The Final Round (Dice Changers)

Lichstien's Tournament of Heroes had wound down to the three bracket victors: Stephen (young man from an ancient age) and Kamolin (human cleric in blue and white robes) for the Past bracket, Arron (a modern age teenage boy) and Goldleaf (an elven paladin covered head to toe in gold plate armour) for the Present one, and Abby (a modern age preteen girl with down syndrome) and Empress Spells (half-orc witch in a large black dress) for the Future. These three would decide the fight for a wish granted by God himself in a three-way free-for-all.

Arron and Goldleaf had surprised themselves and their friends by winning their bracket, as they were members of the Dice Changers, a little organization in lower Alabama. The duo had fought cutlists, sex traffickers, sirens, a demon, and a fey. They more than earned their spot at the top. Of all the trios, they were the most experienced at getting out of tight spots.

Stephen and Kamolin were always among the best warriors, as they had spent over 2000 years going toe to toe with various challengers in death; their training always paid off except in the final round, where they would force the winners to prove themselves and give the win over to the next generation. Of all the trios, they were the most honorable even at their own detriment.

Abby and Empress Spells were what all eyes were on. They defeated each challenger without breaking much of a sweat; even in the later stages, they always stuck with the same tactics, the same composure, the same grace every time. Empress Spells, out of all the trios, were the most powerful.

The constants stood in an empty, all-white arena in front of their entrances, a sight they had seen dozens of times throughout the tournament, eyeing each other and their environment. Goldleaf scoffed before raising his spear and shield in a defensive manner until Empress Spells began walking toward him. Her magical aura began to press against him. It was so dense that it felt like a thin veil pressing against his skin and armour, yet she was hundreds of feet away. Goldleaf definitely pushed onward; he was going to be the victor no matter the cost. Kamolin stood idly by, watching the first blows of the finals meet, even sitting on the floor with his sword leaning against his shoulder.

"HEY YOU! OLD FOOL! CAN'T YOU SEE WE'RE OUTMATCHED! THE ONLY WAY WE STAND A CHANCE IS WORKING TOGETHER!" screamed Goldleaf as he struggled to move forward.

"YOU WISH TO FIGHT THE STRONGEST PERSON TO EVER WALK IN HERE!? BE MY GUEST!" shouted Kamolin back.

"SHE'LL CRUSH US BOTH IF WE DON'T WORK TOGETHER!" screamed back Goldleaf.

"AYE, THAT'S TRUE, BUT WHAT IF I'M ALREADY DEVELOPING A WAY TO STOP HER?!" shouted back Kamolin as he began to look around for the real Empress. The one that Goldleaf was chasing was a fake, or was it the real one pretending to be fake? No, why deviate from what's worked round after round? This Empress was hiding something, something Kamolin didn't want to find out.

"Alright, elf, you made your point," he said as he stood up, only to be dropped to the ground by the Empress, who then disappeared, creating a dust cloud.

"Agh, curse this half-orc and her fake doubles," said Goldleaf before he felt a sharp pain in his midsection. He looked down and saw a bluish-purple blade cut right through him. He didn't feel it coming- no sense, no sound.

"What? How?" asked Goldleaf.

"Because I am the Nocee Empress. Wife of Emperor Noone. I have fought countless nobles, traitors, heretics, and every type of enemy, and I soul-bonded with my master, and she gave me more power than any false god could give me," answered the Empress as she whispered in his ear. Then disappeared. The blade was fake. All an illusion to drop his guard and feel no hope. No way of winning despite being so close.

The dust settled; Kamolin stood waiting, watching. "She's hovering over us. We need to bring her down to our level," said Kamolin as he took his weapon and launched as far up as he could, and it exploded into a fireball.

"Did you hit her? The real her?" asked Goldleaf as he rushed to Kamolin's side and looked for any sign of the empress. Her power was still felt, but she was unseen. Then Kamolin was kicked in the back and sent flying in one direction, as Goldleaf was punched into another at the same time by two different clones. Both then became overwhelmed by fists, spells, and words as they tried to take out as many clones as possible and cast every spell they could, hoping she would run out of magic sooner than them.

The arena was being shaken by the sheer power of the spells, explosions, and whatever energy the constants had left. Then the unthinkable happened. As Kamolin was beginning to pour all his remaining power into one attack, he had a shield that prevented all incoming attacks, so the empress decided to cut back on the clones and fired a long stream of magic missiles. She sent clones to occupy Goldleaf while she continued to fire at the shield until Kamolin was so overwhelmed that he blew up, sending the empress and Goldleaf into the walls, causing craters. The clones were completely wiped out by the blast.

When Goldleaf and the empress rose, the empress charged at Goldleaf, throwing her fists in a last desperate bid to win. Goldleaf dropped his sword and shield and exchanged blows, fists, and jabs, trying to tire each other out. Despite wearing armour, his attacks seemed to have little effect on the woman, who seemingly wore none. No sign of scars, bruises, or broken bones. Then his head was grabbed by a hand, tilted as far back as it could, and his throat was slit.

"Bye, bye, elf. Stand tall and proud; you are strong," said the Empress before Goldleaf's body fell to the floor.

Goldleaf was then teleported outside the arena, among his friends and Kamolin, defeated.

"THAT WITCH! USING DISHONORABLE TACTICS! IN HEAVEN NO LESS!" cried Goldleaf as he slammed his fists into the floor.

"Dishonorable, perhaps. Cunning, yes, just as God intended," said Lichstein as he walked to Goldleaf and helped him to his feet.

"We didn't even stand a chance. I didn't even stand a chance," complained Goldleaf as he looked at the Empress talking to the True God. Unable to hear what they were saying.

"The future looks bright, though. As it should. A reminder that even though things are getting darker, the light is burning brighter than ever," said Lichstien.

"Ha, you keep telling yourself that, lich. Torch has yet to pass to her. We still bear it," said Goldleaf.

"Not for long. The future has some of the most powerful beings we have seen showing up at a higher rate than ever before. It is exciting," said Lichstien as he too stood and watched the Empress's wish be granted.