The energy in the arena crackles with anticipation as the announcer's voice echoes through the massive coliseum.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm here to inform you that for the first time in history, the Tournament of Glory will be hosting double battles."
For a brief moment, there was silence. Then—an explosion of sound. The crowd erupts, a chaotic blend of cheers, gasps, and murmurs of speculation. Some spectators welcomed the twist with wild enthusiasm, while others exchanged skeptical glances.
Seated high in the stands, Shosai remained unfazed by the uproar. He barely acknowledges the deafening cheers behind him, his mind already working through possible strategies.
He scoffs, shaking his head. "He actually did it."
Meanwhile, Shiku nearly leaps out of his seat, his excitement barely contained. His first instinct was obvious—he has to team up with Houki. The two of them together? Unstoppable.
"Did you hear that, guys? We're teaming up this round!" he exclaims, practically bouncing with energy.
Before anyone could respond, the announcer raises a hand for silence.
"But," he continues, his voice ringing out across the arena, "teams will be chosen by the king."
A wave of shock sweeps through the crowd. Shiku froze mid-celebration, his grin faltering.
"Now, all the remaining contestants come down to the stage." the announcer gestures toward the stage, "I'll need all remaining contestants to step forward."
The tournament had just taken another unexpected turn.
The warriors filed onto the stage, anticipation buzzing like electricity in the air. Beside Shiku, Houki gave a reassuring nod. Despite the twist in the team selection, his confidence never wavered.
Shiku stands straighter, his resolve hardening. If the king would choose their fate, they would prove themselves worthy regardless.
As the contestants line up, the king himself emerged from the grandstand, his presence commanding instant attention.
Clad in resplendent robes, his eyes survey each face with quiet authority. His voice was deep and measured.
"I have weighed the strengths of each warrior," he begins, his gaze never faltering. "In this arena, it is not merely skill that defines valor, but heart and honor."
He pauses, allowing his words to sink in. "Therefore I will select teams not just based on prowess, but on the spirit you showcase."
Whispers ripple through the crowd, eager to see how the king's judgment would manifest.
The air hums with anticipation as the king continues, "First, Houki Kitoyoshi and Kaede Enjou will team up against Shiku Kitoyoshi and Hozo Suka." Gasps erupt throughout the audience—this first pairing challenged all expectations
Shiku, Houki, and Reina all glance at each other. This battle would test not just their abilities but the bonds they recently forged.
The four of them step forward as their names are called by the king, each one feeling the weight of the crowd's eyes upon them.
"I really wish Houki was my teammate," Shiku thinks, but he knows he cannot dwell on his wishes now. He takes a deep breath, glancing at Hozo, resolute to give their all.
As the rest of the participants head to the back of the stadium. The four of them stay on the stage waiting for their battle to begin.
After the stage is cleared the announcer calls the beginning of the match, his voice echoing across the vast arena.
"After that surprising set of pairings, who will emerge victorious?" the announcer proclaims, his voice ringing with excitement. "Let the battle commence!
The warriors take their stances, determination etched on their faces. They all intensely release their respective auras, the energy swirling around like a tempest, crackling with vibrant colors.
The match begins with Shiku charging in toward Houki with rapid strides, a wide smile on his face, his eyes locked onto his brother.
Drawing in the wind around, Hozo creates a wind tunnel that amplifies Shiku's firepower—turning an already formidable power into an inferno that blazes with renewed intensity. Shiku's fists glow with fervent heat as he closes the gap between himself and Houki.
Shiku quickly looks at his hands feeling the increase in power, "Wow, Hozo? You're making me feel unstoppable!" He laughs heartily as he barrels toward Houki, the intensity of his aura matched only by the fire in his eyes.
Houki is surprised by Shiku's movements.
Right before Shiku can punch him, Houki jumps back into a portal disappearing into the void.
Reappearing behind Shiku, Houki smirks, knowing Shiku's fiery advance won't catch him off guard. Launching a swift attack while his portal closes with a shimmering sound.
Reacting instinctively, Shiku pivots sharply on his left foot, deftly dodging Houki's strike.
"Houki you didn't think that would work did you," Shiku laughs countering with a series of strikes.
Houki parries each blow, his focus unwavering. "Your speed is remarkable, Shiku," Houki admits, stepping back gracefully, a determined gleam in his eyes.
Shiku kicks Houki's leg out from underneath him and delivers a punch aimed at his chest. Houki gasps as he hits the ground, the impact momentarily knocking the wind out of him.
"Come on Houki, I know you better than that," Shiku laughs.
Houki takes a few seconds to regain his breath. Before jumping to his feet.
"You think I'll let you beat me that easily," Houki retorts, a twinkle of defiance in his eyes. "I haven't even begun to show you my true strength.
As Shiku and Houki continue engaging in hand-to-hand combat. Their movements synchronize like a deadly dance, each anticipating the other's next move with an intensity forged through countless battles together.
