“It appears the primordial dragon gods are using some influence or someone over stepped…” Escanar’s eyes glowed fiery molten rock as a murderous aura filled the room for a moment.
“And the three trials were changed to a single trial. I have no control anymore.”
He let out a breath, and his glowing eyes faded.
“But we can at least watch. I suspect whatever those two found that warranted this interference, will definitively reveal the chosen.”
Vinessa looked thoughtfully back at the floating image. The pair of glowing eyes were nondescript, simply shining with silver light. Vinessa knew that the trial wouldn’t show any of them what was clearly an enemy the chosen would most likely deal with, probably to avoid karmic or fate magic they wouldn’t understand. She already had a list of potential names, but if there was an overstep that caused this to happen…Then they were dealing with someone extremely powerful, probably an ascendent, which the chosen wouldn’t deal with directly any way.
She really had hoped it would just be a powerful Gold-rank, but something had been nagging her it wasn’t. And another part of her whispered that Zerine being a Fate Breaker would may come across this being and there wasn’t much she could do about it. In fact, for many children, she wouldn’t be able to do a damn thing as they died in the coming war.
“Well, then let’s make it so we can watch all of them at once,” Vinessa said and waved a hand.
The images of the other candidates soon joined a fiery Kamar. The others…were not looking as good as a Kamar who was the only one currently still standing.
Escanar just stared at Vinessa.
“What?” she asked innocently, knowing exactly what he would say next.
“What the actual fuck! You could do that the entire time?”
Vinessa grinned.
“There are many aspects to me you peons simply can’t see unless I allow it,” she said hotly, before giggling, unable to keep a straight face.
Escanar sighed, putting his face in his hand.
“You’re crazy…you know that?”
Vinessa only laughed. When she settled again, she looked at the candidates, all of which were clearly struggling. She hoped Kamar would follow through with this epiphany. Who knows, maybe something crazy would happen.
***
Zerine and Varino waited in a line of eight teams with another line of eight nearby, composed of those taking part in the D-rank partner matches. This was the first time they had been the in entrance way to the coliseum arena. The space was enormous with easily enough space that there was plenty of space for a few more lines with double the people. Everything was carved out of dark stone, with a ceiling far above them that a medium-sized dragon could fit conformably. Two large stone doors with magical runes and sigils carved into its surface separated them from the arena. From Zerine’s inspection of the enchantments, they were all meant to ensure the doors could with stand incredible punishment without showing any signs of damage. She even saw hints that there were far more to the door than just those enchantments on the surface.
Varino whistled softly in the ear.
“Yeah, the S-rank intermission fight should end soon.”
Zerine wished they could watch the intermission matches. This entire event started with a Gold-rank match, which was incredible to watch. Then came the E-rank tournament, which they saw most of it, but not the end as the D-rank participants had gathered in the underground area of the coliseum.
“Oh, but that reminds me, I remember a bet that involved a spirit fruit where Neil’s team beat the lovebirds.”
Varino chittered loudly, catching the attention of those around them.
“It’s a fair bet. I only named my part of the bet first,” Zerine said, failing to hide her grin as Varino pouted. They both knew that Milli wasn’t a close quarters fighter at all. She preferred distance above all else, which was the reason why she was dragged in to the matches to get her used to fighting more than their group and training dummies. Zerine agreed with Milli though, keeping opponents at a distance was great, while close quarter fighting should be a last resort. Unfortunately for them both, reality showed time and time again close quarters often determined the outcome of a fight, as mana made it easy to cover distances in an instant at higher ranks.
“Fine, no bet. But hows this instead? If we get into the top four, you get three entire fruits and one additional for every place we get above that.”
Varino laughed rather maniacally as sparks and swirling winds started appearing around the spirit as she rubbed her hands together eagerly.
“Did you have to add that?” Zara wondered, appearing out of Zerine’s shadow. Varino and Zerine, already on edge, jumped, but quickly recovered from their surprise.
“Yes…yes I did. Because she will now have to win,” Zerine said, giving the amused Zara a beaming smile.
“There are prizes, you know,” Zara said, folding her arms and raised an eyebrow. Her tail lazily swished behind her.
Varino burbled. Zara looked to Zerine for a translation, but the girl had facepalmed.
“Evidently, the fruits are the best prize and she hoped I would offer them up to sweeten the deal. Especially after she complained about losing our bet.”
“Huh, clever. But about those fights, remember Varino, Zerine isn’t like you. Peak D-rank base strength and speed is beyond Zerine, even with her instincts taken into a count. So, you will have to be aware of that when you fight. Pick which one out of the pair you will fight and work together.”
Varino nodded, looking more serious than Zerine had expected.
“Zerine, one solid hit will break your barrier in a majority of areas, but when you hit your opponent, it will take four or five solid hits in the chest, back, arms, and legs. That is the strength difference I’m talking about,” Zara said, her eyes locking with Zerine, who had winced. “The neck, however,” she grinned knowingly. “It will always be a one hit elimination. As for the head, it’ll probably take two or three precise strikes. So, just like picking your battles, you’ll have to think about critical areas to strike. So, knowing this, what is your plan?”
