*Lei*

"Bye, good luck," Iah said, waving farewell as we stood in a red room with golden phoenix statues. In the center of the room was a large floating crystal.

Nyima turned around and smiled. "No need. I'll make it to those games with my own skills and defeat that girlfriend of yours in my own way."

Iah sighed. "Ex. She isn't my girlfriend anymore, and to be honest, I regret ever making her that."

"I feel sorry for you to be honest," Nyima said, punching him lightly in the chest. "Even a flirt like you deserves someone better."

The prince looked away. "T-thanks, I think."

Nyima chuckled as she walked back toward the glowing crystal. "Lei, come, let's go home."

I ran ahead only to be surprised by her grabbing my hand. I felt my face heat up slightly. Though I also felt as if daggers were coming at me from the direction of Iah.

I turned around and smiled nervously. "See ya, Iah!"

"Yeah, see ya later! Hopefully you will gain enough strength to back up those words of yours," he said, putting a hand on his hips.

I turned and chuckled. "Oh, you'll see!" I waved good-bye.

Nyima and I stepped into the crystal and were surrounding by a vortex of color which rushed past us almost in an instant. Before we knew it, we found ourselves in a black room with a dull brown crystal. Standing around us were my siblings and our other fellow Wahkanians.

"Lei!" Yen and Kun yelled, running over to hug me.

"We missed you, little bro!" Kun said, messing up my hair.

"Let go you two, you're embarrassing me!" I yelled.

"About time you arrived," Ayawamat said, glaring at us. Kun and Yen let go of me and stared my old bully down.

"Were you worried about us?" Nyima asked with a teasing smile.

Ayawamat scoffed. "As if. Like I would ever worry about a pair of losers."

Yuzuki glared at Ayawamat. "I hope that we get to face off," she said with a large grin.

"I'll like to be the one who faces him," Nyima said.

Houta chuckled. "Wow, Aya. Since when were you so popular with the ladies?"

Ayawamat shrugged his shoulders. "Not sure, but I'm not surprised."

Sowk giggled. "So full of yourself, aren't you?" the goth girl asked as she nudged Ayawamat on the side.

"Hey!" a voice called out. We all turned to look at the door and saw Orion walk in alongside a lanky young man wearing glasses and a young woman with long red hair.

"Orion, you made it!" his roomates, the twins yelled.

"Sorry I'm late, there were issues with our train," Orion said, laughing nervously.

Ayawamat scoffed. "Yet another loser." His cool blue eyes gazed around the place. "Say, where is the prince?"

I looked around. He was right, there was no sign of Wanikiya nor was there any for Nahimana and Zelde.

"He's here," Nahimana said as Zelde and her held the doors open. In walked Wanikiya dressed in deerskin robes and with a crown of feathers. Alongside him was his father, Grand Chief Makya. He had on a red cape and wore all of his necklaces.

"Welcome everyone, nice to see all of you present. I have some special news to share with you all about the games."

That got all of our attention.

"Magus Maximus Daisuke just made an important announcement. Seems the rules for this year will be somewhat different in regard to how many members each country can have. Instead of each nation having to depend on the same handful of people for multiple games, instead the ceiling has been raised to twenty per country."

"Twenty?" I blurted out.

The chief chuckled. "Yeah. Though each game will heavily limit the number of participants. So in order to help us determine who will participate in which games, we will be asking what games each of you would like to be a part of as well. If the number of those wishing to participate in an event go over the limit for said event then we will take you physicals to account."

"Eh? But mine's outdated," I blurted out.

Chief Makya shook his head. "We were provided with a copy of the physical that the Magic Court conducted on you." He furrowed his brow. "Which reminds me, there was another rule in place. While you're in Rios, you are to always be with a teammate at all times."

Yuzuki gasped. "Wait, why such a rule?"

"Hmm, sounds like the rule we had at school when we were afraid of the eight," Orion said, tilting his head.

Yuzuki's eyes widened as she turned to look back at Grand Chief Makya. "Wait, what's going on? Is there something we should be worried about?"

The chief took a deep breath. "I haven't been told anything, but I suspect it's connected to Lei."

I gulped. Connected to me? What could possibly be going on? Wait, could it be related to what King Kadriya said on our way back?

The chief gave me a reassuring smile. "Worry not, boy, we will protect you against whoever or whatever could be after you. Anyway, you are all free to use the training facilities here. There are only two weeks until the games begin."

I raised my head up high. I wasn't going to allow the others to protect me, not again. Never again did I wish to see someone get hurt for my sake.

*Wanikiya*

[Thirteen Days Later]

"Wanikiya," Zelde said as I felt hands pushing me and forth. "Wake up!"

