CHAPTER-
"FIGHT!" the crowd jumped.
We've been stuck in the arena for 2 hours. I've been noting different kinds of water, fire, wind and earth magic. It's fun watching everyone fight.
After many fights, many loses, many wins, cries and relief the final battle was with Thalia and Ravi fighting against mask and siren.
I nervously walked towards the humongous arena. Filled with screams that could pop anyone's ear drums. They weren't exactly supportive comments. For some reason I couldn't shake off this nerve-wracking feeling.
"This fight will end in a minute." the crowd whispered.
"Are you all ready? We must win. If anyone loses, I'll make sure you do the house chores for a month" Thalia spoke, her tone still unserious.
"Yeah. No, thanks" Ravi said. "Here, everyone, have this potion. It will boost your power by 3% for an hour
The crowd fell silent. Everyone was trying to find out who the two boys in masks were.
"Hmm…" Xiang hummed
"I know. There's something off about them two" Kasem spoke, his voice shifting
"Did he really choose a strong opponent for them?" Nami said
"Contestants! Welcome to our final battle! After this fight you, all may rest in our rooms. Those who have lost may leave our premises. Without further ado! You may begin!" the voice echoed again. The once excited crowd fell into confusion.
"Surely the boys should win right? They're boys. They're stronger than those two girls" the crowd erupted into gasps and gossips.
"Wind magic- fog!" Kieth spoke; a large bubble filled with fog surrounded them. Making it hard for anyone outside to see.
KIETH POV-
Judging from what Kieran told me, one of them three should have the gem. It has to be the man standing there, right? and out of everyone why is my sister there!?" thoughts jumped in my head
"her." Kieran pointed to a beautiful girl with green eyes and long dark hair.
"Her? A woman? Wow, she's gorgeous. " I thought before quickly snapping out of it
"focus" Kieran growled "we need her to use the gem. Or we need to find it ourselves"
Yeah, yeah. I know." I replied. My eyes still linger on her.
Before the fight started Kieran suggested enhancing our masks with magic, to avoid being caught. He's so annoying.
Nerina pov-
In a blink my sight was filled with nothing but fog. I could barely see. The fog thickened after every movement. This fog is familiar…
I could feel eyes on me, eyes from every direction.
"He's using wind magic! It's meant to slow us down! Ravi!" thalia commanded. "Stay close and follow my voice"
"I'm on it. I have the perfect tool for this" Ravi whispered.
The fog thickened even more, separating Ravi Thalia and me. It was hard to hear what was happening.
I felt a soft breeze flow around me- it felt targeted- knowing.
Something is trying to take something, and I hate it.
I felt multiple taps on my shoulders; I tried to pin-point where they came from. Suddenly, something dropped near my feet
"Rina! You should feel something near your feet! Don't worry Ravi put it there! You have to wear it. It will clear the fog a bit!" Thalia voice echoed
My hand shook as I gently held a round glass.
I sighed and placed it on my face. I looked up, sighing in relief.
"Hey." A boy, who looked a few years older than me, hopped in my view. He stood on a cloud. His body upside down. His moonlight blue eyes gazed at mine. His fluffy hair fell as he spoke.
I froze.
That voice didn't sound like Ravi, nor Thalia. I could barely see his face even with the glasses. I could only see his deep blue eyes. Did they realise that I'm the healer? I must create a shield. This person isn't my friend
"Poison magic- annihilation." Another voice spoke, dark and ominous like the deep sea.
My eyes drowsed. My mind is soaking in the fog. I watched as the man fell swiftly from his cloud. His mask has two lines connecting from the lines to the lips, the lips being perfectly black. His blue eyes jumbled with many feelings I couldn't tell.
"d- don't hurt me!" I blurted.
Fear raised from my body.
"It should be easy now," he spoke. His hands reached towards my body.
My heart raised. My mind jumped from the palace.
"stop! Stop!" I screamed. As if fate will have it, my gem glowed in defense.
"There you are," the ominous voice spoke once more.
