In a dark, secluded area, two figures meet.
"Have you sent the invitations?" Asked one who was bent slightly and heavily robed."Yes, Master. The fighters should be here within the week." Said the other. He was covered in dark clothing from head to foot.
"Excellent. It won't be long until we have every key to the Supreme Empowerment."
"Sire! Sire! A message has arrived!" Yelled a Hylean Guard as he burst into the Throne Room of Hyrule Castle. The King sat in his throne with his daughter Zelda on his right and the Hero of Time on his left.
"Well, what is it?" Asked the King of Hyrule.
"Here, Sire." The Guard handed the King a scroll as he tried to catch his breath. "Hyrule has been invited to enter a Tournament of combat skill!"
"Hmm... We are to send one fighter to represent Hyrule." The King read the scroll as he stroked his beard. "The stakes must be high, there aren't many other lands invited." He then turned to his left, "Link, how would you like to fight for Hyrule in the Tournament?"
"My King, I would be honored." Replied Link. "How soon do I leave?"
"Immediately."
"Master Leo!" A Druid Guard asked admittance into the office of the Ard Rhys of Paranor.
"Enter!" the Ard Rhys bellowed from his desk.
"Master Leo, Paranor has been asked to send someone to fight for us in a Tournament! Who shall we send to represent the Four Lands!?" Asked the Guard excitedly.
"Hold on, now, let me see. Hmm... Hyrule, Earth, the Four Lands, Invalesco, not too many other participants. Go and bring here Masters Tanten and Drangsorian."
"Yes, sir!" The Guard ran off and in only moments returned with the two Druids. They stood side by side facing the Ard Rhys.
"Gentlemen, we have been invited to fight in a Tournament, and Paranor has been asked to select one fighter to represent us. That fighter may also take one person to act as a squire for them. Tanten, I'm choosing you as our representative. Drangsorian, you are to be his squire. Take the Blue Elfstones with you, and protect him and yourself well." Leo said without blinking.
"Yes, Master Leo." Both Druids said as they bowed and left to prepare.
"Kalyo! Stop sparring for a moment!" Mr. Whittaker said to his class as he entered the dojang in Warrenton Missouri with a scroll. His students halted and bowed to each other.
"What is it, sir?" Asked Matthew Matteson, a top student in Mr. Whittaker's Jin Jung Kwan Hapkido class.
"We have been invited to a Tournament. Usually I don't like these, but we have been picked out send one fighter. It says there are no rules in the combat whatsoever. Who wants to participate?" After saying this, many students raised their hands.
"No rules, sir?" Asked Matthew. "What about weapon combat?"
"This scroll says that weapons are not only allowed, but also highly encouraged."
Now, many hands dropped until only two stayed up. Matthew and his sparring partner, Ted Porter.
Two Warriors held their respective weapons to each other in a forest clearing. One was dressed in mostly red and held a large Bastard Sword. He had a large build and rippling muscles. The other had gray skin and dark clothing; his weapons were dual Wakisashis.
The dark one grinned and a cloud of darkness began to envelop the room. He came in swiftly to strike, but the one in red had enough light to parry.
The one in red uttered a word of magic and his sword became engulfed in flames. The two magic's worked against each other as the combatants raged, iron clashing and sparks flying, until the flames went out. Seconds later, the darkness left and the light revealed the end of the fight.
The dark fighter was on the ground with the red Warrior's sword tip pressing against his throat. The large man took his sword away and helped the other to his feet.
"Very good, Auron, you're getting better. But do not rely totally on the darkness for stealth. As soon as put my flame out you got cocky because I could not see you, but an experienced fighter can attack based on sound alone." The red fighter said.
"Yes, Firedrake. Care for another go?" Asked the one called Auron.
"No, we have to return to the house. And your wounds need binding." Firedrake laughed and pointed to a dark spot soaking through Auron's clothing. The other looked down, surprised.
At that moment, another Warrior, Dimitri, entered their arena.
"Firedrake! A message has just arrived for you!" Dimitri walked over to Firedrake and handed him a scroll. "The messenger was very secretive and trained in stealth. Even Rueh could not track him."
When they heard this, both Firedrake and Auron were startled. "Our finest hunter could not track a messenger? I'll have to remember to train her some more. Now let's see this scroll says."