It was a new day now. With the first day of opening ceremonies and celebrations having gone well on the previous night. Now all those that come from all over Oronia to represent their guild's stood in the massive arena as a deafening cheer roared through the stadium.
In total the six guilds had their own teams present as well two freelance teams. Garden of Ligeria, Terra Spire, Juno Tower and Castle Tsukuyomi were among the founding four guilds that were formed after the kingdom itself was established, always having a healthy competition between one another. The O.L.F. Guild was still of the newest guilds only dating back two centuries, meanwhile those of Manaan Legio always seemingly fell by the wayside with only a few exceptional mages to come out of their guilds.
The tournament also fielded a hundred or so applications for freelance teams. Those that scraped together the gold and were barely of age to compete when the king announced this addition to the tournament this year. Those reckless types chasing glory and wanting to put their name down on something. Others were looking for favor and to impress one of the guilds with their youthful talent and developing magic. But generally the Tournament organizers only made an exception for two or four team applicants, as it served to balance out the guilds and competition as well as to give a chance to those independent teams while further spreading the idea of unity among the mages no matter what walk of life they come from:
It was truly impressive. Juni had heard about so much of so many of the faces present over the years. Listening to every news report on the radio or tv. Studying all she could about what they had published of Dungeon delving. As well as practicing every second she could while she was at the academy.
Her eyes scanning the crowd truly in shock and awe of all those present, soon her gaze fell to Cole and his party. Last night's event's still there. Shaking her head some knowing this wasn't the time or place. The King of Oronia now stepping forth upon the balcony overlooking the arena's ground where Juni and the rest of her team and competition all stood congregated. The king a man of prestige and integrity, generations of power. The crowd seemingly dying down at his presence, in awe and reverence of their beloved King.
"Today as your king of this great country and kingdom. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the four hundred and twenty second, Grand Oronia Magic Tournament!" He said his voice growing with passion and excitement as the crowd cheered
Juni looking around truly mesmerized by all of this, she'd seen the tournament on broadcast television between classes and listened to it over the radio late at night when she was supposed to be asleep. But to be here, it truly was awe inspiring, rendering her speechless. Now she could understand why so many mages would be willing to bet all they had on something like this. Not necessarily for the riches it offered, but the glory and honor it brought, pride it put in someone's soul. To go against all odds and truly show what one another was made of.
"The first two days of matches will be for display. Show each other everything you've got, make your competition aware of what they will be walking into. We seek to only have a transparent and honest competition in this arena, so keep that in mind as well as myself and the judges evaluate your performance." The king explained further as the crowd gave another cheer
The group of mages all looking up and watching the king from the balcony all had varying looks of determination. Everyone was here for one reason or another. Juni would be lying to herself if she wasn't thinking the same thing. But this was no longer about just the tournament, Cole being here said enough of this. Everything that happened a month prior upon his arrival. The Black Dragonborn attacking her village. Now Eugene knowing someone else who was very much like Cole himself. All the pieces were there, it was just a matter of how they fit together. Juni once again feeling Cole's warnings bending her ear.
"Now! For the moment you all have been waiting for!" The king announced after having finished his speech on the history of the tournament, snapping Juni out of her thoughts
A large aura crystal projector was brought onto the field by four Arena attendants and powered on. The projector making a large pale blue translucent screen with a series of lines and brackets. All of the team's names now appeared on the screen projection. A red bar blinking over the top team's name began to move down the list of names and stopping at one randomly. It was deciding the matchup's now.
The first of names it was to land on was, Manaan Legio and their opponent would be, Garden of Ligeria. The crowd immediately erupted cheers at the first round announcement.
The blinking red bar on the screen continued to move up and down the remaining names. The second round would be the O.L.F. and Juno Tower
Juni in particular holding a certain contempt for this guild, the Oronia Liberation Force. Many times they could have helped. Helped her old village before it was attacked by Krayt, helped with the rebuilding efforts of Serene. But they could ever barely afford to keep their own lights on.
The third pair of teams to be selected Juni's team and Terra Spire. Juni's eyes going wide, she couldn't believe it, her team would be going up against a formidable team. Terra Spire was no slouch, as they were among the most hardiest fighters, it was rumored they had even developed a new process of metallurgy alchemy that combined gems and metals to create a myriad of new types of elemental substances. She'd heard plenty of stories about their expeditions into their dungeons and studying earth magic in all its varieties.