The crowd tried desperately to see what was happening. Teachers scrambled from their seats as they heard my scream.
Xiang stood up. her umbrella covering her face. Ready to perform a magic spell.
"Be careful Xiang, you'll get into trouble," Nami warned.
Xiang sighed, feeling defeated.
He tilted his head slightly, confused by my tone.
He screamed "my eyes! Dammnit!" he rubbed his eyes. "I won't hurt you, I just need something from you," he said quietly. "Hurry. The poison can kill you" I watched as his hands moved to mine. My heart drummed, my breath hitched
Poison?
That's why I feel this way. That's why I'm having these thoughts?
A vine suddenly wrapped around my feet. Pulling me harshly into a cage.
"Nerina. Don't worry. We're here. Drink this" Thalia reassured me. A strange liquid entered my mouth. The poison swiftly moved away from my body.
"Lia, Rav… oh my gosh what happened to you thalia!?" I gasped.
"it's nothing, just wounds, that guy's poison magic. He doesn't use air he uses water" thalia breathed out.
"really?" Ravi spoke.
"yes, the wind magic is an enhancement and distraction. When he gave me my injury, I felt water particles entering my body, luckily Ravi's antitoxins potion reduced it a bit." Thalia coughed out blood.
"Wait, I'll heal your injuries," I said in a hurry.
"no, later. We need your magic. The potion from earlier is about to fade, we need to hurry" She spoke. "I have a plan, a better one"
"Keith! "I heard another voice ring "hurry up! We don't have all day!"
"Good, everyone's here. Here's our chance! Start with the plan!" Ravi said using his vine to finally create a hole in the fog shield.
FLASHBACK
THALIA POV-
"guys, I have a plan. Since our opponent will likely be stronger than us. We'll have to plan with caution. Since Rina is our only healer, however because of the potion, she can prepare a little surprise" Thalia smirked. "of course this can change depending on our opponent, I hope they're stupid enough to fall for it"
PRESENT
"Let's end this!" Thalia authorised. Her hand slamming on the arena floor. Dust bounced from her hand into our surroundings. Many rocks beamed in her direction. Thalia flickered with her fingers. Aiming it at the two boys.
"plant magic- deadly night shade!" Ravi casted
Many plants popped from every direction. All around the two boys.
"water magic- exploding rain!" I screamed as I created a semi large amount of water explosives. "Water magic- copy!" I chanted quickly.
Thalia's form jumped behind the siren guy. In attempts to hit him.
He chuckled bitterly, "that old trick won't work on me." He said, waving his hand behind him, before hitting Thalia.
FLASHBACK
"You and Ravi will create a doll as bait. You know from your creation magic. Because of Ravi's plant magic it will look real. Hopefully they should take the bait. Once they do then our magic, of course, this is a gamble, let just hope they don't plan" Thalia explained
PRESENT-
"water? Siren muttered. "It's a clone. Something isn't right here, where is she? There? I should get rid of my fog" I watched him mutter cohesively.
Without a second thought Thalia emerged from the ground unexpectedly before striking a powerful hit on Siren.
Siren's body shot upwards, landing flat on his back, he gasped out painfully.
"This is so stupid" he said. Trying to stand up.
"SIRENN!" Mask screamed. "Wait, I'm coming!" Mask took a step towards Siren.
" Finally," Ravi shook as he slowly wrapped his vines around Mask.
The air was eerie, the fog slowly dissipated.
Then a thud.
"I am fine, gosh you're so useless." Siren spoke bitterly. "Water-"
"well what just happened? Ravi's team wins? The other team isn't moving!" the voice questioned.
"I think they won. Those two girls and boy won!" the crowd cheered. "Such an insane hit for a girl! He has a big ass bruise!" the crowd praised
The head teacher stood behind the door. Impressed by what he saw
The teachers let out a breath. Happy that nothing happened
"we did it!" Ravi rejoiced
"we did" I replied.
That day, we realised the threats lurking amongst us. Shadows in the light.