako.

Lith: MAKO! STOP FIGHTING LIKE AN IDIOT AND BEAT HIM!

Mako becomes increasingly nervous and sweaty.

Mako: (muttering to himself) I can’t do this! I can’t do this! I CAN’T DO THIS!

Ohma: (muttering to himself) I think he’s too scared of getting kicked out of Lith’s crew, which is making him fight sloppily.

Himitsu: Mako can’t even land one hit on him. I think Ohma has this in the bag!

Daru: Yeah, but something doesn’t feel right.

Kono: What do you mean, Daru?

Daru: Don’t you find it strange that Mako is fighting this way?

Zodiac: He’s probably just trash. What else is there to think?

Daru: No, there’s definitely something off about him.

Ohma and Mako reset, preparing to continue.

Junko: (muttering to herself) Come on, brother! You can defeat him! (Talking to everyone) Starting in three, two, one, begin!

Mako jogs slowly toward Ohma, swinging his weapon more sluggishly than before.

Reiji: Come on, Mako! You can do this!

Yoshi: Hurry up and beat this loser!

Ohma: (Speaking to himself.) His movements have noticeably slowed. He is clearly under pressure.

As Mako continues to swing his épée slowly, Ohma steps back and strikes his arm, landing a hit for the third time.

Junko: Ohma has successfully landed his third hit!

Gram: That’s my boy! You’re making this too easy!

Kono: Just two more hits, and he will be the winner!

Zodiac: That kid is really starting to annoy me.

Himitsu: Who, Mako?

Zodiac: Yes. Watching him fight is just shameful.

Sai:

(Talking to himself) That bastard thinks he’s better than us!

Lith begins to yell even louder.

Lith: I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS! WE’RE ABOUT TO LOSE AGAIN BECAUSE OF YOU! YOU MIGHT AS WELL LEAVE MY CREW NOW!

Mako: (Talking to himself) N-no! I don’t want to leave your crew!

Tears stream down Mako’s face, prompting Ohma to feel sympathy for him.

Ohma: (Talking to himself) It seems he has no fighting spirit left. I need to help him win.

Ohma and Mako reset once more, taking their fighting stances while Mako shakes nervously.

Junko: Start in three, two, one, begin...

Ohma rushes toward Mako quickly, but Mako closes his eyes and raises his épée. In response, Ohma intentionally runs into it with his right arm, causing him to fall to the ground, clutching his arm in pain. Everyone is shocked.

Gram: What just happened?!

Himitsu: Ohma!

Gram and the others rush to the ring to check on Ohma.

Kono: Ohma! Are you alright?

Daru: What did you do!?

Ohma: My arm! I can’t move it!

Mako slowly opens his eyes to see Ohma on the ground in pain while the Scarlet Crew enters the ring as well.

Sai: What is going on here?

Souta: Did you hit him, Mako?

Mako: I-I think I did?

Yoshi: Heh, how can an attack like that hurt you?

Kono: So, can you continue to fight, Ohma, or not?

Ohma: I don’t think so, guys. I can’t move my arm at all.

Zodiac: You’ve got to be kidding me...

Daru: Gram, take Ohma off the ring and start healing his arm.

Gram: Wait, why do I have to carry h—

Daru: JUST DO IT!

Gram: Alright, alright!

Gram picks Ohma up from the floor and supports him on his shoulder.

Ohma: Please hold on for a moment. I need to speak with Mako.

Gram: Uh, okay?

Ohma leans in closely to Mako, holding his right arm, and whispers in his ear.

Ohma: You’re welcome.

Mako hears this and begins to cry.

Reiji: Why are you crying, Mako?

Mako: I-it’s nothing. Sorry for making you worry, guys.

Junko: If Ohma is unable to continue, that means Mako is the winner!

The Scarlet Crew begins to cheer for Mako.

Sai: Yes! Another victory for us!

Yoshi: I told you guys you weren’t going to beat us!

Souta: Good job, Mako! You put that idiot in his place!

Lith approaches Mako.

Lith: Looks like you’re not leaving anytime soon. Good work.

Mako: (wiping his face) T-thank you, Master Lith!

Junko rushes to Mako and gives him a big hug.

Junko: Thank you for that victory, brother! I love you so much!

Mako: (hugging Junko) I love you too!

Gram and the others assist Ohma out of the ring so that Gram can examine Ohma’s arm with his book.

Himitsu: Man, I can’t believe we lost that one!

Kono: You were performing so well too!

Daru: Did you find anything, Gram?

Gram begins to look confused.

Gram: No, I haven’t. His arm is completely fine!

Himitsu: WHAT!? What do you mean!?

Gram: Ohma doesn’t have any injuries at all.

Daru: Huh!? Ohma, explain yourself!

Ohma starts to smile.

Ohma: I made it seem like I was injured to let Mako win.