“The longer the fight, the more tired we will be for the next, so this is all about conserving energy and ending fights as quickly or efficiently as possible. Preferably both, but we will have to adept quickly no matter what,” Zerine said, which got an approving smile from Zara.
Varino chittered, saying she would crush all those that opposed them. Then added that Zerine could handle more than Zara believed.
Zara chuckled after Zerine translated. Her cat-like tail swished behind her.
“Perfect, but even with dueling bracelets, people can still get hurt, so you two be careful and, of course, have fun,” Zara said, patting Zerine and Varino on the top of their heads before vanishing in a swirl of darkness.
Only after Zara vanished did Zerine realize no one had even noticed what had taken place.
Zara is incredible. I hope when I get my crest I can do something similar, she thought. Then, as the feeling of inadequacy reared its ugly mug, had to repeat, it will happen a few times before she relaxed again.
“And with that spectacular fight, we now start our D-rank tournament!”
The muffled roar of a crow reached them at the announcer’s proclamations.
“Let’s hear it one more time for Gavin and Tris. What a match!”
The waiting area rumbled from the cheers and stomping feet.
“Let’s give one last cheer for our E-rank participants and the great potential they all have!”
Another roar.
“Nooow, without further ado, bring out the D-rank participants!”
The stone doors silently opened, and sound slammed into Zerine like a physical force as the crowd’s roar encased them.
“Well, shit, this is going to be a thing,” Zerine muttered while Varino cheered, punching her fists in to the air as D-rank participants entered, paired up with their partners in two lines of eight teams each.
Varino sat on Zerine’s shoulder, waving to the crowd. Sparks rippled throughout the spirit’s body from the poorly contained excitement. She was still in her fun size sate, but would have to grow to a gnome size for the fights just to make it fair. It had taken Ava a good chunk of the morning to convince the spirit to do so, but in the end, Varino relented.
While Varino was practically brimming with energy, Zerine felt her gut twist as she took in the coliseum stands, which were packed. She couldn’t remember the exact number the place could hold, but it was one of the oldest and largest buildings in the city, whose age was measured in the millenniums. Its age might come close to the amount of people packed in to the seats, then again maybe not. As they head towards the center of the arena, her mind boggled at the sheer amount of people, which only made her nerves grow.
There were people from all around the world present. She spotted Gnomes, Dwarves, Valashs, different types of Elves, Fea, Scalekin, Beastkin, and suspected there were probably disguised dragons and fairy in the crowd.
“We have sixteen teams ready to fight for the top three spots. Who will triumph? Let’s find out!”
The crowd roared with the thunder of their voices, stamping feet, and clapping to reach new heights. It got so loud Zerine was certain if there weren’t protections set, her ears would be ringing.
“Now for the rules.”
As the announcer spoke, the sand covered ground shifted, creating lines that split the arena into quarters.
“We have created two brackets whose top teams will fight to be the champions of this tournament!”
The crowd roared in anticipation.
“The rules are simple: magical movement is the only magic allowed, while hand-to-hand fighting is the only type of attacks permitted. Your barrier breaks your out. Each bracket will have two matches going at the same time in the different quadrants. Now let’s reveal the brackets!”
Everyone looked up into the sky as two brackets appeared drawn in the air with shining beams of light, listing the names of the teams. Four teams from each bracket were highlighted in green.
Crown of Thorns versus J&D and Ground Slammers versus Windshear are in the other bracket. While in our bracket, KM versus Short Mania and M&M versus Sisters of War, Zerine thought.
Sisters of War were probably the two women wearing the red and black robes with two crossed swords emblazoned on their backs marking them as belonging to the Hall of Warriors. A temple similar to the temple of Magic and Knowledge, but instead of magic and knowledge pursuits, this temple allowed any to worship many warrior gods. They aided adventurers, acted as guards of other temples, and help train anyone who came to them. Zerine wasn’t looking forward to fighting them. She couldn’t tell exactly where in D-rank they were, just that her instincts made it clear they were dangerous.
As for the other teams, she wasn’t sure from looking at them, which matched the names. But she wouldn’t have to wait for very long as teams names appeared in stylized text above the quadrants they were to fight in.
***
Zara appeared next to Ava.
“You put it on her?” Ava wondered, observing the D-ranks moving to their quadrants while those not in a fight were being lifted into the air on an invisible platform.
“Yep, now only peak Gold-ranks sensitive to auras or those Iridesium-rankers will notice. But people will wonder why she doesn’t show any magic during her fights,” Zara replied. Her gaze was looking over the compound group, which was sitting together in the upper section of the seats. She found Shara sitting next to Neil, Naro, Milli and some of Neil’s friends.
“They will correctly assume its training related, as Varino has been restricted to only using wind affinity, even though they know she is a storm elemental. They will just assume Zerine was dragged into the training, being Varino’s partner.”
“Which is also accurate. As Vinessa and Varino didn’t tell Zerine at all,” Zara remarked.
Ava grinned.
“True,” her gaze flicked to the towers that surround the arena.
This building was situated on the other side of the temple district. It was designed to be a place for the citizens to weather a mana storm or siege. There were extensive tunnels under the arena where there was ample space for the population to stay safe, with plenty of space left over for supplies to last a year. Currently, the towers that ringed the arena were occupied by guards keeping an eye out for anything.
