“Good luck, Lili.” Marianne gave Liliana a tight hug, squeezing with all the strength held in those deceptively thin arms.

“Do I even need it?” Liliana teased as she broke from her friend, only to get hugged by Alistair next. She felt distinctly passed around, like some type of communal emotional support teddy bear.

“Even a dragon can fall to a well-placed arrow, Lils. Be careful.” Alistair chided her, tugging her braid.

“Shall I bequeath my lady love with a token for her battle?” Basil asked, jumping from his seat to bow over her hand.

“I feel like that would jinx me,” Liliana ripped her hand out of his hold, turning away to hide the burning in her cheeks.

She wasn’t used to people flirting with her so blatantly, even as a joke. Basil seemed rather attached to this one bit in particular. She hoped he grew bored with it soon. It was a fairly recent joke, so she was confident he would tire of it by the next day, most likely. She hoped, anyway.

“Make your enemies fear you more than your blade.” Koth’talan intoned. Liliana blinked at him for a moment, head tilting at the odd words.

“Alright?” she finally said, and it seemed to be the right thing, for Koth’talan returned to lavishing attention on his sword.

“Just know, if you lose, I get a lot of money out of it. I’ll even split it with you, thirty seventy.” Emyr told her, voice serious even as his eyes blazed with mirth.

“Hope you’re not attached to that money. You know better than to be against me.” Liliana shoved his head back with a finger, forcing the boy to fall back on the couch with a pout.

“Good luck, Liliana.” Rathwater spoke up softly.

Liliana gave him a soft smile and a nod before she turned to the door and walked out, back straight and head held high. As she walked through the empty tunnel, she passed her hands over her summoning stones, flashes of light proceeding the arrival of her bonds. Lelantos and Polaris fell into step beside her as Nemesis wound her way up Liliana’s body to drape over her shoulders like a deadly scarf.

Once more, the sound of the arena crashed into her like a physical wall. Liliana was better prepared this time around, and her steps didn’t falter, her eyes squinting slightly as they adjusted. The sands felt solid under feet as she walked to the middle. Her nose stung with the scent of sun-baked earth, sweat and the almost imperceptible smell of desperation that had soaked into the sands of the coliseum.

In her chest, her heart pounded, a war drum crying out before the beginning of battle. Adrenaline rushed through her blood, hot and heavy, begging for action. Liliana kept her limbs carefully still and loose as she stopped in the center, facing off against Corbin Newfeather of class B. A beastman, a bird, if she had to make a wild, unsupported guess.

His hair brushed his shoulders, black as night but with a sheen to it like an oil spill, with feathers interspersed throughout. Smaller feathers covered his cheekbones and trailed down the sides of his face. His hands had sharp talons crowning each finger, and Liliana would bet he had matching ones on his feet.

The most impressive thing about him, however, was not his beastly origins, but instead the coterie of creatures following behind him. A night black Pegasus stood tall and proud behind Newfeather, its fearsome fangs in full display as it threw its head back. A Siren stood to his side, beautiful feminine face out of place on the body of a golden eagle, her claws digging into the sands, the expression on her face implying she wished it were flesh under her talons.

A griffin stood to his right, red and gold feathers shining under the harsh sunlight, curved beak razor sharp as it clicked it in clear threat. An overlarge crow sat in pride of place on Newfeather’s shoulders and around his head three almost invisible Sylphs played with his hair.

Newfeather gave Liliana a warm smile, raising a hand to wave at her. Liliana tilted her head slightly but returned the gesture, recognizing him, or more accurately his bonds, from the Beastology Club.

“Another tamer, finally. Lelantos, focus on the Griffin.” Liliana thought to her bonds as the professor appeared to read the rules.

“Worthy prey.” Lelantos agreed, an eager chuff coming from his mouth.

“More friends to play with!” Polaris enthused, bouncing slightly in place, five tails whipping around in his excitement.

