The Heirs clash. The Queens gather. And the first test of legacy unfolds. Inside the throne room, Void ling sat on the throne, scanning the tournament documents. Beside him, Blaze Vortex rearranged logistics, adjusting the roster and reviewing the arena layout.
Void ling:
(Smiling)
"Hard to believe our kids are participating."
Blaze Vortex:
(Grinning)
"We are more powerful than them,when we were at their age. And more reckless."
They laughed, the weight of rule momentarily lightened. In the District Restaurant, at a cozy, high--end restaurant in the District, Seraphina, Liana, Kaia, and Celestina sat around a glowing table, sipping Blossom tea and sharing stories.
Kaia:
(Curious)
"Did you guys know Celestina has a daughter named Clara?"
Seraphina:
(Surprised)
"Ooo really?"
Celestina:
(Smiling)
"Yes. And my husband is Ryuu?"
Liana:
(Raising an eyebrow)
"Ryuu? But you two barely talk when we're around."
Celestina:
(Laughing)
"We've known each other since childhood. We just keep things quiet. Doesn't mean the bond isn't strong."
Seraphina:
(Nodding)
"That makes sense. Love Doesn't always need to be loud."
They laughed, shared bites, and toasted to the next generation. Back at the Pre Tournament Grounds-- A temporary battleground was sey up in the city outskirts. This was the pre--Tournament trail, designed by King Ryder to test teamwork and strategy before the official arena battles.
King Ryder:
(Addressing the young warriors)
"Greetings, everyone. Thanks for coming. You'll face four tasks. Each team will consits of two members. Your goal: capture one red flag from the top of a city tower. Use your abilities freely--NO CHEATING. You'll be monitored by myself and the other kings. You have 30 minutes. Each team gets an earpiece for communication. There are four flags--each team must capture only one. Fail to do so, and you're disqualified from the rest."
Luna:
(Raising her hand)
"Excuse me...what happens if we don't get a flag?"
King Ryder:
(Firmly)
"Then you're out. No second chances."
Team form quickly:
Aria Ling & Blazion Vortex
Ash & Shun
Clara Star & Rika
Daiko & Hayato
Rimaya & Luna
Aria Ling:
(To Blazion)
"We stick together. No distractions."
Blazion Vortex:
(Nodding)
"You bet."
Ash:
(Mocking)
"Hope you brought tissues, Aria."
Aria Ling:
(Snapping back)
"Hope you brought a stretcher."
Clara, Luna, and Daiko exchanged glances, amused and intrigued. And King Ryder spoke.
King Ryder:
(Raising his hand)
"Enough. Get ready... Go!"
Everyone teleported instantly--vanishing into the cityscape. As Aria and Blazion navigated the rooftops, Ash and Shun appeared in their path.
Blazion:
(Arms crossed)
"What now?"
Ash:
(Grinning)
"Stopping you from getting that flag."
Aria:
(Stepping forward)
"As if I'd let you."
Shun:
(Mocking)
"Cute. But once I beat the trap out of you, you'll run home crying."
Aria:
(Coldly)
"You'll be the one running. Don't worry--I'll wave."
Shun:
(Growling)
"Why you little--!"
They surged forward, fist clashing, teleporting in bursts of speed. Blazion watched, arms still crossed, analyzing.
Shun:
(Mid--air, taunting)
"Why don't you quit? This isn't for girls."
Aria Ling:
(Eyes glowing)
"Then let me show what a girl can do "
She launched a devastating blow to Shun's cheek--sending him flying across the rooftop. And Aria spoke.
Aria:
(Hovering mid--air)
"Still think I should run home?"
The cityscape trembles with residual energy. Three flags have already been claimed:
Clara & Rika- 1 red flag
Daiko & Hayato-- 2 red flags
Rimaya & Luna--eliminated, no flag
Two team remains: Aria & Blazion and Shin & Ash. Their flag still sits atop the final tower, untouched. Shun rises from the rubble, eyes glowing with a dark hue. He smirks, brushing dust from his shoulder.
Shun:
(Mocking)
"You're strong. Aria. But strength means nothing against this."
He activates his ability: Intangible. His body flickers, becomes translucent--untouchable. And Shun spoke.
Shun:
(Explaining with arrogance)
"I can phase through matter. Your punches, your beams...they'll pass right through me. I'm untouchable."
Aria:
(Nervous but determined)
"We'll see about that."
She surges forward, fist glowing with Voidfire--but her punch passes through Shun's body like mist.
Aria:
(Staggering back)
"What....?!"
Shun:
(Laughing cruelly)
"What's wrong, princess? Scared of a real fight?"
Blazion:
(Watching, eyes wide)
"That's...insane. she didn't even graze him."
Ash:
(Grinning from the sidelines)
"Told you. This is where she breaks."