Kaede creates a bow made of fire and notches an arrow forged from pure kinetic energy. She shoots arrows repeatedly at Hozo.
Hozo barely dodges the arrows having to use a gust of wind to blow himself out of the way. Doing a flip landing a few feet to the side. Feeling a burning sensation on his right shoulder he noticed an arrow grazed him. As a red eye is branded on his shoulder.
Kaede smiles "Now it's over for you" she declares confidently, the fire in her eyes matching the might of her attacks. "Once my arrows touch you they'll track you down." She continues.
"Scorchbrand Fire Arrow Storm!" She bellows. The branded eye on Hozo's shoulder ignites with a fierce intensity, marking him as the target.
Hozo grits his teeth, feeling the scorching heat spread from the branded mark. As she shoots five more arrows the eye on his shoulder begins blinking drawing them in toward him.
He tries to blow them all away with a powerful gust of wind but the arrows are relentless and still persist. Piercing him all over his torso and knocks him to the floor.
As Shiku and Houki continues their intense hand-to-hand battle, their auras clashing, the air around them is filled with the sound of heavy breathing, yet both boys wore huge smiles on their faces, reveling in the exhilaration of the fight. They momentarily jump back from each other, giving themselves a brief respite to catch their breath.
"Wow, dude, this feels amazing," Shiku exclaims, still trying to regain his composure.
"I know," Houki replies with a grin, "But only one of us can win. And that's going to be me."
Nobori stands at the edge of the crowd, his eyes locked on the scene before him. "These boys are truly something extraordinary," he muses, feeling a surge of excitement. The energy in the air crackles as their talent shines, and he can't help but believe that greatness is on the horizon.
As the crowd cheers on, the two warriors rush at each other once more, determined to prove their skills. Their fists clash mid-air, resonating like a cymbal crash, and the ground shakes beneath their feet, echoing the power of their strikes.
Kaede shoots arrows at Shiku but then he jumps off Houki's chest dodging the arrows with an elegant flip, landing softly behind him.
Turning swiftly, Shiku faces Kaede with a confident smirk, challenging the dextrous archer to join the fray. Kaede hesitates for a split second, her eyes narrowing as she measures the distance.
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Kaede jumps into the air firing a few more arrows from her fire bow. Shiku nimbly dodges each one, closing the gap between them with surprising speed.
He jumps up punching her in the face with a fist full of flames. Sending her flying down ferociously to the stage floor with a resonating thud. The crowd gasps collectively, the tension palpable as Kaede groans from the impact.
Hozo finally gets up to his feet, he looks around noticing Houki setting up an attack on Shiku. He throws a blade of wind at him that slices through the air, aiming directly for Houki's shoulder.
Houki disappears into a portal dodging the windblade barely in time, emerging just behind Hozo and striking with a devastating kick that sends him sprawling.
Now the last two standing, Shiku and Houki look at each other from across the stage. Each knows the other's strength and anticipates the clash that will decide the victor.
The air crackles with energy as the audience leans forward in anticipation. Nobori and Kasumi watch closely as the boys size each other up. Shiku sidesteps, flames swirling around his fists. Houki smirks, the air around him shimmering with energy.
Shiku tries to close the distance but Houki creates a small portal grabbing his leg. With a deft twist, Houki flips Shiku into the air, the crowd stunned by the display of precision.
Houki jumps through another portal landing right above Shiku. With a swift motion, Houki brings his leg down in a powerful axe kick straight to his stomach. Shiku gasps, pain shooting through him as he crashes onto the ground with a thud.
For a fleeting moment, silence envelops the arena. Then Shiku rises, determination etched on his face. His eyes flare with resolve as he draws on the fire within, flames reigniting around him with renewed intensity.
Shiku barely stays on his feet, his breathing ragged. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest, but his fire raged stronger than ever. He couldn't lose. Not like this.
His vision blurred, but he forced himself to focus. With one last surge of energy, he steps forward—
"Not yet… Just a little more… I have to—"
The flames slowly start covering his entire body like a suit of armor, radiating heat and power. With a roar, Shiku charges forward, his fiery aura blazing brighter than ever before.
But then he collapses—
Houki catches him before he falls to the stage floor. The audience collectively exhales, relief mingling with admiration for the valiant fighters. Houki gently lays Shiku down, his expression a mix of respect and concern.
"Good fight you idiot," Houki laughs softly, kneeling beside him.
The announcer takes to the center of the stage and declares Houki and Keade the winners with an electrifying voice, echoing through the arena. The crowd erupts into thunderous applause, the echo reverberating across the arena.
"What an epic battle we've just witnessed!" the announcer continues, their excitement igniting the atmosphere like a spark.
Shiku, though defeated, earned their respect through sheer willpower and spirit.
Houki assists Shiku off the stage, they make their way toward the backroom. As they walk, they pass a group of familiar faces: Mareyaki, Shosai, Isohi, and Shosai's teammate, Rishin. The atmosphere is intense, but Houki's focus remains on guiding Shiku.
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