Elementals crashed together, tossed about like rag dolls by that little slip of a girl and that underage boy. Eric Daniels surveyed the scene with a feverishness that bordered on mainia; how could they gather such skills and he had not heard of them? He leaned forward, intently studying the initiates as the elementals attacked, those two initiates showed far more promise than he had at that age. If they continued to impress him He would offer them a position as initiates when the battle ended.
The battle finished far too quickly for his taste, it had been an amazing battle and he would like to see more of their skill.
Eric Daniels signaled to one of the lower-level guild members, “Take my token to those two, we can use them in the guild of Earth and Mountain.”
The ground rumbled underneath his seat, nearly knocking him off his seat, the elementals reformed themselves in the arena. What was going on?
Eric Daniels leaned forward in his seat, he had never seen ground used like that, the ease in which they used the magic, and the amount of use they transferred out of the amulet astonished even him, the greatest earth user in the guild. They might even be able to bond with the stone drake, a feat unparalleled in a generation.
Eric Daniels gasped as Terrance flew through the air, taking the blow aimed at Melody.
“What a waste,” he said as he turned to leave, “Give the token to the survivor.”
Melody’s face was ashen as the guild of Field and Forest led her away. Terrance wanted to go join her but she was surrounded by other guild members and there he could not see a way to get through.
She is going to hate that, he thought, she hates being the center of attention.
Standing up he glanced around, forest fairies floated through the arena, singing songs of healing to those who were still injured. Terrance flexed his back, the pain was gone. He did a quick summersault, he felt fantastic. Feeling the energy rushing through him he realized no one could stop him from joining Melody.
He ran forward, dodging through the lines of people until he caught up to where she was being led away.
“Melody,” he called, “where are you going.”
Melody turned back to him, anxiety written all over her face, “They want to talk with me.”
“Let me go with her,” he said to Alexa Strithe, the leader of the Field and Forest guild.
“We are taking her to our headquarters, no one outside of the guild is allowed in.”
“She is not part of the guild,” Terrance responded, “You can not take her there either. She can not join the guild until she finishes the tournament and links with a field or forest elemental.”
“She linked already, look at how the fairies responded to her being in danger. She is linked to one of them.”
“Fairies don’t link, they are too intelligent.”
“That is why we must talk with her. We will not harm her,” Alexa responded, “We just have some questions for her.”
Terrance motioned for Alexa to come closer, “She doesn’t do well in groups, talk to her one on one. She is the toughest person I know, but a group this size will send her scrambling.”
Alexa nodded before turning to go.
“The rest of you go see to the needs of the initiates, make sure none are too hurt.”
Without a backward glance Alex and Melody walked out of the arena and into the forest.
“Excuse me initiate, can we speak for a moment.”
Terrance turned as one of the Mountain and Earth guild members approached him.
“Where are they taking the girl?”
“Why do you want to know?”
“Guild master Eric Daniels would like to offer her a position in the Mountain and Earth Guild, I was told to approach her after the battle.”
“You are too late then, Field and Forest took her to their guild already.”
“No way, she can’t have. She was impressive with stone. How could she have placed in Field and Forest? She hasn’t even tested there yet.”
“Why don’t you go and ask them. I don’t have anything to do with the matter.”
“You don’t? I saw how you two fought alongside each other. You have obviously been practicing together for years. I am surprised we haven’t heard of you yet.”
“We met for the first time yesterday, that was the first time we ever used stone. At least the first time I did, she may have used an earth amulet before. Now if you will excuse me my family is waiting to congratulate me.”
Terrance turned and walked back towards the stage.
“Wait.”
Terrance turned, the guild member held out a token to Terrance.
“Take this, before you were injured I was told to give one to you. The guild master must have thought you wouldn’t survive. Bring the token to the guild headquarters and you will be allowed to pick from the guild’s personal elementals.”
With that, the guild member turned and walked off. Terrance stood looking down at the token in his hand, awe written on his face.
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