“They plan to strike after the intersection ends. Today’s celebration will have the most drinking and intense partying, so they will think we are complacent,” Zara said, guessing correctly where Ava’s thoughts had turned towards.
“I still can’t believe he is still alive,” Ava muttered.
“He’s clearly has been playing the long game and this civil war probably helped his organization grow for him to be so bold.”
“And explains the near consent bandit activity that has been a thorn in our side since the intersection started. Here I was thinking they were funded by opposing nobles.”
“Well, they are, partly. But focus on this tournament. Believe it or not, I believe this is going to be a shit show when those two get really into zone.”
Ava snorted a laugh.
“Cal, better be back soon from speaking with the dignitaries.”
“He didn’t miss the other fights. He just wasn’t with the family. He has the best view sitting with the Iridesium-ranks,” Zara said, looking towards one tower where the group in question was watching the proceedings.
“He really will lose it if he can’t escape that.”
Zara laughed. “Yeah, today will be amazing to sit back and watch everything go crazy.”
Ava just sighed, rolling her eyes. “Have the Hand and Voice arrived?”
“Oh, yeah, yesterday, in fact. They watched Zerine train with Varino.”
“And?” Ava probed as Zara’s smile only grew, revealing her pointed teeth.
“And they were confused. At first they thought I was talking about Varino and were impressed by the spirit, but weren’t sure how it would work as the spirit was rather…chaotic. Which she got from you. Just thought you should know.”
“Your words wound me,” Ava said, staggering in her seat as if hit by an unseen blow.
“If only it were that easy,” Zara said dryly. “Anyway,” she said cheerfully. “When I said Zerine was the one I wanted them to consider, they were even more confused, even though I told them in the letters I sent. Mostly they were confused how a Crestless could really match what Vinessa and I had told them.”
“And that’s why you requested the recording from the island.”
“Sure is, and then Vinessa threw in Zerine, fighting those kids.”
Ava winced. “I still hate that it happened. She told me she was still not sure how to feel about it.”
“Same with me. I said it wouldn’t get easier, but to remember that she has to come home and if a fight threatens that, then she either runs or fights to be the last one standing.”
Ava nodded. It was a brutal way of thinking, but their world wasn’t one where everything could be solved by words. Power had to back those words. Along with the conviction to follow through. Sure, laws, political maneuvering, monetary impacts, and some other tactics kept most in line, but there were always those that sought power. And others that liked using their power to force everyone to bend a knee to their selfish goals.
“They thought I was insane saying Zerine will become a monster if…” she winced. “When she gets her crest,” Zara said, pulling Ava out of her thoughts.
“Hmm, so their fights and the questions you all will ask at the ball will clarify things, then?”
“It seems so. They rightfully said I’m biased, but they haven’t seen a ten-year-old working constantly at ambient magic. Hell, I’ve watched her at every meal, free time, even while she is reading, practicing it. But they will see, and I will love to see their faces.”
Ava smiled.
“I would like to meet them before they meet Zerine.”
“Of course, I’ll introduce them to you at the ball. But I’ll have to be quick to make sure I’m in place for whatever the bandits have planned.”
Ava sighed.
“I really wanted to relax with the family during this week, but it seems like I’ve had even less time.”
“When Zerine and Varino are done with the dragons and fairy’s take the family to visit some academies. Get them to do some missions as adventurers while you're at it, and I bet after a month or two, you’ll feel better before Zerine and Varino leave the nest.”
“Do you think we let Zerine slip through the cracks? You’ve spent more time with her than Cal and I have. I-”
“No, don’t think about it that way. Who spent every free time to work with Zerine or just talk to her? You and Cal, that’s who. You got four great kids, so stop over thinking. Leave the overthinking to Zerine. It’s a near constant state for her.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem. And just to let you know if Raith and I thought you two were neglecting Zerine, we would have told you,” Zara said. She didn’t want to Ava know sometimes Zerine had felt like a burden. Coming to her and Raith’s avatar to talk about things while the other two were busy. Most of Zerine’s feelings stemmed from the attention all the trainers gave to the others when it came to magic, while Zerine was often tasked with a set of physical routines to do till they were free for weapon or fighting practice.
“Now choose the matches to watch. Each will have their own commentary. And fighters, show us what you got and good luck!”
The announcer's voice ended the conversation, but it left both of them thinking.
“Which quadrant will Varino and Zerine end up so I can listen to the right announcer?” Zara wondered, frowning down at her seat where runes were etched.
“Hmm, let’s see,” Ava replied, looking down at the runes as well. There were four symbols. One was a circle with a star inscribed, a square with a six-pointed star inside it, then there was a hexagon with yet another seven-pointed star inside, and the last was a star with a triangle inside it. They were old symbols created back when the arena was new, their meaning lost to time, but the magic of this place still worked like the day it was created. Truly an incredible work of magic.
Ava glanced at the four fighting arena’s each section had a symbol in the middle of the quadrant.
“The square one,” Ava remarked, spotting the one that would have Varino and Zerine’s first fight. She tapped in time to hear the team’s introductions. Her mind drifted to the many problems that she and Cal had on their plate waiting for their daughter’s first match.
