Chapter 29: Kast and Miraj VS Jigô and Ornella ①
Arun and Shuu had been directed to the audience more than noisy by the girl they had already had the opportunity to see many times. They had followed her without a word and had taken their place on the front line of the spectators, with a perfect view on the whole arena.
Kast and Miraj were brought back to the match area. They were placed on their starting platform, in front of their two opponents. And between them was the pedestal that supported the egg.
"Now that the participants are together, it's time to draw the second special rule !" Again, a drum roll followed the presenter's announcement, concluded after a few seconds with a cymbal.
"And the rule chosen for our second game is the World Tree !"
Immediately, the whole room was shaking as if the earth was opening in two. Suddenly, a gigantic tree emerged from the ground of the arena, in the center of it, carrying in its branches and imposing foliage the egg and its pedestal. How could a tree several tens of meters high have been able to grow in a few seconds ? It was as if they had just witnessed the complete life cycle of the plant, accelerated at a phenomenal speed.
But it was not over. Around the tree, water gradually replaced the sand of the arena and quickly a basin of a certain depth surrounded the gigantic tree. The battle zone was unrecognizable, totally different from the one in which Arun and Shuu had fought. The only areas that were not submerged were the starting platforms for both teams.
"Wouw look Miraj, a giant tree ! I love climbing trees ! It's great !" Kast exclaimed, pointing to the tower of wood that stood in the middle of an ocean. Miraj seemed less enthusiastic than him.
"I'm not blind, because of its size, I've noticed it. I... I think I'm going to stay on the ground, I'll make sure to not let anyone else get up the tree." Answered the squirrel with a slightly embarrassed look, averting her eyes.
Kast went back to her with a machiavellian smile.
"Why don't you want to climb ? For a squirrel, it's an incredible chance to climb a tree like this... Unless... You're feared of heights ?" The mocking air on her partner's face made her mad.
"I'm not feared ! I'm just not used to climbing trees, and I'll slow you down. I'm an ground squirrel !" Replied the poor woman who could not afford to go up that high. And even if she had, she would never have the courage to come down...
"Don't worry, I'm kidding. It looks like Kast, the flamboyant squirrel, will manage this game all by himself !" The red squirrel took the opportunity to throw himself flowers as he knew to do it so well.
"I told you I'd still be on the ground. You're going to get the egg, and I'm fighting and preventing our opponents from getting in. And if I can't stop them, I'll try to slow them down as much as possible, so you better be quick ! " Miraj did not know how long she could hold two to one, especially in the water. And they should not forget that one of their opponents was a great white shark... who would surely have the advantage over her without too much difficulty.
"I'm the fastest squirrel this planet has ever known, and when I was younger I was called 'The hedgehog eater', though I never really understood why. So that's the plan ! I go up, grab the egg, and jump back to the platform !" Declared Kast, who seemed to take this match a little lightly.
After all, the Meerkat Show was a game at the base, and they came here to have fun. But given the violence that Arun and Shuu had suffered during their match, she suspected they might take a few blows if they were inattentive too.
"Do you think you're a flying squirrel or what ? If you jump from so high, you'll not be 'The hedgehog eater', but 'The hedgehog crashed on the highway' !" Yelled Miraj still impressed with the infinite stupidity of her teammate. Could he not think of a real plan for once?
"But don't worry, there's water everywhere, it'll be just like a big dive !"
"You know the water is as hard as concrete if you fall at a high speed on it..." sighed the ground squirrel, giving up the discussion. Anyway, it was not as if she had a better idea than his, she had to recognize it...
"Everything will be ok, Miraj. Do you trust me?" Kast asked with a surprisingly serious look, putting his hand on the woman's shoulder. However, she took a pained look at these words.
"I have the impression that you stole this sentence from Arun..."
"I didn't steal it, I was just inspired by it... Tears of virility would have almost run down my face at that time, it was so moving !" He wiped his eyes, which were getting wet again just thinking of that moment of pure fraternal friendship. If only he could have a companion like that too, a "bro", someone with whom he could share everything ! Well, he had Miraj, it was a bit like that except that she was a woman.
On the other side of the arena, Jigô had prepared for the match and had removed the top of his suit, putting his jacket and shirt on the platform next to him. He thus revealed a muscular and drawn torso, as gray as the rest of his skin. Now that Arun could see him from behind, he noticed the flapper coming out of the back of the shark. So he was not wrong.
Ornella sat on the ground with her eyes closed, trying to predict what would happen. She had clairvoyance gifts that had already served her superior a lot, despite the mistake she made with Ikka. She had to do her best to catch up...
"They are going to separate. There will only be the red one going up to the tree, the woman will stay down to try to stop you from climbing." The wolf gives the opponent strategy information to the shark, who was also thinking of a way to win the victory.
"If there had only been the tree, it would have been difficult... Fortunately, I thought of asking Borath to add water to the arena. And under the waves, I am the King." Announced Jigô, smiling calmly, revealing his sharp, deadly teeth. Kast had to avoid them, if he cared about his body...
"You stay on the platform, Ornella, I'll make sure to beat both of them alone."
"What ? But-"
"I want your trumps to be kept secret for the final. Don't forget that our next two opponents are in the audience, and I think they're keeping surprises too." Declared the shark uncompromisingly. The wolf did not reply, contenting herself with obeying meekly.
"Now that all the participants are ready, the second match will start !" The presenter came back after the few minutes of calm he left for teams to strategize. Again, the count began, still slow and stressful.
And the shot marking the beginning of the confrontation resounded.
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