The last two names paired immediately together on the last bracket. Cole's team against Castle Tsukuyomi. She immediately knew this alone was going to be even more difficult for Cole's team. Between Manaan Legio and Castle Tsukuyomi the number of rumors that flew out about them was anything but friendly or in competitive spirit. Both being the subject of many rumors about their conduct and practices, as well as what they did down the dungeons.
With this the six teams returned their respective pitches of the arena. Garden of Ligeria and Manaan Legio remaining to decide which of each of the three would fight and represent their teams and guilds.
A tall very tan woman in an elegant and layered kimono dress remained, her short blonde hair tied in a bun with stark blue eyes focused on her opponent, in hand and resting on her shoulder was a large wooden club with black jagged edges, a strange weapon.
Her opponent a simple man, dressed in blue shirt with a high collar wrapping around his entire neck, simple shorts and sandals as well a padded brown vest. His hair tied back and spiked out. His own expression one of vagueness and little emotion. His own aura very pale and translucent, almost like a thick fog. Clouding everything about him and around him.
With this the woman let down her massive weapon as it stabbed into the ground, hands on the pommel now as she glared at him still.
"Before we do battle, I desire to know your name, and for your to know mine. For if I am to do battle with anyone, I wish my enemy to know my name for in the heat of battle either of us should perish. At least we each have the dignity of knowing who we did such glorious battle with." The woman explained to her opponent, her voice so dull yet held a palpable weight of dread, her half lidded eyes threatening to plunge any into their depths if they stared too long "I am Aquaria Delgado." She added give a small curtsy and bow
"Then you may call me Kai Sennei. I never was one who cared much for anything. Never liked be the center of attention either." The man explained pulling two throwing knives and lowering himself into a stance, ready for the fight
"Very well then, Kai Sennei. Prepare yourself. I do not intend to hold back, I find it.. difficult." Aquaria said, as the last words left her mouth her hand gripped her weapon again
Kai felt the snap shift in aura. With a flick of her wrist the blade rest on shoulder again, causing a massive gash to just barely miss Kai as he dodge just in time. Taking note, she was truly that ridiculous in strong alone. He truly would have to be on guard. Only for a large wave of water hurtled towards as he spun around barely missing this attack. Aquaria still standing there with her club resting flat on her shoulder.
"I must say. That's impressive weapon, and the stories weren't exaggerating your skill with water, Lady Delgado." Kai complimented her as he steadying his breathing "Your aura is indeed like the depths of the oceans." He added nodding some as he began to shuffle to side
"I commend you as well for surviving two of my attacks. Your reflexes serve you well Kai Sennei. But your aura, it's impossible to see. I only see fog in your soul." Aquaria said complimenting him inturn but taking note of his own aura
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"Well like I said... never liked being the center of attention." Kai smiled a little as her eyes went wide hearing the sound of something click as he tossed out two handfuls of small black orbs that exploded into black smoke allowing him cover
From out of the smoke three small daggers zipped just passed her. Aquaria spotting the tags at the end of each just as they started to spark, exploding almost instantly. The smoke starting to clear, a bubble encased her now.
"You're merely distracting me. Not giving me anything real. It only irritates me, you know when happens when magic grows irritated with its user...?" She asked him as Kai started to move again
He could feel it, the swelling of Aquaria's aura. The very ground of the stadium trembling causing the audience for start to grow louder with worry. The ground fracturing and spiraling inward being broken down by water. But Kai had already thrown another bladed weapon into the arena wall, this one having a chain at the end of the weapon.
"I yield!" He called out the crowd immediately shifting to one of complaints and boredom
This only angering Aquaria even further, but the water she had generated slowly started to go down. Showing a true level of strength to not allow such wild waters to overtake her and drown her instead.
"And there's our first match of the tournament folks! Looks like we'll just have to wait and see what else our lady of the rain has to dish out next round!" The tournament's announcer said enthusiastically getting the crowd back as they clapped and cheered for Aquaria
"Be warned, shadowed one. I will drown you if it turns out you weren't giving me your all." Aquaria warned Kai
"I'll keep that in mind if I do find myself in the arena again, malady." Kai said before returning to his team without another word
Aquaria did not like him. He was too unpredictable, his very limited use of aura, his vagueness only made it more difficult to discern what kind of man he was. But something was clearly eating at him, like he wasn't supposed be here but too late to turn back.
Aquaria herself returning to her team as the next match was soon to get underway. The Oronia Liberation Force and Juno Tower were up next. The two to enter the field now were a red haired girl and violet haired woman. Kasumi Tsuyuri and Seryn Valkyr.