***
“Drive?” Kamar asked Zerine.
“Yeah, plus, what put me on this path? Not even certain I’m on a path, really. So, I’m kind of struggling to figure out the right answer. Nothing feels exactly right,” Zerine said. Her feet dangled off the platform they were sitting on looking over the Emerald Forest.
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“You want to explore the world. Isn’t that it?” Kamar wondered. This had been bothering Zerine for months. Kamar wasn’t sure why Marigold and Vinessa had even brought it up.
“Yeah, that’s a goal. Not the drive and not the thing that put me on this path,” Zerine said, flopping backwards, staring up at the dark emerald sky of the late afternoon.
“Why do you feel so strongly about this?”
“It feels like…” Zerine reached a hand up to the sky as if trying to grab a cloud. “Like I’m close to something each time, but it’s just out of reach.”
“Huh, strange. Maybe you're getting close to getting your crest. Or…” Kamar trailed off. How Zerine described it sounded like how she was struggling to connect to her own concepts.
“Or?” Zerine said, turning her head to look at her friend.
“This would be insane, but maybe it’s like you're reaching for a concept of some kind. That is how I feel when I keep trying to create a connection to a concept.”
“I thought those commonly happen in the heat of the moment than forced insight,” Zerine wondered.
“You shouldn’t even know about any of that. Knowing too much before you get your crest could affect how you progress and the concepts you manifest,” Kamar said.
Zerine shrugged.
“I can put two and two together. I almost got caught in a stray burning tornado Varino created during her second conceptual realization. Can you believe she didn’t even realize she had a concept in E-rank!? Like, how do you even miss something like that?”
Kamar laughed.
“Knowing Varino, she was distracted by something at the time.”
“Yeah, some explosion probably…actually yeah, now I think of it. It was one of those. I do not know how she didn’t even realize she connected to some concept related to speed,” Zerine said, trying to think back to where it might have happened.
“I wish it was that easy,” Kamar said, her gaze following a group of fireflies being chased by Varino and Fiamma.
“I wouldn’t compare yourself to Varino. She is her own ball of adorable chaos. Besides, elementals are just more in tune with mana and concepts. Fiamma has two concepts as well, right?”
Kamar flopped back, joining Zerine in watching clouds.
“Yeah,” she replied it coming out with a sigh. “The second was recent, though.”
“What is your drive?” Zerine wondered, changing the subject to something that would distract Kamar.
“My…drive? Hmm. I-I’m not sure. I want to fly, to visit places unseen, and protect the flow of magic like the other fairies.”
Zerine whistled softly.
“Here I am, just wanting to travel and help people as I go.”
“Nah, I know you’ll jump at whatever and whenever things pop up even if it’s insane just to lend a hand,” Kamar said, watching a cloud that looked like a house drift over head.
“Varino and I would certainly do something crazy. Maybe that’s what put me on the path…I’m crazy,” Zerine said wryly.
Kamar giggled.
“Maybe just a little crazy, but aren’t we all?”
Zerine smiled up at the sky.
“That’s for sure. But back to it. What do you think put you on your path?”
Those words now echoed in Kamar’s mind as everything in her flared. A blazing inferno just waiting to be born. If only she could just answer that echoing question.
The presence increased as two disembodied eyes opened in the dark void, a silver light shining down upon Kamar.
“My, my, if I was the real me, I would ensure you were a priority target. Do you think you can resist this pressure for very long? How about my minions? Or maybe just a taste of my power?”
“Bring it on!” Kamar practically snarled.
“Oh, I’ll enjoy breaking you.”
***
“Aw,” the mocking voice said, sounding like she was looking at an adorable puppy, not a bear Beastkin, who was a rider and a contender to be the next chosen. It only angered him further.
Derek was on his hands and knees just from the presence crushing him. The only thing keeping him going was his rage.
“Come now. You’re a rider, right? This is just a fraction of what I’m capable of in this form. Is this how you will be when it matters most?”
“F-fuck you,” he rasped, trying and failing to get to his feet.
“Sticks and stones,” the mocking female voice taunted. “You can’t even progress to the next phase of this little test? Some rider you turned out to be.”
Is there anything I can do? He thought, struggling as the pressure only grew. The feeling of despair, corruption’s stomach churning blight, and fear rushed through his entire being. The rage at his situation and at this woman wasn’t enough to overcome this. Nothing had prepared him for this. Could anything have prepared him? How could anything such as this being exist in the first place?
His body trembled at this insurmountable obstacle. It was his end. No. Not just his end, but the end of this world bore down upon him, slowly grinding him into dust.
“A boy trying to make up for the failings of his father while being trapped in the shadows of his hero mother. All that raging at the world and very little to show for it. How impotent you must feel. Scrabbling for every scrap of power, but always failing when it matters most.”
“SHUT UP!” he roared, taking the rage and shame he felt fueling it into his body. He would stand!
Everything strained as he finally stood. The only problem was his legs were shaking and breaths were even more ragged.
“Ooh, to bad emotions will only get you so far,” the voice commented idly, sounding bored to Derek.
Before he could say anything, he collapsed. The voice’s high harsh laughter echoed.
“Where is your will? What drives the little cub? Because as you are now, you’re nothing more than an insect to be crushed.”
