Edwin and Alice watched as Aurin fed his Minakai, catching up with their son about his progress the last few weeks. They had spoken over the phone a few times, but all three were glad to be reunited in person for the first time since the start of the tournament.
“You’re going all the way, son,” said Edwin. “I can just feel it. You have my every ounce of confidence. I’ve sent your brother a few of the sneaky videos I filmed, and he says he wishes he could be here too.”
“We’re so proud of how well you’re doing,” said Alice, hugging Aurin as he tried to fend her off. “It’s far better watching you battle in a professional setting rather than getting yourself caught up with undesirables like those Zodiac ones.”
“I completely agree, mum,” laughed Aurin.
At that moment, Kyle walked over. “You’ve been studying your opponent, right?”
“Of course,” said Aurin. “This one will be easy, trust me.”
“Don’t get cocky!” warned the rancher. “You need to take each opponent seriously, especially when you’re in the top sixteen. Each match should be more difficult, not easier.”
“Kyle, Kyle, Kyle,” said Aurin, drawing an angry look from Kyle. “You just need to relax and see the plan I’ve got cooked up. Come to the match today.”
“I plan to,” said Kyle, “but if you lose because you thought this would be a walk in the park, then you’ll have nobody to blame but yourself.”
“How many times are you going to say that you need to stop underestimating me, then doubt me a few days later?”
“I’m not underestimating you; you’re a good tamer and I know you can fight well. My concern is that you’re underestimating your opponent because you’ve been watching how he battles.”
“His name is Tallon and he uses almost entirely flying Minakai with a mixture of different elements. He’s slow off the mark and quick to falter if things don’t go his way. Trust me, I know what to do.”
“Alright,” said Kyle. “I’ll hold any further judgement for now, but just make sure you don’t let your guard down.”
Aurin laughed. “It’ll be fine, don’t worry.”
“His name is Tallon and he uses a bunch of birds?” asked Aurin’s father, laughing heartily. “What a joker.”
*
“Welcome all to the third of today’s matches and the third match of the top sixteen,” said the announcer as Aurin and his opponent waited in their respective tunnels, eager to get started. “We’ve got two fantastic competitors for you today and we’ll see very soon who will be joining Hunter and Charlie in the top eight.”
Hunter and his Flambot had dominated the first match of the day, which Aurin and Luna had watched intently. He knew how Hunter battled, but he was making sure he was prepared for their own upcoming match; a match that Aurin was certain would take place. He had come too far for it to become just a missed opportunity.
“Give a big hand for Aurin and Tallon!” cried the announcer as the two competitors walked out to the sound of applause from the crowd. Aurin glanced into the stands and could see Luna, Kyle and his parents cheering for him from high up in the audience, while Hunter and Gardner were watching him from the competitors’ box much closer to the action; Hunter clapped while Gardner gave him a wink and a thumbs up. “Let the match begin!”
Aurin raised his gloved hand and focused, unleashing the power of a summoning stone and bringing his first Minakai to the field, who appeared in a silvery grey glow. Tallon’s first Minakai appeared in a cream-coloured light, flapping its large wings.
“Now!” ordered Aurin, and Dolissile shook violently. He suddenly exploded forwards, catching everyone off guard.
He hurtled towards his opponent faster than anybody could see and smashed straight into the Peekawe’s chest, knocking it back into the wall of the stadium, no longer able to move.
“What was that?” cried the announcer. “Aurin is not wasting anytime today folks, Peekawe is out and Tallon is on his second Minakai after…well, seconds!”
Tallon stood in shock, staring at his defeated Minakai. He realised that everyone was waiting for him to react and sent his Peekawe away. He summoned his second Minakai to the field, a Techwing.
The large metal bird flew high into the sky upon his tamer’s orders, not wanting to lose another Minakai so early. “Show him your own speed,” called Tallon shakily.
His Techwing swooped down, ready to slice through Dolissile with its razor sharp wings, but Aurin was ready for him. “Hit it with a pulse and follow up with your fusion fin.”
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Dolissile emitted a wave of energy that shook the very air and destabilised his charging opponent. He then burst forward once more, his fins glowing bright blue. He cut through Techwing’s metallic body, and it dropped to the ground unable to fight.
“I haven’t seen anything like this in quite some time, folks!” shouted the announcer, trying to be heard over the roaring crowd. “Tallon is down to his final Minakai already while Aurin’s Dolissile is still going strong. Just what is going to happen?”
Tallon was a visibly angered, so much so that his hand was shaking in fury. “Wunder!” he yelled, replacing his Techwing with a yellow lightning elemental, the same species as the bird from the opening ceremony only a couple of weeks previously.
“Aurin has the advantage with this one, right?” asked Luna.
“He does,” confirmed Kyle, “but Dolissile’s biggest weakness is that he lacks range. Wunder is a lot more effective at long distances than either Peekawe or Techwing. It isn’t powerful up close, and it can’t take much of a beating, but it shouldn’t be discounted. I hope Aurin has something in mind for this like he did for the last two.”
