A Dance with Darkness and Light: Re-Origination

43: The First Match

"Mmph, who do you think looks most promising old friend?" A raspy voice asked among the crowd of representatives.

"It would be treason to speak ill of my nation's regent-lord, so of course, it is the light of his highness that shines the brightest among the younger generations." Another man answered with a slight chuckle.

"Mh, yes. Ibera's young regent-lord does indeed look promising. I guess my nation's crown-prince and your regent-lord might meet in the grand finals, if not before." The one to initiate the conversation responded to the latter's comment. His name was Tito D'allegri, Fleet-marshal of the seafaring kingdom of Dias. The other party was Carlo Carval, the grand-marshal of the kingdom of Ibera.

"But it seems that there are a couple of dark horses among these youngsters," Carlo remarked casually. Unconcerned of the fact if his conversation partner was aware that there were some of them down there that had remarkable control of the energies flowing out of them. Or, to be precise, the lack thereof. Almost hidden, like water behind a dam, but ready at all times to burst forth.

Grand elder Arya giggled slightly while Faolan was disinclined to give their rambling any attention. Grand elder D'allegri from Ibera noticed the giggles of the grand elder from Lumin and asked. "Grand elder Arya, what say you?"

~~~

Shortly after the king's speech, another attendant appeared beside Tyr Helson with a little box in his hand that exuded crackling noises. Tyr explained that inside were small marbles with numbers on it, ranging from one to twelve. The contestants that picked the same number would then fight against each other in order. Once all fights had been concluded the four fastest winners today would automatically qualify for the quarterfinals. While the rest would have to fight again tomorrow to reach the next stage.

After all of them had picked their numbers, it was Bazuul's turn to pick the last marble inside even though his match-up was already decided by default. Still, he pulled the crackling sphere out and saw lightning in the form of a six trapped within the marble. Thus, making his adversary the first princess of Ibera, Valentina Quintana. All the other match-ups in order were as followed:

The first match-up would be Elanar Luminaire against Emilia Quintana.

The second match-up would be Kuzan Ylvazad against Derek Engel.

The third one Massimo Dias against Hylion Luminaire.

The fourth match was Alessandro Quintana against Tarek Rashad.

The fifth match would be the first princess of Shasta against the second prince of Eras, Sawako Fujimoto against Corwin Bender.

The sixth match would, of course, be Bazuul Ylvazad against his previous almost sister-in-law Valentina Quintana.

The seventh fight would then be Ragna Donarim against Jian Zheng.

The eighth match-up would be the first prince of Eras, Markus Bender against Emilia Stark from Ralun.

The ninth round would pit Arkenon Luminaire and Haldur Runeberg against each other.

In the tenth bout, Eirik Donarim would fight against the third princess of Lumin, Idriel Luminaire.

Round eleven would have Kojiro Fujimoto match-up against Horlet Richat.

And the final round would then be between Nazela Amenti and William Sinclair.

After the initial phase on the platform, only two figures remained while the rest of the competitors had settled on their seats on the balcony. Barely a minute later a venomous giggle passed all challengers and entered Bazuul's ears.

"Today might be the day my dear little sister defeats the fairy and takes her title!" It was the older sister of Emilia Quintana, Valentina.

Bazuul had an expression on his face as if she was stupid when he looked at her. This angered her; after all, she intended to anger him yet instead, it was her that ended up with a handprint on her face. Bazuul was about to open his mouth when a scoff came from the side. Bazuul turned his head and saw Horlet Richat looking at Valentina with eyes that resembled someone looking down on an insect. A mixture of absolute disregard yet full of disgust. One of Bazuul's brows formed a high arc at this, but he returned his gaze toward Valentina and said.

"I sincerely wonder if your brain has sustained some serious damage. Either that or you are blind to an incredible extent. After all, that little girl has merely reached the third realm of the true qi realm. Ela, on the other hand, is...never mind." He stopped his sentence halfway and broke into roaring laughter shortly after. Valentina gnashed her teeth at this. When his laughter ceased though, dark and heavy pressure flowed out of his body and took hold of everyone's attention around him. His head slightly tilted toward the side and said, not deeming it necessary to look at the person in question.

"And you. I would advise you to get rid of your flights of fancy about her. Your background, your namesake, I don't fear it."

The person in question could feel the pressure on him while Bazuul talked. Worst of all was that Bazuul didn't even deem him worthy to look at him. But the last sentence shook him and Nazela alike to the core. If he had only mentioned the background, it would not have been something to fret about, but the fact that he mentioned his namesake eluded to more. To something that should not be known by someone other than the grand elders of the Directorate.

~~~

On the stage, both Elanar and Emilia stood in front of each other. Tyr asked them if they were ready, and both answered with a nod. "Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado let the first match of the royal tournament between Elanar Luminaire and Emilia Quintana begins!" Tyr's voice roared throughout the arena as he addressed the spectators, and the crowd exploded into cheers.

Amidst the tidal waves of cheers, like islands in the middle of a tsunami stood both of the female competitors.

Elanar looked at her adversary, and the crowd's noise sunk into the background as if time had slowed down. For some reason, the sight of this girl struck a nerve even though she had never seen her before. Emilia was about to open her mouth and comment about the scene in the lobby, but before she could do that, her opponent made the first move and dashed toward her. Flustered, Emilia immediately created a water shield around her and prepared another spell to counter her opponent's advance. At this moment, Elanar appeared right in front of Emilia, and her fist was already in full motion, launching toward her stomach.

Emilia smirked slightly, confident in the defensive ability of her water shield.

Only a second later though, her expression changed. Elanar's fist cut through her barrier like it was wet paper and slammed right into Emilia's stomach, launching her into the air. Emilia's eyes bulged as her body lifted upwards, and pain simultaneously traveled through her innards all over her body. Elanar then lifted her right leg vertically and drew a high arc before meeting Emilia mid-air with incredible force. This was enough to blast Emilia down from the platform.

Yes. Everyone present, be it Tyr, the elders, the spectators or the king. All were stunned into silence. The fight had ended before the cheers of the crowd could completely cease to exist.

Tyr, dazed and confused, looked at the young female that was currently lying on the ground. At the moment, his mind was not able to process the information his eyes sent him. Only after he felt a person rather close to him stare at him did he regain his focus. Elanar stood there, looking at him rather indifferently.

"Incredible!" He mumbled to himself before raising his voice to the spectators, "Incredible! Absolutely incredible ladies and gentlemen! Before the match had even really started the opponent was swept off the platform. Please everyone, one round of applause for the first princess of Lumin, Elanar Luminaire."

The crowd was in the same condition as the announcer, Tyr. They looked dazed at the young girl on the ground before Tyr's voice dragged them out of their confusion. Merely a second after the announcer's voice toned down, the crowd's cheers and rounds of applause erupted once more. Amidst the crowd's ruckus, Emilia stood up and ran into the hall that led them here earlier, unrestrainedly weeping.