(3) The Lands of Ralosia: The Tournament (13k words)

Aero and Jirro's fathers determine its time to test their son's abilities and decide to enter them into the famous Fighting Tournament taking place on Challenger's Isle. The boys face off against all manner of foe. Old friends, an old enemy, and even members of the prestigious Fighting Academy take part in the competition. All the while, the boy's fathers seem anxious, as if something from their past has returned to haunt them.

(6/20/23) Self edited, Audio edited, Peer edited

Peer editing by [email protected]

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~Chapter 1- A Tournament~

~Age 987 B~

The Lands of Ralosia had a great greyscale mountain range which dotted the west, surrounded by lush green plains on all sides. This mountainous terrain was known as Platt Mountain. While many Densius lived there, others saw it as a place to hide.

Razan traveled down the western side of Platt Mountain to their old home, running at speeds that no normal Ralosian could. Wind breezed through his thick black hair. As he neared the home, he felt a sense of foreboding. He jumped to a high point among the mountains and looked down at his demolished home. There were three rough-looking individuals with weapons searching the premises.

Bounty hunters.

Razan cursed; they were catching up to them again. Just like Modi and Emil had. He hurried up the mountain, leaping many meters into the air.

Razan's family had been staying with the Densius people, beings composed almost entirely of rocks, atop the mountain. Their leader, Emer, allowed them to stay. But Razan knew they would have to relocate soon.

"How many were there?" Lucar asked.

"Three. It'll take a while before any of them will be bold enough to come into a Densius settlement looking for us, but it's bound to happen eventually. I mean, look at Modi."

Lucar nodded his head and scratched at the talon-shaped scar over his brow. The two black-haired brothers sat in silence for a moment.

Emer, the green-eyed Densius sat with them. It asked, "What about your kids?"

That was something both Razan and Lucar dreaded. Lucar was sure his son Jirro would accept that they'd have to relocate without explanation. But Razan's kids, Aero and Corri... they wouldn't be easy to convince.

The last time they had to relocate, Aero threw a terrible fit and refused to leave. Razan had to pick him up and take him away.

"We'll have to take them with us. Maybe, find a quiet place up north," Lucar said.

"The kids won't do it unless you tell them why," Emer pointed out, "You'd be uprooting their lives again."

"The kids can't know." Lucar asserted.

Razan looked at Lucar. "There is another option. If the kids are strong enough, we shouldn't have to drag them along with us. They'll be safer without us."

Lucar shook his head, "I'm not sure if they are strong enough to take care of themselves yet though."

Emer stood, "If you'd like to test them, you could register them in the tournament at Challenger's Lake. I was planning to attend this year myself. After that, you'll know if they're tough enough."

"That'd be risky for us," Lucar pointed out.

Emer gave a rocky grin, "Don't worry. Stick with me, and no one will notice you."

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There was a plateau on the mountain where several children trained to strengthen themselves. Aero effortlessly ran along while carrying the boulder child known as Ruben. He raced down a track through the mountains that was laid by his dad. He sprinted as fast as he could towards the end of the course, skidding to a halt in front of his little sister, Corri. He promptly set Ruben down.

"What's my time?!" Aero asked, tired but excited.

The red-headed Corri looked up to him. "Five minutes, twenty seconds."

Aero smiled wide. He beat his cousin Jirro's record by three seconds. Without hesitation, Jirro picked up Ruben and began racing down the track himself, intent on beating his cousin. The two twelve-year-olds always competed.

Corri record on the track was ten minutes. It was nowhere near as good as her brother's or cousin's. But considering a few months ago, she could barely lift Ruben off the ground; she had improved significantly.

While Jirro ran the track, Razan, Lucar, and Emer approached the kids.

"What's up, dad?" Aero greeted.

"We have something to tell you. But let's wait until Jirro gets back," Razan explained.

Minutes later, Jirro charged towards the group, wind blowing through his blonde hair. He halted in front of them and set the boulder-shaped Ruben down.

Jirro breathlessly asked, "What's my time?"

Corri winced as she said, "Five minutes, twenty-two seconds."

Jirro sighed. He might've beaten his old record, but he still lost to his cousin.

Lucar turned to everyone, "Take a seat, kids."

Aero, Corri, Jirro, and Ruben sat down and Razan began, "We've been talking, and we've decided you boys should enter the next fighting tournament. After how hard you've been training, I think you could do well. How does that sound?"

"Yeah, that sounds fun!" Aero excitedly replied. Jirro nodded in agreement. They liked being able to test themselves.

Emer added, "Ruben, I think it'd be good for you to enter as well."

Ruben nodded. It would be its first time leaving the mountain.

"I want to enter too," Corri spoke up.

"Oh, sweetheart," Razan dismissed her, "These tournaments are for boys. You wouldn't want to enter anyways."

Corri grimaced, "But I've gotten a lot stronger too!"

Aero spoke on behalf of his little sister, "Yeah, Corri can handle herself. She'll be fine."

Razan grimaced, "I'll think about it."

In the days leading up to the tournament, the children did some light training with their parents. They left Platt Mountain early in the morning from the eastern side. They carried bags on their backs with supplies for the trip. Far in the distance, they could see a massive lake in the shape of an eye. It was surrounded by towns and filled with boats and ferries. At the center of the lake was a large island, Challenger's Isle.