“Birds. I hate birds.” Nemesis hissed, Liliana could feel drops of venom hitting her skin.

Liliana and Newfeather agreed to the rules, and the shields were summoned, wrapping around them and their bonds.

“Polaris.” Liliana sent her idea in a flood of images as the start was called and the arena erupted into chaos.

Lelantos let off a [Bestial Roar] that sent the other beasts stumbling back for a moment as he activated [Enlargement] and [Enhancement], his body growing in height and muscle mass. Liliana used the small moment of distraction to swing herself onto Polaris’ back. While they did not often pull this maneuver, it was viable. Polaris had the size and Strength to bear her weight easily. He simply was a far less comfortable mount than Lelantos, his sharp bones prodding carelessly into her thighs.

Liliana could feel the muscles under her legs as Polaris’ wings beat, propelling them into the air within seconds. As Polaris took to the skies, Lelantos charged, tackling into the Griffin in a flurry of feathers and claws.

Liliana’s naginata appeared in her hands as her Set Up combo flooded her body with power, [Threads of Control] activating and ripping her daggers from their sheaths to fly around her and Polaris in a guard as they circled higher. [Battle Clarity] washed her mind clear of distractions, leaving the adrenaline alone as it hummed inside her, screaming in joy now that the fight had finally begun.

Below them Newfeather had vaulted onto the back of his Pegasus, taking to the skies with Liliana even as an ornate, bone flute appeared in his hands. His Siren kept pace with him, his crow circling above his head. Liliana could no longer locate the Sylphs and her daggers spun faster around them, weaving intricate patterns around them as Polaris hovered in the air.

Music filtered into Liliana’s ears as Newfeather lifted his flute to his lips, a haunting melody that made Liliana want to cry. Polaris dipped momentarily in the air when the Siren’s melodic voice joined the song, weaving together in a beautifully disturbing harmony. Liliana’s hand tightened on her weapon and [Gatling Barrage] appeared over her head as bullets of light targeted and fired at Newfeather. His spell was in full effect and Liliana could see a subtle shine wrapping around his bonds, their movements speeding up.

“Lelantos, don’t play with your prey. End it fast.” Liliana warned as Newfeather and his Pegasus dipped and dove between her barrage, some strikes managing to land, interrupting the song for a heartbeat at a time.

A support based tamer. Hopefully, he devoted his entire kit to buffing his tames. Liliana gripped tightly to Polaris with her thighs as he tucked his wings in and dove. Nemesis wrapped around her free hand as they approached the Harpy. As they drew level, Liliana flung her hand out and Nemesis flew through the air, mouth open, fangs shining with venom as her body enlarged.

Nemesis and the Harpy fell from the air, wings tangled in tight coils as the two natural enemies writhed and tore at each other even as they plummeted, striking the ground in a pile of feathers and scales.

Polaris’ mouth opened as his wings snapped out, the sound a thunder crack this close, jolting Liliana almost painfully in her seat. Newfeather and his Pegasus tilted to the side, wings pulled in to avoid the deadly chaotic false flames. Six shining daggers pursued, slashing into a shielded body and almost sending Newfeather from his seat.

A black blur shot like an arrow for Liliana’s head, [Perception] the only warning she got for the attack from above. As Polaris beat his wings to gain height once more, Liliana drew her naginata up in a flash of movement, striking a clean shot against the crow that was unable to dodge this close. Its body flipped through the air, struggling to find its balance as it fell through the air.

Newfeather launched from his seat on his Pegasus, arms wrapping protectively around the crow, tucking it close to his chest as he fell. His Pegasus swooped under him, catching boy and crow and circling away from Liliana and Polaris.

“We only need to knock Newfeather out. Get us close again.” Liliana recalled her daggers as Polaris strained his wings, shooting through the air in a blur of black and silver fur, [Dark Kitsunebi] trailing his tails. Liliana’s daggers surrounded them and she noted that more than once they hit resistance, nearly invisible Slyphs finally making their plays.

