Chapter 152: Chapter 151: Round One

Within the former arena for many slaves' last moments lies a near-endless crowd of false beings made of shadows, cheering for the most powerful of their brethren as they compete in battles against one another alongside a companion of their travels. Within the private box previously used to host the wealthy bidders are the two whose roles are to commentate the fights that will come.

One a shadow clone and the other a bunny girl, they sit at a gaudy table, watching the arena through screens and speaking through headsets that should not belong in a fantasy world like theirs. Darky, the energetic copy of Madeleine with a penchant for rulebreaking, is the more excited of the two, anticipating the beatdowns her sisters and partners will do. Myka, the reality-warping ex-antagonist, acts like she doesn't want to be here, having been forcibly taken from her hotel room back on Earth.

Meanwhile, down in the arena are the combatants of the first round, preparing for their fight. The first pair are Madeleine the Maid and her partner Melanie Arcus, both specialising in projectiles, both magical and physical. They're against Ava the Stealthy and her wife Mammon, a frail rogue and mage combo, but with quite the firepower. 

"Ladies, shadows, and the sole gentleman!" The hyper shadow clone winks towards the Captain, who stands alongside the other participants, observing from a similar private box to the one the commentators are using. "The first Madeleine Royale shall now commence with the first battle between mother, other mother, greedy bitch, and her trophy wife! That's all the introductions needed. Start the battle!"

As soon as that was announced, the combatants entered combat stances, much to the cheers of the surrounding crowd. The archer shot countless light arrows, which were countered by the demon's Hellfire spears. Meanwhile, the two maids were busy throwing dagger after dagger at each other.

"I feel like I forgot to mention, but there's a field that prevents death around the arena. Ain't that convenient?" Belts out the Rulebreaker.
"Haa…" The reality warper sighs. "Why am I here?"

The shadow clone stops her ongoing scuffle with her creator, opting to retreat behind her wife, who easily deals with the endless barrage of magic arrows and enchanted daggers being thrown at her. The two discuss something with their eyes before the demon raises her hand, creating a golden whirlwind that picks up Mel and Madeleine in the air.

"And the Demon Lord of Greed splits the parental couple in two, placing them on opposite ends of the battlefield!" Darky excitedly jumps up. "What a turn of events!"
"Wow…" Myka rolls her eyes. "What a manoeuvre."

Mammon approaches Mel, a glimmering golden sword in hand, and aims a flurry of swiping attacks at her. The adventurer, however, easily dodges the attacks, having sparred with both the limitless Hero and the Maid School graduate Madeleine before. The demon swings a heavy but slow blow, piercing the ground but missing Mel. Mammon tries to take out her sword but finds it penetrated too deeply.

The half-elf takes this as an opportunity and sweep-kicks the demon, making her tumble to the ground before cartwheeling backwards to create some distance. Once far enough, Mel makes a light arrow and stabs the ground with it, creating a trail of light arrows that quickly approach the grounded body of Mammon. She quickly jumps up, abandoning her sword and flying into the air, sprouting demon wings.

"I didn't even know other mother could even do that!" Darky says with a shocked face. "Why don't we have more action scenes?! That shit cool!"
"As part of the Hero's party, Melanie had to get a blessing from the Church and was gifted the ability to produce her own arrows by Xul herself. However, the creative use of it was inspired by Madeleine and her ground-based magic usage," Myka droned on, reading from a script with a monotone voice. "Man… not only do I have to be here, but I've also got to info-dump?"
"Well, you're my Michael Cole, Myka! Myka Cole!"
"I fucking hate this."

On the other side of the battlefield, Madeleine cautiously stands still, waiting for a sneak attack from a foe who had disappeared. During the maid's and archer's impromptu flights, Ava had managed to sneak into the shadows and was now prowling around, aiming to sneak attack Madeleine. The air stilled for a moment, not a single dust of movement seen where Madeleine stood, when suddenly, from behind her, rose the stealthiest of the Shadow Clones.

"And out she jumps, with the shiniest of silver daggers!" Yells out Darky, who had gotten out of her chair yet again. "How will Madeleine fair?!"
"Ava is what Madeleine is if she actually utilised her Maid School assassination techniques," says Myka, still sounding as dry as before. "Just with an added shadow flair."

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The maid turns around quickly, facing the shadow clone, then doing… nothing? She stands there, willing to take a strike. Ava doesn't let this opportunity go to waste and plants a dagger into Madeleine's shoulders, drawing this match's first blood. Before she could use her second dagger, however, two arms were wrapped around her waist, putting her into a bear hug. The shadow clone tries to wiggle her way out, but fails to, then realises then Madeleine is leaning back, falling to the ground fast.

"Oh… my... god…" Darky is stunned at what just happened. "Mom just did a belly-to-belly suplex, but like a super illegal version of it!"
"I…" Myka plants her face into her hands, "Shouldn't have let her watch wrestling."

Ava's face quickly slams into the ground, and before she can recuperate, Madeleine wriggles around her, grabs her from her back, and then does a German suplex. She hits the back of her head hard, further disorienting her, when Madeleine curb stomps her, promptly knocking her out. She then turns towards the battle between Mammon and Mel and, noticing the demon's back to her, takes out a blunt dagger and throws it right at her opponent's head. Bullseye.

"And the first victory goes to Madeleine and Mel!"
"Wow… the main characters won. Who'd a thunk it?"
"This was Darky and Myka, and we'll see y'all next round!"
"Fuck you, Darky."
"Oh yeah, before we leave, this chapter's Side Note… let's make it Mammon's!"

Greed You can temporarily claim anything as yours. Side Note: The third of the Seven Deadly Sins, gifted to the Lord that reigns over all who desire material wealth over God.

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Character profile: Mammon

Sacred power: Greed

Favourite colour: Gold

Description: The Lord of Greed who reigns over all those who covet treasures above all. Mammon, just like the rest of the Seven Deadly Sins, are not actually natives to Mendass, but are actually from the Hell of Earth. They were contracted to this whole Seven Deadly Sins thing by Mara, who just so happened to have a connection to the being who ruled over all demonkind, who they affectionately call "The Big D". Mammon rather enjoys her gig, as Mendass has an unnatural number of treasures, ranging from the endless gold found within Scorzar The Eternal Hoarder's vault to the darkest Abyssal-ranked weapons found off the edge of the world. Mammon also got her favourite treasure from Mendass: Her wife Ava.

Chapter namesake: Round One by Youngblood Brass Band