“I still can’t believe we were awarded 1500 points for this!” Ray exclaims as we exit the metal encasing.

Sophia, unable to contain her grin, can’t help but agree. “Indeed! We have Alden to thank for it!”

“We have a chance at winning again…!!” Camille mumbles with her fists clenched.

I painstakingly hold back a sneer creeping its way onto my lips.

‘Yes, that’s right, keep praising me!’

I receive a pat on the back from both Ray and Sophia as we slowly march back to the Bassline. At this very moment, showered with praise and looks of approval, I am not even bothered by the scorching sun enveloping the desert. Though my feet sink with every step onto the sand, making it more difficult to walk, and though large beads of sweat roll down my forehead, the only thing on my mind is the recognition I’m getting. It’s not like I’ve ever craved being recognized for my hard work, especially not from great family heirs, or rich young masters, but it is nonetheless rather pleasant.

‘This is definitely better than the looks I was getting when I was known as the executioner at the academy… a different kind of recognition, that’s for sure…good thing the name didn’t stick, at least I think it didn’t…’

Ugo, still wearing his usual stern expression, interrupts the celebration. “The event is not over yet, there are still more points to be obtained and more things to be done.” He says, seemingly not wanting to acknowledge that I have saved our team from certain failure.

‘Well, I wasn’t expecting anything from him either way…’

I sigh. “He’s right, we should get back to hunting for now, at least until the next event.”

As she climbs onto the Bassline, Sophia pumps her fist in the air. “That’s right! Let us g-”

Our watches let out an alarming noise.

[The next special event will now be announced. All participants may take a look at their watches for the details!]

Special event: Capture the flag

Description: This event is as simple as its name suggests! Two flags will be distributed to two different teams at random. Once a team is in possession of a flag, their position will be revealed on everyone’s map for as long as they hold onto it. For those who do not have a flag, your task will be to steal it from a team who does and take their place as possessor of the flag!

Taking possession of a flag is simple! Identify the flag bearer and simply place your palm on their back, then the transfer will be complete! The transfer will also be complete if the team’s flag bearer is outright eliminated!

Beware flag holders, beasts felled while holding onto the flag will grant 2x the normal points but losing a teammate while holding onto the flag will result in a major point penalty!

Time limit: Until the end of day 2

Participant limit: None, forced participation for all teams

Reward: Points awarded based on total possession time and large point bonus for being the last team to hold the flag.

Failure penalty: Failure to hold onto the flag at all will result in a major point penalty

“Interesting, but isn't the team who starts out with the flag at a rather gross advantage?” Ray ponders.

“...Not necessarily, their position is immediately revealed. They’ll draw the attention of everyone on the field. That’s rather disadvantageous I’d say.” Ugo retorts.

“A-and this elimination penalty sounds scary too…” Camille adds.

“Frankly, I’d rather we don’t start with the flag. It’d give us time to think.” Sophia adds.

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

Ray scrubs his chin. “I see… Then indeed I do hope we won’t start with it.” He then puts his hands behind his head. “Well, it’s unlikely we will, I mean, what are the chan-”

“No!!! Don’t say that!” I exclaim.

[Team Zeta, you have been selected to hold onto the flag. Your objective is now to protect your flagbearer. Additionally, please make your way to the zone marked on your map within 1 hour. If you fail to do so, the flag will be automatically transferred to another team.]

“...Have you never watched a movie before? Never say: ‘what are the chances of this happening to us’ !!” I tell Ray

He shrugs in apology. “...Sorry?” He answers.

Sophia points to the Bassline. “It’s fine! With this guy, we’ll be able to save our energy and force the others to chase us. I’ll even allow you all to witness my driving prowess if it’ll lift your spirits.”

‘Somehow, that scares me more than anything…’

She climbs onto the driver’s seat, and a message immediately resonates from her watch.

[The use of transportation vehicles is prohibited while you hold onto the flag.]

“...”

“Damn.”

Ugo turns to look at something and immediately draws his sharpsong. “Someone’s coming.”

‘Already?!’