Liliana drew her feet up, crouching on Polaris’ back, only her Dexterity keeping her in place as he cut through the air at a breakneck pace. Newfeather and his Pegasus tried to dodge out of the way, but whatever level his Pegasus was, it wasn’t up to Polaris’ level, and every dodge was matched, every tight turn and twist, every barrel roll.

Polaris kept coming, a homing missile locked onto its target. Newfeather could hardly get his flute back to his lips to send out several more buffs with the constant evasive maneuvers forcing him to grip tightly to his bond.

Below, Lelantos had already finished the Griffin and was pacing under the airborne combatants, fangs and claws ready to grab any who dipped too low. Nemesis had the Harpy in her coils, constricting tight as she struck again and again, the Harpy’s shield steadily leeching towards red even as Nemesis stayed a bright yellow.

Two bonds down, five to go. Though the Sylphs would prove little consequence. Liliana was fairly certain she had the muster of Newfeather, his Harpy and Sylphs were meant to enhance his Music affinity. The Harpy could still be used in a fight, but Sylphs at such a low rank as they appeared, a higher rank would have more of a physical form, were only there to support.

Polaris lunged forward in the air [Dark Kitsunebi] and [Havoc Claws] ready as he collided with the Pegasus. Liliana launched off his back a heartbeat before the collision, daggers racing around her and cutting into the bodies of the Sylphs she could hardly see but could still hit. Her naginata was held before her and it struck true, dead center on Newfeather’s chest.

The two students went flying away from their entangled bonds. The Pegasus’ wings beating ineffectively as it fell towards the ground on its back, Polaris shredding into its soft underside with chaos tipped claws and vicious biting jaws.

Shining daggers connected with the crow, who tried to save his falling master, exploding and sending the crow tumbling into the waiting jaws of Lelantos below. Liliana drew her legs up to her chest and kicked out. She put every bit of enhanced Strength she had behind it as she sent Newfeather sailing down, arms windmilling and searching for purchase he wouldn’t find.

[Wind Walk] caught Liliana as she flipped back, her naginata twirling as she shot back at Newfeather’s falling body, [Wind Surge] pushing her on.

Before Newfeather could connect with the hard packed sands of the coliseum, his body was jerked up in the air, as if he had been caught. He floated there, his clothes straining in barely seen hands as he was saved from a harsh defeat on the sands.

Wind gusted under him and Newfeather gained a shaky stability, rising slowly as he looked around, face blanching when he saw three of his bonds down and out, his Pegasus still trapped in a fight with Polaris, their bodies rolling across the sands as chaos and darkness lashed out, wind buffeting but not deterring the Kitsune from his prey.

“So the little bird finds his wings,” Liliana taunted from above as she spun her naginata, daggers dancing around her.

Newfeather’s head whipped around to her, and Liliana struck. His flight skill and Sylphs had saved him, but it was weaker, not meant to be a battle skill like Liliana’s [Wind Walk]. It wouldn’t let him evade her strikes. Without his bonds to protect him, Newfeather was weak, nothing more than a support with no fighters to hide behind.

Liliana plowed into him, moving too fast for Newfeather to avoid. Her naginata struck again and again, shining blade impossible to follow as her daggers slashed and bit into his darkening shield.

The two students fell, the wind screaming her ears as Liliana pushed Newfeather out of the sky with punishing strikes he couldn’t hope to avoid until his back hit the sands with enough force to leave a small indention around him, Liliana’s feet planted firmly on his chest, his shield a bright, cheery red.

“Winner. Liliana Rosengarde of Class S!” a voice called out over the coliseum, accompanied by the thunderous applause of the audience. Liliana hopped off of Newfeather, mentally recalling her bonds to her side.

