The White Dragons sauntered out into the arena to the deafening roar of the crowd. Raising their arms and basking in the overwhelming praise, they each turned slowly to take in the crowd as well as rile them up.

Theirs was the first match of the day, so the crowd was full of fresh energy. As the cheering died down, the gate at the other end of the arena started to rumble open. Sid leaned forward in his seat, intently staring into the opening. Confusion rippled through the crowd as the gate stood empty.

Sir Ottis tilted his head to the side, facing the open gate. Even though his guard was lowered, he suddenly drew his sword. Clang! His sword blocked an unseen attack aimed at his exposed neck. The other members of the White Dragon group also drew their swords and assumed battle stances.

Sid had to admit, even though they were pig headed their instincts were sharp. Sir Nautilus parried another attack and swung into open air, seemingly missing the skulking creature.

Wraiths were very troublesome but manageable monsters, Sid thought. They stepped lightly but could still leave footprints, though none were visible on the packed earth of the arena. They had long steel-like claws that could cut and stab, and specialized in ambushes. Open combat like this was not their forte, but nonetheless they still posed a real threat to even seasoned adventurers.

The White Dragons had no real issue holding out against it's attacks, but they couldn't make any headway against it. The hit and run tactics it was employing were just too effective against their blind counterattacks.

A part of Sid wished for the Dragons to work together, collaborate and make a plan. Another part relished watching them struggle against a problem they couldn't just brute force. He shook his head, unable to reconcile the two sides of his brain.

Sir Ottis and Sir Nautilus were keeping their cool, but Sir Prentice was visibly becoming more and more frustrated. He swung his sword in wide arcs, trying to catch the wraith off guard. "You're making us look like fools" growled Sir Ottis. "Quit swinging your sword around like that, you idiot!"

"Well what else is there to do" hissed Sir Prentice. "We can't see it to attack it, so why not attack everything?" Sir Ottis scowled, "because it makes us look like fools! Get a hold of yourself!" Sir Prentice heeded his words, standing at the ready instead. There was silence amongst them, before Sir Nautilus spoke up.

"What do we do?" The question hung in the air, unanswered. Rather than say anything to his teammates, Sit Ottis closed his eyes and held his sword so it stood upright in front of him. His eyebrows drew together, a slight frown curving his mouth. His sword began to glow dimly.

The crowd watched silently in awe as the glowing grew brighter and more brilliant. With a swing of his blade, Sir Ottis unleashed a wave of shining white light. The light spread outward, washing over the arena.

With an agonized howl, the wraith revealed itself. It stood about six feet tall with long arms and gray skin, mostly hairless save for a few sparse strands descending from its head. It's gaping maw contorted as it rushed down Sir Ottis with the last of its strength.

Sir Ottis easily pierced it chest while dodging the beast's desperate strike. The crowd exploded in cheers as the wraith's lifeless body hit the ground. Sid frowned slightly as he got up from his seat, then he headed down into the waiting room with his party.

***

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They stood in the arena together, waiting to see what they would have to face. As the gate rumbled open, determination creased their faces as the crowd cheered then on. Out walked a Grifter.

Grifters were large feline beasts with patterned fur that could shift and change. Unlike a tiger, Grifters really could change their stripes. The team stuck together at the ready, their backs to each other. As the Grifter prowled around them, it began forming illusory copies of itself.

Sid watched carefully as another Grifter seemingly phased out of the first one, walking at a slower pace. Again, another separation came to pass before his eyes. Eventually, they were completely surrounded by Grifters, which took turns growling and baring their fangs at the group.

Sid diligently kept his eyes on the true Grifter, the only one actually capable of making copies. Each time it performed its trick he watched both new copies until another was made. Unfortunately, this resulted in two possibilities. It was truly imperceptible which of the last two could be the true beast, but they walked beside each other.

As intelligent as Grifters were, they couldn't outsmart Sid. One of those two beasts maintained eye contact, snarling as if annoyed to be caught in its act. Two illusions lunged at the group in unison.

"Fake" shouted Sid to his comrades, who stood down. The crowd gasped, but the illusions simply passed right through them, landing gracefully on the other side. "That one that's looking at me, do you see it?"

"I do" answered Arc, nocking an arrow to his short bow. "Next time it attacks, shoot it." Arc and Sid watched the Grifter circle them intently, then it turned and lunged straight at them. Arc loosed the arrow and Sid watched in horror as it passed straight through the illosion's chest. It gave me the slip! Before he could shout a warning, a claw raked across his chest.

Sid's leather armor took the brunt of the blow, but the claws still carved red streaks into his flesh. The blow pushed him onto his rump, but Arc still managed to stab the Grifter in its front leg with an arrow.

It pulled it's paw back and withdrew before anyone could counterattack. A stream of blood dripped down it's leg to match the blood streaking from Sid's of wounds. "I'm okay" he reassured his comrades, getting to his feet.

The illusions circled them, their hungry eyes fixed on their prey. Sid gritted his teeth and gripped his spear in both hands. There was nothing they could do but wait while the Grifter chose it's time to attack.

This time, the Grifter attacked Dion alongside a clone. It sunk its teeth into his leg, prompting a pained grunt from Dion who tried to decapitate the Grifter. Again it retreated before any real damage could be done. The Grifter continued to wear the team down, slashing Arc with its claws and biting at Sir Boulder.

Battered and exhausted, the party wearily stood at the ready while the Grifter and its illusory puppets circled them. Suddenly, the false beasts vanished and the now lone beast froze in place. Sid sighed, letting down his guard.

"That concludes this match! Everyone give a round of applause for group 82! A valiant effort!" The crowd cheered for them despite their defeat.

***

As they entered their dwelling, Theresa was already waiting for them. She helped support the heavily limping Dion to a chair, who left a bloody footprint in his wake. Blood poured from two bites on his left leg.

Her healing touch stanched the flow of blood, eased aches and pains. She healed Sid and Arc's cracked bones as well. Sir Boulder only had bruises, but she treated him as well.

"You all did very well" she commended them seriously. "Despite your relatively shabby equipment you managed to make it all the way to the fourth round, a feat that few are able to achieve."

It was true that what they'd accomplished was impressive, all things considered. Sid however felt that they hadn't even come close to their full potential, though he didn't voice it.

"We have room to grow" he said instead. "Maybe next year we can make it to the last round" he proposed enthusiastically. His optimism brought smiles to the faces of his comrades.

In the end, the White Dragons won the Althiem Tournament. It came as a surprise to absolutely no one, though it did inspire many to become stronger. Group 82 placed in the upper half of the rankings and recieved the accolade of 'Rising Star', a title reserved for those who demonstrate the most potential or growth.

"I wish to remain by your side" declared Sir Boulder when it was time to leave the city. "You're more than welcome to join us for as long as you want" welcomed Sid with open arms. Dion brought the man into a bear hug, saying "you are strong, a strong comrade." So it was that our party of four began their next adventure into the world.