CHAPTER 12
FLASHBACK
Kieth POV-
After my father told us to search for the gems I've been stuck with that thing, that thing is still growing; he's not a 3-year-old boy anymore. He looks like a 16-year-old and acts like one. One year ago, he was just an annoying baby, he should be a toddler, however he's nearly an adult. But there's something off about him. His voice, character and personality are mysterious to me. Too mysterious.
"There's a competition in silver dust, it's starting soon" Kieran spoke looking at the daisy. "The first gem is there, as we speak" his fingers brushed against the daisy. The flower slowly dried out, no life, no water. Just dead.
"And how did you know that?" I rolled my eyes
"let's go," he spoke as he hurried away. "Father won't be pleased if we haven't fulfilled our mission"
"whatever" I trailed behind him
After three whole days, we finally arrived at silver dust. I wanted to explore our area for a bit. But Kieran insisted that we should get registered.
"Annoying brat," I muttered. Making sure he didn't hear me.
We walked through the busy city. Following the tracks of students around our age. We got to the big school. bigger than my father's palace. Kieran dashed to the registration line. With a heavy sigh, I followed him.
"What's your name and power?" a middle-aged man with a gut and balding head spoke with no interest.
"Mask. My magic is um... wind magic" I hesitated.
"wind magic? Fine whatever, you may come in" the guy said "next"
"Siren, poison magic" Kieran said
"you may enter" the man said
The big doors opened to a roaring crowd and echoing voice. The arena was as big as my garden. There were two sides labelled different things. On the right, it was labelled contestants, that's where Kieran other contestants and I sat. and on our right was labelled viewers. That's where villagers and visitors sat.
Lastly what connected the left and right were where the most important people sat, from royal families to important guests. They all sat in lavish seats. The females carrying their fans elegantly close to their mouths
PRESENT
NERINA POV-
The head teacher walked towards the microphone. His voice never changed, "participants, I need to address something quickly. Since the princess and her little friends are participating, that means they also have to fight. You all may rest until the next fight tomorrow. Just go easy on them. I want no complaints, thank you, I also forbid any teacher to tell them their ranks this early in the tournament." he quietly sat down on his chair.
"that's great! We have a higher chance of winning!" everyone whispered happily
"he's only doing this because I wanted you and Ravi to fight with me" Thalia spoke "well, I say we have our three" I spoke with confidence
"I guess." Nerina spoke.
She's surprisingly good at healing, but terrible when it comes to defence, it's not her fault though, her defence has improved before the tournament started, meaning we might win after all
"I can help, and I have so many potions, magic in bottles, anything you two ladies need!" Ravi exclaimed
MASK/ KEITH POV-
Girls? That's odd. Whatever. I want to get this done and over with.
"We are going as a two, it will make our job easier" Kieran spoke. He casually put on his plain white mask, only his eyes were left uncovered.
"Yeah, I know. No need to remind me again" I gritted my teeth
MORNING
Nerina pov-
I have water magic, but I just don't know what type, since there are many forms of water magic. It will be hard to find mine. I will explore until I find it
I've been practising all night building up my self-defence with Ravi. Something about today feels off to me. I can't put my finger on it.
Ravi has been preparing some potions for when we have to fight. I'm getting cold feet.
So far, no one has been put in rank two. Everyone's so prepared. So I have to be too.
Thalia, Ravi and I walked towards the sitting room once again, waiting for our names to be called. The room was filled with nerves, competition and recklessness.
"Welcome back everyone! I hope everyone chose their partners" the voice echoed "welcome everybody! I hope you all enjoyed you're evening and morning. I'll stop yapping and roll the ball!!"
A ball was thrown in the middle of the arena; anticipation filled the air.
"and we have our 5 contestants! Hei, Haru and Hao! Fighting with Rohan and Hari!!" the voice continued.
We all watched as the contestants walked towards the arena.
"you may all begin!"
"wind magic- gentle breeze!" Haru muttered. His breeze circling the arena.
"That was quick," Thalia smiled.
"gentle breeze? Really? "Hari mocked "you're going to defeat me with a breeze?" he repeated. He couldn't believe it "I'm taking on this guy, he seems interesting!" he told his team.
"I'll show you, my magic. Fire magic- erupting volcano" Hari chanted, a medium sized volcano appeared in front of them. The volcano erupted Hari casually shifted the lava towards Haru.
"You forgot, your magic is helping me. The fume from your volcano is air. That means" Haru controlled the fumes coming from the volcano. Directing it towards Hari.
Hari let out a loud and painful cough, the fumes travelled through his airway- preventing him from breathing.
"Fuck- I have to- win" Hari coughed "for my sister-" he scratched the ground with his nails. "Urgh-" with the little energy he had left he let out a chant "wind magic- air bubble!" once he chanted a small bubble danced with the wind, as it carefully landed on his head, shielding him from the smoke.
"Aren't you persistent?" haru snarled.
"If i cant help myself" hari coughed. "I'll help my teammates" he carefully shrank the air bubble that was on his face to his teammates.
He passed out.
Haru let out a broken breath "that was close." He turned around to see his teammates on the ground. The last remaining member in Hari's group panting heavily, sweat pouring from his face.
"It's just you and me." He said "I give up. I surrender. "He continued
"what!?" Haru's eyes widened "you can't just give up like that!?
"eh?" the crowd quieted "did he just say he gave up? I guess the fight wore him out" the crowd whispered "who could've continued"
Rohan casually picked Hari from the ground "I'm craving meat buns." He said walking out of the arena
"Well, that was something!! I guess Haru's group won" the voice screeched again
Nami and Kasem laughed loudly "looks like we have some interesting people this year!"