Lelantos dropped the crow he’d been carrying around like a prize, held surprisingly gently between his jaws. Nemesis finally unwound from the Harpy she’d refused to release even after her shield turned red, body shrinking in a tornado of flower petals, winding up Liliana’s body to hiss discontentedly in her ear. She was disappointed she hadn’t been able to really kill her natural enemy. Polaris bounded to her, tongue lolling out, mouth set in a foxy grin, tails practically vibrating with happiness from the fight he’d had.

“That was a fun fight. We should spar sometime,” Liliana told Newfeather, extending her hand as her skills and spells deactivated, her naginata vanishing even as her daggers slid back into their sheaths.

Newfeather blinked at her for a moment from his resting place on the ground as their shields disappeared. A lopsided grin stretched across his face, Liliana noting that he had dimples in the back of her mind. A warm, clawed hand wrapped around hers tightly, and Liliana lifted Newfeather to his feet. He was surprisingly light, as if he had hollow bones. Because he was part bird, perhaps?

“We should. I want to hear how you procured such powerful companions.” Newfeather told her, leaning slightly into her space, eyes sparkling. Liliana noted that his eyes were rather like a bird’s. Subtly blue tinted white around pitch black pupils. Disconcerting might be a word many would use, but Liliana found them intriguing in their difference from her own.

“Perhaps after the Tournaments we can meet and discuss our bonds? Mayhaps have a friendly spar or let them stretch their wings? Or-“ Newfeather glanced at Nemesis with an amused glint to his inhuman eyes, “Scales and paws?” Newfeather tilted his head, looking distinctly avian as he watched Liliana.

“That sounds good. Polaris has wanted more friends to play with.” Liliana rubbed an affectionate hand over Polaris’ head as the Kitsune yipped happily.

The clearing of a throat by them made the two teens jump back as the professor glared at them, eyebrow raised pointedly. Liliana ducked her head and coughed delicately.

“Then. Bye, see you later?” Liliana called out to Newfeather, who waved and smiled at her as he escorted his own ruffled bonds to his tunnel. Liliana hurried off the sands, only keeping herself from running by the smallest threads of self-control.

“Oooo, Lili has a boyfriend!” Marianne’s voice sing songed as soon as Liliana opened the door, her bonds crowding in behind her. She’d forgotten to send them back to their stones, and they seemed disinclined to return as they settled on the floor around the area Liliana and her group had commandeered.

“I do not!” Liliana huffed, face burning as she threw herself into her seat.

“From here, it looked like you two were having a romantic moment,” Alistair teased her, slinging an arm over her shoulders so she couldn’t escape the teasing. Basil gave her a wan smile but turned back to the illusion without saying a word, thankfully. She had enough people teasing her.

“We were just talking about sparring!” Liliana defended herself, but her face wouldn’t cool and she knew her cheeks were betraying her. Her friend would think she was blushing because she liked Newfeather, not because she was embarrassed at their insinuations.

“A spar is basically a date for you.” Emyr argued and Liliana groaned as she buried her hot face in her hands.

Marianne, Alistair and Emyr continued to tease her about her newest ‘paramour’ through the entirety of the next two fights. Liliana could hardly pay attention to them as she fought against their accusations.

She got that Alfred Brewster of class D won against Edwin Cushway of class B. And Kenneth Levy of class E won once again, this time against Ezz’iken Strevyn of class D. What weapons, affinities or tactics used were beyond her, however.

Look, just because she liked beasts, some would say to the point of obsession, didn’t mean that she would automatically be attracted to the first beastman to give her a fun fight! She had spent far more time around Anya, and as much as she adored the wolf girl, she wasn’t about to ask her on a date. Her friends and brother didn’t seem to hear her objections, gleefully jumping on any reason to tease her and drag her back down to earth.

Liliana might be the strongest fighter out of their group, but they never let her feel like she was better than them. Hard to feel powerful when she couldn’t even look up from her hands because her best friend was discussing wedding arrangements with her brother as she tried to hardest to melt into the couch and cease to exist.