One may be asking themselves several questions here. The first one being: what exactly do you do at work that allows you to give an update two times in a week? The second: Will this trend continue? The third: How could you do this!?
I welcome the coming heat with waiting arms. I planned the Trials this way. I didn't want to burn myself out and I wanted it to be fast updates. The Trials are going to be coming in short waves.
Get ready for a daily roller coaster!
The sky couldn't have been a happier blue.
Not a cloud blocked the large sun that shinned brilliantly on the stony fortress that was quickly finding itself stuffed to the brim with excited bodies. Individual voices grew together into a rolling throng of shouts, screams, and laughter. All of the clan leaders from the far off reaches of Fanelia were personally invited to the spectacular event. Every royal, every courtier, and everyone else in-between squeezed together on the stone seats, fanning themselves from the heat of the sun and ever-sweltering body heat. Bets shouted through the air. Many merchants hovered both inside and outside the six large gates selling their various merchandise. Sitting straight-backed in her small shaded nook that served as her waiting area between Trials, Hitomi felt the nervous sweat dripping down her chest and back and collecting on the stretched leather of her golden armor. She was glad she was given a reprieve from the sun's deathly glare even if her spot was within throwing range of the crowd's rotten vegetables. Vaguely, through her growing apprehension, she wondered if the merchants outside were selling such a produce.
She'd find out soon enough.
Hitomi's sharp ears caught the various loud conversations that floated over to her. Keeping her breathing steady, she closed her vibrant green eyes with inevitable disappointment. According to the majority of conversations, a lot of royals were betting she'd be out on the first Trial. Several of the locals wagered she'd lose within ten heartbeats.
Hitomi found she wasn't surprised in the least at the negative response. She wasn't here to impress anyone anymore. The Councils, the royals, the clansmen – they could all just lose their money. This was the Trials. A final test.
And she was going to win it.
But… it wouldn't hurt of someone betted for her success a little…
"Keep those breaths coming, Kanzaki," the old man behind her instructed with a low growl. "I want to see you visibly exhale."
Glancing back at Balgus with a small confident smile, she nodded to him.
Her teacher's thick eyebrows rose questioningly. "Not nervous?"
Hitomi let out a small laugh and her bottom lip trembled. "Are you kidding? I'm terrified."
"You'll be perfect. Just remember what I told you about Gadeth."
"I remember," she exhaled slowly, allowing the old man to watch her breathing. "His vox-"
"He can channel vox magic quickly and he keeps the power in his legs. He acts like a never-ending supply of vox. Let him do all the moving; just don't let him out of your sight. That will be the death of you. He's extremely impulsive. Use whatever brainpower I've trained you to have and knock him down. Also make sure to-"
"To watch out for his left-handed broadsword, I've got it, I've got it," the green-eyed girl shook her head, exhaling slowly again. "You are even more of a worry-wart than Escaflowne."
The old man blinked, his mouth open with frozen instructions on his lips. "Wait-wha-"
The crowd suddenly grew louder and Hitomi turned around to sit forward on her little wooden seat. Opening and closing her small fists on top of her golden swirling thighs with nervousness, her heart did a giant lurch as Van – dressed in his shimmering dragon armor and cloak – strolled out into the middle of the massive arena from the under-cove beneath the stands opposite of her. His hair was combed back, exposing his tan, happy face. The wind rolled immediately forward and brushed his black cloak joyously into the air. The sun glinted on his beautiful armor like embers of fire. As he neared the middle of the sandy arena, he spread his arms out wide to greet the adoring cheers of the crowd. Despite feeling like she was going to throw up, she couldn't help grinning along with him.
He really was something else.
"Welcome!" His voice projected over the roaring masses. Her green eyes widened in surprise.
How did he do that?
"Escadallette welcomes its various clans and citizens to the long-awaited Vehotus Trials!"
The crowd went nuts. The screams were deafening. Hitomi wondered if the very stones in the arena would begin to crumble. Her nerves shot twenty miles high and she realized her breathing was getting shallow.
"It warms my heart to see so many of my people gathered here today to celebrate the beginning of a new legend. Together, united as one, we are Fanelia!" If she thought the crowd was nuts before, they were a hot cup of nuts now. The shrieks burned her ears. As the cries continued to bellow out well beyond the normal amount, Van finally raised his hand and the crowd quieted down slightly.
"These Trials were held a century ago after The Great War of Moloca. Defeated by the combined power of Escaflowne and Rutilus Flumen and by the might of the Fanelian armies, we drove the Molocians back to the Yawning Channel!" Peals of cheers erupted from many, but Van continued his speech. "They met their match when they came to invade our lands. After the war was complete, the Guymelefs were sealed once more. It was then that men stepped up to give their lives to protect Fanelia while the Guymelefs remained silent. The tradition of this Trial symbolizes the willingness to protect no matter if there is war or peace. We protect what we love. And - like my father and his father before him – we will continue to honor that great symbol! So, without further hesitation let me proudly say: Let the Trials BEGIN!"
Hitomi turned to shoot Balgus a wild glance and the old man shook his gray head fiercely, reading her thoughts instantaneously. He lifted one thick finger and twirled it in a circle; giving her the universal sign language of 'turn around and stay put!'. Her heart thumped with the hollering thunderous multitude as she cringed, swiveled back to the front, and unwillingly stayed in her chair.
