Kachina's Resting Room
"The Individual Competition is here again. Last time, I was only three wins away from victory. This time, I need to push myself even harder."
"Huff. No problem. I'm in top form right now. I can definitely do this..."
As Kachina was psyching herself up, a commotion erupted outside. Two figures barged in, ignoring the receptionist's attempts to stop them.
These two were among the competing teams Kachina's Trio had encountered while vying for the final Contending Spark.
Receptionist Tonina: "I've checked the records. You're not on the Individual Competition roster and have no affiliation with any of the resting competitors. Please leave immediately and do not disturb the competitor's rest."
One of the troublemakers retorted angrily, "We should be in the Individual Competition based on skill alone! We wouldn't have lost if we hadn't been ambushed! We're staying right here in this rest area until you contact the judges—"
Kachina: "You two are..."
"Well, well, what a coincidence. Remember us? You took advantage of our weakened state after our fight, costing us our chance to compete."
The other man chimed in, "Since we've run into each other again, let's settle this with a fight. We'll see who's more worthy to compete in the Individual Competition."
Kachina: "Now?"
"Oh? If you two feel wronged, I'll give you a chance. If you can beat me, I'll appeal to the judges on your behalf."
The lounge door swung open again, and Xilonen strode in, her expression dark.
The two troublemakers instinctively recoiled at the sight of Xilonen.
Xilonen of the Children of Echoes—they knew full well how formidable she was. But having come this far, they couldn't back down now.
"Fight it is! Who's afraid of who?"
"Heh, very well. Follow me, then."
Xilonen flashed Kachina a reassuring smile before leading the two men out of the lounge.
Fueled by Xilonen's encouraging glance, Kachina's confidence surged. She brushed off the earlier taunts as meaningless noise.
Receptionist: "Rest well, Miss Kachina, and prepare for your next match."
Kachina: "Mm-hmm."
-
Outside the Arena, far from the crowd:
Xilonen: "Alright, let's do it here. Make your move."
The two men exchanged glances, drew their weapons, and charged at Xilonen.
Five minutes later...
Xilonen clapped her hands as she walked away, leaving the two men sprawled unconscious on the ground, their faces bruised and swollen.
"Hmph, is that all you've got?"
It was fortunate they were already unconscious; hearing Xilonen's taunt would likely have made their faces burn even more.
Those who dared to bully Kachina, disrespect the rules of the Pilgrimage, and defy the Order deserved an unforgettable lesson.
-
Ishkab's matches were held outside the Arena, as the sheer number of participants—including many who had qualified for the Individual Competition—necessitated multiple Branch Competition Areas.
Whether due to sheer luck or not, Ishkab consistently faced opponents significantly weaker than herself, often winning matches with nothing more than a single thrust of her cone-shaped weapon.
In stark contrast to Ishkab's effortless victories in the Branch Competition Area, Kachina struggled in the Main Competition Area. She faced formidable opponents in every match, barely managing to secure victory after grueling battles.
One particularly troublesome opponent was Liliu of the Flowing Spring, a fiercely tenacious fighter. Fortunately, Kachina ultimately prevailed.
After several rounds of matches, the top-ranked competitors from each Branch Competition Area were recalled to the Main Competition Area.
The crowd gathered around the public leaderboard, their eyes fixed on the standings.
"Iansan of the Collective of Plenty, Chasca of the Flower-Feather Clan, and Ishkab of the Scions of the Canopy—all three have perfect records, with no losses!"
"Everyone else has at least one or two losses. The three guaranteed spots for the Night Warden Wars are already decided, leaving only two remaining."
Listening to the surrounding chatter, Ishkab mentally calculated her own points.
Just then, Mualani approached. "Kachina, you see now, don't you? With your current points, if you win this final round, you'll have a very good chance of qualifying for the Night Warden Wars."
"—And your final opponent... is me."
Paimon: "What? What a coincidence!"
Kachina: "Yeah, I just found out too. Your score is so close to mine... meaning only the winner gets a spot."
Kachina lowered her head, her voice tinged with disappointment. "Mualani... I was hoping we could compete in the Night Warden Wars together."
Mualani: "Me too, but it can't be helped. Those with similar scores are often matched up. Ishkab's opponent is Iansan, I think."
"Kachina, buck up! The Abyss won't show us any mercy. Only the strongest in the moment deserve to compete in the Night Warden Wars."
"So, I'll give it my all here. I hope you won't hold back either, Kachina. Letting your opponent win is a form of pity, and neither of us needs that kind of pity, right? Are you ready?"
Mualani extended her right fist. Kachina bumped it with her own. "I-I'll do my best!"
-
Under the intense gaze of the crowd at the Stadium of the Sacred Flame, the final rounds of the Individual Competition were about to begin.
First up was Chasca, facing a competitor from the Masters of the Night-Wind. The outcome was never in doubt: Chasca emerged victorious.
Two rounds later, it was Ishkab and Iansan's turn.
Iansan, the head coach of the Collective of Plenty's fitness club and champion mentor of the Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame, might appear frail, but her astounding strength was universally acknowledged by all Natlanians.
She habitually checked her equipment, Electro Element crackling faintly around her.
Ishkab stood quietly opposite her, gripping a specially forged one-handed sword engraved with spiral patterns. A cone-shaped weapon hovered beside her, its sharp tip occasionally glinting with a cold light. Like her other conical weapon, this one was also reversed, its lethal point concealed until facing an enemy.
The moment the starting signal sounded, Iansan lunged forward like lightning. Electro Element erupted around her, unleashing astonishing explosive power.
Ishkab gracefully retreated, simultaneously guiding her shuttle to hurtle toward Iansan with a deafening roar.
The shuttle carved a spiraling path through the air, generating powerful gusts of wind.
"Impressive technique!" Iansan praised, nimbly sidestepping the shuttle's direct strike. Her spear flashed forward, the Electro Element coalescing into a point of icy starlight aimed at Ishkab's vital points.
Ishkab swiftly parried with her single-handed sword, the Anemo Element erupting into a miniature whirlwind upon impact, dispersing part of the Electro Element.
Seizing the momentum, Ishkab spun her body, maneuvering the shuttle to strike Iansan from behind.