Ascension Of The Blood Throne by Mikel Wilson (reading books for 5 year olds .txt) 📕

now. From what I understand, tonight is about them seeing what you’re capable of. I’ve watched you, you practice MMA, or you did at least. Correct?”

“MMA?” Mackinzie asked, confused.

“Mixed martial arts,” Alisha explained. “It will throw off your opponent. Leg kicks and movement. Shoot for a takedown, and once on the ground, you have all you need. Remember they have never seen MMA, so they won't know what you’re doing. They certainly won’t be prepared for it. You got this!”

“Right. I got this,” JH agreed, warming to the idea. “Plus, I'm probably bigger than their knight as well. I feel a little better about this now.”

Before they knew it, the time for the banquet was upon them. The entire kingdom seemed to be there to get a look at their fallen king’s daughter and the brood she had brought from the other world. The table was set with goblets filled with blood as well as human bodies spread out, ready to supply fresh refills for a vampire feast.

The king’s chair was left empty with Christian and Lillith seated on either side, and Mackinzie next to Christian while Alisha was at her daughter’s side. The three vampires of the group hadn’t eaten in a little too long, and their bloodlust was thinly veiled as being surrounded by so much blood began to wear on them.

Christian toasted his sister and bride to be, and as they lifted the blood-filled goblets to their lips, Alisha excused herself from the table.

"I suppose the human isn't hungry," one of the Taldor vampires commented, disdain clear in his voice, and some of the others laughed.

Lillith was the first to bring the goblet to her lips, and as the blood filled her mouth, her fangs extended, and her aura began to glow. The knights at the table marveled at the visible display of her power. Not to be outdone, Christian also drank and his aura glowed as well but not as brightly as his sister’s. Mackinzie quietly drained her goblet and refilled it as she listened to the talk around her, which was primarily of this new brood that was to be part of their numbers.

Lillith called a servant and requested that some fruit be found for her mother, who had moved to a shadowed corner of the room so as not be in the way while the vampires had their fill. A voice from behind her startled Alisha, and she turned to find a rather large man, his beard long and braided at the end. His armor looked custom made with a moon embossed in gold on the upper chest. He bowed his head and smiled, his eyes turning red as he met hers.

“I am Robert, the captain of the guard.”

Sensing his sinister power, Alisha grasped the sheath of her sword tightly.

“Do not fear me, human. I would not dare to attack the mother of the prince and princess. Just be mindful of your surroundings; this place is dangerous, especially for a human.” He gave her one more small smile, sinister though it was, before joining the others at the table.

“I, Robert, captain of the guard, now call for our bit of entertainment for the evening! Pitting one of the new members of our brood against one of our knights, this fight will be hand to hand, and since we are all family here, not to the death, but one must yield.” Turning, he bellowed, “Are you ready?”

Every vampire in the room began hitting the tables with their fists, making a roaring like you’d expect in a Roman coliseum.

The knights’ chosen fighter entered first, and it looked like the Taldor vampires had chosen wisely. He stood every bit of six feet six inches tall, his burly build matched his height, and he was obviously very strong. His long red hair and braided beard almost obscured his chiseled face, but not quite enough to cover his raging red eyes. It seemed that war was all he knew, and the whole of him made for a scary site to behold. His muscles rippled as he ripped off his shirt, revealing many old battle scars. This vampire was not only strong but had obviously been in many wars.

JH, who had been confident earlier, was growing nervous as this beast of a man began beating on his chest and roaring loudly as the crowd chanted his name, “Maximus! Maximus! Maximus!”

Chest puffed out in pride over his choice of champion, Robert looked over to Lillith. He couldn't hide his confidence in his fighter, and his lips spread in a self-satisfied grin.

Finally, it was time for the new brood’s fighter. Robert took a deep breath and introduced JH. A silence filled the room as the Taldor vampires took in JH’s less impressive build and stature. He attempted to look confident as he walked around the ring, all the while staring into the eyes of Maximus. His brown hair and boyish grin combined with his smaller frame did not help matters any, and the people began worrying for his well-being.

The knights began laughing, some booing and screaming. Taunts of This will be a massacre! and How dare they send a boy to face a man? could be heard above the din.

Robert faced the fighters and positioned them nose to nose. He explained the few rules to them, which basically consisted of the two men fighting until one of them yielded to the other. “May the best vampire win!” he said as he stepped back.

As soon as Robert moved, Maximus swung and connected a brutal punch, knocking JH backward, his legs almost giving from the force of the punch.

Alisha darted back into the open, ready to coach JH to a victory. "JH, don't look at his size, just remember the game plan!" she yelled.

JH began sizing up the giant Maximus as he moved forward to land a well-placed kick to Maximus's leg. Maximus stumbled but stayed upright and swung hard with a left hand, which was dodged by JH, who ducked and took the