...
The cool, nearly icy air that filled the ornate building was a welcome change. Cayci tipped her head back in awe, impressed by the high, sloping ceiling, and the sheer vastness of the arena. Row after row after row of dark red velvet seats spiraled down to a wide stage with a snow white light shining down on a single spot. The rest of the hall was gently illuminated by the soft blue glow of a small crystal fragment, encased in a simple cabinet of glass.
"There's our prize." Cayci's eyes widened eagerly, mesmerized by the powerful shard.
Aveil did a double take as her gaze caught on Cayci's odd expression. "We are returning the Aurora shard to the Atmosia, aren't we?"
The guard that had until then remained unnoticed, spoke up. "If you want to win it,
you've got to enter the competition like ev'rybody else."
Cayci laughed. "No, you see, I'm a Sky Knight. You know, defender of the innocent-"
"Do you have a warrant to collect it?"
She deflated like a popped balloon. "Well, this is sort of an unregistered mission..."
"Do you have your papers?"
Silence.
"Then it looks like you'll have to enter just like us commoners." He sneered.
Cayci wanted to slug him.
"Where do we sign up?" Aveil jumped in; she seemed to recognize the look on her friend's face. She led her towards a tiny table back near the entrance.
Cayci muttered the whole walk there. "Work so hard, train night and day, slave over books..."
"Once your identification papers come through-"
"I'll be accused of forgery," Cayci scoffed. As Aveil approached the woman seated at the table, Cayci stole a look back at the crystal. Her gaze was interrupted by a large figure that stood too close for comfort.
"You like it?" A deep voice asked, and Cayci craned her neck to stare up at the tattooed face grinning back at her.
"I could take it or leave it," Cayci did her best impression of apathy. It didn't last long. She puffed herself up like a peacock and matched his arrogance. "In this case, it would seem that I'm going to take it."
The man threw back his head and let out a hearty laugh. His eyes gleamed deviously. "Believe what you want, pipsqueak, but there's no way you're walking out of here with that crystal."
"You might be surprised." Aveil, having finished the registration, joined the conversation.
He shrugged his massive shoulders as his gaze swept over her. "And who might you be?"
"Aveil." Her gaze was just as chilling as her tone.
"Name's Adrik," he said, undaunted. "Pleasure to meet you, Aveil."
Cayci butted in, not one to be left out. "And my name's Cayci, I'll be the one beating you in the competition." She was about to taunt the other man further when Aveil cut her off.
"If you'd excuse us, we need to be somewhere."
"Good luck," Adrik called after them. "You'll need it."