None of us hesitate. Though we do not see the danger, Ugo isn’t the type to make jokes, especially not ones such as this. Intently, I look in the direction Ugo points to, but I see nothing. I wonder what exactly he saw, or sensed, and my nervousness grows. Finally, after a few moments of complete silence, and for the first time in a while, I decide to rely on the perks of soul link, the ‘ability’ I received from Soulweaver.

I had tried to improve without relying on it recently. The last time I distinctly remember using it was when I was fighting Sylvia on Lauderdale’s training field, and any time after that was mostly because I could not figure out how to turn it off. Since then, however, thoughts of ‘that person’ would surge back every time I even thought of using it, compelling me not to. Whether it be during sparring, virtual reality training or even during classes, seeing the ‘soul’ would only make me think of Soulweaver, but that has changed now.

‘I still don’t know how I feel about using this… but ever since Maestro Lauren’s trial, the fear invoked by memories of that person is at the very least bearable...This composure she was telling me about, I guess it can also be used like this…!”

As I look in the distance, I finally get a glimpse of what Ugo had been telling us. A flickering ball of blue-ish light is moving towards us at high speed. From their apparent speed, whoever it belongs to seems to be on foot. Perhaps a kilometer or so stands between us, and judging from their cadence, we have a minute or so, maybe less, before they’re here.

Or at least that’s what I think, until I realize who exactly this soul signature belongs to. The [melody], in a sense, is the soul, or at least a part of it. If I am familiar enough with the [melody], then I am just as familiar with the soul, and there are few [melodies] I am as familiar with as this one.

“Everyone, put up your defenses!! She’s coming!!” I yell.

A sonic boom resonates in the distance, and my instrument clashes with hers. The sand around us is sent flying in all directions by the gust of wind we create.

“Did ya miss me, turtle!!?”

‘She’s the last person I wanted to run into…’

I answer, trembling under the weight of her charge which I barely managed to block. “Zora…I’m delighted to see you here…”

She disappears in a blink, and I feel my movements have gotten slower. In the next moment she’s already behind me, and when I realize I won’t be fast enough to dodge or block, I resort to using my aegis to fend her off. She evades it by a hair’s breadth and creates some distance between us, all this without allowing my teammates to react whatsoever.

‘This is why I hate fighting Zora…as she gets faster, you inevitably get slower. She excels in duels with opponents who have no way to keep her at an arm’s length…’

“Hehe, I know it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other! I hope ya weren’t too sad without me!” She exclaims, her purple hair dancing wildly.

Finally, one of her teammates catches up. It’s a man, not much taller than Zora. He wears a set of glasses over his eyes and dons short black hair atop his head. “Zora! You can’t just run off like that! You need to wait for us, or at least listen to your communicator!!”

‘Clayton Bankfellow: Energy blade…’

A titanesque woman, even taller than Sophia, who’s an inch or two taller than me, accompanied by both Adam and Alex follow closely behind.

‘That woman… Jasmine Lakepalace: Gigantification… though she doesn’t appear to even be using her [melody] right now…’

In a deep voice, fitting her size, Jasmine addresses Zora. “Must you always be unruly and cause chaos? A lady should be dignified!”

“Ughhh, lady this, lady that, what if I don’t wanna be a lady? I like me the way I am!” Zora retorts, with her usual spunk.

“Hmm” Alex nods in approval

Adam, trying to gather their attention, speaks in a low voice. “Guys, this isn’t the time…”

As their bickering continues, I address Camille subtly. “Do you hear anyone else coming?”

“No…I think they’re the only ones for now…” She replies.

I then speak through my communicator to Sophia, who’s a few steps away.

[Leader, do we run? Do we fight?]

[Run? Your friend over there just rushed us at the speed of sound… There’s no running from her I’m afraid.] She replies.

‘Touche’

[So then we fight. I’ll take the big one with the warchord.] Ugo says.

[I have the tall woman in my sights. Say the word and she goes down.] Ray adds.

[Then I’ll fight Clayton, the one with the glasses, my shield should fare well against his [melody]] I confirm.

Sophia is the next to speak. [Then I’ll prevent the melo-string user from-]

Camille promptly interrupts. [Wait! I just intercepted a communication… Lady Fullcastle’s team is on their way here…!]

Silence immediately ensues.

‘Sh*t…’