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"Ohh boy! It's the Wraith herself now! This'll be a fight you definitely don't wanna miss!" The announcer said excitedly mentioning the title of Seryn herself
Kasumi herself was good with a sword, a fair talker, using her words to throw off and unbalance her enemies, using dirty tricks to gain the upper hand, underhanded tactics to gain a little more ground. But Seryn herself was not easily distracted nor defeated, the cold stare in her eyes said enough. She had trained far more and seen far more combat to really sharpen her skills and senses. Someone so willing to resort to such tactics to win a fight was unworthy of her true abilities. After nearly an hour of going back and forth with trading blows or outmaneuvering one another. Seryn took her down, forcing Kasumi into a defeat as she'd been to thoroughly beaten in all aspects of the fight. The crowd erupting cheers for Seryn as the two combatants returned to their teams, the next match soon to start.
"Alright who's gonna take it?" Juni said now turning to Taiga and Eugene as their team was up next now
The siblings both looking at each other and then Juni and nodded some.
"It's yours." Eugene spoke as Taiga nodded again in agreement
"Show 'em what you're made of." Taiga smirked a little
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Juni could feel her heart racing as she entered the field, the deafening cheers of the crowd only made her feel more awestruck. She never thought in her life she'd have be here.
"This will be quite a matchup for the ages! We have one our fresh faced teams competing now! And by the looks of it they all seem to be students of our academy! Would you look at that! Don't see many teams like this!" The announcer said now as the crowd was even more excited to see what would come of this
Juni's eyes soon fell on her opponent. A Demi human male, his dark hair and wolf like ears said enough of his lineage. His yellow eyes piercing her, like a wolf ready to pounce. His weapon a testament to craft of the Capital's best smith's. An elegant spear with a brilliant blue gem.
"I heard rumors of a new form of earth magic had been discovered, being used by one of brightest students in the academy." her opponent said
"Wouldn't put it past Terra Spire to have an ear to the ground." Juni said coyly making him chuckle a little
"Undiscovered magic can be quite dangerous. No telling how will react to individual." He said now beginning to move to the side "I am Welfen Pierce. And you, mage trainee?" He added giving her his name now
"Juni Sayer. I've heard stories of your team. The great unity." Juni listed off now moving in the opposite direction her sand slowly seeping out from her gourd "But I had a damn good mentor before I ever even got my acceptance letter." She added on the matter of her magic
"A title fashioned by the people. Our races and backgrounds matter little, we allow the spirit for battle and our actions speak. So show me what this sand of yours can do. Prove your worth, that you belong here in this arena." Welfen explained now twirling his weapon and holding at the ready, ready to do battle
"Let's get to it then.." Juni said an edge in her tone now as the buzzer sounded for them to begin
Juni moved first slamming her foot down causing the ground to rupture in his direction as he dodged just in time diving off to the right and rolling, landing on his feet. Juni kicked the ground causing the ground explode and send large chunks of rock hurtling at Welfen now. Slamming his spear into the ground now he spoke in a foreign tongue.
"Wall of light!" He called out as a massive projection of light formed instantly infront of him
The chunks of rock instantly being shredded into sand as it passed through. He then immediately pulled back his arm while twirling the spear around before infusing his aura into the weapon, causing the gem of his spear to glow brightly. The look in his eyes razor sharp and focused on his target.
"Light Lance.." Welfen chanted in a deep voice as hurtling the spear in Juni's direction
Juni immediately gathering sand from her gourd along with the new sand. Instantly compacting it so tightly it was like solid concrete or highly refined alloy. The spear moving at an impossible speed and enveloped in light magic. A loud piercing CLANK! of the spear hitting the wall of sand. Causing an intense pitched sound to nearly rupture everyone's hearing. The spear attempting to break her wall, while Juni only poured more aura into her wall. The sheer amount of competing aura was so intense it was beginning to put a strain on the arena's Aura dampeners.
Juni cried out as she caused the sand to explode out while simultaneously causing her sink into the ground avoiding the spear. The sand wall now moving towards her opponent. Welfen now clapping his hands together he produced a blinding light.
"Blessing of Ligeria: Brighter than the Sun!" He chanted now slamming his wrists and fists together releasing a massive explosion of light
The crowd immediately blinded and covering their eyes. The light bringing no harm would come them, this light would only eliminate whatever threatened the caster. But as Welfen was casting this most magnificent spell he was interrupted by an explosion of sand beneath his very feet as Juni burst from ground and dragging him down. Causing the blinding light to disappear. Leaving the crowd absolutely astounded by this sudden turn as Juni stood proudly, panting some.everyone cheering as she was declared the Victor.
