The massive stadium was buzzing with excitement.
Thousands of spectators filled the stands as powerful spotlights swept across the arena while the competitors slowly gathered around the central stage.
Kael took a deep breath.
His heart was beating faster.
The Regional Bey Tournament had finally begun.
"This is it!" Akira shouted. "Finally!"
"The first battle hasn't even started yet," Shiro replied.
"I don't care."
"We know."
Ren laughed.
"You never change."
"Why would I? In a few hours, I'll be the champion."
"Or you'll be eliminated in a few minutes," Kael grinned.
"The truth hurts."
The four boys laughed together.
Just then, the stadium speakers echoed throughout the arena.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Regional Bey Tournament!"
The crowd erupted into cheers.
The giant screens lit up.
The competitors' names began appearing one after another.
Everyone watched eagerly.
But Kael noticed something else.
On one of the upper levels of the stadium…
Orion stood silently.
Motionless.
Watching the arena.
But he didn't look like someone enjoying a tournament.
He looked like someone searching for something.
Or someone.
Something had him worried.
"He's acting strange again," Kael muttered.
"Orion?" Shiro asked.
"Yeah."
Akira looked up.
"Now that you mention it…"
It was true.
Orion looked unusually tense.
His eyes slowly scanned the competitors.
Then they suddenly froze.
He looked at Kael.
Then at Shiro.
Then…
Someone else.
Orion's face turned pale.
"No…"
A powerful wind suddenly swept across the stadium.
The flags began whipping violently.
Dark clouds spiraled above the arena.
The audience looked up in confusion.
"Weren't they predicting sunshine?" Ren asked.
"No," Shiro answered quietly.
Suddenly, Orion rushed down the stairs.
Almost running.
Moments later, he reached them.
"Orion?" Kael asked. "What's wrong?"
"I can feel them."
"Feel who?"
Orion hesitated.
"There are more of them."
"More?"
"The Heirs."
Kael's eyes widened.
"Here?"
"Yes."
Akira crossed his arms.
"Is this about the Star Core again?"
"This isn't a game."
For the first time…
Shiro noticed genuine fear in Orion's eyes.
"What are you afraid of?" he asked.
Orion looked toward the opposite side of the arena.
"I'm afraid…"
"…they've already found each other."
"Who?"
Before he could answer, the stadium speakers echoed once more.
"The tournament draw is about to begin!"
The giant screens flashed.
Names rapidly rolled across them.
Kael found his match.
AKIRA VS HARU
SHIRO VS DENJI
KAEL VS TORIN
"There it is," Kael said.
"Easy win," Akira grinned.
"We'll see about that."
The crowd grew louder.
The competitors walked toward their assigned arenas.
Everything seemed perfect.
Until…
The Iron Blaze suddenly began glowing.
Kael froze.
"What…"
The Bey radiated a deep crimson light.
Exactly like the first time Orion mentioned the Star Core.
At that very moment…
Shiro gasped.
"Frost Phantom!"
A blue aura surrounded his Bey.
The air around him instantly became freezing cold.
Orion's face turned pale again.
"No…"
At the opposite end of the stadium…
A crimson flash appeared.
A black-haired boy stood there.
Reizen Kuro.
His Shadow Tempest glowed with dark red energy.
This time…
He wasn't hiding.
He stared directly at Kael.
"You…" Kael whispered.
He recognized him.
The same boy from the competitors' waiting area.
The same mysterious person whose gaze had unsettled him.
Reizen smiled faintly.
"So… you remember me."
"Who are you?"
"My name is Reizen Kuro."
Orion froze.
"Reizen…"
The young man slowly turned toward him.
"So… you know me."
"Better than I'd like to."
The air grew heavier.
It felt as though the entire stadium was holding its breath.
Then…
The sky split apart.
A black bolt of lightning tore through the clouds.
BOOOOM!
The entire stadium shook violently.
People screamed.
The lights flickered.
The ground cracked open at the center of the arena.
Then…
A crimson lightning bolt crashed down.
Blinding light swallowed the battlefield.
The explosion sent everyone flying backward.
Kael instinctively raised his arms.
"What's happening?!"
The dust slowly settled.
Someone stood in the center of the arena.
A tall figure.
Dark hair.
A Peonza in his hand.
Dragon Vortex.
Kael's stomach tightened.
"Ryujiro…"
Silence.
Even the wind stopped.
Ryujiro slowly raised his head.
His eyes locked onto Kael.
"Kael."
"What are you doing here?"
"I came for you."
The Iron Blaze ignited once again.
Ryujiro smiled faintly.
"I see… you still haven't mastered its power."
"What are you talking about?"
"The Iron Blaze."
Reizen spoke before Kael could continue.
"He's right."
Everyone looked at him.
"You still don't understand what you're truly holding."
Kael clenched his fists.
"Then explain it!"
Suddenly…
Orion stepped between them.
"Enough!"
Ryujiro and Reizen both turned toward him.
Orion's voice was firm.
"I won't let this happen."
"It's already begun," Reizen replied calmly.
"You can't stop it."
"What are you talking about?!" Kael shouted.
Silence filled the arena.
Then Ryujiro spoke.
"The Star Core."
Reizen smiled.
"And the Heirs."
The Iron Blaze burned crimson.
The Frost Phantom glowed blue.
The Shadow Tempest radiated dark energy.
Orion closed his eyes.
"Too soon…"
"What?" Kael asked.
Orion slowly opened them again.
His expression was more serious than ever before.
"The Heirs' War…"
"…has begun."
Another bolt of lightning split the heavens above the stadium.
And somewhere…
Far away…
Someone was watching them.
And smiling.
To Be Continued…