I opened my eyes and saw Zelde standing next to my bed. I shot up from my bed. "Zelde what are you doing here?"

"Your mother allowed me in, she told me to wake you up," she said. "Hikaru came to my house and asked if we wanted to train with him. I told him yes. Now come on." She grabbed me and pushed me into the bathroom. "Take a shower and meet us at the beach. We'll begin without you if you don't come in half an hour."

"I can't take a bath in half an hour!"

"Of course you can," she said. "I do it all the time. Now hurry up or I'll give you a bath myself."

"You know, Zelde, you're a strange girl," I said. My face was burning up. "Uh could you move far from the door? It's kind of embarrassing to know that you could barge in at any time being so close."

"I wouldn't do such a thing," she shouted. "Fine. I'm going."

When I finally heard the door to my room shut I removed my clothes and started my shower. The warm water felt nice, it almost made me forget everything about my troubles. My inability to use my magic out of fear, Lei having become a Monster of the Abyss, and all those murdered by the darkness. The darkness...could it ever appear here on this island? Then there was my spirit... the hatred within was far greater than anything I could've imagined.

***

After finishing my shower and changing I ran downstairs and grabbed a bow hanging by the fireplace.

Waiting for me next next to the fireplace was Nahimana. "Ready to go, Master?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

"Brother" a three year old boy yelled as he moved across the room in a blur. He jumped up and hugged me before I could even dodge. "Where you going? Are you going hunting?"

"Nahimana and I are going to go train with Zelde before we head off to Rios later today. Would you mind letting go of me now Hakori?"

"No, I want to go with you!" he said, grabbing on tighter.

"Come now, young master," Nahimana said, trying to get Hakori off.

My little brother pouted and hugged me tighter. "NO!"

"Sorry but you may get hurt," I said, patting his head.

He closed his eyes and continued to hold on to me like a koeli, a sloth-like creature inhabiting the forests of Xian. "I don't care, I want to go with my big brother!"

I smiled. "Aww, Hakori. That's really sweet but I really don't have time now." He looked up at me with those dog like eyes of his. I grumbled. "Hakori..."

***

I ended up getting my chauffeur to drive me to the beach. I would've walked if I had more time but ten minutes was too little. Curse that Zelde, giving me only half an hour and taking two minutes of my time too by standing next to the damn door.

"Brother," Hakori said.

"Hakori, promise me to stay far from us when we're using our magic, okay?"

He nodded. "Sure. I'll just watch."

I glanced out of the window and saw that Zelde was already sparring with Hikaru with Nyima covering the two in a barrier to keep their spells from flying off and hurting someone. Kinda ironic considering how I met her.

Hikaru was using light magic against Zelde's fire magic and dodging her attacks as fast as he could. But Zelde's fireballs caught up soon enough.

"Hey," I said, getting out of the car.

"You're late," Zelde said as he fireballs died down just before they could hit Hikaru straight on. She narrowed her eyes at me.

"Sorry about that," I said, scratching my head.

"Look magic!" a boy shouted. A familiar looking blue haired boy ran over to see us. "Are you real mages?"

"Yes," I said. "Uh but you shouldn't be here, you may get hurt."

"I be fine, I just stand up here," he said, smiling. "Name's Serein. You are?"

"Serein!" another boy said. He looked around six, and had the same hair color and similar face shape as Serein's, most likely his brother.

"Raul" Serein said, turning around. "You slow, as always."

"Don't call me slow!" he said, glaring at the little boy. "You're just too fast for me."

"You're getting old."

"I'm only seven!"

"Hey would you two mind taking care of my little brother here?" I asked.

Hakori walked over and shook Serein's hand. "I'm Hakori."

"Nice to meet you," Serein said, grinning.

"Why did you bring Hakori," Zelde said once I was down at the beach.

"He wanted to come along," I said. "You know him, he never wants to leave my side."

"Poor kid," Hikaru said, sighing.

"Uncle," Serein said, looking up at Hika. "Use some more of your light magic."

Hikaru smiled. "Sure thing. Lucis Draco!" A white dragon collided into the sea creating a massive wave. "How was that?"

Serein clapped his hands. "That was a bigger wave than last time!"

"He's your nephew?" I asked.

"Yeah. Guess you didn't really get a chance to meet them during the festival. This little ball of cuteness here and Raul are my older brother's kids. They can be quite a handful, but they're kind kids. They're so full of light, that I can never see them affected by the darkness."

"Especially that Serein," Zelde said, chuckling. "That kid seems like a ray of sunlight that was turned into a person."

"Sounds like Lei when he was a kid," I said, tilting my head at the little boy.

"He is a lot like Lei," Nyima said. She chuckled. "I hope he doesn't end up doing something stupid like jumping over a fence as it's about to close or grappling into a boat as it's moving."

