>>5172589>>5172590>>5172592>>5172594>>5172596>>5172598"This 'strong beats whe weak' philosophy doesn't feel so good when you get pushed to the other side, does it?" You grab your weapon back, but stand your ground defensively, not being sure if you can keep the fight going with his full atention despite your smug remarks. "How about you go back to Barnham and tell him there is a new challegner for the arena? If he doesn't cut off your hands for being so weak that you lost to an unarmored man."
"Why you little... You will pay for this!" His muscles starts spazzing as you are able to see the large amount of dark energy emanating inside of him with your naked eyes. He seems to be about to transform as his girth and size change with each passing second. Depending on how big he gets, he could easily trample the innocents...
Of all the things that could stop his upcoming apostle form, you never expected it for the clank of a flying hoe hitting his armor, making him look behind him confused as the elderly farmer finally shows up.
"You should think twice before fighting my son outside the ring, Gorrister. If there is one man that can defeat Barnham, it's the man that stand before you!"
It's Michelle! Your adoptive mother seems to have a few extra wrinkles on her, but even with her age showing, it didn't stop her from courageously striking an apostle several times her size and power with farming equipment.
"What is that supposed to mean, old wench? Am I supposed to be scared by the likes of you?" Gorrister returns to his human size, touching noses with your mother as his eyes burn with hatred.
"If you're so bothered by your inferiority, why not duel him at noon? You'll have a chance to tear off his head and chuck it to the audience to prove that you really are a dominant gladiator! Not that you would need to, afterall, what does an old farmer such as myself would know?"
Michelle does not tremble or flinch as Gorrister's fist closes right in front of her. She has withstained through famine, torture, an attack at her estate and famine once more. There is nothing the follower of the God Hand could do to even incite fear in her heart.
"The gates will open at noon. Be ready, or I will go here myself and drag your head to Barnham!" Gorrister takes the bait and officially invites you for today's fight, leaving his comrade's corpses around without second thought.
You did not expect to meet your mother so suddenly, and even less for her to punch up to an apostle! The courage might not run in the blood, but it was passed down to you by learning.
"What other Vlad would come over to visit dear old me, if it weren't for my beloved son?" Michelle opens her arms as you walk into a soft embrace. It's been so long that you were starting to forget how her voice was like...
>What led you here, Mother?>How are the crops doing?>Why did you do something so dangerous?>Why didn't you show up earlier if you knew I was here? 