The Day Before the Tournament
Morning arrived wrapped in rain.
A steady drizzle fell over Luxen Town, turning the stone streets dark and glossy. Festival banners hung damp from wooden poles, their colors muted under the gray sky. Despite the rain, the town was alive. Merchants shouted from beneath cloth canopies, musicians played lively tunes to attract attention, and travelers moved through the crowded streets with umbrellas and cloaks.
Under the narrow roof of a small bread shop, Vyvian, Rem, and Faye finished their breakfast. Warm steam rose from fresh loaves of bread, the scent of butter and baked dough mixing with the smell of rain.
Faye brushed crumbs from her fingers and looked at the two boys.
"Alright then. Vyvian, Rem, let's look for Cherri. She should be here by now, like Vyvian said."
Vyvian nodded confidently.
"Yeah. She wouldn't miss the tournament."
Rem gave a short nod.
"Let's move before the crowd gets worse."
They stepped into the main street.
And immediately felt swallowed.
The town was packed. Travelers from other regions had arrived overnight.Children ran past with festival masks. A performer balanced on a tightrope above the crowd while a juggler tossed flaming torches nearby.
It felt louder than yesterday.
More intense.
More competitive.
Near a small stage, a clown was drawing cheers from a growing audience. He flipped through the air and landed perfectly, juggling bright colored balls.
Faye laughed lightly.
"Vyvian, look at that!"
Rem turned to comment.
Vyvian was gone.
They both froze.
The space behind them had filled with strangers.
"...Where did he go?" Faye asked, her voice tightening.
Rem's eyes sharpened instantly.
"He must have been pushed away."
They began moving quickly, weaving through the crowd.
"Vyvian!" Faye called.
But the noise swallowed her voice.
--------
Moments earlier, Vyvian had felt the surge.
A wave of bodies pressed forward, forcing him sideways. He tried to push back.
"Hey! Wait!"
But another group shoved between them.
In seconds, Rem and Faye were no longer in sight.
Vyvian steadied himself, scanning the chaos.
Then he saw her.
Long black hair.
Feathered sleeves.
His breath caught.
He pushed forward with determination.
"Excuse me. Sorry. Let me through."
After a few tense moments, he reached her.
It was Cherri.
He reached out and tapped her shoulder.
Her reaction was immediate.
She spun sharply, her hand rising in a precise, lethal motion meant to strike.
Vyvian recoiled in fear.
"IT'S ME! IT'S ME! Oh— hey, Cherri!"
She stopped just inches away from his face.
Her eyes narrowed.
"...You."
The tension eased slightly.
"Yeah. Hey."
She straightened calmly.
"Ready for the tournament?"
Vyvian grinned brightly.
"Yes. I'm ready to defeat you in the tournament."
A faint smirk curved her lips.
"That's some bold confidence. Good luck with that."
Before he could reply, her expression shifted.
A sharp pain cut across her right shoulder and down her back. It was sudden and deep, like something burning beneath the skin.
She flinched.
Just slightly.
But Vyvian noticed.
"Hey. Are you okay?"
She inhaled slowly, steadying herself.
"I'm fine."
A brief silence passed.
"Can you help me move somewhere less crowded?"
"Of course."
Without thinking, Vyvian bent down and lifted her completely into his arms.
Cherri's eyes widened.
"What are you doing?"
"MOVE! MY FRIEND IS SICK! MOVE!"
He shouted at the top of his lungs while pushing through the mass of people.
The crowd barely cooperated. Some turned. Most ignored him.
Still, he forced his way forward with stubborn determination.
Eventually they broke free of the crowd and reached the outer gates of Luxen. Beyond the walls lay a quieter patch of forest, damp leaves glistening under the rain.
Vyvian carried her there and gently set her down near a tree.
Beneath the Trees
Cherri immediately stepped back.
"I didn't ask you to carry me. You could have just offered your shoulder."
Her tone was sharp.
In her mind, suspicion flickered.
Did he take advantage of that moment?
Vyvian scratched his head.
"But lifting you was faster. The crowd wasn't listening, right?"
He looked genuinely puzzled.
Completely innocent.
Cherri stared at him.
He truly doesn't understand anything.
She leaned back against a tree. Her body felt weak, drained.
Inside, she thought:
He's childish. He wouldn't think of anything improper. I don't have another option.
She looked at him carefully.
"Vyvian. Remove the feathered sleeve on my right side. It's attached to my dress. My shoulder hurts."
He blinked once.
"Oh. Okay."
There was no hesitation. No awkwardness. Just simple agreement.
He carefully detached the sleeve.
And froze.
Her skin was marked with old scars. Some were thin and pale. Others were darker, jagged. There were burn marks. Faint traces of healed infections. Evidence of pain that had not been gentle.
Vyvian's face did not twist in disgust.
It softened.
