THIRTEEN

The first category was combat and each kingdom brought out their representatives.

Like all other category, it has two parts.

The first part is the elimination round, where everyone who is representing has to fight. Those who gets defeated will be eliminated while those remaining continues fighting till a winner emerges. You can fight solo or you can team up, however the team has to be made up of two people.

After the elimination round Jasper and Frances were the ones remaining representing Ataraxia. I admit they are good, although the representatives of other kingdoms came prepared. I'm sure it is the first time most of us have seen first hand the might of other kingdoms. It will be very difficult for Jasper and Frances to win this time around for the others are not less skilled than them.

So you all are elementals came a voice beside me startling me.

I turned to see prince Daryl standing beside me.

My prince we all bowed.

We are all elementals except someone here said a girl whose name I don't even know.

And you are?

My name is Catherine my prince.

Catherine who is this person you speak of?

Ionia my prince, the outcast of the esteemed fallenvale family said Catherine pointing towards me.

So you are the infamous Ionia, I can't say I haven't heard of you.

It is true then, you are competing despite not having any magical powers.

My prince i've been watching the others while they practice I'm sure I can do it.

Well we are all here and after the elimination round whoever is left will be representing all of us. As you can see our guests are not playing they mean business. So I urge you all to do your best.

We will my prince.

At the dueling ground it was heated up.

Jasper and Frances managed to win by chance if I must say and they sustained multiple injuries though not severe.

I could see the king and queen visibly relaxing after their victory. It would have been a thing of shame if Ataraxia had lost the first duel.

The next category was Edrasos.

Each kingdom with what they are good at. So each category has people that have similar abilities. While ataraxia is Edrasos the other kingdoms call theirs a different name.

Though celeste and the others did well they lost to Hantis kingdom.

The next category was the spell category.

From the beginning to the end the Rania representatives proved themselves to be the best.

They won the category.

Next was Thelsia.

Adryll and Leticia won by chance just like Jasper and Frances.

The scream of the people was thunderous because we've lost two consecutive times.

The next round was the round of royals.

Where each representative of the royal family were to fight each other both in magic and in combat.

Prince Emmett made Ataraxia proud.

He was amazing, however I've seen better I turned to look at Lucien and I found him focused on the duel.

We both know all the kingdoms put together is no match for him, but I am happy to see him engrossed in the duel.

Next was the potion category.

Yaenem empire won.

The next and final category is the elemental category.

Though Ataraxia has won three out of the six duels, this category we have to win to cement our victory.

With what we've seen from other kingdoms it will be tough. We only have six elementals including the prince and myself

For the elimination round the test was to build a shield around you and evade the elements that will be thrown your way as you race to the centre of a circle drawn in the middle.

Thanks to Lucien's training, I was able to run and evade the elements without a shield.

Prince Daryl and I were the only ones left from Ataraxia.

I see you made it, said prince Daryl. And you made it without any magic I'm impressed.

Thank you I replied not wanting to offend a member of the royal family.

The announcer called for the final round and I could feel everyone's emotions.

Each of the kingdoms have two representatives.

For the kingdom of Vita and Khegalla who hasn't won any round, this is a match to redeem themselves.

For Hantis, Rania and Yaenem this is a chance to bring more honor.

While for Ataraxia it is a victory to prove our might.

For me however all I want is to prove myself and at the same time make Lucien proud.

Ever since I met him, he has been a constant in my life.

And I have gotten used to him being in my life. For all he has done for me, I want to do something for him.

For my victory is his as well.

I looked towards his direction and saw him looking at me.

I bowed my head slightly in acknowledgment to him, and reassurance to myself that he is there watching me and supporting me.

They are different forms of elementals.

Mora (time)

Lumis (light)

Nighe (shadow)

Bulder (earth)

Rane (water)

Glayze (ice/snow)

Fara (lightening)

Flanon (fire)

Among all the elementals Lumis, Mora and Glayze are the rarest. Most people have Nighe, Bulder, Rane, Fara and Flanon.

However most elements are connected if you have water element you can make ice and lightening depending on your ability. If you have fire you can make lightening depending on your ability. It is however rare to see someone with more than two elemental abilities.

Prince Daryl has fire, shadow and earth that is not surprising since he is royalty. The other representatives has fire, shadow, water and lightening.

It takes a lot of magical energy to convert water into ice or snow and you have to be very strong. So people just perfect their water ability and leave it at that.

Lucien however is something else entirely.