***
Aliwin Leodithas brushed aside a strand of her sweat-soaked light green hair. Her blue eyes glaring at the sliver eyes in as she knelt on one knee. Her staff, forgotten, laid next to her. Its green and red gemstone seemed dull.
This pressure felt similar to the monster the elder of her village had gone to fight. The presence of the monster coupled with its aura had frozen her then, too. The elder and others from their tribe had gone with him, never returning. Her community had been ravaged, her sister grievously wounded, and that day was etched into her very being.
Instead of the expected anger from relieving this horror in the trials, Ali had felt the chance to redeem herself, but now…With this presence she was back there in the middle of burning houses, screams of villagers covered by roars of monsters. The scent of fear, blood, and smoke filled the air.
Not this time, she thought, struggling to stand for the presence to only grow. How were they expected to overcome this? Why were the trials able to bring them back to these buried memories?
“Hmm, you're holding up better than the bear cub and Scalekin. Maybe you’ll actually stand and call upon your power,” the female’s voice said.
Was she amused by this? What the hell even is this woman? Her aura and presence felt wrong in everyway imaginable. And the power.
The woman? Being? Yawned. “Come on, show me that whatever brought a copy of me here didn’t waste their time and influence.”
What a bitch! She would muster everything she had just to hear this smug ass shut up! Her aura flared, and she began to get to her feet.
***
“Giry Alrusj, a proud hunter, now finds himself the prey,” the annoying voice taunted.
Giry was attempting to get on his hands and knees, but the pressure only got stronger.
“I-I’m not prey,” he barely managed to get out. A crazy glint entered his yellow eyes.
“I-I found my ultimate prey.”
“Oh?” There was a pregnant pause before the woman laughed scornfully. “You-you have to be insane. This isn’t even the real me. You would be dead at a mere glance, silly lizard.”
Giry growled, using all his strength to push himself to his hands and knees.
“It’s a goal then. I’ll be the greatest of hunters. Then come after you,” he said, shoving himself once again, managing to get in to a squatting position. His legs were shaking, making him feel like a hatchling all over again. That thought only galvanized him to stand straight. His legs, back, and even his shoulders complained as he stood.
“Your crazy. I hope you know that. But it appears you get to move on to the next phase.”
***
Jez struggled to breathe. Sweat poured off him as he struggled to stay on his hands and knees.
“You’re the only one that hasn’t had some sort of scaring trauma. Only dealing with the occasional bullying, self set high expectations, and what comes along with having a relatively famous sister,” the annoying woman's voice drawled as if incredibly private events and thoughts weren’t unnerving, creepy, and just fucking awful to hear.
This aspect of the trials felt like it had come out of nowhere. His sponsor had given him some advice about what to expect for the trials, but this…what the hell even was this?
An image of him watching his sister flying shot through his mind. He dug his fingers into the unseen ground. Was this all he could muster? Would he falter when he was so close to achieving something?
No. He wouldn’t let it end here. With a monumental effort, he stood, flaring his aura, which flickered rapidly in his aura sight. A rare trait to have, which had helped countless times, but this time it just reminded him of the sheer power difference between him and this…this thing. A sun to his tiny spark, but if he had to stand to progress, he would.
***
Zerine with Varino sitting on her shoulder drifted down in to their quadrant when the other match had concluded.
“Ready?” Zerine wondered, already feeling cold sweat dripping down her back from both nerves and anticipation.
Varino chimed gleefully. Then whistled excitedly as they landed lightly on the sand. Varino jumped down and grew until she was the size of the toddler.
“Wait there are team intros? What is ours?”
Varino only grinned in response. Zerine sighed, knowing that she would just go with the flow.
A human woman was the referee for their match. She was tall, with light brown skin and hazel eyes. Curly hair was in tight braids, with beads throughout.
Their opponents landing across from them, catching Zerine’s eyes. Team Twin Fist was comprised by two brawny human males that could be brothers. They stood looking like they were ready to fight right away. Both had dirty blonde hair with far more light brown than blonde with fair skin. One had dark brown eyes that were appraising them, while the other had light brown eyes and was looking at the referee.
When their eyes met, the man gave her a cocky smirk. Zerine only lifted an eyebrow in response, her nerves were quickly forgotten as the need to show this guy to be less cocky filled her.
“In the far corner we have team Twin Fists!” a new announcer called, which got cheers in response. “The Bronze Fist Jake Derand and his brother Iron Fist Joel Derand.”
Flames roared behind the two and formed into two flaming fists that drifted above the two before fading as the crowd roared in appreciation. The brothers gave Varino and Zerine smug looks as if this display would intimidate them. Meanwhile, Zerine was wondering if their parents like names that started with J, while also making mental notes to keep a closer eye on Varino so she at least knew in the future what to expect when she got drag into something similar. Varino, meanwhile, thought it was a boring display, lacking pretty explosions that whichever one used fire magic could have easily done. Completely missing a golden opportunity in the spirit’s eyes and drastically lowering her opinion of the two, which wasn’t even high to begin with.
“Now in the other corner we have team-” there was a slight pause that Zerine had no doubt was confusion over the name. Oh, well, like Varino said, they would learn.