Shun, still smirking, phases through Aria's attack again. His Intangible Manipulation makes him untouchable--until the air around Aria begins to shimmer
Aria:
(Eyes glowing violet)
"Enough games. Let's change the odds shall we."
She raises her hand, and a glowing six--sided die appears, spinning mid--air. The battlefield pulses with strange energy--reality itself begins to bend.
Shun:
(Staggered)
"What...impossible!"
Aria:
(Calmly)
"I call this Dice Control. It manipulates chance and likehood--Making impossible events certain... And guaranteed outcomes fail."
Ash:
(Shouting from the sidelines)
"Since when did she have that?!"
Aria:
(Smirked)
"Inherited it from my dad. He bends fate. I can manipulate it."
She surges forward--this time, her punch connects, bypassing Shun's Intangiblility. A shockwave erupts as Shun is sent flying, crashing into the ground, defeated.
Aria:
(Turning to Blazion)
"Go, Blazion! Get the flag!"
Ash:
(Charging forward)
"No you don't!"
He fires multiple sand from his palm. But Blazion reacted to fast, and raises his hand--instantly time was frozen. Ash and Shun stop mid--motion, suspended like statues.
Blazion:
(Smirked)
"Go and cry."
He surges forward, grabs the final red flag from the tower, and teleports back beside Aria. He snaps his fingers--time resumes.
Ash:
(Blinking)
"What...what happened?!"
Blazion:
(Holding up the flag)
"This happened."
Aria:
(Grinning)
"Looks like you're the one crying now....don't you think?"
The crowd watching from the Astral screens erupts in cheers. The Heirs have made their mark. And the Tournament has truly begun. The Sun dipped low, casting the sky in hues of molten orange. The flags had been claimed. The Heirs returned to the central dais where King Ryder awaited, and then spoke.
King Ryder:
(Voice echoes)
"The tral is complete. Shun, Ash, Rimaya and Luna-- are hereby eliminated."
Gasps ripple through the crowd. In the screen the remaing Heirs stand tall, their flags placed before the throne.
King Ryder:
(Raising his hand)
"Let the next task begin."
Moments later-- They all finished... in the Ling Household, Aria steps through the door and entered and Seraphina spoke.
Seraphina:
(Smiling)
"How did it go, dear?"
Aria:
(Smirked)
"It was great, Mom. Me and Blazion did well."
In the Vortex household. Blazion enters the sleek, spiraling halls of the Vortex home. The walls hum with residual chronological.
Liana:
(Looking up for her scrolls)
"Oh hey, dear. How was it?"
Blazion:
(Smiling)
"It was awesome, although I was pissed at Shun and Ash thou."
The Imperial Doors open with a low groan. King Ryder steps through, his presence commanding. Emperor Void ling and Blaze rise from their seats.
King Ryder:
(With solemn pride)
"Both of your kids has passed. Final test begins tomorrow sire."
Void ling:
(Smiling)
"Alright. Thanks King Ryder."
Blaze Vortex:
(Smiled)
"That's great to hear."
The Sky outside the Lint estate glows with fading orange light. The trail is over, and the air carries a quiet hum or victory. Aria Ling steps into the living room, and turns to her mother.
Aria:
(Softly)
"Mom...mind if I get some fresh air outside?"
Seraphina:
(Smiling)
"Of course, dear."
Aria steps out into the courtyard, the wind brushing her hair. As she walks towards the garden path, blazion emerges from the shadows to get fresh air also, hands in his pockets. Theh lock eyes.
Aria:
(Blushing)
"Oh hey...Didn't expect to see you here."
Blazion:
(Smirking)
"Same. Guess we both needed air after cracking time and bending fate."
Aria:
(Playfully)
"You were impressive today."
Blazion:
(Grinning)
"You weren't too bad yourself. Dice Control? That was wild."
They walk side by side the garden path, the stars beginning to blink into view above them. The stars above them shimmer faintly, casting silver light across the stone path. Both side by side, their step slower.
Aria:
(Blushing)
"You know... You're a really good friend."
Blazion:
(Glances at her teasing)
"Friend, huh? That's all I get after saving you?"
Aria stops walking. Her breath catches. She turns toward him, eyes shimmering with something unspoken. Then, without warning, she steps forward and wraps her arms around him. Blazion freezes. His heart stutters.
Blazion:
(Blushing voice low)
"Whoa...Didn't see that coming."
Aria:
(Blushing and flustered, still hugging)
"You were there when I needed someone. Not just in the trials...but when I doubted myself. That means more than you know."
Blazion slowly lifts his arms and returns the hug. His usual bravado melting into something real.
Blazion:
(Smiled)
"Guess I'm not just fire and fury after all."
And with that the night was settled.
NEXT EPISODE UPCOMING