“Oh no!” cried Luna, watching the battle unfold.
Dolissile was spasming on the grass below, having been struck by a powerful lightning strike courtesy of Wunder. Tallon looked a lot more confident now, but Aurin wasn’t deterred. He raised his hand and summoned Desparee to the battlefield.
“Exactly as we covered yesterday, alright?” Aurin said. Desparee held his hands to his head in despair; his tamer was sure that it meant he understood.
“Wunder, keep at a distance and let him have it,” ordered Tallon, confident that he could even up the two teams.
“What’s Aurin up to?” muttered Kyle.
“He’s always got a plan in mind,” said Edwin, assured of his son’s victory. “Just wait and see.”
Wunder conjured up a storm and unleashed a lightning strike, but Desparee raised his hands and a large root broke through the soil and took the strike in his place. Wunder struck again, and Desparee summoned another root.
“Agh!” yelled Tallon. “Electric charge!”
The yellow bird’s tail lit up with crackling electricity that spread over its entire body; meanwhile, Desparee drew his hands back. He flew downwards, propelled by the lightning energy and picking up immense speed through the descent.
Desparee’s hands were glowing green, and a ball of energy was growing as rapidly as Wunder’s speed. He unleashed it straight at his foe, who was going too quick to change directions without slamming into the ground.
All eyes were on Wunder as the electric bird pushed through the nature beam, but as he came within feet of Desparee, he careened away was flung haphazardly through the air. He landed in a broken heap on the grass, unable to fight and eliminating Tallon from the tournament.
“Aurin has steamrolled his way through Tallon’s team with barely a hiccup!” called the announcer. “He’s through to the top eight, and one step closer to both the finals and qualifying for the national championships. He has certainly raised his game since his first appearance. Sorry Tallon, but this is the end of the line for you this year. Everyone give both tamers a big hand for a thrilling battle.”
The audience clapped, but it was clear that most were celebrating Aurin’s win. They had long forgotten his brutal win against Conrad and were fully behind him today. It didn’t help that Tallon was kicking the ground, angered by being eliminated. He stormed inside, not bothering to shake Aurin’s hand, while Aurin waved to the crowd before departing himself.
Skipping past the entrance to the tamer box, he passed through the lobby to reach the general admission stands. Waiting for him was Hunter, who gave him a slow clap. “You dealt with Tallon quite handily,” he said.
“Thanks, Hunter,” said Aurin, knowing why he was here. “Only one more match each, right?”
“Yes. If we both win one more time then we’re going to the national championships, but we’ll also be facing each other in the semi-final as I’m sure you remember.”
Aurin grinned. “How could I forget? I’m looking forward to the battle more than I’m looking forward to the finals.”
“Likewise,” laughed Hunter. “If you don’t defeat your next opponent, I’ll be very disappointed. Make sure you beat them good and quick, alright?”
“You aren’t worried that you’ll lose your next battle?”
“It’s a possibility, I admit,” said Hunter, but he did not look worried. “Can I be immodest for a change?”
“Of course.”
“I don’t think there’s much chance of me losing the next battle, nor do I think you’ll lose yours. There are more challenging opponents and there are less challenging opponents. There are even a lucky few who get this far because they’ve been battling against weaker tamers the entire way through. It’s only when we reach this level that we really see who is strong and who is undeserving.”
“And which are we?”
“We’re the ones with natural talent, we’re the ones with dedication and grit. There isn’t a second that goes by where we don’t envision what we could do next to further our goals. There are only a dozen of us in this qualifier and we separate the wheat from the chaff. We are absolutely deserving and fights against each other will both push us to our limits and provide the greatest show for the crowd. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Aurin had never heard Hunter talk this way before, but he could relate. “I agree. Not a day goes by where I don’t train or think about how to train better.”
Hunter nodded. “Once you go to the national championships—and you will—you will see how every single opponent is someone like you and I. We will be challenged to our very core and even a defeat is something you will cherish and grow from. Someday you may meet Tobias, the national champion, and you will see what it’s like to be further along the trajectory we’re travelling now.”
“You think one of us will be the national champion someday?”
“I think it will be you,” said Hunter, looking deadly serious. “It may not be this year, it may not be next, but I think you have what it takes to conquer the entire country. Perhaps even become world champion one day.”
Aurin was dumbfounded. He would of course love nothing more than to become national champion, but world champion? That was something else entirely.
Hunter laughed, looking a lot less serious. “I should not put the weight of such a dream on you,” he said. “Let’s focus on our next matches before anything else, shall we? Let’s head back inside and watch the next match today. You’ll find out who your next opponent is once there’s an outcome.”
Aurin agreed and headed up the stairs to find where his parents, Luna and Kyle were sitting, while Hunter departed for the tamer box. The young tamer contemplated Hunter’s words as he walked through the stadium, but he started to consider the possibility that maybe he could achieve such great heights one day.