“Team Zappy Zappy! Lead by the queen of storms herself…Varino Trevel and her right hand Zerine Cooper!” The crowd’s roar was far louder than for the brothers, and Zerine tried hard to not laugh as the smug smiles fell from the brothers as they looked down at the storm elemental.
Lighting crackled behind them, creating an arch overhead while a quiet rumble of thunder thudded out as tiny explosions of blue and silver lightning shot out.
Zerine glanced down at the spirit and grinned, finding a crown created from tiny thunderstorm clouds with crackling lighting floating above Varino’s head. Varino met Zerine’s gaze, giving her a beaming smile.
She whistled as the spirit got ready. Right, the fight.
Zerine got ready. This would be tough. They were probably mid D-rank.
The referee looked between the ready fighting pairs.
“I’ll remind you that only magic movement is allowed, so show us your skill. Now…fight!”
All the magic users shot forward, while Zerine ran, silently cursing her lack of magic. The Iron fist Jake? Or was it Joel? Zerine didn’t really know or care as he shot forward, flames propelling him straight at her. His fist was already set to slam into her with a blow that Zerine knew would hurt even with the barrier bracelets they all wore.
Without thinking, Zerine side stepped, twisting to avoid the punch which whooshed by. She grabbed the arm directing it up and over her shoulder. Then, using his momentum and speed, flipped the man, slamming him into the ground with a very satisfying thud.
She moved, knowing that without her magic increasing the speed or impact, the flip would stun him at best a second or two, at worst mere fractions of a second. The reality was somewhere in between. Her fist slammed down into the man's throat just as he started moved.
A golden barrier shone brightly before the man vanished, being teleported away before his barrier fully broke. Zerine stood, turning to watch Varino soon finish the other brother. Soon Varino stood atop the now glowing barrier right before the other brother vanished. Their entire fight may have taken thirty seconds.
“There we have the third fastest match of the day! What a start! Let’s here it for Team Twin Fists and Team Zappy Zappy!”
Varino waved happily up at the crowd, who cheered even louder. Zerine mimicked her as they drifted upwards, as they waited for the other two matches to end.
***
Kamar stood in the center of what could be best described as a star being born being encased in light, fire, howling winds. Her aura flared further, her light blazing even brighter. Unseen by Kamar, her hair had turned into liquid fire as her eyes mimicked that of the sun itself.
“Well, well, a solar fairy. Let’s see how you handle my friends. Maybe I can even tempt you.”
A sickening feeling tried to influence Kamar. She scoffed, incinerating the influence. Humanoid monsters stepped out of the darkness. Horrific fusions of different monsters and creatures turned into grotesque horrors, who presence cried out just how wrong they were.
The energy emanating from these things felt practically like the opposite of her very own. It was going to be a brutal fight if that were the case, as their magics would most likely cancel one another out. Instead of feeling worried, Kamar only grinned. This was what she needed to follow this inspiration further. It felt like she was so close to something greater.
The air around Kamar felt like it hummed with anticipation, and her heartbeat synced with the thrumming of her mana. Even the inferno’s light seemed to pulse along with her. She was so close to grasping at something deeper.
Zerine’s question echoed in her mind as she shot forward a streak of gold and crimson. The monsters charged, preparing to cast spells that to her senses felt fowl. As if the magic was slimy and discordant where her magic was warm and harmonious.
“My drive,” she muttered. Spears of light and flames tore through the monsters whose attacks couldn’t even get through the surrounding inferno. In fact, just as many monsters died to the winds, light and fire around Kamar as the spells she cast.
Threads of mana appeared, pulsing like a heartbeat. Kamar entered a trance-like state which had her focusing inwards even as she tore through monsters. She was so close to it. No. Not just one thing. She was close to two break throughs.
“My drive is,” she whispered. She wanted to fly, to shine, to ignite!
“What-” the woman’s voice sounded shocked. “Your no fairy! What are you!?”
The thrumming crescendoed. The threads of mana whirled, dense and vibrant, while the inferno blazed with such brightness that Kamar was completely hidden as she whispered.
“My drive is to be free, not held back. Free to be myself. Free to fly. And free to shine.”
Thud!
***
Zerine barely dodged a kick. Her barrier was flickering rapidly just from a glancing blow. She was facing off with a smarter mid D-rank than her first fight. The team used initials as their name, which was C&J. She was facing off against Carl, who was a slender male elf, while Varino’s opponent was a female elf name Joun. From the glimpse of her friend’s fight, Varino was doing just fine.
Varino jumped, then flipped to avoid the elf’s kick, then the following punch enhanced with wind magic, just like what she was using. Magical enforcement was forbidden to all participants, but magic movement was allowed, leaving open one tiny loophole. They could greatly increase their momentum with magical movement making their normal attacks - which at D-rank were already powerful - strong enough to shatter walls.
Varino was just having fun. Who cares about prizes when she could fight strong opponents while fighting alongside Zerine? It certainly didn’t hurt that Zerine had added the best incentive around. Speaking of her friend, she glanced at Zerine’s fight, noting her friend’s barrier was flickery rapidly meaning it was close to breaking, while her adversary’s barrier was flickery slowly. She would have to finish her own fight quickly. Now the question of the fight was, how could she end it in the most showy and fun way imaginable?
