Everyone had to move to the sides to allow enough space for the first battle to commence.
Takumi entered the circle. Across from him stood a girl with long hair and a calm, steady look, already settled into her stance.
"Are you both ready?" Amari asked.
Takumi and Inara nodded.
Amari raised his hand and, "Start!"
Takumi didn't waste time. Fire sparked at his hands as he charged, unleashing fast jabs that left wisps of fire behind in mid-air...But Inara was prepared.
As soon as Takumi stepped within twenty feet of her, vines burst up out of the ground beneath his feet. Thick, green vines that circled his ankles. He staggered, fighting to remain upright as additional vegetation pushed up around the edges of the arena.
Whoosh!
Fire erupted from Takumi's body and burned the vines that were binding him.
Inara stepped back, the palms of her hands up. Another batch of vines shot out between them and formed an impassable barrier.
Takumi burned it away with a burst of flame, yet a second barrier had kicked into formation behind it.
Cutting his way through one after another, he tried to push through the barriers.
But Inara had always slipped into a new position once he got through, with a fresh bunch of vines spiraling around her.
The arena floor was now covered: roots crisscrossing around, impeding the movement.
Takumi slowed his pace, breathing hard. All that flame was draining his essence.
Inara noticed it and cracked a little smile before stomping her foot down.
The roots suddenly surged upward, trying to ensnare him.
Takumi jumped back thanks to the flames flaring around his feet for a boost, near the edge of the ring, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized the arena.
He kept his eyes locked on her.
Raising her hand again, vines began to grow.
Takumi moved. He feigned left; vines erupted there instantly. Then he rolled right, dodging the next wave, and sped forward.
Inara's eyes widened. She tried to retreat, compiling her defenses, but in a flash, Takumi had already breached them with his flaming fist stopping inches from her chest.
They both froze.
"Match over!" Amari called. "Winner, Takumi Leo!"
Cheers and applause broke over the arena. Takumi smothered his flames quickly and helped Inara to her feet, the two combatants grinning despite their exhaustion.
"Good fight," Inara panted. "That final charge was perfect. You keep bursting through and breaking everything in your way. Very unique way of fighting."
"Likewise. Your maze of plants over there killed me," Takumi replied, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Couldn't find the pattern in it at first. Thought I'd use up all my essence before I found you."
They clasped hands. The vines of the arena were beginning to dry, reverting to their normal form as Inara released her hold on them. Takumi sprinted to meet his friends.
"Did you see that? Did you see that last move? You saw it right????"
"The crowd loved it," Itsuki assured. "That switch in the middle was wonderful."
"Stupid way to fight if you ask me," Shion said, smirking.
Takumi glared at him. "Says the guy who got 'Low-Moderate.'"
"At least I didn't almost pass out from burning too many plants."
"I was strategic."
"You were out of breath."
Kairo sighed. "Yeah yeah. He fought well. Can we move on?"
While they teased each other, Inara walked past them, heading toward the edge of the district.
Her eyes landed on Itsuki for a moment. He was just standing there with his hands in his pockets, laughing at Takumi and Shion's argument.
She kept walking.
But something about him felt... off.
---
What kind of monster is that?
She glanced back once. He still hadn't moved and was still smiling.
She shook her head and kept going.
"More matches!" Sensei Amari shouted. "Listen for your names!"
The tournaments rolled on. Every fight showed something new...the pressure of performing once, the guessing game of facing unknown opponents and the quiet nerves that came with it.
By late afternoon, the sun was beginning to go down as night was slowly approaching. Amari's voice carried over the arena.
"Combat demonstrations are complete! Candidates for tomorrow's final rounds will be announced at dawn!"
The crowd erupted in cheers before scattering toward the exits. Itsuki and the others were swept along with them.
"Any thoughts?" Takumi asked, brushing ash from his sleeve. "Good day or bad?"
"Mixed," Kairo said. "Your match went great. Since me and Shion didn't battle today, we will tomorrow...I guess."
"Can't wait," Takumi grinned. "You nervous yet?" he said, turning towards Shion.
Shion sighed. "Not until you said that."
They reached the edge of the grounds just as the sun dipped below the horizon. The four of them stopped and just began watching for a moment.
"Hard to believe it's only day one," Itsuki said quietly.
"Hard to believe Takumi didn't burn the whole district down," Kairo muttered.
"I almost did tho," Takumi said proudly. "The vines just got lucky."
Shion snorted. "Yeah right, That's your excuse for everything."
Itsuki laughed. "Come on. Dinner at Miss Etta's? We survived day one and that deserves food."
"Count me in," Takumi said immediately.
"Definitely," Kairo nodded.
Shion glanced at the sky one last time, a small smile tugging at his mouth. "Sure. Just as long as Takumi doesn't try to 'cook' again."
"No promises," Takumi grinned, already heading off toward the streets.