Another icy arrow sped through the air. A frosty mist cascaded underneath it and as it found its mark at Koda’s feet, it exploded into a massive glacier-like wall. The wall towered over Koda, casting him in a cold shadow.

Koda git his teeth. Silvis commanded the battle from the start, keeping him at bay with runed ice arrows, each with its own utility such as turning the to a deep layer of snow to hinder Koda’s movement and now this wall.

Koda’s eyes widened as he heard whistling gathering speed over him. He looked up and turned his body to stone, but to his surprise the arrows fell in a crescent shape behind him.

“Oh no,” he mumbled.

Ice walls erected from the arrows, now completely encasing him in a pit.

He may have had this battle from the get-go with his aggressive style, but I’m about to take this victory. Koda thought to himself.

The walls began to tremble and grind as they slid at Koda. I don’t think so.

Koda pulled his ilrune into his hands and channeled wind magic. With a whisk of air, he lept high into the air. Silvis was now only a spec on the battlefield in Koda’s aerial view. The elven king lifted his legs behind him. He flared brown magic through his feet forming a slab of rock. Bending his knees and bracing against the stone, he channeled wind magic once again and pushed off the slab like a torpedo.

Koda hurled through the sky, aiming for Silvis at a rapid speed. The ice elven archer fired another ice arrow at him, matching Koda’s speed but dragging behind came a rising tidal wave of ice. Koda clenched his teeth and powered his power through his sword until sparked with a burning white flame. He thrust his sword forward so that his body resembled a flame-tipped javelin.

The arrow sizzled into vapor as it made contact with Koda’s sword. Koda continued his path straight into the oncoming frozen wave, tunneling into the center and punching through the other side. Koda raced closer and closer at Silvis, a trail of fire and vaper behind him like a comet. Silvus had seconds to react as he dove sideways.

Koda twisted his body and quickly channeled earth magic, creating another platform underneath his feet. He bounced off the platform and flew to Silvis.

Silvis yelped as Koda swung his sword through him. However, instead of cleaving the elf in two, he entombed him in diamond. Koda landed, skidding backwards until his heels reached the battleground’s ledge.

“Silvis is unable to continue,” the referee cried. “Koda is victorious.”

Koda tapped his blade on the diamond, crumbling it and releasing Silvis from his claustrophobic prison. The ice elf fell to his knees. “G-good f-ight,” he stammered through labored breaths.

Koda offered his hand and lifted his opponent to his feet.

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“You could have killed him, Koda.”

Koda turned around to find Trent walking onto the platform. A smug grin crossed the white mage’s face. “It would appear you are still weak.”

Koda sheathed his ilrune, choosing to ignore Trent’s rude comment. He walked past Trent, making sure to bump his shoulder past Trent.

“Trent Aristay and Ireen Scurrywhisker, come to the arena”

Trent called to Koda, “Looks like I’m up against a green mage. I’ll pretend it’s you!”

Koda halted in his tracks. He balled his fists until they shook and let out a long sigh.

Trent laughed. Koda shook his head and walked away.

***

Koda entered the large tent that Arrelion set up as a home away from home during the tournament. It felt larger on the inside compared to the outside. Several comfortable cots were set up around the rim of the tent, each serving a bed for Wildeye, Raine, Arellion, Strythen, and himself. Lavish fruits, sweet wine, and hearty sliced bread sat on a round table at the center of. Arrelion placed a soft chair for reading at the far end of the tent, which Wildeye snoozed in with a fat book still in her hand.

Raine put her wine cup on the table and smiled as Koda walked in. “A thrilling battle, Koda.”

Koda grew a wide grin and rested his sword on a cot. He walked to the table and plucked a grape. “You caught it?”

Raine nodded enthusiastically. “You used a wonderful technique combining wind and earth magic!”

Koda’s ear tips blushed. “Thanks, Raine. Trent is having his battle now.”

“Trent’s and four other matches are left to go this round,” Raine explained. “Did you want to watch any”

Arrelion sat up from his cot. “It would behoove you to watch Austin’s match.”

“Why? Who is Austin, Master Arrelion?” asked Koda.

Arrelion leaned forward. “A brown mage prodigy.”

“Prodigy or do you mean he is just good,” asked Koda.

“A prodigy,” Arrelion answered. “Each elemental school of magic has a child born with a higher degree of power and control with their magic. Only seven are known to live at a time. Austin is one of them.”

“So he would make an excellent challenge,” Koda said with a smirk.

“Possibly the most challenging at this point.”

Raine tugged at Koda’s sleeve. “Come on, Koda, our tent has a great view of the tournament!”

Arrelion nodded to Koda, “Go ahead, have some fun. There will be a time to be serious when your next match comes around.”

Trent’s match just wrapped up as Koda and Raine began to watch the battles. A tall twister spat out a small green mage mouseling, sending her flying out of the ring.

“Ireen Scurrywhisker has been knocked out of bounds, Trent Aristay is victorious!”

Koda frowned. Even though Koda caught the tail end of the battle, Koda was Trent’s power and he was stronger than ever. Did Koda have what it took to beat Trent? Was silver magic enough to put the wind mage away?

“Zidan Shadowseeker and Syruss Sawyer please come to the arena.”

The battle began. Zidane, a shadow elf black mage, used shadow puppets like summons to do his bidding. Koda noted that he kept Syruss at bay, much like his battle with Silvis and the ice arrows. Koda watched on in awe at Syruss’s complete control over his elements. Using wind to increase his speed, and fire to enhance his light magic to counter the shadow puppets. Earth to create a deadend to trap Zidane. Then he used a vine whip to pull himself in close to the shadow mage, ending the match with an ice dagger to the shadow elf’s gut.

“Oh wow, he’s good, Koda,” commented Raine.

Koda couldn’t help but be speechless. Trent would be hard pressed to beat that performance.