The Debut

Wayne drew in a breath as his new opponent climbed up on stage before him.

He had hoped that he was finished for the day, he'd hope no one would challenge him.

But now, here stood this mysterious person in front of him, completely dressed in black silk with a mask covering his eyes.

The aura around him was dark and heavy, nothing like Wayne had ever felt before.

The pressure was immense, and he subconsciously stood a step backward.

He froze, surprised at his own doing.

He, for once, was actually...afraid?

He glanced uncertainly at the mysterious man.

Who was this person?

The last time he'd felt something similar to this was when he witnessed Ying angry.

She had nearly set the whole residence on fire in a blink back then, when she went back home to find their estate infiltrated, leaving her father and many other dead.

But she was provoked, this man in front of him wasn't.

It was his own power.

The audience was silent as they watched the two men stand there, unmoving.

They felt it too, the dark pressure.

Somewhere amongst the crowd sat a few guild masters.

Finally, there seemed to be something interesting happening.

Wayne held his ground, and remembered Eryn was watching.

No, he can't lose to this person.

He gathered his confidence and stepped forward, waiting for him to strike first.

He didn't.

"Well, then," mumbled Wayne. He could feel the eyes watching them, waiting to see how he would handle this opponent.

"I'll be making the first move if you don't..."

_______________

Elias prepared to move the moment Wayne crossed his arms and threw them out, the wings of his griffin appearing on his back once more.

His eyes burned and he rose a foot into the sky, gathering the fire in between his hands.

He planned to take him down in one move, Elias wasn't going to let that happen.

'Speed.'

Elias picked up his feet and began moving.

In a split second, he appeared right next to Wayne and struck first, slicing his arm across his face.

The blow threw him off and he was forced back.

The crowd gasped as Wayne stood back up, a long gash appearing across his face.

Blood seeped through the wound and Wayne grimaced, his face reddening with embarrassment and sheer astonishment.

This person, he's fast, Wayne thought. He must have a land creature.

Elias didn't wait and ran forward again.

Wayne blanched and flew up into the sky on instinct, thinking he was safe there.

Elias sneered under his veil.

'Flight.'

He leaped into the sky, casting a trail of shadows behind him, enjoying the floating sensation of him being in the air.

Wayne's jaw dropped. "What the-"

A sharp beam of shadows came straight at him and he only had enough time to throw his arms up in defense before he was hit, the impact throwing him out of the sky.

He hit the ground hard with a sickening thud and his wings flickered away.

The audience rumbled.

He was actually...losing.

He frantically pushed himself up from the dented ground as his opponent slowly descended from the sky, the dark mist billowing beneath his feet.

Elias stood there with his hands behind his back, wondering what Wayne's next move was.

Wayne got up and wiped his chin, blood dripping down onto the floor. His back was hurting, but he couldn't just give up yet, not with Eryn watching.

Not yet...

He roared, gathering his full power.

The floor shook as his eyes burned, summoning the whole of his griffin spirit.

Elias looked up at the image winged beast standing between him and his opponent. It screeched, making his ears ring.

He winced and covered his ears as it continued screeching, disorientating him.

Wayne took the moment to order his griffin to attack and it did, charging straight at his opponent with a stream of fire coming out of its mouth.

Elias shook his head clear just to see a blast of fire coming right at him.

'Dragon scales.'

He threw up his arms in an 'x' to shield his head, taking the full impact, the ground denting in under his feet.

The scales deflected the blast, absorbing some of its energy as it did.

Wayne watched in horror as his opponent came out unscathed and intact from the attack...then he disappeared.

"Wha-"

'Dragon scales.'

Elias came running at the beast from its side and rammed into it with all his might, sending it flying off its feet.

It cried out as it hit the ground and slid further, picking up the dirt.

Wayne gnashed his teeth as his beast's form dissolved away. It hadn't reached the solidified stage yet, so it could just barely take a blow as strong as that.

Elias rolled his shoulders back, feeling energized with the exercise.

Time to face him one on one.

Wayne cracked his knuckles and ground his teeth. It seems there was no way out of it.

They dashed towards each other at great speed, but Elias managed to duck and kick out his leg at the last moment, tripping his opponent and letting him fall face-first on the ground.

Wayne kicked himself back up on his feet and whirled around as Elias came closer.

Quickly, he held up his hand to his face and cast a spell, bright light emitting from palms, blinding him.

Elias stumbled backward, dazed, then felt a force strike him at his side.

The impact sent him back, but he didn't fall.

Wayne panted for breath. He was tired, his muscles were aching, his back was still hurting.

He had used up his strength, but his opponent was barely faltering. He managed to kick him, but it felt like hitting a wall.

It was like this fight was child's play to him, his strikes were delivered effortlessly and he didn't even seem to be using full power.

...he didn't even have to bring out his spirit animal.

Elias blinked, his sight coming back to him.

Immediately, he jumped back into action and ran towards Wayne, catching him by surprise.

He grabbed the front of his neck and slammed him down on the floor, their robes flying.

The dark shadow mists surrounded them, and Elias released his opponent.

It was over.

It was his first victory...but no one cheered.

No one said a word.

He had appeared out of nowhere taken down the city's champion effortlessly without showing his spirit beast.

'They're just shocked,' said Drachnai.

Elias glanced down at Wayne, who was blinking, still processing what just happened.

Did he go too far?

Wayne had been nice to them since the beginning...

Wayne's eyes shifted over to his opponent, who still had his face masked. "C-"

To his surprise, he offered him a hand and pulled him up from the ground.

Wayne coughed and rubbed his sore muscles. He was a bloody mess, standing in front of thousands in the crowd.

He'd just suffered a big loss.

He turned to the man, questioning. "You could've killed me. Why didn't you?" he asked.

The corner of the man's mouth turned up. "Why?" he repeated.

The shadows dispersed and the great pressure looming in his presence lifted, taking Wayne's fear along with it.

He reached up and pulled away his mask, revealing his face.

Wayne's mouth flew open, bewildered. "E- Elias?"

Elias smirked. "Surprised?"

Wayne was speechless. "I- if you can...then E- Eryn-"

"Oh, Eryn?" Elias said. He looked up at his sister, who was smiling brilliantly down at him.

He grinned.

"Yeah, she just as strong...probably better than me, even."

Elias gave Wayne a pat on the shoulder. "If I were you I would stop trying so hard and find another girl within your league."

Wayne didn't know how to respond.

So all along, these twins...

Who are they, really?