Avatar: Tower Master

POV Callum

"I believe that the procedure will work, though it does carry some risks" the healer informed. 

"Like what?" I asked. 

"There is a slight chance that we could damage the tissue surrounding the area, rendering the operation a failure and permanently shutting the door on it, so to speak. Though there is little chance of that happening" 

Looking down at the Azula I considered the option. She was a tragic figure in the TV show, emotionally and most likely physically abused by her father. Due to the sadistic nature instilled by her father her own mother often scolded her for her actions, leading to psychological issues from both parents. 

"Do it" I said handing the healer a sealed jar "Inform me when it is done, if you fail" I paused "We will cross that bridge when we come to it" 

"She is lucky you care for her," the healer commented. 

"Her life has been more tragic than most and it has left invisible scars on her. I regret that I didn't do anything sooner" anger creeping onto my face. 

"You are going to the tournament?" Arin asked from the side of the room. 

"Yes, at first I wanted to have some fun but now I just need to work off some steam" I answered. 

"Good luck then my lord" 

Turning back to the healer I said "Keep her under until I return, I don't want her burning down my castle in a panic" 

"Yes, my lord" 

Casting transformation over myself I looked into a nearby mirror. I looked old, very old, you could see the wrinkles and my white beard went down to my chest. My eyes though were blue, so blue that they seemed to glow. 

"Alright I'm ready," I said, throwing on a dark cloak. 

Teleporting back to the first floor I looked up at the giant arena that I had replaced the three with. Using a few spells and abilities another me soon appeared floating in the sky. A glorified illusion really but nobody will be able to tell the difference. 

As my illusion made its way to the private box I myself made my way into the fighters entrance. This bracket for thirty plus only had four people participating, including me. 

Reaching the front of the line the dwarf asked, "Name of participant and class?"

"Emrys, class is Arch mage" 

"Alright go on throw" he waved me past. 

Walking into the waiting area I saw the three other participants, including me. It was two mages, a brawler and one earth bender. I pulled up each of their status. 

Name: Goshen

Class: Battle mage

Level: 35

XP: 1,782/2,600

Strength- 9

Endurance-6

Agility: 5

Constitution: 3

Will: 20

Mind: 45

Spirit: 47

Skills: [Spears 2] [blunt weapons 4] [mana control 5]

Abilities: [Mage Bolt] [Mana Shield] [Identify] [Lightning bolt] [Firebolt] [Wind cutter] [Earth fist]

Name: Dro Eden

Class: Brawler

Level: 32

XP: 769/2,000

Strength- 52

Endurance-31

Agility: 33

Constitution: 40

Will: 10

Mind: 9

Spirit: 2

Skills: [Hand to hand 7] [spears 3] [swords 4]

Abilities: [Empower] [Yell] [Iron body] [Enhanced senses] [Magic resistance] [Primal fist] 

The third was particularly interesting, I had never met the man but ever since he came to the tower he apparently hasn't left it even once. He took a very similar path to Go Rehi. 

Name: Xuh Pe

Class: Earthbender 

Level: 30

XP: 33/1,600

Strength- 33

Endurance-37

Agility: 21

Constitution: 22

Will: 41

Mind: 39

Spirit: 45

Skills: [Hand to hand 3] [spears 3] [swords 5] [Earthbending 7]

Abilities: [Stone skin] [Compact rock] [Earth weapons] [Golem] [Earthquake] 

Goshen started to approach me but the referee, a rather young elf, entered the room. 

"Fighters the first two up are Goshen and Dro eden. Please enter the arena on opposite sides" then he left. 

Moving over to the open window I looked out onto the arena field watching as both people entered on the opposite sides and immediately locked eyes staring at one another. Moving my eyes up towards the private box I saw my illusion sitting there with Goshen's assistant. Commanding it, it stepped up and approached the side of the box. 

Opening its arms it said "Welcome everyone to the final leg of this tournament. This bracket is for those only level thirty and above. Despite the over a year the tower has been here few people have made it to this level. So you are in for a treat today, these participants are the strongest humanity has to offer, people powerful enough to take change the tide of wars" I made it gesture to Goshen "The first fighter is Goshen the master of the adventurers guild, a non bender who has made reached the pinnacle of strength" the it gestured to Dro eden "Then we have Dro Eden a fighter who's fist has killed many monsters in a single blow" 

The referee then entered the arena standing on its edge "Fighters ready" pausing yet again for suspense "Hai" 

Goshen was the first to move, sending a firebolt at his opponent. Activating his ability; iron body and magic resistance; he tanked the magic running right through it. Approaching Goshen he used empower as well as primal fist. His hand looked like it was made of muscle and metal. At the last second Goshen raised a mana shield letting the impact fall on it. The shield stopped it but broke in the process sending out a shockwave that pushed both of them back. Taking a step back Goshen conjured a giant fist of rock and slammed it into Dro. Dro raised his own fist meeting the attack head on shattering the rock. 

"You're quite good," Goshen complimented. 

"That's because I am having fun," Dro said. 

Landing back on the ground Dro activated primal fist again and plunged his fist into the ground ripping up a boulder. Launching the boulder at Goshen, Dro ran in directly behind it. Using some wind Goshen cut the rock in half but barely got a shield up as Dro's fist connected, sending him flying back. Everyone in the heard the sickening crack as Goshen's leg broke sending bone piercing through the skin. 

"Ahhhhh" he screamed. 

Dro didn't waste any time running at him eager to end the fight but a look of resolve came over Goshen's face.

Raising his hand up he spread his fingers pointing his hand at the approaching brawler then said one word "Lightning bolt". 

Everyone heard the crack of lighting then the sound of thunder, the world went white as the bright light blinded the onlookers. When the light cleared Goshen was still in his spot leg broken. Dro on the other hand was laying on the ground having not had time to react. Burn marks covered his body and the smell of burnt flesh was in the air. 

The referee approached Dro placing his fingers on his neck "He's dead" 

Goshen's eyes went wide at the revelation; he had killed his opponent. 

The referee looked up at my illusion with a questioning look wondering what to do. I made my illusion give him a nod gesturing to Goshen. 

The ref stood up announcing "Goshen is the winner" 

A group of medics entered the arena carrying both Goshen and the corpse out and to the healers tent. 

Looking at my illusion I made him stand. "It is regrettable that this has happened, but that is the risk of the tower, you put your life on the line to climb higher and higher. Every participant knew the risk of participating and this unfortunate accident has made this a sad day. If he has any family here please meet at the medical tent to retrieve the body; my greatest condolences. Due to this circumstance we will take a few hours before the next match." 

The crowd remained silent as the announcement was made and remained silent afterward. Even though people die every day in the tower, being killed in such and instantaneous fashion was still unexpected. Especially since it was another climber that killed him.