Varino narrowly avoided grappling with her opponent, who had grabbed her arm after a failed punch barely missed, which would have spelled disaster. She may be stronger than her current gnome size would lead people to believe, but that didn’t stop it from still being a disadvantage in fights like this.
With a gust of air, Varino flipped away, landing lightly in the sand. The female elf shot forward, pressing the advantage, twisting into a roundhouse kick. The elf was moving incredibly quickly, which only made her attack more impressive, displaying Joun’s control over her body and magic at this speed and with such a small target, too. But Varino had faced her mom using her lightning affinity and so despite the elf’s speed, Varino could read the coming attack. An idea struck her on how to finish the fight, and she grinned.
She whistled to Zerine, knowing that her friend would know what to do.
Knock him back for a spiny throw attack!? Zerine thought, having no idea what Varino was talking about, so she did the only part she understood.
Carl lashed out with a punch that Zerine swayed back, just avoiding it. She then jumped, tucking her feet close to her chest before lashing out with both feet. Her attack would have Zara rolling her eyes while making Gary proud. It wasn’t something she normally used as she kinda agreed with Zara, as this attack left her open to retaliation when she hit the ground. But in this case, she just assumed Varino would handle the rest.
Carl’s eyes widen as Zerine’s feet slammed into his chest sending him staggering back pinwheeling his arms to keep his balance. Zerine internally cursed the difference in strength as she rolled to her feet. If she was fighting an E-rank, that would have ended the fight. Instead, Carl’s barrier was rapidly flickering.
Varino’s whistle had her and Carl turning to see an astounded Joun caught by the spirit who had grabbed the elf’s leg and was currently spinning them around before releasing the elf who rocketed into Carl. There were startled shouts and two golden lights as their barriers protected them before breaking.
“Ah, so that was your spiny throw attack,” Zerine panted to the spirit who skipped over to her, waving to the crowd as she did.
Varino chimed, saying, of course, that was the plan. Wasn’t it great!?
“It was awesome,” Zerine said as they drifted upwards. Having some time to wait while one other team needed to finish. Once again Crown of Thorns had beaten their opponents incredibly quickly, soon followed by Sisters of War. Those teams would be trouble. At least they had a minute or two to recover a little.
Well, one of them needed to recover. The other was currently jumping three feet into the air from her excitement at how fun it was to throw that elf and that in the next fight they should come up with something similar.
Zerine grinned down at Varino. She really was lucky to have such a crazy, fun friend. Without Varino, her life would have been far more lonely, far less fun, and certainly less chaotic.
“I agree. We need to plan something as these sisters seem strong, as all their matches have ended faster than ours. Winging it might not work anymore.”
Varino tapped her cheek. But before the spirit could say anything, the main announcer’s voice echoed out.
“And we are down to the semifinals in each bracket!”
The crowd’s roar was so loud that the invisible platform they stood upon vibrated. Zerine was thankful for whatever magic dampened the sound, which was still absurdly loud, but it didn’t hurt ears thankfully.
“In our first bracket, we have Crown of Thorns versus Windshear and in our second bracket, we have Team Zappy Zappy versus Sisters of War!”
The arena shifted once again as the four quadrants vanished, being replaced by two squares of the same size on separate ends of the arena.
They were suddenly drifting down towards their arena. It felt way too soon, but Zerine couldn’t help from smiling, lifting Varino to stand on her shoulders waving to the crowd, who roared in response as they headed toward an arena.
This may be the match where I can’t help as much, Zerine thought as they landed on the sandy ground. Varino landed next to her as their introduction began and lighting arched over their heads. A crown made from storms appeared over Varino’s head.
In this moment, Zerine felt a mix of excitement, anticipation for a good fight, and oddly comfortable. Gone were the nerves she had before every match.
She looked across at their opponents. They were two Celarians. One had dark teal hair with red eyes, while the other had dark red hair and teal eyes. Their hair glittered under the light of the morning, which contrasted greatly with their attire. Their sparring robes were black and red in a similar style to what Zerine herself was wearing, although hers were dark silver and blue.
She glanced towards Varino, who gave her a beaming smile before got ready.
Fighting here by each other’s side feels so much like we’re meant to be here. Like I’m meant to be here.
Thud!
Zerine didn’t notice the looks she got as she readied herself. Nor did she hear the other team being announced as she entered a trance-like state.
***
Varino looked up at her friend meeting her gaze, giving her beaming smile, knowing this fight would be the toughest yet. She would have to work extra-
Thud!
The mana in their arena felt like it a tuning fork being struck as it vibrated from something. No. From someone. She followed the gaze of the startled referee, who was the same as the first fight to land upon Zerine, who was grinning, ready for the fight. What was going on?
Thud!
Varino sneezed something that rarely happened as ambient mana didn’t shift so radically. So then what, oh. Zerine was going through something. Huh, based on how the mana felt like it was holding it was breath, Zerine was close to something major, but need one last push.
With that, Varino made up her mind and whistled at their opponents, hoping to get the message across that she would stand aside for them to fight only Zerine. The sister’s brows furrowed but then they shrugged, then looked at the referee who was still starring at Zerine, but suddenly jumped as if some had slapped her.
