Zephyr: The Elemental Clans

130 - Matches Set In Stone

Xyder Zephyr - POV;

"This is the moment you have all been waiting for! Welcome one and all to the Final Event of this long-running tournament that has seen much sweat, blood and tears all of which has built up to this! Three rounds of team versus team matches in which the winners advance from one round to the next! This is knockout!"

A chorus of cheers and applause shook the Coliseum upon the declaration.

"A team loses when all members surrender or are unable to continue because of injury or DEATH! However we will try our best to avoid such circumstances where possible. This is a no holds barred battle to the end! Now let us welcome our contestants!!!"

The air itself seemed to vibrate from the tremendous roars of the crowds.

"First we have the electrifying Astra Team Thunder, henceforth Team Astra, led by the shockingly beautiful and dominant Indira Astra, Regulus Heir!"

"Gooooo Astra! Gooooo Indira!"

"Engulfed in shadows, Eclipse Team Eins, henceforth Team Eclipse, led by the alluring Saiya Eclipse, Regulus Heir!"

"Come on Mistress Saiya!"

"Don't underestimate the strength of water for tsunamis can level countries! Neptulus Team Orca, henceforth Team Neptulus, led by the proper, true lady Aquarius Neptulus, Regulus Heir!"

"You've got this Princess!"

"Shredding the competition like a hurricane, Atmos Team Nu, henceforth Atmos, led by the young prodigy Aella Atmos, Regulus Heir!"

"Knock 'em into the stratosphere!'

"Scraping into the eight spot, Zephyr Team Z, henceforth Zephyr Z, led by the calm, collected Dagan Zephyr, the only leader to not be an heir!"

"Do it Zephyr! Underdog Rising!"

"Our dear hosts, topping the charts at the end of the last round, Fenix Team Alpha, henceforth Team Fenix, led by the fiery, hot-blooded Zacharias Fenix, Regulus Heir!"

"Burn those fools to the ground!"

"Neck and neck with Fenix themselves, Blaze Team Omega, henceforth Team Blaze, led by the mysterious, hooded brute, Ar Blaze!"

"You guys look the bomb! Crush them all!"

"Rising from the ashes like the resurrecting Phoenix into the number one spot this far, Zephyr Team X, henceforth Zephyr X, led by the muscular demon of the elements, Xyder Zephyr, Regulus Heir!"

"Demon mode!!!! Absolute power!! Show them a real Vessel!"

The cheers as each of our teams entered the arena were exciting but in some ways were apalling as well. I couldn't describe it accurately but the rush I felt was unlike any other. People packed the stands by hundreds of thousands, if not more and the event was being broadcasted globally by over a thousand separate channels and media. This stopd as a true testament to the rarity of an event such as this in which the Elemental Clans of the world all gathered to compete in battles to a bitter defeat.

I looked around at the opposing teams, taking a second to perform a last minute evaluation. I looked first towards Astra and as if sensing this, Indira turned to me as well. She grinned at me before flashing that familiar 'thumbs-down', confirming her intentions of beating us. I acknowledged her with a nod before proceeding to watch in Neptulus' region. Aquarius and I locked eyes for a moment but she quickly pulled away her gaze, seeming troubled as she did.

I was quick to notice the smug glare of Zacharias Fenix who dragged his finger across his neck upon gaining my attention; a blatant threat. At the opposite end, 'Omega A' who had just been revealed as Ar Blaze, chuckled beneath his hood, accompanied by the other members of his team.

Saiya Eclipse and her allies held a certain condescending aura about them while Aella Atmos and her clan held their head up in a pride filled manner.

Finally, I turned to Dagan and the rest of my friends. Dagan bowed his head slightly in understanding. This was it. We had to win every battle from here onwards if we were to win this tournament.

"We're all excited for what's to come so we won't waste any time!" the announcer declared, much to the audience's pleasure, "Let me explain how our match ups will be determined! The names of the eight teams will be written on eighty slips of identical paper. In other words, each team name will be written ten times on ten separate slips. Then, all eighty slips will be folded thrown into a bag where it will be mixed and shuffled randomly. Afterwards, two of the tournament officials will randomly select one slip each and the two teams drawn will be pitted against each other in a team vs team battle until submission!"

The crowds squealed for the hundreth time as excitement built higher and higher in the Coliseum.

"The slips are prepared and we are ready to draw. The matches' order has already been randomly determined. Now, please welcome our officials who will select our pairings: Nero Mendax, representative of our largest sponsor, Mendax Company, as well as his companion, the lovely Lilac Glacia!"

Nero and Lilac stepped out onto a decorated platform, waving to everyone present. The approached the linen sack carefully placed on a table infront of them and waited.

"Now, drawing for the third match up will begin!"

Lilac reached blindly into the bag and drew one of the pieces of paper. Shee unraveled it and displayed its contents announcing, "Team Blaze!"

Nero emulated and moments later he held up his slip saying, "Team Eclipse!"

"Match 3: Blaze versus Eclipse! Drawing for match two!"

Lilac and Nero repeated the process and soon enough the new announcements came in.

"Team Fenix!"

"Team Atmos!"

"Match 2: Fenix versus Atmos! Drawing for match four!"

At this point it was clear that we'd be facing either Dagan's, Indira's or Aquarius' team in the first match. It figures that we would end up facing our only allies at the start.

"Team Zephyr X!"

All of us stood with bated breath, listening for what was to come next. I looked to Indira to see a longing and excitement in her eyes. It was clear she was ready to fight us.

"Team Neptulus!"

"Match 4: Zephyr X versus Neptulus!"

Aquarius' face fell at the announcement and I could see that she clenched her teeth as it did.

"This leaves us with one final match-up. Match 1: Zephyr Z versus Astra!"

A/N -
As some of you may have noticed, this chapter is being released on a Tuesday as opposed to the typical Friday/Saturday release. This is accordance with my new upload schedule. See the Author's Note in the next part for more information regarding this.
~tO_x-in