Gram: WHAT!? WHYYYY!?

Zodiac: I’m done...

Ohma: I’ll tell you guys later after we finish everything.

Daru: You better.

Lith and the others approach Kono and her crew.

Lith: Well, it’s time for Kono and me to compete now.

Kono: Uh-huh, I guess it is.

Junko: It’s time for the final challenge: archery!

Kono: Archery, really?

Yoshi laughs.

Yoshi: Do you have a problem with that?

Kono: No, I don’t have a problem.

Lith: Good!

Lith looks at Junko.

Lith: Please explain the rules to Kono.

Junko: Certainly! You’ll need to hit this target here (points).

Kono and the others examine the target.

Gram: What are those red and green circles?

Junko: If you would allow me to finish, you would know.

Gram: Is it just me, or does everyone have something up their butt today?

Ohma: Did you want me to get rid of what’s inside them?

Himitsu: What! No, Ohma, it’s just a saying people use when they’re cranky.

Ohma: Oh... So I should kill the cranky!

Daru: I give up.

Zodiac: Still happy you added him to the team?

Daru looks at Zodiac.

Daru: Huh?... Yeah, I am, because at least he’s a team player, unlike you.

Zodiac: You wanna say that again?

Daru: With pleasure.

Kono interjects.

Kono: GUYS!

Daru and Zodiac both turn their attention to Kono.

Kono: Can you not try to kill each other for like 20 more minutes, please?

Daru and Zodiac cross their arms and turn away from each other.

Zodiac: He started it.

Daru: You did, dumbass.

Zodiac: Yeah, okay.

Daru & Zodiac: Asshole.

Junko: As I was saying, the green circle is worth 10 points if you hit it, while the red one is worth 60 points.

Gram leans in closer and notices a small yellow dot in the center of the circle.

Gram: What about the yellow dot in the middle?

Junko becomes frustrated.

Junko: OKAY, LISTEN, GRAM! STOP INTERRUPTING ME EVERY FIVE MINUTES! I’M TRYING TO EXPLAIN EVERYTHING!

Gram: Okay, jeez, I was just asking a question.

Sai: Just stop talking, holy crap, you have a big mouth!

Gram: Hey!

Lith: Everyone!

Gram and Sai cease their conversation and focus on Junko.

Junko: THANK YOU! GOSH! Okay, the yellow dot is worth 100 points.

Zodiac: That should be straightforward; all Kono has to do is hit it. Wait, how many times do you need to hit the target?

Junko: Three times.

Gram: Wow, so you don’t get mad at him for interrupting?!?

Junko: Yeah, because he’s actually good-looking, and you’re just a ginger.

Gram begins to cry.

Gram: I can’t help it; I was born with orange hair!

Lith: Okay, now we know what to do; let’s get started.

Kono: Sounds good to me!

Reiji: I can’t wait! I don’t know who to cheer for.

Mako and Yoshi hit Reiji on the head multiple times.

Mako: Idiot!

Yoshi: IT’S LITH!!

Reiji: Oww! Oww! Oww! Oww! Oww!

Lith and Kono approach a white line and pick up their bows.

Junko: Since The Scarlet Crew won the last challenge, Kono goes first.

Kono: Sweet!

Lith: Don’t mess up.

Ohma shouts encouragement at Kono.

Ohma: YOU GOT THIS, KONO!! I BELIEVE IN YOU!!

Himitsu: Yes, we believe in you!

Gram: (Crying) AM I REALLY THAT UGLY?!

Souta: Yeah, get over it.

Gram: (Crying) AHHHHHHH!!

Kono: (Nervously) I can do this; come on, Kono!

Lith: You’re scared (laughs).

Kono: Huh?

Lith: If I were competing against myself, I’d be scared too.

Kono: Me? Nervous? Nooo, never!

Lith: Okay, then show me you’re not nervous.

Kono: Okay!

Kono approaches the white line, draws back the string of her bow, closes one eye, and aims for the green. As she releases the arrow, it hits the target but falls off.

Lith: (Laughs) For someone who’s not nervous, you seem really anxious. I thought you said you were going to win?

Kono: Dang it.

Gram stops crying.

Gram: No, she missed!

Himitsu: Damn it...

Zodiac: We lost.

Daru: Come on, Kono!

Ohma: You got this; next one, Kono!!

Reiji: She tried her best.

Souta playfully hits Reiji on the head.

Reiji: Oww!

Yoshi: Lith is the best at this; there’s no way she’s losing.

Sai: Just wait for her turn.

Lith: Well, I suppose it’s my turn now.

Lith closes her eyes and shoots the arrow, scoring 100 points.

Sai: YEAHH!!

Reiji: YEAH, LITH!!!

Daru: With her eyes closed!!

Zodiac: That was clean, not sloppy at all.

Ohma: She’s really good at this.

