"The Storm Before the Cup"
The sun rose early over Soren Town, lighting the rooftops in a calm glow.
For the first time in days, the weather was peaceful — but inside Riku's chest, a storm raged.
Today was the start of the Soren Spirit Cup Qualifiers.
Bolt hopped up on the table, tail wagging like crazy.
"Riku! Today's the day! Let's show everyone our lightning!"
Riku tightened the gauntlet on his wrist, still unsure.
"Yeah… but after everything Mom told me… I don't know if I'm ready."
Bolt nudged him gently.
"Lab, temple, or anywhere else — you're still my partner. That will never change."
Riku took a deep breath.
"…Let's do this. Together."
[Scene 1 – The Arena Awakens]
Soren Arena was alive with thousands of spectators, banners, cheers, and the humming vibration of energy cores.
Toma waved from the gate.
"Riku! Bolt! Over here!"
"You got here early?" Riku asked.
Toma smirked. "Obviously! Today we find out if you really belong in the Cup!"
Bolt puffed up proudly.
"We do belong! (…probably.)"
The arena lights shifted as the holographic screen activated:
> WELCOME TO THE SOREN SPIRIT CUP – PRELIM ROUND 1
Competitors: 128
Advancing: 32
The crowd exploded with hype.
[Scene 2 – The Matches Begin]
Drums thundered.
Spotlights swept across the arena.
Spirit creatures howled in excitement.
The announcer roared:
> "PRELIM ROUND 1 — START!"
The entire stadium shook with cheers.
Riku closed his eyes for a moment, feeling both fear and excitement.
Bolt whispered,
"Let's make this the first step… to who we become."
[Scene 3 – Riku's First Match]
Riku stepped onto Platform C.
Opposite him stood a tall boy with sharp eyes and a hawk perched on his shoulder.
Riku asked politely, "Name?"
The boy smirked.
"Jin Saryu. Hawk-Core user. Don't worry — I'll go easy on a rookie."
Bolt muttered,
"I hate his face."
Riku whispered, "Same."
The arena dimmed.
> BATTLE START!
Jin snapped his fingers.
"Hawklight! DIVE!"
Golden feathers shot forward at deadly speed.
Bolt barely dodged, electricity crackling across the field.
"He's FAST!"
Riku clenched his fist.
"Bolt — Counter with Charge!"
Lightning blasted outward, colliding with the feathers and cracking the platform.
The crowd erupted.
Toma screamed,
"GOOO RI-KUUU!!"
Jin narrowed his eyes.
"Okay… no more going easy."
[Scene 4 – The Unseen Eye]
Far away, in a dark hidden facility…
A Core Dominion sentinel stared at Riku's battle on a monitor.
A cold voice echoed from the shadows:
> "Subject-09… shows rapid growth.
Activate retrieval protocol."
The sentinel nodded.
"Yes, Commander."
Outside, a giant unseen spirit watched the arena from a distant cliffside — wings folded, waiting.