“Fighters ready! Begin!”
Zerine ran forward as the two sisters rocketed, one using wind magic, the other having small jets of flames propelling her forward.
“My drive,” Zerine muttered.
A fear that had her literally bleeding out of her eyes, mouth, and nose just to use something that many took for granted. The fear that had her crying alone. The one that she always made her like she was adrift, never finding a place that she truly fit in.
The distant song sounded closer than it ever had before. Complex harmonies weaving a tapestry of something she yearned for. A path she could follow. One that was her own.
“My drive, the thing put me on this path is,” she whispered.
The two sisters moved, one preparing to kick while the other looked ready to attack just behind the other, ready to finish Zerine’s barrier if she dodged.
“I want to feel like I belong, to find where I fit in.”
Something inside her pulsed, while something echoed a reply, but it came from all around her. Then energy flooded her body. A strange tingling started from the tips of her toes and fingers rapidly flowing up her legs and down her arms. An electrifying energy rejuvenated her body while also changing it somehow.
The melody grew even closer, but as the energy insider reached its peak, the song stayed just out of reach. There was another pulse of energy, and she moved.
She stepped forward inside the slowly moving sister’s arm that was lashing out with a punch. The fist just missed her shoulder. She happily grabbed the arm, getting in close to the woman. Anticipating the other sisters’ move, Zerine created a mana barrier about shin high and to her right. Using it as a platform, she shoved off with her right foot, launching her into the first sister, sending them into the path of the other. The other sister had already gone for her attack but couldn’t react fast enough to stop her attack entirely. Her fist slammed into her teammates back hard enough to yank her out of Zerine’s grasp, sending her rolling along, kicking up sand.
Zerine flowed into her attack, keeping the still standing sister from being able to use her flames to boost her strikes.
***
“Holy shit…ho-ly…shit,” Zara said, her eyes sparkling. Ava, Cal who had joined after Zerine’s first match, and Zara were standing just like the other members of Ava’s team, staring shocked at Zerine, who was getting ready for the fight.
“She’s having a self-revelation!” Ava said, awed and delighted. She gripped Cal’s hand tightly. Ava had gone through her first at C-rank an impressive achievement. An achievement that Cal had destroyed having gone through his at E-rank, something he had only told her years after they both had casually become S-rank. But not even having a crest! Would it act like it did normally? As she thought about it more, she only had a rapidly growing list of questions, so she just kept them in the back of her mind as she watched her daughter.
“Almost! She is so close! That ref, better start the fight before this inspiration ends,” Cal said, but as he spoke, the referee jumped, and the fight began. He assumed one of the Iridesium-rankers nudge her to get the fight going as they probably were watching just as closely as those peak Gold-rankers that could sense what was going on.
The energy in team Zappy Zappy’s arena was a swirling mass with Zerine at the epicenter. It was almost like the mana was gathering in anticipation.
When the fight started, Zerine ran forward, but at a speed faster than any of them had seen from her. It wasn’t nearly as fast as a peak E-rank using body enhancement and magic, but it was fast. Then a pulse rippled out from Zerine right as the three fighters were about to reach one another. The swirling mass of energy rushed down and into Zerine.
Cal wrapped an arm around Ava’s shoulders.
“She did it! Holy shit, she actually found the first revelation. Here I thought Marigold and Vinessa were insane even bringing up the idea with Kamar, Varino, and Zerine,” he said, pulling Ava close to his side. Ava didn’t answer, only able to watch a repeat of the island, but on a completely different level. A giddy smile plastered to her face.
Zerine fought both acolytes simultaneously. Her purple hair glittering as she moved countering, redirecting, and attacking. All her moves and strikes forced one acolyte to be staggered, allowing Zerine to focus on the other, flowing like a dancer to her own music. And what a dance she was performing.
An elegant swipe of a hand redirected a kick, while she took the energy to move, avoiding a punch from behind, then landing a kick staggering an acolyte. She used mana barriers to move in unexpected ways, like leaping in mid-air like the sister with wind affinity.
Ava saw Varino dancing next to a gobsmacked referee, cheering Zerine on. The crowd on their half of the arena was losing it while the other half was quickly realizing something was going on and soon the entire arena was cheering.
“Well, Zerine will not have a lower profile after this fight,” Zara commented, grinning. “But who cares? This will be perfect for the Hand and Voice to observe.”
“If it doesn’t scare the m away,” Cal joked.
“Just enjoy this moment. It’s something few parents ever get the chance to witness,” Ava said, watching the fight with a brilliant smile.
***
“Well, done Kamar,” Vinessa said, sitting back in her chair and stretched.
The image of Kamar was entirely consumed by light and swirling flames.
“A conceptual revelation and self-realization all in one blaze of glory. Past Solar fairies would be proud,” she added as Escanar just stared at the floating image. She waited patiently, waiting for Escanar to figure out the third thing that had also happened. While she waited, she checked in on her avatar.
Escanar suddenly leaned forward, squinting at the flames. The flames shifted, and he gasped.
“At what point were going to tell me she was part phoenix? Vinessa? What is it?”
Vinessa was frozen in shock.
“Oh…wow,” she said, stunned, a smile slowly growing.