"Before I bring out the challenger, I wish to give this particular person a bit of an introduction." Her hands shook unbearably and she counted her breaths. She glanced down at them, rubbing her fingers together to create proper circulation. "The one who faces the Trials has come from a long way across the eastern desert." Hitomi lifted her green eyes and noticed that Van had changed direction in the middle of the arena. He still looked up, talking to the horde, but he was facing her under-cove now."Long ago, right before the first Pilot of Rutilus Flumen left us after the Moloca Wars, she gave us an account of her last vision. In a little less than a century, the next Pilot will come to us in our greatest time of need. Left with only this small piece of information, Fanelia waited with its breath held, wondering who that particular individual would be. Rutilus Flumen's heart was left to wander. To find this Pilot who will help save our beloved country. Low and behold, my wonderful citizens of Fanelia, we have found her at last. She has been tested and found worthy by the Guymelef Rutilus Flumen. This brave woman now wishes to join my elite force and ride by my side into battle. Her deepest desire is to defend this land. She is the one that has been prophesied. She is the one who will Pilot the Golden River. Her desire to protect Fanelia and its citizens is as great as my own."
Her heart rose and she felt a burn behind her grateful green eyes. A wide smile stretched on her mouth. She exhaled slowly, still grinning.
She'd found the one person willing to bet on her success. And that was all that mattered.
"The rules are simple. Once the contender and the Vehotus member step into their respective circles, the countdown will begin. After the signal, the circles will disappear and weapons will automatically be blunted to avoid serious injury. The match is only over when either the challenger or Vehotus member are completely knocked to the ground. They may use any method, any skill, and any strategy to bring their opponent down."
"Stand up, Kanzaki!" Balgus' voice boomed over the crowd. Her stomach gave another flip-flopping lurch.
"I am the Pilot, I am the Pilot, I am the Pilot, I am the Pilot, I can do this…" She mumbled quickly. She felt a large warm hand press on the thick leather of her armored shoulder and squeeze it gently. She stood up slowly and the hand stayed on her. She reached back and tightly grasped the old man's large palm with cold, shaking fingers.
"Today, I am proud to announce the legend: The second Pilot of Rutilus Flumen, Lady Hitomi Kanzaki of Hospesland!"
"Give 'em hell!" The old man growled behind her and she made a strange choking noise.
His hand shoved on her back and she stepped out without further encouragement. The sun blinded her eyes as soon as she left the under-cove and she resisted the urge to close them tightly. As the spots cleared, she finally took in the magnitude of the arena. The circular open dome was filled to the brim with screaming, cheering masses. Her hands and knees still trembled, but she forced herself hold her head up. Keeping her back straight, she breathed slowly and counted the steps that took her closer to Van. All of her senses began to sharpen. The scent of the coliseum's sandy floor held a strange metallic smell. She heard the crowd's cheers – not as vibrant as when Van stepped out – but thankfully no boos or rotten vegetables. Her green eyes traveled briskly to Van's brilliant smile and she tried to smile back. It probably looked more like a painful grimace. He lifted up a gloved hand to gesture at a small glowing circle several feet to his right and she quickly closed in the gap. Stepping into the circle, she felt her core immediately crack open. The burn of her vox was nothing compared to the swirling in her stomach.
"And now, the fifth Vehotus Member and first challenged: Gadeth Paruchi, Creator of Illusion!"
Once again, the wild screams erupted so loud, her eardrums throbbed. Apparently Gadeth was a personal favorite of everyone.
And how could he not be? The crowd exploded into shrieks of laughter as the green man came frolicking out of the northeast under-cove…
In his black cloak…
…a green loincloth…
…and nothing else.
Hitomi's mouth dropped open and she heard Van's quiet sigh. Her face burned with both embarrassment and shock. Skinny hairy legs and arms, Gadeth wasn't shy in the least. She'd never seen a man's legs without pants before. And with the flopping loincloth, she blinked rapidly trying to calm her erratic heartbeats. This was a lot more man than she was ever used to. Sure, she had Amano when she was growing up, but this… this was a whole other level. Swallowing thickly, she wondered if she'd be able to concentrate fighting a scantily cladded man.
Don't think about that. She chided herself quickly as Gadeth attempted to do a cart-wheel while holding the loincloth in place with one hand. He's flashy, he's fast, and he'll take me down quickly if I lose my cool right now. I need to concentrate. Narrowing her eyes thoughtfully, she watched the green man grow closer to his respective glowing circle all the while blowing both kisses and raspberries at the roaring multitude. He'll make it complicated for himself in order to put on a show. She reasoned and she felt her heart calm. A sense of confidence whispered down her spine and she straightened her head up once more. I gotta keep it simple.
Dancing around the glowing circle on his tip-toes, the green man gave the crowd a large shrug and hopped over the line. Van nodded to someone and began backing away. Instantly, a loud single drum echoed in the arena. The Fanelians in the stands gradually lowered their cheers and sat down with quiet, excited conversations.
BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.
The countdown had begun.
"Once the drum stops, the protection circles will disappear and the challenge will begin."
As he turned from the center of the arena, Van caught her eye and gave her a little wink. She tried to smile at him, but he transported with a whip of red vapor before he could see it. Gritting her teeth behind her pressed lips, the green-eyed girl made a mental pact with herself to learn how to transport.
If anything, it was a really awesome way to make an exit.
Turning to the green man, she felt a strange mix of severe nervousness and calm confidence. It was like the two opposite emotions were battling inside her intestines for supreme control. The loincloth man wasn't even facing her, but stretching in horribly awkward poses. The drum slowed. Hitomi braced her feet and her green eyes watched her small circle dim slightly.
The drum slowed further.
The crowd was completely quiet; watching with bated breath.
Gadeth stretched his right leg.
The drum slowed even further.
Gadeth stretched his left.
The drum stopped.
Hitomi's circle disappeared.
And so did Gadeth.
And we begin.
blue...