34 Preliminary Round (Part II)
Master Wushu and the rest of the disciples of Master Wushu are all settled in the lobby area designated for the participants.
To avoid and foreign influence from the outsiders, the organizers made sure that the participants were carefully monitored in one area and some strict restrictions surrounded each participating schools.
Strong warriors from the Golden Dragon Sect were dispatched in collaboration with the organizers to maintain the tournament's regulations and strict monitoring.
Everyone was watching on a big screen which shows the live feed of the tournament.
"For this round, the theme is TEAM WORK!" loudly announced by the host.
This made the other disciples of Master Wushu worried … Especially Feilong.
"Master, will Hawks and the others be okay?" Feilong expressed his worry and concern for his fellow disciples.
Rankuza was just beside their Master and heard the query of their most-senior fellow disciple.
Ever since they have decided to carry on the facade caused by Shams, Rankuza had to keep his identity on the shadows so no one would find out that he is the true Rankuza and not Shams.
"For this part of the tournament … it will be a group effort, Master! Given with the current situation we have at the moment with …" Rankuza trying to be discreet just in case of someone eaves dropping on their conversation before he continued, "Knowing Hawks and Billy, I think it will greatly affect their performance as a team."
"It is a matter of choice if whether they will work as a cohesive unit or work on their own pace. Remember, my dear children! I raised you all as if my own … I accepted each of you as what you are, including your flaws and imperfections. Thus, will you be able to do the same for your own brethren?" Master Wushu uttered such deep words that made each of his disciple to ponder on.
Something which they deeply reflected on …
Meanwhile,
Somewhere far from the huge coliseum,
Each group of participants were sent on the top of a mountain.
They were all given the mechanics for the preliminaries on their way to the top of the mountain.
And have to wait for the signal before they could start racing to the finish line.
At the thought of the theme for this Preliminary Round, Hawks was the most worried because it will require him to work along with Shams. And the same with Shams, he had been always set on his own and having no experience in considering a group effort.
"In other words, please let's work together and set aside our own differences. Can we do that?" Maya requested from the other boys.
She continued, "If you all want to win and qualify for the next round then we must bury the hatchet and forget each other's differences. Because remember, only 4 teams will qualify for the next round … out of the other participating schools.
While they kept quiet and contemplated on the words of Maya,
The host announced to the audience in the coliseum regarding the mechanics for the -Preliminary Round- of the tournament.
"… Only 4 teams will move to the next round! Is everyone ready? Let the Preliminary Round begin!" the host gave the mark to release the signal for the participants to know.
From afar miles away from the coliseum, where the participants were waiting, saw a bright red fireworks released.
It was the signal for the start of the -Preliminary Round- of the tournament.
One of the rules for the preliminary round, the chains attached to each other per group must not get broken or else it will signify their disqualification. Thus, the entire group must work together in race to reach the final destination which is the coliseum arena.
First four teams to arrive in the coliseum arena will be the awarded the victors and qualifiers for the next round.
Each group started to move as a unit while being chained to each other.
As a group, they had their own way to move as one and work on their own weight as they race towards the coliseum.
They were moving swiftly as they could … except for one group!
Master Wushu's disciples!
Hawks and the others tumbled and fell to the ground, only moving few steps.
-Thud!-
"Ow!" Maya exclaimed.
"Damn it, Ry---!" Hawks almost yelled Shams' name and recalled that his younger fellow disciple was under the facade of Rankuza's name, "Rankuza! Why can't you move on my pace?"
And Shams was not having it either, "Why me? You are being too forceful with your pace and not letting each of us adjust. You are not giving us the second to even keep up with you!"
Hawks was positioned in the middle along with Shams while Billy and Maya was positioned on the sides.
It was a randomly chosen positions by the organizers. Thus, making it more difficult for them to move as a unit because Shams and Hawks were next to each other.
Their wrists and ankles had tight chain attached to their fellow disciples.
So the pacing and movements of a cohesive unit are important for a group to move steadily.
Or else, they will end up like Hawks and his fellow disciples tumbling each move.
A loud scream was released by Hawks in agitation towards Shams, then he started to grab Shams' collar while Billy and Maya tried to mediate the two.
"Do not blame me with your poor leadership! We tumble and can't move steadily because of your selfishness!" Shams pointed out to Hawks.
"Oh! It is me who is selfish now! Look who's talking?!?" Hawks was clearly annoyed at Shams.
His tamed beast was even growling at Shams, waiting for Hawks' signal to pounce at Shams.
Maya and Billy do their best trying to keep the two from fighting.
Unknown to them, everyone could see what was happening due to the flying one eyed bat monitoring their every move.
In every group, there was an assigned flying bat to monitor their move and broadcast it live to audience and other spectating participants. Including, Master Wushu and his other disciples.
Other participants were laughing at the sight of Hawks and the others.
Bickering …
Divided …
And most definitely, are currently … The Last Placer!
"Uh-Oh! From the school of Master Wushu, they are being left behind by the others! Will it be possible that the record of the school of Master Wushu get tarnished as the undefeated -GRAND SLAM CHAMPIONS- and will finally experience the taste of defeat from the other schools?" the host loudly announced to the audience.
Different reactions were going through the crowd.
Because for the first time, they witness the school of Master Wushu not leading in the pack.
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