The day had finally come for the second match between the three divisions of the Fauvism
The competing teams were:
Jayden, Tristan and Melvin from the Moon Division.
Tatsuka, Shiori and Warren from the Fighter Division.
Camilla, Siran and Milan from the National Division.
This time, the challenge was a race using flying crafts. Each team had to deliver its gem to a designated platform deep in the mountains, place it there, then return to the starting point as fast as possible. The first team to successfully place its gem and return would claim victory.
Melvin climbed into the cockpit of their craft, glancing back at Jayden and Tristan.
"I'm sure both of you can pilot this thing," he said, voice firm, "but I'll handle the steering. Your job is to guard the craft from outside."
Jayden nodded. "Understood, sir."
Tristan followed. "Your call, captain."
The three boarded the vessel and took off into the sky. The hum of engines mixed with the roaring winds as they soared toward the mountain range where the platforms awaited.
Suddenly, the craft's sensors beeped frantically. A red warning light pulsed across the console. Then, without warning, thunderbolts tore through the skies and heavy rain began to lash against them.
Melvin swerved sharply to avoid the strikes. "Jayden, Tristan—this storm isn't natural. Get outside and investigate!"
Jayden leapt onto the roof of the vessel, his hand crackling with lightning. He conjured counter-bolts to shield the craft. As he looked behind, he spotted the National Division's vessel closing in. Siran was at the helm, while Milan and Camilla stood atop, hurling elemental attacks.
Tristan joined Jayden, his eyes narrowing. "Looks like we're in for a fight."
Jayden smirked. "Then let's give them one."
Tristan slashed the air with cutting winds aimed at Camilla and Milan. Camilla responded with sharp arcs of lightning, blocking his attack. Jayden seized the opening, releasing a massive bolt that forced Camilla back—until Milan conjured a watery shield that absorbed the strike at the last moment.
The battlefield was the open sky. Clouds charged with energy, storms of wind and rain raging all around. It was the perfect arena for elemental fighters, amplifying their natural powers.
Milan spread his arms, commanding the rain into a torrent that lashed at Jayden and Tristan. But Tristan grabbed Jayden's wrist, activating instant teleportation. In a blink, they reappeared clear of the deluge.
They combined their powers, forging a whirling storm of wind and lightning and hurled it at Milan and Camilla. Milan countered with water while Camilla fused it with lightning of her own. The clash exploded across the skies, scattering all four fighters.
Tristan, wounded from the blast, hovered in the air, scanning desperately. "Jayden! Where are you?!"
He feared Jayden had fallen earthward. But then, perched casually on the branch of a tall tree below, Jayden was already bandaging his arm.
Tristan swooped down, frustration clear. He shoved Jayden lightly. "Idiot—I was searching everywhere for you!"
Jayden smirked. "What are you, my mother? Quit worrying."
"Shut up. We don't have time. Let's move."
"You're right."
Tristan grabbed his arm and teleported them both back to Melvin's craft. Using their wrist devices, which tracked each team's vessel, they locked onto its location.
Back inside, Melvin looked them over quickly. "You two all right?"
Tristan answered, "We fought off those National bastards. For now, they're out of our way."
"Good work," Melvin said, focusing back on the controls.
Not long after, they reached their destination: a cave in one of the towering mountains. Inside lay a glowing pedestal.
"This must be it," Jayden muttered. "The special platform for this stupid gem."
"Correct," Melvin said.
He placed their green gem onto the pedestal. Instantly, the stone glowed and the platform radiated a bright emerald light. Melvin retrieved the gem, noting, "It seems these platforms are designed to confirm delivery—changing the gem's color as proof."
Jayden nodded. "Makes sense."
"Good. Let's keep moving."
As they left the cave, a red glow flashed from another cavern nearby, then vanished. It was the Fighter Division—they had delivered their gem too.
Jayden clenched his teeth. "How the hell didn't we notice them? Were they that fast?"
Melvin shook his head. "The caves must be masking energy signatures. That explains it."
"Which also means they didn't sense us either."
"Exactly. We can ambush them as soon as they come out."
Sure enough, Warren, Tatsuka and Shiori emerged. Warren frowned. "Strange—we're the only ones here?"
Tatsuka replied, "I don't like this feeling, but—"
Her words were cut short as a massive attack struck them. Though they dodged in time, they still took damage.
The Moon Division stepped forward, weapons drawn. Battle erupted immediately.
Far away, Luna and Yuna watched the broadcast with their teammates
"Their powers look evenly matched," Yuna observed.
Luna frowned. "But where's the National Division? They should be fighting harder. Their points were low last time."
"True. If they don't, they'll lose everything,"
Back in the skies, the clash raged—until suddenly, water, fire and lightning fused into a single devastating attack, forcing everyone to scatter.
The National Division had finally arrived.
Amid the chaos, Jayden decided someone had to check on their gem. He rushed back to their craft—only to find the gem gone.
Scanning frantically, he sensed an energy signature fleeing the scene. He gave chase, his body streaking like lightning itself.
The thief turned, revealing himself: Milan.
Jayden hurled his lightning-charged blade, which Milan deflected.
"You're such a nuisance," Milan sneered.
Jayden : "You stole our gem. Hand it over!"
"Got any proof of that?"
"Show me what's in that bag and we'll see who's lying."
Milan clutched his satchel tightly, smirking. "Clever deduction. But you're not stopping me, boy."
They clashed in a storm of lightning and water. Blow after blow revealed the truth—Milan carried not just the Moon Division's gem, but all three.
Both fighters grew weary, their duel dragging toward stalemate. But before Jayden could finish, Camilla ambushed him with a strike of lightning. He dodged just in time.
"Stay out of this!" Jayden barked.
Camilla scoffed. "What, you expect me to just watch?"
Jayden struck back, forcing her into combat. By the time he remembered the gems, Milan had already fled.
Tristan, alerted by Jayden's message, teleported in pursuit. He landed atop Milan's craft, bending the winds to force it down. But Milan emerged, water and ice swirling in his grasp.
They fought savagely, until Tristan pulled a trick—vanishing, dispersing his energy into the surroundings. By the time Milan realized, Tristan was already inside the craft, smirking.
"You knew I'd come for the gems, didn't you?"
"Only a fool wouldn't," Milan spat.
"Then you also know we can't fight in here without wrecking the vessel. And if it breaks, the gems may be lost."
Milan hesitated. Tristan pressed on. "Even if you hid them well, if the craft is destroyed, you'll never make it back in time. Unlike you, I can fly with the wind itself."
"You bastard…" Milan lunged.
The battle tore the vessel apart, splitting it in two. Both plummeted. Milan recovered the satchel of gems from the wreckage, clutching it tight. But Tristan teleported, appearing right beside him, reaching for the bag.
Siran arrived then, hurling a blazing fireball at Tristan. He countered with sonic waves but Milan used the distraction to pass the Moon gem to Siran.
"Catch me if you can," she taunted, darting away.
Tristan pursued, their clash fierce. Though he overpowered her, he relented, refusing to strike her down harshly. She handed him the green gem at last.
Teleporting back to the mountain, Tristan expected to rejoin the fray. But what he saw froze him.
Everyone had stopped fighting. Each team stood by its craft. Camilla sat alone nearby.
Tristan rushed to his allies. "What's going on?"
Melvin and Jayden turned to him, faces grim.
Melvin sighed. "It's over. The match is decided. The National Division… won."
Tristan stared, stunned. "What…?"