The twins stepped to the edge of the ring and raised their hands so the crowd could see them.
Rynar then yelled loudly enough to cut through the noise.
"Dear spectators... don't you think that this competition is getting a little... bland?"
A ripple of confusion spread through the crowds. The announcer's smile fell and so contestants glanced at each other.
Even a few elders frowned and leaned forward, wanting to know what these troublemakers wanted to do again.
Rynor grinned, voice playful.
"Every year it's the sa competition. Win one match, then the next, then the next. That's fine if everyone's the sa level."
He turned his head and looked, staring at the crowd and spreading his hands.
"But we're on a whole different level, so... as the strongest ones, we want to propose a change of match."
People began to whisper louder. The announcer cleared his throat and stepped forward, nervous.
"Change? What do you want to...?"
Rynar quickly cut him off with a shrug.
"Let's run it like the final of the once-a-decade tournant a year ago. We will take on the others directly. It's more exciting and saves everyone's ti."
For a second the arena went quiet. Faces flicked to one another as mories surfaced.
A year ago, the final had shocked everyone as a single fighter had stepped up and said she'd face all challengers.
This kind of change was quickly protested by the other contestant, but the higher-ups accepted it with a price.
The price was the girl's sect would be banned from any tournants for a very long ti.
But the sect leader accepted the price, and in the end, not only did she single-handedly beat everyone...
She made all the sects look like a joke. A newcor had easily beaten all of their talented youths.
That story had burned through the clans for months as the most popular one.
And the girl who made it all happen was none other than Dahlia, who was now smirking from the flying ship.
Rynar glanced up at the flying ship where Garion and the others watched for a mont.
He then lifted his chin and turned toward Raviel, the clan patriarch. "What do you say, Patriarch?"
Raviel's hand stayed on his cane, and then he let out a long, slow smile.
"Interesting. If there's a faster way to test true skill, I'm not against it."
Elder Rendric stood beside him and frowned hard.
"Patriarch, you can't just change the format on a whim. It's unfair. We don't know if their claim is true."
Raviel's smile didn't fade. "True, and that's why we'll add a condition."
He then turned his eyes toward Garion's ship. "They want to run a gauntlet match. Fine. But first, they must pay a price."
Rendric crossed his arms. "A price? What do you an?"
Raviel's eyes locked onto Garion above the flying ship.
"We've heard much about this God Gym, but we've yet to see its master's full strength."
Ravie's grin widening.
"After this, Sect Leader Garion... please fight a cultivator from our clan. If you are confident, you should not refuse."
A whisper of agreent went through the elders. Several young fighters straightened as if they'd been handed new gossip.
Garion laughed softly, folding his arms.
He looked down at the arena like a man watching a simple ga and laughed hard.
"Of course I accept, Patriarch Raviel. I was actually curious myself. I'd like to see just how strong the Revalis Clan truly is."
Raviel leaned back in his seat, smirking. "Good."
He turned toward the announcer below. "I approve the request. The match will change to a gauntlet format."
The announcer blinked, clearly overwheld, but managed a shaky nod. "A-Ah… understood, Patriarch!"
He stepped forward, voice rising with effort.
"Very well then! The competition will now change into a gauntlet match! The twins will face opponents continuously until they are defeated!"
A wave of whispers rippled through the crowd. So gasped. Others cheered. Many laughed, not sure what to think.
The announcer pointed toward the twins.
"Since this was your idea, get ready! You'll be fighting nonstop until you drop!"
Rynar and Rynor exchanged a glance.
The corners of their mouths lifted together in the sa confident grin.
"Fine by us," Rynar said, cracking his neck.
Rynor stretched his arms and yawned lightly.
"Hope you've got enough challengers ready. Wouldn't want it to end too soon."
As the crowd's whispers grew louder, both twins took off their coats.
Gasps and laughter followed.
The twins stood revealed in their new combat suits.
Sleeveless tops and fitted shorts that hugged their powerful fras.
The polished gauntlets and heavy boots glead under the sunlight.
From the stands, many people laughed and snickered, shaking their heads.
"What are they wearing?! Those look ridiculous!"
"Is that a fight or a fashion show?"
"Those city boys are crazy…"
Rynor looked toward the crowd and gave a small, mocking bow.
"Thank you for your concern, but..."
Rynar rolled his shoulder, smirking, and continued.
"You'll see soon enough what these 'funny suits' can do."
The crowd's laughter turned to murmurs again, curiosity replacing mockery.
Up on the flying ship, Dahlia leaned on the railing, arms folded.
"They're doing it exactly like I told them."
Beside her, Rachel's eyes widened slightly.
"They really don't fear the entire clan, do they?"
Dahlia shook her head. "Nope. Fear's not part of their training."
Garion watched them with that sa calm grin.
"Let them have their stage. This is where the real fun begins."
Down below, the announcer raised his hand again, trying to be heard over the rising noise.
"Competitors, return to your positions! The gauntlet match is about to begin!"
Rynar and Rynor bumped fists.
"Ready?" Rynar asked.
"Always," Rynor replied.
They turned toward the center of the ring, shoulders squared, grins sharp.
Garion's voice echoed faintly from above. "Go on. Show them the strength built from sweat, not bloodlines."
The crowd grew restless as the first opponents stepped forward.
Rynar's smile widened. "Round one, huh?"
Rynor's eyes glowed faintly with electric light. "Let's make it quick."
The announcer raised his arm high.
"Match one of the Revalis Clan Gauntlet Tournant… begin!"
User Comments
0 comments from readers