"I assure you that won't ever happen," Hikaru said. "I'll be sure to lecture him not to do such a thing."

"Brother," Yuzuki yelled as she jumped down the cliff. "How's the training with Zelde coming along?"

"Alright, how about your training with Orion?"

"I've learned several things."

"Yuzuki! Don't run!" Orion yelled, panting as he caught up. "You know I can barely keep up."

Yuzuki sighed. "Maybe I should've had Orion train with you, both of you are on the same power level."

Hikaru chuckled nervously. "I guess that's true. Zelde would be a better sparring partner for you."

"Hey, are you our aunt's boyfriend?" Raul asked, staring up at Orion.

Orion smiled and patted his head. "I am afraid you're mistaken little boy."

"Friend zoned huh?" he said, with narrowed eyes.

Orion's face turned red. "Your nephew is odd," he said, turning to look at Zelde.

"Both of them are," Hikaru said, chuckling.

Orion stared at Serein. "This one is around my niece's age."

"Are you a mage?" Serein asked with large eyes.

"Want me to show you?" Orion asked, glancing over at Hikaru.

Orion lifted his hands into the air and took in deep breath. The next thing I knew Hikaru and Orion were fighting one another.

I touched my head. "What happened just now?"

Serein scanned the area. "Everyone moves again."

"Wow, he has the same power as our uncle and aunty," Raul said, gasping.

"Guess those two used their time powers," I said, sighing.

"Seems you're all starting to gather here," a familiar voice rang from above the cliff. I turned around and saw father watching over us. "I'm sure the others won't take too long. We will be departing in an hour after all."

Orion smiled. "My sister and her husband will be here soon."

The sky above became distorted. "What is going on?" I asked.

"They're here," Orion said, grinning. Three people jumped down from a portal in the sky, one of whom was Ayawamat's brother while the other two were Orion's sister and her husband. Orion's sister held a little red haired girl in her arms.

"Uncle!" the little girl yelled, jumping out of her mother's arms and hugging Orion, knocking him to the ground.

"Hey, Astra. How have you been?" Orion asked as he patted her head.

"Good! Mama and Papa are awesome!" the little girl yelled.

Orion nodded. "I bet they are."

"Hey, what's with all the ruckus?" Yen called out as she and her brothers approached.

Lei waved at us. "Seems over half of the group is here."

Yuzuki nodded. "Yeah. Only my roommates and Sokw are missing."

"Hey, sorry for being late!" Tahoma yelled as he waved. Along with him were all of the others.

"And you call me tardy!" Kun yelled, sticking his tongue out.

Tahoma's eye twitched. "What are you trying to say?"

Kun chuckled. "Do I need to spell it out for you? Oh wait, I forgot how dumb you can be."

Tahoma summoned his wand and transformed it into a katana. "What was that idiot?"

"You heard me," Kun said, summoning his own wand.

"Seems everyone is so eager to fight," Chief Makya said with a loud belly laugh. "Though we won't be turning our wands on one another but on the other national teams. So revert your wands back to normal, boys."

Tahoma and Kun grumbled but did as he asked.

Ayawamat sighed. "And you say I can be childish, cousin."

Tahoma grumbled. "I don't need any sass from you."

Yen sighed. "Such a childish family."

"You shut up!" the two cousins and Houta said in unison.

"Wow, even the older one joined in," Kun said, chuckling.

"Now I can see why you dislike them," Houta said, narrowing his eyes at Yen and Kun.

"Come on, we're the most likable trio ever!" Lei said, pulling his siblings closer together.

"We sure are!" Kun and Yen said in unison.

"Pests," Ayawamat and Tahoma said as if they themselves were siblings.

"They sure can be," Nyima said, nodding in agreement.

"Hey! Who asked you?" Lei said, pouting.

She giggled.

Yuzuki jumped over the cliff. "The big day is here. Feels like right now we're just killing the little time we got." She placed a hand hand on Lei's shoulders. "You're all nervous, aren't you?"

Lei took a deep breath. "Y...yeah."

Ayawamat scoffed. "Like I would be nervous. Nerves are for wimps."

"Enough taunting one another," Nahimana said, taking a deep breath. "I think it'll be better if we wait at the harbor. At this point what little extra training we do will have no noticeable effect."

"You got a point there," Orion's sister said, stretching her arms toward the sky. "Better to set sail now actually rather than wait."

Father nodded. "I see. In that case, we should get this show on the road."

"Yeah!" everyone yelled in unison.

**Solar Note: How do you think Team Wahkan will do at the games? Were you surprised by the change in the rules? What threats (if any) do you think Lei might encounter at the games?**