Syzygy Aces

Chapter 7

This chapter is dedicated to Maximus Decimus Meridius Mende...for helping me in the art of war.

The heavy beating of the drums stopped me from asking Glenieze to answer all my inquiries about my mother. Though I was eager to know the answers, I held back myself and focus on the tournament at hand.

The sound was the signal for the event to start. I promptly ran towards the camp. Glenieze came running behind me, not literally since she was a spirit.

"Do I really need me to come along?" Glenieze started to complain. "You can call me if you needed me most, not to be your chaperon following you around."

"Oh, I though you disappeared already." I looked confused.

"You have to tell me to go, silly. What do you expect me to appear and disappear all I want? Just rub the ring counterclockwise. If you want to summon me then rub it clockwise. Wear the ring on your finger not around your neck. It is safe and easy for you to have access on me. You can thank me later after you send me away"

Why can't say anything to her? I'm supposed to be the one bossing around.

I rub the ring counter clockwise abruptly. I don't want to hear a word from her. Though I'm grateful that she taught me about something new to learn, that a mage could knew by now. I didn't have a mage guru only Master Fu who was a sword master.

I arrived at the camp and looked around. They already left without me. I packed up my things and hurriedly ran towards the arena. I didn't want to be left behind.

Reyn waved at me when I reached the gateway. The arena was surrounded by thirteen circles and my team were jumbled at our place.

"Sorry if we left you. We thought that you better be left alone contemplating in the woods. So how was it?" Reyn said excitedly.

"Well, I had summoned my spirit. It's just she's acting like she's the boss. I don't know to deal with her yet but I'll find a way for her to respect me more since I'm her mage. I know she's good, but she just can't get over the fact that I'm just a newbie. She's looking forward, maybe, for some awesome, fabulous looking mage." I grinned at her.

"Well, it's not impossible to make you look fabulous. Just leave it to me." She blinked at me.

I rolled my eyes and fixed my eyes on the rioting crowds. They had been antsy, gossiping about the fighters.

The other teams had a lot of expressions in their faces mostly tense, but some filled with oozing confidence. Shay and Voltai were waiting nonchalantly for the headmaster. They looked so cool. Maximus, Jaxmi and Xerxi were having an argument about something related to weapons.

"Welcome to the tournament once again. Today, We will have the preliminary round but instead of fighting each other until four teams will be left, the council decided to change the rule for this rare event. We designate a task for all the teams to accomplish, and that is to bring a gem from the shadow cave of Sumagung at Mt. Sagada. The teams to come back at dawn the next morning will be qualified for the next round." The headmaster announced briefly and left the podium at once.

"Is that all?! No more instructions?!" Maximus was slack-jawed and scratched his head.

Roaring voices of inquiries echoed in the air. We were dismayed with the inadequate information given by head master.

Other team rushed and went back to their camp. We were the only team left in the vicinity.

"So, what now?" Jaxmi seemed annoyed. He was toying with his spears.

"I think we should plan for this. Did anyone know what to expect in the cave?" I asked them.

They just shrugged their shoulders. The island was bizarre to all of us.

"I've been here twice but I haven't explored the entire island. The whole island is enchanted except for the reception of the fight." Voltai keenly recalled.

"I think it's the first time in the history that the preliminary game has this rule. Usually the last thing to do was to carry out the task." Jaxmi quizzically touched his chin.

"Maybe I'll scout ahead." Xerxi suggested.

"I know! Maybe my spirit guide can help us." I said radiantly.

"It's definitely a good idea!" Reyn approved.

I rubbed my ring clockwise and my spirit guide appeared wearing another gypsy lilac outfit. She appeared more appealing than before. A brilliant smile came out from her lips showing her perfect teeth when she scanned around.

"Wow!" The men chorused in unison, bug eyed. On the other hand, Shay and Rey were fascinated, especially Reyn of course. She was into fashion. Sometimes I wondered how she came to this tournament.

Glenieze seemed to enjoy the moment and turned to face me.

"Yes, Madame?" she asked me boldly.

Huh?!! I just can't believe it. She's very temperamental. Last thing I know, she's totally insolent.

"I would like you all to meet, my fabulous Class S spirit guide, Glenieze."

"Class S?! Awesome!" Maximus and Xerxi exclaimed. They could not hid their admiration. Maximus glared boldly at her.

I introduced my team mates one by one. They seemed to like her a lot. She smiled to them sweetly all the time and I can say that she had an inclined in knowing Reyn, well, isn't it was obvious?

"Ahem" I cut her frisky mood and gave the guys a stern look.

"For real deal, Spirit, tell me where to find the shadow cave of Sumagung at Mt. Sagada. The head master told as that we should find a gem there and be back at dawn tomorrow to be qualified in the tournament." I inquired with stolid face.

She crossed her arms and had deep thought before she spoke.

"Hmmmm... That's intriguing. The cave is located at the eastern part of the island at the foot of enchanting Mount Sagada. You have to cross two rivers, and the rocky terrain is quite challenging. I will give you a stone and it will guide you, it blinks faster if you're walking in the right path." She explained undoubtedly.

"Thanks you for this, Glenieze." I was grateful to her. She really could help me a lot.

She gave me a reassuring grin and flipped her hair backwards, exposing her bare shoulders.

We hurried to our camp and brought with us the things that we needed for the quest. I traveled light and secured enough food. Reyn was busy preparing too; she carried a lot of bandages and pieces of cloths. Clanking metal filled the air as the others equipped themselves with their weapons. We were about to go when Glenieze called us. I forgot to send her away and she enjoyed roaming around or else she had been complaining.

"If you are looking for a gem, then hmmmm... It will be hard because Sumagung Cave is full of gems!"

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