Himitsu: She’s definitely done this before.

Gram glances to his right and notices a poster on the wall featuring a list of archers ranked 1-50. His eyes widen as he sees Lith ranked number one.

Gram: We’re screwed!

Lith: It’s your turn now, miss "I’m not nervous."

Kono grabs her bow again as Ohma shouts encouragement.

Ohma: Hey Kono, think of the target as an enemy!

Kono: What?

Ohma: Don’t view it as a target; envision it as an enemy trying to kill you.

Himitsu: Ohma!

Kono: He’s right! I’m overthinking this.

Kono closes her eyes, then opens them as Ohma pulls out his nunchucks and begins practicing swings. Just as Kono prepares to shoot, Ohma accidentally swings his nunchuck and knocks himself out, collapsing to the ground.

Kono: I got this!

Kono pulls the string back and releases the arrow, hitting the red zone for 60 points.

Gram & Himitsu: YEAHHH!

Zodiac: Good.

Daru: There you go, Kono! Now keep it steady.

Sai: It’s only 60 points, and Lith has 100.

Souta: They’re cheering for nothing.

Mako: They’re so clueless.

Reiji: I think it’s nice that they are cheering for Kono.

Mako and Souta tap Reiji on the head.

Reiji: Oww! Oww!

Lith: Now it’s my turn.

Kono: Go right ahead. (To herself) CRAP! If she scores another hundred, I’m done for!

Lith draws back her arrow just as Ohma rises from the ground.

Ohma: Oww... my head. Hey, Himitsu, did I miss anything?

Himitsu: Oh yeah! Kono got 60 points!

Ohma: She did!!

Gram: Yeah!

Ohma takes a deep breath as Lith prepares to release her arrow. Suddenly, he shouts.

Ohma: AHHHH!!

Lith: Ah!

Startled by Ohma’s exclamation, Lith releases the arrow, missing the entire target.

Lith: NOOOOO!!

Kono: Yes!!

Scarlet Crew: NO!!!

Maivelance Crew: YES!

Yoshi: She missed!

Reiji: Damn, that sucks!

Souta: It was because of that idiot! (Points at Ohma.)

Ohma: Huh? Me?

Lith: You idiot! You screwed me over!

Ohma: Would you like me to screw you over?

Lith: Excuse me!

Zodiac chuckles softly.

Daru: (Laughs) Good one, Ohma.

Ohma: (Confused) Did I say something wrong?

Gram & Himitsu: HAHAHAH!!

Lith: This can’t be happening!!

Kono: Sucks to be you.

Kono approaches the line, draws back the string, and releases the arrow, which lands on 100 points.

Gram: YEAHH!! LET’S GOOO!!

Himitsu: Yeahhh!!

Yoshi: No way.

Souta: This can’t be happening!

Sai: That fool!

Lith pushes Kono aside, raises her bow, and shoots without aiming. It lands on 60 points.

Lith: 60 POINTS!!!!! NO!!

Reiji: This always happens when Lith gets mad; she never does well.

Mako: I can’t believe this.

Junko: IT’S A DRAW!!

Lith: Yes, I know!

Junko: Well, I was just stating that means it’s time for the Golden Arrow!

Daru & Zodiac: Golden Arrow?

Junko: The Golden Arrow allows you to shoot at this target (points).

Junko points to a larger circular target that is white with a single gold dot in the center.

Junko: Whoever can hit the gold dot or get closest to it wins.

Zodiac: Sounds easy.

Junko: But!

Gram: Of course, there’s a but.

Junko: It moves.

As she speaks, the gold dot begins to move around the white circle.

Himitsu: That’s going to be hard to hit.

Kono: Oh no!

Lith: Get out of the way!

Kono: Wait, it’s my turn.

Lith: Too bad.

Lith lifts her bow and aims; as she releases, the arrow lands right beside the gold dot.

Yoshi: Yeah!!

Reiji: That’s really close to the gold dot!

Mako: Yeah, Kono’s crew is done for!

Lith: (Laughs) Let’s see if you can get closer than that!

Kono begins to feel anxious as she glances back at her crew, who are all observing her. She starts to chuckle.

Kono: (Speaking to herself) Not going to lie, I was really nervous about going up against Lith, but seeing my crew—Gram, Himitsu, Zodiac, Daru, and Ohma! They always push me... well, Gram is just here for moral support (chuckles), but everyone else motivates me, so I can’t lose; I won’t lose!

Kono positions herself at the white line, draws back the string once more, and closes her eyes as she hears her crew chanting her name.

Maivelance Crew: GO KONO!!!

Kono: This is for my CREW!!!!

Kono releases the arrow, and although she initially hears nothing, when she opens her eyes, she sees the arrow in the gold dot.

Kono: (Astonished) I—I hit it!

Maivelance Crew: YEAHHHHHHH!!!!