"Cherri… are these what's causing the pain? I don't know how to fix something like this."
He reached out carefully, barely grazing her skin, afraid of hurting her further.
She immediately reacted.
"Why are you touching those scars? They're not what's hurting. And besides, don't you find them ugly?"
He looked confused.
"Why would I find scars ugly?"
The question was simple.
Honest.
Cherri stared at him.
He's not pretending.
She looked away.
"It's nothing. The sleeve was just warm."
Inside her mind, the truth whispered differently.
I removed the sleeve to release the corrupted Qi trapped in my body. I can't release what's stuck in my back right now. This will have to do.
Vyvian tilted his head.
"Then why wear them?"
She snapped.
"Are you stupid? Look at these scars. I can't just show them."
He shrugged casually.
"Do people really care that much?"
She had no answer for that.
Silently, she put the sleeve back on.
After a moment, she stood upright again.
"Thank you. And don't tell anyone about this."
"I won't say any—"
His eyes widened suddenly.
"Oh no. I forgot. I got separated from Rem and Faye!"
He spun toward town.
"See you at the tournament, Cherri!"
And ran off.
Cherri watched him disappear between the trees.
"This ignorant brat."
But the edge in her voice had softened.
--------
Back in town, Rem and Faye were still searching anxiously.
"Vyvian!"
Faye finally spotted him running toward them.
Relief flooded her face.
"Where did you go?" Rem asked calmly, though his tone held concern.
Vyvian scratched his head sheepishly.
"I got pushed away by the crowd."
Faye let out a breath.
"We couldn't find you either. It's too packed."
Vyvian brightened.
"But I met Cherri while I was lost. We talked for a bit."
Rem nodded.
"Good."
Faye stretched.
"Now let's eat. I'm starving after running around like that."
They shared a light laugh.
The tension eased.
The rest of the day passed peacefully. They explored the festival, watched performers, and sampled food from various stalls. Nothing unusual happened. Just anticipation growing heavier with each passing hour.
By night, they returned to their camp outside the town.
Sleep came easier than expected.
Tomorrow would decide everything.
-----------
Tournament Day.
Sunlight poured across Luxen Town.
The rain was gone. The sky was bright blue.
Vyvian, Rem, and Faye woke early, energized.
Today was the tournament.
After breakfast, they made their way toward the arena near the festival grounds.
The circular stone battlefield stood proudly at the center. Large stands surrounded it, already filling with spectators. Merchants shouted, gamblers whispered predictions, and children climbed onto seats for a better view.
Excitement buzzed in the air.
Near the entrance, a loud voice echoed through the gathering crowd.
"All twenty participants are requested to submit their tournament tokens now!"
Fighters began stepping forward one by one.
Rem handed over his token calmly.
Faye followed.
Vyvian placed his token down with visible determination.
After submitting their tokens, they were guided inside the arena grounds and directed toward the participant seating area near the battlefield floor.
As they walked toward their seats
Vyvian suddenly slowed.
A familiar presence stood a few steps ahead.
Long black hair.
Feathered sleeves.
Cherri.
She stood quietly, arms crossed, observing the arena with composed eyes.
Vyvian's face lit up instantly.
"Cherri!"
She turned her head slightly.
"Oh. You three."
Faye smiled warmly.
"Good morning."
Rem gave a small respectful nod.
"Ready?"
Cherri looked at them calmly.
"I've been ready."
Vyvian grinned.
"Don't lose before fighting me."
A faint smirk appeared on her lips.
"You should worry about surviving your first round."
Faye giggled softly.
"You two haven't even fought yet and you're already competing."
Rem added quietly, "Let's all do our best."
For a brief moment, the four of them stood there together.
Not rivals.
Just young fighters standing at the edge of something important.
The arena noise swelled around them.
Cherri adjusted her sleeve subtly.
"May the best one win."
She turned and walked toward her assigned seat.
Vyvian watched her go, determination burning quietly in his chest.
They took their seats among the other participants.
Vyvian scanned the competition. Some fighters radiated powerful Qi. Others sat quietly with closed eyes. A few looked overly confident.
Rem observed silently.
Faye folded her hands in her lap.
After some time, Elder Plat stepped into the center of the battlefield.
"Welcome, participants and audience."
The crowd roared.
"Today marks the beginning of the Luxen Seasonal Tournament. Fight with honor. Fight with growth. May each of you leave stronger than you entered."
He stepped aside.
A tall man with a commanding voice moved forward.
"I am Alec, your host for today. When your name is called, step forward and prepare to battle."
The arena quieted.
The first match was about to begin.
Vyvian felt his heartbeat rise.
Rem closed his eyes briefly, centering himself.
Faye watched the battlefield intensely.
Cherri sat a short distance away, expression unreadable.
What battles awaited them?
What trials would test their strength?
Only time would reveal the answers.