He has light, ice/snow, water, time and can do lightening.

As for me I'm a fire elemental and can also do lightening. Lucien however trained and teach me till I can control light so instead of two just like prince Daryl I also possess three elemental abilities.

The competition started.

I removed the hood to reveal my face, remembering my training I channeled my energy flow and my entire being was on fire and i lifted myself in the air. I no longer need to say the spell thanks to my training.

I heard gasp from everyone and I looked down to find only myself in the air not wanting to be distracted I formed a fire ball around me and directed it towards the representative of Rania immediately taking them out though not hot enough to hurt them. By their expressions they weren't expecting it.

You are amazing said prince Daryl coming to stand beside me in the air with his fire ability he also was on fire just like me.

I know was my reply.

He quickly changed to his earth ability and took out the reprensentatives of Hantis.

I felt the representatives of Yaenem closing in on me and I switched to my light ability and blinded them momentarily, thus eliminating them.

Cool said prince Daryl

Paying no heed to him I concentrated on the fight.

Only the representatives of Khegalla and Vira were left.

Looking at each other, prince Daryl and I decided to share them he took Vira while I took Khegalla.

Prince Daryl used his shadow ability on them.

While I ran towards the lake.

The people of Khegalla thought it was to their advantage since they were water elementals they tried using the water on me but I was faster.

When they entered the lake to confront me, I just focused my energy on the water and used my lightening.

Electrifying them.

Victory to Ataraxia said the announcer and for a while everywhere was quiet and suddenly it erupted with cheers and claps. I saw people running to congratulate the prince.

I stepped out of the water to see Celeste running towards me and hugging me while crying.

Ionia you are unbelievable. You were amazing I'm so proud of you.

You surprised me, scratch that you left everyone speechless.

You were magical.

I'm so happy my friend this is the best surprise ever.

I told you, you have nothing to worry about.

Yes you did she said hugging me again.

I looked around to see Lucien still on his seat with his hands folded as if bored.

I was about to go meet him when I was stopped by Illaesa.

Ionia I dont know what to say.

I thought you don't have magic?

I discovered I have, not long ago.

And you practiced by watching others?

Yes my lady no one agreed to train me so I trained by myself.

You are a natural.

Good work child.

Thank you my lady for believing I said with a bow.

What a day we've had began the king.

I want to thank everyone for their hard work. I want to thank most especially the victors of today for not just making their family proud but their kingdoms as well. This display shows how much our young ones have grown. And we as parents and rulers will be assured that when we leave to join our ancestors we have capable hands to look after our people. As we celebrate our victories, let us feast and be merry while creating bonds and memories that will be eternal.

Hear! hear! came a thunderous reply and so the feasting started.

The dignitaries and elites as well as royals went back to the palace to continue their feast, while the commoners continue their feasting in the arena.

I looked towards where Lucien was seated and couldn't find him

I searched for him and found him standing close to the lake.

I ran to him and hugged him.

Thank you I whispered in his ear.

For what?

For everything I said leaving his embrace.

You where better than them to begin with, it was an easy victory.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha only you can say that.

A couple of weeks ago I was a social outcast with zero abilities and today i've brought honor to Ataraxia and it is all thanks to you.

It was nothing.

Hahahahahaha if you say so. So tell me did you have fun?

It wasn't that bad.

Hmmm I'm glad it was enjoyable then.

For now Lucien let's eat.

I actually have food waiting for us at home.

Really?

Yes.

Okay then let's go.

And just like that he brought me to his house. Funny how i've come to accept this place as my home.

The garden has been decorated, and since it was night time already Lucien made little floating lights to surround us.

Beautiful I breathed.

You had all this planned?

Yes.

What if I had failed?

You wouldn't have.

Why?

Because I trained you.

Aren't you too full of yourself I questioned.

I can afford to, came his reply.

We ate and chatted.

I didn't know when I slept off.

She must be very tired, one minute we were talking the next minute she is fast asleep.

I carried her back to her room, removed her shoes and covered her.

She look so peaceful and happy, I smiled unconsciously. She's been through a lot and she is stronger than she knows.

Looking out through her window I know things are about to change. There is a war coming.

My father thinks he can call for a meeting and use the duel as a front.

I know they came for me and I'm prepared for them.

Looking towards the bed at the sleeping figure I wonder how she will feel if she comes to know the truth. At least she is capable of protecting herself. She is no longer weak and defenseless.

She has grown a lot and I'm honored to have been by her side to witness first hand her growth.