The Ultimate Host

"Regardless of their fearless warriors, I have to get back." "There is a lot of people depending on me to return back to New Malar." The news spread fast throughout The City Of New Malar that Veil defeated the infamous Cross Rodriquez who had been convicted of many crimes he didn't commit. As Cross was about to venture through The City Of Old Malar, Gregor stopped him. "Wait." "Before you leave." "Carl." Carl nodded and went into the house coming back out with a strange silver pendant that was gold plated. Carl handed the strange silver pendant that was gold plated to Cross.

" What's this?" asked Cross. "This pendant belongs to our protector, Master Irwin." "You see over 6 months ago, Master Irwin scattered 40 of these silver pendants across the City Of Old Malar." "Anyone who gains possession of one of these pendants will be eligible to participate in Master Irwin"s tournament." "The one who wins this tournament will be personally trained by Master Irwin himself." Cross carefully studied the pendant. "What is so special about this Master Irwin?" asked Cross. Gregor sighed. "Sit down." " I will tell you the story of Master Irwin.

"Before Master Irwin considered in training anyone he lived deep in the woods as a hermit." "He blocked out the rest of Old Malar and lived a rather normal life. "Before a wall was placed between Old Malar and New Malar, commoners and nobles were allowed to pass through without any hassle." "One day a very rich noble came to Old Malar hearing stories of rich old and refined metal that was in the possession of Master Irwin." "He countlessly came to Master Irwin to engage in an offer." "Every time the noble came to Master Irwin"s house in the woods for an offer, Master Irwin refused."

"This made the noble very furious." "So one day the noble hired a band of thieves to steal the refined metal and rich oil." "The band of thieves were unsuccessful." "They were easily defeated by Master Irwin." "Over 2 days passed and the noble saw that none of the thieves returned." "The noble then hired the best mercenaries he could find." "The mercenaries began burning down the City Of Old Malar." "They did this to draw Master Irwin from his home." "However, Master Irwin's only student who was 10 at the time stayed at his house, guarding it with his life." "Master Irwin killed all the mercenaries only getting away with a few bruises and cuts." "This is when Master Irwin decided to train anyone." Cross would no longer take Master Irwin lightly.

Cross stood on his feet, shoving the pendant in his pocket. " Where is this Master Irwin located?" " About 300 kilometres from here." " Thanks for the info." " No problem," answered Gregor. Cross would go on his way. Gregor and Carl sat back down on the dock, grabbing their fishing rods continuing to fish.

Cross continues to venture through the City Of Old Malar. The ground was still covered in ash. No one bothered to rebuild their home or even try to. The area Cross walked was filled with drunks who were singing songs. All Cross could do was shake his head. He looked over the horizon and saw the giant wall blocking off the commoners from entering The City Of New Malar. Cross could feel his stomach grumbling. " I have to get back." Cross began sprinting. He wanted to get finish Master Irwin's tournament fast.

Over 20 minutes passed. Cross was breathing my heavily. In front of him stood Master Irwin's dojo/temple. He walked up to the giant moss covered door. He placed on hand on the door and shoved it open. As he shoved open the door he saw many crackling steps. Cross quickly ran up the steps without even trying. As he finished running up the steps, he saw the other 39 contestants who collects the other 39 pendants. One of the contestants wasn't from The City Of Old Malar. In fact he was a famous boxer who called himself Apollo fist. Apollo Fist was undefeated.

He defeated over 110 people without even trying. He defeated them by simply knocking them it in the first round. He won over 5 world championship belts. He was only 24. His real name was actually Jagger. Jagger was trained by his father who was a famous trainer who trained many greats leading them to victory. His father made him punch a tree for a straight 5 hours without drinking or eating any food. He was only the age of 6. By the time he was 12, he could punch trees in half. He had it all. Wealth, fame, and fower. Jagger managed to get a whole of one Master Irwin"s pendants from a bum who told him stores of a city in the clouds. He listened to every word the bum had to say. When the bum finished talking he gifted Jagger with the silver gold plated pendant and a map to The City Of Malar. Jagger gave the bum 2,000 pieces of gold for his time.

He bought a airship and carefully studied the map with the help of a excellent navigator. He only been in The City Of Old Malar for a weak. He was already prepared. Cross ignored the other 39 contestants finding a tree which was a sign of shade. He sat down placing his back against the tree. He breathed heavily thinking about his family and friends. He sighed. As he was about to take a nap, he felt the plastic and feeling of cookies by his pocket. He pulled the packet of cookies out and saw that it was his favorite, chocolate chip cookies.

He ripped open the packet and began devouring the cookies one by one. He looked at the contestants and saw that they were chatting back and forth. When he was about to eat his last cookie, he noticed the contestants stopped talking. He stood on his feet and saw Master Irwin. Master Irwin was dressed in a green robe with blue slippers on. He carried a cane with his back arched. " I am very pleased to see all of my pendants have been recovered." Now it will be very nice if you return them so we can get this tournament started." Master Irwin nodded to his only student Felix. Felix was dressed in a black gi that had sleeves removed. He was 26 years old and weighed 190 pounds of lean muscle.

He didn't wear shoes. His hair was silver, pulled in a top knot. All of the contestants except a giant who was equipped with a spiked ball and chain returned his pendant. Felix counted the pendants and saw one was missing. " There are only 39 pendants here. " Who has the last one?" asked Felix. Who ever has the last pendant step forward. The giant stepped forward with a smile on his face. " Why should I return my pendant. "It's mine." " I found it and I should keep it." "You can't keep it." "Why?" Because those are the rules. If you don"t like the rules leave this place, never return, and leave the pendant. "What if I don't want to leave?" " I will remove you by force." The giant began laughing. He suddenly placed a serious expression on his face, swinging his spiked ball and chain at Felix.

Felix evaded the spiked ball and chain without moving a muscle. The giant was confused. Suddenly Felix disappeared and reappeared in front of the giant punching him in the face causing most of his teeth and blood to hush out of his mouth. The force of the punch caused the giant to lift of his feet, crashing through 2 boulders and 5 trees. Felix landed on his feet like a ninja without making a sound. The giant was instantly knocked out. He wasn't even breathing. Master Irwin snickered and said: " Now that we no longer have no more interupptions this tournament can begin."