"Risky that. Haven't exactly done that to that extent." She said still catching her breath as Welfen laid stuck and wedged in the dirt
Her opponent slowly opened his eyes and spat some dirt and pulled his arms free as he sat up some.
"That was incredibly reckless. You could've killed yourself if you weren't careful." Welfen said being honest "But you took a gamble and it paid off, you more than won." He added well as she offered a small smile and her hand helping him pull himself out of the ground the rest of the way
"You fought even better than I did. I just had an idea, and trusted my instincts." Juni said being just as honest
"Take pride in your abilities. I had not thought it was possible. But you proved me otherwise. Hold your head high, this victory is yours." Welfen assured her resting a hand on her shoulder before leaving himself to retrieve his spear and return to his team
Juni was once more awe struck by the chee, even waving some and smiling like a fool as she walked back to her team. Eugene clapping but Taiga had her arms crossed but smiled nonetheless.
"You're a damn fool you know that?" Taiga joked
"You did fantastic. You put us up the board. Look." Eugene said pointing out the brackets
Their team had earned fifty points from that match alone. It made her heart soar even more, maybe they could actually win this thing after all...
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The last match of the day was now getting started. Cole's team and Castle Tsukuyomi. The crowd cheering even louder than before.
"Alright folks! It's the final matchup of the day! The second freelance team that surely has a lot of attention of them as well!" The announcer said
Tigress observing all that had been going on between matches the most. She was also here since a place like this she could spot a cheater a mile away. Aaron had also been observing everyone's techniques and styles. Cole now stood ready to take the match himself when he was stopped by Tigress' hand.
"Let me. I could use a little entertainment. If you'll allow it that is, my lord?" She asked trading some, Aaron remaining oblivious still scanning and observing the other teams and the crowd
Cole merely sighed a little but nodded in agreement with her judgment. As she entered the arena she couldn't help but smile, it was almost like she was home again, a cruel sense of irony washing over her. If her elders saw her now, surely they'd be even more of an uproar, not only was she not fighting for their arena, but a completely different one at that.
Tigress could spot them hidden the crowd, their aura elusive and well trained for stealth. Her own eyes catching the eyes of the one hiding for the briefest of moments, before her eyes shifted back to the field and her opponent who was marching forward as well.
Her opponent was a Demi-human like herself, though his own tail, his ears as well his facial structure gave a more canine appearance.
"So I am to fight a mutt? You, I take it?" Tigress asked as she crossed her arms over her chest
The Demi human growling a little now at this back handed comment.
"Watch your tone interloper. You reek of death and ambition. I have given myself to a higher purpose! I am Garrick Monger, the Hound of Castle Tsukuyomi!" He said moving into a fighting stance
"And I am free to do whatever I do please. I earned my own freedom, and I will not surrender it to anyone." She said now beginning to move slowly to the side "But you, are a runt who needs put in his place." She added meeting his intense stare again
The buzzer went off signaling the match to begin. Garrick disappeared in a blur before his foot and leg connected with her wrist, instantly blocking him. The look on her face now one of agitation. Tigress swiftly wrapped her arm around his leg immediately spinning around and tossing him aside.
Garrick was quick to recover, performing a well timed backflip, before launching himself forward assisted by a boost of strength from his aura, leaving a small crater from where he launched himself.
Tigress herself now spun around reacting faster than Garrick could, grabbing his arm and pulling him down and slamming him into the ground, ready to slam her foot down.
Garrick rolling out the way just in time and spun himself to gain enough momentum to launch himself back onto his feet. Now throwing a viscous flurry of blows and well timed kicks.
Tigress countering each with a well placed block with her wrists or shins, though the entire thing seemed to slow for her. She was anticipating his moves and blocking each before he even threw them.
"Too slow runt. You're boring me." She growled now grabbing his wrists tightly before pulling in close and head butting him so hard he was out cold "Pathetic. Couldn't even offer up a real scrap." she said as the match was declared over
The crowd roared with excitement as the final match concluded and the scores were at last tallied up.
1. Garden of Ligeria - 50 points
2. Juno Tower - 50 points
3. Freelance team J.E.T. - 50 points
4. Freelance team C.A.T. - 40 points
5. Terra Spire - 30 points
6. Castle Tsukuyomi - 20 points
7. Manaan Legio - 20 points
8. Oronia Liberation Force - 10 points
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